Prisoner of Night and Fog (Prisoner of Night and Fog #1)by Anne Blankman
416 pages
Publisher: Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins
Release Date: April 22nd 2014
Rate: Loved it (5 stars)
Synopsis:
In 1930s Munich, danger lurks behind dark corners, and secrets are buried deep within the city. But Gretchen Müller, who grew up in the National Socialist Party under the wing of her "uncle" Dolf, has been shielded from that side of society ever since her father traded his life for Dolf's, and Gretchen is his favorite, his pet.
Uncle Dolf is none other than Adolf Hitler.
And Gretchen follows his every command.
Until she meets a fearless and handsome young Jewish reporter named Daniel Cohen. Gretchen should despise Daniel, yet she can't stop herself from listening to his story: that her father, the adored Nazi martyr, was actually murdered by an unknown comrade. She also can't help the fierce attraction brewing between them, despite everything she's been taught to believe about Jews.
As Gretchen investigates the very people she's always considered friends, she must decide where her loyalties lie. Will she choose the safety of her former life as a Nazi darling, or will she dare to dig up the truth—even if it could get her and Daniel killed?
From debut author Anne Blankman comes this harrowing and evocative story about an ordinary girl faced with the extraordinary decision to give up everything she's ever believed . . . and to trust her own heart instead.
Prisoner of Night and Fog is the perfect YA story for those readers who want to give historical books a try. Filled with suspense, mystery and danger, but there's also room for questioning the beliefs of the main character and for love.
The story starts with Gretchen whose uncle is no less than the very famous Adolf Hitler. Uncle Dolf taught her everything she knows, so she firmly believes in all his dear uncle says and believes in. However, Daniel Cohen, a Jewish reporter, turns her life up side down by saying that her father was murdered by one of their own. Moreover, her beliefs are tumbling down when she feels an undeniable attraction for the Jewish boy when all she should do is hate him for what he is.
I was completely captivated by this story. Reading from Gretchen's point of view is definitely thrilling, 'cause you get to see a side of Hitler you never thought of. When you think about all those germans who followed Hitler's beliefs, you might think they were all brainwashed or promised with something that could not be replaced easily. However, when you start reading Prisoner of Night and Fog you realized that there's a lot more behind Hitler and it was nice to have "some insight" or at least a different one.
Anne Blankman did an amazing job. Her writing style is excellent and definitely draws the reader's attention from the very first page. You are deep into the story without even realizing it. She was also really brave to bring Adolf Hitler into the story and put the main character as one of the closest people to this historical figure. She exploits the era, the danger and the fear. I might have been more fascinated by all that than by the mystery of Gretchen father itself. Plus the danger of falling in love with a Jewish boy and having Hitler as an uncle. That screams dangerous and you-are-probably-going-to-die.
Overall the story was a great one. Having Hitler and the World War II into a YA story and keeping the reader so captivated by it, is simply amazing. I love the era and everything that surrounded it and I can tell you right now that I'll wait for more books in this series.
The story starts with Gretchen whose uncle is no less than the very famous Adolf Hitler. Uncle Dolf taught her everything she knows, so she firmly believes in all his dear uncle says and believes in. However, Daniel Cohen, a Jewish reporter, turns her life up side down by saying that her father was murdered by one of their own. Moreover, her beliefs are tumbling down when she feels an undeniable attraction for the Jewish boy when all she should do is hate him for what he is.
I was completely captivated by this story. Reading from Gretchen's point of view is definitely thrilling, 'cause you get to see a side of Hitler you never thought of. When you think about all those germans who followed Hitler's beliefs, you might think they were all brainwashed or promised with something that could not be replaced easily. However, when you start reading Prisoner of Night and Fog you realized that there's a lot more behind Hitler and it was nice to have "some insight" or at least a different one.
Anne Blankman did an amazing job. Her writing style is excellent and definitely draws the reader's attention from the very first page. You are deep into the story without even realizing it. She was also really brave to bring Adolf Hitler into the story and put the main character as one of the closest people to this historical figure. She exploits the era, the danger and the fear. I might have been more fascinated by all that than by the mystery of Gretchen father itself. Plus the danger of falling in love with a Jewish boy and having Hitler as an uncle. That screams dangerous and you-are-probably-going-to-die.
Overall the story was a great one. Having Hitler and the World War II into a YA story and keeping the reader so captivated by it, is simply amazing. I love the era and everything that surrounded it and I can tell you right now that I'll wait for more books in this series.
Anne Blankman may have been meant to be a writer because her parents named her for Anne of Green Gables. She grew up in an old house with gables (gray, unfortunately) in upstate New York. When she wasn't writing or reading, she was rowing on the crew team, taking ballet lessons, fencing and swimming. She graduated from Union College with degrees in English and history, which comes in handy when she writes historical fiction.
After earning a master's degree in information science, Anne began working as a youth services librarian. Currently, she lives in southeastern Virginia with her family. When she's not writing young adult fiction, she's playing with her daughter, training for races with her husband, working at her amazing library branch, learning to knit (badly), and reading.
Anne Blankman is the author of PRISONER OF NIGHT AND FOG, the first in a three-book deal slated for publication in spring 2014 from Balzer + Bray | HarperCollins. She is represented by Tracey Adams of Adams Literary.
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I have seen this several times and have yet to see one person who didn't love this book. It sounds fantastic. Reading these types of books are hard for me. They seem so sad. It was such a horrible time in our history. I am anxious to read this one. Thanks for the great review.
ReplyDeleteHi Paij! it's true. It's a sad era, but Anne did a great job :) I am really happy that I had the chance to read her book ^^
DeleteSo happy to know you liked my review ;) Thank you so much for stopping by!