Hot Take
The book jacket description over promises action and excitement; priming the audience for a reading experience of increasing anticipation that fizzles out with the realization that no intense spy fights, scientific breakthroughs, or significant character development will occur.
Review
Catching up over lattes at Halcyon, our book club agreed that while we wanted to love the book, it just didn’t hold enough action or character development to earn more than a 3-star review. We were interested in exploring the experience of 1950s women and found ourselves empathizing with Roz’s sister as she struggled to embody the traditional expectations for women. The group appreciated the anticipation that held our attention until the very end and quick-read format, but wished there was a character we could truly root for.
If you’re looking for a quick and easy historical fiction read, this book is for you. If you want more complex characters or a good laugh, we recommend you continue browsing the bookshelves.
Favorite Quote
Passion for something is a gift.
What we liked
- Rosalind’s brother-in-law was a fairly relatable anchor to the story. His sensible reactions balanced some of the more unrealistic plot points.
- It was interesting to read about a different time period. Readers who enjoyed watching Oppenheimer this past summer might be interested to explore a fictional character from that era and scientific community.
What could be improved
- Stronger character development – The main character’s portrayal as a strong, female scientist was unconvincing, especially when compared to a novel like “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus. Additionally, both love interests were fairly surface level, emotionally unavailable characters
- More Action – There was limited action around the spy plot line and no serious plot related to Los Alamos
Next Month’s Read?
When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill
If you’d like to attend next month’s YWA book club meeting (on March 14th), visit the YWA member portal to register today!
