A.L. Sowards

*I read an eARC of this book. This does not affect my review. This review is voluntary.*

I had the blessed honor to read this one early, and ya'll, you don't want to miss this one if you enjoy Historical Fiction, WWI era stories, Russian/regional history, and an unforgettable found family with a precious slow-burn to boot! I loved these characters from the opening pages, literally from the first 'meeting' I knew I was going to adore this cast!

I wasn't wrong, and I can easily say this is one of my favorite reads of 2022 and one of the 2023 releases I'm most excited about! I just happened upon this one, and knew I couldn't pass the opportunity to read it, and am so very glad I did! I haven't read many WWI reads, and have yet that really told it with a more Russian-centric focus, both things that I loved about this one, and I adored getting to see it from the perspective of yet another side, that of the Czechoslovakia Legion a group that made their mark on history, but is rarely talked about only a century later. (Wow, a hundred years sounds so long, but our daily lives are still affected and made possible by events that happened during both WWI & WWII, time is such a fascinating thing!)

This book deals with themes of war but also deals with some other sensitive topics that might not be suitable for all. There's a brief instance of attempted assault early on, and another instance later that we as the reader know happened, but is never detailed or shown but is talked about briefly as the survivor questions their worth/future after facing such horrors.

Throughout the book, we are met with beautiful reminders and themes of love, hope, family, friendship, and a longing for a better future. I loved meeting Filip and his friends, and getting to know Nadia as well! The tone and atmospheric writing used in the story is absolutely breathtaking and I loved it for this story! It fit the themes and era so well, and kept me reading late into the night!

Merged review:

*I read an eARC of this book. This does not affect my review. This review is voluntary.*

I had the blessed honor to read this one early, and ya'll, you don't want to miss this one if you enjoy Historical Fiction, WWI era stories, Russian/regional history, and an unforgettable found family with a precious slow-burn to boot! I loved these characters from the opening pages, literally from the first 'meeting' I knew I was going to adore this cast!

I wasn't wrong, and I can easily say this is one of my favorite reads of 2022 and one of the 2023 releases I'm most excited about! I just happened upon this one, and knew I couldn't pass the opportunity to read it, and am so very glad I did! I haven't read many WWI reads, and have yet that really told it with a more Russian-centric focus, both things that I loved about this one, and I adored getting to see it from the perspective of yet another side, that of the Czechoslovakia Legion a group that made their mark on history, but is rarely talked about only a century later. (Wow, a hundred years sounds so long, but our daily lives are still affected and made possible by events that happened during both WWI & WWII, time is such a fascinating thing!)

This book deals with themes of war but also deals with some other sensitive topics that might not be suitable for all. There's a brief instance of attempted assault early on, and another instance later that we as the reader know happened, but is never detailed or shown but is talked about briefly as the survivor questions their worth/future after facing such horrors.

Throughout the book, we are met with beautiful reminders and themes of love, hope, family, friendship, and a longing for a better future. I loved meeting Filip and his friends, and getting to know Nadia as well! The tone and atmospheric writing used in the story is absolutely breathtaking and I loved it for this story! It fit the themes and era so well, and kept me reading late into the night!… (altro)

Dear Mrs. Sowards,
How it is that you write book that completely destroy me, and yet I love with every part of my soul, I’m not sure I’ll ever understand. But I do. I’d read this again in a heartbeat, and do plan to reread it one day. It’s a powerful, beautifully told story. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a good WWII fiction.
I really loved Karl’s character arc. The way he progresses and grows through this book is just phenomenal. It’s the kind of character growth we always want to see in the MCs of the stories we love. I loved how it took many experiences, people, and his faith to help him grow and change. He had a steadiness about him, and a desire to be the person his father knew he could become. And I admired his ability to be adaptable through the struggles he had.
Millie was such a dear, and I adored her from the beginning. I liked her tenacity, her desire to help with the war effort, her intelligence, and her ability to put her best into everything. And the code breaking bits were so good! She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind and I loved that. The relationship between her and Karl was so sweet and lovely. Their letters made me smile, and I thought they were a clever way to share the passage of time.
Your addition of Rolf really rounded out the story and gave it some added depth. It made the entire war more human, not just the side I always root for.
Did I cry while reading this book? Yes. I did more than cry. I sobbed uncontrollably, for the final 60 or so pages. I knew what was coming. I read Heirs of Falcon Point, and remembered vividly what Karl’s story was. I knew what was coming, and I still sobbed. And yet, I finished the book feeling hope, seeing the beauty in love and family, and amazed at how you brought everything together at the end. You are truly a master storyteller, and I relish the opportunity to enjoy your stories. Thank you for giving me the chance.
Ever yours,
Jessica

*CW/TW: This is not a book for those who can only enjoy books with an HEA. While this book does end with some happiness, there are still details that could leave you quite bereft if HEA. This is not a romance story a much as it is a WWII fiction, and it’s best enjoyed if that is remembered. (Reading Heirs of Falcon Point prior to this, though not required to enjoy, could also help with some details.) Also contains typical wartime details, such as bombings, sinking boats, death at sea, deprivations of Jewish peoples mentioned, hatred toward various groups, and focus on machines instead of lives.

**thanks to the publisher and author for the copy. These are my own thoughts.… (altro)

This book has all the intensity and depth you’d expect from a full-length novel, though it’s significantly shorter. I love how A.L. Sowards’ books can give me the feel of a full battle scene, without making it dark or gory. I don’t finish her books feeling depressed, and I always finish feeling enlightened about a part of history I didn’t know as well before. A.L. Sowards doesn’t miss a single important thing in this one. If you enjoy wartime fiction at all, this is a must-read. This book is full of battle scenes, heartache, character depth and development, intrigue, spies, deception, hand-to-hand combat, and romance.

Miladin is everything you’d want in a hero. He’s thoughtful and kind, and loyal and determined. Magdalena, while a woman, has the heart of a warrior. What she went through with her husband made me seethe! But she did it all with grace and calm, and I was inspired by her ability to move forward despite tragedy and heart break. And I adored Svetlana. When I tell you think book made me feel allll the feels, I mean it. I was on the edge of my seat, I chuckled, I feared, I cried. I felt it all.

This prequel novella is the absolute perfect step into the waters of this series. You more than whet your appetite—you’ll be hooked, and desperate for more from this world. Thankfully, A.L. Sowards will be giving it to us with book one of this series coming June. Right now is the perfect time to start on the series!

4.5 stars

**Many thanks to the publisher and author for the copy. All thoughts are my own.… (altro)

Before the Fortress Falls, by A. L. Sowards is a historical fiction novel about family, love, faith, and survival. In 1683 Vienna, Katja Schor learns from her brother Wilhelm, a courtier of Emperor Leopold, that the emperor is leaving Vienna (to secure allies against an invasion by the Ottoman Empire), and so are the Schors. Katja does not want to leave her beloved city. She hears that her other brother, Xavier, a soldier, is returning to Vienna with his regiment. She hasn’t seen Xavier in over a year - since his falling out with Wilhelm. On their way to Linz, Katja makes the impulsive decision to return to Vienna on foot, unbeknownst to Wilhelm. Her sister-in-law only half-heartedly tries to stop her. In Vienna, preparations are being made against the imminent invasion. Everyone, including Katja, must do their part. Katja runs into a childhood friend, Tobias, and she cannot deny that her interest in him quickly becomes more than just the rekindling of a friendship. Tobias is not of a prominent, affluent family, like the Schors, so that’s an obstacle - not to mention that their city is about to be attacked - and their army is desperately outnumbered. Should the Ottoman army prevail, they will kill or enslave anyone who remains in the city. What will Wilhelm do? Will Katja find Xavier? Will the walls around Vienna hold? Will reinforcements arrive in time? Will Emperor Leopold find allies to help? No spoilers here!!… (altro)