Powerful, propulsive, moving and thought-provoking, Under the Same Stars is a timely historical mystery that held me in its thrall from start to finish. Expertly told and skillfully choreographed, Libba Bray intricately weaves together this story of friendship, love, courage, sacrifice, rebellion, secrets and murder over three timelines and multiple generations.

In the small town of Kleinwald, Germany in 1940, best friends Sophie and Hanna write to the Bridegroom’s Oak and await replies from their true love, as the myth foretells. Their first replies come just as WW2 begins and their oak tree and the forest offers the girls a respite from a harsh reality where neighbours, friends and family turn on one another and no-one knows who to trust. As war rages they must grow up fast, making dangerous choices that lead them to an unimaginable and terrifying situation.
In West Berlin in 1980, American teenager, Jenny, is forced to move from Dallas with her strict parents. Struggling to fit in, everything changes for her when she meets Lena, a punk girl who forces her to face feelings she’s been running from. Jenny also meets her mysterious neighbour. Frau Hermann, an old lady who tells her tales of children going missing, haunted forests, and deadly secrets.
In New York in 2020, COVID-19 has forced the world into lockdown. Best friends Miles and Chloe are just a few months shy of graduation and fill their days with computer games, video chats and true crime podcasts. Then, Chloe receives a mysterious package from her grandmother that leads them to begin their own investigation into the decades-old mystery of two unidentified teenagers who went missing under the Bridegroom’s Oak years ago.

An unforgettable journey across the years filled with mystery, heart and suspense, this is a story everyone should read. It shifted seamlessly between timelines as I tried to predict how the narratives might be connected. I loved trying to piece the puzzle together as Bray dropped clues like breadcrumbs for me to follow. With the current political climate there were many themes in this story that felt very relevant and timely, the years melting away to simply reveal a story and characters that were deeply relatable and human. I felt a strong connection to the characters and was invested in their stories, particularly the protagonists. There was Sophie, the hopeless romantic who sees what is good in the world but is forced to reckon with the harsh realities that come with war. Jenny struggled to fit into the box that her parents - and society - had made for her and confronted her sexuality while finally finding the strength to be herself. And Miles was trying to decide who he wants to be and the things he wants to stand for. In these characters Bray perfectly captured the emotions of being a teenager; the confusion, frustration, desperation to fit in, and the feeling that they are misunderstood. Feelings I think everyone can relate to. These were ordinary teenagers going through ordinary feelings at an extraordinary time. Each of them had to decide if they wanted to live an easy life or stand up for what matters to them. Even if it meant risking everything.

Authentic, immersive, emotional, courageous and bittersweet, I highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley, Colored Pages Book Tours and the publisher Atom Books for the copy, it has not affected my honest review.

TW: WW2, COVID pandemic, war, grief, murder, body shaming, injury, death, references to suicide and genocide

‘Under the Same Stars’ follows three timelines, weaving together a story of love, secrets, mystery and murder through multiple generations. In New York, 2020, Miles and his friend Chloe feel trapped by the limits of the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping themselves sane with true crime podcasts and phone calls. When Chloe receives a package from her beloved grandmother, it leads them into their own investigation: of two teenage girls who vanished in a German forest 80 years ago. In 1980, West Berlin, an American teenager Jenny is forced to move from Dallas to Germany with her family. There she meets Lena, a wild and free punk who brings up feelings Jenny has never acknowledged, and her equally secretive neighbour Frau Hermann who tells stories about haunted forests and devoted friends. In 1939, Kleinwald, Germany it is said if you write a love letter to the Bridegroom’s Oak, the love of your life will answer. Sophie and Hanna, best friends who are more like sisters, receive their first letters just as WW2 begins. Soon enough neighbours turn on one another, there are secrets being hidden by Hanna and Sophie and the forest is not the safe, magical place of their childhoods. Leading into 1941, Sophie and Hanna are faced with the impossible- while in 2020, Chloe and Miles discover terrifying truths, being forced to reckon with everything they know about themselves and what people will sacrifice.

Oh this book. This is one of the best written pieces of historical fiction I have ever read, seamlessly weaving together three apparently unconnected narratives until a brilliant series of twists reveals the truth. I connected to every one of our point of view characters- Sophie, who is naive and romantic and believes in the good of the world, Jenny, who is coming to terms with her sexuality and who she is, and Miles, stuck home alone and forced to think about what kind of a person he wants to be. This book isn't easy reading in places, it deals with the horrors of World War II in stark and honest language, the terrible actions of the Nazis and those who fought to resist them and the impact on survivors. I found Jenny's experiences in Berlin to be very powerful, she's came from a place of privilege and through Lena has to see the reality of the world, while Miles has to decide if he wants to stand up for causes he cares about. The author weaves history together beautifully, with references to modern politics and society being echoed by the past. It is a beautifully written, bittersweet but hopeful book and definitely one that I think everyone should read.

I felt so many emotions whilst reading this book especially as you delve into the different timelines and explore their connection.

Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for this eCopy to review

Under the Same Stars by Libba Bray is a captivating read.

The novel weaves together three distinct timelines, each connected by the mysterious Bridegroom's Oak. In 1940s Germany, Sophie discovers a message in the Oak from a mysterious suitor, while her best friend Hanna uses the tree to send messages of resistance against the Nazis. In 1980s West Germany, American teen Jenny feels stifled by her strict parents until she meets Lena, a punk-rock girl determined to tear down the Berlin Wall. In 2020 New York City, best friends Miles and Chloe, stuck in COVID lockdown, uncover a cold case about two teenagers who went missing near the Oak eighty years ago.

Bray masterfully intertwines these timelines, creating a rich tapestry of history, mystery, and emotion. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each grappling with their own struggles and desires. The historical settings are vividly portrayed, immersing the reader in the different eras.

The themes of truth, rebellion, and reconciliation are explored deeply, making the story both thought-provoking and engaging. However, the multiple timelines can sometimes be a bit confusing, and some transitions between them felt abrupt. Despite this, the overall story is compelling and beautifully written.

Overall, Under the Same Stars is a poignant and evocative tale that will resonate with readers who enjoy historical fiction and multi-generational mysteries

Under the same stars explores 3 emotive periods of history; 1940s Germany WWII, 1980s Berlin Wall West Germany any Spring 2020 Covid NYC.
Fables say if you were to write to the Bridegrooms Oak Tree, the love of your life will write back, only that was not all who wrote back.

On the night of 22 December 1941 ‘Winter Solstice’ two friends coming Hanna and Sophie who were coming of age under Hitler power during WWII went missing.

1980s An American teen moves to Berlin with her strict parents and meets the Punk era within West Germany. A period of separation in Germanic history dividing East and West with the wall.

2020 a story of many in recent years, Miles a university students is currently attending virtual lectures online whilst in lockdown during Covid trapped in a difference country from his mum who’s a front line worker.

This is my first Libba Bray book and it was an interesting read connecting pivotal historic events together. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Northern Germany, WWII: Sophie and Hanna are best friends coming to age as Hitler gains power and WWII occurs.
West Berlin, 1980: Jenny moves from America to Berlin with her uptight parents and meets the punk undercurrent.
New York, 2020: Miles is alone facing COVID lockdown with his mums working on the front line or trapped in a different country attending ZOOM classes and eating too many cheerios.

The stories and timelines are all connected by December 22 1941 when two girls go missing: Sophie and Hanna.

I adored Libba Bray’s other YA series and even though this was isn’t fantastical, the reasons I loved her other books is why I loved this. Amazing character work, relatable characters, burn down the establishment characters.
Interrogating hard hitting questions with nuance and relevance.

<b>Nothing ever happens in a vacuum. No incident is isolated. The past is with us always. This is the lesson of history and why it is important not to forget. We are always in a conversation with history.
</b>
This obviously deals with three difficult tooocs; WWII viewed from German citizens bombarded with nationalism, propaganda, and fear.
The Berlin Wall where family and friends were separated.
Obviously, most triggering to our generation - COVID pandemic.

Libba Bray doesn’t hold back. Expect mentions of Working Camps, reductions, prisons, masks, #blacklivesmatter and so on.
I am in a headspace that I am able to reflect on the pandemic and see how it affected people outside of my circle, country, privilege.

<b>‘There is no such thing as neutrality. To cooperate is to be complicit with evil.’
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Yes, it is very on the nose and I think this might not appeal to some readers. Personally, it was the type of story I wouldn’t want to read regularly, but I am glad this had Bray’s voice behind it.

My take away - Never let anyone hide the truth of history.

<b>“If memory is a protest, then I try to keep knowledge alive by teaching history, which is the record of our collective memory. I fight to include the voices of those who have been left out to make that history more comfortable for certain people. As my friend Gayle always says, “The truth will set you free. But first it hurts.”</b>

Arc gifted by Little Brown Book Group.

Libba Bray's Under the Same Stars is at heart the story of two young German girls, Sophie and Hanna, and how they disappeared on the night of the winter solstice in 1940, but it's more than that.

it's also the stories of American teenager 'Dallas' and punk wannabe Lena in the segregated Berlin of 1980 and New York students Miles and Chloe during the COVID lockdown of 2020.

Two couples on the verge of adulthood, like Sophie and Hanna, finding their way during periods of great change and oppression. Periods with surprising links to the disappearance and the events leading up to it

Throw in The Tale of the Hare and the Deer, an allegorical fable that subtly changes with each telling, and you have the perfect reminder that although history tends to repeat, hope, as ever, persists.

Thanks to NetGalley, Little, Brown Book Group UK and the author for an advance copy.

Under the Same Stars spans across three timelines and wraps us into a very emotional storyline. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and felt they were well developed. Libbra Bray takes her time to build each character, their lives and all that surrounds them. I would say read this with caution. All three timelines have very sad concepts because they all take place at dark times in history. Bray is able to establish hope and connection, even in those times.

This is a YA historical fiction and I could see it being used in schools for education. There is so much important commentary and empathy building, I think teachers and educators will be able to capitalize on. I learned a lot from this book and continue to realize scary parallels to today's current political environment. At times that factor felt nauseating. Under the Same Stars reminds us of the need of history to be heard. So many today are scared to look and allow history to repeat itself. (another reason why I hope this book gets used in schools)

All in all, this story is more historical fiction than anything else. The "magic" elements are more strong at the story then it falls squarely into a YA historical fiction. This is not typically my wheelhouse, however Bray wrote such a compelling story, I couldn't put it down. When you pick this up, you are in for the long haul, get something comforting as you bring to life the horror and hope of WW2 and the current political climate of today.

Everyone lives under the same stars and everyone has the right to love and freedom of choice! Unfortunately there are people who would deny others those rights. And that is when you need to step up and light the match to bring about change. That is what this wonderful book is about! Told from three viewpoints at three pivotal times (World War 2, the Berlin Wall, and during the pandemic), Sophie, Jenny, and Miles learn that they can be that spark and even though it might be hard, even to costing everything, it is so vitally important to stand, even when others are just going with the flow. There are so many emotions and feels, danger, love, sacrifice, secrets, betrayal, that this story just flows along nonstop!

This book has a great story, woven and connecting the three times and I loved it all, feeling the desperation in getting forgeries made to save the children, making music to defy the wall and all it stands for, and making sure justice is found for the ones trampled on and forgotten. Such a good message!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this amazing message of a story!

Another fantastic book from Bray. Very different from the Diviners series but just as compelling and rich with historical detail. Great characters and well handled triple timelines. Loved it.

I tore through this book and loved every second. I adore how totally different Libby Bray goes with each new book - this is totally different from the Diviners series and equally compelling. I was impressed by how well she handled the three timelines - typically one is more interesting than the others for me, but I found the settings of 1940s Germany, 1980s Germany, and 2020 New York and their characters all just as interesting.

A captivating read from start to finish, full of action, adventure, mystery and tension. I enjoyed every second of this - I think Libby Bray has another hit on her hands!

I loved the back and forth between the time frames in this novel: I loved how it explored the not much talked about Covid period and shows just how time may change but the universal themes and experiences are still the same