I love the subject. This has a nice personal touch to it. What would you do to save your family, your loved ones, yourself, or the things you love from the monsters? Hanna did what was needed....... Love the characters, they felt very real. Stayed within the historical context very nicely. ( )

3.5 Stars

This author creates a rich and vibrant story of a woman growing up in an ever changing Germany and Europe during the early 20th century, fighting through tyranny and tragedy to create a better life for her children and to rescue the great artworks of Germany from destruction. I enjoyed the atmosphere the author created, an ever darkening aura over the art world as the story marches towards bonfires of color annihilation. She breathed life into this affluent world of wealth and art as well as its eventual decline under the Nazis.

I liked how the author just drew me into Hanna’s story; she makes her very personable from page one of her story. I loved her vulnerability, intelligence, and fire early in the story as she builds a new life and finds love. The evil on the horizon slowly slides into her life. Eventually, she is forced to live in quiet shadows, showing her resistance and fire in only small ways and living in constant fear of her life.

I do wish the dual storyline would have been handled differently, though. The modern chapters felt very out of place and jarring within the narrative. They had a different pace and focus that I didn’t like. They slowed the flow of Hanna’s story and didn’t really add that much to the story. They were boring, and I frankly didn’t like Lauren or Isabella. All the material presented in these chapters was covered elsewhere or could have been better incorporated as opening or closing chapters.

A beautiful story of resistance and love, Hanna’s story kept me entertained and emotionally invested long after reading. I loved the atmosphere the author was able to achieve in the dark Nazi state and the earlier bright, art-filled world of early 20th century Germany. Yet, her interspersing modern chapters throughout the book jarred the reading experience and slow the story flor dramatically. An enjoyable look at a personal opposition against Nazism but with some issues, this book should still entertain, if only for Hanna’s beautiful story. ( )

I love art and this book gave me that. However, writing mediocre and story trite at times. I was compelled by Hanna's story and did look forward to each read. Just wish it had been better written. And book cover does not reflect this book at all. ( )

Half way through this. The art theft is secondary to Isabella's telling of her mother's life from farm girl to wealthy art dealer in pre-war Germany and during Hitler's reign.


Finished this today. The story of Hanna's stuggle during the second war and her escape from Germany to America reminded me of many Sunday dinners at my grandparents. Oma often told us stories of what she did during the war to get food for her family and how they stuggled. I remember one story of her hiding in the barn loft at a farm from the German soldiers just to get fresh meat for her family. My grandfather was away and not much was ever said about what he was doing during that time other than he was a welder building bridges. Makes me wonder now. ( )

A good historical fiction read about what may have happened to all the art taken in WWII. ( )