Four out of five stars. This story wa a little short on character development, but the historical aspects and the gripping storyline made up for it.

I received a free electronic copy of “Land of Hidden Fires” by Kirk Kjeldsen via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review. No other consideration was offered, expected or received.

“Land of Hidden Fires” started off rather promising, and I found myself drawn into it from the start. It’s a fast read and the writing style is far from complex and very “factual”: it reminded of the “The Martian” by Andy Weir. But as I progressed disappointment grew, mainly about the lack of character development. The German Oberleutnant Moltke gets an especially stereotypical treatment.

What I did like most were Kjeldsen’s descriptions of Norway’s winter landscape; the movement of clouds, the sounds snow makes, how lake ice makes noises as the evening falls and the temperature plummets, how wind erases tracks in the snow. Along with his use of Norwegian words and songs and poems. Those “atmospheric” aspects were done really well, I think.

It was an OK read, but not a memorable experience. I need more complexity and character development for that.

Thank you Netgalley, Grenzland Press and Kirk Kjelsen for the opportunity to read this terrific book.
An American pilot is rescued by a 15-year old Norwegian girl, Kari, in Norway during WWII.  Norway is under occupation by the Germans and Kari is determined to help the American escape to neutral Sweden.  The tortuous, harrowing trip is a tense,taut read that will leaving you breathless.  Kari's father is frantically following his daughter and the Germans are on their trail too, making for many breathless moments while I was reading, keeping me up most of the night.  There were heartbreaking moments that will stay with me for the next several days and I will definitely add Kirk Kjelsen to my list of authors to read.

I received a free electronic copy of this historical novel from Netgalley, Kirk Kjeldsen, and Grenzland Press in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you all, for sharing your hard work with me.

This is one of those books that hook you from the get go.  It is WWII and Norway has already been taken by the Germans.  Life is hard and winter, always long, seems endless.  Land of Hidden Fires is a  fast read, and a good tale, but the descriptive phrases sing, and the beauty of the land is heart wringing.   Kari and her father Erling are all that you need them to be: strong, stoic, silent, loyal.  This is a keeper.  Kirk Kjeldsen is an author to watch for.