Knew the story but as ever Ellie adds her own fabulous spin on it, due to her clever writing, we feel like we are right there with the characters. Really enjoyed and will recommend to everyone interested in ww2 stories based on real life characters. Excellent research as always. Five star read

A novel based on a true story of the students in Nazi Germany who opposed the regime. I found this a slow, difficult read and failed to finish.

1942 Sophie Scholl begins university and quickly becomes involved in the publication of secret leaflets which undermine the Nazi regime. 1943 Sophie and her brother have been caught by the Gestapo. Will they reveal their secrets...?
The White Rose Network is an historical novel set in the 1940s in Germany. It is based on a true story so I read with trepidation, aware of the eventual outome.
Sophie is portrayed as an incredibly bright and intelligent woman. However, it is her bravery and determination that really shine through the book. Alongside her brother and friends, she tries to subvert the Nazi regime by inspiring others to passively resist.
The book uses chapters set in 1942 to show how Sophie joins the White Rose and participates in their printing and distribution activities. It then skips ahead to 1943 and her interrogation by Robert Mohr before returning to the previous year again. Robert is portrayed almost sympathetically as he attempts to make Sophie deny any involvement and save herself.
Sophie is frequently underestimated by her interrogator but also by her friends and family. Her youth and gender give her an air of vulnerability that belies her passionate and determined personality. The passion is inspirational and makes her seem very human, creating an emotive pull for the reader.
The White Rose Network is a tragic but beautifully written book: a wonderful tribute to the brave souls it describes.

This novel is set in world war 2, it tells the story of the white rose network. They worked during the war to tell people about what was really happening in Germany.

I enjoy reading historical fiction books set during WWII. And I have read several involving Sophie Scholl and the White Rose Network. I continue to be in awe of the young people who demonstrated bravery and sheer determination in their fight against Hitler and his evil regime. Sophie is an amazing heroine. She stood tall and strong against the atrocities of the Nazis. This is a touching novel that will have you cheering on the young people who were part of the White Rose Resistance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookoutre for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

I actually enjoyed reading this one because I knew nothing about the resistance groups against the Nazi regime.

I like how this is based on the true story of Sophie Scholl, who could have lived a normal life but instead she chose to join her brother Hans, who was in a resistance group. Together with Hans’s friends, they write and spread hidden leaflets urging the people to resist and sabotage the Nazis and to open their eyes to the truth. But this is a dangerous task. Sophie and Hans are risking their lives and what cost? Will they be able to outwit the authorities?

I really love Sophie as a character. She is so strong and resilient, never bowing down to defeat and fear. Instead she kept pushing on and fighting for a cause she believed in even though her life was in danger. She stood up for what is right and even till the end of her life, she still urged people to stand up and be courageous.

I don’t know how much of this story is accurate to the history and life of Sophie Scholl but I still enjoyed the whole plot and I loved how real excerpts and parts of history is added to give more depth to the characters and events.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the arc.

*4.5 Stars*

ARC kindly received via NetGalley for an honest review.

A very interesting read with great characters. I could understand why Sophie, Hans and the White Rose Members did what they did, to try make things better for many people. The ending surprised me, as I was expecting it to turn out differently.

I unfortunately didn't enjoy this book much and it took a long time to get through it. The pacing was the biggest issue for me. A lot of things were explained in three sentences when one would have been enough, or things were described extensively but not in a captivating way. I found myself skimming at times to get to the important points. More focus on the White Rose's secret activities instead of Sophie's internal thoughts would have been more intriguing.

The chapters focusing on Sophie's interrogation were definitely more interesting. The perspective was quite unique among the many WWII novels I have read. Knowing how this story would end from the events of history it is based on did not make the end any less impactful.

In my last couple years of reading historical fiction/non fiction, particularly around the WW2 time, I was constantly pulled into stories about Sophie and Hans Sholl and the White Rose Network. Amazed by the actions of these student resistance members in Munich no less. I can’t help but think what this brother and sister would have accomplished had then been allowed to grow up. But I praise them for their bravery against their own country! May they always be remembered.
I also listened to the audiobook of this title and it truly brought it to life. It is a definite recommend from me whether you read it or listen.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I can officially say, Ellie Midwood is my very favourite writer.....at this time. Thanks to NetGalley I have discovered and enjoyed a number of her historical fiction books. Each one thoroughly researched, drawing me in to the rich experience of history with a little fictional license.
But wow!! "The White Rose Network" has been next level in terms of combining power, courage, empathy and morality. I was absolutely gripped by the story of Hans and Sophie Scholl (brother and sister) who in 1942 led a small underground organization of German students and professors to oppose the atrocities committed by Hitler and the Nazi Party. They named their group the "White Rose", and they distributed leaflets, written and printed by the group members, to Germans across many large cities, denouncing the Nazi regime.
Such challenging of the Nazi stranglehold on the minds and deads of fellow citizens was quite foolhardy, but Sophie and her fellow students couldn't just sit back and watch Hitler destroy the freedoms of all who lived in Europe. Poles, Jews, Academics, Homosexuals were all Hitler's targets. “We will not be silent; we will not leave you in peace!” was the response from the White Rose Network.
My interest was aroused so much by Ellie's telling of this time in history, I have gone on to read more about Hans and Sophie Scholl as well as a number of other people who formed this alliance of rebellion. Ellie's research and the detail contained in "The White Rose Network" are a tribute to all the hours of research undertaken, before a story evolves on paper.
An utterly heartbreaking read but one of such strength and commitment to fight for what is right. As I watch the Ukraine conflict unfold, I am once again reminded how the greed and arrogance of one man, can cause such devestation and death. Sometimes we are incredibly slow to learn.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Ellie Midwood was the memorable read.

Have been unable to review due to illness. Review coming soon! This novel looks fantastic and I highly recommend this author to everyone! Can't wait to read this one!

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Rounded up from 3.5 stars.

I finished this book a few months ago, and forgot to give my review right away. This was the first of Ellie Midwood's books that I have read, but I do not think that this will be the last. I am a huge fan of historical fiction and strong female characters. I particularly liked that this book was based on a true story that took place during WWII.

The main character, Sophie, joins her brother and his friends in the Resistance against the Nazis. As young students trying to make a difference in their world, they write and distribute leaflets urging their countrymen to resist and sabotage the Nazi party. Their courage and determination is inspirational and nerve wracking at the same time. The storyline follows Sophie during her time with the network and while she is being interrogated by the Gestapo. I'm a huge fan of dual timelines so this was perfect for me. I do recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction, strong female characters, and story lines based off of true events. This will definitely hit a heartstring.

Rounded down from around 3.5 stars ⭐️

The White Rose Network is based on the true story of Sophie, who joins her brother and his friends in their resistance against the Nazi regime. They write and spread leaflets urging the German people to resist and sabotage. But will it be long before the authorities catch up to them?

I absolutely adore Midwoods books. Each one is based on a true story and highlights some of the incredibly brave women from WWII. I absolutely love reading their stories and learning things I never knew before. I always love strong female characters, but what I love about these books is that they are REAL strong females who continue to inspire me. Sophie’s courage and willingness to stand up for what is right really struck a chord with me. Although I didn’t love this quite as much as previous books, I still really enjoyed learning about the White Rose Network which I had no knowledge of previously.

I loved the inclusion of real excerpts from the leaflets, it added a fascinating glimpse into history. The story flicks between the past, following Sophie’s involvement with the network, and her interrogation by the Gestapo. I really enjoyed this style of writing, it felt like I could see the pieces slipping together. However, I wasn’t fond of the romance storyline between Sophie and Alexander. It seemed to detract from the important work they were doing and made both of their characters seem flawed, albeit human. It is my understanding that this romance didn’t actually happen, and for me I would have preferred it to stay that way. That being said, I did love the final message that the new generation can and will continue to resist in place of the White Rose Network. This felt incredibly moving and poignant to me.

I would recommend this author to fans of historical fiction based in WWII. I want to thank Netgalley, Bookouture and Ellie Midwood for allowing me to read this book and give my personal thoughts.

I was just a few chapters into this book and was wondering how it would end…then I realized I know this story. I know how it ends. This story was well written, easy to read…it had a good flow to the writing..made me cry but it was good.

I struggled with this one. I either love books set in Nazi Germany or hate them. This was not one for me

I really wanted to read this book, but I was new to NG when i requested it and didnt know that you had to download the book prior to the archive date or you cant download it at all.

I enjoyed this historical WWII novel about the White Rose Network. To me we don't have enough books on the subject and a lesser known part of WWII history.

What a wonderful story about the White Rose Network specifically Sophie Scholl. This historic fiction gives a look at the real White Rose Network that the School siblings and friends created in 1943 Germany as a protest against Nazi Germany. This story follows Sophie Scholl as she discovers and then becomes more involved in the network.

If you enjoy historic fiction that focus on World War II history and/or a strong female character, you will want to read this.
Thank you for the gifted eARC Ellie Midwook and NetGalley
#TheWhiteRoseNetwork #NetGalley

This book was fantastic. I had read other books about the White Rose network but this one had a different feel to it. The book swept me up into the story immediately and I couldn’t put it down. Fantastic read!

I will probably read anything this author writes. The setting is Germany during WWII. We do find out that it is based on true events. This is the story of youth resistance during the war. The book is action packed and the characters are well developed. I read an electronic version provided by Net Galley.