I enjoy reading Where the Wandering Ends: A Novel of Corfu by Yvette Manessis Corporon and am giving it four stars.

So much tragedy & heartache!
Enjoyed the Greek setting & time period. Especially liked the historical connection to the royal family and how that storyline was woven into the narrative.
Found some of historical flashback [especially both mothers' stories] somewhat challenging to connect.
Much illustration of a mother's endless devotion to her children.

With great thanks to NetGalley & Harper Muse for this e-ARC!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

For readers interested in Modern Greek history, Where the Wandering Ends skillfully provides information and descriptions that clearly and transparently describe the background, challenges, and horrors of the Greek Civil War. At the same time, for readers who are unaware of the direct connection of the British royal family to the Greek royal family, the interweaving of these families' lives and their future is dramatic.

The author's descriptions of the island and the main town of Corfu are also intriguing, especially for those who have never been to this unusual and charming island with its villages and surrounding sea. Without providing some kind of travelogue, the author focuses on all the important places and people, including St. Spyridon, the beloved patron saint of Corfu, on the island. Subtly but with obvious huge admiration, the author also has a couple school-aged characters quoting Homer and the Modern Greek poet Elytis. In this way, as well as in others, Corporon emphasizes this Greek island and specifically Greek family connections.

The author also deftly creates characters, neighbors, and families, who live closely and rather desperately in small villages on the island, trying to eke out a living. The plot of the book, which covers many decades, skillfully uses these characters to create some romance, tension, and in spite of no small amount of tragedy,
eventual happiness, at least for some.

As a philhellene and someone who has spent a great deal of time in Greece, including on Corfu, I found this book's genuine characters, settings, and imaginative but authentic plot brilliantly created and put together. This book has everything needed for a first-rate read.

Thanks to Net Galley and Harper Collins Australia for providing me the opportunity to read this book.

Where the Wandering Ends by Yvette Manessis Corporon is a sad and beautiful historical fiction novel taking place on the Greek island of Corfu after World War II. I love to learn about history in my historical fiction, and I learned a lot about the conditions and inner turmoil in Greece post-war. This was new to me, so I was intrigued.

The two main protagonists in the book are Katerina and Marco, two young friends who attempt to cling to each other during the difficulties their country is enduring. They are soon torn apart and don't know whether they will ever see each other again. Both of their families deal with a series of blows, but they continue to find the strength to carry on. The story is told with drama, suspense, beauty and tragedy.

I have to say the pacing was uneven; the first half of the book moved along evenly, but the second half or so felt jarring as it moved through time. There is also a bit of magical realism, which does not greatly appeal to me, but I did enjoy some of the mythology. The beautiful writing cancels out some of this criticism resulting in a strong four star read.

I will recommend this to readers who like historical fiction that is not exactly during WWII.

Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

With Greece on the brink of civil war at the end of WWII, the island of Corfu remains tied to its colorful past including being the home of the summer residence of Princess Alice and her family, including the future Duke of Edinburgh, Philip. Woven into a touching tale of loss and survival, with engaging characters and a well developed timeline, this author provides a glimpse of Corfu and its inhabitants in a well crafted novel. Recommended reading.

Where the Wandering Ends is the story of Corfu during the Greek Civil War. As I had never read a book about this before, I was excited to get this novel. Unfortunately, the beginning of the novel was disjointed and difficult to follow because of the shifting timeline. It later smooths out, but by that time, my interest was waning. There is also a mythical story line which I didn't really care for.

The prose and descriptions of Corfu are beautiful, but I was not able to connect with the characters or the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

Where the Wandering Ends is such a breaktaking and wonderfully written saga. The author writes so vividly I could easily picture myself as Katerina, and experience all she went through. Such an emotional journey filled with pain, loss, loneliness and yet full of hope.

I love when a book has me so wrapped up in and engrossed in the story. This was so hard to put down and I finished in 2 days. Such a beautiful, sweeping saga and one I highly recommend for historical fiction fans.

I sincerely appreciate the publisher and TLC Book Tours for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

Where the Wandering Ends weaves a timeline from post-World War II Greece, to the Greek Communist conflicts to present day, while it spans Corfu, Greece, and New York City. The story centers on Corfu and how the war and the partisan conflicts affects the lives of families. The author masterfully weaves the lives of characters over the years as well as the personal conflicts each faces. The central thread of Where the Wandering Ends is Katerina - from childhood to young adult to grandmother. But in between, the realistic trials and tribulations will make this novel so intriguing that you won't want to put it down. While I did receive a complementary copy to review, all opinions are my own.

Set on the gorgeous island of Corfu in the late 1940s to the 2000s, Where the Wandering Ends is a magnificently fascinating book told in multiple perspectives of sorrow, hatred, despair, family, love, courage, perseverance and hope. It begins just after WWII in an impoverished village where desperate scavenging (including from humans) is commonplace and Greeks kill Greeks. Families are ripped apart. Communism is rife and Queen Frederica takes a firm stand against it. Not only is she mentioned but so are other royals including Princess Alice, Prince Phillip and Lilibet.

Young Marco and Katerina are best friends. Marco's family is poverty stricken and suffers crushingly. When she can, Katerina gives him food. Marco's mother played with Prince Phillip when children as his grandmother was a maid in the palace but they were forced apart when the royal family fled Corfu. The two friends are torn apart and promise to return to their village one day. After going their separate ways they eventually do meet, changed forever.

Mythology, tradition and Corfiot culture are beautifully integrated into the author's stories. Her writing is breathtaking with glorious descriptions including those of plants and foods which make me feel as though I were actually there. My emotions were taken on a rollercoaster and though I was eager to reach the ending, I did not want it to be over. There was heartache after heartache but interspersed were slivers of love and hope and what it means to be family.

My favourite aspects of this book are the vividness from the cover to the colourful descriptions to the characters and their harrowing experiences. It was interesting to learn more about the monarchy's strong links to Corfu.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. My sincere thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this superb book! I absolutely loved it.

A lovely and poignant story. I have read a few books about the aftermath Of WWII on Greece so I was eager to read this book.
So much pain and suffering inflicted on the innocent, even long after the war was over.
Two people torn apart, but when reunited one is broken, but the other tirelessly attempts to get him engaged in life.
I love the incorporation of the royal family as it gives the story depth and relevancy.

This historical fiction story takes place in Corfu, Greece beginning in 1947. The author carefully researched and I felt she breathed amazing storytelling throughout the book. It centers around two main characters, Marco and Katerina, who are 10-years old best friends at the beginning of the book. They live in a destitute village on the threshold of the Greek Civil War. Marco's grandmother previously worked for the royal family at Mon Repos. Her daughter, Marco's mother, played together as children with Prince Philip. The royal family is forced to leave and Princess Alice promises to return and help her family.

Soon communism sets up and imposes into their village and many families flee. Katerina's family leaves and Marco, due to tragic circumstances, is sent to Mon Repos. They promised each other that one day they would find their way back to each other. Will they ever reunite? They both experience such heartbreaking situations.

The author did a fantastic job with her picturesque descriptions of Corfu. My husband and I visited Corfu about 5 years ago which caused me to become captivated with this story! I felt like the book started a bit slow but I quickly became engrossed. I learned about the mythical beliefs of the Greeks that I never knew. This is a story of unconditional love, heartache, devastation, family bonds, and love. I enjoyed this book and do recommend it.

I received an advance reader copy of this book from Net Galley and Harper Muse in exchange for a review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Beautifully written historical fiction book set in Corfu Greece during the civil war shortly after WW2. Some of the book I liked more than other parts but that is to be expected. This is not my first book by Yvette Manessis Corporon and I was not disappointed. Thank you to the publisher Harper Muse and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Interesting and informative historical fiction. I learned a great deal about the Greek Civil War and the island of Corfu in the immediate post WWII years. Corporon chose to illuminate the situation using multiple povs (which admittedly might be a bit distracting) and she incorporates mythology- so important to the people. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. For fans of historical fiction looking for something a little different.

3.5 stars rounded up. A well-researched, sweeping historical novel about two childhood friends which is set primarily on the island of Corfu during the era of the devastating Greek Civil War in the years following the end of World War II. Where the Wandering Ends has a wonderful sense of place with vivid descriptions of the island that bring the setting to life. I didn't feel a strong connection to the characters in the novel, however, I did enjoy the Greek mythology which is woven into the narrative and learning about this historical period of civil unrest in Greece as well as Prince Philip's connection to the island. Overall an enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Set in Corfu in the late 1940’s, this amazing novel powerfully captures the devastating internal Greek war between royal loyalists and communists that took place after WWII ended. The brutal fighting, which broke out in the mainland and spread to islands such as Corfu, devastated families and sent thousands of children into either protected children’s villages opened by Greek’s Queen Fernando or into the front lines as abused child soldiers for the communists.

In a poor village in Northern Corfu, Marco and Katerina grow up best friends. Marco’s grandmother used to work on the royal family’s Corfu estate, and his mother played with Prince Phillip (who goes on to marry Queen Elizabeth of England. Princess Alice of the royal family promised to look after them but had to suddenly flee due to the arrest of her husband and exile of the royal family. Since then, Marco’s family has fallen on hard times and barely has enough food to survive. Katerina, an only child, adores her parents and her mom’s close friend who lives isolated on a mountain with a flourishing garden.

As communists descend on their village and townspeople flee, events conspire to separate the two best friends who make a vow to be family to each other as well as find their way back home to their remote village. Decades will unfurl with all the lasting impact of the war, a revealing look at the family history of the Greek royal family and its intertwinement with Britain, and the overlay of Greek mythology stories infused into the children’s lives.

This historical fiction sweeps you along from Corfu’s picturesque town squares to the devastation wrought by war, and slow rebuilding of the island’s vibrancy. It’s powerful storytelling and strongly wrought characters brings this piece of history dramatically alive.

Thanks to Harper Muse and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.

Thank you Harper Muse and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. I love the way the book started out with Katarina and her dream. It was a beautiful scene. However, after that I felt the book jumped around too much and I was getting confused. There are a lot of characters and sometimes they overlap and sometimes they don't which always makes you wonder what is going on. I don't think this book was for me.

Where the Wandering Ends is a tale of coming home. During the nineteen forties, when Greece was on the brink of civil war, two best friends are torn apart and bow to come home to each other. Many decades And much heartache will happen before that can happen. So enjoyed the story. It was well written and captivating. I am grateful to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read it. All opinions are my own.

What a beautifully written story! This sweeping tale includes elements of both myth and history. The pacing was hard to follow at times, but that structure was part of what made the story so unique. It's a great pick for historical fiction fans!

Meticulously researched and exquisitely told, Corporon’s beautiful story unravels the Greek Civil War era for readers. The attention to detail and descriptive writing meant that I could easily slip into the story. I was emotional at understanding the value of the simplistic gestures precipitated by living in unrest, in awe at the manner in which Corporon captured this period in history for me, and my teacher’s heart was full after reading about Queen Frederica’s efforts in fighting the communists for the most innocent of her country’s citizens - the children.

The author’s exploration of love midst tumult and separation as a result of wartime was exemplary. The vivid descriptions of life in Corfu made it next level and the title made me pause and consider the journey many made to be reunited after the war.

I was gifted this advance copy by Harper Muse and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

I really liked the way this was written, elegant prose laced with lyrical moments. It's a story very heavy on the history, which I really enjoyed, especially because it was a part of history I didn't know about at all. I think it's bad when teachers or academic education in general overlook big chunks of history, but this piece was rectified thanks to this novel. Perhaps a thing that I liked less was the pacing, what with the back and forth between the years and the characters. I found some characters profoundly touching, but I admit what happened to some of them left a bad aftertaste because humans are ugly.