Thursday

Review: Alice Bliss by Laura Harrington

"Can you ever let go of those who leave?"

Alice Bliss, a fifteen year-old girl who is smart, funny and clear. She idolizes her father and tries to follow his example. But when her father decides to leave home to go to fight in a war, Alice is distraught. Her father has everything he needs here, a wife, his children, even his garden he puts every care into to. Alice has to try to continue without him around. Remembering what her father told her before he left, arguing constantly with her mum and throwing herself into school while waiting desperately for his phone calls, or his letters all while trying to stay strong for her younger sister. But when the letters suddenly stop, their worst nightmares come true. They are told he is missing in action, with no idea of whether he is dead or alive, how badly he is injured. Know they have to face up to the fact he may never return. But Alice refuses to believe he is dead and prepares for his return home-not mentioning falling in love with the boy next door. 

Alice Bliss is a captivating coming-of-age novel that will have your eyes wide open to the consequences of war. Alice Bliss is brought to life in a powerful story full of love, loss and life. Told in Alice's perspective you can really get an insight into the life of a family when the father figure leaves for war. The pain, the uncertainties, each wrote into this emotionally honest journey of a young girl. Funny and packed full of the personality of a teenage-girl, it had me laughing throughout. 'Alice Bliss' brings to life a character that is relatable and who, every single young girl can find a bit of themselves in. A main part of this novel was the struggling relationship between mother and daughter. Alice doesn't look at her mum, the way she see's her father and feels like she can control things while he's gone. To make him proud. I loved following their story-just the two of them- as they attempt to make their relationship work.  'Alice Bliss' was also beautifully written with detailed flashbacks of Alice's life when she is thinking about her father. I was willing Alice on as she falls in love, finds out who she really is and grows up. The complicated life she has is full of hope, as I found myself with tears in my eyes, or excited about the chance of first-love.When I put this book down I found myself anticipating the fact of being young and being free. I adored this book, which I recommend to ages 12+. 

'Alice Bliss was a captivating coming-of-age novel, that has your eyes open to the consequences of war for the families of the soldiers. Alice was a main-character every girl can relate to, in a novel full of life, loss and love: that will captivate you as she experiences first-love and grows up'
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11 comments:

  1. Great review, Sophie! I shall have to try this out now! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thank you! I really recommend it - I really enjoyed it! And, it has romance!

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  2. Brilliant review! :) I'm so glad you enjoyed it, this sounds great :) And I love the cover! <3

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    1. Thank you! I love the cover too-it's what drew me to reading Alice Bliss!
      Sophie:)

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  3. Thanks so much for writing this great review, Sophie. I'm so glad I got to meet you on lne and so enjoyed our interview. Happy New Year.

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    1. I'm really glad you liked my review! Thank you so much, I really enjoyed our interview too.
      So glad I got to meet you - I loved Alice Bliss
      Happy New Year to you too!
      Sophie:)

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  4. Whoops! That should read: "on line"

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  5. It seems like a really interesting book and i hope i can get the full story online, in a movie or through obtaining the book! missversatality.blogspot.com

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    1. I really recommend it-I taught me so much! Thanks for commenting
      Sophie:)

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  6. Wow, Sophie. What a great review. Alice Bliss is one of my all time faves from this past year.

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    1. Thank you so much! It's definitely one of my faves too!
      Sophie:)

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read - and comment on - this blog post! I read and reply to every comment, so feel free to ask any questions and I'll answer!

See you soon!

Sophie Louise