I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I would describe this book as a genre mashup. And, Berry does it so well! I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction, but I love stories about or with a little mythology. There is also romance. Berry is gifted in taking what could be a too complex story and making if super enjoyable. With so many genres here, this would be a great recommendation for so many different types of readers.

I could've done without the gods' trial, but I did like how they told the story. I think this should have been published as an adult book, as the characters technically are adults (at least the ones whose ages I noticed.) Even though it was a long book, it was wonderful, and I couldn't put it down.

The Lovely War by Julie Berry, 480 pages. Viking (Penguin), 2019. $19.

Language: PG-13(swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: R (WWI violence, sniper)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

When the god Hephaestus catches his wife Aphrodite in a compromising position with Ares, he captures the couple and demands a trial on Mount Olympus. Aphrodite offers a comprise – she will tell her husband a story about true love – some of her finest work she says – and then Hephaestus can judge her. She offers him the story of Hazel and James who meet just before James ships off for the killing fields of World War I. They thought they’d have a week, but James is called up without even getting to say goodbye. Then reliable Hazel decides to do her own thing for the war and joins the YMCA to help entertain the soldiers on base in France – at least she’s on the same side of the Channel as James. The horrors of war – more than you can imagine - will be visited upon them in full before their story finds some measure of peace.

Sometimes the interjections of the gods interfere with the flow Hazel and James’s story, but the long game between Aphrodite and Hephaestus will become just as important for sophisticated readers. I know adults will love this and so will some of your students.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

This book has made the rounds on my "recommended reads" list both online and by word-of-mouth, but I have declined to read it each time for one simple reason: it's a tome and I was intimidated. However, when my beloved neighborhood librarian asked me if I had any interest in reading it, I could hardly tell her it was too long for me! And I am so thankful that I didn't. This novel is indeed a long one, but that's because it's so complex!
Follow me here: in the days of World War II, Greek goddess Aphrodite is caught in Manhattan with her lover, Ares, by her husband, Hephaestus; Hephaestus then challenges Aphrodite to defend her behavior before a court of Olympian gods. In order to do this, she begins sharing a story about four young people whose lives intersect in the midst of the first World War. Tangled up in knots yet? The remarkable thing about this book is that, though reading my description of it may bewilder you, Julie Berry manages to weave the tale into place in a way that pulls the reader through the tapestry without needing to unravel narrative knots. I don't use language like this often, but this book is nothing short of a triumph, one I would highly recommend to fans of historical fiction and Greek mythology.

Going into this book, I read the summary and just saw WWI historical fiction and jumped. So few historical fiction books about WWI come out that I was thrilled to see one. I've never read Berry but decided to take a chance all the same.

Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, has been caught by her husband cheating...To explain her rationale, she tells a story of two couples that she, Ares, and Apollo influence in WWI (the gods are in WWII era telling the story). So unfolds the saga of James & Hazel, British lovers and Collette & Aubrey, a Belgian in France and an African American soldier.

Firstly, I will admit, I was a bit thrown by the inclusion of the gods. I don't remember that being in the summary and it took me a while to get used to them being the backbone of the narration. The best voice out of the all of them was Aphrodite. I loved her wit, her subtle subterfuge in the relationships, her humor; she was the light in the dark during some of the most difficult moments. And she added lovely little touches. Plus it was kind of a nice 4th wall break to have someone beyond as the reader rooting for the couples.

The characters definitely were all unique and had their own voices for the most part. I think my only issue was telling the difference between Ares and Apollo. They felt so similar in their voice for how they talked that at times-- I wasn't

A wartime romance told through the vantage point of Greek Gods gives this historical romance a perspective unlike any other. Diving into the first world war and the racial issues that existed then gives us a chance to remember that knowing our history can keep us from making the same mistakes again. The author paints a picture that provides not only colors but music that connects with the deepest parts of our souls.

I really loved this book. Loved the transitions, the sense of humor, the understanding of human nature. The ending! Nuff said. Read it!

A different view of love and war through the lens of the Goddess of Love, Aphrodite. Beautifully written. Julie Berry creates strong characters, with heartbreaking, wonderful stories during a time when the world was going insane. A view of love and war that transcends time.

Great Historical Fiction set during WWII. The story is told from the perspective of the Greek Gods. Great for YA readers everywhere!

I now don’t know why I set this book aside so long. It was wonderful! I did begin it a while back, reading the first part about Aphrodite, Ares, and Hephaestus. That did not immediately catch my attention so I turned to another galley, but I finally returned to this book and read beyond my last stopping point. Throughout the book, I wondered how the author could create this way of presenting the book as well as how she laid it all out, but that is why I am a reader and not a writer, I suppose. I thoroughly enjoyed all three love stories as well as learning so much about the First World War and some of what really went on in the midst of it. You get to know all the major characters well and come to like them, too. There were times of heartbreak as you would expect during a war. It is more historical fiction than fantasy or mythology. The gods are our narrators of this historical fiction story. I want to thank Netgalley for giving me this opportunity to read this wonderful book ; their gift in no way influenced my review.

Gorgeous, perfect book. Particularly well done on audio. I was actually surprised that it was considered a YA novel, since the characters are older and at war. I also couldn't help thinking that if this were marketed as women's historical fiction, which is a big hit with a certain demographic, it would have been an even bigger smash hit!

This is a story of love and war and prejudice and pain, but mostly it's about the importance of love. In this tale we meet Hazel and James two young people in England who meet and begin to fall for each other days before James is to go to France and then their story intertwines with Aubrey and Colette. Aubrey is a African American serviceman who falls head over heals for Colette, a Belgian refugee in France.

Everything I have read by Julie Berry has been superb and Lovely War's story of four young people during World War I and the love and friendships that form during the atrocities and quiet times definitely qualifies. Her writing and storytelling - the reader just sinks in! A co-worker and I had a lengthy discussion about how well this title (and The Passion of Dolssa) cross over for adult readers. Particularly given the framework of the four young people's stories being narrated by Greek gods - Aphrodite and Ares caught in the act of adultery and Hephaestus putting them on trial, we wondered if this story would be better positioned in adult fiction, but it is also a coming of age story for the characters... (I read Lovely War shortly after reading the Eugene Ballard biography, All Blood Runs Red, and it deepened the experience by having the additional framework of what life was like for black soldiers fighting in World War I in American forces versus French forces. We really have an appalling history.)

This is a really good historical fiction / clean romance novel. Covering World War One, you get the sense of this war from English, Belgian, and African American perspectives. I especially appreciated Aubrey's perspective, as it highlights the way African American soldiers were treated better by the French than their own country. The romances did feel a little instant, but isn't that how war goes? Add in a Greek mythology framework, and you have a unique work that will appeal to many. I also love the authors note at the end.

Whoa. This book uniquely gleams and is richly worded. As the reader, you follow two love stories unspool during the First World War, narrated by the goddess of love, Aphrodite. History laced with mythology. This is a hidden gem. Definitely recommend.⁣
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❝”Do you know what it’s like,” she says, “to spend eternity embedded in every single love story—the fleeting and the true, the trivial and the everlasting? I am elbow deep in love, working in passion the way artists work in watercolors. I feel it all.”⁣
...”I envy the mortals. It’s because they’re weak and damaged that they can love. We need nothing. They’re lucky to need each other.”⁣
...”Do you want me to show you what real love looks like?”⁣
...”I’ll tell you a story of an ordinary girl and an ordinary boy. A true story. No, I’ll do one better. I’ll tell you two.”❞⁣

For me, Julie Berry has become a goddess of YA historical fiction. When Aphrodite is caught with Ares in a New York hotel in 1942 by her husband, Hephaestus, she contends as the goddess of love can neither love or be loved. Put on trial with Hephaestus as judge, Aphrodite tells he and Ares the love story of Hazel and James and Colette and Aubrey who meet during the Great War. Hazel and James meet at a parish dance where Hazel is playing the piano, and James has attended while in London preparing to join the army after being drafted. There is an instant attraction that only grows as they exchange letters and Hazel joins the volunteers of the YMCA where she is stationed in France. James becomes a sharpshooter and sees first-hand the horrors of war, and after witnessing the death of his mate, Frank Mason, he suffers from shell shock. Hazel and Colette become friends while volunteering, Colette has closed herself off after losing her family and her first love when the Germans stormed Belgium. Colette and Hazel connect through music, although their lives are vastly different. After overhearing Hazel playing the piano, Aubrey introduces himself and wows Hazel, and Colette with his musical talent. Aubrey is a black American who has come to France as part of 15th regiment band. He confronts racism and must leave the camp without telling Colette and Hazel, who fear he is dead. Using actual historical figures and events, Julie Berry brings her characters to life. Told through the eyes of Aphrodite, with assistance from Ares, Hades and Apollo, the beauty of love survives even the darkest times. The voices of each god were authentic, but I especially enjoyed the empathy Berry gave to Hades's voice as he welcomes the dead to the afterlife, and the compassion to give someone back to their loved ones for just a bit more time. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction.

I loved the historical plot line, but I found many of the characters one dimensional. The main plot, which concerned the African American musicians in WWII, saved the story. Unfortunately the framework of the gods meeting in New York and pulling the strings on the war and romance did not work for me. I found their interjection into the story to be disruptive to the plot, and they came across as flighty and superficial. I thought the gods were supposed to be of a more serious nature. That said, I do think the YA reader will be drawn to this title.

Simply stunning. Berry writes a beautiful story that weaves its way through the last two years of the Great War. Clearly researched, she is dead on in her description of battles, trenches, shell shock and racism during the war. I thought the use of Greek gods telling the story was brilliantly done and contributed to the readability of the novel. I do know that this novel hits all the things I love about the genre. Huge in scope, historically accurate, poignant and told within the scope of a war. One of my top picks to bring home some award hardware.

This was one of my favorite reads this summer and as a result I already recommended it to several people. I read a lot of books set during WWII but not as many that take place during WWI so this was less traveled territory for me. I loved the way the narration was told from the perspective of several Greek Gods & the Goddess Aphrodite. I also enjoyed the mini side story of the Gods. But I really loved the "real" main characters and their personal stories set against the backdrop of the worst war the world had known at that time. I respect the decision that the author made not to shy away from the real horrors of life in the trenches and combat and even delved into shell shock some (what we would now call PTSD). The examination of racial prejudice in the US Army and the effect of that on the African-American soldiers and their place on the wider world stage in the war was sad (but real) and interesting. I also enjoyed that the four main characters (aside from the Greek Gods) were from different places, even different countries, so their experiences and viewpoints varied making the story rich and insightful. A very satisfying read.

The unique premise attracted me to the book: a mash-up of Greek gods during WWII and two romances during WWI. The sweet stories of first loves (that didn't need details of sex to be filled with passion), are framed by an introduction to the Greek pantheon of gods, and historical details of WWI from many viewpoints: a British soldier, the girl who follows him to France, a young woman from Belgium who has lost her whole family, and an African American soldier whose battle with racism in his own army is almost harder than fighting the Germans. Recommended for all high school libraries, good for libraries in global settings.