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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
This book I probably would give a 3 1/2. It's very slow and repeats a lot! I listened to it on audio. It is told by Hitler's niece. The story takes place before he comes to power. It can be very confusing too since sometimes she calls Hitler different names. I'm hoping that book 2 will be better.
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
I received this book free from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
‘The box she had carefully constructed about herself would fall apart. And she didn’t know if she could bear standing out in the open, in the harsh wind, without the comforting warmth of those walls she had built to shut out everything she didn’t like or understand.’
In the early 1930′s, Hitler’s rise to power as the undisputed leader of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party continues. The country is in ruin after the financial crisis and the people were drawn to the promise of changes that Hitler vowed to make as soon as he’s elected Chancellor of Germany. He has up until now kept his true intentions for the Jewish people hidden under a thick coat of gloss, but the truth is starting to come out bit by bit. Gretchen Müller grew up knowing nothing but love for ‘Uncle Adolf’ after her father died preventing an assassination attack on Hitler. When new information is brought to her attention that her father's death isn’t all as it appears, everything she has ever believed has to be reevaluated.
‘He had said his opponents were flung cross every corner of the city, barely discernible, like a spiderweb-until you tossed water on the gossamer net and there your opponents were, glistening like diamonds, brilliantly bright and unmistakable.’
Gretchen Müller’s beliefs in the National Socialist Party run deep, yet her father’s death hit her hard and she still misses him dearly. Her continued suffering over his loss manages to be the chink in her belief system and when a young Jewish reporter named Daniel Cohen approaches her about the possibility that his death was actually murder, everything in her life begins to crumble. The historical detailing was at times excessive but really manages to set the scene well. It’s clear that the time period was well-researched and it all felt authentic despite the obvious fictional additions. While I didn’t see the likelihood of a Jewish reporter taking the chance to approach Hitler’s ‘golden-girl’, I did feel that Gretchen’s change of mind as she uncovers more evidence of her father's murder was genuine and believable.
The murder mystery was hands down the best part of this novel. There were scenes of gripping intensity when Gretchen and Daniel would creep through the shadows to uncover necessary information to expose her father's murderer. The personal scenes between Gretchen and Hitler were chilling and while I have read many books regarding this time period, I had yet to read one where Hitler has a starring role, showing his disturbing nature clearly. Also frightening was Gretchen’s ghastly brother who shared many characteristics of Hitler himself. A warning to you animal lovers, there is a severely heartbreaking scene that I wish I was able to mentally prepare for.
My one disappointment was the romance. While I’m all for a good forbidden love story, and this one was certainly forbidden, I didn’t feel the feels, unfortunately. Their love isn’t instantaneous, however, I felt we learned much more about Gretchen and not enough about Daniel to get properly attached to his character. Gretchen’s feelings regarding Daniel felt clunky and while I would normally expect this considering her ingrained beliefs towards Jews, it felt like her change of heart came far too quickly.
The complete lack of interest in the romance managed to throw a wrench in the entire story for me but thankfully there was an incredibly interesting murder mystery for me to follow instead. Prisoner of Night and Fog is a fantastic look into the time period from the unaccustomed German perspective. Witnessing Hitler’s rise in power was especially disheartening as we all already know of what’s to come. The ending sets up the next book nicely and I’m interested to see how the author continues handling this historical time period.
I received this book free from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
‘The box she had carefully constructed about herself would fall apart. And she didn’t know if she could bear standing out in the open, in the harsh wind, without the comforting warmth of those walls she had built to shut out everything she didn’t like or understand.’
In the early 1930′s, Hitler’s rise to power as the undisputed leader of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party continues. The country is in ruin after the financial crisis and the people were drawn to the promise of changes that Hitler vowed to make as soon as he’s elected Chancellor of Germany. He has up until now kept his true intentions for the Jewish people hidden under a thick coat of gloss, but the truth is starting to come out bit by bit. Gretchen Müller grew up knowing nothing but love for ‘Uncle Adolf’ after her father died preventing an assassination attack on Hitler. When new information is brought to her attention that her father's death isn’t all as it appears, everything she has ever believed has to be reevaluated.
‘He had said his opponents were flung cross every corner of the city, barely discernible, like a spiderweb-until you tossed water on the gossamer net and there your opponents were, glistening like diamonds, brilliantly bright and unmistakable.’
Gretchen Müller’s beliefs in the National Socialist Party run deep, yet her father’s death hit her hard and she still misses him dearly. Her continued suffering over his loss manages to be the chink in her belief system and when a young Jewish reporter named Daniel Cohen approaches her about the possibility that his death was actually murder, everything in her life begins to crumble. The historical detailing was at times excessive but really manages to set the scene well. It’s clear that the time period was well-researched and it all felt authentic despite the obvious fictional additions. While I didn’t see the likelihood of a Jewish reporter taking the chance to approach Hitler’s ‘golden-girl’, I did feel that Gretchen’s change of mind as she uncovers more evidence of her father's murder was genuine and believable.
The murder mystery was hands down the best part of this novel. There were scenes of gripping intensity when Gretchen and Daniel would creep through the shadows to uncover necessary information to expose her father's murderer. The personal scenes between Gretchen and Hitler were chilling and while I have read many books regarding this time period, I had yet to read one where Hitler has a starring role, showing his disturbing nature clearly. Also frightening was Gretchen’s ghastly brother who shared many characteristics of Hitler himself. A warning to you animal lovers, there is a severely heartbreaking scene that I wish I was able to mentally prepare for.
My one disappointment was the romance. While I’m all for a good forbidden love story, and this one was certainly forbidden, I didn’t feel the feels, unfortunately. Their love isn’t instantaneous, however, I felt we learned much more about Gretchen and not enough about Daniel to get properly attached to his character. Gretchen’s feelings regarding Daniel felt clunky and while I would normally expect this considering her ingrained beliefs towards Jews, it felt like her change of heart came far too quickly.
Spoiler
Add in the fact that the ‘I love you’s’ came FAR too soon.The complete lack of interest in the romance managed to throw a wrench in the entire story for me but thankfully there was an incredibly interesting murder mystery for me to follow instead. Prisoner of Night and Fog is a fantastic look into the time period from the unaccustomed German perspective. Witnessing Hitler’s rise in power was especially disheartening as we all already know of what’s to come. The ending sets up the next book nicely and I’m interested to see how the author continues handling this historical time period.
This book was seriously amazing. I can wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone!
To see my full review, please go to my blog HERE!
To see my full review, please go to my blog HERE!
I liked this book. It gave a different view of Hilter and it was interesting. She is his "niece" so of course, she is going to find him a good person and his beliefs valid. Everyone starts out believing in their family. But I also like how she changed her point of view when she met Daniel, realising that her "Uncle" Dorf is wrong. I gave it three stars because it took me a long time to get through it. It was a bit slow and boring in parts. I am looking forward to reading the second book and seeing how the story ends and if and how they help to bring Hitler down.
A bits low in the middle. But fantastic historical fiction. Can't wait to book talk it.
after reading so many mediocre books this year, and with how busy I've been, it took me a long time to read this book. but I am so glad I did. it's just what I needed to pull me out of my slump. I loved the characters and the story and the history of it all. I can't wait to read the second book, I love Gretchen and Daniel and want to know what'll happen next.
Really grappling with whether I want to give this 3 or 4 stars...
This book was a major page-turner. Although it was historical fiction, I'd say it had some thriller aspects. I really had a hard time putting it down. That being said, I didn't love it, which I know sounds really strange. You would think flying through a book like this would mean it was amazing, but it just felt like it was lacking something to me.
I love learning about WWII, and reading about it (whether it's true or not), so I loved the historical part of this. Seeing this glance into Hitler's life was really interesting. (It reminded me a little bit of [b:The Boy at the Top of the Mountain|24737113|The Boy at the Top of the Mountain|John Boyne|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1427582588s/24737113.jpg|44363052] in that regard.) I liked Gretchen as well. I felt like she was a brave character who stood strong in the face of immense fear. I don't know if I'm totally feeling her relationship with Daniel yet, but I have hope.
Although I didn't enjoy this quite as much as I had hoped, I'm still excited to read the sequel. I'm hoping the next book will delve more into the psychoanalysis that we saw a hint of here. I'm also curious to see how this will wrap up...will it go into the war? Will the story end before then? We shall see.
This book was a major page-turner. Although it was historical fiction, I'd say it had some thriller aspects. I really had a hard time putting it down. That being said, I didn't love it, which I know sounds really strange. You would think flying through a book like this would mean it was amazing, but it just felt like it was lacking something to me.
I love learning about WWII, and reading about it (whether it's true or not), so I loved the historical part of this. Seeing this glance into Hitler's life was really interesting. (It reminded me a little bit of [b:The Boy at the Top of the Mountain|24737113|The Boy at the Top of the Mountain|John Boyne|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1427582588s/24737113.jpg|44363052] in that regard.) I liked Gretchen as well. I felt like she was a brave character who stood strong in the face of immense fear. I don't know if I'm totally feeling her relationship with Daniel yet, but I have hope.
Although I didn't enjoy this quite as much as I had hoped, I'm still excited to read the sequel. I'm hoping the next book will delve more into the psychoanalysis that we saw a hint of here. I'm also curious to see how this will wrap up...will it go into the war? Will the story end before then? We shall see.
“If you think love means secrecy, then you don’t understand what love is at all.”
I'm a bit 50/50 of how I feel about the book.
I like it but not love it.
I love historical fiction.
And usually most historical fiction books centers on the main character that is somehow involve in the war but indirectly.
However in Prisoner of Night and Fog, Gretchen is so involved directly because she is Hitler's "niece"
Reading the synopsis I expected a love story knowing Gretchen was involved with a Jewish reporter, Daniel Cohen.
The story however evolves around more than just romance.
It's like a murder mystery.
And the journey of Gretchen finding out the truth about the war and about Hitler.
Maybe that was why I was 50/50 of the story.
Not that I don't like it but I was expecting heavy romance.
But I do still like the story of Gretchen of finding out the truth.
It was a different light to see a side of the war so close to Hitler.
Though I know such events are not true to real stories but reading it just feels true.
Anne Blankman did a great job of portraying this side of Hitler together with the story.
Of how he treats people, his actions.
You can feel the scariness, creepiness and sadness towards everything.
The story indirectly shows different actions or portrayal of people who was influence by Hitler and the war in general.
The story was very heavy dependent on Gretchen more as compared to Daniel. I really would like to know his side of story.
As the story set in 1931, we can see some stereotypes that we in reality are trying to tackle and solve today that has been going on since then.
Such as different in beliefs, equality of men and women. Betrayal, power , being silent and not voicing out opinions and more.
I always have to remind myself that I am in reading such things that is being tackles in the 19s hence reaction will be different if people were to see it happening today.
Though the book I feel will be okay to be a standalone, I am interested to find out what happens in the next one!
I do applaud Anne Blankman of this beautiful book which mixes fiction and the hardwork of research in putting whatever truth that she can find and did happen in the war with Hitler.
“You and I are impossible." she said.
"No." Gently, he brushed the hair back from her face. "We are what's real and true.”
I'm a bit 50/50 of how I feel about the book.
I like it but not love it.
I love historical fiction.
And usually most historical fiction books centers on the main character that is somehow involve in the war but indirectly.
However in Prisoner of Night and Fog, Gretchen is so involved directly because she is Hitler's "niece"
Reading the synopsis I expected a love story knowing Gretchen was involved with a Jewish reporter, Daniel Cohen.
The story however evolves around more than just romance.
It's like a murder mystery.
And the journey of Gretchen finding out the truth about the war and about Hitler.
Maybe that was why I was 50/50 of the story.
Not that I don't like it but I was expecting heavy romance.
But I do still like the story of Gretchen of finding out the truth.
It was a different light to see a side of the war so close to Hitler.
Though I know such events are not true to real stories but reading it just feels true.
Anne Blankman did a great job of portraying this side of Hitler together with the story.
Of how he treats people, his actions.
You can feel the scariness, creepiness and sadness towards everything.
The story indirectly shows different actions or portrayal of people who was influence by Hitler and the war in general.
The story was very heavy dependent on Gretchen more as compared to Daniel. I really would like to know his side of story.
As the story set in 1931, we can see some stereotypes that we in reality are trying to tackle and solve today that has been going on since then.
Such as different in beliefs, equality of men and women. Betrayal, power , being silent and not voicing out opinions and more.
I always have to remind myself that I am in reading such things that is being tackles in the 19s hence reaction will be different if people were to see it happening today.
Though the book I feel will be okay to be a standalone, I am interested to find out what happens in the next one!
I do applaud Anne Blankman of this beautiful book which mixes fiction and the hardwork of research in putting whatever truth that she can find and did happen in the war with Hitler.
“You and I are impossible." she said.
"No." Gently, he brushed the hair back from her face. "We are what's real and true.”
If you liked The Book Thief
If you like well-written historical fiction, particularly of the tumultuous WWII era, I think you should give this a shot. There. That's my endorsement.
This is a fantastic book and it does an amazing thing-- just when I think I've had my fill of the WWII period, something like this comes along to prove me wrong and I fall head over heels in love with it. Of all the atrocities committed during the war, this book takes its readers back a few years to before Hitler was Chancellor of Germany, and before the Nazis even held power. Back to when they were a radical group of nearly-rabid followers adoring an unbalanced if charismatic leader. Historical figures like Eva Braun, Geli Raubal (Hitler's niece), Heinrich Hoffmann, Heinrich Himmler and Hitler himself spring to life around our fictitious heroine and her family and lend a sense of credibility to a beautifully-written story.
As for the fictional part of the story, Gretchen and Daniel's love story felt very natural -- both of them very cautious and the furthest thing from the instalove trope. Her mother made me want to scream, and her brother Reinhard actually terrified me more than Hitler did. Ms Blankman's pen is imbued with the feel of poetry, and I couldn't help but fall in love with her words and the world she created, even when that world was quickly becoming darker and more dangerous by the page.
I can't wait to pick up a copy of this for my shelves (and reread it again!) and I'm REALLY looking forward to the sequel :)
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Audiobook says "Perfect for fans of Code Name Verity"
THAT WAS MY FAVORITE BOOK OF 2014
Getting into the audio as soon as I finish Art of War!