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ineslts's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked the concept of this book, and I loved the characters and their relationships with each other. I just felt lost in it sometimes and not the good kind of lost or this rating would be completely different. But still, as I said, loved the characters, loved the concept and the plot. And any book that unapologetically kills Nazis is really a good book in my records.
Hey, with the right frequency though, who knows what you'll stumble onto in this book.
Hey, with the right frequency though, who knows what you'll stumble onto in this book.
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
3.0
The moment I got this book in my Book Box Club I was very excited! The cover looked amazing, the story sounded very promising and I was quite curious what it would be like to mix Nazi's with monsters. However, for the Book Box Club books we always do this buddy read, which meant that I had to wait to get started. But last Monday it was finally time to dive into this book. Since I didn't wanna take the book with me to my parents, I finished a little early though.
It's hard to pinpoint why this book wasn't as amazing as I had hoped it would be. I really loved the Shadow World for example. I loved the idea of a parallel universe, I loved the idea that of course humans would find a way to destroy that universe and I loved the idea that of course people would find a way to abuse the monsters now living in the shadow realm. I especially loved that this was not so much rooted in fantasy, but in science.
However, I had an issue connecting with the characters and it's hard to pinpoint exactly why. Their backstories are all heartbreaking. They've all suffered in their own way. They've seen things no kids their age should see. They've done things no kids their age should do. But the emotional connection wasn't there. I read what they went through, I read what they endured, I read about all the horrible circumstances, but for some reason I never really felt it.
Just like the book felt really black and white for me. Everyone who was actively fighting against the Nazi's, and only if you could prove you had actually done something significant, was good. Everyone else was just bad. I understand where the anger comes from, but I'm glad that in the Netherlands, especially since Germany is our neighbor, we've reached a point in time where we are willing to understand the power of fear and willing to see people as more than just pro or against. I missed that a little in this book, especially towards the Germans who were trying to help, even if they were not yet ready to take the big risks.
And, last but not least, in this case I don't think it was needed for all the characters to end up with a love interest to get their happy ending...
It's hard to pinpoint why this book wasn't as amazing as I had hoped it would be. I really loved the Shadow World for example. I loved the idea of a parallel universe, I loved the idea that of course humans would find a way to destroy that universe and I loved the idea that of course people would find a way to abuse the monsters now living in the shadow realm. I especially loved that this was not so much rooted in fantasy, but in science.
However, I had an issue connecting with the characters and it's hard to pinpoint exactly why. Their backstories are all heartbreaking. They've all suffered in their own way. They've seen things no kids their age should see. They've done things no kids their age should do. But the emotional connection wasn't there. I read what they went through, I read what they endured, I read about all the horrible circumstances, but for some reason I never really felt it.
Just like the book felt really black and white for me. Everyone who was actively fighting against the Nazi's, and only if you could prove you had actually done something significant, was good. Everyone else was just bad. I understand where the anger comes from, but I'm glad that in the Netherlands, especially since Germany is our neighbor, we've reached a point in time where we are willing to understand the power of fear and willing to see people as more than just pro or against. I missed that a little in this book, especially towards the Germans who were trying to help, even if they were not yet ready to take the big risks.
And, last but not least, in this case I don't think it was needed for all the characters to end up with a love interest to get their happy ending...
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
DNF
Didn't like the magic system
Didn't like the magic system
marieintheraw's review against another edition
4.0
I really truly feel that Lindsay Smith is the only one that can get me to thoroughly enjoy a World War II historical fiction. This is a bit science-heavy at times, but with a character-driven story I did not mind somethings going over my head plot-wise.
I received an ecopy of this book via Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own
I received an ecopy of this book via Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own
quossie's review against another edition
2.0
Sounds cooler than it is. I got lost somewhere around the alternate universe shadow monsters being overshadowed by Nazis and teen drama.
ninamartinez94's review against another edition
4.0
The Shadow War is a YA historical sci-fi about a group of teenagers trying to take down the Nazis. The premise of this book sounded WILD when I first saw it, and I’m really happy I got an ARC because it really was a wild and weird time!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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This book has EVERYTHING - alternate dimensions, 1940s LGBT teens killing Nazis, weird shadow monsters ALSO killing Nazis, and so much more. I loved all of our main characters and the dynamics between all of them brought some levity to an otherwise dark story. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I was kind of confused about the details surrounding the alternate dimension here, which is what brought this down to a 4 star read for me. It was definitely fun and I enjoyed it, but I had a few too many “I’m not actually sure what’s happening” moments to give this a higher rating. I would say if you like Inglourious Basterds, books set during World War II, and Science Fiction this would be a fun read! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Thank you to @netgalley and @penguinteens for the #gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review!
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This book has EVERYTHING - alternate dimensions, 1940s LGBT teens killing Nazis, weird shadow monsters ALSO killing Nazis, and so much more. I loved all of our main characters and the dynamics between all of them brought some levity to an otherwise dark story. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I was kind of confused about the details surrounding the alternate dimension here, which is what brought this down to a 4 star read for me. It was definitely fun and I enjoyed it, but I had a few too many “I’m not actually sure what’s happening” moments to give this a higher rating. I would say if you like Inglourious Basterds, books set during World War II, and Science Fiction this would be a fun read! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Thank you to @netgalley and @penguinteens for the #gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review!
beth_joey's review against another edition
1.0
Given how interesting I find WWII history, I really expected to love this book. Especially because I didn't know a lot from the perspective of the civilians living in war torn Europe.
I thought the fantasy element woven through would be an interesting take on war history, but the opportunity there was cheapened by the lack of world-building.
The shadow world was used as nothing more than a weapon to be passed around. If you swapped it out with a rifle or a canon, I don't think the book would have changed much.
There were many opportunities to explore the shadow world and the 'behemoth' that kept being mentioned and when the time came to closing the connection between the two worlds, it just kind of happened with no explanation as to how.
Moving on...
Whilst I do enjoy multiple-POV stories for the different perspectives they offer, in The Shadow War I think it just made the book feel disjointed.
With the POV changing in every chapter, the opportunity to expand on significant moments or delve into how a flashback was relevant to the present was lost.
There were also a few moments where a different POV would reveal something in the story, only for another character's POV to go back and explain how it happened.
It just felt very repetitive at times.
Tuning into a character's internal monologue or reading past events that lead them to the point they're at in the story can be insightful and moving, when done right. I think it was overdone in this case, to the point where I wasn't sure if there was much story to tell once the internal monologues and flashbacks were removed.
My overall view of the story wasn't helped by the fact that the characters themselves weren't likeable. There were moments when they chose to kill or torture people that felt too brutal and as if their actions didn't make them better than the regime they were so adamantly fighting against.
The romances were cute but it felt awfully unrealistic for everyone to have a happily ever after.
It just felt like the author was hoping a mature topic would make the book mature. But the immature characters and the internalised and overly descriptive writing style, plus the happily ever afters, contradicted (and cheapened) the topic, making it all very confusing and disjointed.
I thought the fantasy element woven through would be an interesting take on war history, but the opportunity there was cheapened by the lack of world-building.
The shadow world was used as nothing more than a weapon to be passed around. If you swapped it out with a rifle or a canon, I don't think the book would have changed much.
There were many opportunities to explore the shadow world and the 'behemoth' that kept being mentioned and when the time came to closing the connection between the two worlds, it just kind of happened with no explanation as to how.
Moving on...
Whilst I do enjoy multiple-POV stories for the different perspectives they offer, in The Shadow War I think it just made the book feel disjointed.
With the POV changing in every chapter, the opportunity to expand on significant moments or delve into how a flashback was relevant to the present was lost.
There were also a few moments where a different POV would reveal something in the story, only for another character's POV to go back and explain how it happened.
It just felt very repetitive at times.
Tuning into a character's internal monologue or reading past events that lead them to the point they're at in the story can be insightful and moving, when done right. I think it was overdone in this case, to the point where I wasn't sure if there was much story to tell once the internal monologues and flashbacks were removed.
My overall view of the story wasn't helped by the fact that the characters themselves weren't likeable. There were moments when they chose to kill or torture people that felt too brutal and as if their actions didn't make them better than the regime they were so adamantly fighting against.
The romances were cute but it felt awfully unrealistic for everyone to have a happily ever after.
It just felt like the author was hoping a mature topic would make the book mature. But the immature characters and the internalised and overly descriptive writing style, plus the happily ever afters, contradicted (and cheapened) the topic, making it all very confusing and disjointed.
menshevixen's review against another edition
4.0
LOOK AT ALL MY CHILDREN
I loved this book. Gorgeous historical fantasy centering Jewish and Black and queer and Muslim kids saving the world--and each other. Both topical and timeless.
I loved this book. Gorgeous historical fantasy centering Jewish and Black and queer and Muslim kids saving the world--and each other. Both topical and timeless.
novelhaus's review against another edition
4.0
3.5/4 stars!
This book is fast-paced, action packed, and full of compelling characters that I thoroughly enjoyed reading about! I am normally a fantasy and sci-fi girl but sometimes I like to dip my toe into the historical fiction waters. This was a little bit of historical fiction, little bit sci-fi, and 100% a solid book.
Tension kept me turning the pages and the whole shadow realm was a good addition to set this apart from the typical world war II era historical fiction I have read.
The characters were all pretty well-rounded and developed. The romance, while a little bit insta-love tropey, was still fun to read and a nice addition.
Over all, happy I read this one!
E-arc was received by Penguin Teen in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Penguin Teen!
This book is fast-paced, action packed, and full of compelling characters that I thoroughly enjoyed reading about! I am normally a fantasy and sci-fi girl but sometimes I like to dip my toe into the historical fiction waters. This was a little bit of historical fiction, little bit sci-fi, and 100% a solid book.
Tension kept me turning the pages and the whole shadow realm was a good addition to set this apart from the typical world war II era historical fiction I have read.
The characters were all pretty well-rounded and developed. The romance, while a little bit insta-love tropey, was still fun to read and a nice addition.
Over all, happy I read this one!
E-arc was received by Penguin Teen in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Penguin Teen!
theimprecisemoonjelly's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
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? Yes
3.5