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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
I have to admit that this book disappointed me. The story sounded really promising and I love how much thought and research the author put into it. But in the end the book read as if it could have used some more editing. The language seemed really off at times and the choice of words seemed forced. I can't really put my finger on it, but something about the way this story was written just didn't work for me. I also wasn't always happy with the way the events in the book developed because they were often foreseeable and there wasn't a lot of suspense. It's still a great story, but I had hoped for more/something different. I really wanted to like this book.
(To be honest, the author's note in the end was the most interesting part about this book)
(To be honest, the author's note in the end was the most interesting part about this book)
This review is also posted on my blog The Little Book Affair.
I love historical fiction with a WWII setting.
This was definitely an interesting story because I have never read a historical fiction told from a pro-Hitler point of view. To have Hitler be a character in the story, rather than just the enemy, was definitely a new experience. It was very obvious that Blankman put in a lot of time and research into her story, which helped the story seem genuine.
The first chapter didn’t waste any time setting the scene, however, after the first chapter the story slows down to what kind of feels like a crawl. The end of chapter one does set the scene with a touch of mystery which definitely had me intrigued, but the overall pacing of the story was slow.
I liked Gretchen as the main character. Watching her discover who Hitler really was and figuring out what happened to her dad was a ride. She had a lot of inner turmoil, which was fun to read about. I enjoyed her character development a whole lot.
Gretchen’s brother is a pure sociopath and I also hated her mother – although I loved that her name was Liesel (aye, The Book Thief).
After a while though, I sort of felt like I had enough information regarding Gretchen’s father. I found myself not caring anymore about her father towards the end and I was just interested in reading about Gretchen. This led me to feel a little bored with the story sometimes.
I appreciated the slow burn romance in the book; I thought it was cute and sweet, and Daniel was a great character. I loved when he and Gretchen had scenes together; my only complaint being I wish they had more.
Overall, I enjoyed reading Prisoner of Night and Fog, but I don’t know if I’m interested in reading the second novel. I feel like I got enough out of the first book.
I love historical fiction with a WWII setting.
This was definitely an interesting story because I have never read a historical fiction told from a pro-Hitler point of view. To have Hitler be a character in the story, rather than just the enemy, was definitely a new experience. It was very obvious that Blankman put in a lot of time and research into her story, which helped the story seem genuine.
The first chapter didn’t waste any time setting the scene, however, after the first chapter the story slows down to what kind of feels like a crawl. The end of chapter one does set the scene with a touch of mystery which definitely had me intrigued, but the overall pacing of the story was slow.
I liked Gretchen as the main character. Watching her discover who Hitler really was and figuring out what happened to her dad was a ride. She had a lot of inner turmoil, which was fun to read about. I enjoyed her character development a whole lot.
Gretchen’s brother is a pure sociopath and I also hated her mother – although I loved that her name was Liesel (aye, The Book Thief).
After a while though, I sort of felt like I had enough information regarding Gretchen’s father. I found myself not caring anymore about her father towards the end and I was just interested in reading about Gretchen. This led me to feel a little bored with the story sometimes.
I appreciated the slow burn romance in the book; I thought it was cute and sweet, and Daniel was a great character. I loved when he and Gretchen had scenes together; my only complaint being I wish they had more.
Overall, I enjoyed reading Prisoner of Night and Fog, but I don’t know if I’m interested in reading the second novel. I feel like I got enough out of the first book.
I was faaaairly apprehensive going into this book but ultimately it was pleasantly surprising! I mean, as pleasantly surprising as a book about Nazism can be.
I ordered the sequel halfway through the book, if that says anything.
These past couple of weeks the books I read were certainly not bad, but they weren't enrapturing, gripping, and un-put-downable either.
This book, however...this book is historical fiction done right. Forget historical fiction, this book is a YA done right in every way. The pacing, the romance, the characters, the atmosphere...they all work to create a book that is subtly impacting and engrossing.
With a novel set in WWII Germany, the most important factor is the atmosphere. This is true for any historical fiction story: the reader must feel as if the time period is tangible and believable, and Anne Blankman captures the bleakness and claustrophobic Germany of the 20's wonderfully. Munich's sooty streets and gaunt-faced residents are present. Berlin's eclectic, cultured city life is present. The prose never ventures towards purple prose, but straddles a comfortable line between straight forward and descriptive.
Gretchen is a wonderful protagonist as well: gentle, smart, strong - and strong not in a "Yeah, I can shoot guns and pawn Nazi's" way. I loved her narration (even if the book is in third person), and grew attached to her journey.
And, of course, Daniel. Whew, Lord. If only every guy on earth is like Daniel Cohen. Blissfully devoid of alpha-male traits, Daniel is so god damn charming, also in a subtle way. Insta-love is nowhere near this book.
I really can't put my love for this story into words, and I can't recommend this book enough. It's an impressive debut from Blankman. This is a highly skilled writer, ladies and gentlemen, one that I wouldn't be afraid of buying a story of hers without even knowing what the story is about. You don't have to be a fan of historical fiction to love this book. Pick it up now.
This book, however...this book is historical fiction done right. Forget historical fiction, this book is a YA done right in every way. The pacing, the romance, the characters, the atmosphere...they all work to create a book that is subtly impacting and engrossing.
With a novel set in WWII Germany, the most important factor is the atmosphere. This is true for any historical fiction story: the reader must feel as if the time period is tangible and believable, and Anne Blankman captures the bleakness and claustrophobic Germany of the 20's wonderfully. Munich's sooty streets and gaunt-faced residents are present. Berlin's eclectic, cultured city life is present. The prose never ventures towards purple prose, but straddles a comfortable line between straight forward and descriptive.
Gretchen is a wonderful protagonist as well: gentle, smart, strong - and strong not in a "Yeah, I can shoot guns and pawn Nazi's" way. I loved her narration (even if the book is in third person), and grew attached to her journey.
And, of course, Daniel. Whew, Lord. If only every guy on earth is like Daniel Cohen. Blissfully devoid of alpha-male traits, Daniel is so god damn charming, also in a subtle way. Insta-love is nowhere near this book.
I really can't put my love for this story into words, and I can't recommend this book enough. It's an impressive debut from Blankman. This is a highly skilled writer, ladies and gentlemen, one that I wouldn't be afraid of buying a story of hers without even knowing what the story is about. You don't have to be a fan of historical fiction to love this book. Pick it up now.
I love learning and reading about World Warm II so I was highly interested in this book. It didn't disappoint.
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
(From www.pingwings.ca)
Received from the publisher via Edelweiss, for free, in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
From Goodreads:
Oh boy, this was one of my most anticipated releases of 2014, and it did not disappoint! I enjoy historical fiction, and the second World War has always been a historical period that fascinates me. The premise of this one was irresistible.
I was pulled into the story right away. The setting, the detail, the pacing – it was all working for me. There was so much detail here and I definitely got the sense that the author did a lot of research for this book. She mixes true events and real people with the fictional story of Gretchen and her family, and I thought it was really well-done.
I did not want to put this book down once I started. Gretchen was someone that I was rooting for immediately. Although she and her family seemed to be held in high esteem by Hitler and his associates, as she began to uncover the truth behind her father’s death years earlier, she put herself in danger. On top of that, her brother was menacing. He was cold and dangerous, and the more involved he became with Hitler’s organization, the more frightening he became.
Gretchen’s relationship with Daniel, the Jewish journalist she meets, was tentative at first, but the more she found herself questioning long-held beliefs about Hitler and her family, the more she came to trust him and care for him. I loved seeing Gretchen start to question her beliefs and to open up to Daniel.
After I finished the book, I realized it’s part of a series, and thank goodness, because I need to know what happens next! I’ve got some ideas, but really have no clue where the author is going to take Gretchen’s story next. All I know is, I will absolutely be reading it!
Received from the publisher via Edelweiss, for free, in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
From Goodreads:
In 1930s Munich, danger lurks behind dark corners, and secrets are buried deep within the city. But Gretchen Müller, who grew up in the National Socialist Party under the wing of her “uncle” Dolf, has been shielded from that side of society ever since her father traded his life for Dolf’s, and Gretchen is his favorite, his pet.
Uncle Dolf is none other than Adolf Hitler.
And Gretchen follows his every command.
Until she meets a fearless and handsome young Jewish reporter named Daniel Cohen. Gretchen should despise Daniel, yet she can’t stop herself from listening to his story: that her father, the adored Nazi martyr, was actually murdered by an unknown comrade. She also can’t help the fierce attraction brewing between them, despite everything she’s been taught to believe about Jews.
As Gretchen investigates the very people she’s always considered friends, she must decide where her loyalties lie. Will she choose the safety of her former life as a Nazi darling, or will she dare to dig up the truth—even if it could get her and Daniel killed?
From debut author Anne Blankman comes this harrowing and evocative story about an ordinary girl faced with the extraordinary decision to give up everything she’s ever believed . . . and to trust her own heart instead.
Oh boy, this was one of my most anticipated releases of 2014, and it did not disappoint! I enjoy historical fiction, and the second World War has always been a historical period that fascinates me. The premise of this one was irresistible.
I was pulled into the story right away. The setting, the detail, the pacing – it was all working for me. There was so much detail here and I definitely got the sense that the author did a lot of research for this book. She mixes true events and real people with the fictional story of Gretchen and her family, and I thought it was really well-done.
I did not want to put this book down once I started. Gretchen was someone that I was rooting for immediately. Although she and her family seemed to be held in high esteem by Hitler and his associates, as she began to uncover the truth behind her father’s death years earlier, she put herself in danger. On top of that, her brother was menacing. He was cold and dangerous, and the more involved he became with Hitler’s organization, the more frightening he became.
Gretchen’s relationship with Daniel, the Jewish journalist she meets, was tentative at first, but the more she found herself questioning long-held beliefs about Hitler and her family, the more she came to trust him and care for him. I loved seeing Gretchen start to question her beliefs and to open up to Daniel.
After I finished the book, I realized it’s part of a series, and thank goodness, because I need to know what happens next! I’ve got some ideas, but really have no clue where the author is going to take Gretchen’s story next. All I know is, I will absolutely be reading it!