Any time I see a historical fiction WWII novel, I always wonder how will it distinguish itself from the sea of others? Now I love historical fiction WWII novels just as much as the next person—-I mean come on I read a TON of it ! But there are times when I feel like I have read something similar before. So I am always looking for ways in which new novels of similar content will be ‘new’ or ‘different’ than the others and for this one it was having the Olympics as a backdrop.
This novel also takes place prior to WWII starting, it is set in 1936 when the Olympics were in Berlin. Germany is rising to power at this time and yet playing host to a massive world event so I thought this backdrop sounded REALLY interesting and made this book stand out as ‘new’ and ‘different’ in the way that I was looking for within the genre. I also like that the setting really focuses on how Germany was rising to power again, this is not something that is explored much in many historical fiction novels so I think this one will really stand out for fans of the genre.
Author Lecia Cornwall is an accomplished novelist with many historical romances under her belt. This new piece of historical fiction has been getting tons of early rave reviews and I cannot wait to read it a little later this winter! If you are a historical fiction fan, this novel is likely already on your radar but if it isn’t, it should be! The unique time period and setting sound absolutely intriguing! Get this one on your radar now if it isn’t yet!
Summary
In the summer of 1936, while the Nazis make secret plans for World War II, a courageous and daring young woman struggles to expose the lies behind the dazzling spectacle of the Berlin Olympics.
German power is rising again, threatening a war that will be even worse than the last one. The English aristocracy turns to an age-old institution to stave off war and strengthen political bonds—marriage. Debutantes flock to Germany, including Viviane Alden. On holiday with her sister during the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Viviane’s true purpose is more clandestine. While many in England want to appease Hitler, others seek to prove Germany is rearming. But they need evidence, photographs to tell the tale, and Viviane is a genius with her trusty Leica. And who would suspect a pretty, young tourist taking holiday snaps of being a spy?
Viviane expects to find hatred and injustice, but during the Olympics, with the world watching, Germany is on its best behavior, graciously welcoming tourists to a festival of peace and goodwill. But first impressions can be deceiving, and it’s up to Viviane and the journalist she’s paired with—a daring man with a guarded heart—to reveal the truth.
But others have their own reasons for befriending Viviane, and her adventure takes a darker turn. Suddenly Viviane finds herself caught in a web of far more deadly games—and closer than she ever imagined to the brink of war. (summary from Goodreads)
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