And then came war . . .
"Today." Sera James spends most of her time arranging auctions for the art world's elite clientele. When her search to uncover an original portrait of an unknown Holocaust victim leads her to William Hanover III, they learn that this painting is much more than it seems.
"Vienna, 1942." Adele Von Bron has always known what was expected of her. As a prodigy of Vienna's vast musical heritage, this concert violinist intends to carry on her family's tradition and play with the Vienna Philharmonic. But when the Nazis learn that she helped smuggle Jews out of the city, Adele is taken from her promising future and thrust into the horrifying world of Auschwitz.
The veil of innocence is lifted to expose a shuddering presence of evil, and Adele realizes that her God-given gift is her only advantage; she must play. Becoming a member of the Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz, she fights for survival. Adele's barbed-wire walls begin to kill her hope as the months drag into nearly two
years in the camp. With surprising courage against the backdrop of murder and despair, Adele finally confronts a question that has been tugging at her heart: Even in the midst of evil, can she find hope in worshipping God with her gift?
years in the camp. With surprising courage against the backdrop of murder and despair, Adele finally confronts a question that has been tugging at her heart: Even in the midst of evil, can she find hope in worshipping God with her gift?
As Sera and William learn more about the subject of the mysterious portrait--Adele--they are reminded that whatever horrors one might face, God's faithfulness never falters.
My Thoughts...
My Thoughts...
This story was very original, two plots connecting over a span of 70 or so years with emotion seeping out from the pages themselves. It is a story about courage, determination, and love as the readers transfer back in time to experience like never before a painting that told of a remarkable woman. This inspiring tale focuses on the beauty that God has placed uniquely in each persons lives. That gift, when blossomed, brings unknown beauty to even the darkest corners of the earth and brings glory to God.
It seems very hard to write two totally different plots, let alone connect them in such as way as Cambron did. As a completly original storyline, I was delighted and rushed to pre-order it. After finishing it, I then handed it over to another person, who also enjoyed it immensely. The characters of both plots were realistic, each one having baggage from their pasts and worked it out, not one character was perfect and lived that pure Christian life. The main character, Adele, was a brave figure who fought for the weak and with the help of God and Vladimir, did what she knew was right in her heart. I absolutely loved Vladimir Nicolai who was a vulnerable, selfless, but also relatable character. He wanted to save the Jews with Adele, but needed to protect her from the dangers of hiding and transporting Jews, which could have been a death sentence. Sera James was a like able character, but not one of my favourites. She seemed to jump to conclusions way too often and wreck a perfectly good part. William Hanover was very handsome (as the leading males usually are) and had a large amount of baggage that he slowly reveals all throughout the book. These main characters and supporting were exceptionally strong with a passion for Christ.
This novel was truly a masterpiece, very original, with moments throughout it when you want to say "awwh". This book would be suggested to everyone, a fast paced read, but especially for fans of historical fiction. There is a second book to this masterpiece series that will come out in 2015, I will be watching out for that one and others by this new author!
-ShewolfLia17
