I always get excited to read a Kimberly Brubaker Bradley book. Unfortunately this one didn't live up to the others for me. I didn't feel as emotionally connected to Miri as I did with other KBB characters. The storyline about the old woman at the castle didn't connect with me at all. There was a lot of time spent connecting Catherine Medici and the Nazi's/Hitler that was well researched, but slowed the pace of the story and kept me feeling disconnected. The magical elements didn't work for me or seem to fit in the story. I will definitely read more from KBB, but this one was a miss.
2.5 stars rounded up to 3.

I will read anything this author writes. Her historical fiction books are incredibly engaging and well-written. This one is no exception. It is a fascinating story, beautifully written.

There hasn’t been a book by this author that wasn’t a home run. Historical fiction is an important middle grades genre. Kids will be drawn to the action of WWII and will be on their seat hoping for Miriam’s
Safety.

No one writes like Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. Her duology, The War That Saved My Life (#1) and The War I Finally Won (#2), are phenomenal. With that said, this takes a different turn. It's set in WWII, with an engaging main character and intriguing plot. There's an element of magical realism that didn't quite work for me, but I could see how it would for some young readers.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have always enjoyed Brubaker’s books and this was no exception. I read a lot of WWII historical fiction and this was a unique escape story.

I snapped this up when I saw the author because how amazing is The War that Saved my Life?! Unfortunately, this did not live up to the hype (in my mind) from that earlier book. Miriam's story has a good amount of adventure, but I still wasn't entirely wrapped up in it. And the inclusion of the ghost was a confusing addition. Especially because of who the ghost was, and also especially because she just didn't ever seem to get that there were bigger issues at stake than her garden. And ALSO because, why can she just talk to gardeners?! I am okay with a ghost as a character and with that ghost being a big helper to our protagonist, but this particular ghost didn't do it for me. One plot point that I do like/not like is Miriam's decision about whether to take Nora with her toward the end. There are good arguments on both sides of the situation and no good way for Miriam to see which is for the best in the long run.

What bravery the girl had to display! This was heartbreaking to read at times - for the girls to become separated from their families and put in unthinkable situations. I loved that they found safety at the orphanage. I also loved that it was revealed at the end how one of the other girls was also Jewish.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of the book to read and review.

I absolutely loved The War that Saved My Life and The War I finally Won, so I had high expectations for this one. I loved that it was a totally different perspective from WWII that isn't normally told. This was definitely a page turner, and another must add by KBB!

Wonderful and amazing book. Bradley brings history alive. There is enough tension to keep it exciting but not so much that it will scare readers.

A wonderfully written middle grade historical novel! It does such a great job of showing the impact World War II without getting too scary for the audience. The author really draws the reader in and makes you feel deeply for the characters. Often there is a fascination with WWII especially with this age group as they are just learning about it. I know there have been many requests for historical novels that actually turn out to be just requests for WWII novels. This book is a great pick for those readers looking for more of that genre.

My only wish is that the author had given a slightly longer epilogue. She gave a great ending and wrapped things up with the epilogue but I was ready for more than a quick closure.

In THE NIGHT WAR by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, when the Jews living in Paris are rounded up during World War II, Miri is torn from her family. After escaping Paris, she ends up living in a convent in the French countryside where she must do her best to fit in with the Catholic girls who are also boarding at the convent’s school. She finds herself drawn into a secret project headed up by two of the convent’s nuns that has the potential to put her in harm’s way yet again. Can Miri choose courage in the face of many challenges?
With its touch of magical realism, this action-packed and suspenseful story provides readers with a new twist on World War II historical fiction. Miri is a courageous focal character, and readers will see her grow as she navigates difficult situations and is forced to make choices to save her life and the lives of others.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of the book to read and review.

I always enjoy Kimberly Brubaker Bradley's writing, but this book was probably the most suspenseful book of hers that I have read. With plot twists, daring escapes, and unexpected allies, this is a WWII story that will have readers on the edge of their seats, while also inspiring empathy, courage, and determination. The Night War is fast-paced and emotional, with some fantastical elements and many factual ones as well. It's a story of hope against all odds, and asks, "how much would you sacrifice for those you love?"

I'm usually up for reading a new perspective on the Holocaust. I hadn't encountered this particular situation before. There are plenty of books about Jewish kids in hiding, often at Catholic schools. The particular set up here is unique and there's a lot of nuance in her relationships with both the nuns and her peers worth exploring.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. These opinion are completely my own.

Wonderfully written book that depicts the horrors of Nazi France in a way middle school/high school students can understand.

The story is easy to get into and Miri is someone you want to root for

I received a free eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I requested this because I adored The War that Saved my Life & The War I Finally Won. I’m a little sour on World War II - after a while they all start to sound the same. This was slightly different in that it takes place in France (I feel like we’re usually in either Germany or Great Britain). Miri is a young Jewish girl whose family has recently been relocated from their actual home to the Pletzl. But when German soldiers raid the entire town, Miri is able to escape with her neighbor, Nora. She promised Nora’s mother they would stay together, but she gets taken in by a convent school, and Nora is sent to live with a local Catholic family.

Because it’s not safe to be Jewish, Miri must begin calling herself Marie. She lands at a convent school near Chateau de Chenonceau, which has a bridge spanning the River Cher, the land of non-Nazi occupied territory. Miri has to hide her heritage from her classmates (I *think* the nuns know?), but she finds herself involved with a dangerous task - helping refugees cross the castle border to freedom. Miri is consumed with trying to find Nora and get them both to Switzerland, but helping the refugees gives her a much needed sense of purpose. She also becomes friendly with Madame Simone, who lives in the castle, and asks Miri to start looking after her gardens.

It’s an engaging story - in spite of how long it took me to read (such is the life of a desk book!), it does move pretty quickly. And for kids who devour anything and everything to do with World War II, it does provide a slightly different perspective. And for kids who shy away from World War II because it’s usually too sad and or grisly, this is actually pretty uplifting!

We LOVED the other books by this author and this was just as wonderful. Bradley is a go-to author to recommend for us. I don't even typically enjoy books with a war-setting, but I make an exception for her!

Thank you to NetGalley, Dial Books, & Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.

Review: Kimberley Brubaker Bradley's duology, The War That Saved My Life (#1) and The War I Finally Won (#2), are some of the absolute best books I've ever read in my entire life, and it's always a weird position to be in when an author that has written such beloved-to-you books comes out with their next ... what if it doesn't hit the same?

While I can say that I'm pretty confident nothing will ever affect me to the core the way that TWTSML / TWIFW have, I did think The Night War was well written with a hugely important story to tell, and in a way that would be accessible to younger readers. There are hard things presented, and I think discussions throughout the reading would be helpful to readers, but even without I think the point is well made.

The afterword of this book is also incredibly important and heartbreaking, but showcases the research that went into the novel and should definitely be read as well.

Overall Rating: ★★★★★ / 4.63

Rating each element of the book out of 5★
Characters ★★★★
Atmosphere ★★★★
Writing ★★★★
Plot ★★★★
Intrigue ★★★★★
Logic ★★★
Enjoyment ★★★★★
Pacing ★★★★
Dialogue ★★★★

★ did not like / ★★ it was okay / ★★★ liked it / ★★★★ really liked it / ★★★★★ loved it

I have read several books by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley and have enjoyed them all. The story lines are very thought provoking and hard hitting and this one was the same. Pager turner that kept my interest. Thanks NetGalley for the eArc.

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley's books are always a must-read for me no matter the topic. This one will introduce young readers to an aspect of WWII that they may be unfamiliar from the POV of young Jewish girl. This book showcases the bias people held about Jewish people and that there were others who helped them survive and escape during the war. I also thought that the parts about what would happen to Nora's Jewish identity if she was adopted by French Catholic parents was especially poignant and would resonate with young readers. Marie (Miri) is both courageous and realistic with her fears. The book moved along at a fast pace, and I'm already looking forward to her next book! Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book in exchange for my honest review.

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley proved she was a master of historical fiction with The War That Saved My Life. Fans of her novels will appreciate the compelling characters and edge-of-your-seat tension mixed with real WWII sites. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.