Rose and the Burma Sky

by Rosanna Amaka

THE Rosanna Amaka is of mixed Caribbean and Nigerian heritage, uniquely placed to write this incredible rarely told story, weaving in first-hand stories from her own grandmother's village where the young men disappeared to fight a foreign war. Rosanna is keen to explore historic moments from a black perspective, is a charismatic speaker.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Nigeria, Romance, World War II, Africa, Audiobook

Paperback

Published February 23, 2023

About the author

Rosanna Amaka was born in the UK and is of African and Caribbean heritage. Her debut novel, 'The Book of Echoes', was shortlisted for the Authors' Club First Novel Award, the RSL Christopher Bland Prize and the HWA Debut Crown Award. 'Rose and the Burma Sky' is her second novel and was inspired by a conversation with her grandmother while they were watching a war film in which all the soldiers were white. She is currently working on her third novel.

Reviews

[Katie Lumsden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic, moving, beautifully written book.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this novel of lost and war and unwritten part of colonialism of fighting the wars in other parts of the world.

[Nataliep · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Please, when I am gone, don’t forget us. Always lay a wreath in memory of us and the part we played, and for the ones that never came home. Always remember us”

I couldn’t put this down. A moving story of a Nigerian soldier who fought in WW2, his unrequited love and the pain felt from war.

[Finn (theroyaltyreader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is accounted on african soldiers during ww2 where they were stationed in Burma. it narrowed to a man named Obi who was from Nigeria had signed up to be a soldier in order to be able gain rewards and later have a farm. as we are diving into Obi's life, it started from Obi's childhood and also introduced with Obi's childhood friends. as Obi grew up, he fall in love with one of his childhood friend named Rose but sadly it was an unrequited love.

i appreciate the story that author conveyed here as she wanted to educate readers that there were african soldiers during ww2 and they were left unrecognized or less appreciation in any history books. as to not directly educate, we can see through Obi's POV as one of the african soldiers that was recruited under British rule to fight Japanese in Burma.

but firstly, we are intro with Obi's life as a child and we can learned Nigerian culture that was embedded in Obi and his family. it was something new to me as i rarely read up about africans who was recruited as a part of British soldiers. as well as Nigerian culture is something i never knew about it previously.

however, the strongest essence that successfully moved me in this novel was the unrequited love story between Obi and Rose. there was such a drama happened and i gave my tears away to their love story. there was a plot twist too that leads to an unsolved murder case as well. suspense mode activated. i am so invested in their story. Obi deserved to be protected so much because he poured so much love to Rose.

but then everything is under Obi's POV so it is not hard to read and the prose was written really simple and the theme that the author wants to deliver able to capture reader's attention. it was hauntingly sad and Obi's love story really carried this book way more than ww2 story. not just during ww2 scenes were appeared, the aftermath of ww2 also existed as it displayed what these ex-soldier facing especially PTSD and behavioural changes. the writing didn't just stop or only focusing on these soldiers but it also explored on Nigeria's situation after ww2 where everyone was struggling.there is a chapter that i felt like some loopholes in the plot despite it want to be consider as plot twist. i do really want something to happen between it before we jumped into the plot twist. this story no doubt has a fast pacing and i have no problem to read at all.

overall, it has a good closure and everyone gets the answer in end despite of 50 years later passed.

[Magdalena Kruszyńska · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5
I think Obi and I are similar people, soo +1 for this.

In some way something is missing in this story, but you can also treat it as leaving space for your own interpretation and conclusions.
*it is worth to mention the book presents crucial, untold perspectives of 2WW*

[Fennimoore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rose and the Burma Sky is a poignant historical fiction with a romantic twist, set in Nigeria during the 1930s to the end of World War II in the 1940s. It tells the story of Obi, a young man whose life changes dramatically when he is recruited by the British Colony to fight in Burma during the war.

One of the strengths of this book is its tribute to the 81st and 82nd West African Divisions of the British Army, which were instrumental in the Allied victory during World War II. Through the eyes of Obi and his friends, we get a glimpse of the challenges faced by African soldiers who were sent to fight a war that was not their own. We also witness the trauma and hardships they faced, as well as the impact of war on their families and the community as a whole.

Despite the complex subject matter, the author's writing style is simple and accessible. The story is told from Obi's perspective, and the writing is poignant and heart-wrenching at times. It captures the lost innocence of the colonized people, and the struggle for self-identity and independence.

One of the book's only shortcomings is that it may seem too simple for readers who are well-versed in the history of the 81st and 82nd West African Divisions. However, for those who are not familiar with this history, the book does an excellent job of educating readers while also entertaining them with a compelling story.

Overall, Rose and the Burma Sky is a must-read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a romantic twist. The author's ability to convey complex ideas in a simple and accessible way makes it a page-turner that will keep you engaged from beginning to end. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a captivating story that is both educational and entertaining.

[Dora Okeyo · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Always remember us."

That's the final sentence in this book, and before that it's the story of lives shattered, dreams realized, lost and people who simply wanted to be better. There is Obi at the center of it all and his love for Rose which sees him choose to join the army, because at some point, he learns that Rose sees as him as someone who'd never amount to anything.

And when Rose is pregnant, to avoid the shame that would befall her- he agrees to marry her and take up the child as his own...but what of the father? He asks but never demands an answer from Rose, then the war in Burma comes up and the young men are shipped to go fight...and from there it seems like Obi returns home but he carries the war with him.😭

Rose's sudden death even before he is shipped to war, engulfs him because he knows she would never take her own life. So the questions remain.

Uche describes her friend Rose as, "She had a way about her. She was like the sun: the further away you were, the more she shone, but the closer you got, the more she burned."

How Obi pushes on is what I would say propels this book forward. To be first deemed as "simple," in his way of life and thought- and then to be the only one left standing in the end, is beyond remarkable and perhaps it has a lot to do with his will or his loved ones.

However one thing does ring true, war is brutal and I was reminded of my great grandfather who also fought in the second world war while reading this, and I am glad that someone dedicated a book in honor of the millions of Africans who fought in that war.

[Realis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book focusses on a part of WW2-history that often gets overlooked: the colonial troops from Africa that fought for the British in places like Burma. We are following Obi, a young man from Nigeria who signs up for the army to impress Rose, the girl he's been in love with since his childhood.
While I enjoyed learning more about a historical topic I didn't know a lot about, I thought that the execution was rather lacking. Halfway through the book, the love story between Obi and Rose took a really weird dramatic turn that I thought was both unnecessary and took away from the rest of the story. I also didn't really connect with the writing style. While it's clear that the author has done a lot of research on the time period, that research was not really integrted into the text naturally. There were a lot of times were I could tell that a paragraph had been a bullet point she wanted to include for the sake of including it.

[Remmi Ahmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Changed my life.

[Nell Davies-Small · Rating 3 out of 5]

really important book in terms of the treatment of African soldiers during WW2 but the romance storyline was a wee bit cringe for me. would read smth by this author again tho!!!! read it in one evening so i guess that’s good ?!

[Lauren Baqal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of WW2 from a side you don’t hear about much; but also a story of love and loss. Really vivid and well told.

[Piper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rose and the Burma Sky
Earc NetGalley
Publisher: Transworld Publishers Penguin Random House
Publication Date:23rd February
Genre General Fiction Literay Fiction

I am not normal a Literay Fiction reader but have enjoyed reading this book. The prose is written really well. This boom taught me alot about cultural diversity especially within the army and how people are treated differently. The story begins in Nigeria in the late 1930s, with the introduction of Obi, a young child whose village life is filled with adventures with his friends and work on the family lands.
Obi is standout and caring to me whereas Rose is a little harsh and unfair on him at times.


#RoseandtheBurmaSky

[Jo The Black Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

"That is the thing with the past: you have to see it from different perspectives, from different viewpoints, to truly see the people you really were, to understand and learn what needs to be learnt."

Rose and the Burma Sky, is a story which has left me conflicted, but before I tell you why, let me provide you with a brief synopsis.

Obi is a simple boy, who sees life in simple terms, but he knows that he is in love, and his love for Rose is one that is unwavering. In a bid to become a man of status, and one to be desired by Rose, Obi enlists to join the army. During his service, Rose returns to Onitsha following her mothers demise. Obi is shocked to learn that Rose has fallen pregnant. Even after this revelation, with his heart shattered, he continues to move with love to help Rose. This is a story of unrequited love, a story of the forgotten African soldiers of World War 2. Without reward, respect, or acknowledgement.

What I did enjoy about "Rose and the Burma Sky" was the voice it gave to the African soldiers who fought alongside the British during World War II. I know for many, that this is a lost part of our history and colonial history, and one that is not well known by all. I loved the matriach of Obi's family, his grandmother, her discernment was on 100 for Rose. Amaka also did a great job towards the end with the depictions of PTSD.

However I found that the execution of the voice & vision of our African war veterans, was overshadowed entirely by Obi's obsession with Rose. I think far too much time was spent exploring the unrequited love aspect in this story.

Even though this book was short it felt as though it was at least 400 pages, with my interest not piquing until the final 50 pages - that's when it got really good!

I loved "The Book of Echoes" but unfortunately this was not one for me on this occasion.

Thank you to @doubledayukbooks for my gifted copy.

What did you think of rose and the Burma sky?

🌟🌟.85

[Annette Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rose and the Burma Sky by Rosanna Amaka is the moving story of an African soldier in the Second World War, a perspective I had not seen before despite reading many books set during this time period. The book begins in Nigeria in the late 1930s where we are introduced to Obi a young boy whose village life is filled with adventures with his friends and working on the family lands. His future looks simple but certain, and he dreams of marrying his friend Rose, a beautiful girl from the village who showed him much kindness when his mother died. When Rose is chosen to go away to school he begins to realise that the future he had planned might never come to pass and so he is convinced to join the army to earn enough money to build a future with Rose. When war breaks out he finds himself shipped to Burma to fight the Japanese.
It is clear that this is a story that matters to the author and she has done a lot of research which she talks about at the end of the book. It was a part of history that I knew nothing about before picking up this book, and I found it moving and at times heart breaking . Obi was such a sweet character, it was so easy to root for him and seeing what he was forced to endure during the war made for difficult reading at times.
A simple story ,well told and well worth the read.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the invitation to read this ARC.

I thought this was a very well written, poignant and heartbreaking read at times. It follows two characters Obi and Rose from their childhood friendship into adult life and the story is told through Obi’s perspective. I think the author has portrayed her characters perfectly here and captured their feelings, thoughts and emotions so well. They jumped out from the pages and I could picture them in my mind when reading. This was a very engaging read, although I did think a few times it was a little too descriptive and perhaps overly long and I found myself skimming the pages in places. It was, for me, a refreshing and interesting read because of where it took place. I haven’t read any books set in Africa during WW2 and in a time of colonial rule, and I enjoyed getting a sense of what life would have been like for her characters and their families at that time. Overall a good, engaging and absorbing read and I love the author’s writing style, she writes easily and seamlessly grabbing the readers attention right from the start. If you’re a fan of historical fiction I’d recommend this.

4 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Ayobankole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rose and the Burma Sky by Rosanna Amaka tells the story of a black soldier in the second world war. In this novel, we meet Obi from a village in South East Nigeria. This emotional historical novel tells Obi's story from his perspective. Obi's story will stay with you for a long time. He was captivated as he watched a colonial army jeep speed past his village with soldiers laughing and shouting. In his quest to impress his childhood crush, Rose, and the promise of a regular income to feed his family, he decided to enlist.

This is the second book I have read by the same author. As in "The Book of Echoes", Rosanna Amaka's narration, vivid description and research bring the story to life. Obi, Rose and his childhood friends have similar stories to tell as anyone growing up in 1939 colonial Nigeria. Obi joined the army during peacetime and later found himself experiencing the horrors of war. Obi's PTSD, his experience of poverty, loss, unrequited love and the search for truth is heart-wrenching.

This is a well-written book and comes highly recommended.

[BookishCreativebyElsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming of age
PTSD
unrequited love. Or love triangle
Marriage of convenience
The spirit world / other world and our beloved in the part the play in our living life
Family and friendships
Career decisions
Parentage
Colonialism and its impact
Second World War ad it’s impact
The lies told the veterans and their fight for betterment after the war
Envy
Interracial relationships

Que - did Obi’s shot at Richard’s kill Emeka?

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is beautifully written, if a bit slow for my liking.

I loved the exploration of the relationship between Rose and Obi, and how it changes and grows as they move from child to adulthood. Set alongside the historical context, this is a thoughtful read.

[Jan Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read by Rosanna Amaka, the first being ‘The Book of Echoes’. As a result, I greatly looked forward to reading Rose and the Burma Sky. I was not disappointed. I found it hard to stop reading and literally planned my day so I could read as much as possible each day.
I was very moved by the story of a group of friends (in particular Obi) growing up in a village in south east Nigeria and their journeys through life. In the synopsis, it states that it is a tale of unrequited love between Obi and Rose. After reading the book, I felt enriched by how the author brought the characters to life and also how much I learned about the history of the part some Nigerian soldiers played in the war between Britain and Japan in Burma during the Second World War. This was not something that I knew about before reading this book, as it is not been widely acknowledged or publicised history. This surprised me, as although I did A level history (including World War ll), never did I hear anything of the contribution of Nigerian soldiers in the Burma campaign.
It is a powerful and well written 3 dimensional novel that is complex and deals with issues of unrequited love, relationships between family and friends, loss, sadness and pain. There was also the wonder of how salvation can come in different and unexpected forms. I felt greatly for Obi and really cared for him as he journeyed through his intense love and longing for Rose, fighting in Burma and then through to his disillusionment and bitterness on his return home after the War. I felt the characters were very believable and I really cared about what happened to them, as they grew up and made their way in the world. Although the ending was not what I hoped for, it was more realistic and I felt at last there was fulfilment for the main character.
There were moments of unexpected plot twists, which I had not anticipated and which took me by surprise. This is also part of what I liked about the book. I felt very sad when I reached the end of the book, as I enjoyed it so much that I did not want it to end. I also wanted to know what was there in the future for some of the other characters, like little Rose.
Well done Ms Amaka for her clear writing style, which is very evocative. I cannot wait for her next book.
Jan Lord

[Bookmark Bliss with Fay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished reading Rose and the Burma Sky by Rosanna Amaka, and I absolutely loved it🫶🏾.

This story is beautifully written and deeply moving—I was hooked from start to finish. It masterfully blends suspense with powerful drama, making it a true page-turner. War stories always get to me, and this one was no exception. It’s haunting to think of the horrors humans both endure and inflict during war, especially knowing this novel was inspired by true accounts of World War II.

At its heart, this is a story about love, family, and resilience. The love story is heartbreaking, showing how war, societal expectations, and personal choices can pull people apart. The tension between tradition and modernity shapes many relationships—romantic, familial, and friendships. Obi, the protagonist, is a genuinely good-hearted character whose naïveté leaves him vulnerable to exploitation. His journey is a coming-of-age story in many ways, as he navigates duty, love, and self-discovery.

The novel also highlights the struggles of black women, left behind as men went to war yet still bound by economic hardship and cultural expectations. Rose and others like her had to fight their own battles within a society that limited their choices, often shaping their lives as brutally as war itself.

Friendship and family play a central role in Obi’s journey. Some friendships endure, while others fracture under the weight of unspoken truths. The importance of community—both in Nigeria and abroad—threads through the novel, revealing both its strength and its limits.

The book also sheds light on the injustices faced by Black soldiers, treated as expendable in a war they were never meant to fight. The racial hierarchy, internalized racism, and the trauma of war are explored in deeply affecting ways.

On top of all this, it’s filled with profound and thought-provoking passages—some of which I’ve shared in the attached slides (without giving too much away).

A truly powerful read, one that lingers long after the last page✨️.

[Maniki_021 · Rating 5 out of 5]

TW : Murder, rape, depression, suicide, death.

The story follows Obi, a young Nigerian man who enlists in the army during the late 1930s to win the affection of Rose, his childhood love who had shown him kindness when his mother passed away. Sent to Burma to fight the Japanese in World War II, Obi's life takes a dramatic turn. Years later, Rose, pregnant with another man's child, turns to Obi for support, and they marry to protect her reputation. Tragically, Rose dies in what appears to be suicide, but Obi later learns she was accidentally killed by her best friend. This well-researched and beautifully written book is filled with twists, sadness, and loss, making it a poignant read.

One of the book's strengths lies in its richly developed characters, each one vividly portrayed with their own hopes, fears, and dreams. Obi's journey, in particular, is heart-wrenching as he grapples with the consequences of his choices and the weight of his love for Rose. The author's prose is lyrical and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the harsh realities of war and the enduring power of love.

In conclusion, this book is a triumph of storytelling, offering a poignant and unforgettable reading experience. It is a testament to the enduring power of love and the human spirit, and is sure to stay with readers long after they have turned the final page.

"but this must be the lesson this life is intent on repeatedly teaching me - that nothing and no one is permanent . We are here but for a short moment, borrowing time on this earth, and all we can do is try to live the best we can , be the best we can, despite it all. For everything else that we place so much importance on - the things , the possessions - are but a mirage that fades away in the wind once our life is gone because all we are left with , at that point , is who we are and what we truly meant to those we leave behind"..what a beautiful story :)

[readwithlubbatu · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Yaa Gyasi's Home Going, I felt like, Rose and the Burma Sky was wrote on purpose to get me hooked up to African Historical stories. The two books were quite different, but similar in terms of their historical context, stages of the books and how they both portrayed colonialism as the biggest threat to the lives of Africans. And for that, I couldn't bring myself to write a review for this one too.

But that's the thing about good books. They got you thinking of the words you can use that might come closer to describing how you feel about them and that exactly is how it's with me, and Rose and the Burma Sky.🥹🥹

The book brilliantly and descriptively explores the life of Obi, a young soldier right from his childhood, his one sided admiration for Rose, the absolute love of his life, down to his struggles of survival during WWll.

Rossana Amaka's Rose and the Burma Sky was such a powerful and poignant story that shattered my heart to pieces, comforted me with its unique style of storytelling, its well developed characters, a wonderful story of love and sacrifices, an unending, yet beautiful childhood friendship that was as nostalgic to the heart as candy floss.

The novel cleverly discussed the contributions of African soldiers to the Second World War. The hell they've been through, and how colonial power failed them woefully. Weaves together the horrors of war, how it changes people and affects their sanity. The stages of grief, the pain of unrequited love and the possibility that following your heart might not always be the best course of action.

The way in which the author managed to make this a story of an unconditional love and that of history in the most gut wrenching, yet satisfying way was beyond brilliance. The ending caught me off guard, and I am yet to recover from its massive shock.

I highly recommend this book if you love and enjoy great historical fiction and for anyone looking for a very well written and light reading African story as this is a story that, with no doubt, you all will fall in love with.

[Patty Aryee · Rating 5 out of 5]

🗣💬:
“𝙋𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚, 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙜𝙤𝙣𝙚, 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙪𝙨. 𝘼𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙡𝙖𝙮 𝙖 𝙬𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙪𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙬𝙚 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙙, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚. 𝘼𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙪𝙨”

👩🏾‍🏫 𝔾𝔼ℕℝ𝔼:
Historical Fiction

📄 ℙ𝔸𝔾𝔼 ℂ𝕆𝕌ℕ𝕋:
272

🎡 𝕋ℍ𝔼𝕄𝔼𝕊:
War (WW||) / Nigeria / Unrequited love/ Sacrifice /Parenthood / Community

✍️ ℙ𝕃𝕆𝕋:
One war, one soldier, one enduring love

1939: In a village in south-east Nigeria on the brink of the Second World War, young Obi watches from a mango tree as a colonial army jeep speeds by, filled with soldiers laughing and shouting, their buttons shining in the sun. To Obi, their promise of a smart uniform and regular wages is hard to resist, especially as he has his sweetheart Rose to impress and a family to support.

Years later, when Rose falls pregnant to another man, his heart is shattered. As the Burma Campaign mounts, and Obi is shipped out to fight, he is haunted by the mystery of Rose's lover. When his identity comes to light, Obi's devastation leads to a tragic chain of unexpected events.

💭 𝕍𝕀𝔹𝔼𝕊:
Such an insightful, thought provoking read. This book was clearly written with a lot of research and perhaps a lot of first hand accounts passed down through family.
The writing style is raw and honest but so welcoming that you become addicted to it from the prologue.

💟 𝔽𝔼𝔼𝕃𝕊:
This book was wonderfully emotional and open.
I felt such an affinity to the way the story was told as the narrative voice is self conscious enough to know his faults and the faults of those around him even though emotionally he may want/feel differently.
I was on the journey with the MC from start to finish and don't think I will ever get enough of works like this that honour the lost stories of people that colonialism has attempted to write out of history.
This story was moving, frustrating, hopeful and addictive.

[Coco · Rating 4 out of 5]

“..maybe the only real answers are the ones we give ourselves…”

There's a wealth of content to explore within this book, not because it's complicated or intricate, but because it evokes strong emotions and raises questions about love, obsession, friendship, and all the fascinating lines that dance around them.

The book adopts an intriguing narrative approach by beginning with what appears to be the end. This storytelling technique effectively portrays the thoughts of a man reflecting on his life's final moments.

Obi's love for Rose blossoms from a young age, stemming from a profound sense of grief. It begins as a connection grounded in childhood friendship but develops into something much deeper.

Everything Obi does is driven by a desire to "win" Rose, but he fails to truly consider what this victory would entail for either of them. Eventually, fate brings them together, providing an opportunity for him to learn a lesson. In a somewhat predictable yet stunning twist, he is not the only one who gains new insights.

The book concludes on a note that may not be the most uplifting, but it offers a sense of closure that deserves appreciation, regardless of how tokenistic it may seem.

"Rose and the Burma Sky" is more than a tale depicting the harsh treatment of Africans during colonialism, the tumultuous period around World War II, and the aftermath that left many profoundly affected. It is undoubtedly more than a story of unrequited love. I believe it is a testament to the lengths individuals will go to, irrespective of their social class, cultural background, or even perceived mental acuity. It leaves one pondering whether there might be value in naivety and innocence.

Noteworthy:

Class plays a significant role in this book, influencing the dynamics between characters such as Obi, Rose, Ifeany, Emeka, and Michael. It manifests in Obi's interactions with Rose and how she receives his expressions of interest. The theme of class also extends to the way adults interact, both directly and indirectly. It reminded me of the tendency for some Nigerians to idolize foreigners, reflecting the historical connections between the upper class and colonizers.

Another underlying issue in the book revolves around Rose as a person. While we catch glimpses of her throughout the story, we never truly get to know her on a deep level. Perhaps that's part of her allure? She initially appears as a sweet, unassuming, and brilliant young girl, then evolves into a woman who has developed a "taste for life." She then becomes a loyal friend who simply seeks to maintain a connection and ultimately transforms into a woman who knows her true desires. However, it's important to note that all of this is based on Obi's assumptions, as the story is told from his perspective. We can only see Rose through his eyes, which adds a layer of subjectivity to our understanding of her character.

One aspect of the book that I truly appreciate is how it portrays Igbo tradition. Rather than overdoing it, the author strikes a delicate balance. The representation of Igbo culture in the story has sparked my curiosity and a desire to conduct further research.

Read my review on Marie Claire NG

[LilyRose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rose and the Burma Sky by Rosanna Amaka is a powerful and beautiful novel. In 1939, in a village in south-east Nigeria, Obi watches a group of soldiers passing through his village their clean, shiny uniforms and laughter speaks of possibility and potential. Obi wants to impress his childhood sweetheart Rose and joins on the brink of the Second World War. Years later, Rose is pregnant with another man’s child, heartbroken and scared, Obi agrees to support her. After tragedy and loss, Obi is shipped to Burma to fight, devastated by the past and the mystery surrounding Rose and her child Little Rose he is in search of meaning and answers. The novel is a powerful portrait of the joint tragedies of war and love and how to navigate a world where everything feels broken and lost. The story explores a part of history that needs greater attention highlighting the injustices of colonialism and the bravery of black soldiers that fought in a violent and oppressive war and if they returned home were offered little support or future prospects. A refreshing and important work of historical fiction that was both engaging and heartbreaking 4 Stars ✨.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy of this book in exchange for honest feedback.

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't entirely sure what star rating to give this book. I eventually settled on four stars because overall I found it an enjoyable and interesting read, and had no particular complaints about the craft. However, it's been about a week since I finished it—I usually right a review straight after finishing—because I didn't really have anything to say. It was... Fine. Nothing particularly lingered with me afterwards, I'm not still thinking about any character or aspect of the plot. It was a nice way to pass the time, but nothing greater for me.

That said, as an avid reader of historical fiction this provided a relatively unexplored lens for WWII fiction, both from the perspective of colonised African countries drawn into an European conflict as well as South East Asia as a theatre for war during this period. Obi’s emotional experience, which was primarily occupied with his relationship with Rose, was set against the backdrop of casual racism and discrimination within colonial British military, and the implications of bring the trauma of war home to a place already scarred by the violence of colonialism. Because of this, it was a refreshing addition to the, in my opinion, largely saturated World War Two fiction market.

[Esther Eiyegbeni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually enjoyed reading this book though there were few things I questioned.

First, the title gave the perception that the story was more about Rose than the other characters. I expected to see her POV but Obi's POV was enough to cover it. Secondly, I enjoyed reading about the unrequited love Obi had for Rose and his naivety made me like him more. I was really rooting for him and was glad he lived well after the war.

Thirdly, the account of the war was well-written—in a simple style which I enjoyed—as I was able to follow Obi through the struggles he faced as a soldier.

Towards the end, I had a lot of questions especially concerning Little Rose's father, what Rose and Michael had really been discussing, why Emeka seemed to be hiding something from Obi, the identity of Rose's killer, and a few others. Fortunately, they were answered just before the end of the book.

I wish we got to see Rose's angle as her story seemed complex. I would love to know the issues she faced and why Uche saw her in a different light.

Lastly, I enjoyed the plot twist as I had also been wondering why Rose would want to kill herself when she had a lot of things she wanted to do.

In all, it's a good read.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting tale about a young Nigerian man set during the years leading up to WWII, the war itself, and more briefly, post-war. He was raised in a village where most lived a traditional simple life, while the children of some received education, often at the hands of colonial white Christians who at best patronised them, after which they moved away. The narrator, Obi. has had an elementary education, which puts him in a better position than many. This is the story of his young career as he moves from farm to army to bitter fighting in WWII. Of his marriage to rescue the girl whom he loves, but who doesn't love him in return. Of conflict with the ruling white classes who believe their African charges are in every way inferior. This is an involving story from which I learnt quite a bit about this period of Nigerian history. At the end though, the difficulties caused, largely by his marriage, are galloped through as we whisk through several post-war years in record time, as though the author herself had rather tired of her book and needed to bring it to a conclusion. Nevertheless, an immersive read.

[Uju Hassan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I happily read Rose and the Burma sky because its background was reminiscent of my culture, traditions and values….the breaking of Kola-nuts, the status of “Umuada” and their powerful influence within the family and community. I am an Ada so I could flow with that narrative and so much that is in the book! The authors source of historical materials met my expectation of the accounts of the war and the African lives affected by it! I loved that Obi and his infatuation with Rose (didn’t like her too much) was woven around the most important parts of the book…yet didn’t detract from the main theme of the book….I loved that the author managed to drop me into the horrors of the war in a sugar coated style that I liked….in short...the narrative took me through Obi’s existential and heartbreaking journey and also that of the indelible characters that supported his journey! The unexpected ending for me is a befitting kudos to the generous spirited man Obi remained to the end! Great book, highly recommend it and I rate it 5 stars!!!

[Amina (aminasbookshelf) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a great premise and characters but I just couldn’t get on board with the writing style. It’s written in first-person past-tense, with a reflective memoirish tone that made me feel distant from the action. It felt like I was viewing the characters from behind glass, with too much summary, foreshadowing and hindsight.

The lack of scenes to establish the relationships up front and the confusing, non-linear order of the scenes within each chapter, meant it felt like the author was telling me about the characters rather than showing me what they were like. Although it picked up in the second half once Obi went to war, I would have loved this to be dual POV and I felt a bit let down that we never got Rose’s side of the story. Therefore, I’m giving it three stars.

Thanks to DoubleDay for my #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.