Front Lines... Now Recruiting Soldier Girls

Front Lines Soldier Girl Book One
Written by Michael Grant
Historical Fiction, WWII, Alternate History
Published in Australia March 2016
460 Pages
Thank you to Hardie Grant Egmont
Add to Goodreads
★★★★★
A tense, exciting and moving new drama from the bestselling author of the Gone series.

1942. The fate of the world rests on a knife’s edge. And the soldiers who can tip the balance... Are girls.

Set in an alternate World War II where young women are called up to fight alongside men, this is the story of Rio Richlin and her friends as they go into battle against Hitler’s forces.

But not everyone believes that they should be on the front lines. Now Rio and her friends must fight not only to survive, but to prove their courage and ingenuity. Because the fate of the world is in the hands of the soldier girls.

The first of three books, this is Michael Grant at his epic best.
War is raging in Europe, Asia and Africa with millions of causalities and more to follow Cities have been reduced to ashes and the United States Army is now allowing females to enlist, volunteering for the front lines and heading into battle besides their male counterparts.

Rio isn't quite eighteen, but after the death of her sister during the conflict, she and best friend Jenou have now enlisted while Rio leaves her heartbroken parents behind. Small but fierce, Rio is a stark contrast to Jenou who is a boy crazy glamazon. Rio is leaving behind her new teen sweetheart, a boy she can't remember a time when she didn't like and who's also being shipped off to help with the war effort.

While in new York City, Rainy is preparing to enter the armed forces with the lure of being able to work within the Intelligence branch and bringing down Hitler, on her own if need be. Her Jewish background makes her a target for snide and racist remarks, never mind being a female to wants to fight for her country, a position that seems will never be accepted by her male peers and counterparts.

Frangie dreams of being a doctor, but enlists to help her struggling family while her father is out of work. In the forties, the colour of Frangie's skin means she is treated as a second class citizen, despite devoting herself to her country.

Rio, Rainy and Frangie all lead separate and contrasting lives, until each girl leaves for war.

Kelly's Thoughts

Front Lines was nothing short of breathtaking.

I was initially attracted by the promise of young women fighting alongside their male counterparts and thriving within the intense and deadly landscape. But what I found was so, so much more than a sense of feminism and righteousness. Front Lines is like nothing you've ever seen before.

Imagine being a young woman with a sense of duty to your country, your family and make something of your life despite the prejudice against your background or the colour of your skin. Volunteering for what has always been viewed as a male dominated battle of physicality and brute force. Being female, your superiors and fellow soldiers despise your bravery and determination, you'll never be treated as anything close to being an equal. This is exactly what Rio, Rainy and Frangie face. Labelled as incompetent based only on their gender, with Rainy being spat upon for her Jewish heritage and downed soldiers refusing treatment from Frangie due to the colour of her skin. It was empowering to see each girl rise above the blatant sexism and prejudice, showing their strength of character when their male counterparts could not.

She cannot, will not, spend the war in a swivel chair.

As the storyline progresses it's told in two parts, enlistment and then being sent to war. The storyline is told as a third person perspective as a memoir, the girls telling their stories through an unknown storyteller who often speaks directly to the reader. I usually find storylines where the narrator is aware of a reader often as strange and confronting, but it was truly incredible.

Once the girls complete their training, they are set to task to take advantage of their abilities, Rio sent to the front lines of combat, Rainy working a mundane desk position and Frangie training as a medic in the field. I haven't read many fiction young adult novels based on what are every real events, but from the witness account and the girls telling their story through a third party, the emotion of war was devastating. Taking the life of a person under any circumstances is nothing to be taken lightly and Michael Grant constructed the storyline with such care and an incredible amount of honesty and confidence.

Rio's character by far has the greatest impact and growth. She begins as an angry young woman, wanting to take a life to avenge her late sister, but throughout her journey from the recruitment office to the battlefield, her character gains the respect of not only her peers but superiors as well. Her internal struggle between following orders and taking an opposing soldiers life even in self defense brought a humility to her character.

The final verdict

It is a lengthy read and feels much longer than It's 460 pages, especially given the subject matter and the brutality of war. It was breathtaking, incredibly vivid and places the reader alongside Rio, Rainy and Frangie as they embark on becoming the first female soldiers of the United States army. Book two cannot come soon enough. It's phenomenal.

27 comments

  1. I haven't heard of this at all, but it sounds really interesting. I'll keep an eye out for it. Great review.

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    1. My goodness, it's such an incredible read. Even if you're not a fan of historical fiction, you'll absolutely adore this one.

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  2. Love the sound of this, Kelly! I honestly wouldn't have thought this would be for me but between Val's review and yours I'm convinced I need to get to it. I love that it's such a fiercely feminist book. And you know much I value (HAHA - I had to!!), character development in a book and Rio's character sounds stunning in that department. I will need to find myself an audiobook copy of it!
    Lovely review, Kelly!

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    1. Oh yes, I Value that too. You know she'll kill us in our sleep.

      It's brilliant Nick. Simply the best historical young adult I've ever read and considering how long it is too. You need this book in your life, purely to see how each girl overcomes the prejudice and blatant sexism and rises above. It's confronting but empowering.

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  3. I love and hate alternative history books like this. Love, because it's so interesting to think about how things could have been and hate because they're not factually accurate lol it's the history nerd in me. I spent at least half of my history degree in classes about WWII and my brain just cannot let it go!

    Although I do wonder, what would happen if women were in charge? Would there even be wars, or would we just talk it out?

    Great review Kelly :) I've not heard of this one before, but I shall definitely consider it for future reading!

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    1. I always bring up the same argument with my husband when we're watching the news, especially with the presidential elections going on in the US at the moment and Hillary Clinton hopefully making history. Men run the world, there's no doubt, but I always wonder if we had female leaders would we be so quick as to invade other countries? Would we send our sons and daughters off to fight in conflicts that don't concern us and would women push ego aside? I love an alternate history and this is certainly one that will have readers and bloggers in discussions. I do hope you can grab a copy Wattle, I think you'll adore it too.

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  4. Well, that decides it, I shall order this book. The length does worry me a bit, especially if it feels longer, but if it's still amazing regardless? Yeah that sounds like a must read. And the subject itself just sounds so phenomenal and heart wrenching, I think it's a must for me to read. Fabulous review!

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    1. You need this book Shannon. I think anyone who enjoys not only historical, but books about rising above blatant sexism and prejudice will want to read this one. It is a lengthy read, but well worth investing your time. Just truly amazing from cover to cover.

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  5. AHHH I cannot wait for this book!! *flings confetti in the air* It sounds a bit Code Name Verity-ish? Plus it's Michael Grant who is AMAZING OMG. Although this doesn't seem like his usual book/genre style? but whatever. I need. Immediately.

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    1. I tried reading Code Name Verity and couldn't get into it sadly, but adored this one! It surprised me as well. I hadn't expected it to be so serious and intricate, but it was phenomenal and a must read.

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  6. Oh man, this sounds like Agent Carter but less on the comedic side and more on the dark side which is EXACTLY WHAT I'D LIKE and Jewish MCs and WW2 background and omG vengenace?!?!? I am half in love already!

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    1. It has moments of lightness, but for the most part it's dark and Michael Grant has taken an alternative history and written such an engaging and emotional story. It packs a massive punch Alyssa. You need this book in your life.

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  7. SO need book two right now!! It dragged a bit for me but I loved those three girls. And it felt so real. Michael Grant definitely did his homework.

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    1. YES! Not only did it feel true to the era and conflict, but the emotion and character development was so unexpected which is what surprised me most. I loved it immensely.

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  8. I really really want to read this one! I haven't read anything by Michael Grant, but when I heard what this book was about, I was so excited! Love the premise and I'm so happy you really enjoyed it.

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    1. I can almost guarantee you'll love this one Lauren. It's an amazing read and Michael Grant's best work to date.

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  9. Wow, I hadn't even heard of this. I haven't read any of Grant's books, but I'm familiar with his Gone series, This one sounds totally fascinating though.

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    1. I liked the first few in the Gone series, but I'm enjoying the Messenger of Fear series a little more. But this series, absolutely epic. It's phenomenal Christy.

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  10. So glad you enjoyed this, Kelly! It's been on my radar for some time now - it sounds so good, and it makes me think of women power! :D
    Thanks for reviewing and reminding me that I should be reading this book soon! :)

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    1. It's definitely all about the girl power Geraldine, but even more so about the fight against sexism and racism. It's empowering and so engaging.

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  11. Oh my. I didn't know Michael Grant has a new book. And alas! A girl-power book.

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    1. This feels completely different to anything he's written before Joy. It's a much more mature style of writing and the characters have all been developed with such depth as well.

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  12. I am so excited for book 2, and I absolutely loved Rio. I loved how her involvement in the war came from her sister, and then from finding a relation to the boy she likes, and then to just respect and wanting to help out her country. It is great. And so many issues brought up, and I loved it.

    Awesome review Kelly, I'm so glad you loved this toooo :)

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  13. I've heard so many positive things about this one Kelly! And with your review I think you've finally convinced my lazy ass to give it a try.

    I do love history and elements of it so the alternate depiction of WWII would likely be one of the strongest selling points. Add to that an feminist angle with women actively fighting, going against gender norms and taking a stand against the blatant sexism and racism so prevalent back then? LOVE it. It'd be nothing short of inspirational honestly to read about these strong woman prevailing.

    The narration/how the way the story is told seems quite interesting to me too. I don't think I've read many YA stories like that before but it seems to me that it was definitely the right choice and worked amazingly. I think it'd definitely evoke all of the emotions while showcasing all of the horrors and struggles these women endure.

    Amazing review Kelly <33 I WANT THIS BOOK LIKE YESTERDAY. From the sounds of it Rio sounds like an amazing character and I feel she'd be my favorite too (:

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  14. I'm happy to hear you enjoyed it so much! admittedly i am not much for war-themed books and the length of this seems daunting, but I might be willing to give it a go in the future!
    great review!
    Emily @ www.rabbitholereviews.com

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  15. I loved this one too Kelly, so I'm so glad you enjoyed it as well! I agree - it covered a lot of important issues (sexism, racism, etc) that are still very prominent to us today. And the characters were all amazing! Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous review! ♥

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  16. Splendid review Kelly! This sounds like my type of book - vivid in its storytelling, gritty and dark but inspiring all the same. Needless to say, I've added to my wishlist! I seriously cannot wait to read it :D

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