Ilsa's dad operates an art gallery in Amsterdam during the Nazi occupation. He and some of his associates dabble in art forgery of the master's works. Ilsa attempts to sell some forgeries for two reasons 1. to trick and get money from the Nazis and 2. to use the money to smuggle several young Jewish children out of Amsterdam to safety. The book is well done and geared to a teen/young adult audience. This novel is good but not great. ( )

4 1/2 stars. I enjoy reading historical fiction and I particularly like it when an author uses little known historical facts to reveal another aspect about a period of time. This novel takes place in Amsterdam during the Nazi occupation. Isa finds herself in a desperate position since she needs money to pay the taxes on her father's gallery. Her father likes to imitate artists and she decides to sell one of his fakes to the Nazis for money since the Nazis are eager to buy artwork from the Dutch masters. After she sells one drawing she learns her best friend Truus is part of the Resistance trying to secret Jewish babies to safety. Truus needs more money and Isa decides she will sell a painting in order to get it - her father's fake Vermeer. Complicating matters is a Nazi who realizes that the drawing is a fake and blackmails her. I couldn't put down this historical thriller and I found the author's notes fascinating as she details which aspects of the novel are based on historical fact, some of which is rather recently uncovered. ( )

I love Sharon Cameron’s books! I’ve long been a fan and appreciate her beautiful prose and attention to detail. Artifice was a well crafted story exploring the Dutch Resistance during WWII. Based on actual people and events, she captures what it was like to live under German rule during WWII with suspicions running high and not knowing whom you could trust. This particular story explores Hitler’s and his minions’ thirst for art and the Dutch painters who fooled them with forged paintings of Vermeer and Rembrandt. Through her characters, she also delivers a powerful story of the brave men and women who saved hundreds of Jewish babies and children.

Isa de Smit was raised in an art gallery with a talented father who could flawlessly recreate Dutch masterpieces. When the Nazis invaded, the gallery was looted and priceless works of art confiscated. Facing the loss of the gallery and her home due to unpaid taxes, Isa embarks on a daring plan to sell one of her father’s forged paintings to none other than Hitler himself. But, she’s noticed by Michel Lange. an old friend who is now a German soldier. He attempts to bribe her not for money, but for a means to escape to Switzerland. Can she trust him?

When she witnesses her friend Truus kill a German soldier, Isa and Michel, her frenemy German soldier concoct a scheme to sell more forged art with the money going to save Jewish children and help Michel escape. Isa finds herself caught between the Germans who would kill her if they discover she sold them a fake and the Dutch resistance who would kill her as a collaborator.

Art lovers will enjoy the rich descriptions through Isa’s eyes. I also enjoyed the fascinating look at the world of forgers and their techniques. The relationship between Isa and Michel is complicated and I was never quite sure if he could be trusted. The romantic tension was high with that element of danger mixed in.

The story itself was interesting and at times very suspenseful. I found the last third of the book extremely compelling as the danger exponentially increases. The first two thirds of the book was slow at times and some of the descriptions may be lost on YA readers. It took awhile for me to get into, and at first I had a hard time connecting to Isa. But, as I kept reading I became more engaged and ended up enjoying the story. I found myself on pins and needles as they were trying to smuggle the children out. Each encounter with the Nazis had me holding my breath especially when Isa’s trying to sell the forged art.

There is a gay character and mentions of prostitution as well as drug addiction and overdose. All of these were based on actual people and events. I found the author’s note at the end to be a must read as she explains the history behind the story. It’s fascinating in itself and made me want to learn more about the Dutch Resistance. All in all a compelling read for historical fiction fans and older YA readers. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided. ( )

Y/A only-means-no-gratuitous-erotica, 1943, Amsterdam, art-crimes, art-forgery, art-history, art-theft, bravery, collaborators, family-business, family-expectations, historical-novel, historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, historical-setting, history-and-culture, holocaust, Jews, rescue, resistance-efforts, survival, heroism, heritage, addiction, drugs-issues*****

In occupied Amsterdam a girl with many burdens becomes one who is to forge stolen paintings and sell them to the Germans and use the money to save babies from the gas chambers. The scenes, events and characters are all so very clearly depicted for those of us who are enmeshed in different kinds of villains and wars. An excellent read!
I requested and received an EARC from Scholastic/Scholastic Press via NetGalley. Thank you! ( )

I had grown tired of novels about WWII. It seems everyone wants to write about this war. Artifice by Sharon Cameron is a story that changed my feelings. Based on real characters, some heroes, and some cads, it is a book that kept my interest for the entire 400-plus pages. Johan van Hulst, an astounding man who rescued at least 600 Jewish babies and toddlers from the Nazis after they invaded the Netherlands, was a primary influence for the novel.
Isa is struggling to keep her father and herself alive during the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam. Her parents owned an art gallery, and her father is a talented painter as well as a talented art forger. Isa sells a forged Rembrandt to provide money to pay taxes. She likes the idea of the Nazis unknowingly paying to keep a roof over her head. Isa discovers Her friend Truus is involved with the Resistance, helping to smuggle Jewish babies to safety. The book contains a goodly number of characters, and there are numerous plot twists and turns to keep the excitement level high. I enjoyed the way Isa thought of her emotions in terms of colors. It was an intriguing bit of writing. Amsterdam was described in detail, including the canals which wound their way through the city. It felt authentic, and the tension of living under the occupation and not knowing who to trust and who was watching was palpable.
This novel would be an excellent teaching source for middle and upper grades. The verity of the storyline would make a quality addition to the facts of classroom history books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic Press for the ARC of this stunning book. ( )