Andie Newton

I thoroughly enjoyed "The Girl From Vichy". It is a story about two young women, Adele and Marguerite, who meet on a train to Lyon and fight for their beloved France against the Nazis. Both were brave, strong and intelligent, and I loved the friendship that developed between them. It was only after I finished the novel that I discovered it was based on the lives of two real women.

The danger Adele, in particular, faced when she joined the Resistance kept up the suspense. Not only did it divide her family loyalties but it also put her in a very precarious position with Gerard, a member of the Vichy police. Whenever he was in the picture, I was on edge for Adele.

"The Girl From Vichy" was certainly well-researched and the author kept the plot moving. Set in a fascinating period of time with many dramatic moments, there were times when it was difficult to keep reading due to the brutality that people had to endure. However, it was also a story of hope and inspiration, and I look forward to finding other novels by Andie Newton.… (mais)

A Child for the Reich is an incredibly emotional, heart wrenching, compelling story. It’s bittersweet; any bits of joy tinged with sadness and uncertainty. The story is based on the all-too-true and horrifying history of Czech children being stolen by the Reich to raise as their own, as good little Germans. There is a sense of danger throughout, suspense builds until the end, and while you hope for just a shred of happiness you cannot be sure if that will happen.

The story, however, just doesn’t really feel authentic and you can never get truly immersed in it. For all the emotion and frightening events, there is not enough detail on the how of Anna and Ema’s story; Anna just somehow goes place to place, meeting person after person, and somehow ends up where she needs to be. We know from history and other historical fiction the horrors, danger, suffering endured by brave people resisting, but this book only touches on it, seems to glide over it and instead spends a lot of time in Anna’s head, which results in you not getting to know any of the characters well.

I was sent a free book and am voluntarily leaving this honest review; all opinions are my own.… (mais)