WWII

Tag: WWII

Until Our Time Comes

By Nicole M. Miller

MY REVIEW

I thoroughly enjoyed the interesting historical tidbits that I learned in this book. It’s intertwined with fiction as is usually the case in books like these. I enjoyed the characters in this book-especially Brett and Ewin.

It was a fascinating story, and I didn’t have any problems keeping myself engaged and turning the pages. The idea of transporting so many horses for their bloodlines isn’t something I’d actually given much thought. It seemed a bit reckless at times, but it wasn’t just for the horses it was for the memory of a beloved mother. Perhaps that is what made me perceive it as plausible.

The romance was interesting. It grew through his acts of saving things she loved, but they don’t really spend much time getting to know each other. I’m not disappointed in having little romance as that is the kind of book that I prefer. I just found it a bit confusing on how a bond grows when not much is there as far as knowing each other.

My biggest disappointment is the lack of a faith theme. It is mentioned at the end that God had worked things out as they were meant to be, but that was it.

I really enjoy historicals, and I enjoyed this one as it is so different from many I’ve read. It is all encompassed by the horses and what surrounds them. I’ve never quite read a book like this one before, and I’m looking forward to more books by this author. This is her debut novel.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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What I Promise You

By Liz Tolsma

MY REVIEW

Incredibly well done dual timeline story. I enjoyed ALL of this book. The characters are wonderful, the history fascinating, and the storyline so well crafted and beautifully written.
I usually have one story that I like more than the other, but I really loved both of the stories in this book.
I have read quite a few books by this author, and this is my favorite of hers so far. I was really captivated by the story and the history in this novel. It was all incredibly well done. I read this book in about 24 hours, and I highly recommend it.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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The Long March Home

By Marcus Brotherton, Tosca Lee

MY REVIEW

I was glad to read about the March of Bataan. I hadn’t learned of it previously. My conundrum in reviewing is that it was published by Revell, a Christian publishing company. This book was gritty, crass, swearing, and other elements not expected in a book published by Revell. In doing the review a content warning was given to us as readers. Much of the content I expected as it is a war novel. All the elements in this novel are typical of a regular war fiction book or even a non fiction traditionally published book. I expected a much stronger faith theme and no cussing. The fact it came nowhere close to those expectations was very surprising to me.

It is a heart wrenching and highly disturbing war novel. The authors did a good job of bringing the horror of war to the pages of the book. I wouldn’t recommend this book for just anyone as it is a bit tough to read. I read their purpose for writing it, I believe they accomplished it.

If you are looking for a clean book, I don’t recommend it based on some content. I only expected better than that because it was published by Revell. This book needed to be in the traditional publishing world. The authors brought to the reader the story of the March to Bataan. It is a subject more people need to know. The Pacific part of WWII isn’t as well known. My grandfather fought in the Aleutian Islands. He was a medic, but he was involved in hand to hand combat as well. I probably would not know as much about that part of the world war if it hadn’t been part of our family’s history.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Within These Walls of Sorrow

By Amanda Barratt

MY REVIEW

I am at a loss for rating or reviewing a novel as powerful as this one.. The writing takes the reader on the journey, that much is incredibly true.

A poignant, heart wrenching, tragic tale of The Ghetto. The word sorrow doesn’t really come close to all that occurred there. How humans treated other humans like this is something I will never understand. As hard as it was to read, I cannot imagine how hard it was to see and live through, if one could call it living for these souls. It’s a novel that makes the reader think of how one person could help, and yet how could a person not help. God must have put people there, miraculously through a pharmacy, to help with things beyond the scope of a pharmacy. It left people to tell the stories that needed to be told.

This book is not so dark that the reader cannot finish. The reader gets Jewish and non Jewish viewpoints. I really liked the different characters that the reader follows. It gives a good perspective. This was really one of the best books I’ve read about WWII Poland because of that…much of this isn’t fiction.

I’m still amazed every time I think of the fact that the pharmacy was allowed to stay open inside the ghetto throughout the entire time…the building is still there today.

Realistic characters, powerful and painful stories, and the ability to change the reader…this is a novel that I’m not sure I’ll ever forget. It leaves the reader with choices to make about his own life and to learn so much about past lives and their gifts to then and now.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

A picture of the pharmacy as it stands today. Used by permission.

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My Dearest Dietrich

by Amanda Barratt

MY REVIEW

I think every reader starts a book with certain expectations. I expected this book to be good because I knew about Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Haven’t most? This book wasn’t just good, it was unforgettable.

I found it amazing how enthralled I was with the story, knowing the outcome. It takes a special kind of writing to want to enjoy and savor a book where there really aren’t any spoilers. I knew the ending ; yet I so enjoyed the journey, the blessed journey of this couple..so beautifully written.

The scenes are painted with intricate detail…as they tried to visit in prison with others looking on, the reader can feel the tension and the hesitancy of the actors, the characters. They are alive…so real and vibrant. I knew the happily ever after would never come, that darkness was abundant. However, it doesn’t overtake the beautiful love story, and the love God gave these two for each other. This book makes Mr. Bonhoeffer more a man than a minister…more human, and more relatable.

The book has prose as beautiful as poetry, and tells of a beautiful love story…but in a way that I’ve never quite read before.

This book finds its place on my forever shelves, and I definitely plan on visiting Maria and Dietrich again!

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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