I like how Mario Escobar turned his history knowledge and love of writing into this passionate work of historical fiction. Although many bookworms love books and reading them, one does not necessarily think of preserving them in a life or death stance would be a general norm. Certainly, not to the point of sacrificing oneself, or inadvertantly, their friends for them.
Yet, this book is a testament to librarians willing to do just that. When regimes take over, such as Hitler's, some of the first things to be banned are books, literature and even librarians. If you want to brainwash the masses, you gut out the thought-provoking works and those behind them.
This book targets this area in a very dramatic story of Helene Nathan (based on a true life woman of this name), her husband Derek, her librarian friends Lena, Klaus and Gabor. Of course, Helene has another strike against her, she was half-Jewish.
A reader will also meet some of the other true life figures such as Hitler's generals. Although the cruelites and brutalities are difficult to read, the essence of goodness Helene and friends were imbued with, bathes and acts as salve to the story.
Added merit points, in my mind, stem from the nuances of faith-based mentions of and references to God. These always sit right with me.
I found this read to be very satisfactory and am compelled to christen it with a 5-Star rating.
~ Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger ~
May 2026
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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