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blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
This is actually the second book read about Lucie-sur-Vionne in a year. And again it makes me wonder, why did they do it? Why? That whole village, everyone...
This is the story of Celeste. Her family has lived in the village for ages, and there are books about well at least 2 ancestors that I can think of. The women in her family are healers, but Celeste does not care for that.
And we get to see daily life, the daily life if an occupied village where Germans threaten and bully. And where the resistance grows strong. And where life can be so dangerous. You do not want to be seen as angry with the Germans, they will punish you. You do not want to fraternize with the Germans, the French will punish you.
There is romance too, the forbidden kind. But this is not a romance novel.
And there is sadness, especially since I do know from that other book what took place in this village, and since the whole book starts 70 years after that which happened.
I kind of wish though, for this one thing that I can't say....
This is the story of Celeste. Her family has lived in the village for ages, and there are books about well at least 2 ancestors that I can think of. The women in her family are healers, but Celeste does not care for that.
And we get to see daily life, the daily life if an occupied village where Germans threaten and bully. And where the resistance grows strong. And where life can be so dangerous. You do not want to be seen as angry with the Germans, they will punish you. You do not want to fraternize with the Germans, the French will punish you.
There is romance too, the forbidden kind. But this is not a romance novel.
And there is sadness, especially since I do know from that other book what took place in this village, and since the whole book starts 70 years after that which happened.
I kind of wish though, for this one thing that I can't say....
nicehotcupoftea's review against another edition
4.0
I have received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I have no hesitation in recommending this novel set in WW2 in occupied France. The author has well researched the time and place and worked her novel around some historical events. She well describes the life in the village and the tensions created by the German occupation. The relationships between the characters evolved throughout the course of the book, with the underlying tragic events, and this book provided me with a window into this time in history. Thank you Liza for the opportunity to experience this time in France.
kemerson89's review
4.0
This book is heart wrenching and heart warming. I know that is a contradiction, but that is the truth. You come to care for Celeste and feel her pain, happiness and determination. Celeste is a 19 year old girl in war torn Europe, she lives in the small town of Lucie, which is now occupied by the Germans. She lives at L'Auberge des Anges which sits on a hill above Lucie. Celeste's family is made up of a father whom "volunteered" to work at the German's labor camps in Germany, a mother who is an Angel Maker and Celeste believes doesn't like/understand her. She also has a sister who is a nun/resistor (who ultimately gives her own life for the less fortunate) and a younger brother who is a resistor. Celeste meets the dashing German solider Martin Diehl, she is given the resistance mission of using him to gather information from the Germans, but makes the heart-wrenching mistake of falling head over heals in love with him. Follow Celeste's journey through war torn France during the German occupation in World War II. The author did an amazing job of making you feel Celeste's pain, heartache and happiness. You can delve into the resistance world of World War II France and feel like you are actually living it through Celeste's eyes. i would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys Holocaust Fiction or Non-Fiction, or anyone who enjoys read a wonderfully detailed and thrilling novel that touches the heart.
**I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.**
**I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.**
shelfquest's review against another edition
4.0
Wolfsangel is a haunting fictional story based on the real-life tragedy of the WWII massacre of Oradour-sur-Glane. It was slightly slow-going in the beginning (due to setting up and getting to know everyone) but by the time I was halfway through the book I couldn't put it down and read obsessively until it was finished.
This book is set in a tiny French town that is being occupied by Germans, and by reading this book we learn to love players on both sides of the war. I sympathized with the French farmer who only wants to sell his crops to his neighbors and make a living, as well as the German soldier who worries about his family's safety back home.
I think the author did a great job of showing the many viewpoints of war- the good and the bad.This was also quite an emotional roller coaster and it was frustrating when certain relationships or situations didn't pan out the way that Iwanted them to, but that's life. I was super excited to find out that there are two more books set in this world and I really hope I get to read them soon.
This book is set in a tiny French town that is being occupied by Germans, and by reading this book we learn to love players on both sides of the war. I sympathized with the French farmer who only wants to sell his crops to his neighbors and make a living, as well as the German soldier who worries about his family's safety back home.
I think the author did a great job of showing the many viewpoints of war- the good and the bad.This was also quite an emotional roller coaster and it was frustrating when certain relationships or situations didn't pan out the way that Iwanted them to, but that's life. I was super excited to find out that there are two more books set in this world and I really hope I get to read them soon.
emilyhei's review against another edition
4.0
Taking place in 1943, young Celeste Roussel life is dramatically altered when German soldiers arrive in France and her families ties to the French Resistance. Terrified, but intrigued by a German soldier, Celeste secretly meets with Martin trusting him while she is losing her closest friends and families to death and concentration camps. Conflicted by trusting a man who is directly involved with the Nazi's.
This story goes from modern times to the memories of Celeste's time back in WWII. This was a tough read, riveting but the horrors the families endured is written with a delicacy that readers will appreciate. I thought Celeste was a believable character, she is not flawless and she is faced with challenges she never should have had to deal with. First time reading this author and it was a phenomenal read.
This story goes from modern times to the memories of Celeste's time back in WWII. This was a tough read, riveting but the horrors the families endured is written with a delicacy that readers will appreciate. I thought Celeste was a believable character, she is not flawless and she is faced with challenges she never should have had to deal with. First time reading this author and it was a phenomenal read.
eileen9311's review against another edition
4.0
Set in a small village in France during WWII, Wolfsangel captures beautifully the tenor of the times. The frustrated townspeople watch helplessly as their homes, food and livestock are requisitioned by the occupying Germans. Neighbors and loved ones are seized and sent off to work camps or worse. The protagonist Celeste looks on enviously as her brother and friends carry out missions of sabotage in their work for the Resistance. Plans that go awry result in imprisonment, followed by heroic measures to secure release of the captives. Eventually allowed to become part of this dangerous undertaking, Celeste soon learns that her life will never be the same! I usually resist the temptation to reiterate bits of the plot, but felt compelled to share this outline as the package is so complete! All the components of that genre are humming along: the danger, the unease, the insecurity of not knowing who to trust, the clandestine activity, the quiet heroism, even an illicit love affair. Character development is handled effectively, as here realization dawns with a sober reality:
"I saw Ghislaine’s blue eyes glazed with excitement, and venom. I understood that look……….. I saw how the occupation had changed us: how the Resistance had brought together people from every level of society and turned us all – from aristocrat to the simple farm girl – into counterfeiters, thieves and murderers.”
As the story begins, only the brief opening chapter takes place in the present. Part way through I found myself rereading it to see how it meshed with the unfolding plot, and decided that dual time periods as used here add an important perspective. The author writes well, depicting vividly scenes as well as the feel of rural life so changed by unfortunate circumstances.
“The weather had changed over the week. The pink snow clouds had slunk away to the west, the first rays of spring sun piercing the cool air, and the last snow had merged with the first flowers – an uncertain sort of inter-season. In grim, war-ravaged Lyon however, everything was still one drab, brownish mass. The ground was grey and hard as iron, and there was none of the brightness of new growth. Even the birds seemed to have abandoned the occupied city."
I discovered Wolfsangel because I’d read and enjoyed The Silent Kookaburra, by Liza Perrat. While that was a very different plot, I was motivated to investigate other books by this author. WWII is a favorite genre, and so I pounced! Following the conclusion, the author shares that the climax is based on an actual horrific event carried out by the Germans after the Allied landing. Also, a character in the book was inspired by a Roman Catholic nun who hid refugees in the convent and stored weapons for the Resistance. Her fate is woven into the plot, which made me like it even more! Four plus stars.
"I saw Ghislaine’s blue eyes glazed with excitement, and venom. I understood that look……….. I saw how the occupation had changed us: how the Resistance had brought together people from every level of society and turned us all – from aristocrat to the simple farm girl – into counterfeiters, thieves and murderers.”
As the story begins, only the brief opening chapter takes place in the present. Part way through I found myself rereading it to see how it meshed with the unfolding plot, and decided that dual time periods as used here add an important perspective. The author writes well, depicting vividly scenes as well as the feel of rural life so changed by unfortunate circumstances.
“The weather had changed over the week. The pink snow clouds had slunk away to the west, the first rays of spring sun piercing the cool air, and the last snow had merged with the first flowers – an uncertain sort of inter-season. In grim, war-ravaged Lyon however, everything was still one drab, brownish mass. The ground was grey and hard as iron, and there was none of the brightness of new growth. Even the birds seemed to have abandoned the occupied city."
I discovered Wolfsangel because I’d read and enjoyed The Silent Kookaburra, by Liza Perrat. While that was a very different plot, I was motivated to investigate other books by this author. WWII is a favorite genre, and so I pounced! Following the conclusion, the author shares that the climax is based on an actual horrific event carried out by the Germans after the Allied landing. Also, a character in the book was inspired by a Roman Catholic nun who hid refugees in the convent and stored weapons for the Resistance. Her fate is woven into the plot, which made me like it even more! Four plus stars.
fleurpetals's review against another edition
4.0
I think the overall plot of the story was nice but there was something I couldn't quite place my finger on which made me decide on 4 stars instead of 5. I think everything could have been developed a bit more, perhaps it is the writing style and the characters that didn't really resonate with me.
abookishaffair's review
4.0
"Wolfsangel" is a historical fiction tale set in France during World War II in a small town called Lucie-sur-Vionne. This book is the second in a series about one family filled with incredibly strong females who have passed a bone angel talisman through many generations. Although "Wolfsangel" is the second book in this series, you can most definitely read this book without reading the first book, which takes place during the French Revolution.
Now I absolutely loved the first book in this series, "Spirit of Lost Angels." As with that book, "Wolfsangel" was filled with really fascinating characters that I really loved. The main character, Celeste, is wonderful. Perrat really has a way with creating characters that you either feel like you know or you feel that you want to know. Celeste is incredibly fascinating and brave in this book and I really liked following her story.
The historical detail in this book was really great! France had such a difficult time during World War II with the occupation by the Nazis as we see with Celeste's experience. France also played the setting to some really horrible occurrences during the war. Perrat gives a ton of great detail so that readers are able to experience what the characters are going through.
The writing in this book was really good and kept me reading. There were a couple parts that got a little bogged down but overall, this book has a ton of action that kept me turning the pages. The ending was especially exciting. I will be looking forward to Ms. Perrat's next release!
Now I absolutely loved the first book in this series, "Spirit of Lost Angels." As with that book, "Wolfsangel" was filled with really fascinating characters that I really loved. The main character, Celeste, is wonderful. Perrat really has a way with creating characters that you either feel like you know or you feel that you want to know. Celeste is incredibly fascinating and brave in this book and I really liked following her story.
The historical detail in this book was really great! France had such a difficult time during World War II with the occupation by the Nazis as we see with Celeste's experience. France also played the setting to some really horrible occurrences during the war. Perrat gives a ton of great detail so that readers are able to experience what the characters are going through.
The writing in this book was really good and kept me reading. There were a couple parts that got a little bogged down but overall, this book has a ton of action that kept me turning the pages. The ending was especially exciting. I will be looking forward to Ms. Perrat's next release!
jo_kay's review
4.0
Wolfsangel is a compelling WW II novel. Although it presents the war from a rather limited point of view of a French farm-girl, it is all the more interesting for that very fact, for showing the war from a female perspective and from the perspective of a person who is not yet set in her beliefs.
Read full review on my blog, Beyond Strange New Words.
Read full review on my blog, Beyond Strange New Words.
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