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nursenell's review against another edition
5.0
This book goes back and forth between present day Ohio and Austria, and WWII Austria. Callie and her sister own a children’s bookstore in Ohio, and Callie also maintains a blog about children’s literature and their authors. Her sister gives her a birthday gift of an an original edition of Bambi, written in German and published in Austria. The name Annika Knopf is on the name plate. Callie notices that additional script has been added to the book plus there is a newspaper photo taped in the back. She sets out to solve the mystery of the extra writing, which seems to be an inventory of jewelry and other valuables.
Meanwhile in 1938/1939 in Austria the Nazis have marched into Austria. Before long Jews are not safe. Max, the almost 18 y.o. son of a prominent banker, is in love with a 15 y.o. Jewish girl, Luzia, who is the daughter of a doctor, and is also a violinist with the symphony orchestra in Vienna. Max’s parents own a castle in the mountains, about 4 hours out of Vienna. Annika is the daughter of the castle’s caretaker. She is in love with Max, having known him since childhood. The story revolves around the increased disruption of life in Austria, with Max and Annika hiding jewelry and valuables for Jewish friends and neighbors so the Nazis cannot confiscate them. When Max’s mother is discovered to be part Jewish she escapes to France, taking Luzia’s baby sister with her.
I found the book well written, with good character development, and there were unexpected turns I didn’t see coming.
Meanwhile in 1938/1939 in Austria the Nazis have marched into Austria. Before long Jews are not safe. Max, the almost 18 y.o. son of a prominent banker, is in love with a 15 y.o. Jewish girl, Luzia, who is the daughter of a doctor, and is also a violinist with the symphony orchestra in Vienna. Max’s parents own a castle in the mountains, about 4 hours out of Vienna. Annika is the daughter of the castle’s caretaker. She is in love with Max, having known him since childhood. The story revolves around the increased disruption of life in Austria, with Max and Annika hiding jewelry and valuables for Jewish friends and neighbors so the Nazis cannot confiscate them. When Max’s mother is discovered to be part Jewish she escapes to France, taking Luzia’s baby sister with her.
I found the book well written, with good character development, and there were unexpected turns I didn’t see coming.
meezcarrie's review against another edition
5.0
“There’s always a cost for standing up against evil…”
First, one of my favorite elements of both the past and the present storylines is the significant role of children’s books in the plot. Two books in particular are key to the characters and the poignant tone of the story, but the whole contemporary thread is really a love letter to the power of children’s stories – and our memories associated with them – to anchor us and remind us about what’s important in life. I have always wanted to do what Callie does – to run a bookstore and be like Kathleen Kelly from You’ve Got Mail (#lifegoals) so I instantly latched on to her character and thrilled over all the book references and Story Girl and the old used book she discovers – which connects us to the historical plot thread.
Some books, I think, can be like cats. No matter where they’re sent, they have this uncanny ability to find their way back home.
The historical storyline is intriguing and bittersweet and incredibly moving. There was more than one moment where I had to stop reading to swipe at the flood of tears before I could continue. The Holocaust and the Nazi regime were horrific and cruel and inhumane, and Hidden Among the Stars doesn’t sugar coat the atrocities. Yet at the same time, Dobson tenderly weaves in grace and hope and light, like the first green shoots of spring. The last few chapters undid me with the beauty of her storytelling and the poignancy of how all the various threads tie together in exquisite perfection. The contemporary part of the plot is noticeably less intense – which lets our hearts settle a bit and lets us see ‘the rest of the story’, as it were. As Callie began to uncover answers to her search for the significance of the Bambi book, my excitement also grew with every step closer and closer to the moment when all the pieces fall into place. The two separate story threads are indispensable to each other and to the novel as a whole.
Bottom Line: Make sure that Hidden Among the Stars has a spot on your TBR pile because this is a story that is not to be missed! It is emotional and gripping, and the characters will linger in your heart for a long time to come. Dobson puts faces and hearts to the history we are familiar with, and then takes us even deeper to the stories we may not have known. Along the way, we are reminded of the power of love, of the goodness of God, and of the life-changing embrace of story. It’s a novel about, as the author says, “ordinary people who resisted evil in their own extraordinary way”. A must read from intriguing start to compelling finish!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
First, one of my favorite elements of both the past and the present storylines is the significant role of children’s books in the plot. Two books in particular are key to the characters and the poignant tone of the story, but the whole contemporary thread is really a love letter to the power of children’s stories – and our memories associated with them – to anchor us and remind us about what’s important in life. I have always wanted to do what Callie does – to run a bookstore and be like Kathleen Kelly from You’ve Got Mail (#lifegoals) so I instantly latched on to her character and thrilled over all the book references and Story Girl and the old used book she discovers – which connects us to the historical plot thread.
Some books, I think, can be like cats. No matter where they’re sent, they have this uncanny ability to find their way back home.
The historical storyline is intriguing and bittersweet and incredibly moving. There was more than one moment where I had to stop reading to swipe at the flood of tears before I could continue. The Holocaust and the Nazi regime were horrific and cruel and inhumane, and Hidden Among the Stars doesn’t sugar coat the atrocities. Yet at the same time, Dobson tenderly weaves in grace and hope and light, like the first green shoots of spring. The last few chapters undid me with the beauty of her storytelling and the poignancy of how all the various threads tie together in exquisite perfection. The contemporary part of the plot is noticeably less intense – which lets our hearts settle a bit and lets us see ‘the rest of the story’, as it were. As Callie began to uncover answers to her search for the significance of the Bambi book, my excitement also grew with every step closer and closer to the moment when all the pieces fall into place. The two separate story threads are indispensable to each other and to the novel as a whole.
Bottom Line: Make sure that Hidden Among the Stars has a spot on your TBR pile because this is a story that is not to be missed! It is emotional and gripping, and the characters will linger in your heart for a long time to come. Dobson puts faces and hearts to the history we are familiar with, and then takes us even deeper to the stories we may not have known. Along the way, we are reminded of the power of love, of the goodness of God, and of the life-changing embrace of story. It’s a novel about, as the author says, “ordinary people who resisted evil in their own extraordinary way”. A must read from intriguing start to compelling finish!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
betherin02's review against another edition
5.0
Full review on FaithfullyBookish.com
Hidden Among the Stars is crafted with emotional depth, authenticity, and artistry! Everything about this story is beautifully intricate from the characters and their backstories to the intimate depiction of history and breathtaking landscapes. Timeless themes of love, faith, and family make this story a must read for all!
This story, these characters, and the inspiring message between these covers touched my reader heart in a way that few stories do... deep, wide adoration! Obviously, this book is going straight to my all-time favorites shelf and I strongly urge readers to experience this story for themselves.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Hidden Among the Stars is crafted with emotional depth, authenticity, and artistry! Everything about this story is beautifully intricate from the characters and their backstories to the intimate depiction of history and breathtaking landscapes. Timeless themes of love, faith, and family make this story a must read for all!
This story, these characters, and the inspiring message between these covers touched my reader heart in a way that few stories do... deep, wide adoration! Obviously, this book is going straight to my all-time favorites shelf and I strongly urge readers to experience this story for themselves.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
nursehersh's review against another edition
5.0
Well written and just a beautiful story of two tome periods and three extremely strong women.
sassyredca's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
shammons's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve read several books by Melanie Dobson and enjoyed them all immensely. Yet another dual timeline book set in present day, as well as during World War II. This time, we follow two sets of friends and family from Austria, at the onset of the German takeover of that country. Their story weaves in and out with a present day timeline of Callie Randall and her sister as they run their bookstore in Mount Vernon Ohio. I loved how the story unfolded, and all of the characters. I figured most of it out (as I’ve read several of Ms Dobsons books before), but not quite everything. Very satisfying and uplifting, in spite of the harsh realities of the Nazis and Gestapo and their treatment of Jews during the war. Highly recommend!
melissasbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this story that combines the modern day with Austria during WWII. Both stories were very compelling and kept me reading. The characters were so well done and really drew me in. It's a heart wrenching story, but also a story of love and redemption. Highly recommend this!
During WWII, Max is in love with a Jewish girl who plays the violin. As Austria becomes more and more like Hitler's Germany, Max tries to find a way to escape with Luzia. He also uses his family's estate to hide precious items for his Jewish friends.
The modern day story centers around Callie who runs a bookstore with her sister. Callie is known as story girl and especially loves classic children's literature. When she discovers a list of precious items written in a copy of Bambi, she tries to solve the mystery of Annika, the owner of the book, and what the list means. As Callie tries to solve the mystery, she must lay her own troubles to rest as she tries to find out what happened to Annika, Max, and Luzia.
During WWII, Max is in love with a Jewish girl who plays the violin. As Austria becomes more and more like Hitler's Germany, Max tries to find a way to escape with Luzia. He also uses his family's estate to hide precious items for his Jewish friends.
The modern day story centers around Callie who runs a bookstore with her sister. Callie is known as story girl and especially loves classic children's literature. When she discovers a list of precious items written in a copy of Bambi, she tries to solve the mystery of Annika, the owner of the book, and what the list means. As Callie tries to solve the mystery, she must lay her own troubles to rest as she tries to find out what happened to Annika, Max, and Luzia.
sarahs_readingparty's review against another edition
5.0
what a great book! both callie's and annika's stories were fantastic.