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iwanttoreadallthebooks's review against another edition
4.0
The Secret Letter is a beautiful novel, inspired by a true story, about bravery, kindness and hope in a time of war, devastation and absolute horror. Magda is a thirteen year old girl German girl in 1939 who lives with her parents on their farm in the countryside. While she is forced to join the Hitler Youth, she is horrified when her friend Lotte is sent to a concentration camp. Magda hates the cruelty and fanaticism of her peers who revere Hitler as a god. She finds out about the White Rose movement, a German rebel group who wishes to fight Hitler and the SS's oppression, and joins them. In a world that is already upside down, Magda's world is further tilted when an English RAF pilot is found near her home after being shot down. Does she risk helping this stranger or put her family in danger? Imogen is a fifteen year old English girl in 1939 who is taken away from her family and forced to evacuate to go to school in the Lake District. As she gets older, she joins the war effort as part of the Wrens. As the war progresses, Magda and Imogen are forced to grow up quickly in a horrifying world. Their lives interconnect and their bravery impacts not only their families but each other.
I love WWII historical fiction. I find the the war and the years/events leading up to it to be both absolutely fascinating and at the same time, heartbreaking and devastating. I have read many novels based on WWII and I won't lie, I almost always enjoy them. While some are clearly stronger than others, I just can't get enough of these stories that are based on events that should be fiction but unfortunately were very real. I found The Secret Letter to be an excellent example of what WWII fiction should be. It is absolutely beautifully written and Magda and Imogen absolutely jumped off the page. They felt real and their stories were incredible to read. I admired their bravery and their willingness to stand up for what they believed in, even if it meant they were endangering their own lives. The author moved seamlessly between the two girls and I loved how she weaved their stories together.
A beautiful story about a terrible time in our world's history. But it is stories like those of Magda and Imogen that give me hope, that people are good and willing to stand up for what is right.
4 stars!
I love WWII historical fiction. I find the the war and the years/events leading up to it to be both absolutely fascinating and at the same time, heartbreaking and devastating. I have read many novels based on WWII and I won't lie, I almost always enjoy them. While some are clearly stronger than others, I just can't get enough of these stories that are based on events that should be fiction but unfortunately were very real. I found The Secret Letter to be an excellent example of what WWII fiction should be. It is absolutely beautifully written and Magda and Imogen absolutely jumped off the page. They felt real and their stories were incredible to read. I admired their bravery and their willingness to stand up for what they believed in, even if it meant they were endangering their own lives. The author moved seamlessly between the two girls and I loved how she weaved their stories together.
A beautiful story about a terrible time in our world's history. But it is stories like those of Magda and Imogen that give me hope, that people are good and willing to stand up for what is right.
4 stars!
lifeandtea's review against another edition
5.0
Review: https://lifeandteablog.wordpress.com/2019/08/12/book-review-the-secret-letter-by-debbie-rix/
annc's review against another edition
5.0
I don’t normally read historical fiction but boy am I glad I read this. Read in one setting this is a brilliant captivating read. Set from 1939 to 2019, two girls, one English one German and one World War. Their childhood’s, adulthood’s, their loves, their lives, their wars. Beautifully written. All the way through I kept thinking what a great film it would make. A book that will linger long after the last page.
curlygirl71's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you netgalley for the arc of this book in exchange for a fair review. This was a different WW2 story. I enjoyed learning about the 2 main women in the story and how much they were the same and how determined they both were in their own way. I don’t want to spoil the story so I won’t. If you enjoy twists and turns and not totally predictably endings you’ll enjoy this book.
alishamarie's review
5.0
Historical fiction focusing on WW2 is my favorite genre. This book was fantastic. Imogen and Magda were 2 strong women that not only survived the war, but did what was right. Their lives intertwined without them knowing. It was such a beautiful story of their strength, resilience, hope, and adventure. I absolutely love how the author created these characters based on her mother's experience during WW2 and real people whose stories are only just beginning to be told.
readwithlissanne's review
4.0
4.5/5
This book was lovely. I haven't read a book about the Second World War in a while, but this one was really something. I loved these characters, both Imogen and Magda. Both two headstrong girls who have an urge to prove themselves during the war.
It actually blew my mind how well researched this book was. I was turning pages like there was no tomorrow. I was so invested in what happened next, even though I learned all about WWII in high school, but I couldn't read fast enough and find out what happened to Imogen or Magda next.
I really enjoyed the ending. To be quite honest, I didn't think either girl would end up the way they did, but it was a very pleasant surprise after reading about such a horrible time in history. Also, the fact that Mrs. Rix has based Imogen's story on her own parents just warms my heart. Theirs was a story that deserved to be told.
I highly recommend this book if you fancy a well-researched historical fiction.
This book was lovely. I haven't read a book about the Second World War in a while, but this one was really something. I loved these characters, both Imogen and Magda. Both two headstrong girls who have an urge to prove themselves during the war.
It actually blew my mind how well researched this book was. I was turning pages like there was no tomorrow. I was so invested in what happened next, even though I learned all about WWII in high school, but I couldn't read fast enough and find out what happened to Imogen or Magda next.
I really enjoyed the ending. To be quite honest, I didn't think either girl would end up the way they did, but it was a very pleasant surprise after reading about such a horrible time in history. Also, the fact that Mrs. Rix has based Imogen's story on her own parents just warms my heart. Theirs was a story that deserved to be told.
I highly recommend this book if you fancy a well-researched historical fiction.
novellenovels's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Sexual assault, and Antisemitism
iwanttoreadallthebooks's review
4.0
The Secret Letter is a beautiful novel, inspired by a true story, about bravery, kindness and hope in a time of war, devastation and absolute horror. Magda is a thirteen year old girl German girl in 1939 who lives with her parents on their farm in the countryside. While she is forced to join the Hitler Youth, she is horrified when her friend Lotte is sent to a concentration camp. Magda hates the cruelty and fanaticism of her peers who revere Hitler as a god. She finds out about the White Rose movement, a German rebel group who wishes to fight Hitler and the SS's oppression, and joins them. In a world that is already upside down, Magda's world is further tilted when an English RAF pilot is found near her home after being shot down. Does she risk helping this stranger or put her family in danger? Imogen is a fifteen year old English girl in 1939 who is taken away from her family and forced to evacuate to go to school in the Lake District. As she gets older, she joins the war effort as part of the Wrens. As the war progresses, Magda and Imogen are forced to grow up quickly in a horrifying world. Their lives interconnect and their bravery impacts not only their families but each other.
I love WWII historical fiction. I find the the war and the years/events leading up to it to be both absolutely fascinating and at the same time, heartbreaking and devastating. I have read many novels based on WWII and I won't lie, I almost always enjoy them. While some are clearly stronger than others, I just can't get enough of these stories that are based on events that should be fiction but unfortunately were very real. I found The Secret Letter to be an excellent example of what WWII fiction should be. It is absolutely beautifully written and Magda and Imogen absolutely jumped off the page. They felt real and their stories were incredible to read. I admired their bravery and their willingness to stand up for what they believed in, even if it meant they were endangering their own lives. The author moved seamlessly between the two girls and I loved how she weaved their stories together.
A beautiful story about a terrible time in our world's history. But it is stories like those of Magda and Imogen that give me hope, that people are good and willing to stand up for what is right.
4 stars!
I love WWII historical fiction. I find the the war and the years/events leading up to it to be both absolutely fascinating and at the same time, heartbreaking and devastating. I have read many novels based on WWII and I won't lie, I almost always enjoy them. While some are clearly stronger than others, I just can't get enough of these stories that are based on events that should be fiction but unfortunately were very real. I found The Secret Letter to be an excellent example of what WWII fiction should be. It is absolutely beautifully written and Magda and Imogen absolutely jumped off the page. They felt real and their stories were incredible to read. I admired their bravery and their willingness to stand up for what they believed in, even if it meant they were endangering their own lives. The author moved seamlessly between the two girls and I loved how she weaved their stories together.
A beautiful story about a terrible time in our world's history. But it is stories like those of Magda and Imogen that give me hope, that people are good and willing to stand up for what is right.
4 stars!
gladys_enmarte's review against another edition
4.0
First of all, thanks to NetGalley for this digital copy.
When I saw the cover and the title I knew I had to read this book.
The secret letter is a historical fiction novel based on the author's parents true story and t's set in Germany and London during the WWII. It tells the story of two girls, Magda in Germany and Imogen in London and how their lives change drastically during this period. We get to know how they feel and how they think and that's how we get to know a bit more of this horrific period in history. The war lasts several years, so we get to see them both grow and become brave women, make sacrifices, witness awful things and then find love. Although it was nice reading about their first loves and all that I found them a bit distracting from the main story, specialy Imogen's romances.
Of both stories I liked Magda's chapters more. I found her story more entertaining, she was always dealing with different threaths that put her life in danger and this had me on the edge of my seat. This book was a fast read for me, I couldn't stop reading.
I always like to read stories like this set on WWII and based on true events. So if you are like me you should give this book a chance, I'm sure you'll find this story compelling.
When I saw the cover and the title I knew I had to read this book.
The secret letter is a historical fiction novel based on the author's parents true story and t's set in Germany and London during the WWII. It tells the story of two girls, Magda in Germany and Imogen in London and how their lives change drastically during this period. We get to know how they feel and how they think and that's how we get to know a bit more of this horrific period in history. The war lasts several years, so we get to see them both grow and become brave women, make sacrifices, witness awful things and then find love. Although it was nice reading about their first loves and all that I found them a bit distracting from the main story, specialy Imogen's romances.
Of both stories I liked Magda's chapters more. I found her story more entertaining, she was always dealing with different threaths that put her life in danger and this had me on the edge of my seat. This book was a fast read for me, I couldn't stop reading.
I always like to read stories like this set on WWII and based on true events. So if you are like me you should give this book a chance, I'm sure you'll find this story compelling.