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turquoiseavenue's review against another edition
5.0
As a long time fan of Lynn Austin’s historical fiction novels, I found this newest release, Chasing Shadows, to be yet another novel that will become one of my beloved favorites. Lynn’s novels inspire a reader not just to turn the pages, but to feel her words with their heart and soul as well.
Chasing Shadows is simply excellent…
I love how Lynn masterfully creates a heartwarming story that doesn’t shy from the perils and reality of war, while allowing her characters to grow, deepen and blossom. She brought the Dutch Netherlands alive, creating a beautifully woven narrative of bravery, hope and faith in a time when our world experienced some of its darkest days.
The remarkable characters Lynn expertly creates demonstrate the courage, dedication and determination of those who worked the Resistance during WWII. In this particular story, she not only showcases their innermost feelings and desires, but also skillfully demonstrates the evil present in that time as well as human’s sin nature in looking the other way to selfishly preserve one’s self… She balances this with a message of hope, faith and obedience that is so refreshing and poignant in even today’s society.
The rich, historical significance and details to this novel are clearly well researched and displayed. This novel is well written, the character development is inspirational and relatable. I fell in love with Lynn’s many characters and felt their heart-wrenching decisions, joys and struggles deeply. Again, this novel is one that I know will be a long time favorite of mine and one that I highly encourage other WWII fiction lovers to immerse themselves in.
*I voluntarily received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts below are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.
꧁☆★ Find me at www.turquoiseave.com | Instagram: @turquoiseavenue ☆★꧂
Chasing Shadows is simply excellent…
I love how Lynn masterfully creates a heartwarming story that doesn’t shy from the perils and reality of war, while allowing her characters to grow, deepen and blossom. She brought the Dutch Netherlands alive, creating a beautifully woven narrative of bravery, hope and faith in a time when our world experienced some of its darkest days.
The remarkable characters Lynn expertly creates demonstrate the courage, dedication and determination of those who worked the Resistance during WWII. In this particular story, she not only showcases their innermost feelings and desires, but also skillfully demonstrates the evil present in that time as well as human’s sin nature in looking the other way to selfishly preserve one’s self… She balances this with a message of hope, faith and obedience that is so refreshing and poignant in even today’s society.
The rich, historical significance and details to this novel are clearly well researched and displayed. This novel is well written, the character development is inspirational and relatable. I fell in love with Lynn’s many characters and felt their heart-wrenching decisions, joys and struggles deeply. Again, this novel is one that I know will be a long time favorite of mine and one that I highly encourage other WWII fiction lovers to immerse themselves in.
*I voluntarily received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts below are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.
꧁☆★ Find me at www.turquoiseave.com | Instagram: @turquoiseavenue ☆★꧂
farmfreshlisa's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very enjoyable book. It really focused more on the Netherland occupation during WW2. Looking at it from three points of view—a Jew, a Young woman resistance member, a farming wife who hides people. They were all eventually entwined together. No real surprises or plot twists. Just really really examined the idea of how God could “let evil happen, how can anything be good in this” from three points of view.
A solid 4 stars.
A solid 4 stars.
reneesmith's review
5.0
A riveting adventure that focuses on the strength, bravery & compassion of ordinary people. I especially enjoyed this story as I thought of the real-life heroes who worked throughout the Netherlands during WWII. And that ending!!! A worthwhile, uplifting page-turner!
missbibliography's review against another edition
3.0
Chasing Shadows follows three women living in the Netherlands during WWII, Ans, Miriam and Lena. Lena is a mother who harbors Jews and is having a hard time relinquishing control. Ans struggles with her faith, having recently turned 18 and wants to live in the city and be her own person. Miriam has left Germany to escape the persecution of Jews only to have her follow it to the Netherlands. Each woman has her own trials and obstacles to face as the war wages on.
I honestly think I’ve overdone it with the “life during WWII” novels because while the writing was good and the storyline cohesive, I struggled to keep reading. I made myself finish it because it wasn’t necessarily a bad book or not enjoyable, it just was the same as the last couple coming of age during the war stories. The only thing that I enjoyed about this novel that was different from most was the faith aspect. I loved that Lynn Austin wrote about faith and how these women held onto theirs. It gave me tears and made me think about my own beliefs and my own faith a little more deeply. 3/5 stars.
I honestly think I’ve overdone it with the “life during WWII” novels because while the writing was good and the storyline cohesive, I struggled to keep reading. I made myself finish it because it wasn’t necessarily a bad book or not enjoyable, it just was the same as the last couple coming of age during the war stories. The only thing that I enjoyed about this novel that was different from most was the faith aspect. I loved that Lynn Austin wrote about faith and how these women held onto theirs. It gave me tears and made me think about my own beliefs and my own faith a little more deeply. 3/5 stars.
kjorgens's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
palisca's review
5.0
Chasing Shadows
By Lynn Austin
Chasing Shadows is a historical fiction book set during WWII and in The Netherlands
By Lynn Austin
Chasing Shadows is a historical fiction book set during WWII and in The Netherlands
dearsunshine's review
emotional
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
emmeline7's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. This was a fantastic, edge-of-your-seat book. I held my breath, cried, neglected housework, and stayed up way too late but I couldn't put it down! I had to know what happened next. No matter how much I study or read about WW2, I'll never stop being amazed at the bravery and faith of those who fought and sacrificed so much against such evil.
sewjoy1's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
A wonderful novel for WWII fans. It focuses on moral dilemmas rather than gory war details. The protagonists repeatedly ask what God would want them to do in impossible situations. Their choices often conflict with what they thought they were taught about their God, but they bravely select paths that seem right in the difficult circumstances.