Read the novel New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network Kate Quinn called “easily one of the best novels I have read all year!” A critically acclaimed, multi-layered romance set in the perilous days of World Wars I and II, where gods hold the fates–and the hearts–of four mortals in their hands.They are Hazel, James, Aubrey, and Colette. A classical pianist from London, a British … pianist from London, a British would-be architect-turned-soldier, a Harlem-born ragtime genius in the U.S. Army, and a Belgian orphan with a gorgeous voice and a devastating past. Their story, as told by goddess Aphrodite, who must spin the tale or face judgment on Mount Olympus, is filled with hope and heartbreak, prejudice and passion, and reveals that, though War is a formidable force, it’s no match for the transcendent power of Love.
Hailed by critics, Lovely War has received seven starred reviews and is an indie bestseller. Author Julie Berry has been called “a modern master of historical fiction” by Bookpage and “a celestially inspired storyteller” by the New York Times, and Lovely War is truly her masterwork.
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This book was not at all what I was expecting – I was hoping for a multi-perspective WWII book that churned with the whims of Greek gods and goddesses and brimmed with music and imagery. I thought the gods would be characters in the midst of the action, right alongside the protagonists, and while we sort of got that, it wasn’t nearly as fresh as I was hoping. Don’t get me wrong, I definitely enjoyed this book and found myself reading late into the night, eager to unravel the fates of the four main characters. But the uniqueness of the premise and the promise of something never before seen in WWII literature wasn’t executed as strongly as it could have been, and frankly, it got in the way of a very solid, if familiar, WWII romance.
Cute.
Loved every aspect of this book. A historical fantasy that will sweep your socks off (is that possible?). Also, the audio narrators are fabulous.
Fascinating, touching, and beautiful novel set in World Wars I and II and narrated by the ancient Greek gods. Loved it.
Julie Berry’s writing is delicious. The amount of detail she layers on is amazing. The book is about WWI, and the way she transitions so suddenly from the fluttering of first love to the horrors of trench warfare really emphasizes the atrocities of war and its destructive power. It made me cry more than once. It is a really beautiful, well thought-out book that is my new favorite.
What a lovely novel! The author really did her homework and had solid research (I’m picky about that sort of thing). The writing was beautiful. And I loved the characters.
The story starts with Aphrodite and Ares being caught by Hephaestus. As part of her defense, Aphrodite tells the story of what she considers two of her masterpieces. As the story progresses, they are joined by Apollo and Hades, who help tell the story.
Hazel and James meet at a dance in England just before James ships off to war in 1917. She follows him to France as a YMCA volunteer. There she meets Collette, a Belgian refugee who lost almost her entire family when the Germans massacred most of her village. Hazel (a pianist) and Collette (a singer) meet Aubrey, a member of a colored unit that will eventually be known as the Harlem Hellfighters. Aubrey has a talent for jazz and the three bond through music, but they have to walk a careful line—black men are not supposed to associate with white women (at least according to the US Army and the YMCA).
The four characters see and experience various hardships—racism, physical injury, mental injury, and grief. But there’s also love, hope, and forgiveness. This book ranks among my very favorite novels of WWI. Highly recommended for teens and for adults.
At first, I was worried this book might be a disappointment. A perfect couple, heading up to a hotel room for a secret encounter? But they aren’t any couple, they are Greek gods, and this story about two couples during World War One is told by Aphrodite and other gods she enlists.
I felt for the characters, loved the historical detail, and worried every time Hades became the narrator, because it’s war, and no one is safe, right? The war giveth, and the war taketh away, blessed be the war.
As a side note, I listened to the audio version, and it was absolutely incredible. Multiple voice actors, and music. A beautiful production.
I’m just going to say that I loved this book. It is probably my favorite book of the year. Julie Berry is an excellent storyteller and a master at her craft. Lovely War will grab your attention right away and whisk you away on a tale of love and war and they both go hand in hand.
The brilliant thing about this book is that its told from the view of the gods. That’s right, this story is told from the pov of Aphrodite, Ares, and Hephaestus. Like, how is that not the most amazing thing you’ve ever heard. While we seeing Hazel, James, Aubrey, and Colette fall in love. We see the war through these four characters eyes at different points in the war until they meet. I love how Julie Berry sheds a light on different parts of the way and how it affected people. Each of these characters experiences are different and you see how war has scarred them, brought despair, racism, death, survivors guilt, loss, and of course falling in love.
There are no words to describe this book other than to tell you how amazing it is. This is a must read book. It is a truly beautiful romance novel set around WWII. I am a big history buff and I loved reading about different parts of the war and getting my dose of Greek mythology. I fell in love with all of these characters and their experiences. I rooted for these characters through the war and the threat of death nipping at their heels. Just read this book.
This book was a delight in so many unexpected ways. I’d anticipated a war story and got much much more. Bravo Julie Berry!
This fascinating, gorgeously written novel of World War I will grip you and remind you that the greatest danger is closing our hearts to love.
This book threatened to break my heart, but just narrowly avoided it. I love everything Julie Berry writes, but she is getting better and more thoughtful with each subsequent book. This is a great war double romance, with a diverse cast of characters, but it has the added touch of Roman gods interfering and then deeper questions about faith and fate.