4.5
Book source ~ TWR Tour

Samuel Val’s whole life is destroyed when Nazis come to his small town of Khruvina and kill everyone. As the only survivor, he joins the rebels known as the Black Foxes and vows to annihilate the one responsible, Viktor Naden, even if he dies in the attempt.

Wow. Talk about a book loaded with emotion. All kinds of emotions. There is no way to read this story and not come out unscathed. For being on the short side it packs quite a punch. Great characters, wonderful writing, and a world I wish had never existed.

While this is part of a series it can be read as a standalone. It ties in with Fracture and if you want a richer, deeper understanding you can read that first, but it’s not required. Anyone who has an interest in History, especially WWII, then I highly recommend this Historical Fiction to give you possible stories viewed from a different angle of events during the Holocaust. Heartbreaking, but also with hope, you won’t want to miss it. ( )

Hoffman has a wonderful mastery of transporting the reader back in time, and really capturing your attention from the first page. I admit it's a bit jarring returning to the real world, I get so wrapped up in the story. Although not a very long book, it's a very powerful one. There are no punches pulled, and we get a window into a dark time in history. I loved Sam from the start, and my heart broke for him. I don't want to give any spoilers, but there's plenty of suspense woven in as Samuel begins his journey seeking revenge, and you'll never be bored while reading this. Cannot recommend enough, and I can't wait to see what's next from Hoffman! ( )

I received an ARC copy from the touring host for an honest opinion. Sam's story immediately touches your heart. Cici's antics were so real that I could see her climb over her family out of pure boredom.

However, once the Nazi troops came "waltzing" in, this peaceful scenery changed into a horror movie.

The events of that day scared Samuel Val, and all he wanted to do was to take revenge on the only person he could remember from that fateful day.

A heartwarming story of revenge that takes you through the woods of Germany, where you experience another side of Sam. Yet, his belief was the only thing that held him upright and focused. When exactly he joined the Black Foxes is not clear, but here, he met interesting characters that added to the plotline.

The sceneries within the muck and trenches added to the demise he and Amos experienced, like a slow burn as you continue to read. Wondering how and when he will meet this man that extinguished his entire family.

"It wasn’t what Samuel had been expecting, either. Black Fox 120 had been ready for almost anything, but even he, well-experienced in the diverse array of men and women who joined the Black Foxes, lifted a curious brow and checked the map thrice before he conceded that they were in the right place."

Going undercover, and pretending to be part of the enemy, grated on him. This added another layer of suspense and determination and we see how this young man develops into a harsh force of realism as he begins to question his faith.

"Though Samuel despised Germany, the German Black Foxes’ bravery and sacrifice kept him from praying that Adonai would decimate the entire nation, like Sodom and Gomorrah."

This story takes you into the very heart of the war. Where loyalty is tested and man's will to live is pulled apart. Friends become enemies and enemies become friends. A beautiful balance of suspense and human frailty during the hardest time of our human race.

The author's writing style is clear, with enough description for one to become part of the story. A must read for all who love a Word War 11 story. ( )