Darker the Night

A realistic look at the past during the reign of Hitler. I highly recommend it!

This is a well-written book about Nazi Germany during and after World War II. Hedy is bolder than many people in this time and country. She almost appears invincible. Lisa London makes her characters come to life. I cared about these people and almost wanted to yell at them to not continue where they are headed.   I would recommend this book and author to others, especially if you want to read about this time in history.
I will be looking for more books to read by Lisa London.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy for writing an honest review.

Excellent companion piece to The Book Thief and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Would love to introduce this piece to my high school English course! Ms. London does a great job bringing the characters, 'Hedy' and 'Gerda', to life. Think this could use map with dates to have students track "Hedy" as she lives out the emotional, psychological, and societal  turmoil of WWII and its impact on her life. Excellent read!

Well written and interesting book about Nazi Germany, with characters you care about.  Recommended.

This was an unusual book in that it deals with a young girl's experience of the Second World War but from the perspective of an ordinary person living in Germany.  Although  huge changes were unfolding in the Third Reich, Hedy is largely sheltered from much of upheaval around her by her solicitous parents.  We are able to watch her everyday routines and hopes being interrupted by the demands of youth service and war service with only a fleeting understanding of the difficulties faced by many other German citizens.  Her gradual realisation of the realities of war-time Germany comes with maturity and as the privations of war impinge on her own life.  It gives a fascinating insight into the different views and impressions of the German people, and allows for a range of human faces rather than a stereotyped version of 'the enemy'.  My only quibble is that the steady stream of adventures and 'near misses' on Hedy's travels all seem to end briskly and move onto the next, when sometimes it would have been more satisfying to have been given more detail or development for some of the key moments.  However it was an enjoyable and ultimately uplifting account with an interesting take on war-time Germany.

Lovely book, took you back in time was brilliantly written, would highly recommend

A very moving book, I would love to find out more about the main characters, .The author has completed the story so well,

Great read. You'll be up all night!

Hedy grows up in Germany, and when the Second World War hit, she puts off her plans to become a physical therapist in order to help the war effort and her family. Despite her difficulties, she always remembers her father's words, "the darker the night, the brighter the stars." She is disillusioned about her country, when she finds out  about the concentration camps and other atrocities. However, she never allows these things to dull her spirit.

This wonderful story is based on the life of a truly remarkable woman. It is well written. Each chapter begins with a quote, often of propaganda  perpetrated by her country. It is interesting how Hedy's story shows the contrast between what her country's government was saying and how the people were living. This is a moving account of an unbelievable but true period of history.

Some German words and phrases are used to add realism. A glossary is provided in the back of the book for those readers who do not speak German.

This was a very thought-provoking, touching, and enlightening. It is an interesting way to introduce older students  to the intricacies of the time period and people's experiences.