Title: Embers in the London Sky
Author: Sarah Sundin
Major Themes: London, World War II, The Blitz, Mysteries, Refugees
Synopsis: After being separated from her son during their flight out of the Netherlands ahead of the German army, Aleida scours London, searching for him, even while bombs—and a string of murders—threaten to undo everything she’s worked so hard to achieve.
Sarah Sundin’s name has been familiar to me for many years, but it wasn’t until last year that I had a chance to read one of her books for the first time. I loved The Sound of Light, so when I saw Embers in the London Sky coming out this year, I knew I wanted to read it, too. What a story! I think I enjoyed it even more than The Sound of Light—at any rate, I know I read this one in a shorter time. Combining fascinating history, a mother’s search for her lost child, and a sweet romance, this book ticked all the boxes for me, and made it a wonderful, memorable read.
Publisher’s description:
As the German army invades the Netherlands in 1940, Aleida van der Zee Martens escapes to London to wait out the Occupation. Separated from her three-year-old son, Theo, in the process, the young widow desperately searches for her little boy even as she works for an agency responsible for evacuating children to the countryside.
When German bombs set London ablaze, BBC radio correspondent Hugh Collingwood reports on the Blitz, eager to boost morale while walking the fine line between truth and censorship. But the Germans are not the only ones Londoners have to fear as a series of murders flame up amid the ashes.
The deaths hit close to home for Hugh, and Aleida needs his help to locate her missing son. As they work together, they grow closer and closer, both to each other and the answers they seek. But with bombs falling and continued killings, they may be running out of time.
My thoughts:
Over the last few months, I’ve gotten a little discouraged with some of the books I’ve been reading (some just weren’t quite as good as I was hoping), so Embers in the London Sky came as a breath of fresh air for me. I don’t know what it was, exactly, that I particularly enjoyed about this book. Sundin does a good job developing an intriguing plot and well-rounded, dynamic characters, and many times, I felt like I was there—on the ground with them as they watched bombs falling on London during the Blitz, or interviewing people on various topics.
I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book about a broadcaster—or anyone involved in the news networks before—so seeing the war from that perspective was fascinating. Add to that a mother’s search for her darling lost boy, and from that a fascinating perspective on the entire child evacuation strategy the British government enacted just before the Blitz…wow. Such brave parents, and brave children, to go through a separation like that. Then, there was the mystery element in the story, which was entirely unexpected, but intriguing, all the same.
Embers in the London Sky had surprising depth, but was also not as dark and heavy as I was afraid it might be, since it is a book about World War II. Some people may consider it too “nice” or “light”, as it doesn’t really dig into the awful, detailed side of the war, but it didn’t ignore that side completely, either (you do hear about bomb-damaged buildings, and people dying, etc.; it’s just not as in-your-face as some stories). For me, this was a hope-filled, inspirational read with relatable characters and a good storyline. I admit; part of the ending of the story felt a little too picture-perfect, but in the end, I didn’t mind. If you enjoy historical fiction with a good dose of history, some sweet romance, and a dash of mystery, this could be a great choice for you.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.
WARNING: “Thank goodness” is used in ch. 1, 2, 11, 12, 18, 22, 26, 30, 34, 38 (twice), 41, 44, and 45; “what in heaven’s name” is used in ch. 2, and 3; heavens is used in ch. 5; blasted is used in ch. 8; “dickens of a time” is used in ch. 11; “Old Blighty” is used in ch. 18; “for heaven’s sake” is used in ch. 28; “oh my goodness” is used in ch. 45; and goodness is used in ch. 46.
Ch. 1: Lying, a mention of an abusive husband, a child disappears, and people are killed in an air raid (a little description). Ch. 2: A man is shot in the leg, and a ship is bombed with many people killed. Ch. 5: A woman talks about how she was abused, divorced her husband, and ended up getting divorced several times after that. Ch. 11: A child is killed by a bomb. Ch. 22: A man is injured by a bomb. Ch. 23: A kiss. Ch. 24: Another kiss. Ch. 33: People bomb an airplane, presented as a positive thing. Ch. 42: Someone threatens to kill someone else. Ch. 44: Someone hurts someone else in self-defense (shown in a positive light). Ch. 45: A kiss. Ch. 49: Another kiss. Occasionally, characters drink or smoke. Several people are murdered (some shot, others strangled to death; none on-page), and their deaths are discussed multiple times.
Age levels:
Reading Independently—Ages 15 and Above, Adults
Links to buy this book:
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle | Hardcover | Audible Audiobook (unabridged)
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com
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