Powerful historical novel about a true CIA project that was/is cruel. ( )

This was an amazing book, one I couldn’t put down. The story of fighting for what is right, what is just, against one of the cruelest known humans in the world, who just happened to be the protagonists father. Based upon historical happenings, the story grabs you from the start. Eva/Inge/Anna/Annamarie. You aren’t sure who is who until the middle of the book. New life in America, on the run, hiding from the powers that be, while she searches for her father, who not only destroyed millions of lives, but twisted her mind into one persona, only to discover she is actually someone else. This is one for historical fiction fans. ( )

This book was a heart pounding, never let you go kind of book. The book begins as we see alternating chapters from Inge and Eva’s point of views. Inge is in Germany, months after the end of WWII while Eva is in New York City starting her life over post-war. Throughout the book, you discover Eva is holding the key to a deadly secret, a secret that no one wants to get out. As the reader, you’re let into the secret little by little until it’s revealed. This is the WWII first book I’ve read that is from an insider’s point of view, as the characters are pulling back all the layers and discovering the story through the painful details, just as the reader is doing. I gasped several times during this book and my stomach was in knots for the majority of the book. There were several surprises within the book and when I thought I had figured it out, something else was thrown in. Highly recommend this book based on a true story. I promise you won’t want to put it down! ( )

Wow.

This is a WWII historical fiction (with thriller thrown in for good measure) so unlike any of the other books I’ve read of this genre. Usually my protagonists are young-middle aged British women. This book had a teenaged German female as our WWII protagonist.

And even though Scholastic is the publisher I would not say this book is your typical YA. This book is for adults as well as young adults. And whilst I’m not a parent I think it’s safe to say that the book is appropriate for young adults. It was well written and not graphic.

This book has a deep sad awfulness to it. WWII was just so unfathomable. The events that surrounded it make you question human-kind. The events were not carried out by one person…by one country. It’s amazing how one demented person can easily get others to go along with their truly wicked ideas.

Even with all the sadness (reality) in this book I also found it beautiful and hopeful. The author has a real gift. I loved the style of writing. I loved everything about this book. I’m also so glad to have read a book where I actually felt something for the female protagonist. A good bit of the last several books I read I could not care less for the main character(s). I’m glad the author gave that to me.

And the amount of research the author put into this book is astounding! A true labor of love.

A+++++ 10 Stars! ( )

Eva is the daughter of a powerful Nazi doctor who carried out mind-control experiments of various victims. Growing up in Berlin, Eva and her best friend, Annemarie, believed the rhetoric of the Nazis, however, now that the Germans have been defeated, Eva has learnt more about what happened in the concentration camps and has moved away from their ideals.

Now a refugee in New York and caring for her traumatised friend, Eva is on a mission - to seek revenge on her father for the crimes he committed during the war. Both girls have survived horrible atrocities and their stories are heartbreaking.

I loved the people at Powell House where Annemarie and Eva end up staying. Some were actual people and others were fictional, but they were all complex, well-developed and varied, and each contributed to the story. I loved how they welcomed the two girls with open arms and provided them with a sanctuary where they could rest and recover.

"Bluebird" was a well-researched novel which gave a different aspect to WWII. Full of twist and turns it was an intense read with drama, chase scenes and romance. It also had some darker issues including murder, suicide, sexual assault, animal cruelty and human experimentation. As such, I would only recommend this novel to older students. However, as a lover of history, I found it a compelling read. ( )