Tag: world war two

Book Review: Angels of the Resistance: A WWII Novel by Noelle Salazar

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction
Length: 416 pages
Author: Noelle Salazar
Publisher: MIRA
Release Date: November 29th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From the bestselling author of The Flight Girls comes a story inspired by true events, about courageous women who risked everything for country, for family, and for each other.

Netherlands, 1940

As bombs fall across Europe, fourteen-year-old Lien Vinke fears that the reality of war is inescapable. Though she lives a quiet life with her mother and older sister, Elif, in their small town of Haarlem, they are no strangers to heartache, having recently suffered an immeasurable loss. And when the Nazis invade the Netherlands, joining the Dutch resistance with Elif offers just the atonement Lien craves.

Trained to shoot by their late father, the sisters are deadly wolves in sheep’s clothing. They soon find themselves entrenched in the underground movement, forging friendships with the other young recruits, and Lien even discovers a kindred spirit in a boy named Charlie. But in wartime, emotional attachments are a liability she can’t afford, especially when a deeply personal mission jeopardizes everything she holds dear—her friendships, her family, and her one shot at redemption.

GREAT AUDIOBOOK.

Another solid read from Noelle Salazar!!

This was a book I easily flew through and loved the Dutch setting. It was another facet of WWII history that I knew little about and I liked understanding more of that glimpse through these pages.

I LOVE strong sibling relationships and Lien and Elif were that personified. They were able to lean on, look out for, and take care of each other amidst the worsening conditions. I liked following the rebel group and seeing the character development across the board. There were many times I audibly gasped wondering where the book was going to go next.

The writing style keeps you engaged and the characters will bring out the emotions. I look forward to whatever Salazar writes next!

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Fiction
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: WWII, loss of loved ones, murder, sexual assault and attempted rape

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Book Review: The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction
Length: 435 pages
Author: Kate Quinn
Publisher: William Morrow
Release Date: March 29th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The New York Times bestselling author of The Rose Code returns with an unforgettable World War II tale of a quiet bookworm who becomes history’s deadliest female sniper. Based on a true story.

In 1937 in the snowbound city of Kiev (now known as Kyiv), wry and bookish history student Mila Pavlichenko organizes her life around her library job and her young son–but Hitler’s invasion of Ukraine and Russia sends her on a different path. Given a rifle and sent to join the fight, Mila must forge herself from studious girl to deadly sniper–a lethal hunter of Nazis known as Lady Death. When news of her three hundredth kill makes her a national heroine, Mila finds herself torn from the bloody battlefields of the eastern front and sent to America on a goodwill tour.

Still reeling from war wounds and devastated by loss, Mila finds herself isolated and lonely in the glittering world of Washington, DC–until an unexpected friendship with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and an even more unexpected connection with a silent fellow sniper offer the possibility of happiness. But when an old enemy from Mila’s past joins forces with a deadly new foe lurking in the shadows, Lady Death finds herself battling her own demons and enemy bullets in the deadliest duel of her life.

Based on a true story, The Diamond Eye is a haunting novel of heroism born of desperation, of a mother who became a soldier, of a woman who found her place in the world and changed the course of history forever.

WHOA.

Uh, why have I been apparently sleeping on Kate Quinn books?
WHY????????

This was incredible (also, audio is 1,000x the way to go here). I am hit/miss with historical fictions, I usually find the most enjoyment [reading wise] when they’re on a more unique focus and I found that here. A female Russian sniper with 300+ confirmed kills? TELL ME MORE.

What an stunning story. I was captivated from the get-go. It draws you in and every angle of this plot keeps things moving, keeps you guessing, keeps you wondering how in the world it’s going to end. I know some fictional liberties were taken, but they fit perfectly in with this novel. I love that Mila broke down barriers, and was stronger than I can ever imagine being. Her love for her son, and her country was palpable.

Many times my heart felt pulled right out of my chest. The middle of this book HURTS. The intricacies and pits of war are laid out in full view. I loved the complex nature of this dealings and seeing some of the war side in the United States with the Roosevelt’s. Even more so that the focus was on Eleanor and what part she played in Mila’s life (and vice versa). How a bonded female friendship was born from across two different nations.

This book was just something else. This experience was wholly encompassing and never let up. I LOVED it and will now be adding some Quinn backlist to my TBR.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical fiction
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: teenage pregnancy and marriage, war themes, gun violence, colonialism, antisemitism, racism, sexism, slut-shaming, attempted murder

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Book Review: The Paris Secret by Natasha Lester

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction Romance
Length: 496 pages
Author: Natasha Lester
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: September 15th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Orphan comes an unforgettable historical novel about a secret collection of Dior gowns that ties back to the first female pilots of WWII and a heartbreaking story of love and sacrifice.

England, 1939: The Penrose sisters couldn’t be more different. Skye is a daring and brash pilot, and Liberty the one to defy her at every turn. Even if women aren’t allowed in the Royal Air Force, Skye is determined to help the war effort. She’s thrilled when it reunites her with her childhood soulmate, Nicholas. She’s less thrilled to learn Nicholas is now engaged to an enigmatic Frenchwoman named Margaux Jourdan.

Paris, 1947: Designer Christian Dior unveils his glamorous first collection to a world weary of war and grief. He names his debut fragrance Miss Dior in tribute to his beloved sister Catherine, who forged a friendship with Skye and Margaux through her work with the French Resistance.

Present Day: Fashion conservator Kat Jourdan discovers a priceless collection of Dior gowns in her grandmother’s vacant cottage. As she delves into the mystery of their origin, Kat begins to doubt everything she thought she knew about her beloved grandmother.

MY HEART. MY HEART. MY HEART.

I only pick up historical fiction books when I’m in the right *mood* for them. And hallelujah that I was in the mood for this book because IT WAS AN AMAZING STUNNING WORK OF ART.

Ohhhh how this tore at every aspect of my heart and soul. I loved the initial chapters of seeing these characters in their youth to growing up and fighting a war versus the worst kind of evil. The strength of these women has no limit and I was in tears plenty reading these encounters that happened for too many.

The push and pull and absolutely full of angsty romance was here too. Skye and Nicholas OWN ME. And when I say that ending made me sob? IT REALLY DID. It was worth it. Lester constructs an intense story with the push and pull of a life at war. I also loved Margaux. She was a clear unsung hero in this book. I liked that she started off on the fringes and then showed her true and honest side that had me all in my feels too.

There’s a lot of emotions at play as the raw reality of WW2 is described. I appreciated learning even more about this time period and the attention given to research. Looking up more information about Catherine Dior was amazing. I love that all of the fashion aspects were wrapped into this too. It was interesting to learn how Dior began creating his outfits and the role his sister played in that too.

Overall audience note:

  • Historical Fiction Romance
  • Language: some light
  • Romance: fade to black
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: multiple aspects of WW2 concentration camps, loss of loved ones

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