Darswords

The Shock of the Light by Lori Inglis Hall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Normally, I don’t include the blurb about the book. But that is what drew me in, so here you go:

“This classic novel of love and war set amidst the devastation
of World War II and its aftermath follows sister-and-brother twins who meet shockingly different fates, but whose bond will last forever.

Cambridge, 1942: Twins Tessa and Theo are each eager to do their part in the war. Theo is recruited by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and disappears into the skies, while Tessa jumps at the chance to join the Special Operations Executive (the SOE), devoted to spying and sabotage in German-occupied France. It will be dangerous, highly classified work, but Tessa is no stranger to secret-keeping.

Two years later, Theo comes home. Tessa does not. Theo, a clandestinely gay man at a time when homosexuality was illegal, is physically wounded and emotionally broken by the deaths of his fellows and the disappearance of his sister. He is angry and cannot stop pursuing answers about Tessa’s fate, even though he will pay a steep price for his quest.

Years later, PhD candidate Edie is deep into her research on the SOE when its lead her to Theo. The old man and young scholar form an unlikely partnership and together, they finally uncover the truth about Theo’s beloved sister—a truth that stretches all the way back to the summer Tessa spent in France before the war had even begun.

Both intimate and sweeping, elegantly written and unflinchingly honest, The Shock of the Light is a novel of bravery, the brutal cost of war, a sibling bond that outlasts even death, and the redemptive love that grows in unexpected places.”

Susie Riddell’s narration adds a layer of reality to Lori Inglis Hall’s fantastic book. It is unbelievable; with so many layers, it is hard to comprehend what’s going on from the twins’ viewpoints in their separate lives. Yet somehow, it all seems possible.

I’m tempted to give a warning, even a hint, but I don’t want to spoil the adventure of living in this story for a while and figuring it out as you go.
What I love most about these kinds of books is the author’s notes at the end. Ms. Hall shares her own research of the real people involved.

I picked this one up on Libby. When I finish a book there, Libby offers the option to find similar stories. I have been very impressed with what is suggested every time.

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Angels of the Resistance by Noelle Salazar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Noelle Salazar has written a masterpiece. I enjoyed seeing the love of family and friends and how they can overcome a world that seems against them. All the while, you feel their spirits grow as they mature into a new world. Carlotta Brentan was a marvelous narrator. I felt I knew all the characters and the dangers they faced. Two teen sisters show bravery you wouldn’t expect for their ages.

I highly recommend this book.

I was fortunate to find this audiobook copy on Libby.

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The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre by Natasha Lester
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a little different than the other women of the wartime novels I’ve been reading (listening to). It starts in the Dior fashionland of Paris. Though it is well written by Natasha Lester, I found I couldn’t get into the story or even like the main character, Alix St. Pierre. But after a bit, I grew to like her and could empathize with her a little. I’m not into the fashion world. Maybe when I was a teen, but it isn’t as important to me as it used to be.

Barrie Kreinik narrated it wonderfully as she has other books. I loved her accented parts and felt excited to understand the bits that were in French or Italian. That’s why I love having a narrator. I like hearing the languages spoken rather than my mind or Kindle Text-to-Speech messing up the words.

I did feel a little confused as the story goes back and forth in time. I can see that it keeps the reader understanding the major parts of the timeline better.

Once again, I was lucky to find this audiobook on Libby. I hope others try the book for themselves.

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