A Brighter Dawn is an Amish/Mennonite dual timeline novel from Leslie Gould. Set in modern-day America and WWII-era Germany, the book explores both white supremacy and the Nazi eugenics experiments. It was interesting to read about Mennonite communities in the present and in the past and their struggles with keeping separate from the “world”. As in most spiritual communities some people better adhere to their principals than others. Main character Ivy Zimmerman has a lot to deal with — guilt over her parents’ deaths in a car accident, her struggles with faith, and the newfound family she knew little about. Add to that a mystery surrounding her great-aunt Clare, and you have a complex, yet cohesive story to fall into. I enjoyed the book overall, though I did find the historical thread more compelling. The scientific research, the growing anti-semitism, and the ambivalence of those of faith were all too relevant for the modern reader. I had trouble connecting with the younger characters in the present-day story — probably due to my own advanced years. 😉 I do think that older teens and young adults would like this book. It certainly is a recommended read.

Recommended.

Audience: older teens and adults.

(I purchased this book from Amazon. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) ( )

Wow! I'd give this book more than five stars! It's simply wonderful! Intricately researched and full of history. The story is very unique. The characters are wonderful and relatable. There are themes of love, loss, and faith. I felt connected to all of the characters and was happy to invest time in them and their lives. My favorite quote is: " Remember, the world is not going to remind you that you are a child of God. The world will criticize, point out your flaws, and do all it can to discourage you and make you question God's love for you." The author eloquently portrays the grace and love of God throughout this book! This is a thought provoking book; it really made me think about my faith and how I portray that faith to others. I'm so glad I had the privilege to read it!
I received a copy courtesy of Bethany House through Interviews and Reviews for my honest opinion. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ( )

Stunning and dramatic tale of an Amish girl, a trip to Germany, and a looming World War. Add in the accident that killed her parents - it becomes a must-read!

This is one of the most unusual historical novels I have read with a combination of mystery and history. The story switches from 2014, U.S.A to Germany in the 1930’s during World War 2. I like comparing the present and the past in the character’s lives.
Ivy, in her twenties, is trying to sort out what she wants do to with her life. She has conflict with her parent’s religious expectations. They were raised Amish to became Mennonites when they married. A sudden car accident takes their lives and leaves Ivy and her family reeling. Her sister who was driving has a memory loss and severe emotional trauma. The facts don’t add up and she suspects her parent’s death was not accidental.
She is urged by her maternal grandmother that lives with them to go with her sisters to her paternal grandparents in Pennsylvania for a time to heal. They have had practically no contact with their son her granddaughters their entire life. Not to mention they are very strict Amish.
On the way she visits with her Great Great Aunt Rosene and learns about a young woman in their family named Clare that traveled to Germany in the 1930’s. Her stay turns from a visit to an extended stay as she helps care for her young twin cousins who have health problems.
The story is told on and off as Rosene takes turns riding with Ivy to Pennsylvania.
It was fascinating! I did not know anything about the German Anabaptists during that time. I have read and heard about Dr. Josef Mengele’s cruel and inhumane genetic experimentation on twins. All this was brought home even more so by the personal story of Clare’s cousins and the family. This book has some very surprising endings! I love history and this book is packed with it! I cannot wait for the next in the series!
I received this book from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated are my own. ( )

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
Ivy Zimmerman's life is forever changed when her parents are killed in a tragic accident. A trip to Germany for an international Mennonite youth gathering can't come soon enough for Ivy. With loosing her parents, dealing with her sister, the community, her boyfriend, and her very strict grandparents, she is more than ready to leave this community of Mennonite's for a while. But when she starts unraveling truths about her parents she finds in Germany, can she find the answers she so desires?

I very much enjoyed this dual time story as we follow the present time Ivy and historical times Ivy's great-great-aunt's story about Clare Simons, another young woman who visited Germany in the late 1930s. I found it interesting seeing WWII and the Hitler age through the eyes of a Mennonite. The author does an amazing job with research and it is evident by the history we find in this book. Each detailed scene is covered in so much history, fans of WWII will sure want to indulge themselves in the pages of this intriguing book. I'm giving A Brighter Dawn Five Stars. I'm looking forward to what author Leslie Gould had in store for her readers next.

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. ( )