Lovely War by Julie Berry
A sweeping, multi-layered romance with a divine twist, by the Printz Honor-winning author of The Passion of Dolssa, set in the perilous days of World Wars I and II.
It's 1917, and World War I is at its zenith when Hazel and James first catch sight of each other at a London party. She's a shy and talented pianist; he's a newly minted soldier with dreams of becoming an architect. When they fall in love, it's immediate and deep—and cut short when James is shipped off to the killing fields.
Aubrey Edwards is also headed toward the trenches. A gifted musician who's played Carnegie Hall, he's a member of the 15th New York Infantry, an all-African-American regiment being sent to Europe to help end the Great War. Love is the last thing on his mind. But that's before he meets Colette Fournier, a Belgian chanteuse who's already survived unspeakable tragedy at the hands of the Germans.
Thirty years after these four lovers' fates collide, the Greek goddess Aphrodite tells their stories to her husband, Hephaestus, and her lover, Ares, in a luxe Manhattan hotel room at the height of World War II. She seeks to answer the age-old question: Why are Love and War eternally drawn to one another? But her quest for a conclusion that will satisfy her jealous husband uncovers a multi-threaded tale of prejudice, trauma, and music and reveals that War is no match for the power of Love.
It's 1917, and World War I is at its zenith when Hazel and James first catch sight of each other at a London party. She's a shy and talented pianist; he's a newly minted soldier with dreams of becoming an architect. When they fall in love, it's immediate and deep—and cut short when James is shipped off to the killing fields.
Aubrey Edwards is also headed toward the trenches. A gifted musician who's played Carnegie Hall, he's a member of the 15th New York Infantry, an all-African-American regiment being sent to Europe to help end the Great War. Love is the last thing on his mind. But that's before he meets Colette Fournier, a Belgian chanteuse who's already survived unspeakable tragedy at the hands of the Germans.
Thirty years after these four lovers' fates collide, the Greek goddess Aphrodite tells their stories to her husband, Hephaestus, and her lover, Ares, in a luxe Manhattan hotel room at the height of World War II. She seeks to answer the age-old question: Why are Love and War eternally drawn to one another? But her quest for a conclusion that will satisfy her jealous husband uncovers a multi-threaded tale of prejudice, trauma, and music and reveals that War is no match for the power of Love.
Pages: 480
Format: Physical
Published By: Viking Books for Young Readers
Genre: YA ~ Historical, Romance
Rating:
✮✮✮✮✮
Review:
Lovely War wrecked me, and mostly in a good way, although there were some strong heartbreaking moments throughout. This is the kind of book that you would want to have a box of tissues handy just in case there is a tear-jerking moment - I had to take a few breaks because of moments like those throughout the novel.
This is a story that you will remember long after you put the book down. It is filled with heartbreak, timeless romance, and a blend of history with Greek mythology. Lovely War jumps between the days of WWI and WWII (primary in WWI), as the Greek goddess, Aphrodite spins a tale of love between two couples during the middle of the first world war.
I really enjoyed the aspect of the Greek gods telling the story. Each gods' perspective was very distinct in the way they were telling part of the story. I also really liked both romances, and how all four characters' lives were intertwined. Hazel and James' romance was my favorite part of the story. It was sweet and beautiful, and they were the cutest together.
I loved the satisfying ending to the story, and how everything came together. If you are looking for a good historical romance that is set during WWI, this is the book to pick up. You won't regret it!
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