Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Set in the mid 1940s, The Righteous follows Julia Powers, an OSS agent, and her friend Theresa Weissbach, a European history professor at the University of Michigan, as they travel to Hungary alongside Swiss ambassador Carl Lutz in an effort to aid the Hungarian Jewish population and Theresa's family. Despite the Jewish population originally being safe from Nazi persecution, this soon changes and it falls to the women, the US War Refugee Board, and other international actors to step in.

Despite being a lover of Second World War historical fiction this book fell flat for me. The main issue that I had was with the writing. I understand that I have more knowledge on the Second World War than many and that there is important contextualizing information that must be provided to readers, but I felt like this was done in a very unnatural and clunky way. For example, there is one instance where someone explains to Julia, an OSS operative, who the SS are, despite this being a fact that she would already know.

Dialogue was a big problem for me as well as it often felt stilted, awkward, and repetitive. I never felt like the characters were ever having an authentic conversation which was part of what made them feel less compelling than those I have read in other works of historical fiction. This was a big issue as the book was almost entirely dialogue - broken up into phone calls back to the US and meetings with different groups of people. This 'telling not showing' further took away from the world and the story that was being told.

The plot itself is interesting enough, but a little on the slower side. Nonetheless it covers a lesser known part of the war and would surely be intriguing for people wanting a story that moves beyond the typical scope of Second World War historical fiction.

Balson is one of my absolute favorite authors! I was so excited to receive an ARC of his newest book!

The book revolves around the Hungarian Jews during World War II. This is a country I haven’t seen written about in all the other books I’ve read. It follows Julia, a character from one of Balson’s other books as she goes on a mission to save her good friend’s family, and to save as many others that she can while she’s at it. As I read, I found myself searching online about the characters and events mentioned. This book read much more like a history book versus historical fiction. The inclusion of exact dates and full names pulled me out of the book a few times, but they generally made sense with the narrative.

I have two main complaints with the book. The first is that the plot seemed to just be to move the historical facts along. A lot of the conversations don’t seem plausible, and the family itself isn’t as central to the story as I think it should be. Also, the general premise of the book wasn’t very believable. A woman’s good friend comes to her saying she’s concerned about the welfare of her family in Hungary. In no time at all, they are in Hungary as Swiss embassy employees. The second main complaint was just something that irked me. There were quite a few instances during conversations that someone would ask a question immediately followed by more questions then a statement. There really aren’t answers provided for the questions. For one person to do so would maybe just be how they speak. For several people to do it made for an uncomfortable conversation. That isn’t how most people have conversations about difficult topics.

Overall it’s a very interesting piece of history woven into a historical fiction book. Balson is a fantastic author. This one was just a miss for me.

Balson's The Righteous could have been a solid addition to the genre, but it suffocates under the weight of his tell-don't-show writing style. The amount of expository conversation was really unforgiveable. He deserves an editor who will stop his characters from endlessly spitting out historical fact in perfect chronology. The conversational recitation of Wallenberg's biography was a particular low point. This was slower paced than his previous novel and, frankly, I would be hesitant to recommend it to most readers.

It’s a heavy subject. This book made me feel the intense sadness from the tragic loss of roughly 500,000 Hungarian Jews who were murdered during WWII in 1944-45.

Most of this story was based on actual historical events with the exception of two University of Michigan friends. Julie Powers and Theresa Weissback lost touch after graduating and then five years later they got together to catch up. They had no idea that their conversation would lead them into a complex seven-month mission to rescue Jews out of Hungary with the support of the US Government.

It took some time digesting this story, knowing the end result. However, much of it focused on the people who were trying their best to get the Jewish community in Budapest to understand the urgency of leaving Hungary to safe grounds. It was a time when families were facing their worst fears: war with Germany.

The story presented eye-opening information which helped me understand more about the US role with the Jews in Hungary. It didn’t make sense to me why Congress wasn’t more supportive at first. You could feel the anxiety with the slow process when Julie and Theresa were working with a Swiss diplomat.

Then the story ended unexpectedly when I wanted to know more. At the end, Ronald Balson noted that he’s working on his next book which I can’t wait to read.

My thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of September 9, 2025.

The Righteous is a historical fiction by Ronald Balson that doesn’t disappoint. His writing style is clear, compelling and rich in historical details. While this book didn’t grab me the same way As Once We Were Brothers did, it is still worth reading. Ronald Balson does a great job of researching his books and I learned details about the war that I didn’t know before.

The story mainly takes place in Budapest, Hungary during WWII. Two friends, Theresa who is Jewish and from Hungary and Julia who is American are able to go to Budapest as diplomatic assistants during the later parts of WWII. What they find there is very troubling and disturbing for the Jewish people and Theresa’s family living there. Will they be able to make a difference and be able to rescue some from going to the death camps before it is too late? What risks will they take to make a difference?

I would recommend this book to everyone but especially for historical fiction fans. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced Copt of this book.

When I first started reading it seemed familiar. I was right. This is a coninuation fo Julia's story in A Place To Hide. Once she arrives back in America, from occupied Holland, she feels useless, lost. She could work in DC, but would that be satisfying?

She soon finds purpose. Her university friend, Theresa, was stranded in America. Her family was at risk in Hungary. Hungary might be allied with Germany but how long would it last. The fear for her family, and the other Jews in Budapest, grew day after day.

Theresa would stop at nothing to return to Budapest and check on her family. Julia and Theresa soon find themselves flying to Europe. Hope is running out for the Jewish people. The German soldiers are increasing. The SS walks the streets. The Arrow Cross Party were picking them up on the street, sending them away.

The Righteous goes into great detail of Budapest before and during the occupation. At times it was hard to stop the tears from flowing. The Jewish people were losing everything. If something wasn't done, soon they would lose their lives. Open the book and learn of the brillance of those determined to save as many lives as possible. Let the subterfuge bring you happiness and joy knowing that something positive will soon be happening in a world at war. Respect the names of those that risked so much.

I never realized how clever those that created the evaculation plan were. I was left speechless by the plan. My nerves were frayed, not knowing of the successes and failures. Compassion wins over evil. Brilliance conquers hatred. The question is what happens next for those that no longer have homes but have their lives.

The Righteous
by Ronald H. Balson
Pub Date: Sept. 9, 2025
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinon. I have read all of Balson's books and this one does not disappoint.
From the New York Times bestselling and National Jewish Book Award–winning author: a gripping novel of foreboding, betrayal, heroism, and hope set in World War II Budapest

In this dramatic new novel, The Righteous, Theresa Weissbach, a professor at the University of Michigan, hasn’t heard from her parents in Budapest for over a year. Her best friend, Julia Powers, recently awarded a Distinguished Service Medal for her OSS service in occupied Holland, joins with her to locate and rescue Theresa’s family. While there, they become involved in a much larger cause, trying to save as many people as they can. Theresa’s father, a leader of the Budapest Jewish community, accompanies them in a desperate effort to rescue their people. Working alongside the newly formed US War Refugee Board, diplomats from neutral nations, and leaders of underground rescue organizations, Julia and Theresa forge relationships with Swiss Vice Consul Carl Lutz and Swedish businessman, Raoul Wallenberg. Their skills and connections in the complex networks of public and secret diplomacy enable Julia, Theresa, and others to take enormous risks in an effort to save thousands of innocent lives.

THE RIGHTEOUS BY RONALD BALSON
FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO STATE THAT I HAVE READ EACH AND EVERY ONE OF RONALD BALSON’S BOOKS AND THEY WERE ALL INFORMATIVE, AND SUCH GREAT STORIES – MOST TAKING PLACE DURING WWII – A TIME THAT NO ONE SHOULD HAVE LIVED THROUGH ESPECIALLY THE JEWISH POPULATION IN EUROPE. THIS STORY TAKES PLACE IN HUNGARY WHERE THE GERMANS SEEMED TO HAVE LEFT THEJEWISH PEOPLE ALONE EVEN THO THEY WERE IN HUNGARY AS WELL – BUT THEN THINGS CHANGED AND EICKMAN CAME TO HUNGARY AND NOW THE JEWISH PEOPLE HAD LOTS TO WORRY ABOUT – THEY FOUGHT IN THEIR OWN WAY AND HAD SOME HELP FROM THE SWEDISH AND SWISS COUNCIL ALONG WITH THE US WAR BOARD. THEY WERE ABLE TO GET MANY PEOPLE OUT BUT SO MANY WERE NOT ABLE TO. THIS IS A HEARTBREAKIKNG STORY OF THEIR FIGHT TO STAY ALIVE AND TO HELP EACH OTHER AND TO TRY TO GET AS MANY OF THE JEWISH POPULATION OUT OF HUNGARY AS THEY COULD TO AVOID THE DEATH CAMPS.. ANYONE WHO READS THIS BOOK HAS TO FEEL FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM. I’D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT YOU THINK. THANK YOU FOR @NETGALLEY AND @ST MARTIN’S PRESS FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORUNITY TO READ THIS STORY.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book, which is a fictional, behind the scenes look at the crisis that took place in Hungary in 1944 during the German Invasion known as “Operation Margarethe”. Balson includes many well-known heroic historical figures in this story and created two fictional characters, Julia Powers and Theresa Weissbach from Budapest, best friends who met at the University of Michigan to bring the novel to life.

While I appreciate Balson’s incorporation of facts, I found that they were prevalent, abundant and repetitive to the point that they detracted from novel as character development and interaction took a back seat to the textual inclusion of dates, names, places and events. At times this read more like a history book than historical fiction. I feel that Balson lost the potential for Julia and Theresa to add emotion and a truly personal side to the story.

The buildup of a plan to rescue a segment of the Jewish population in Hungary from extermination ends abruptly as it moves to the execution phase.

Balson once again brings richly drawn characters to Hungary where Julia, who was also in his previous book, goes with Theresa, her friend from college, to help locate her family in Nazi occupied Budapest with whom she hasn’t heard from in months. Julia is a decorated OSS officer (office of strategic operations) with great connections due to her work in Amsterdam. Balson employs many NON FICTIONAL characters like Swiss diplomat Carl Lutz and Swedish savior Raoul Wallenberg which brings the story to life in an unexpected way. As in every book he writes, I learn something new about ww2.

I was totally captivated by the story. The story takes place in Hungary in the later part of the war.
Julia is finally back home in the US after working at the US Consulate in Amsterdam.
Julia reconnects with her college friend Theresa whose Jewish family is in Hungary and she has not heard from them in a long time.
Julia and Theresa are able to go as diplomatic assistants to Hungary. They get involved with getting visas and trying to transport as many of the Jewish population out of Hungary.
Hope, bravery, family justice, decisions made to stay or leave.
I always learn something new when I read a book about Hitler’s and his atrocities. This book gave me information that I had not read about before. A story that will make you think. Heart wrenching.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this book.

As a long-time fan of Ronald Balson and a passionate reader of historical fiction, I was eager to dive into The Righteous. The novel explores themes of justice, memory, and the lasting scars of the Holocaust—hallmarks of Balson’s storytelling.

While the premise is compelling and the emotional core remains strong, I found the pacing slower than expected. The story takes its time to develop, and the early chapters, in particular, felt drawn out before the narrative truly gained momentum.

Still, once the plot settled in, Balson delivered the kind of meaningful, character-driven drama that has made his previous works so impactful. Though not as immediately gripping as some of his earlier books, The Righteous is a thoughtful and ultimately rewarding read for fans of historical fiction.

As a devoted fan of Ronald Balson’s work and an avid reader of historical fiction, I approached The Righteous with high expectations. Balson’s previous novels have brilliantly blended emotional depth, rich historical context, and action — a combination I’ve always admired.

However, I found the buildup in this installment slower than his previous novels. The pacing lagged in the first half, with the story taking time to fully engage. While Balson’s attention to historical accuracy remains commendable, it felt like the momentum took a while to catch up with the weight of the subject matter.

That said, once the story found its footing, it delivered a satisfying and meaningful narrative, consistent with Balson’s compassionate and justice-driven storytelling. For readers who value historical fiction with a strong moral backbone, The Righteous still stands as a worthy, if slightly more patient, read.

I bElEiEv I have read nearly all of Ronald Balson’s works. He continues to compose meaningful, heart-wrenching, yet inspiring narratives set in historical reality, which give us a visual image of critical situations in the Holocaust era. His characters are well developed and compelling to follow.

The Righteous follows Ronald Balson's book A Place to Hide.

The first 1/3 of The Righteous seemed to be a follow-up to A Place to Hide and gets us up to date with what has happened to Julia and Teddy Hartigan (co-workers at the US Consulate in Amsterdam when the Nazis occupied) who have escaped and are back in the US after having been provided distinguished service award.

Julia is reconnecting with some of her college classmates (from Michigan :) love the Michigan details!) and her friend Theresa hasn't heard from her family in Hungary in quite some time. At the end of 1943 Hungary hadn't been invaded (yet) but had a Jewish population of 800,000-900,000 people.

So even though there is a war going on in Europe, Julia and Theresa are able to go to Hungary as diplomatic assistants using Theresa's knowledge of the language and knowing that she has a family network there.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for approving my request to read the advance read copy of The Righteous in exchange for an honest review. Approx 304 pages. Expected release date is Sept 9, 2025.

I liked The Righteous, but I did like A Place to Hide quite a bit more.

Just wrapped up The Righteous by Ronald H. Balson, and it really stuck with me. It’s part legal drama, part historical journey, and all heart. The story dives into justice, family, and uncovering painful truths from the past. I really liked how the characters felt grounded and how the plot moved between present-day investigation and the shadows of history. It’s emotional without being overdone and totally makes you think. If you’re into historical fiction with a courtroom edge and strong moral themes, this one’s worth the read.

If I'm being completely honest, the amount of history in this book captivated me more than the story of the characters. This book takes place towards the end of the second World War II, mostly between the US and Hungary (Budapest, specifically). Without belaboring the information in gruesome detail, Balson is able to help the reader understand how quickly Hitler's team was eradicating the Jewish population in countries that it conquered, as well as how quickly (and perhaps why) it turned on its allies. While in hindsight it is difficult to understand why the Hungarian population did not expect that Hitler would turn on their Jewish population, I find that Balson is able to answer those questions effectively. It highlights the inaction of certain agencies and individuals within the US, despite knowing the horrors that were occurring. Further, Balson also does a fantastic job explaining the origins of the immigration caps in the United States and how congress tightly controls those, even in time of desperate circumstance. He offers a rarely seen insight into the complexities faced by those wishing to immigrate to the US and how archaic those rules are and continue to be. It shed more light into the neutrality polices that countries like Switzerland had to take and some of the choices that Carl Lutz (and others) made that could be seen as at odds with that stance. It humanizes the very real uncertainty that people faced in knowing what was happening to their families, and decisions that people were forced to make about whether to stay or leave (along with what the costs were - tangibly and intangibly). I found Balson's characters (particularly Theresa's parents, the Rabbi, and Solomon) to be devastatingly human in many capacities in a way that I think many of us can currently relate to. As with most historical fiction, I walked away from this book wanting to learn more about some of the real people and events in this book, including the work of the World Refugee Board.

During WWII, Theresa loses contact with her parents in Budapest. Her friend Julia assists her in finding them. They begin rescuing people. Heartbreaking and moving story.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I had read the author’s previous book “ A Place To Hide”, so I was happy to read his new offering. This book uses a character “ Julia” who was in the previous story, although there was enough information given so that it wasn’t necessary to read that book before this one, it is a stand alone book. This book takes place in Hungary in the later part of the war, Julia goes to a Hungary with a college friend “ Theresa” who is now a professor in the US on a permanent visa who is concerned about her family living in Hungary that she has been unable to contact, the two women get involved with obtaining visas and trying to transport many of the Jewish population out of Hungary working with the Swiss Embassy. This story was very interesting and informative , the author’s research really is impressive and should be commended. I enjoyed this book, as with any historical fiction book that I read, I always learn something new. I was somewhat disappointed in the ending of this book, it seemed too abrupt, perhaps there will be a sequel.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this novel prior to publication.

I read a lot of historical fiction and non-fiction on WWII and the holocaust. So this book ticked the box for me.

The setting for the majority of the book is set in Budapest, Hungary - one of my favorite cities in the world. One of the most moving memorials is the bronze shoes on the edge of the Danube where Nazis gunned down Jewish citizens. Fisherman dove in trying to save the victims - their shoes were pulled from the river and later bronzed. This was a scene in the book.

Also, another book that I recently read was The Escape Artist from Auschwitz which played a pivotal role in this work.

However on the whole I thought the conversations in the book were both trite and repetitive . Hence the score of 3 out of 5.