Audiobook Review: Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman
Prisoner of Night and Fog
by: Anne Blankman
Publication Date: Apr. 22, 2014
Publisher: Balzer+Bray
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: borrowed from e-library
Page Count: 401 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 5/5 stars
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.
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.
Upon finishing this one, I didn't even have to think about my rating. It was an instant 5 star read (err, listen) for me. I decided to listen to this one on audiobook and I am so glad I did. I thought the narrator was so good and I felt she did a great job of differentiating between the characters. I will forewarn you though. There are some scenes that were incredibly difficult to hear due to their nature and I remember walking my dog while listening, shaking my head and repeating 'No' over and over. Then, I listened to one while I was at the gym and I almost had to stop on the elliptical because I was so horrified. Do not let me scare you away from this book. It's AMAZING. Even with those hard to hear scenes, there is still such beauty in this book and that comes in the form of Daniel and Gretchen.
I have always been interested in this time period, so to read about the days leading up to Hitler's rise to power, was pretty fascinating. Blankman does an amazing job of turning the tide with him, as in the beginning, he is Uncle Dolf to Gretchen and she looks up to him as a father figure. However, as the book goes on and certain events unfold, Gretchen realizes that everything she's ever believed... is based on lies and deceit and that Uncle Dolf's duplicitous nature isn't one she should cross.
I really liked Gretchen. While she may be ignorant of what's really going on, she isn't a spoiled little German girl. She seeks the truth and wants answers to the information that has been brought to her. She never expected to have the assistance of a Jewish reporter by the name of Daniel. Oh Daniel. I really loved him. He ended up being so patient with Gretchen, even knowing how she perceived him, he still sought her out. The romance is very slow building, as it should be, since Gretchen has some deeply rooted prejudice to overcome. He ends up being the one person she can turn to and trust and I loved seeing that develop.
My heart broke so many times for Gretchen, as her life is completely turned upside down. People she thought she knew end up not being the people she believed them to be, her best friend completely shocks her in her actions and what she chooses (when you hear her name, you'll probably figure it out), and she can't even look to her family for help. She is resilient though and I was so proud of her. She is definitely a favorite new heroine.
I am so excited/nervous to read Conspiracy of Smoke and Bone! I want to read more of Daniel and Gretchen's story, but nothing better happen to them! :D If you like historical fiction, this is one to pick up. I loved it so much and I cannot sing it's praises enough!
9 comments
I'm so happy you loved this, Jess! This is one of my all-time favorite books and I just love this series. The characters are everything but the storytelling is so awesome too. I'm with you on Gretchen. She was a great character! I can't wait for you to read the next book! I'm telling you, you'll need something to calm you down because it nearly sent me into panic mode so many times
ReplyDeleteLovely review!
Huh, that good?! Idk why, but I wasn't too interested in checking this one out. Maybe bc I'm not all that into historical fiction and prolly bc the cover didn't wow me, lol. I might have to give it a try though. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI loved this book too!! I can't wait to read the next one (need to get to that one soon!).
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This one never caught my attention to be honest but I know a ton of people love it. I guess I'm just not big on historical fiction in this time frame, I like going back further. I'm so glad you loved it so much though. Awesome review.
ReplyDeleteWow! So glad you enjoyed this book so much, Jess! I didn't enjoy it as much, but I really, really felt for the protagonist. There were so many times when I had to put the book down because my heart was racing! I hope there will another book to follow!
ReplyDeleteExcellent review, lady!
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
So glad you enjoyed this! Personally, I wasn't too big of a fan because the writing wasn't for me. :( But I loved the story line and the time period was very interesting to read about!
ReplyDeleteAimee @ Deadly Darlings
I'm so glad you loved this book. I did too but a lot of people hated it and that broke my heart! I loved how Gretchen grew during the book and separating the fact from the fiction was a lot of fun too. PS - I LOVED Conspiracy of Smoke and Bone too but it's a heart stopping read! :O
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you loved! (UGH I'm still on hold for the audio -- there's only 1 copy and whoever has it is taking their sweet time I guess!) Hist fiction around this time period has always intrigued me in the past too, so I really really do want to listen to this soon!
ReplyDeleteI love this book SO much. Easily one of my favorites; the story is both haunting and tender. Daniel... sigh. You get to know him better in the next book too. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review, girl!
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