Lovely War

I had heard a bit of two extremes in regards to how people felt about this book: either they hated it or they loved it. It’s always a bit nerve wracking to go into a book feeling like the odds of a middle ground are significantly slim. I am quite happy to say that I came out from the other side of this one absolutely adoring it! It will most definitely be a reread for me and I will not hesitate to hand to it my children as teens.The method of storytelling is a little different with this one (which, if I understand correctly, is one of the biggest hang ups for some people with this book). The book is multifaceted and, I think, very well done. This is the story of four mortals, James & Hazel, Collette & Aubrey, told from the perspective of five Greek gods: Aphrodite, Apollo, Hades, Ares, and Hephaestus. However, the story also weaves a bit of a subplot, giving us some of the god’s stories as well. It took me a minute to get used to the storytelling format, but after a chapter or two, I was hooked.First of all, I will say that the audiobook is superbly done and if you have the opportunity to listen to the book, it’s an experience you will vastly enjoy. Unlike most audiobooks, this one is narrated by multiple people. Each time a new god tells a part of hers or his story, a new narrator takes over. There are also narrators specifically for James and Hazel’s letters. Just so well done! I loved it.I really liked how the gods were portrayed in this book. It seems that quite often (and I know part of this comes from the historical way the god’s were discussed and feared) they are portrayed as vindictive, selfish, menacing immortals, who play with mortals and find supreme enjoyment out of watching them suffer. Not so in this book and I really loved that.The stories of James & Hazel and Collette and Aubrey were absolutely lovely. They were sweet and deep and powerful. My heart soared and my heart broke (and I may have cried) and then my heart soared again. I just loved them so, so much.Note: this is a wartime novel, so be aware that there are wartime atrocities that will happen. Bombings, soldiers injured, severely maimed, or killed; PTSD and other mental challenges related to the war. There are also a couple of scenes detailing what has become known as “The Rape of Belgium,” a time when Belgian civilians were incredibly mistreated by German troops during the invasion of Belgium during WWI. I don’t think anything is too gruesome, but there are a couple of small details. In addition to wartime details, this book contains racism and racist slurs (from racist characters), as well as hate crimes. Some kissing, maybe a swear word or two.Quotes I loved:I always say chocolate makes all the difference. And friendliness, of course.The King of Ragtime was a hurricane and, somehow, she’d forgotten to close one of her windows.It’s good to see something that was lovingly and carefully made.Grief is not a contest.“We say a building is made of brick,” she says. “But it’s the mortar, filling in the cracks, holding it all together, that provides the strength.”AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Read By: Jayne Entwistle, Allan Corduner, Julie Berry, Dion Graham, Fiona Hardingham, John Lee, Nathaniel Parker, and Steve West; As stated above, the audiobook reading for this book was superbly done. I would read this book over and over if just to listen to the audiobook narration.Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Kisses by the billions happen everyday, even in a lonely world like ours. But this is a kiss for the ages. Like a clash of battle and a delicious melding of flesh rolled together and set on fire."In 1942, Aphrodite gets caught by her husband, Hephaestus. He puts her on trial and she must prove to him how love is only real in mortals because they are flawed, while as a God she can only be worshipped. This is a story within a story as she tells a tale of first Hazel and James and then later another love story is woven in between Aubrey and Collette, both taking place between 1912 to 1917.Hazel is a British pianist who meets James one night at a dance and they both become completely smitten with one another. James is about to go away to war in about a week and wants to spend as much time with Hazel as he can.Laced in between the shared experiences of Hazel and James, Aphrodite works behind the scenes to make their romance possible. She acts as a waitress for example in once instance to make sure they get seated quickly.Because there are multiple elements in this story Aphrodite often allows others to narrate the bits and pieces of. Aries in times more focused on war. Apollo in areas more focused on the arts or where disease persists. Hades in moments of death as he emphasized spirituality and the afterlife. This story may start off with Aphrodite being the sole narrator, but we get multiple points of view in this.Later in our story, we meet Collette (a Danish girl who entire family was murdered) who is a nurse in one of the military camps near France as she and Hazel become fast friends.Aubrey is also wove into our story as a black, American musician also stations in the Military came near France. He is put is a completely separate area because he is black. I felt it was very different to hear how the blacks were treated during war time. I knew that desegregation still hadn't happened yet but I was not aware they were also segregated in the military camps because of the persistent racism that was still present during this time period. Most books I read do not have any focus on this element.Overall this book was made different by its narrative. Having Greek Gods narrate a war time story isn't a common story element and it made this story very unique. I enjoyed that twist.Overall the story was very enjoyable and I definitely see why this is so popular. I do not feel that the romance themselves popped out at me. They were sweet and I enjoyed them but I still felt like they lacked the momentum and power that I wound have liked to see from them. I felt kept at a distance and never really got a close up view of the love. I felt like I was only observing. I feel this may have been intentional because of the external perspective of the narrator; but it felt like a missed opportunity to me. It left me feeling like something was missing.

Really enjoyed this approach to ww1 fiction. Fun read and overall lovely story. I cried, I laughed, it had me on my toes at times. Overall very happy with the story and ending. Well done

I am not a historical fiction reader, but I saw someone mention that Lovely War was similar to Divine Rivals (my favorite book this year) and since I’m still trying to fill the void left by Rebecca Ross in the shape of Iris and Roman, decided to pick up this YA novel.The mix of genres - historical fiction, WWI setting with mythology - was so perfectly blended. I loved the epistolary elements and how the story was told from the perspective of Aphrodite and Hades. This incredibly clever and added to the intrigue. I knew halfway through, Berry was going to make me cry and she succeeded.Berry’s author’s note is not to be skipped. Through Aubrey’s character, Berry discusses the atrocious treatment of Black service members and racism within the US military during WWI and how the French ignored and burned the racist memos from US military leadership, but Berry goes further in depth in her author’s note. She also shares of the many contributions women made across all industries during the war and how this significantly altered the traditional view of women working in exclusively domestic roles.There is so much more I want to say, but will refrain so I don’t spoil the magic and heart of this book. If you enjoy historical fiction, mythology, and epic, but tender romance, I HIGHLY recommend Lovely War.

This book combines harsh reality, Greek mythology, and the inspiration of hope and love. The characters are beautifully written. The realities are devastating. The love is healing.

El libro llegó antes de la fecha marcada y en excelentes condiciones. Es un libro muy bonito con muy buenas reseñas.

This is historical fiction at its best. Julie Berry deserves credit for making her readers swoon, laugh, cry and understand how a generation goes into despair and uncertainty when war breaks out! This book is a splendid account of the struggles, fear, strength, and separation a "generation of young people faced when older men took decisions on their behalf to save their leather chairs" (Berry's words rephrased). The story is told by the Goddess of love in a trial where she narrates the heartwarming and at the same time heart-wrenching tale of 4 people whose fates are destined by the war. The stories of Hazel and James, and Colette and Aubrey are not mere love stories but have too many emotions involved. It isn't just boy meets girl, it is the narration of how war changes the lives of people completely and for forever! I was glad that the book ends on a positive note as I was too scared to lose characters to death in the trenches. The account of the Great War (as they first called it) is too realistic, too painful, and yet love conquers it all!

Apesar de terem me recomendado muito esse livro, apesar de eu ter amado a capa e comprado logo, por alguma razão fiquei com a impressão de que não iria gostar. Achei que seria parado, talvez pesado demais, arrastado, que seria difícil terminar de ler. Agora, eu daria qualquer coisa para ele ter mais umas quinhentas páginas ou para encontrar um outro livro como ele.São mais de quatrocentas páginas, mas eu li em duas sentadas, porque simplesmente não conseguia parar! Lovely War me surpreendeu demais! Primeiro, pela parte da história da Afrodite, que eu já conhecia por fora e que acho que terminou muito bem! Mas principalmente pelos personagens e pelo jeito que a Afrodite narra, com comentários, com a sua presença por perto! Tem capítulos narrados por outros deuses também, e essa foi a minha parte favorita! Cada um tinha a sua voz, seu tom, que coloria a narrativa do seu jeito.O romance se passa só na primeira guerra mundial, a segunda guerra é só quando a Afrodite está contando e não chega a ter uma parte relevante na história. Não é o primeiro livro sobre uma das guerras que eu leio, nem o primeiro sobre essa, mas me deixou com muita vontade de ler outros! Ainda mais se forem de romance! Os personagens desse livro são tão fofos, tão reais e interessantes, que é impossível não se encantar com eles, assim como aconteceu com a própria Afrodite! Mais encantador ainda, só o jeito que ela narra!Gostei de ver lados diferentes da guerra, gostei muito da narrativa e do enredo. Não consegui parar de pensar no livro quando não estava lendo e não conseguia parar de ler quando começava. Foram tantas emoções durante a leitura, esperança, alegria, tristeza, dor, medo, que esse livro me marcou logo no começo. Entrou de vez para os meus favoritos. Hazel, Colette, Aubrey e James também são inesquecíveis, e imaginar todas as cenas me fez sentir como se fosse a própria deusa, assistindo por perto eles passarem por tanta coisa diferente e difícil e impossível de descrever direito. Foi uma leitura absolutamente maravilhosa!Realmente queria poder ler outros livros como esse. Preciso de mais livros assim na minha vida, já fui atrás de vários outros que se passam nas guerras e algum dia vou reler Lovely War, com certeza. Recomendo demais e queria que trouxessem para o Brasil. Não é engraçado? No começo, achei que seria parado e que eu não iria gostar. Agora, já quero reler e já estou com saudades!

This book is amazing! The writing, the way things are described, everything in this book is so intricate and unique that it’s hard to put down! I love the setting and how Aphrodite tells the story. I love Greek Gods/Goddesses which is the reason why this book is great. Once you read one chapter, your transported into the lives of Hazel, James, Collette and Aubrey which is the exact reason why you should read this book!

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