Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Poignant World War I romance weaves in jazz, Greek gods.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 1 parent review
Based on 19 kid reviews
Kids say this book is a captivating blend of historical romance and Greek mythology, presenting a poignant narrative set during World War I and II. Many readers appreciated the depth of character development, intertwined stories, and balance between love and war, while acknowledging some mature themes, including violence and brief mentions of sexual harassment.
- historical romance
- deep character development
- intertwining stories
- mature themes
- emotional impact
- engaging narrative
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In LOVELY WAR, the Greek god Hephaestus has caught his wife Aphrodite in an affair with Ares, the god of war. Hephaestus captures them in a magical net and wants to drag them off for punishment. But Aphrodite, goddess of love, wants to defend herself by telling the story of two young couples who meet and fall in love during World War I. The lives of Hazel, James, Aubrey, and Colette are about so much more than love, so Aphrodite calls on Apollo, Hades, and Ares himself to fill in the parts they played in the four young lives. From the Belgian countryside to the Harlem Renaissance, these four young people learn about living and loving, for the ages.
Is It Any Good?
This beautifully written historical romance has it all. Lovely War weaves love, loss, jazz, war, Greek gods, and so much more together with relatable and unforgettable characters, against the backdrop of sweeping changes in the lives of millions. Framing the two epic love stories with Aphrodite pleading her case to Hephaestus adds a timeless quality to the sweeping wartime romance.
Author Julie Berry is as skillful at narrating large-scale war action as she is at finding real poignancy in small, intimate moments. Keep a tissue handy for surprisingly moving moments sprinkled throughout.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Lovely War depicts World War I. Does it seem realistic? Did you know much about the war before you read this book? Go to the library or search online to learn more about the real people and events in the story.
Who was your favorite character? What are that person's strengths and weaknesses? What did you like about him or her? Were there any characters you didn't like?
Did you like that the Greek gods tell the story, or do their parts get in the way of the story? Look up the original myth about Hephaestus and the unbreakable net. How is it different from this book?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Historical Fiction
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Friendship , History
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Viking
- Publication date : March 5, 2019
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 17
- Number of pages : 480
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate