Description
From the author of the #1 bestseller Beneath a Scarlet Sky comes a new historical novel inspired by one family’s incredible story of daring, survival, and triumph.
In late March 1944, as Stalin’s forces push into Ukraine, young Emil and Adeline Martel must make a terrible decision: Do they wait for the Soviet bear’s intrusion and risk being sent to Siberia? Or do they reluctantly follow the wolves—murderous Nazi officers who have pledged to protect “pure-blood” Germans?
The Martels are one of many families of German heritage whose ancestors have farmed in Ukraine for more than a century. But after already living under Stalin’s horrifying regime, Emil and Adeline decide they must run in retreat from their land with the wolves they despise to escape the Soviets and go in search of freedom. Caught between two warring forces and overcoming horrific trials to pursue their hope of immigrating to the West, the Martels’ story is a brutal, complex, and ultimately triumphant tale that illuminates the extraordinary power of love, faith, and one family’s incredible will to survive and see their dreams realized.
Review
This is a heart-wrenching, upsetting yet stunning book about Emil and his wife Adeline and their two sons caught in a world where the second world war is causing upheaval in Europe and further east. Torn from their farm in Ukraine the tensions of the period are brought to life and the impact on the characters is so sad. Caught between Stalin’s brutal regime and Hitlers annihilation of the Jews it follows the family as they try to flee to safety.
This was a truly emotional read. The horrors of war are shadowed by the brutality and evilness of men who commit such terrible crimes against others. It felt that there was nowhere safe for the family and the instinct to survive no matter life threw at them is just so reflective of the many people who lived through this nightmare and nightmares like this.
Based on a true story this book took me on a moving journey of hope and a certain trust that in the end everything is worth fighting for. Emil’s journey took him to the depths of absolute misery, one that I am lucky enough to say I have never and hope to never witness. How one man could experience such horror and still believe his path out of it would happen is just testament to his strength and love that he had for his family.
It’s an area of history I know little about but I was so interested in the story of the Martels. For many Germans who lived in areas outside the Fatherland the return to it was not all it seemed and the afterword provided historical context to the storyline and some family details which was very useful. Did I have a tear in my eye – yes I did but I also had a big wide smile.
This was a 5 star 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟 read for me.
A family’s journey from the horrors of war on both sides, to their dream to realise a better, safer life where they would have the freedom to make their own choices.
A phenomenal story and Mark Sullivan is such a gifted writer who has been given this story to tell so beautifully.
Many thanks to the author, publisher, NetGalley and Random Things Tours for a e-copy of this book in return for an honest review.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mark Sullivan is the acclaimed author of eighteen novels, including the #1 New York Times bestselling Private
series, which he writes with James Patterson. Mark has received numerous awards for his writing, including the
WHSmith Fresh Talent Award, and his works have been named a New York Times Notable Book and a Los
Angeles Times Book of the Year. He grew up in Medfield, Massachusetts, and graduated from Hamilton College
with a BA in English before working as a volunteer in the Peace Corps in Niger, West Africa. Upon his return to
the United States, he earned a graduate degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University
and began a career in investigative journalism. An avid skier and adventurer, he lives with his wife in Bozeman,
Montana, where he remains grateful for the miracle of every moment.
http://www.marksullivanbooks.com
Twitter @MarkSullivanBks
Link to buy : Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Green-Valley-Mark-Sullivan/dp/1503958744/
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