Review: Front Lines by Michael Grant (Soldier Girl #1)

World War II, 1942. A court decision makes women subject to the draft and eligible for service. The unproven American army is going up against the greatest fighting force ever assembled, the armed forces of Nazi Germany.

Three girls sign up to fight. Rio Richlin, Frangie Marr, and Rainy Schulterman are average girls, girls with dreams and aspirations, at the start of their lives, at the start of their loves. Each has her own reasons for volunteering: Rio fights to honor her sister; Frangie needs money for her family; Rainy wants to kill Germans. For the first time they leave behind their homes and families—to go to war.

These three daring young women will play their parts in the war to defeat evil and save the human race. As the fate of the world hangs in the balance, they will discover the roles that define them on the front lines. They will fight the greatest war the world has ever known.

Oh wow what did I just read? Bloody amazing! When I read the blurb of this one I HAD to have it, what an incredibly interesting idea. I haven't read anything by Michael Grant yet but I have certainly heard of his work and seen it all over social media, its all on my tbr pile. When I received an early copy for Net Galley I was really pleased.

This book did not disappoint and I had really high expectations. We are taken back into World War 2, but with one huge twist, in which women are not only allowed to serve but are in some cases even made to. Following 3 girls on their journey into what is probably the most horrific time in history.

Rio is from California, after the death of  her sister in service she is kind of lost, although she is to young to join the forces she is toying with the idea. Her friend however is determined and is trying to convince Rio to join her. After a date  at which Rio accidently blurts out that she is also signing up, she feels like she now has no way but to do so. She is a women, so all this means for her is an office job, right?

Frangie is from Arizona, she is determined to join the Army to become a medic and later on go to college. Her father cant work anymore and the family struggles every day. Signing up seems the only solution. Will her skin-color make things even harder for her?

Rainy is from New York, her and  her family are Jewish, naturally hating the Nazis. She wants to join the Army Intelligence. She is willing to work hard and kill some Nazis. Will she be able to get her wish?

We follow the girls through basic training, every single one different, but all alongside men. Having to deal with horrible comments while working harder then they have ever done before.

Never would they have expected to end up on the front line. But that is exactly where their path is leading them.

I couldn't put this book down. Grant has captured life in the army in a very believable and honest way. He has created 3 amazing main characters, which I admire all. I don't think I would have the strength these girls are showing throughout the book. 3 strong young women, that we get to watch growing and turning into incredible strong soldiers. I feel like I have bonded with everyone and like I have shared all their pain and fears with them.

This book is very visual too, there is no messing about, some scenes are very gruesome. But I appreciate that in a way, this is World  War 2 we are talking about, not a walk in the park. Grant has managed to capture the real horrors of war and turned it into a YA read.

I love this book so much and I can not wait for the next one, to see what other horrific and hopefully also great experiences the soldier girls will go through. I can only imagine, that things will first get even worse before they will get better and I want to be there when the soldier girls come out of this war.

We are very lucky to live in a world where joining the forces is a choice and not forced upon us. This story is a true eye opener to that.

I don't think this book is for any specific person, weather you like YA or weather you are interested in reading about a war, you will love this. It is an incredible book that will stay with you long after you have finished the last page. And I for one will be recommending this one everywhere. Even my husband knows most a lot about this book now too.

Let's not forget the cover, as an absolute cover lover I have to mention that not only is this one beautiful but very fitting and captivating.

Thank you to NetGalley and Egmont Publishing for my copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book will be published 28th January!


The USA cover is this one here...