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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
This book is one of the most unique and detailed books I've read this year. 4.5/5 stars
Gretchen Müller is the golden girl of the Nazi Party, then called the National Socialist Party on its rise to power in 1930s Munich. Her place in the party, right in the Inner Circle of Hitler's closest associates, was earned by her father, who sacrificed himself for Hitler himself during a revolt. She's been told what to believe her entire life, who to be, who to like, and who to hate. This was until a Jewish reporter, named Daniel, brought her a suspicion that her father might have actually been murdered. Then everything spirals from there.
It's a hard book to explain just because of all the plots going on, and how each is so important to the story, but they all wove together so nicely. We have Daniel's and Gretchen's relationship, which I was happy took a backseat to everything else, but still nicely developed and gradual. It could be cheesy and times, but also really cute and adorable. Then we have the investigation, which gets more and more interesting throughout the book.
Another subplot in this book is Gretchen and her brother, Reinhard, who is cold, brutal, and even abusive towards Gretchen. This leads into the second subplot with Gretchen's friendship with a doctor. This doctor is a type of psychologist, and Gretchen learns a lot from him, and this information plays a huge role in the book. There is extreme girl power in this book. Gretchen is super intelligent, brave, and willing to question beliefs and find her own. Her character development was very gradual as well, and I came out of the book so proud of her and the confidence she gained.
One part of the book I really enjoyed was how researched it was. Reading it felt so real I almost forgot it was fiction. After reading the Author's Note in the back, I found that many of the characters and events were actually real, more so than I thought was possible in a YA book. I personally never felt like it was info-dumping, and I really enjoyed all the background.
This book was just an amazing debut and historical fiction novel altogether. It was a great story, plot, and Gretchen was a great main character. I'm excited to continue this story.
"If you think love means secrecy, then you don't understand what love is at all."
Gretchen Müller is the golden girl of the Nazi Party, then called the National Socialist Party on its rise to power in 1930s Munich. Her place in the party, right in the Inner Circle of Hitler's closest associates, was earned by her father, who sacrificed himself for Hitler himself during a revolt. She's been told what to believe her entire life, who to be, who to like, and who to hate. This was until a Jewish reporter, named Daniel, brought her a suspicion that her father might have actually been murdered. Then everything spirals from there.
It's a hard book to explain just because of all the plots going on, and how each is so important to the story, but they all wove together so nicely. We have Daniel's and Gretchen's relationship, which I was happy took a backseat to everything else, but still nicely developed and gradual. It could be cheesy and times, but also really cute and adorable. Then we have the investigation, which gets more and more interesting throughout the book.
Another subplot in this book is Gretchen and her brother, Reinhard, who is cold, brutal, and even abusive towards Gretchen. This leads into the second subplot with Gretchen's friendship with a doctor. This doctor is a type of psychologist, and Gretchen learns a lot from him, and this information plays a huge role in the book. There is extreme girl power in this book. Gretchen is super intelligent, brave, and willing to question beliefs and find her own. Her character development was very gradual as well, and I came out of the book so proud of her and the confidence she gained.
One part of the book I really enjoyed was how researched it was. Reading it felt so real I almost forgot it was fiction. After reading the Author's Note in the back, I found that many of the characters and events were actually real, more so than I thought was possible in a YA book. I personally never felt like it was info-dumping, and I really enjoyed all the background.
This book was just an amazing debut and historical fiction novel altogether. It was a great story, plot, and Gretchen was a great main character. I'm excited to continue this story.
"If you think love means secrecy, then you don't understand what love is at all."
I was hoping this was going to be a fun drama, but it tried to deal with a lot of sensitive issues and didn't necessarily deal with them all particularly well. The book needed to be a lot more nuanced to handle adult/teen relationships, mental disorders, abuse, and of course antisemitism well. The easiest example of this is Gretchen starting the book literally believing that Jews are subhuman (her words) and then recanting on this the first time a Jew is actually present in the story. I just needed more for those parts of the story to work.
I would have preferred this more as a fun drama that didn't deal with sensitive topics. But I did wind up having a good time while reading this and appreciated that the romance wasn't instalove (even if it wasn't my favorite). And I liked the historical accuracy surrounding Eva Braun and Angela Raubal.
I will be picking up the sequel and I'm looking forward to it, but I don't think this is a book I'd be recommending, although I can see how some people would really enjoy it.
I would have preferred this more as a fun drama that didn't deal with sensitive topics. But I did wind up having a good time while reading this and appreciated that the romance wasn't instalove (even if it wasn't my favorite). And I liked the historical accuracy surrounding Eva Braun and Angela Raubal.
I will be picking up the sequel and I'm looking forward to it, but I don't think this is a book I'd be recommending, although I can see how some people would really enjoy it.
SUCH A GOOD BOOK. probably the one of the best books I've read in a long, long time. absolutely loved it, can't wait to read the second.
Not a bad book, just not my genre. I can’t tell anyone if it’s a good romance novel (because I don’t read books like this) but I thought it was an interesting intro to romance.
This book popped through my letter box a few days ago, and I just had to read it straight away. I think the cover is beautiful and the synopsis pulled me in. I devoured Prisoner of Night And Fog, I tried to read it slowly, but I was too gripped.
Prisoner of Night and Fog is Anne Blankman’s debut novel. I couldn’t believe it when I read that. It was such a well written book that I thought the author had been publishing books for years. In Prisoner of Night and Fog there’s a slice of a few genres. Not something that always works, but Anne skilfully made it work. There’s historical fiction, a murder mystery, romance and some intriguing psychoanalysis.
Our main character Gretchen is such a well developed character. She feels incredibly real. The writing makes you feel like you’re living every moment through Gretchen’s eyes. It was heart-breaking to see how Gretchen had her eyes opened to what her Uncle Dolf (Hitler) was really like. She truly believed that he and her dad were wonderful men who had the right opinions and views. However, her views were challenged and it was emotional to see her accept her prejudices. Gretchen grew enough as a person to think for herself.
I thought it was going to be a case of insta-love when she met Daniel, the Jewish reporter. Their romance developed slowly though, in a very believable way. Gretchen’s interactions with Daniel really opened her eyes and made her realise that she had to look beyond the labels that had been brainwashed into her throughout her life.
I’m a massive fan of historical fiction, especially when it’s done as beautifully as this. I thought the story came together so well. The writing was incredibly evocative. I can’t wait to read the follow up to this book.
Prisoner of Night and Fog is Anne Blankman’s debut novel. I couldn’t believe it when I read that. It was such a well written book that I thought the author had been publishing books for years. In Prisoner of Night and Fog there’s a slice of a few genres. Not something that always works, but Anne skilfully made it work. There’s historical fiction, a murder mystery, romance and some intriguing psychoanalysis.
Our main character Gretchen is such a well developed character. She feels incredibly real. The writing makes you feel like you’re living every moment through Gretchen’s eyes. It was heart-breaking to see how Gretchen had her eyes opened to what her Uncle Dolf (Hitler) was really like. She truly believed that he and her dad were wonderful men who had the right opinions and views. However, her views were challenged and it was emotional to see her accept her prejudices. Gretchen grew enough as a person to think for herself.
I thought it was going to be a case of insta-love when she met Daniel, the Jewish reporter. Their romance developed slowly though, in a very believable way. Gretchen’s interactions with Daniel really opened her eyes and made her realise that she had to look beyond the labels that had been brainwashed into her throughout her life.
I’m a massive fan of historical fiction, especially when it’s done as beautifully as this. I thought the story came together so well. The writing was incredibly evocative. I can’t wait to read the follow up to this book.
Historical fiction with a dose of teen romance set in early 1930s Berlin. 17 year old Gretchen Muller is the daughter of a man who is famous for sacrificing his life to save Hitler's 8 years earlier. She considers Hitler to be Uncle Dolf, and he dotes on her. Gretchen, however, is somewhat uncomfortable with some of Uncle Dolf's positions, but doesn't question them until she is approached by Daniel, who reveals that what she knows about Hitler and her father's death may be lies.
As the story progresses the story behind her dad's death and his relationship to Hitler unravels slowly while we learn disturbing things about Gretchen's brother, mother, and friends. The family story is fictitious, but many of the supporting cast and plot elements are based on real-life.
It started kind of slow for me, but things started to gel about 1/3 of the way through, and then I was looking forward to see how things turned out. As it turns out, there's at least a sequel and perhaps a whole trilogy to be made from this.
A note on the recording. Generally pretty good, but I wonder why most of the time "Uncle Dolf" sounds like "Uncled Dorf" and why the German accent is used on some words but not others. Finally, maybe it's my German pedantry coming through, but if you're going to use the German word "Fräulein" please make it sound like "froy-line". Danke.
As the story progresses the story behind her dad's death and his relationship to Hitler unravels slowly while we learn disturbing things about Gretchen's brother, mother, and friends. The family story is fictitious, but many of the supporting cast and plot elements are based on real-life.
It started kind of slow for me, but things started to gel about 1/3 of the way through, and then I was looking forward to see how things turned out. As it turns out, there's at least a sequel and perhaps a whole trilogy to be made from this.
A note on the recording. Generally pretty good, but I wonder why most of the time "Uncle Dolf" sounds like "Uncled Dorf" and why the German accent is used on some words but not others. Finally, maybe it's my German pedantry coming through, but if you're going to use the German word "Fräulein" please make it sound like "froy-line". Danke.
I love history, and especially for some reason, history of WWII, so when I read the synopsis of Prisoner of Night and Fog I knew I wanted to read it, and I am so glad that I did because I loved this book for many reasons, and one of those reasons was the history, but another reason were the characters, and not just the Main Character, but the secondary characters as well.
This book in one way about Hitler and his life before he became the face of Germany, and on the other hand it is about Gretchen and her journey through her grief and discovery of who Hitler really was and the effect he had on the people around her. The detail and amount of research that went into this book blew me away. I never at any point felt like the author was dumping info into my lap, it came gradually and I loved that about this book. At times it felt like I was there with Gretchen, weaving in and out of the streets of Germany and at times, interacting with her "Uncle Dolf."
The secondary characters were the best part for me because I felt they were the real story. I especially loved Gretchen's brother because he was the meanest character i think I have ever read in YA, ever. He was sadistic, threatening and a psychopath. This was the first time I have read a character like him and I honestly did not know I could hate someone that much, but i did. And I think the most frustrating part of reading his character was that no one believed Gretchen when she told them about her brother and how horrible he was to not only Jews but her as well.
Now, there is a love story in this novel and I really liked it because i felt like it wasn't overwhelming me as a reader and yet it made sense for Gretchen's character. Daniel was the exact opposite of her and her beliefs, but when he tells her that her fathers death was a murder she begins to think differently and therefore her feelings change. He becomes the only one she can trust and I thought that relationship was a great distraction from the Hitler aspect of the story.
If you are at all interested in WWII history please pick up this book because it will give you an inside look at what happened behind the scenes. And you will definitely fall in love with the characters in this book, it is quite hard not to root for Gretchen and Daniel and I really am looking forward to reading more in this series!
This book in one way about Hitler and his life before he became the face of Germany, and on the other hand it is about Gretchen and her journey through her grief and discovery of who Hitler really was and the effect he had on the people around her. The detail and amount of research that went into this book blew me away. I never at any point felt like the author was dumping info into my lap, it came gradually and I loved that about this book. At times it felt like I was there with Gretchen, weaving in and out of the streets of Germany and at times, interacting with her "Uncle Dolf."
The secondary characters were the best part for me because I felt they were the real story. I especially loved Gretchen's brother because he was the meanest character i think I have ever read in YA, ever. He was sadistic, threatening and a psychopath. This was the first time I have read a character like him and I honestly did not know I could hate someone that much, but i did. And I think the most frustrating part of reading his character was that no one believed Gretchen when she told them about her brother and how horrible he was to not only Jews but her as well.
Now, there is a love story in this novel and I really liked it because i felt like it wasn't overwhelming me as a reader and yet it made sense for Gretchen's character. Daniel was the exact opposite of her and her beliefs, but when he tells her that her fathers death was a murder she begins to think differently and therefore her feelings change. He becomes the only one she can trust and I thought that relationship was a great distraction from the Hitler aspect of the story.
If you are at all interested in WWII history please pick up this book because it will give you an inside look at what happened behind the scenes. And you will definitely fall in love with the characters in this book, it is quite hard not to root for Gretchen and Daniel and I really am looking forward to reading more in this series!
They care for no one but themselves.
What you're describing sounds like a monster.
Not a monster, but someone who is deeply, profoundly ill.
What a beautifully written book! 4.5 stars
This is completely based around factual events and honestly I've never known Hitler was diagnosed for mental illness and called a classic psychopath. I've never really given much thought about psychopaths but my god. I'm like haunted by the characters and the words in this book now.
I wanted to stab Reinhard, and pretty much every other male character in this except the Doktor & Daniel & his acquaintances. I HATE REINHARD MORE THAN HITLER (in this book) IM SORRY HE IS SO !!!!!!!!!!! HOW ABOUT I REMOVE UR BALLS HUH BITCH WILL U FEEL SOME PAIN THEN
anyways I really despise men who think they're better than women in every aspect...
But Gretchen was a wonderful character. She was a bit annoying at times, but she grows so much. This is like true character development. She is the definition of a strong female. She was a victim and she handles the situation maturely. She doesn't go around looking for revenge, just escape. My heart went out for her.
"This is how I'll help myself." For a second, she wasn't sure she could continue talking, but somehow she shoved the words out of her battered mouth. "Until my injuries heal, I can't go anywhere. There's nothing for me to do but sit in my room. I must do something meaningful with my time, and I want to understand Herr Hitler."
The romance was a bit insta-love but as they uncovered all these details it really felt like a detective story or something which was - awesome! Really liked that. But the thing that makes the book is how much Gretchen grows.
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.
I love that she didn't wait for a man to come rescue her as per usual (I mean Daniel is wonderful and intelligent and wonderful but) she saves herself and I can't wait to read the next one.
What you're describing sounds like a monster.
Not a monster, but someone who is deeply, profoundly ill.
What a beautifully written book! 4.5 stars
This is completely based around factual events and honestly I've never known Hitler was diagnosed for mental illness and called a classic psychopath. I've never really given much thought about psychopaths but my god. I'm like haunted by the characters and the words in this book now.
I wanted to stab Reinhard, and pretty much every other male character in this except the Doktor & Daniel & his acquaintances. I HATE REINHARD MORE THAN HITLER (in this book) IM SORRY HE IS SO !!!!!!!!!!! HOW ABOUT I REMOVE UR BALLS HUH BITCH WILL U FEEL SOME PAIN THEN
anyways I really despise men who think they're better than women in every aspect...
But Gretchen was a wonderful character. She was a bit annoying at times, but she grows so much. This is like true character development. She is the definition of a strong female. She was a victim and she handles the situation maturely. She doesn't go around looking for revenge, just escape. My heart went out for her.
"This is how I'll help myself." For a second, she wasn't sure she could continue talking, but somehow she shoved the words out of her battered mouth. "Until my injuries heal, I can't go anywhere. There's nothing for me to do but sit in my room. I must do something meaningful with my time, and I want to understand Herr Hitler."
The romance was a bit insta-love but as they uncovered all these details it really felt like a detective story or something which was - awesome! Really liked that. But the thing that makes the book is how much Gretchen grows.
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.
I love that she didn't wait for a man to come rescue her as per usual (I mean Daniel is wonderful and intelligent and wonderful but) she saves herself and I can't wait to read the next one.
well paced, with a good little mystery and some suspense.