When I first read the description of Remember Me by Mario Escobar, I thought it would be similar to stories of the British Home Children sent to Canada from 1869 to 1939. While those children did suffer, what happened to Morelia's children left me shaken, unable to sleep, and wishing the publisher had included a warning about its violent content.

The story focuses on three children, Marco, Isabel and Ana Alcalde. Their parents send them to Morelia, Mexico, believing they would be safer there than in Spain's war-torn country. Of course, as these things often go, the children would probably have been safer if they had stayed with their parents.

The author includes detailed accounts from actual survivors of Morelia. At times it reads not like a fictional novel, but more like someone recounting what happened to them. As if the author took the accounts and transcribed them into the mouths of his characters. It was so well done I had a hard time grasping the fact that this was a "fictional" book and not a memoir.

I also kept looking for some sign that it was a Christian book. Coming from Thomas Nelson Publishers, I expected to see at least some ounce of a redemption story, trust in God or faith in God in action. None of which was present in this story.

There was, however, a strong family bond. A love for his parents and his sisters was Marco's driving force. His desire to be united with his parents and his promise to watch over his sisters and keep them safe and together was heart-wrenching and did endear the characters to you. But, it was clear the Alcalde family were atheists. From Marco's thoughts, it is apparent they didn't trust Christians (especially Catholics) at all. One is ultimately left with the impression that Christians don't really care about orphans or people in general. This is an unfortunate commentary since this book is published by a Christian publisher. I am always looking for that glimpse of faith, redemption or hope in a Christian book. And while the Alcalde family had the hope of being reunited, as far as I could tell, faith in Jesus or trust in him was not central to this story.

While I expected some sad stories to occur because of the subject matter, I did not anticipate how descriptive the accounts of torture would be. I also was not expecting to catch a glimpse of a child being sexually abused by a priest through the eyes of the main character. What Marco does to the priest in retaliation was so vivid that I literally couldn't sleep last night. I cannot unsee what the author wrote. Which is why I wish this book had come with a warning. I am especially concerned for those reading it, who have been sexually abused. I have no doubt this particular scene will be a trigger for them.

Between the depressing scenes of how horrible their lives were, the sudden "romance" Marco finds with Maria was totally lost on me. It just didn't register that I was reading about a budding romance.

Overall, this is a well-written book. The author is an expert at helping the reader see through his character's eyes. I felt everything Marco and his sisters experienced. Which is probably why this book shook me up so much. Escobar's research is impeccable, and from his notes in the back of the book, it is clear most of it are real accounts from the orphans who lived through it.

Before this book, I had never heard of the war in Spain. I had no idea this all happened before Hitler started WWII. I come away educated about a horrible atrocity and sickened by what happened to the children of Morelia. If anything, the author has shown what can happen when ideologies clash, what people will do to prove they are right and how far they will go to make their idea of justice come true. Even if it means civil war. A lesson to learn in a world where not agreeing with the majority opinion today could become a dangerous thing tomorrow.

I received this book courtesy of Thomas Nelson Publishers, through NetGalley, for my honest opinion.

There were so many things that I loved about this. The topic: the Spanish Civil War and its impact on the children of Spain who were sent to other countries, such as Mexico, to escape the violence of the war. I don’t know much about this topic, so I was very excited to read this. I loved the author’s book Auschwitz Lullaby. Escobar has done extensive research and created a heartfelt and very real story with lovable, sympathetic characters who strive to overcome heartbreaking obstacles. I learned so much from this and am planning to use it for my book discussion group.

From the opening line to the moving epilogue, this book carries so much history, emotion, and insight. I love when I learn from a story, especially when I know it was inspired by true events. Wonderful storytelling!

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book via Netgalley

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Remember Me is an excellent book to read. The characters are well developed with an interesting story based during the Spanish Civil War.

I would highly recommend reading this book!

#netgalley

#RememberMe #NetGalley #MarioEscobar

Special thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for providing me with Arc.

This is the first novel to me by Mario Escobar, but i really loved it and appreciate that he give me a chance to read such an amazing novel.

I never ever read about civil war in Spain before or know that it even happened but this novel had alot of great information about it.
The most wonderful thing in this novel that it described a lot of places in Madrid specially the museum's, i hope one day i can visit this lovely city.

War is very ugly, especially for young people, it leaves a very negative impact them and they cannot easily bypass this.

This story is full of many feelings that are difficult to describe, the feeling of being fathers and mothers are a great thing that cannot be valued at any cost, they always make many sacrifices that are difficult to return the favor to them.

I am feeling so sorry for Marco, he spent all his life fighting and continue alone without friends or family.

The Cover is amazing, i love everything that related to sea and it attracted me always.

REMEMBER ME by MARIO ESCOBAR is the story of the Alcalde children, Marco, Isabel and Ana's, incredible journey from Madrid to Morelia in Mexico during the Spanish Civil War. This is based on true stories about the children of Morelia. Their story is heart breaking, but beautifully told, with the author really getting into their emotions..
The parents' sacrificial love for their children and the children's undying love for their family is really inspirational. The enemy has taken away their home and country, but they cannot take away special memories or the burning desire to be reunited once again with those they love.
This is a part of history that I did not know much about and I found the book very interesting. The horrors of war, the wickedness of the Francoists and some members of the Catholic church, are a strong contrast to these three children who make the best of their terrible circumstances, It is heartening to see that, in contrast to those who wish to harm them, there are those who risk their lives to help..
I highly recommend Remember Me for those who enjoy this genre. It is the third novel I have read by this author and I really enjoy his books.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.