I really enjoyed Island Beneath the Sea. Isabel Allende painted a detailed picture of 19th century St Domingue (now Haiti). Although this is book is fiction, the story of a woman slave during this period was realistic. I learned much about the history of Haiti and the slave rebellion. Absolutely beautiful book, I will likely read it all over again.

I really enjoyed this book - the intertwining story and the women themselves were well written and developed. Even though I've read several books about atrocities in WWII, I learned a lot more about women during this period and Ravensbruck.

I will note for other readers that this book is fairly graphic and disturbing. I think this really adds to understanding the story and how women at Ravensbruck were treated, but also realize this may be too much for some readers.

I greatly appreciate the author's attention to telling this story compassionately.

For me personally, I will label this book as "just fine." The story line started out interesting enough, but towards the end of the book, the plot felt unrealistic yet predictable. The quality of the writing felt a bit jumpy in the last third of the book as well, it was almost as though the author was rushed to finish or wrap up the ending within few remaining pages. This book would be fine as a low-key beach type of read. Based solely on Summer Wives, I don't feel inspired to pick up any other books by this author.