Oh. Well, I don’t know…no, actually I have no idea how to start this first paragraph but I am going to tell you something. I just finished the Shadow and Bone trilogy by Leigh Bardugo in a while ago because I was just craving books for absolutely no reason…

And…and the last book broke my heart. Those who read the books, how did you even survive the ending? Because as much as I hate to admit that, I found myself randomly breaking into sobs all day and having to control my sudden breakdowns. I mean, whatever, I’ll be posting my review soon.

WHY THE HECK DO AUTHORS CREATE CHARACTER MASTERPIECES AND DESTROY THEM AT THE END?

I NEED AN ANSWER!

AND I RATE ALL OF THE BOOKS IN THE TRILOGY FIVE STARS?? AND HOW COME THEY BECAME A FAVOURITE OF MINE WHEN-

I need to calm down before my brain explodes…

*takes a deep breath in*

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• Title: The Metal Heart: A Novel of Love and Valor in World War II
• Author: Caroline Lea
• Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, World War II, Fiction
• Category: A
• Publishing Date/Publisher: June 8th 2021 by Harper Perennial

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All happens during World War II, in a small Scottish island. Dot and her twin sister, Con are orphans, living alone in an old bothy (sort of hut) in Selkie Holm, the small island only occupied by these two sisters.

All changes when it is decided that Italian prisoners will be brought in order to help with the war and the preparations and they will be lodged in Selkie Holm. Most people on the main island see prisoners, probably criminals or murderers but Dot and Con see humans with a heart, a life, a family who have come here to work. The are the ones who volunteer to help in nursing and caring for them when they are hurt.

Ever since, those prisoners came, Dot’s attention has been drawn to one. Cesare, a man whom she saved from drowning when he and the other prisoners came by boat to Selkie Holm. But her growing attraction to Cesare doesn’t make her life any brighter. Her bond with her sister, Con starts fraying like a cord and it looks inevitable. Her sister only wanting her to be safe and Dot trying to reassure Con that she will make sure old mistakes do not resurface again. But maybe it is just too late or old mistakes and the past just always find a way to come to the surface.

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About the Author:

Caroline Lea grew up on the island of Jersey and gained a First from Warwick University. Her fiction and poetry have been shortlisted for the Bridport Prize and the BBC Short Story Prize. Her debut novel, The Glass Woman, a gothic thriller set during the Icelandic witch trials, was shortlisted for the HWA Debut Crown Award. Her next novel, The Metal Heart, was a powerful Second World War love story set on the island of Orkney.

[Picture and text taken directly from Goodreads]

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My Ratings: 4/5

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My Thoughts:

This book…was definitely what I hadn’t expected it to be. It didn’t actually happen where the war took place but a little corner of Scotland.

I read this book like two weeks ago I think so I have forgotten a little…but I’ll manage haha.

I found Dot and Con to be two interesting characters. They were so different from each other despite being twins and looking like two peas in the same pod…

WAIT! A pea from a pod and a pea from another pod still look very same. Just like red kidney beans and lentils right? What am I even doing right now discussing peas and lentils when this is a review?

Dot was the quiet one while Con was the one who was a little restless. I loved their backstories as well which were each so different especially Con’s backstory which is also the main reason why she is just so protective of her other sister and would do anything to stop Dot from making the same mistake as she did.

The thing I loved the most about those two sister is their sisterly bond. They look after each other backs and always so supportive of each other. The sacrifices they make for each other especially in the last few moments in the book.

My sister and I could never-

But my sister and I are great at is being partners when it comes to stealing or any other crime.😂 Or things like smuggling insects and beetles (insects are FASCINATING creatures…except cockroaches) or pretty stones stolen from I-don’t-know-where into the house. If there is also one other thing is that the sentence I say the most to my sister is, “Don’t touch me!”, because she has an annoying habit of hugging people. And I am not the person who likes hugs or any form of touchy things. Well not all the time haha.😂 Am I the one who makes a face when people hug me? Sometimes I like hugs but otherwise…*runs away*

The plot of the book was okay but I think it could have been much more interesting or more things could have been added. Like I think the book could have benefited with Cesare’s backstory and maybe chapters written in his point of view. Cesare was a prisoner and I would have really liked to know about what were his crimes and a lot more about his life back in Italy.

But otherwise I really enjoyed reading this book. The writing style was really beautiful and it had me tearing up at the end but it is a book with love and courage shining through! One that I greatly recommend for fans of historical fiction!

Now, I have to catch up with crying over Ruin and Rising, the whole series to be honest and plan my other reviews!

See you all later with another post!

~Hermione