The format of this book, moving back and forth through time and narrators, keeps the story engaging and fresh, and the connections between the three narratives are slowly revealed, keeping suspense but also offering the reader the opportunity to make guesses or assumptions about who's who and what connections there might be. The callback to the early days of the pandemic brought back my own memories, while the earlier sections, set in 1940 and 1980, provided an interesting examination of German culture and resistance that I was not as familiar with and was therefore delighted to learn more about through the narrative of the young people living in each era.
The only part of the book I found dissapointing was the interspersed "fairy tale" about the hare and the doe; it seemed to be giving "clues" about the larger narrative, but didn't seem necessary. There was a somewhat tenuous connection between the Kleinwald narrative and the fairy tale, but it wasn't developed well enough to engage me in this fourth story in the book.
I would recommend this book to high school students, and given the vareity of narrators and "main characters" in the text, I believe it would appeal across genders.

I wasn't sure I was going to finish this one. Around 60% in I was kind of bored and forcing myself to keep reading, and ALMOST put this away as a DNF. But, at 61% the book took off and I was racing to finish it because I needed to know what happened.

There are three storylines occurring throughout the book. The one that intrigued me the most was taking place during WWII and obviously you don't know until the end how they truly all connect. The second one is happening in the 80s when the Berlin wall is in place. I don't know squat about that time period as I was just an infant, but I did a bunch of googling when this book was done so I could learn more. It certainly opened my eyes to more horrific things that humans have done to each other. The third storyline is taking place during the pandemic and highlights a lot of the racial issues that were forefront during a time when panic was high for so many reasons. While this was the least interesting, it was necessary for the three to connect. Honestly, though, I'm so tired of reading about the pandemic.

I'm glad I pushed through and finished this one. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read this.

Under The Same Stars
By: Libba Bray

5 Stars

This was a book with so much. It was about war and loss. Tragedy and redemption. Magic and fantasy. Death and survival. This book was told with multiple timelines that bring the reader, me, on an amazing journey and adventure. This book was written well and captivates the mind and soul as well as the heart. I love the relationships of Hanna and Sophie, Lena and Jen. Each timeline converged into an amazing story at the end. As a whole, this book was very well done. It brought past and present and did it in a descriptive way. It was simply amazing.


*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*

Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Review

well, i read my most-anticipated book of the past several years, and i have thoughts!

as a libba bray stan of almost two decades, i can say that this book feels very different from all of her others. it doesn't feature any actual magic, but there is this dreamlike, fairytale quality woven throughout that i loved. this book's central message is that magic might not be real in a literal sense, but love and resistance and community *are* magic.

the three timelines were very ambitious, and i think some worked better than others. my favorite of the three was definitely jenny's story, set in west berlin in 1980. the one that really didn't work for me was the 2020 timeline-- i think we're just not far removed enough yet from that time to have many meaningful reflections on it. the characters in the 2020 story also felt the least fully formed. i really think the main purpose of that timeline was to tie everything together, which it definitely did. i enjoyed finding the ways in which the timelines and characters were connected. i correctly put together a lot of the mystery elements before the characters did, but i still had fun on the journey of piecing the whole narrative together. i will say that i loved the last chapter and definitely teared up a bit.

all in all, i think this is worth the read if you're a libba bray fan and/or historical fiction lover! it shares themes with a lot of her other work, and her social commentary is always appreciated.

i received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. this does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I send so many thanks to Libba Bray, the publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I picked this book entirely because of Libba Bray and how much I loved the Diviners series. I think she writes solid historical fiction pieces and, so, I was eager to get my hands on this one.

This book intertwines a story over three timelines: Germany during WWII, Berlin during the 80s and the underground punk scene, and winter 2020 during the COVID pandemic. And, I have to be honest, it just didn't work that well for me.

While I loved Hannah and Sophie's story in WWII and Dallas' story discovering the underground punk scene in Berlin, I didn't think the pandemic era story fit as well. Libba Bray did connect all three timelines but I think the whole tagline of "you have to understand the past to understand the future," wasn't the strongest.

I would have enjoyed either timeline on its own.

At the end of it all, Bray's writing is superb. She builds solid tension and foreboding when appropriate, as always. And this one prompted me to go down a wormhole regarding punk in Berlin in the 80s. I had no idea that punks helped to eventually bring down the Berlin Wall.

Overall, 4/5 stars for this one!

A wonderful book that balances multiple generations across history. I loved the different perspectives with the common thread woven through.

I’ve become a lot better at DNFing books that aren’t working for me, and for that reason I’m calling this at 32%. I really didn’t want to because I know Libba Bray is good at writing a slow burn plot — The Diviners was proof of that — but this ended up being to slow for me to want to stick with it.

This book takes place over three time periods, and they were all dramatically different in quality for me.

Starting with the 1930s one isn’t easy because this gave me absolutely nothing. I decided to DNF this book last night and it’s less than 24 hours later and I can’t tell you a single thing that happened in that period.

The next timeline, and my personal favorite/the reason I made it as far as I did, was the 1980s timeline. It was the only one that had compelling characters, romance, and mystery from the beginning. Even that one wasn’t perfect for me though and I still struggled sometimes. Mostly because of the German. Obviously it makes sense for there to be sentences in German since that’s where it’s set but it’s really difficult to be immersed in a story when I’m spending more time on my Google Translate app than my Netgalley app. Luckily a lot of the sentences are close to their English meaning and so I could guess what they meant, but the longer sentences? Let’s just say my screen time on the Google Translate app is going to skyrocket.

Lastly there was the 2020s timeline and to put it plainly — I hated it. I’m talking immediate dread sinking in when I see that date at the top. I was wary going in because I personally can’t stand reading things set during quarantine, but I figured I could get past it if the rest was good. It wasn’t, in my opinion. One of the things that bothered me the most was the humor. The characters in the Diviners series were funny and had amazing banter, but none of that was present in this timeline. The teenage characters actually said sentences like “Oh snap! She just got told!” and infinite other cringeworthy things that teenagers would probably never unironically say. There was also a lot of hashtags used, not in social media posts either but in regular texts and Zoom call messages which was insufferable. There was also a scene that spanned multiple pages where characters shared their political views, and while they did play into establishing Miles’s character, the whole thing was presented so heavy-handed that I finished the chapter feeling like I just got out of a government class.

Overall, I definitely want to revisit this at a later date because I do have hopes it will get better, but as of right now I’ve lost my will to keep trying. Two out of three of the plot lines weren’t enjoyable for me, the humor was beyond unfunny, and all the sentences I didn’t understand made this one a miss for me. From an enjoyment standpoint this is a 2 and a half but because I didn’t finish it it doesn’t feel completely fair to be rating it, so I’m just marking it as finished for now on other platforms.


Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

~🄾🅅🄴🅁🄰🄻🄻 🅁🄰🅃🄸🄽🄶: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ . 5~

I'm a big fan of interconnected stories set in different time periods that all come together. In this book, you've got the story of two young German women in 1940s Germany, a young American woman in 1980s Germany, and a young American man in the U.S. at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. How do all of their stories come together in the end? You will have to read it to find out, but I found it very satisfying to put the pieces together and realize how there have always been people fighting for what is right.

I have read nearly every one of Libba Bray's books and have loved them all. This is no exception. Three distinct stories -- one about two girls growing up in Nazi Germany, one about two girls living in West Berlin in the 1980s, and one about a girl and a boy in 2020 who are connected to both of the earlier stories. All the stories are tied together through a magical/mystical fairy tale. This is a book about family, duty, love, and the power of the human spirit to adapt and survive.

The strength of this story is in the characters. Each is distinct and fully formed and each character elicits an emotional connection from readers. Sophie and Hanna get caught up in the dilemma between duty and obligation to an immoral cause and doing the right thing. Their moral conflict is touching and the aftermath of their decisions are heartbreaking. In 1980s West Berlin, Jenny and Lena are caught in similar dilemma -- follow the rules, listen to your parents, or follow your heart -- again their choices have heartbreaking consequences. In 2020, Miles and Chloe are trying to navigate Covid lockdowns and Chloe's grandmother's serious illness to solve the mystery of two missing girls and how that might be connected to Chloe's grandmother. By the end, all is clear, the connections are made, and I was in a puddle of tears -- of sorrow, relief, and joy. This is my idea of a perfect story -- humorous at times, heartbreakingly sad at others, and ultimately satisfying.

NOTE -- Libba Bray is known as an author of "young adult" books. Her books may be about teenagers and have teen appeal, but this book is rich enough in prose and emotion to be an "adult" book. Highly recommended for teens and adults.

ONE ADDITIONAL COMMENT -- There is some profanity and mild sexual content here and a definite LGBTQA theme. This could get this banned from many school libraries in today's climate. That would be a travesty.

This was a little slow to start, but once I was in, it was hard to put down. I've been avoiding anything set during 2020/pandemic lockdown, and that timeline did feel the least fleshed out. This book is not a romance, but all three timelines definitely contained a romance, all of which I found to be compelling. The characters were well drawn, the mystery was pretty tight, the plot construction was good. All in all this was a very solid book. For me, there were just a small handful of images and metaphors that I felt have already been overused in fiction, and I was disappointed to see three of them in one book. I would still recommend this, particularly to adults who read YA. I will be interested to see how teen readers respond. Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

This was such a beautiful story! I don’t read a lot of historical fiction but this captured me completely. It is YA but I feel like it would appeal to many people. I would for sure recommend this and add to our library 100%!

I'm surprised to share---I think this book will work really well for fans of Kristin Hannah. The vibes and the prose are there.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan for the ARC.

This book is so good. The characters are imperfect and compelling. The story is structured well, with each section thoughtfully exploring the ideas of connection, collective responsibility, and personal growth. There are so many beautiful sentences worthy of study. Libba Bray is a great writer, and I'm so fortunate to have been able to read this early. The book works as a standalone, but I'd love to spend more time with these characters.

I'm a huge fan of Libba Bray's work, and was very excited to receive the eARC for Under the Same Stars from NetGalley and the publisher! The three separate timelines (1930s/40s, 1980, 2020) are woven together well, and I appreciated the diversity of the teen characters' backgrounds/personal identities. As always, her attention to detail and commitment to historical accuracy do not disappoint, and teen readers looking for multiple POV/multi-generational historical fiction will snap this up.

**Book Review: *Under the Same Stars* by Libba Bray**

Libba Bray's *Under the Same Stars* is a poignant and beautifully woven tale of love, loss, and the quest for self-discovery. Known for her ability to blend rich, atmospheric writing with sharp, witty dialogue, Bray delivers a novel that explores the complex tapestry of human connections.

The story follows Maddie, a young woman grappling with the recent death of her twin brother, Sam. With their bond shattered, Maddie embarks on a journey to retrace his steps, hoping to find meaning in his life and death. The novel explores grief in all its raw forms, as Maddie travels across landscapes both external and internal, unearthing secrets about her brother and herself. Along the way, she meets an eclectic cast of characters, each serving as a mirror to Maddie’s fractured emotional state, while helping her slowly piece together the puzzle of her loss.

What makes *Under the Same Stars* stand out is Bray's talent for creating characters that are deeply flawed yet deeply human. Maddie’s grief is palpable, and her struggle to navigate life without Sam is portrayed with such sensitivity that it feels achingly real. Her journey is not just a physical one; it is an emotional odyssey through memory, regret, and ultimately, healing. The secondary characters—be they strangers or close friends—bring layers of complexity and humor to the story, offering moments of levity amidst the sadness.

Bray's writing is lyrical yet accessible, blending lush descriptions with moments of sharp clarity. The prose is at times poetic, capturing the beauty of the natural world as a reflection of the characters’ inner turmoil. Themes of fate, destiny, and the interconnectedness of all lives echo throughout the novel, inviting readers to reflect on their own experiences with loss and the people they hold dear.

At its core, *Under the Same Stars* is a meditation on the bond between siblings, the pain of losing a loved one, and the slow, painful process of finding one’s way back to hope. Bray’s exploration of grief feels honest and raw, never shying away from the ugly or difficult emotions, but always holding onto a glimmer of light.

If you’re a fan of deeply emotional narratives with strong character development, *Under the Same Stars* will resonate with you. It’s a novel that lingers long after the final page, reminding us that even in the darkest moments, we are all under the same stars, connected by the shared experiences of love and loss.

For. The. Love.

This book. It is so achingly beautiful that I had to wait a few days to write this review. Well, and I couldn’t stop thinking about the book long enough to commit my thoughts to electronic paper, either.

As I think about why it hit me so freaking hard, I am reminded that I didn’t even know if I was gonna like it when I began the book. It’s very different from Bray’s other works, in that it is almost entirely historical fiction and also quite serious topics. But the gorgeous spirit of her prose, the richly detailed characters, the settings (especially the forest), the intertwined stories? All of that is perfect. Pure Libba Bray. This book is what I want from a book, as it will stay with me for a very long time. Miles and Chloe. Hannah and Sophie and Karl and even Oskar. Lena and Dallas. I want to not have read it already so that I can go back and experience it for the first time. It’s breathtaking. 💜💜💜💜💜📚

Under the Same Stars is an unforgettable masterpiece that intertwines history, mystery, and the enduring power of love and rebellion. The author's ability to transport readers across time and space is unmatched, seamlessly weaving together three captivating storylines set in 1940s Nazi Germany, 1980s West Germany, and 2020s New York City.
The Bridegroom’s Oak, a real-life tree said to grant love to those who write letters to it, serves as a magical yet haunting symbol at the heart of this novel. In 1940s Germany, Sophie and her best friend Hanna are writing letters to the tree, but with very different purposes—Sophie seeks love, while Hanna seeks rebellion against the Nazis. Their stories are gripping, filled with tension as the war unfolds and their actions have life-altering consequences.
Fast-forward to 1980s West Germany, where American teen Jenny grapples with rebellion of her own, falling for Lena, a fierce punk rocker determined to fight the East-West divide. Their relationship is a powerful exploration of love, freedom, and identity in the shadow of a divided country.
Finally, in 2020, as COVID-19 lockdowns keep the world indoors, best friends Miles and Chloe stumble upon an old package that leads them on a gripping investigation into a cold case from the 1940s. The author skillfully ties the fates of these teens across the generations, as they unravel the mysteries surrounding the Bridegroom’s Oak and the missing teenagers from Sophie’s time.
What makes Under the Same Stars truly exceptional is the author's ability to handle complex, weighty themes—love, war, rebellion, and sacrifice—without ever losing the emotional depth and connection to her characters. The novel's message of resisting oppression and the fight for a better world resonates deeply, made all the more poignant by its historical and modern-day contexts.
This is historical fiction at its finest, blending romance, rebellion, and mystery into a narrative that will linger long after the last page. The author's evocative prose, unforgettable characters, and masterful storytelling make Under the Same Stars a must-read for anyone seeking a deeply moving, thought-provoking novel.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This was recommended to me by a friend - WWII historical fiction, triple time-lines, everything right up my alley.

All in all - the STORIES are great, and I really loved the 1940 and 1980 timelines. The 2020 pandemic story is maybe too close, but I really appreciate Miles growth from wanting to be active to being active in his beliefs.

My issue with this book is some of the wording and overall preachiness - Libba Bray is a fantastic writer, but many parts of this read as an adult writing it, not the POV or words from teens. I also don't like current phrases/ideals pushed on a past where those terms would not have been in use. A few examples:

1. I'm pretty sure no one ever said during WII "Make Germany Great Again"

2. Mrs. Diaz's letter to Miles. It's forced and terribly written to get teen readers to fact check their sources. "Trace the authors/topics to their sources and for verification, run it through fact-checking websites like snopes.com and Politifact. Sources with .gov and .edu in the header are best". It comes across the page as condescending and not authentic.

3. Bray excelled at tongue-in-cheek humor to get her point across in books like Beauty Queens (perfection), but here it is so direct and in your face that it made me feel like she thinks teens are dumb and couldn't get inferences as well.

4. Her explanation of mycorrhizal relationships in the forest is twisted a bit for her purposes to get a point across to use for the book (which is only annoying because of her fact checking spiel, I get creative license but she left out important parts to make a point).

With all those complaints, I did enjoy reading this and I was anxious to see how the relationships all fell together over the years. I liked that it wasn't all revealed at the end but there were plenty of instances where we knew who was who and how they linked together.

Recommended, but still a little disappointed.

Under the Same Stars" was an exciting historical mystery for teens and young adults. During the worldwide pandemic, two teenage friends try to solve a family mystery involving one of their grandmothers. The story spans two historically significant time periods for Germany, WWII and the cold war and it's affects on their lives.

Libba Bray is one of my favorite authors. Why? Her prose is one of the best I have ever come across - yes, she writes both contemporary and historical fiction, but she does so in a way that when I read it, I feel as if I am reading poetry. All of her books rank among my favorites and I always recommend them, and her latest is no different. Again, she astounds me with the way that she tells a story - her innate ability to transport the reader into her character's lives and circumstances, and the way she strings words together is incredible. I loved "Under the Same Stars" and consider it one of the best books I have read in 2024! I urge anyone who is looking for their next unputdownable read to grab this one! Ten stars!!!!