Okay! The book. The Orphan Thief. I will be honest. I totally bought this one after looking at the cover and assuming it was some sort of WWII book about orphans being stolen. Which... maybe it is.. sort of? Vaguely. In a roundabout way.
This story actually centers on Ruby Shadwell, and her story of loss during a bombing in Coventry, England; which takes all of her family, and her home in one fell swoop. It details her mental and emotional strength as she works through her grief at the young age of only 16. Through this novel, she experiences all the highs and lows you would expect during such a terrible time in history. Perhaps even more than you would think. Life continues to batter Ruby in different ways, but, she remains strong. To be like that at 16? I can't even begin to imagine. War makes children grow up far too quickly.Despite her numerous losses, this is definitely a novel full of both love and hope; something I would assume many were without during those times in Coventry, and throughout England. Peters also introduces a Canadian solider, who (of course) is something of a hero (though not in the traditional sense).
I didn't think I was truly that invested in the characters (any of them, really) until I reached the last few pages. I cried. Something that rarely (if EVER) happens to me when I read. I will dwell on certain books long after I have closed them.. but to actually cry? No. Clearly Peters did a better job than I thought hooking me in on this one. The characters are definitely a mixed bag; but they work. A new family, cobbled together from loss. There is something so beautiful in that. To rebuild what was lost. Not to replace it. To have it as an extension of yourself.
Anyways. I feel I'm sort of rambling and unfocused on this one, readers. But. I'M BACK.
