Helpful Score: 2
First off, when you want excellent historical fiction on WWII in Europe the Thoene's are the authors to go to. They have outstanding series already (The Zion Chronicles and The Zion Legacy books) and now this new series is filling in the gap between those two series. So we enter Europe in the early 1940's. How do you expound on the writings of the Thoenes? Their research is amazing, their characters are incredible, the settings are so well written that I fell like I'm there... Then there are the story lines. I was telling my husband about this one because I loved that it is the perspective of an American citizen who is stuck on the wrong side of the ocean and is witness to all of these horrible atrocities. The perspective is amazing. I only had one minor issue with this book, there is a legend that is introduced in the story that leads us to believe that the legend is true and it messed with my mind a little (I'll admit it certainly made me think and that's not all bad and I certainly spent a lot of time thinking about it in the days that followed finishing the book!) That was the only thing that seemed a little off to me. Outside of that, this book is another testament to the historical brilliance of Brock and Bodie Thoene.
Phyllis R. (cagranny) - , reviewed The Gathering Storm (Zion Diaries, Bk 1) on + 57 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Good historical story. Personally did not think this is as good of beginning for a series as some of the other Thoene series and the ending leaves you "hanging" -- assume there will be additional books in the series.
From the back cover: As Nazi forces tighten the noose, American-born Loralei Kepler, daughter of a missonary family, flees Brussels ahead of the Blitzkrieg. But is anywhere safe from Adolf Hitler's evil grasp? Loralei's harrowing flight leads her into the arms of needy child refugees, who have sacrificed everything in exchange for their lives; and toward a mysterious figure, who closely guards an age-old secret.
From the back cover: As Nazi forces tighten the noose, American-born Loralei Kepler, daughter of a missonary family, flees Brussels ahead of the Blitzkrieg. But is anywhere safe from Adolf Hitler's evil grasp? Loralei's harrowing flight leads her into the arms of needy child refugees, who have sacrificed everything in exchange for their lives; and toward a mysterious figure, who closely guards an age-old secret.
