Title: The Whispers of War
Author: Julia Kelly
Pages: 336
Publisher: Orion
Release Date: 16th January 2020
Blurb from Goodreads:
August,
1939.
Three young women watch the headlines in fear of
another devastating war with Germany. A war that could force them to
choose between friendship and country.
Determined to find her place in the Home Office's Air Raid Precautions Department, Nora is hopeful that they will be able to avoid another war. Meanwhile, Hazel's irrepressible optimism is disguising two closely guarded secrets from her friends. But it is Marie who has the most to fear. A German ex-pat with family living under Nazi rule, what will happen to her if war is declared?
When Germany invades Poland and tensions on the home front rise, Marie is labelled an enemy alien. Faced with a terrible choice between loyalty and patriotism, her friends must fight to keep Marie safe at any cost.
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My Review:
*I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley*
Marie, Hazel and Nora have been best friends since their time together at boarding school. Now young women, they all live in London and have made different lives for themselves.
Marie is a German who thinks of England as her home. When World War II breaks out, her nationality marks her as alien and an enemy.
Hazel and Nora will do whatever they can to help Marie, even if it means breaking the law.
What secrets are the friends hiding from each other?
What will happen to Marie?
How will World War II change the trio?
Without a doubt, my favourite thing about this book was the female friendships in it - the friendship and bonds between Marie, Hazel and Nora. The were incredibly close and would do anything they could to help each other. It was really nice how supportive they all were.
Marie, Hazel and Nora were different characters who had their own personalities, but they fit together really well and I enjoyed reading about them and finding out their stories. I didn't particularly have a favourite and found them all interesting, likeable and relatable.
The setting of London, both pre and during World War II, was interesting. It didn't feel like the author was trying too hard to make the reader believe the time period - there was just enough detail. I found the internment camps especially interesting to read about as I don't know much about them.
The plot was enjoyable and held my attention, but I wasn't on the edge of my seat or shocked by anything that happened. I do feel that I could have been a bit more invested in the characters and what happened to them.
The writing style was easy to follow and there weren't any times when I had to go back because I felt I'd missed something.
There was just the right amount of romance for me, as I think that any more would have overshadowed the theme of friendship.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read.
