Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Publication date: September 10th 2013.
My rating: 3 stars
While flying an Allied fighter plane from Paris to England, American ATA pilot and amateur poet, Rose Justice, is captured by the Nazis and sent to Ravensbr ck, the notorious women's concentration camp. Trapped in horrific circumstances, Rose finds hope in the impossible through the loyalty, bravery and friendship of her fellow prisoners. But will that be enough to endure the fate that's in store for her? Elizabeth Wein, author of the critically-acclaimed and best-selling Code Name Verity, delivers another stunning WWII thriller. The unforgettable story of Rose Justice is forged from heart-wrenching courage, resolve, and the slim, bright chance of survival.
Rose under Fire is another powerful and compelling story by Elizabeth Wein. I was completely overwhelmed by her debut novel Code Name Verity and so was expecting no less from her here. Just like with Code Name Verity I found it extremely difficult to get into this story. But with Code Name Verity, once I got past the initial struggle I was hooked, however with Rose under Fire this was not the case. I hugely liked Rose’s character and her strength and her resilience that she displayed but I never felt myself invested in her story like I was with Maddie and Verity. These two brought out so many different emotions within me. Whereas I’m sad to say that despite bringing such a brilliant diverse range of characters, not one really shone through for me. However I did appreciate the comradeship that came through this book that despite coming from different places and pushed to the limits in many ways, these girls were a solid team with them doing everything to help each other out. Rose under Fire is a beautiful read you just have to read all the praising reviews to see this is the case. Being the mood reader I have lately become, I can only explain this being the reason for not enjoying this one more.
Publisher: Farrar, Straus & Giroux
Publication date: September 17th 2013
My rating: 3 stars
A novel about the end of days full of surprising beginnings The world is living in the shadow of oncoming disaster. An asteroid is set to strike the earth in just one week’s time; catastrophe is unavoidable. The question isn’t how to save the world—the question is, what to do with the time that's left? Against this stark backdrop, three island teens wrestle with intertwining stories of love, friendship and family—all with the ultimate stakes at hand.
Tumble & Fall is another book which I knew I had to immediately read after seeing the gorgeous cover. I guess it’s kind of my fault for not reading the blurb more carefully, but who is the couple on the cover meant to represent?, maybe I was expecting more romance from the story, the cover does seem to convey this is what the book would be about. The three different pov’s we got from Caden, Sienna and Zan I didn’t mind. It was interesting learning about these three different individuals back stories and then seeing them intertwine together. But once again I only found myself invested in one story and what a beautiful one it was. I think if it wasn’t for Zan’s story I probably would have given up on this story very early on. But I loved watching Zan go on her journey to discover the truth and the ever loyal Nick by her side. Coutts from very early on led me to believe what had actually gone down between Zan and her boyfriend, but I’m glad that despite this Zan went out to find out more. Where I was fully invested with Zan’s story, with Caden and Sienna, not so much, I even admit to skimming over some of their parts. Tumble & Fall may have not been one of the most memorable reads for me of this year, but Zan’s story definitely found a special way to my heart.
18 comments:
I really want to read CNV as the reviews on Rose Under Fire have been pretty good. Shame that you didn't love it. I think I've given up of Tumble and Fall completely, nothing has really caught my interest there.
Awesom reviews, Jasprit! <33
Honestly I'm really afraid of reading Rose Under Fire. I have the book and I'll start it soon, but I haven't finished Code Name Verity just because I couldn't get into the story. I need to push myself more. For the Tumble & Fall I have seen Sam's and now your review and I'm giving up. Great reviews Jasprit :)
I remember you saying that the historicals by Wein don't read like historicals. Am I right? I hope I am because there are only a few classics I enjoy and seldom a few contemporary authors' historical work--other than that, I don't read any historicals at all. Sad that you didn't reall find any of the characters outstanding, but I'm glad you still somewhat enjoyed it:)
Tumble and Fall--well, Sam crushed my dreams :D And Nick didn't like it either. Yeah, the cover seems to hint at a romance so I'm surprised that there wasn't much. I feel like it's either a 'meh' book or 'hate' book. Haven't seen that much love for this one:(
I love the cover of Tumble and Fall too, but I'm not sure the story is for me. I've seen a lot of not so great reviews. I've heard great things about Code Name Verity (haven't read it yet) so it's a shame that the companion novel wasn't a hit for you.
Good reviews. I've been curious about both books but hearing a lot of mixed feedback about the two.
I haven't been hearing the greastest things about Tumble & Fall but I'm glad to hear you at least enjoyed Zan's story. I'll be reading it soon so I curious to what I'll think. :)
I'm sorry to hear that Rose Under Fire wasn't as great a read as Code Name Verity for you, Jasprit. I haven't read either yet, but I've heard great things about the author's writing style. It's a shame about the characters though. Not being able to connect with the characters always decreases my enjoyment of a book. I might wait for a couple of more reviews before deciding to give it a shot.
Ah! You already know how I felt about Tumble & Fall. I completely agree with you on the cover. I feel deceived for some reason because I was expecting a romance. And the romances in the book were so boring.
I liked Zan's POV better too. The guy's POV was the weirdest. His situation was completely ridiculous. I think this book would have worked better had this been written in the POV of one character only.
Anyways, lovely honest reviews, Jasprit! :)
I know Tumble & Fall isn't for me with the multiple PoVs, but it's a shame about Rose Under Fire! I've been avoiding my copy like the plague because I'm so scared it'll be disappointing or that I won't be able to get into it. *sigh* We'll see. Thanks for these honest reviews, Jasprit!(:
This is the second "meh" review I've read for Tumble & Fall Jasprit and I'm so disappointed! That cover is so flippin pretty and the premise sounded terrifying and heartbreaking so I'm bummed the reality of it isn't as fabulous as the promise. I'm still going to give it a try, but at least now the bar isn't set as high:)
Glad Zan found a way to your heart but sorry to hear that there wasn't a lot of romance. I would expect that from the cover too
Aw, I'm sorry you didn't fully love Rose Under Fire. I'm still excited to read it, though :) Hope I'll love it. <3 I actually hated Tumble & Fall. Which is so sad, because I wanted to love it :\ So I'm kind of happy you didn't love it either, hih. Thank you for sharing your awesome reviews <3
Thank you for commenting on my WoW. <3
Love, Carina @ Carina's Books
I definitely didn't get "asteroid" from the cover of Tumble and Fall! It's a shame Rose Under Fire didn't grab you - I still haven't read Code Name Verity, although a lot of people I know enjoyed it.
It's hard when characters don't leap off the page for you. I know it doesn't happen with every book but when I read, I want at least one character who I love and want to root for (or against). It there's at least one, I can get fully invested. If there's not, I tend to skim or even DNF. Maybe next time? *fingers crossed*
I like covers that depicts the story! Oh well, the asteroid from the plot is like a s surprise to me since it's not seen in the cover. Thanks for the review on Tumble & Fall, Jasprit :D
-Dannielle
I have been hearing countless, amazing things about Code Name Verity and Rose Under Fire. I am very much looking to discovering Elizabeth Wein's writing. I'm sorry to hear you couldn't connect with the characters though. I am even more curious to see how I'll like it now. As for Tumble & Fall, I haven't been hearing the best of things. I don't think I'll even bother to pick it up. Zan does sound like a likeable character, but I don't think that one aspect would redeem this story for me. Thanks for the honest reviews, Jasprit! :D
~ Maida
Literary Love Affair
Such lovely mini-reviews, Jasprit dear! I haven't read Code Name Verity yet, basically because I'm almost scared to read it. I just don't want to be disappointed by it. I want to be in the MOOD for it. It sucks that you weren't really in the mood for Rose Under Fire. :/ I'm scared to death of reading CNV for that reason! Also, Tumble and Fall seems pretty meh. I hate it when there's multiple POVs and one of them (or in your case, two!) is boring. I just end up skimming those parts anyways. I'm glad you were able to enjoy at least one of those POVs, though!
Awesome reviews, Jasprit! <3
Oh, no! I expected so much from Rose Under Fire and I am so sorry you didn't really connect with it. Hopefully I'll have more luck.
As for Thumble & Fall, I pretty much gave up on it, but I'm glad you cared about Zan's story at least. Most people didn't even get that far.
Thanks for the lovely and honest reviews, Jasprit!
Thank you so much for your honest thoughts! I totally understand your struggle over ROSE UNDER FIRE. Wanting so much to love a book, but just not being able to manage it, and wondering where it went wrong? I'm still very much hoping that it will be a winner for me, but I appreciate this perspective. As for Tumble and Fall. I was confused about the cover, once I read the synopsis. I'm curious about why it was chosen? I'm also not one to like switching storylines so I'm quite hesitant to start it for the same reasons you didn't connect with it. I'm afraid I'll choose one to love and ignore the rest. Thanks for your thoughts!
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