I got this book for free from a conference, and I normally wouldn't have picked this up, so keep that in mind. I just couldn't fall into this story. I tried, but I kept getting distracted by everything and eventually gave up. I might try again later... but probably not. I just don't think this is the book for me.

Wonderful mix of humor, historical, romance, and mythology. Gods and Goddesses discussing their strenghts and trying to argue they are more important was very entertaining. The war scenes and historical descriptions were very spot on--felt like you were there. Themes of racism and discrimination added to the emotional impact of this novel.

Mixing romance, war, and mythology, Julie Berry's Lovely War is an all encompassing and emotional story. While it is marketed as a historical romance, war and its effects are given just as much attention. Several of the secondary characters were real people, which adds to the realism of the story. Berry does not shy away from the gruesome details and Lovely War is rare in its candid handling of the events of World War I.

Narrated by a cast of gods and goddesses, we are introduced to Hazel, James, Colette, and Aubrey. The four come in contact with each other throughout World War I as they fall in love, become friends, and grieve. The beginning is a little slow as the story is set up, but once it gets going, you won't be able to put it down.

I loved Berry's previous book The Passion of Dolssa and this was just as real and a standout among the other historical YA books.

**I received an e-ARC from Netgalley**

A tale told by the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, to her husband, Hephaestus, and her lover, Ares, about four lovers fates in the time of war. The story is during the time of WWI and is a tale of prejudice, trauma, music, and the power of love. A unique way of telling the story of war and the power of love. Aphrodite seems to be meddling or as much as she can in the lives of four mortals.

I had high expectations for this book and it was a compelling read. The four characters are well developed and distinct. Their stories intertwine in unexpected ways at times and the narrative was unpredictable in delightful ways for the most part. It is also clear that Berry did extensive research before telling her tale as evidenced by the copious notes on various related subjects at the end of the book. What disappointed me was the god connection. It was distracting at times and the perspective from WW II was not as well developed as I would have liked. All in all, still recommended for those who are looking for historical fiction from WW I. Also love the cover!

A big thank you to Penguin and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this new YA book.

I was completely swept up in this World War I story, with characters who were written with so much depth and detail that their lives felt real and solid. It was the mythology and Greek gods that initially drew me to the book, but, surprisingly, became the part that I enjoyed the least! However, it's a great hook and one that I will definitely use to entice readers who like character-driven novels, multiple settings, and a dash of fantasy.

This is another novel added to the recent spate of World War I fiction, but this one has an ambitious twist. The goddess Aphrodite has called a meeting in a ritzy New York hotel in 1942 to pit her lover Ares against her husband Hephaestus. During the ensuing "trial," as evidence Aphrodite recounts the stories of Hazel, James, Aubrey, and Colette. These four characters' lives intersected in London and France and served to prove Aphrodite's strength as the goddess of love, even in the face of war (Ares) and fire (Hephaestus). The World War I plot moves along easily, and is strengthened by the romantic threads, as well as the themes of racial prejudice and music. For me, the device of using the gods to tell the story in 1942 was somewhat confusing rather than effective, but in the end the resolution was satisfying.

This isn't your average war story, nor your average love story. It's framed by a World War II era conversation (a trial, actually) among Greek gods; the story concerns four individuals during World War I. I would recommend this to anyone who likes historical fiction, 20th century war stories, romance, and music.

This book was extraordinary. The plot wasn't difficult to follow but the way it was presented was unusual. It's about a black regiment in WWI, a ragtime band and the love between a black soldier and a white YMCA worker. The story takes you to the trenches of France and the gruesome conditions that our soldiers had to endure. It is also the story of a white regiment fighting that same war. It touches on prejudices but it is much more than that. It amazes me to know how much our forefathers did to ensure freedom in our country and in other countries as well. It also makes me sad that a lot of these principles are lost in our world today.

Lovely War is a beautiful story about war and love, friendship and persistence. This stunning tale juxtaposes the Greek love story of Aphrodite and Hephaestus with the tales of two couples surviving World War I. I cannot begin to describe the exquisite scenes and dialogue that enrich this book. Berry paints a vivid background of war, not shying away from the difficulties but dwelling instead on hope and love.

This book is wholly original. Julie Berry takes what would normally be standard historical fiction fair and makes it her own by using Aphrodite as the conduit for the story telling of four individual stories.

An advanced electronic copy of this book was provided to be by Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Thirteen years ago I read an advanced copy of a book that was difficulty to describe to people. The setting was compelling on its own (WWII Germany), but the narrator (death) was not.

Today I finished an advanced copy of a book that is even more difficult to describe than The Book Thief was , and it has left me as moved, inspired, and excited to get everyone to read it as I felt back in 2006. That book is Lovely War, by Julie Berry.

Librarians who genre shelve will have trouble with this one. It's easiest labeled as historical fiction, mostly set during WWI England and France, but it takes readers into the training camps and front line trenches, so it has enough military and war plot to fit that genre too. Readers who have seen Peter Jackson's document They Shall Never Grow Old will easily see the trenches and faces of James and his platoon. And if the devastation of the war is not enough history, add in racial unrest and Jim Crow of the American troops.

Romance fuels the plot though, and it could easily be labeled such. Aphrodite, yes the actual Greek Goddess of Love, sits on trial for adultery with Ares. Her husband Hephaestus sits as judge and jury. Lovely War is the tale of four lovers that Aphrodite tells in her defense. She calls witnesses such as: Hades and Apollo to fill in the story she cannot, for though she is a goddess and immortal, she is not omnipotent (good plot planning in my opinion), and needs them to fill-in the story she cannot tell herself.

And just to add to the genre mix: mythology, music, and humor and you have Lovely War. But I’m not doing this book enough justice. It is a “read it to see for yourself” kind of book.

I loved it.

This story is romance, straight up, but told only as Julie Berry can--within the drama of history. Berry sets the scene in a Manhattan hotel in 1942, where the Greek God Hephaestus has set a trap for his unfaithful wife, Aphrodite, and his brother, Ares. Caught in a fine web wrought by the god of iron and blacksmiths, Aphrodite requests a trial to prove--perhaps not her innocence--but her justification. And so she begins the tale of two couples--a British soldier and a young pianist; and an African American soldier (also a pianist) and a French woman--each managing to find love in the midst of the ravages of World War I.

Assisting Aphrodite are Ares, Apollo, and Hades--the gods of war, music, and death. Berry's storytelling is rich with the details of the Great War--from the birth of jazz and the Harlem Hellfighters, to the influenza epidemic and the nightmare of trench warfare. But centering the narrative within the affairs of the Greek pantheon gives the couples' stories a feel of the universality of love, music, and death. it doesn't always completely work, but when it does it breathes magic into the ordinary. Berry's endnotes are extensive--full of the facts behind the fiction--and include information on black servicemen and their experiences before, during, and after the war, women in the war, and the consequences of World War I. Give this to fans of historical romance such as A Mad Wicked Folley by Sharon Waller Biggs, or war dramas featuring strong females, such as The Alice Network by Kate Quinn.

The Lovely War by Julie Berry is a romantic tale of love & loss during WWI. Berry combines the love story of a WWI history with the ancient Greek gods as the framework of her tale. The story begins with Aphrodite telling a love story to her husband Hephaestus and Ares( god of war & her lover) about young love in war time, this is set during WWII. The dual love story is mainly about Hazel and James, two English people who meet and fall in love on the brink of war. The stories delve into why love is more powerful than war. James and Hazel meet as WWI begins and their relationship undergoes the drama of WWI and Berry’s ability to weave in historical details makes this novel a compelling love story/historical fiction. The frame story of the gods was intriguing but essentially only gives a reason to tell the love story to the reader from an omniscient narrator, Aphrodite. Later the author’s message of love overcoming hate is delivered through Aphrodite. I highly enjoyed how history is woven into a lovely romantic tale!
Another fascinating aspect of LOVELY WAR is the way Berry also examines the prejudice that black soldiers experienced during WWI.

Due to be released in early March, Lovely War is a brilliant mix of historical fiction and Greek mythology. Readers follow the lives of four protagonists whose lives intersect during World War 1. Events from the different plotlines are narrated by the Greek immortals who watch over the main characters. Hazel is a young, sheltered English pianist who meets up with James, a fellow citizen who is just heading off to fight in the trenches in France. Collette is a Belgian beauty who has suffered immense loss, and Aubrey is a brash American soldier from Harlem, ready to take on the world. Throughout the book, many themes are artfully addressed, such as hope amidst suffering, racism, sacrifice, friendship and love. The unique way in which the author tells the story is intriguing and compelling. This novel would be a worthy addition to any high school or young adult library collection.

I started reading this and was stopped by the gods talking. I wish I could have gotten past that to hear the story, but I was really turned off by the beginning.

I found this title difficult to sink into. The portrayal of the Greek gods took me out of the story line and did not seem to fit. I understand how the two topics were intended to weave together but it did not work for me.

Lovely War tells a historical story in a unique way. By putting in the Olympian gods, Berry makes two interweaving stories seem universally appealing.

This was the 1st book written by Julie Berry that I have read and I was able to read it before it is published through NetGalley. It was a very interesting premise with the gods talking and playing a hand in the lives of 4 people during World War I. I like books that are written from multiple perspectives so you can hear both sides of the story, but in this case you heard 3 different perspectives because of the gods. At times it got a little confusing keeping track of which god is the god of what though. It was a heartbreaking story that kept me wanting to read more though. All in all a good book!

During World War II in a Manhattan hotel room Hephaestus catches Aphrodite and Ares together. The jealous husband decides to put them on trial, and a story about the complicated nature of love is told. The god's infatuation with human lives weaves the story of two couples during World War I. How are love and war intertwined? The stories of World War I are comprised of love, heartbreak, hope, pain, and relationships where none should exist. Will Hephaestus be satisfied with the results of the trial? Can the couples make the impossible happen? Can Aphrodite and Hephaestus make amends in their marriage? This unique story ties together historical fiction and mythology. While the ties between the time periods could be stronger, the reader will remain engaged with the draw of the characters and romances. Grades 9+. (Ages 15+) High school and new adult readers will both enjoy this unique story.