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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
Put it aside after the first few chapters. Our heroine is a teenage Nazi who only starts to think maybe her principles are amiss when she realizes Jews can be cute. And of course her Jewish love interest keeps saying all the standard things of, "You're not like any other girl in the world," and "I can't figure you out," blah de blah, when she has said or done nothing that is remarkable in any way. Girls, you'll know it's meant to be if he thinks your anti-Semitism is mysterious and sexily unique! I have no time for the direction this book is obviously taking: that she will become the most important player in the resistance and the Jews' only hope. (Unless the book deviates significantly from the historical record at some point, that's going to be a hard sell. But I won't bother to find out.)
An interesting perspective on the period of time before Hitler seized power. Recommended for historical fiction fans!
*1.5 stars
I really did NOT see the point of this book
I really did NOT see the point of this book
I didn't connect with the story or characters -- they never felt real to me. I didn't mind putting it down and had to make myself finish it.
3/5 stars
Although I thought the concept of this book was good, and the overall story line was decent, I really thought that character development was lacking.
Gretchen was an okay character, but honestly I didn't find she had very much personality. I feel like although her character was confused, this was portrayed simply by her being repetitive and in denial throughout most of the book.
I also found that there was not very much character development in the other protagonist Daniel, who seemed to only exist to be the romantic interest.
It was still quite enjoyable in the end though
Although I thought the concept of this book was good, and the overall story line was decent, I really thought that character development was lacking.
Gretchen was an okay character, but honestly I didn't find she had very much personality. I feel like although her character was confused, this was portrayed simply by her being repetitive and in denial throughout most of the book.
I also found that there was not very much character development in the other protagonist Daniel, who seemed to only exist to be the romantic interest.
It was still quite enjoyable in the end though
It took me about a month and a half to write a review of Prisoner of Night and Fog after I finished it. I think this is the kind of novel that you need to read without knowing too much about it. I loved the way it developed, how uncomfortable it made me feel, and its unique approach to a very well known figure. I just wasn't sure how to express my feelings without giving anything away. This is what I came up with:
I'm going to be honest. The cover grabbed me from the very beginning. I didn't care about anything else other than this: I needed to have it in my bookshelf. I didn't even read the synopsis before I added it to my TBR. However, everything changed once I read the premise of Prisoner of Night and Fog. From that point on, I couldn't wait to read it immediately. A history fiction about a girl who sees Hitler as an uncle of sorts? A potential romantic connection between her and a "handsome young Jewish reporter"?
The way I see it, the characters will evoke some pretty strong emotions from you. Blackman is not afraid of writing despicable characters and I love her for that. Gretchen is someone you might not like at the very beginning but you will see yourself in her by the end. I don't want to talk about Gretchen's brother because I want you to have the same experience that I did but I do want to say that you should be prepared for a couple of heart-wrenching and horrifying moments between the siblings. As far as the love interest, Daniel, I liked that he was an important player in Gretchen's development. I don't feel like I know too much about him but I really enjoyed the way his relationship with Gretchen blossomed in a very natural way.
It is repulsive and uncomfortable to read about a young girl who refers to Hitler as "Uncle Dolf" while he manipulates every aspect of her life. You see his influence on her every movement, her every thought, and it is sickening to see how he molded her into someone who doesn't question his actions and supports him wholeheartedly. Psychology plays a major role in this novel and there are plenty of passages discussing the mental issues associated with Hitler and Gretchen's brother. While this might not be interesting to everyone, I really loved the way Blackman dissected the mind of the most hated man in history. The psychoanalysis really adds a different layer to the story, one that leaves you with a deeper understanding of the characters and their actions. The only negative I can find in this novel is that I couldn't stay in its world for too long. Prisoner of Night and Fog is one of those novels that drains you emotionally and if you're a sensitive reader it might even overwhelm you to the point where you'll have to walk away from time to time.
The research that went into this novel is insane. Just in case you're not sure what's fiction and what's based on fact, Blackman includes a note at the end of the novel where she discusses the way she intertwined the two (very intriguing). There's also a works cited page in case you want to learn more about the research that went into writing this novel. I really loved well researched historical novels and as far as I can tell Anne Blackman worked really hard at making sure every fact is represented in the best way possible. Another aspect that I really loved about this novel is the that there are actual German words tossed here and there. I am a sucker for historical novels that incorporate foreign language throughout the text. While this might sound a little bit strange, I love when I can't understand what's being said because it makes me part of the story and I particularly enjoy trying to decipher the meaning of the word or phrase based on the context. What can I say? I'm an Anthropology student. I'm weird like that. :)
Prisoner of Night and Fog is a thought-provoking novel from a new voice in YA literature. I'm mesmerized that it not only managed to surpass my expectations but it also slipped into my "favorites" shelf on Goodreads. If you like history fiction, particularly if you're a fan of Ruta Sepetys, you'll love this one. I wasn't aware that this novel is part of a series and I can't tell you how happy that makes me. I'm really excited to immerse myself into this world again (and maybe you'll read along with me so we can discuss it? :D)!
I'm going to be honest. The cover grabbed me from the very beginning. I didn't care about anything else other than this: I needed to have it in my bookshelf. I didn't even read the synopsis before I added it to my TBR. However, everything changed once I read the premise of Prisoner of Night and Fog. From that point on, I couldn't wait to read it immediately. A history fiction about a girl who sees Hitler as an uncle of sorts? A potential romantic connection between her and a "handsome young Jewish reporter"?
The way I see it, the characters will evoke some pretty strong emotions from you. Blackman is not afraid of writing despicable characters and I love her for that. Gretchen is someone you might not like at the very beginning but you will see yourself in her by the end. I don't want to talk about Gretchen's brother because I want you to have the same experience that I did but I do want to say that you should be prepared for a couple of heart-wrenching and horrifying moments between the siblings. As far as the love interest, Daniel, I liked that he was an important player in Gretchen's development. I don't feel like I know too much about him but I really enjoyed the way his relationship with Gretchen blossomed in a very natural way.
It is repulsive and uncomfortable to read about a young girl who refers to Hitler as "Uncle Dolf" while he manipulates every aspect of her life. You see his influence on her every movement, her every thought, and it is sickening to see how he molded her into someone who doesn't question his actions and supports him wholeheartedly. Psychology plays a major role in this novel and there are plenty of passages discussing the mental issues associated with Hitler and Gretchen's brother. While this might not be interesting to everyone, I really loved the way Blackman dissected the mind of the most hated man in history. The psychoanalysis really adds a different layer to the story, one that leaves you with a deeper understanding of the characters and their actions. The only negative I can find in this novel is that I couldn't stay in its world for too long. Prisoner of Night and Fog is one of those novels that drains you emotionally and if you're a sensitive reader it might even overwhelm you to the point where you'll have to walk away from time to time.
The research that went into this novel is insane. Just in case you're not sure what's fiction and what's based on fact, Blackman includes a note at the end of the novel where she discusses the way she intertwined the two (very intriguing). There's also a works cited page in case you want to learn more about the research that went into writing this novel. I really loved well researched historical novels and as far as I can tell Anne Blackman worked really hard at making sure every fact is represented in the best way possible. Another aspect that I really loved about this novel is the that there are actual German words tossed here and there. I am a sucker for historical novels that incorporate foreign language throughout the text. While this might sound a little bit strange, I love when I can't understand what's being said because it makes me part of the story and I particularly enjoy trying to decipher the meaning of the word or phrase based on the context. What can I say? I'm an Anthropology student. I'm weird like that. :)
Prisoner of Night and Fog is a thought-provoking novel from a new voice in YA literature. I'm mesmerized that it not only managed to surpass my expectations but it also slipped into my "favorites" shelf on Goodreads. If you like history fiction, particularly if you're a fan of Ruta Sepetys, you'll love this one. I wasn't aware that this novel is part of a series and I can't tell you how happy that makes me. I'm really excited to immerse myself into this world again (and maybe you'll read along with me so we can discuss it? :D)!
Spoilders people, you have been warned!
I enjoyed this book less than I hoped and more than I thought. I usually do not care for romance in WWII historical fictions, because everything is horrible and everyone was trying to survive and generally does not have the required energy left for making goo-goo eyes at the opposite gender. But this story really surprised me. I was not disappointed. Prisoner of Night and Fog is lovely, very informative and very enjoyable. The love moments are not sappy, the mystery moments are mysterious, the action moments are action packed, the plot moves in a great pace, and the characterization are all on point.
It was a lovely book. It doesn't really have any fault to it. I just did not get that heart-tripping thing that I usually get when I knew that a book made it to my favorite list.
What I really love is how Gretchen and Daniel's love story played out. There was never insta-love, there's no 'deep pull from stomach.' It took almost 300 pages for them to atually say the words 'I love you.' and it fits into their personality and their characters. Gretchen is a very level-headed character, and there's no 'flinging caution and intelligience out the window the minute she sees a boy!" type of behaviour going on, and it was great!
Blankman does the characterization of every single character beautifully, fictional or not, and none of them feel flat. Nothing seemed rushed or slow. Gretchen was never the dumb heroine that never thinks, she makes plans and she goes through her opions step by step. She thinks before she acts, weighs her options and her obsticles against her abilities and adjust her goals accordingly. Daniel does have that righteous sense of journalism going underneath, but he also adjust regarding his circumstances, and he cares. Very much. Which fits how they are suppose to act in the middle of Nazi Germany.
The book is very well researched, without being all copy and paste and history textbook. You really learn a lot about the Germany before WWII, how it was run. How Hitler came to power and how he kept that power and just what's going on inside his head and what kind of person people thought he was. There was never a dull moment, and we could really see the 1930s, how the people lived, how they fought, how they loved. The inside look to the Nazi Party was morbid but not unwelcome.
Also, this is one of those stories where you have to try really hard to imagine a happy ending for the characters if you are not going to pick up the next book.
I enjoyed this book less than I hoped and more than I thought. I usually do not care for romance in WWII historical fictions, because everything is horrible and everyone was trying to survive and generally does not have the required energy left for making goo-goo eyes at the opposite gender. But this story really surprised me. I was not disappointed. Prisoner of Night and Fog is lovely, very informative and very enjoyable. The love moments are not sappy, the mystery moments are mysterious, the action moments are action packed, the plot moves in a great pace, and the characterization are all on point.
It was a lovely book. It doesn't really have any fault to it. I just did not get that heart-tripping thing that I usually get when I knew that a book made it to my favorite list.
What I really love is how Gretchen and Daniel's love story played out. There was never insta-love, there's no 'deep pull from stomach.' It took almost 300 pages for them to atually say the words 'I love you.' and it fits into their personality and their characters. Gretchen is a very level-headed character, and there's no 'flinging caution and intelligience out the window the minute she sees a boy!" type of behaviour going on, and it was great!
Blankman does the characterization of every single character beautifully, fictional or not, and none of them feel flat. Nothing seemed rushed or slow. Gretchen was never the dumb heroine that never thinks, she makes plans and she goes through her opions step by step. She thinks before she acts, weighs her options and her obsticles against her abilities and adjust her goals accordingly. Daniel does have that righteous sense of journalism going underneath, but he also adjust regarding his circumstances, and he cares. Very much. Which fits how they are suppose to act in the middle of Nazi Germany.
The book is very well researched, without being all copy and paste and history textbook. You really learn a lot about the Germany before WWII, how it was run. How Hitler came to power and how he kept that power and just what's going on inside his head and what kind of person people thought he was. There was never a dull moment, and we could really see the 1930s, how the people lived, how they fought, how they loved. The inside look to the Nazi Party was morbid but not unwelcome.
Also, this is one of those stories where you have to try really hard to imagine a happy ending for the characters if you are not going to pick up the next book.
adventurous
hopeful
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book was amazing! Through reading this, I felt really connected to Gretchen and Daniel in their forbidden romance. Every risky move they made I felt as if I couldn't read fast enough to find out what was going to happen! I think the way this book was set in history was really interesting and it really allowed me to get a glimpse into the past.