by Julie Berry
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: March 5, 2019
LOVELY WAR by Julie Berry, author of THE PASSION OF DOLSSA, tells of the trials of true love during WWI, told through the eyes of Aphrodite, Goddess of Love. The novel begins when God of Fire, Hephaestus, catches his wife, Aphrodite, engaging in a passionate affair with the God of War, Ares. Asked to defend themselves, Aphrodite begins to tell a story of two true loves set during wartime. From there, the epic unfolds, introducing Hazel, a timid pianist from London; James, a British soldier; Colette, a war torn Belgian survivor; and Aubrey, an African-American jazz pianist for the war effort. As love brings them together and war tears them apart, Aphrodite calls in witnesses--Apollo (God of Music) and Hades (God of Death)--to illustrate each character’s painful and joyful journey.
What most struck me about this novel is Berry’s examination of the relationships between death, love, war, and music. Aphrodite begins the story to prove that War and Love are inextricably linked. This relationship, and Berry’s method of discussion, is creative and intriguing. As the Gods and Goddesses interfere in the lives of our mortal protagonists, we see the relationship’s many nuances and come to understand it as complex. The characters are complicated as well. As a result of war or prejudice, each one faces pain and struggles to overcome it throughout the novel. Despite its relatively short reading time, LOVELY WAR seems like a saga, extraordinarily detailed and expansive. The narrative gives even minor characters life and color. This worldbuilding through character development makes the interactions in the novel dynamic and meanful. I thoroughly enjoyed this unique and captivating epic and recommend it to all who enjoy historical fiction, romance, action, or Greek mythology.
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