Girl at War by Sara Novic packs an emotional punch that will not soon be forgotten. Ana is just a child when the Yugoslavian civil war rips her world apart. Though she is forced to grow up too fast in the midst of fear, loss and violence, Ana is still a child and shares her journey as a child warrior and later as a student in Manhattan through wide open eyes.
I read and loved The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht just a few weeks ago and it's hard not to compare and contrast the two novels dealing with a similar subject. Where The Tiger's Wife wraps the story of war and loss in magic and folklore, Girl at War is simply the brutal, harsh reality of war and its effects on everyone involved, including and perhaps especially children.
Carefully plotted and moving at a steady pace, Girl at War is compelling and nearly impossible to put down at night. I am constantly drawn to these books that enlighten me about our recent history. Ana is a character dealing with so much turmoil and loss and is dynamic in her growth and healing.
While violent, dark and at times emotionally harrowing, Girl at War is also cautiously optimistic, offering hope for a brighter future. Sara Novic is an emerging talent who successfully makes the reader feel the despair, rage, confusion and sorrow felt by her main character.
Everyone is talking about this book because it is that good. It is that important.
Girl at War by Sara Novic is published by Random House on May 12, 2015.
**I received a complimentary copy of Girl at War. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own.
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