Synopsis
In 1930s Munich, danger lurks behind dark corners, and secrets are buried deep within the city. But Gretchen Muller, 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?
Loved
- The history! We've all read our fair share of WWII fiction, but this offered a unique perspective from Gretchen, who grew up as a "darling" in the Nazi party. I didn't realize until I read the author's note at the end of the book that almost every person in this story (apart from Gretchen, her family, and Daniel) were real people. Everyone Gretchen associates with in the Nazi party were actually Hitler's associates (and victims). It was fascinating to see what it was like for people who truly believed Hitler was doing the best thing for their country, and who ate up all the lies he planted about Jews, women, and other political parties. I found myself hating what the Nazis did more than ever, but also questioning how many of these people were truly evil, and how many were completely deceived by Hitler's flattery and gift for persuasive public speaking.
- Gretchen's paradigm shift. Gretchen grows up as Hitler's "pet," and she never questions his lies until she meets Daniel, a handsome and genuine Jewish reporter. Watching Gretchen slowly understand the horror and sickening implications of her family and society's views was saddening, but inspiring. This gives readers a vivid and terrifying understanding of how dangerous it was to question Hitler and his views, and also why so many people chose to believe his lies rather than risk their lives to question them.
- The murder mystery. How cool is it to have a murder mystery set in a real event, with real facts, right in the middle of Hitler's rise to power? The author weaves the mystery through true facts, making this fictitious plot within the history believable since the setting and people of the story are based on accurate research.
- The psychology. I work on a psych unit as a rec therapist, so I'm definitely biased toward psychology, but I loved the psychoanalytic plug in this story! Gretchen wants to understand "psychopaths," since both Hitler and her brother have received this diagnosis. She spends a lot of time studying and talking with a psychologist to understand mental illness, which was very interesting since we've all wondered about the mental condition of Hitler and what drove him to all the horrors he created.
- The pace. Maybe my perspective is a little skewed since I just finished reading the Stormlight Archive, whose four books are over 1,200 pages each. But this story felt so fast-paced, giving us clues and plot twists at break-neck speed. It was refreshing to have action and clues in every chapter, and intensity that keeps us flipping pages as fast as possible.
Didn't Love
- I really enjoyed this story! There was a little bit of an insta-love feel, since Gretchen and Daniel's romance did develop quite quickly. However, since the romance wasn't the main focus of the story, it didn't bother me too much.
Content
Content
- Language:
- A few uses of "damn."
- Uses of the Lord's name in vain.
- Sexual content:
- A few kisses, just described as his hands in her hair, her hands on his face. Nothing passionate or intense.
- A male character tries to advance on a younger girl by turning off the lights and asking her to kiss him. She refuses, and he doesn't hurt her.
- Violence:
- Lots of violence around street protests and secret murders.
- Main character is violently beaten by her older brother.
- Many mentions of Jews being beaten and severely injured.
- Main character watches an innocent man be shot in the head in front of his family.
- A girl is found dead in her room, the body is described. Unsure if the death is from murder or suicide.
- Lots of talk about a shoot out that happened years ago between the rising Nazi party and the police- many people died on both sides.
- Main character watches a man die from his throat being slit.
- Main character slits a man's throat to protect herself.
- A girl watches a family member die from being shot.
- Lots of intensity around threats of being killed if not compliant with certain expectations.
- Other themes:
- Anti-semitism is a major theme. At the beginning of the story it is shown as normal, as the main character grows up in the Nazi party. Throughout the book, the character realizes the evil of this belief and grows to defend and love Jews throughout the book.
- Sexism is also a major theme. Hitler teaches that men should discipline their household in whatever manner they choose. The culture allows women to be beaten and expected to be submissive, uneducated, and beautiful for men's pleasure. Again, the main character fights against these beliefs throughout the book.
- A few uses of "damn."
- Uses of the Lord's name in vain.
- A few kisses, just described as his hands in her hair, her hands on his face. Nothing passionate or intense.
- A male character tries to advance on a younger girl by turning off the lights and asking her to kiss him. She refuses, and he doesn't hurt her.
- Lots of violence around street protests and secret murders.
- Main character is violently beaten by her older brother.
- Many mentions of Jews being beaten and severely injured.
- Main character watches an innocent man be shot in the head in front of his family.
- A girl is found dead in her room, the body is described. Unsure if the death is from murder or suicide.
- Lots of talk about a shoot out that happened years ago between the rising Nazi party and the police- many people died on both sides.
- Main character watches a man die from his throat being slit.
- Main character slits a man's throat to protect herself.
- A girl watches a family member die from being shot.
- Lots of intensity around threats of being killed if not compliant with certain expectations.
- Anti-semitism is a major theme. At the beginning of the story it is shown as normal, as the main character grows up in the Nazi party. Throughout the book, the character realizes the evil of this belief and grows to defend and love Jews throughout the book.
- Sexism is also a major theme. Hitler teaches that men should discipline their household in whatever manner they choose. The culture allows women to be beaten and expected to be submissive, uneducated, and beautiful for men's pleasure. Again, the main character fights against these beliefs throughout the book.
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