This is the third book in the series Michal's Destiny by author Roberta Kagan. It is more of a stand alone novel than the previous 2 books in the seriThis is the third book in the series Michal's Destiny by author Roberta Kagan. It is more of a stand alone novel than the previous 2 books in the series and focuses on what happened to Gilde, daughter of Michal and Taavi, after she left Germany via Kindertransport to settle in England for the duration of the war. The book also tells the story of Shaul and Elias, two children from the orphanage in Berlin who knew Gilde and also left via Kindertransport. In many ways, it is a coming of age story made more challenging because it is set in wartime during the time when bombing raids were all too much a part of life. For the three friends who came over on Kindertransport, they were sent to different places with differing circumstances, they faced many similar challenges including the fact that those with strong German accents and language difficulties were not all readily accepted.
The book is filled with heartbreak and definitely made a kleenex box a necessary accessory as I read. I don't want to spoil the story for readers by going into great detail. Some challenges could happen to any teens growing up. Others were uniquely related to wartime. It was incredibly hard to be sent so far from family and friends and have no idea what happened to them.
This novel is once again incomplete with many threads left to be dealt with in novel #4. I look forward to finding out what happens in the next book.
I received an advance reader's copy from #NetGalley and #TheBookWhisperer . Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
With a title that features a bookshop and a second world war setting, I knew that this was a book that I would be interested in reading. Set in PragueWith a title that features a bookshop and a second world war setting, I knew that this was a book that I would be interested in reading. Set in Prague in the early days of the war, it tells the story of Jana, a young woman who runs a bookshop and lives above it with her father who is a puppeteer who carves his own puppets. Jana does her best to keep a love of reading ever present in her store and through that, to boost the morale of women and children who frequented the store even when she was forced to feature German books prominently while hiding books that the Germans have banned. One day, Jana is inadvertantly pulled into resistance when she hides a young boy in a small place in her store. When the Germans send people in to the store to search, one local policeman calls the all clear even the Jana is sure he knew the boy was there.
Thus begins her career as a resistant, but much more is to come throughout the novel. There were a few times I felt that Jana acted rashly and without due care, but luck seemed to be on her side. Is the local policeman someone she can trust or not? All will become clear as you read this story.
Many thanks to #NetGalley, #BoldwoodBooks and the author for allowing me to read an advance reader copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own....more
If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would. The combination of a heartrending story and beautifully done artwork throughout the book make it If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would. The combination of a heartrending story and beautifully done artwork throughout the book make it one that is bound to touch the heart. When a young reporter is sent as a last minute replacement to interview a world famous violinist, she never dreams that she will find out the answer to the question this man has always refused to answer. She will discover the answer to the Mozart question. How she achieves this is detailed through stories of a small boy many years earlier who loved the violin so much, that he would break rules to play. One cannot help but be moved....more
**spoiler alert** I have enjoyed every book that I've read by this author and this one was no exception. After writing much about war and immediate po**spoiler alert** I have enjoyed every book that I've read by this author and this one was no exception. After writing much about war and immediate post war in her other novels, this time she wanted to focus on how the day to day grind of the war affected people at home in England. She did this extremely well. She has the ability to draw pictures with her words that make it easy to visualize and feel what it must have been like to live through the blitz and try to keep chin up and positive. Her means of achieving this was through a young woman who worked for the BBC. When she discovers the body of her beloved grandfather after a bad night of bombing she is devastated and also surprized to discover he has a radio that can be used to communicate with others that she can't explain. When approached by a handsome Dutchman, a refugee from Holland, she is asked to become a "pianist" by the man who had known her grandfather and knew of her Morse code skills. Those skills are key to all that happens in the novel and though the focus was to be on England, it moves to the Netherlands where the reader learns about the early days of resistance there.
This was my read for today. I've read two other books by this author that I really enjoyed (The War That Saved My Life & The War I Finally Won) and whThis was my read for today. I've read two other books by this author that I really enjoyed (The War That Saved My Life & The War I Finally Won) and while they all tell stories of war, and all three are geared to a mid school audience, this one was a little different. The heroine was 12 year old Miriam, a Jewish girl living with her family in France after leaving Germany after Kristelnacht. When the French police round up thousands of Jewish people living in Paris, she is separated from family but with neighbour's. The mother encourages her to remove her sweater with a yellow star and take 2 year old baby Nora to escape and head for Switzerland. Miriam's mother had always told her to be brave. Her neighbour's Mrs. Rosenbaum told her she had a choice to make. Miriam chose to be brave and run with Nora.
So how is this book different from the others? It has a ghost in it as quite a central character, a ghost from hundreds of years earlier. Only Miriam can see or speak to her.
I was hooked, and read this in most of an afternoon. The author wrote it after a visit to Israel in 2018, and while the main characters are fictional, the history is factual. This is a book that inspires one to choose to be brave and do good where one can. I will give it to my granddaughter, another Miriam....more
I was very happy to read this book and love the new updated cover! It really captures some of what Kristallnacht must have looked like. The series of I was very happy to read this book and love the new updated cover! It really captures some of what Kristallnacht must have looked like. The series of 4 books has been published previously with this one first coming out in 2016. This may be an updated version but I don't know that for sure. I do know that it kept me reading whenever I had a chance. The author didn't hide the horrors of what was happening to the Jewish people from pogroms in Siberia to Kristallnacht in Berlin. I could feel the helplessness of the people who really had nowhere to turn. The descriptions of life in Berlin with spiraling inflation and difficulty finding food were heartbreaking. Despite this, I felt the author kept this on a level that even young adults could appreciate. The focus is on Michal, a young innocent Jewish women who as the novel begins is waiting to marry a man she has never met. The challenges she faced in the coming years were huge, and need to be read to be understood. I would be interested in reading more in the series as not all threads in the story are finished here.
Many thanks to #NetGalley and #BookWhisperer for allowing me to read an advance copy of this novel. All opinions are my own....more
I don't think I've read any other books by Karen Kingsbury and I gather she doesn't make a habit of writing historical fiction. I was drawn to the booI don't think I've read any other books by Karen Kingsbury and I gather she doesn't make a habit of writing historical fiction. I was drawn to the book by its WW2 theme and was quickly brought to tears when I realized the most important character was dealing with some form of dementia. The strongest theme of the book is the Christian message the author shares. The faith of the characters shapes the plot. Irvel, the heroine serves as an OSS spy during the war. Her faith is what holds her together. She loves two brothers and is "in love" with one of them. The story of those relationships is told in retrospective fashion based on supposed video tapes made after her diagnosis. There is an implication that war injuries may have led to her dementia.
I lived through caring for one parent with vascular dementia and one with Alzheimers. While I love thebidea of videos that shared memories, that didn't really work well with my mum.
I tend not to read many books that focus on an American viewpoint of the war. I didn't feel this one was particularly in depth historically compared to others I've read and I felt it didn't adequately acknowledge the role of countries other than the USA in fighting the war. I know that was not it's intended purpose, but as someone who had multiple family members not from the USA who served in that war, some of whom died overseas, it is something that I look for....more
When I first saw this book, I was drawn to it for two main reasons. Firstly, it is set at lastly partly in Canada which is my home country, and secondWhen I first saw this book, I was drawn to it for two main reasons. Firstly, it is set at lastly partly in Canada which is my home country, and secondly, it pertains, at least in part, to the role Ukranians played in service to the German armed forces during the second world war. This has been rather a hot topic in Canada since a former Ukranian soldier was honoured in the House of Commons without any understanding that his unit had fought for Germany under the Nazi banner. I felt that in the telling I did gain a better understanding of some of the factors involved in that.
I tend to be a fan of historical fiction that focuses on WW2 history, but this book turned out to be a lot more than that. It was a novel of intrigue, suspense, mystery and murder, and the title was aptly chosen because there were many secrets and surprises throughout the novel.
It is told in dual timeline fashion with a focus on two women. One is in Ukraine near the end of the war, and the other was on the West coast of Canada years after the war. Both women face great difficulties and are in many senses trapped. The modern woman is actually being physically held in virtual captivity and is struggling to break free. How these women are connected forms the basis of this story and the ending came as a huge surprise.
I found it a little hard to get into the beginning of the book but it grew on me as it progressed, and I would recommend it to those looking to better understand what pushed people in the position of being forced into certain actions and reactions.
My thanks to the author, the publisher,Doubleday Canada and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this preview ARC. The review reflects my own unbiased feelings....more
This is the third book in a series about the East End Library girls and I have read and enjoyed the first two books in the series. While this third coThis is the third book in a series about the East End Library girls and I have read and enjoyed the first two books in the series. While this third could be read as a stand-alone, I think the reader will enjoy it more if the books are read in order. This is a book about women who lived in one of the poorer parts of East London during the Second World War and as such I think it will be of particular interest to female readers interested in this time period. The characters and lives of Mavis, Jane and Cordelia have already been well developed in the earlier books. The library where they work is almost a character on it's own, filled with quirky locals speaking with Cockney twang and doing their best to manage all the hardships of war.
The author has clearly researched the time period and location well (I believe she had relatives who lived through this to tell her tales.) The novel is filled with little tidbits on how to make do and mend, including the suggestion that a piece cut from an old hot water bottle could be used to repair the leaky sole of a shoe. In this book, the librarians and all their regulars are gearing up for an expected visit from the King and Queen. Only as a community can they make this all work.
As a reader in 2024, I have to admire how they worked together to survive and make the best out of things. They didn't take little luxuries for granted. I think there is much we can learn from them and put to use in building community in this day and age. I suspect we have not seen the last of the library girls!
Thanks to #NetGalley and #BoldwoodBooks for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book due for publication later this month. All opinions are my own....more
Although Gosia Nealon grew up in Poland and heard wartime stories in her native language from those around her, she currently lives in New York. I fouAlthough Gosia Nealon grew up in Poland and heard wartime stories in her native language from those around her, she currently lives in New York. I found it quite remarkable as I was reading this novel that she is so fluent in writing in her second language. The idea that prompted her to write this story was a desire to give credit to the Polish mathematicians who were working on understanding the German enigma machines well before war began and were willing to trust Great Britain with the knowledge they had accumulated in the hopes it would help shorten the war that they believed was on it's way.
Fictional Beata is a young woman, abandoned at birth and raised in an orphanage. Out of a desire to be more adoptable, she worked hard while growing up to learn 3 languages. She never was adopted, but her language skills made her suitable to work with the Polish Cipher bureau on their code breaking efforts. Through this job, she met Harry, an Englishman sent to liase with the Poles.
Beata maintained a connection to the orphanage where she was raised and had a special fondness for one particular orphan. On the day that war began in Poland, German bombers and fighters attacked Warsaw and her orphan friend was killed. Her work group was forced to escape the country in order to continue their vital decoding work. It was too late to go to Britain and they ended up in France in the free zone. Beata was still devastated by this loss when Harry had to return to England. She had feelings for him, but no idea whether he had them back or not. He was recalled to Britain and she continued on with her work until the Germans took over Vichy France. Harry occasionally returned in a different capacity and the feelings both help grew. When escape became necessary again, Harry could not go with her. The plan was to cross the Pyrenees and head for Britain, but this was easier said than done. Her efforts to escape took time and had unforeseen consequences. These did not directly concern her work in code breaking. Some reviewers were disappointed with that. I wasn't one of them.
The novel kept me engaged and reading when I should have been sleeping. There were major twists along Beata's way and poor Harry was at a loss to help. I really enjoyed finding out how everything unfolded and hope other readers will as well.
Happy publication day August 13, 2024, to Gosia Nealon. Thank you to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for allowing me to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own....more
A fascinating dual timeline story that makes clear the harm war brings to children, be it mental or physical. I enjoyed how past and present intertwinA fascinating dual timeline story that makes clear the harm war brings to children, be it mental or physical. I enjoyed how past and present intertwined in this story....more
Orphan Flora MacDonal is railroaded into a reform school at age 12, after running away from a boss who treated her as a slave and attempted to sexuallOrphan Flora MacDonal is railroaded into a reform school at age 12, after running away from a boss who treated her as a slave and attempted to sexually assault her. Sentenced to two years in a reformatory where she would be taught to enter doest servic or work in a laundry, Flora struggled. She had a beautiful singing voice and wanted an education. She hated enclosed spaces and having no power to make her own choices. Desperate to escape at age 14 ,Flora jumps out a window and finds herself in the arms of young soldier Andrew Stewart. Andrew is the bastard son of the landowner that his mother worked for. The two fall in love but when war threatens to separate them, they pledge themselves to each other and expres their l9ve. Once he is gone Flora finds herself pregnant and lone. How she manages and what happens to Young Andrew lends itself to a dangerous situation and mystery. It made foran interesting read....more
This is the story of a real winter blizzard that arrived unexpectedly on a day that started out warm and lovely. It happened in 1888 and was sometimesThis is the story of a real winter blizzard that arrived unexpectedly on a day that started out warm and lovely. It happened in 1888 and was sometimes known as the Schoolchildren's blizzard or the Schoolhouse blizzard. The science of meteorology was in its infancy, so people were truly taken by surprise when the storm hit so suddenly. It happened in the rural parts Nebraska and Dakota at a time when most children were preparing to leave school for the day. The school houses were one room affairs and students often had to walk a great distance to get to school or return home. On January 12, 1888, they were not dressed for a storm.
The story focuses on two sisters who were teachers in different schoolhouse. Their characters were invented by the author but represented many remembered through oral history. Gerda was the eldest at 18. Raina was only 16 and it was her first year teaching. She was unsure of herself and looked up to her mre confidant sister. When the storm hit, each sister ,while still just a teen had to make a life or death choice as to how to respond. Each chose differently and therein lies a fascinating story. Life in the great plains was hard immigrants from other countries were lured by the promise of land. Nothing prepared them for this.
I identified with this as two of my grand-pardnts taught in one room school houses. My grandfather taught in Cape Breton and one of his pupils was my grandmother. She went on to teach in rural Sakatchewan. One of her jobs came about when the teacher before had students try to hang him. Se and my grandfather went on to marry in Saskatchewan in the early 1900's. Several of her sisters also taught in one room schools.
I would highly recommend this story for the depth of research and the portrayal of an incredible storm which took many lives. As our weather becomes more extreme, I am thankful for the early warning systems we now have in place....more
I received a free download of this book after reading another book by the author about a Runaway bride. It was a relatively short read and was a book I received a free download of this book after reading another book by the author about a Runaway bride. It was a relatively short read and was a book that made me laugh and smile. It would be classified as a sweet clean romance. I've enjoyed everything I've read by Cathryn Brown and will definitely read more....more
As a retired public health nurse I probably should have given this novel a miss. It is poorly researched in so many ways. In the early part of the booAs a retired public health nurse I probably should have given this novel a miss. It is poorly researched in so many ways. In the early part of the book Danielle Steel sometimes refers to Covid 19 as a pandemic but then goes on to call it an epidemic. It was an epidemic first and became a pandemic. It still is a pandemic and people are still dying from it. She said that when it was done people were kinder to each other, more caring. I don't believe that to be true sadly. This should almost be classed as a fantasy as she clearly has no understanding of what we learned through the pandemic. She references "social distancing" often as a preventative action but never once mentions that viruses (including Covid 19) are often airborne and social distancing has been proven to not be an efficient way of protecting people. In her fantasy virus (distantly related to Covid) she has people required to wear gloves whenever they go out. This is also ridiculous as gloves used all the time are hardly clean and we all tend to fail at avoiding our faces totally. She has one character who has a baby, suspects when that baby is 4 months old Tha she is pregnant again and will "have to quit nursing". This is not the current thought on nursing. Most women can continue to nurse through a pregnancy if they wish.
Moving away from the lack of medical accuracy, I found the novel quite repetitive as Steel tends to give the same basic information more then once within a few pages as if the reader will have already forgotten the first time.
She ends the book with the world at "peace again" after supposedly going through a resurrection. Definitely a fantasy....more
This is not my usual genre but for some reason I am compelled to read books that feature unusual happenings in airplanes. This book ranks right up witThis is not my usual genre but for some reason I am compelled to read books that feature unusual happenings in airplanes. This book ranks right up with the best in terms of twists and turns and keeping me glued to the edge of my seat. It could so easily happen in real life! What would you do if you had to choose between saving your child or those on a plane that you are also on? Read on to find out how this story plays out....more
A rather gut wrenching story but in a good way. Many children were sent away during the blitz. Not all ended up in great placements. In this novel, NeA rather gut wrenching story but in a good way. Many children were sent away during the blitz. Not all ended up in great placements. In this novel, Nell and her sister Olive are exposed to both. When one situation becomes truly dangerous, Nell and her sister must run away. The story of what happened throughout the rest of the war displays incredible resilience in times of struggle. I enjoyed the book....more
I just finished reading this excellent novel. Inspired by real events and extremely well researched, the novel was gripping and moved me to tears. In I just finished reading this excellent novel. Inspired by real events and extremely well researched, the novel was gripping and moved me to tears. In her post note, the author quoted Elie Weisel, a Holocaust survivor and Nobel lauriate "There may be injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest". She hoped that she had done the concept justice through this story. I believe she did. I borrowed this book from my local library using the Libby...more
Author A.L. Sowards has hit another home run with the release of her first full length novel in her Balkan Legends series. A prequel novella, After thAuthor A.L. Sowards has hit another home run with the release of her first full length novel in her Balkan Legends series. A prequel novella, After the Crescent Strike, sets the stage nicely for this story, Beneath a Crescent Shadow. Reading the first will give the reader an increased understanding of the times and what was happening in the Balkan countries (and it is a fantastic read!), but Beneath A Crescent Shadow can stand alone, and be thoroughly enjoyable.
My history lessens when growing up didn’t include anything about the medieval Balkan countries, so I didn’t personally come with any background knowledge, but I was captivated from the early pages and helped along by the wonderful glossary that Sowards can be counted on to include and the map to help me situate things in my mind. This is the kind of book that keeps me up reading all night long!
Imagine for a moment that you are a young man, considered by your father to be too young to carry the mantle of leadership, especially when it comes to battle. This was Konstantin’s situation. When he learned of the devastating death of his father, uncles and many others soldiers from the Serb army, it left him in the position of immediately becoming the Župan (Leader) of his local community, expected to help provide and care for those under his leadership including his family and younger siblings. As the Serbians had lost in battle, he also became a Vassal to the conquering Ottoman army and had to be prepared to fight under their banner anytime he should be called upon.
Enter his grandfather, who has arranged a marriage for him to Suzana, whose father was a prosperous merchant who lived some distance of a way. Her dowry would be essential in keeping his people alive through difficult times. I can only imagine the trepidation Konstantin must have felt as he made his journey to meet her and become her husband.
Suzana, has a history, one that isn’t clear to Konstantin at the outset, but his first sighting of her and meeting leave him hopeful that love can blossom between them. When they finally are betrothed, she has yet to speak a word to him. Life starts getting complicated even before they leave for Rivak, Konstantin’s home as someone attempts to drown Suzana, leaving it to Konstantin to come to the rescue.
Lest the reader think this book is only a romance novel, it isn’t. It is so much more than that. It holds mystery and terrorist attacks and is filled with suspense as they try to ascertain who is behind all the happenings, and why are they being committed. It is a story of being called to battle, with epic fighting scenes with no guarantee of survival. It is a story of growth for both Konstantin as a leader and Suzana as his bride and proxy when he is absent. There are many important characters in the novel and Sowards does an excellent job of developing them and helping the reader get to know them and love them (or at least some of them!) I believe my husband would enjoy this novel too!
Difficult subjects are referenced – rape, domestic abuse and how they can affect an individual. It is a story with grief and loss and yet filled with hope and faith. They were difficult times and needed that faith to sustain them when nothing else could.
This is such a gripping novel. It brought me to tears but also made me smile and remember my own faith in hard times. It was a novel of hope and when I finished and read a sample of the next book in the series, Beyond the Crescent Sky, I started counting the days in my mind until this book will be released and continue the story!
If you love historical fiction, told with a high background of research, I am sure you will enjoy both this novel and the whole series.
I received an advance copy of the book from #NetGalley, Shadow Mountain Publishers and the author. All views are my own unbiased ones....more
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