A Night Divided, by Jennifer A. Nielsen (BOOK REVIEW)

 

"If I don't speak what I think, then it's a crime just to be me."

After World War II, twelve year old Gerta's life is changed by the Iron Curtain. In one night the Berlin Wall was built, separating Gerta's family. Her father and brother in the West, and her mother, brother and herself in the East. With the wall built, it's dangerous to simply talk about the West. Books, art and music from the West are banned and simply having thoughts about escaping is considered a crime. With soldiers guarding the perimeter, Gerta may as well live in a prison. When all hope seems lost Gerta spots her father on the other side of the wall. Gerta puts together the puzzle, piece by piece, and  figures out her father wants her to dig a tunnel beneath the Berlin Wall, into freedom. But if she gets caught the consequences will be life-threatening...

"Truly it is in the darkness that one finds the light." 

A Night Divided, by Jennifer A. Nielsen was a page turner. I did like the plot and related to the main character a lot more than in Iceberg or Resistance (Other books by Jennifer A. Nielsen). One thing that I have found about Jennifer A. Nielsen's books is that they are really focused on the main plot. I really like books that are deep into the main character's thoughts that way I can get to really understand who they are and what background they have. I think it makes the book way more emotionally connecting to the reader. In other words I have been finding Nielsen's books a bit shallow compared to other books I have read. I simply like more in-depth books. I like to know about the characters surrounding her and I like having a few things going on rather than one main plot, but that's just my opinion. All of the main characters in this book, Iceberg and Resistance don't really stand out to me as their own person. They all kind of seem to have the same character traits and I don't really find much unique about them. As I have said in previous reviews for Nielsen's books, I think that this author does really well in series because there is so much more time and space to have character depth and development. Another thing is that the end seemed really rushed. I really wanted to know what happened to all of the characters at the end. I think that some of these thoughts are because the book was written for younger ages and I can understand that it was written for easier reading levels. Although I wish there was more depth, I loved the plot that this book had. I found the book very interesting in the sense that I have never read a book about the Berlin Wall and I think that the new territory intrigued me. I loved the morals brought up in this book as well. A thing that I do really appreciate about Nielsen is how she incorporates God and the hope that He brings. A lot of books feel hopeless when the author isn't Christian and doesn't incorporate God because He truly does bring so much hope and peace. 

"Courage isn't knowing you can do something; it's only being willing to try..."

I recommend this book for ages 12+ and give it an 8 out of 10.

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Happy Reading!

-Ariana :)