Prisoner of Night and Fog by: Anne Blankman

Title:  Prisoner of Night and Fog
Author:  Anne Blankman
Genre:  Historical, Romance, YA/Teen
Age:  14+
Rating:  5 out of 5 stars

Summary:

In 1930s Munich, danger lurks behind dark corners, and secrets are buried deep within the city. But Gretchen Müller, who grew up in the National Socialist Party under the wing of her "uncle" Dolf, has been shielded from that side of society ever since her father traded his life for Dolf's, and Gretchen is his favorite, his pet.

Uncle Dolf is none other than Adolf Hitler. And Gretchen follows his every command.

Until she meets a fearless and handsome young Jewish reporter named Daniel Cohen. Gretchen should despise Daniel, yet she can't stop herself from listening to his story: that her father, the adored Nazi martyr, was actually murdered by an unknown comrade. She also can't help the fierce attraction brewing between them, despite everything she's been taught to believe about Jews.

As Gretchen investigates the very people she's always considered friends, she must decide where her loyalties lie. Will she choose the safety of her former life as a Nazi darling, or will she dare to dig up the truth—even if it could get her and Daniel killed?

From debut author Anne Blankman comes this harrowing and evocative story about an ordinary girl faced with the extraordinary decision to give up everything she's ever believed . . . and to trust her own heart instead.   (Taken from the Goodreads Website)

Reaction:

I knew that I would enjoy this one.  I knew it!  When I first bought this book I had such high expectations for "Prisoner of Night and Fog" and Anne Blankman defiantly didn't disappoint!  This seriously has everything that I enjoy in a book:  a sweeping historical romance, betrayal, and intrigue.  I couldn't stop reading this book once I started (I had more than a few late nights reading this book even when I had class the next day.)

Characters:

Gretchen:

Gretchen has been though so much in this book.  Many terrible and horrible things have happened to Gretchen and yet she still plows through it!  Gretchen is NOT a Mary Sue in any way.  She is strong, kind, willing to trust others, and wants to make a change.  Gretchen is not like all the other National Socialists, she is kind and not so quick to judge someone just because of their religion or their race.  She is everyone I want in a good YA heroine.

Daniel Cohen:

Major swoon.  I love you Daniel!  Daniel is kind and willing to help whoever is in need, even if that is a young, female National Socialist whom he should fear.  Daniel trusts Gretchen and believes in her.  Daniel never treated Gretchen as if she was below him, which was fresh.  I ship Gretchen and Daniel so hard!

Overall:

This was a fresh, new take on WWII literature.  Instead of being written from the point of view of a Jew, it was written from the view of one of Hitler's closest "friends".  I loved this book so much and I cannot wait until the next one comes out (which it is very soon).

Homework overload  -Terantum