I received a complimentary copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity Group and was under no obligation to post a review. No compensation was received for sharing this review and all opinions are my own.
Series: Music of Hope #1
Published by Gilead Publishing on January 16th 2018
Source: Litfuse Publicity Group
Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical, Romance
Pages: 320
By 1943, Anna Zadok, a Jewish Christian living in Prague, has lost everything, including her career as a concert violinist and almost her entire family. The only person she has left is her beloved grandmother, and she's determined to keep her safe. But protecting Grandmother won't be easy--not with a Nazi officer billeted below them.
Anna must keep a low profile. There's one thing she refuses to give up, though. Despite instruments being declared illegal, Anna defiantly continues to practice her violin. She has to believe that the war will end someday and her career will be waiting. Fortunately for Anna, the officer, Horst Engel, enjoys her soothing music. It distracts him from his dissatisfaction with Nazi ideology and reminds him that beauty still exists in an increasingly ugly world.
When his neighbors face deportation, Horst is moved to risk everything to hide them. Anna finds herself falling in love with the handsome officer and his brave heart. But what he reveals to her might break her trust and stop the music forever. . . .
Note: Kristin reads and reviews both Christian and secular fiction on A Simply Enchanted Life. Out of respect for my readers, I am including a content review. This content review will help you decide whether this book is suitable for you.
Content Review:
Christian or Secular: Christian
Profanity: Anna is referred to as a “Jewish whore” on several occasions.
Sex: None
Violence: Non-graphic.
Trigger Warnings: Some readers will be deeply saddened by the depiction of the holocaust.
Disclosure: The holocaust was a dark time in history and many books can become graphic and border on disturbing to readers. I do not feel that this book crosses such lines.
If you’ve followed my reviews for any amount of time; you would know that I enjoy reading World War II fiction. It isn’t that I take pleasure in the darkness or despair. I simply feel that I learn the best lessons from characters who overcome great challenges.
I was intrigued by this book from the first chapter. I long for words that stir my spirit and this book introduced me to characters and a melody that did just that.
What good could ever come from a German soldier falling in love with a Jewish woman? Like Romeo and Juliet; this love was forbidden from the start. Horst is a young man who wanted to please his father. But, he knows that hatred of the Jews is not consistent with the Christlike love that has been instilled in him by his mother. He’s plagued by what he has done and what he has seen. Anna’s music is the only thing that gives him peace.
This book forced me to think. Times were difficult and people were trying to survive. Not all of the Germans were evil—I think we forget that sometimes.
It’s important to understand that this book doesn’t glorify abusive relationships. It isn’t some twisted tale of a captive girl falling for her captor. It is a book of redemption. Yes, Horst did some things that he should be ashamed of. He was young and trying to please his father. Afterwards, he realized that he would rather please his heavenly Father than his earthly one. And despite embracing God, he still struggled with forgiving himself.
The author so beautifully captured the human spirit with this book that I couldn’t stop crying. I have never sobbed over a book as I did with this one. My family was actually alarmed and questioned whether a friend was seriously injured—or worse—dead.
If you love World War II fiction and you are a fan of Kristy Cambron’s; I think you would also enjoy The Melody of the Soul. Just make sure that you have a box of tissues and maybe some chocolate before you sit down to read.
About Liz Tolsma
Best-selling novelist Liz Tolsma is the author of several World War II novels and prairie romance novellas. She also works as a freelance editor. She lives in a semirural area of Wisconsin with her husband and two daughters. Her son serves with the US Marines. All of their chidlren came to them through international adoption. Her other passions include walking, gardening, camping, and reading.
Find out more about Liz at http://www.liztolsma.com.
LOVED this book so much! It was so touching, wasn’t it?
Piper said she should have posted my ugly cry all over Facebook. Said it was worse than Kim Kardashians. I asked how she knew about Kim’s ugly cry and she asked if I closed my eyes when I saw memes. I said, “Pretty much.”