Originally posted on my blog, With Her Head in a Book. 
 I received an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 
 If you haven't heard about this book, I'd be surprised. Every single person I've ever talked to about this book has given ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE raving reviews. I have been recommended this masterpiece over and over and over again. So when I saw this being re-released on Netgalley, I had to request it. And I'm so glad I did. I'm someone that has a difficult time saying anything is "100% perfect" but that's exactly what ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE is - beautiful flawless perfection. 
 I'm not much for historical reads unless it's in a time so far away it might as well be a legend, so even despite the astounding praise, I found myself debating if I really wanted to read this. I wasn't sure if I could enjoy the subject matter knowing who I am as a reader. Ever hear that a good book should grab your interest within the first paragraph or first page? ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE did in the first line. The author weaves a simplistic writing style, much like Children's Literature, with highly poetic and intricate, thought-provoking phrase. I was instantly blown out of the water by the beautiful combination of words. Ignoring all other elements of a novel (the plot, characters, etc.), the way Anthony Doerr tells his story would have been enough to keep me reading and satisfied. He has mastered the art of writing. 
 As much as I wanted to burn through the novel, I couldn't. I had to give myself breaks. Not because of the length - it is a hearty book even for my standards - and most definitely not due to boredom, but because ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE is simply so tough on the heart. More than heartbreaking, shattering. It is the highly emotional journey of two very different children growing up during the great war and how their stories interweave (all of life is connected to one another). The chronology is mostly in sequence with the occasional blasts to the past and future. This beautiful form of storytelling creates such suspense - we know where they've been and where they will be, yet we never know what's coming till it's here. 
 It's always satisfying to see a novel come full circle and repeat the important aspects. Anthony Doerr ties up all loose ends and dots the lines for us to figure out the hidden mysteries. It's a book that can be analyzed a hundred different ways and still have more to go. I hope that ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE becomes a modern classic read throughout all classrooms and households. Read this novel! 
 Plot: 5/5 
 Characters: 5/5 
 Writing Style: 5/5 
 All Around Idea: 5/5 
 Total: 5/5