A Dog's Purpose - W. Bruce Cameron

Goodreads summary:

This is the remarkable story of one endearing dog's search for his purpose over the course of several lives. More than just another charming dog story, this touches on the universal quest for an answer to life's most basic question: Why are we here? Surprised to find himself reborn as a rambunctious golden haired puppy after a tragically short life as a stray mutt, Bailey's search for his new life's meaning leads him into the loving arms of 8 year old Ethan. During their countless adventures Bailey joyously discovers how to be a good dog. But this life as a beloved family pet is not the end of Bailey's journey. Reborn as a puppy yet again, Bailey wonders, will he ever find his purpose? Heartwarming, insightful, and often laugh out loud funny, this book is not only the emotional and hilarious story of a dog's many lives, but also a dog's eye commentary on human relationships and the unbreakable bonds between man and man's best friend. This story teaches us that love never dies, that our true friends are always with us, and that every creature on earth is born with a purpose.


My review:

5/5 (or more)

I absolutely loved it. To no end.

This book made me feel so much love and sadness, because let's be real, when a book's about a dog which lives four lives, you have to expect it to die once in a while. However, no matter how much I cried, I finished this book feeling so happy and like my life was complete, because the ending is the sweetest thing ever. I don't feel like writing an extremely long review, because there isn't much to this story at the same time as there's a lot to it. A dog's life isn't that interesting, although all four of this one's are special, but this book is filled with feelings that made me fall in love with the dogs and the book itself. I particularly loved Bailey's life, because there is so much love in this one, and I enjoyed seeing the characters grow.

This story is funny, touching and incredible, so I would recommend it to all animal lovers out there. I might even consider reading it again soon, because I want to live through the story once more. It's truly amazing.

Rose Under Fire (Code Name Verity #2) - Elizabeth Wein

Goodreads summary:

While flying an Allied fighter plane from Paris to England, American ATA pilot and amateur poet, Rose Justice, is captured by the Nazis and sent to Ravensbrück, the notorious women's concentration camp. Trapped in horrific circumstances, Rose finds hope in the impossible through the loyalty, bravery and friendship of her fellow prisoners. But will that be enough to endure the fate that's in store for her?

Elizabeth Wein, author of the critically-acclaimed and best-selling Code Name Verity, delivers another stunning WWII thriller. The unforgettable story of Rose Justice is forged from heart-wrenching courage, resolve, and the slim, bright chance of survival.


My review:

5/5

This book is amazing. I wish there were more words for me to explain how much I loved it, but seriously, it's just too hard to explain. 

I love historical fiction, but this book took it one step higher. It's all about the horrors that happened during WWII, instead of having a romantic twist to relieve the readers from all the stress and the sadness. I really liked that. The story has made the main character, Rose, such a fragile yet strong person that it would take her years to meet new people that she can be herself with, especially if those people haven't experienced horrors like she did. This book truly showed me how, even when everything ended, the war wasn't over and everyone couldn't be happy, because they had just gone through hell and they were expected to go on as if nothing happened. It's really hard to think about all the damages, from the killed humans to those traumatized people who had to continue living for their friends who died. 

I very highly recommend this novel. I sadly haven't read the first book in the series because I can't find it anywhere, but you can be assured I'm going to read it now.