Reviews with content warning for Antisemitism - This Rebel Heart

This book is basically a blend of magic and myth and history and it feels pretty unique for a young adult book. I can't really think of that many books that are like it. Most of the events that happen are based on true historical events, with a little leeway when it comes to the retelling and the more fantastical elements.

As expected, this book gets heavy emotionally, set after WWII and heavily discussed the oppression of Hungarian Jews during and after the war. But even with all of the emotional elements, Locke is still able to feature moments of joy. While I didn't necessarily always understand everything that was going on (especiallly when it came to the magical parts; I think this is partly because I listened to it instead), I was captivated by this story. Highly recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction with a little bit of magical realism.

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themoonphoenix's review

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emotional informative tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This Rebel Heart is set just at the beginning of the Hungarian Revolution in 1956. It’s a lyrical story, part historical fiction, part magical realism YA story.

It has 3 POV, but the main character is Csilla. She lives with her aunt and they are planning to leave the country soon, all their other familiars are dead, whether at the hands of the Holocaust or the Soviet intervention.

The prose was beautiful, the author weaves a hard (and real) story with magic and metaphors. Budapest is not longer the colorful and vibrant city of Csilla childhood, is a grey and colorless place. Csilla is not safe, but she found reasons to stay and fight.

The others characters are Azriel, Tamás, one is a friend the other at first is a mystery.

There’s romance too, I didn’t expect it and it was one of my favorite parts of the story, it felt natural and it fits perfectly, without it becoming a romance novel.

It’s a slow story about courage and love, about finding your way and fight.

Read it if you want:
Learn from a historical event not so well known internationally
Historical Fiction with a little magic
Strong and diverse characters

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elizajaquays's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

When I say this book emotionally devastated me, I mean that I was sobbing so hard I could not breathe. The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 was not something that was ever covered in any of my history classes, so I went into this with no idea of what to expect. Csilla's grief, trauma, and survivor's guilt are visceral on every page and the book does not pull any punches about the brutalities of war, what it means to have friends and loved ones on the other side of the fight, and the anti-semitism Jews faced in the aftermath of the holocaust.

Even with the brutal backdrop of a city on the cusp of revolt, the story is beautiful. The slow, careful unfurling of color, the soft tenderness of Csilla's bond with Azriel and Tamas. Csilla's friendship with Zsu and Azil and how they support each other even through their differences.

From start to finish, the book was stunning. Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

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utopiastateofmind's review

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5.0

(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)

This Rebel Heart is about how there can be success in what we might think of as failure. Value in inspiration and hope, in knowing the power of showing up, in making a mark. Mixing fantasy and history, Locke delivers a powerful book about sacrifice and safety. About standing our ground and reconciling a person we love with another side of them. The historical fiction setting is phenomenal. You feel the current of fear, the ways it doesn't even matter what you do, just what they say.

The air of secrecy and double meanings we have to immerse ourselves in. This setting, combined with the fantasy, creates a rich and detailed world of trauma and history. Of seeing a world leeched of its color and the power of promise. Csilla's experiences while reading her father's journals - and these snippets in the story - are fantastic. It's about reconciling the person we thought our loved ones were, with who we discover.

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infinitegoldenfloors's review

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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