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jenmangler's review against another edition
4.0
I loved reading this book. Every single minute of it. This was the kind of book I hated to leave and couldn't wait to get back into. Each story is beautiful and heartbreaking in its own right. I love how integral music is in the lives of Friedrich, Michael, and Ivy. Ryan does a beautiful job conveying the power of music and its importance in our lives. And her writing is just so beautiful.
sereia8's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the fairy tale overlay and the way the three historical fiction stories intersect. I also love how music is integral to the story.
One of my favorite quotes from the book:
"There was always a moment after the last sounds and before the ovation--an elegant pause that Friedrich cherished. It was a pure space filled with one question: Had the audience listened with its heart?"
I love the way Ryan described that magical moment: "an elegant pause."
I loved reading the print version and then the audiobook added so much to the story--lovely accents and so much music!
One of my favorite quotes from the book:
"There was always a moment after the last sounds and before the ovation--an elegant pause that Friedrich cherished. It was a pure space filled with one question: Had the audience listened with its heart?"
I love the way Ryan described that magical moment: "an elegant pause."
I loved reading the print version and then the audiobook added so much to the story--lovely accents and so much music!
mmajer's review against another edition
2.0
By the end I just needed this to be done. It was super interesting in the beginning but by the 3rd story, I did not care. I was not at all interested in the last story.
But.... this all could be because it was on audiobook and seemed to never end (or it could have been the slow pacing?). This was my first time ever listening to an audiobook, and probably my last. For me personally, having people act out the character voices and what not, really takes away from how I would picture things on my own while reading.
Having said that, I think this was a good book for audiobook in the sense that music is a very key part of the book. So it was cool that they incorporated actual music into the audio.
In short, I wanted it like it, it was just ok, and I'm not a fan of audiobooks.
But.... this all could be because it was on audiobook and seemed to never end (or it could have been the slow pacing?). This was my first time ever listening to an audiobook, and probably my last. For me personally, having people act out the character voices and what not, really takes away from how I would picture things on my own while reading.
Having said that, I think this was a good book for audiobook in the sense that music is a very key part of the book. So it was cool that they incorporated actual music into the audio.
In short, I wanted it like it, it was just ok, and I'm not a fan of audiobooks.
mco123's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book! I love how she tied it all together in the end and how it all connected throughout with the harmonica. Such a well crafted book.
auroraborialis's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
jnishi's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful novel of hope and the power of music. Great intro for middle schoolers on the events of WWII. Treated the historical events with care and did not belittle the losses the characters faced.
jvmilks's review against another edition
4.0
I highly recommend listening to the audiobook of Echo to experience the music so frequently referenced. It brought the book and characters to life in a way that would have been lost just reading the pages.
megan_fowle's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
allicatca's review against another edition
2.0
I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked certain sections more than others. At the end I realized how all the different parts related to each other but the story overall felt disjointed. It might be my fault for listening on audio and sometimes having many days or a week between "listens."
Also, maybe I just don't think a magical harmonica made much sense and the disbelief kept me from enjoying the story as much as I could if I were younger.
Also, maybe I just don't think a magical harmonica made much sense and the disbelief kept me from enjoying the story as much as I could if I were younger.