Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.47 AVERAGE
4.47 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to Edelweiss and Tyndale House Publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
✨ 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 ✨ B̷O̷R̷R̷O̷W̷ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
After reading If I Were You (an absolutely FANTASTIC WWII historical fiction novel), I knew I would want to read anything else Lynn Austin wrote - and I'm so glad I listened to myself. This was a heartbreaking book, but it was written with so much compassion and heart and faith that I found myself incredibly emotionally invested.
(As an aside, while the books do have a strong & well written faith component, I think they would still appeal to those that don't gravitate towards "Christian Fiction.")
Definitely recommend this to readers of WWII Historical Fiction, and even more so her novel If I Were You (SO SO GOOD).
✨ 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 ✨ B̷O̷R̷R̷O̷W̷ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
After reading If I Were You (an absolutely FANTASTIC WWII historical fiction novel), I knew I would want to read anything else Lynn Austin wrote - and I'm so glad I listened to myself. This was a heartbreaking book, but it was written with so much compassion and heart and faith that I found myself incredibly emotionally invested.
(As an aside, while the books do have a strong & well written faith component, I think they would still appeal to those that don't gravitate towards "Christian Fiction.")
Definitely recommend this to readers of WWII Historical Fiction, and even more so her novel If I Were You (SO SO GOOD).
Content Warnings
Starvation, Wartime Horrors, Anti-Semitism
DNF at 22%. I’m so sorry. It’s not the book or the writing it’s me. I can’t connect to the characters and I’m just so bored. I shouldn’t be but I am.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Chasing Shadow by Lynn Austin
I absolutely adored this book. This book takes place during World War 2 and follows three women and their journey during their escape from Hitler rule. This books opened my eyes to the struggle that Dutch had as being christians and really strengthened my faith. World War 2 is a hard subject for me to read by Lynn Austin writing has showcased God’s constant love and comfort through the hard times. This book made me emotional, shocked, nervous and also provided me hope that God has defeated evil and even through hard and difficult times, it is important to trust God’s timing.
I absolutely adored this book. This book takes place during World War 2 and follows three women and their journey during their escape from Hitler rule. This books opened my eyes to the struggle that Dutch had as being christians and really strengthened my faith. World War 2 is a hard subject for me to read by Lynn Austin writing has showcased God’s constant love and comfort through the hard times. This book made me emotional, shocked, nervous and also provided me hope that God has defeated evil and even through hard and difficult times, it is important to trust God’s timing.
emotional
sad
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
This was one i picked off the library shelves without having heard of it or looked at reviews beforehand.
I didnt even realize it was a WWII book written from a Christian perspective, and then i was dubious at first as to whether or not it would be cheesy.
It wasnt. It showed the challenge of choosing to fight evil and do what is right, even at great cost.
It did have a happier ending than a lot of war stories, but...i wont hold it against the author too much.
All in all, a worthwhileread to be one of my first finished books of the new year.
I didnt even realize it was a WWII book written from a Christian perspective, and then i was dubious at first as to whether or not it would be cheesy.
It wasnt. It showed the challenge of choosing to fight evil and do what is right, even at great cost.
It did have a happier ending than a lot of war stories, but...i wont hold it against the author too much.
All in all, a worthwhileread to be one of my first finished books of the new year.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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:
Yes
Christian fiction can often be trite with little faith shown. This book is full of courage, strength, suffering, and hope. I enjoyed the Dutch WWII perspective and the true faith of many who were willing to sacrifice for the good of other. Well done!
Wow! This was such an excellent story! WWII stories are so powerful. This is the first one I've read (that I can remember) that is set in the Netherlands.
The author brings to life, vividly, what Lena, Ans, and Miriam live through during this time. They all play different roles of hiding Jews, helping the resistance, or trying to survive. There was SO much tension, as expected, throughout the story, and many moments where I felt like I was a fly on the wall with experiences they were having.
Lot's of highs and lows. This story really reminds me of how we have to fight evil and to lay down our lives for others. It caused me to question what I would do or would have done had I been in any of these situations. If you are a fan of stories that hit you where it count, this one is NOT to be missed!
The narrator was fantastic!
The author brings to life, vividly, what Lena, Ans, and Miriam live through during this time. They all play different roles of hiding Jews, helping the resistance, or trying to survive. There was SO much tension, as expected, throughout the story, and many moments where I felt like I was a fly on the wall with experiences they were having.
Lot's of highs and lows. This story really reminds me of how we have to fight evil and to lay down our lives for others. It caused me to question what I would do or would have done had I been in any of these situations. If you are a fan of stories that hit you where it count, this one is NOT to be missed!
The narrator was fantastic!
WWII fiction is my thing, the genre I can never get enough of. I think it's partly because of my Dutch ties to the Netherlands, and stories I've heard of my grandparents during the war. That being said, most of the books I've read set in Holland during WWII are either translated from Dutch or nonfiction. So I was excited to add Chasing Shadows to my collection, since I rarely see many books from 'English' authors set in this specific era and setting.
Chasing Shadows tells the heartbreaking, inspiring stories of three women, each at different places in their lives, throughout the course of the war. It's a gritty retelling of the horrors and tragedies that occurred throughout Europe, but specifically the slow overtaking of the Dutch by the Nazi regime. Erik's story as an officer in particular gave me chills, because many of his words are repeated today in my own country. "I'm just doing my job. Just what I'm told to do."
Chasing Shadows follows the rise and fall of Hitler's hold on the Netherlands, focusing on the daily struggles and bravery of ordinary citizens who stood up against Nazi terror. It tells of the trials three women in particular went through, and also showcases their triumphs, though far and few between. And most of all, it tells of the strength of the faith - Jews and Christians alike - and how their singular trust in God helped them 'withstand the darkness.'
This is historical fiction at its finest.
Chasing Shadows tells the heartbreaking, inspiring stories of three women, each at different places in their lives, throughout the course of the war. It's a gritty retelling of the horrors and tragedies that occurred throughout Europe, but specifically the slow overtaking of the Dutch by the Nazi regime. Erik's story as an officer in particular gave me chills, because many of his words are repeated today in my own country. "I'm just doing my job. Just what I'm told to do."
Chasing Shadows follows the rise and fall of Hitler's hold on the Netherlands, focusing on the daily struggles and bravery of ordinary citizens who stood up against Nazi terror. It tells of the trials three women in particular went through, and also showcases their triumphs, though far and few between. And most of all, it tells of the strength of the faith - Jews and Christians alike - and how their singular trust in God helped them 'withstand the darkness.'
This is historical fiction at its finest.