They Bled Orange

Orphans of War Series #2

by Michael Reit

A family divided. A war-torn continent. An impossible journey.

In the thick of World War II, Nora Brouwer is the Resistance's most valuable asset. But when her cover is blown in a botched execution, her life is in grave danger. She must leave Amsterdam immediately and embark on a perilous journey across war-torn Europe, fighting to stay out of the Nazis' clutches.

Meanwhile, Floris Brouwer—the city's top Jew hunter and Nora's husband, is hell-bent on exacting revenge on his traitorous wife. As he faces deportation to the very camps he had sent hundreds of Jews to, he seizes a lifeline to avoid certain death, but the cost is unimaginable.

Christiaan Brouwer, Nora's brother-in-law, is stuck in Switzerland, his heart aching as he hears news of his homeland's brutal Nazi occupation. When he's offered the chance to escort a downed British pilot back to England and join the Allied forces, he knows he must take it, even if it means risking everything, including the life of his Jewish girlfriend, Lisa.

Will Nora make it to safety, or will she be caught and face certain death? Will Floris succeed in his mission of vengeance, or will his past catch up with him? And will Christiaan and Lisa make it through Nazi-occupied France, or will they fall prey to the enemy? Only time will tell in this gripping story of life during the war.

You can’t save them all, but you might save yourself...

From London to the Eastern Front, the Orphans of War trilogy's second installment is a heart-stopping tale of conflicting loyalties, ever-present danger, and the will to survive at all costs.


Readers are loving the second installment of The Orphans of War

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “ … Michael Reit blew me away with They Bled Orange! It sucked me in from the very beginning … If you haven't started this series yet, you need to! It may be one of my favorite historical fiction series out there . ” – Netgalley Reviewer

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “ … read the book to find out how this all plays out. It is fast paced and edge of your chair reading . It was a good story and I recommend it .” – Netgalley Reviewer

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “ This poignant , heart stopping and haunting novel crushed me and moved me to tears . I FELT the all-sensory story written with a powerful rawness and grittier detail than the first. The sense of urgency is propulsive and utterly engrossing . ” – Netgalley Reviewer

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “ Amazing book ! ” – Goodreads Reviewer

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “ The characters feel so real! I felt like I was taking part in their lives. This is a great book . ” – Goodreads Reviewer

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Holocaust, World War II

328 pages, Paperback

Published March 29, 2023

About the author

Michael Reit writes page-turning historical fiction. His books focus on lesser-known events and people in World War II Europe.

Born in the Netherlands, he now lives in beautiful Vienna, Austria, with his partner Esther and daughter Bibi. You can connect through michaelreit.com or Facebook (Michael Reit Author).

Reviews

[Marilyn (not getting notifications) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over the years, Michael Reit has become an author that I look forward to reading more and more. I have been lucky enough to have read all the books he has written so far. After having read the first book in the Orphans of War series, I was excited to read They Bled Orange (Orphans of War Book 2). They Bled Orange pretty much picked up where the first book in this series left off. It was a most engaging book. Michael Reit, once again transported his readers back to 1943 to Nazi occupied Amsterdam where there was not only a strong and intimidating Nazi presence in the city but also a strong and courageous resistance movement bent on sabotaging the Nazis in any way possible. The police department in Amsterdam also openly pledged their support to the Nazis and helped the Nazis capture and round up Jews for them during the occupation. They Bled Orange took place in Amsterdam, Geneva, Switzerland, London and on the Russian Front.

Christiaan Brouwer and Lisa Abrahams successfully escaped from Amsterdam and had been living in Geneva, Switzerland since they had escaped. Both Christiaan and Lisa had been helping the newly arrived refugees settle in, and find housing and jobs in Switzerland. Christiaan wanted to do more, though. He and Lisa both agreed to go to London. They both felt they could help more being in London. Soon after their arrival in London, Christiaan went through training to become a spy. He and Lisa, along with other Dutch refugees, were granted an audience with Queen Wilhelmina in London. The Queen asked Christiaan to return to Amsterdam as a spy so he could impress upon the individual resistance cells the importance of working in unity. In this way they would be strong enough to liberate their country from the Nazis when the time was right. Christiaan was more than honored to oblige his Queen. Since Lisa worked as a typist at the Bureau Inlichtingen or the Dutch Intelligence Agency, she had collected evidence that raised her suspicions that their network might have been compromised by the Nazis. Christiaan had also been asked to verify this suspicion once he arrived in Amsterdam. What a risk Christiaan was taking returning to Amsterdam!

Nora Brouwer was still an active and reliable member of the resistance movement in Amsterdam. When her cover was blown after an unsuccessful execution, Nora was forced to leave Amsterdam and run for her life. With three other refugees, she began the long journey through Belgium, France, Spain and Portugal to get to her final destination of London. Nora’s journey was hard, dangerous and difficult but she had no other choice.

Floris Brouwer had worked at the headquarters of the Bureau Jewish Affairs as a police officer that hunted down Jewish Citizens. He had captured more Jews than anyone else in his police force until he had been taken prisoner by the resistance more than four months earlier. Somehow, Floris evaded a botched execution by the resistance that was meant to end his life. When he reported back to his old position at the police station he hoped for a warm welcome back. All around him, his fellow police officers were openly suspicious of where he had been for the past four months. Floris escaped his own execution by the resistance only to be forced to volunteer to go to a Waffen-SS training camp and then to be sent to the Eastern Front to fight the Russian army.

They Bled Orange by Michael Reit was comprised of three parts and the chapters alternated between the characters of Christiaan and Lisa, Nora and Floris. Michael Reit’s research for this book was extensive and detailed. He presented and talked about his research in his author’s note. They Bled Orange was definitely more graphic than his prior novels have been. There are a few scenes that depicted the cruelty the Nazis were known to inflict upon their prisoners. They Bled Orange was very well written. I loved the cover also! Now I am looking forward to reading the third and final book in this trilogy. I recommend this book very highly.

Thank you to Book Whisperer for allowing me to read They Bled Orange by Michael Reit through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Publication was April 5, 2023.

[Marialyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

It makes me sad that I have to place this story in my "Wish I had liked it more" category. Of course, a story that tells of the struggles and times that many lived and died under during the war is one that is always worthy and valuable.

We are told about Nora Brouwer, a Resistance fighter who through a mistake, has her life placed in incredible danger. Leaving Amsterdam is a problem but Nora through courage and stealth is able to escape to England. Meanwhile her husband, the Jew hunting, Floris Brouwer, is hell bent on capturing (and torturing ) his wife. However, through a mistake, he is sent to the Russian border to fight. There he witnesses both a kindness which will change is views, and atrocities done to the Jews and the horrors of war.

Christiaan Brouwer, Nora's brother-in-law, is in Switzerland and is asked to escort a British pilot back to his home. Along with his girlfriend, Lisa, a Jew, Christiaan does bring the pilot to safety. and is then asked to return to the war torn zone.

The lives of these people are portrayed with the war raging and the reader wondering if any of them will survive.

The story started out strong, but then it deteriorated into more of a telling than a showing of the horrendous incidents so well known to those of us who acknowledge history. I see from other reviews, that most of them gave this book 4-5 stars, so please take a look at their reviews if you intend to read this story. It appears I am an outlier where this book is concerned. However, one must never forget the atrocities of war and the people who followed along with hatred in their hearts.

Thank you to Michael Reit, The Book Whisperer and NetGalley for a copy of this story due to publish April 5, 2023.

[Toni Osborne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #2 in the “Orphan of War” series

An impossible journey

This is a gripping version of the Dutch Resistance and what they needed to do against the Nazis occupation in order not only to survive but to get their country back. This story reveals the determination as well as the courage those working behind the lines manifested for a long period of time. This tale also honours those brave people that stood against evil.

Although this second novel in the series we have just enough backstory to blend in, so no worries there. At center stage we have the resistance members: the main players are Nora, Christiaan and Lisa and Floris the Jew hunter portrayed with all his dilemmas. As we follow the paths of these characters the story flips from one character to the other showing their view and perspective on what there are experiencing. The dialogue and the interaction is what drive this story. It is very active and dramatic. Not a dull moment. This is a real page-turner.

In “They Bled Orange” we are introduced to the vicious side of the war where torture, murder, death are described in some details. This is a very engrossing story of a war-torn continent.

I received an Arc from “The Book Whisperer” via Netgalley for my thoughts

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel hardly let me breathe peacefully!!! What a thrilling page-turner! I enjoyed reading about the different characters and their journey through the Dutch resistance, or/a d their journey fleeing the Nazis through Europe. I also learned quite a lot about Dutch men enrolling in the SS and being sent on the Eastern front fighting the Russians... Some gruesome detailed descriptions (though luckily not many made some of these journeys very realistic and not to be forgotten. I will definitely read the last book of the trilogy.
I received a complimentary ARC of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.

[Patty Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 of 3. So far pretty good. These books are based on little known facts of the Dutch resistance during WW2.

[Elaine Schuttinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found it to be a real page turner!! Couldn't wait to see where Nora, Lisa and Christiiaan end up . I can't believe I have to get another book! Love this trilogy!!!

[Caro Klements · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thoroughly disappointed by the sequel to Orphans of War. First of all, Reit has a fixation on telling rather than showing. Events are often days or weeks apart, and the characters all speak in extreme bouts of exposition, often with such grandness of scale and purpose that they are no longer functional as individuals. I could not, gun to my head, describe to you Nora Brouwer's character, nor could I do the same for any of the others. They are all shallow fascimiles designed and written to carry what the author considers to be a cool setting.

The plot moves forward still. The book carries on, in a sense inexorably so, as you turn page after page. Some of the character plots are more boring than others, in part because of how shallow and one-note the characterisation is. In general, the prospect of a third book kept me reading, and there are some interesting moments here or there. They're numbed by dull prose, which shies away from description and compacts massively complex events into a mere half-paragraph description. I often had a feeling that the action was taking place in a white void, indistinct and separate from reality and implacable in its surroundings. When we are treated to a description, it is shallowly, with few defining features; at best, it is a general idea of a place.

I did not notice any major historical inaccuracies and I hadn't expected them, frankly. The worst I've seen at about the two thirds mark is the fact that Lisa and Christiaan are somehow unmarried. This is very peculiar as doing so would be expedient to them for multiple reasons, including easing their entry into Britain to begin with. They remain unmarried and Lisa is, at points, referred to as Christiaan's "girlfriend." In English society especially, this would be downright scandalous. It was just a very odd thing to avoid as they're both clearly in love and, at the time, it was common to marry young and quickly, especially in wartime.

Now, this alone would hardly merit a two-star rating. And, as I said, thus far I had no reason to believe that Reit would include something deeply problematic and ahistorical. But he did: namely an absurd foray into what I can only describe as the depths of the "Clean Wehrmacht" myth, in a way which frankly defies the imagination. If you have read the previous book, you have some familiarity with the character of Floris Brouwer. Without wishing to spoil anything, and as a question to the readers of the previous installment, would you find it strange if he had a weird half-redemption arc? Well, he does. And if that's all you care about, you can stop reading here. However, if you'd like to know more, then keep reading. Spoilers follow:

So, who is Floris Brouwer? Why, he is several things, all listed below:

1. One of the most prolific Jew hunters in Amsterdam, formerly, responsible for catching a third of the city's Jews.
2. Aware and proud of the fact that the Jews are being sent to their deaths, and is consenting to his Jew hunting precisely on that basis. In fact, he declares that "the Jews ought to be punished for what they did to us" multiple times.
3. An actual baby killer as he, personally, raids a Jewish Creche and deports infants and children to concentration camps.
4. A wife-beater who is shown manhandling his wife Nora multiple times, in a very brutal way.
5. An avowed Nazi who has been a member of the Dutch NSB since 1935.
6. A thief who robs the victims of his raids, hoards their gold, and does so explicitly because he knows and understands that they won't be coming back.

Now, in one segment of this book, Floris is sent to the Eastern Front as part of the SS, having been found out for his crimes of stealing from the Reich. Once there, the very first scene sees him encountering he work of the Einsatzgruppen. For those unaware, these were paramilitary groups consisting of equal parts German nationals and local volunteers tasked with exterminating the Jews, Communists, and Slavs in the East as a means of making room for the coming German settlers. They would round up and execute these individuals manually, one by one, with rifles to the backs of their heads, or sometimes being beaten to death. This extracted a heavy toll on the SS men who did the killing, with many requesting reassignment. This was, in part, one of the reasons why the SS moved increasingly towards gassing of the population in the East, as it was considered more "expedient" to do so (Rhodes, 2002).

However, there is one noteworthy thing here: The soldiers themselves did not disagree with the rationale of these Slavs and Jews needing to be murdered. That was not their point of complaint. They were shaken by the violence of what they saw, but not the underlying ideological basis thereof. In fact, the SS, the Einsatzgruppen, and the Wehrmacht co-operated on a "jovial basis," freely, and with little friction between them. The principal complaints of soldiers of the Wehrmacht who had to participate in these killings was directed towards the fact that the SS had "cushy jobs" away from the frontline. Moral complaints were fielded exclusively by the higher-ups in the Wehrmacht, whose gripes were swiftly ignored (Friedländer, 2009; Browning, 1992; Bald, 2004; Messerschmidt, 2005; Römer, 2012; Welzer & Neitzel, 2012).

Now, upon seeing these atrocities, Brouwer, who is all of the aforementioned things, feels disgust. He claims that "some of these were not Jews," and therefore he thinks the killings unlawful. This makes absolutely no historical sense, as they were Slavs, and Hitler was very, very open about the fact that one of the goals of the Nazis was to "cleanse" the East. The so-called Drang Nach Osten and its associated policy of Lebensraum was a matter of open discussion in cirlcles of those involved with Nazi politics and policy. Brouwer, as a long-term member of the NSB, would not only be aware of this, but would, by necessity, have to support it. Therefore, his being appalled makes precisely zero historical sense.

At this point in time, Brouwer is in the SS. This, in turn, means that he is wearing an SS uniform. At this point, as part of this chapter, he is approached by a man in a Wehrmacht uniform. The man says to Brouwer: "Those men over there, they are animals. They will rape, pillage, and murder in the name of the Reich. They are not fit to wear the same uniform, as they'll never see a day of combat in their lives."

I cannot stress this enough: the very utterance of this is treason. To do so to a uniformed member of the SS is downright suicide. Whilst there is no doubt that some Wehrmacht soldiers felt this way, they were in a stark, tiny minority, and if they did feel this way, they knew better than to share such, especially with a uniformed member of the SS, foreign or not. The Schutzstaffel were the vanguard of fascist ideology on the German front lines. Whilst most Wehrmacht soldiers were Nazis themselves (the overwhelming majority, in fact), they were not nearly as zelaous as the SS themselves. The very term "SS" was a byword, among civillians and allied soldiers alike, for the manifestation of Nazi brutality given human form. Consider this as I explain what happens next.

Floris is sent on a patrol with his SS cronies, and his best friend, Anton. Most of them, save for himself and his aforementioned buddy Anton, get killed by the Soviets. Anton and Floris escape to a farm nearby whereupon they encounter a family, headed by a man named Boris. Boris is armed and pointing a gun at Floris but he manages to talk him down from killing himself and Anton. The man then feeds these SS soldiers and hides them. Some time later, a group of Red Army soldiers visit the farm, to go after the SS that escaped. Boris directs them into the woods, and away from Floris and Anton, who are hiding in the barn. Then, he brings Floris and Anton some food. As Floris shakes his hand in thanks, he notices that Boris is wearing a Kippah, and this leads Floris to question his beliefs.

You read this correctly. A Jewish civillian hides a pair of SS soldiers from the Red Army. When I first got to this segment in the novel, I had to do a double take. It felt as though David Irving had leapt out of the page and attached himself to my throat. At best, this is deeply ahistorical and startlingly naive. At worst, it is offensive, insensitive, and simply insipidly stupid. The Jewish civillian in question would know very well who the SS were and what they did to the Jews. More to the point, the farm within which they hide is in a territory formerly inhabited by the Germans, which they had to give up in the retreat. This man would be dead. His entire family would be dead. Any Jews which remained behind German lines as they advanced through Russia were subjected to the beastly treatment of the, you guessed it, Einsatzgruppen. It is very, VERY unlikely that Boris and his family would have evaded detection through both the German occupation and their retreat.

Not to mention that all of this is wildly out of character for Floris. An avowed Nazi, a man responsible for sending close to a thousand Jews to their deaths, aware of such, is now suddenly experiencing a change of heart over a handshake? Brouwer literally oversaw the deportation of actual Jewish children to death camps, and he is fully aware of the fact that he has sent all of them to their deaths. It makes absolutely no sense. It defies the imagination, and it actually manages to enter a realm of ahistoricity so offensive that it becomes almost parodic.

Thereafter, Floris is forced to participate in an Einsatzgruppen pogrom against the population of a local town. He hesitates to shoot a Jew out of his newfound sense of humanity - Lord knows where that had come from - and has a gun pressed to his head. Now, this both makes sense and does not make sense. It does not make sense insofar as the people who refused to participate in the killing (as I mentioned before) suffered no consequences for such. They were simply rotated off and sent elsewhere, and replaced with volunteers or other soldiers. But Brouwer also states that what they are doing, this pogrom, is "criminal." Never mind that there is no character basis for his saying such, but again, doing so is treason. He, as a uniformed member of the SS, would not just have a gun pressed to his head, but he'd probably be put on trial and sent to a penal batallion or to a concentration camp himself. I have been unable to find any evidence of SS members ever having a change of heart in this situation. I mean, why would they? They're sworn Nazis who believe with every ounce of themselves in Hitler and his ideals; like Brouwer himself does, or ought to.

This carries on into the third book I am reading, where we are once again treated to an inexplicably conflicted Floris. This is what he wanted, what he knowingly worked for, and what he has always supported. The idea that someone with his background would be surprised is absolutely ludicrous. Not to mention that the idea of any German soldier readily declining participation in the Holocaust is absurd. There were some, but they were a very small minority and met their fates very quickly. The Wehrmacht was wholly complicit in the Holocaust, and the SS doubly so, and pardoning a member of the latter and trying to make him "sympathetic" is staggeringly misguided. I forced myself to churn through the remainder of this book purely because I paid for it, and I will do the same with the third iteration. However, I won't mince words: this is insanely stupid, incredibly ahistorical, and offensive in so many ways that it has entered a colour spectrum of historical revisionism visible only to pistol shrimp.

Christ, Reit. Do better. Please, mate. This isn't 1973 anymore.

Bibliography:

- Browning, C. R. (2013). Ordinary men. Harper Collins.
- Bald, D. (2004). Zivilcourage: Empörte, Helfer und Retter aus Wehrmacht, Polizei und SS. Wolfram Wette.
- Friedländer, S. (2009). Nazi Germany and the Jews, 1933-1945. Harper Collins.
- Messerschmidt, M. (2005). Die Wehrmachtjustiz, 1933-1945. Brill Schoningh.
- Neitzel, S., & Welzer, H. (2012). Soldaten - on fighting, killing and dying: The Secret Second World War Tapes of German POWs. Simon and Schuster.
- Rhodes, R. (2002). Masters of Death: The SS-Einsatzgruppen and the Invention of the Holocaust. New York: Vintage Books.
- Römer, F. (2012). Kameraden: Die Wehrmacht von innen. Piper Verlag.

[Bonnye Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

'They Bled Orange' is an excellent peek into the European Underground during WWII. We follow Nora Brouwer and her fellow resistance fighters, as well as the life-line of Nora's dastardly husband Floris, Amsterdam's top Nazi Jew-hunter, as the war circles through Europe, from Switzerland to Amsterdam to France and Spain and Portugal, and thus to England. This is a story you will not be able to set aside so plan to serve delivered pizza for supper and read on. It's a story to keep you riveted until the final chapter and leaves you wanting more. Michael Reit is an author I will avidly follow.

Reviewed on April 16, 2023, at Goodreads, and AmazonSmile. Not available for review on B&N, BookBub, Kobo, or GooglePlay. May 3, 3034, reviewed on B&Nand BookBub.

[Jeneane Vanderhoof · Rating 5 out of 5]

They Bled Orange by Michael Reit is the second installment of the Orphans of War trilogy. And, while the series started with another release, I started here and still found the book wonderful- I believe, as each story seems to be original, all its own, while still a part of a trilogy in which the author covers World War II from his own, original perspective, one which I love, as a reader.

The story opens with the resistance having captured a Jew hunter, a Nazi and the captor…one of which is his wife. As she sits and tells the hell bent man what is going to happen to him, outside as the Nazi's ravage the city, he sits captured, one of the captors, his wife….yes, he is mad. And, unfortunately, the night before he is to die, he manages to escape. However instead of turning his wife in as one of his captors, Floris Brouwer manages to keep that a secret. Not for her protection but to exact his own personal revenge, when he catches up to her in the future. But first Brouwer must manage to convince his superiors that he really was captured, which becomes harder than it should be, the Nazi's having no problem turning on one of their own, it seems.

Highlighting how World War II split families, not just by the War itself but the "warring" views of the members of each family, Christian Brouwer, Floris's brother, is a member of the resistance, or the "allies". When he learns that he can be of help to the cause, by going into territory that is dangerous and helping downed pilots get back to their home, he takes the risk to his life, even when he is in the midst of protecting the woman he loves. And while he would rather stay with her, make sure that she makes it out of the War okay, the woman he loves is strong and a part of the cause herself. Since she has taken a job and is deep at work helping the allies, he feels he must risk his life, be a part of something good, for all the "bad" that his blood shares, and help undue the nefarious work of his brother, the Nazi hunter.

Floris at work at finding his wife and exacting revenge, his brother Christian headed back into dangerous territory to help the allies, what will be the fate of this family, when the end of the War comes? Michael Reit manages to create a World War II tale that doesn't just include the atrocities of War but the depth of it, too. Where readers can go outside of thinking just about Hitler and his troops, into the psyches and drama of the families who were split apart, when brothers viewed things from different perspectives, when women began to hate men they once loved because of what they chose to believe and do. Readers can see the true depths of the war down to single families, married couples and how others can split us from the people we love even, the people who share our own blood.

They Bled Orange is a must read, especially if you are a historical fiction reader and a lover of War fiction. However if you are like me and this is outside the genre of your norm, They Bled Orange is one you might want to try, the storyline and writing are very entertaining!

Happy Reading!

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Advance Reader Copy eBook

In Amsterdam, Nora Brouwer hardly recognizes her husband, Floris. For the past four months, the police officer has been held by the Resistance and Nora realizes that, although she’d hoped he’d changed, Flor is still a vicious Nazi determined to send the Jewish people away to die in the faraway camps.

However, Nora tells him that he will die tomorrow.

But Fate provides an opportunity and Floris is able to escape, leaving Nora’s life in danger. Floris’s escape means that Nora, a valuable Resistance asset, must leave Amsterdam.

Meanwhile, his brother, Christiaan, continues his work with the resistance; now he and his girlfriend, Lisa Abrahams, will escort a downed British RAF pilot back to England.

As the Resistance continues its work, will the revenge-seeking Floris find Nora? Or will she escape? Will Christiaan and Lisa
be captured by the enemy?

And what of the work of the brave members of the Resistance?

=========

“They Bled Orange” [presumably a reference to the Dutch program Radio Oranje that was broadcast to the German-occupied Netherlands during the Second World War] continues the author’s trilogy that began with “The Orphans of War.” Although this is the second book in the series, there is sufficient backstory for readers new to the series.

Well-developed characters and a strong sense of place anchor the telling of this tale. Filled with suspense, the unfolding story follows Nora, Floris, Christiaan, and Lisa, involving them in historically accurate events.

This compelling account of the Dutch Resistance and their efforts against the Nazis occupying their country reveals the courage of many civilians who fought behind the lines. This is a well-told tale, but readers may find that the horror of the Nazi regime and the depiction here of the war crimes committed make for difficult reading.

However, this historically accurate tale is a tribute to the brave heroes who stood against the Nazi evil and the horror perpetrated against the Dutch people.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from The Book Whisperer and NetGalley
#TheyBledOrange #NetGalley

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical fiction from World War II is my special interest and They Bled Orange did not disappoint. Although second in the series Orphans of War by Michael Reit, I had no trouble following the thread of the storyline without the benefit of having read the first book in the series. This novel follows the interwoven storylines of several family members and friends that are caught up in the Resistance during the occupation of The Netherlands by the German army. Nora and her brother-in-law, Christian, are both deeply involved in the Resistance efforts to help Jewish families and children escape the country and both wind up having to leave Amsterdam abruptly upon discovery of their efforts. Nora’s husband, on the hand has joined the German forces helping to hunt down Jewish citizens and is in hot pursuit of his wife and brother when his missteps wind up sending him to the Eastern front fighting for the German Army. The story lines follow the escape of Nora and some other Resistance fighters as they endeavor to make their way out of the clutches of the Nazi regime and to England. Christian and Lisa, his fiancé, the first to escape are charged with helping a pilot cross to Spain so that he can they can head to Britain and Christian can rejoin the resistance fight in Amsterdam. The escapes are heart-stopping travels with fear of being apprehended by the Germans at every turn.. The journey of Floris, the husband of Nora, to the Eastern front to meet up and fight against the equally ruthless and deadly Russian army is an eye-opening experience for Floris. Unfortunately the book ends with several characters stories left in limbo which of course is designed to entice the reader to continue the sage with the third book. However, it is slightly frustrating to be left hanging until the next book comes along!

I was provided an arc through the Book Whisperer and Net Galley and certainly appreciate the opportunity to preview this exciting book.

[Ave Jeanne Ventresca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This historical fiction initiates in an action-packed and poignant 1943, where the lives of many are tattered by the sights and sounds of WW2. From England to the Eastern Front, like scenes from a movie, chapters of mesmerizing encounters thrust through the reader’s mind in rapid succession.
This second book in the Orphans of War trilogy, elaborates on the lives of a handful of endearing, brutal, and charismatic characters. Sharing center stage are a member of the resistance movement and a Jew hunter, who come to the mind’s forefront through vivid portrayals of judgements and moral dilemmas.
Following the paths of these characters, the plot twists, adding inspiration, then suddenly turns, lending way for chills, as scenes flip back and forth.
The author’s devotion to his characters is verified through his potent use of dialogue, which for each character, is distinctive and genuine. Each character is on a different quest with diverse goals, but all share in common their national loyalties.
Michael Reit proves his capabilities as a story teller, as this well-crafted narration flows by the reader at an enthusiastic pace. We come face to face with border guards, swooping trains, suspicious faces, and miles of questioning and tension.
There is a higher level of intensity than that from the first book of the series. Readers witness unique camera angles on some lesser known historical events, and close-ups on the diverse, resilient personalities of family members. Both serve to keep the tone vigorous and authentic.
The constant engagement throughout the novel will make your coffee go cold! There are both satisfying and dark moments, as well as an unexpected conclusion. Readers will crave book #3 in this powerful series!

Thanks is extended to the author and BookFunnel for an ARC.

[Cheryle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series Orphans of War focuses on little known parts of WWII. Book 2 takes place in Amsterdam, England, and France. Terrific stories.
A family divided. A war-torn continent. An impossible journey.

In the thick of World War II, Nora Brouwer is the Resistance's most valuable asset. But when her cover is blown in a botched execution, her life is in grave danger. She must leave Amsterdam immediately and embark on a perilous journey across war-torn Europe, fighting to stay out of the Nazis' clutches.

Meanwhile, Floris Brouwer—the city's top Jew hunter and Nora's husband, is hell-bent on exacting revenge on his traitorous wife. As he faces deportation to the very camps he had sent hundreds of Jews to, he seizes a lifeline to avoid certain death, but the cost is unimaginable.

Christiaan Brouwer, Nora's brother-in-law, is stuck in Switzerland, his heart aching as he hears news of his homeland's brutal Nazi occupation. When he's offered the chance to escort a downed British pilot back to England and join the Allied forces, he knows he must take it, even if it means risking everything, including the life of his Jewish girlfriend, Lisa.

Will Nora make it to safety, or will she be caught and face certain death? Will Floris succeed in his mission of vengeance, or will his past catch up with him? And will Christiaan and Lisa make it through Nazi-occupied France, or will they fall prey to the enemy? Only time will tell in this gripping story of life during the war.

You can’t save them all, but you might save yourself...

From London to the Eastern Front, the Orphans of War trilogy's second installment is a heart-stopping tale of conflicting loyalties, ever-present danger, and the will to survive at all costs.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

They Bled Orange is the second in the outstanding Orphans of War trilogy by Michael Reit. WWII is raging out of control all over Europe. The characters in this story move through different countries yet are bound together by evil, hatred, love, courage, despair and anguish. Floris Brouwer is a Jew Hunter in Europe in WWII. His wife Nora is part of the Resistance and in grave danger, always looking over her shoulder. Floris is desperate to eliminate the Resistance and believes his wife is a traitor. But as his life is about to come to an end, Nora doesn't help him. Nora's brother-in-law Christiaan and his girlfriend Lisa are also desperate to do their part as well as escape the iron grip of Nazism. Lisa's only crime is being a Jew. To what lengths do families go to for their convictions and loyalty in times of war when lives are torn to pieces? This poignant, heart stopping and haunting novel crushed me and moved me to tears. I FELT the all-sensory story written with a powerful rawness and grittier detail than the first. The sense of urgency is propulsive and utterly engrossing. The uncomfortable story made an incredible reading experience. Anything written by this author is an automatic read for me, no blurb needed. He is THAT good. It is clear his heart and soul are in his writing. If you are seeking a meaningful WWII trilogy, do not miss this. My sincere thank you to The Book Whisperer and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this unforgettable novel. It is impossible to love a series more.

[Shirley McAllister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Survive at All Costs

Courage, action and vengeance. Resistance workers in Amsterdam help many Jewish people to escape to safety and guide downed pilots through their network back to England.

The story is of the occupation and these brave workers, but woven in the story is a family saga as well.

Nora Brouwer, her husband Floris Brouwer and her brother in law Christiaan Brouwer all play parts in this family saga during their time in Amsterdam during the war. Nora and Christiaan are both members of the Amsterdam resistance and Floris is policeman and a staunch Nazi. He wants to find Nora and take revenge on her for her actions.

Christiaan and his girlfriend Lisa have escaped to Switzerland but Christiaan wants to get back to work with the resistance. When he is offered a way to guide a downed pilot back to England from Amsterdam he is all in on the plan.

Floris, meanwhile, has been demoted and is facing being shipped to a camp because they believe he is in cahoots with the resistance.

Who will make it out alive and who will be captured and tortured or die during this awful Nazi occupation? Will Floris have a chance to find Nora and have his revenge?

You will have to read the book to find out how this all plays out. It is fast paced and edge of your chair reading. It was a good story and I recommend it.

Thanks to Michael Reit for writing another great story, to The Book Whisperer for publishing it and to NetGalley for providing me with a copy to read and review.

[Loretta Runyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Reit did it again. And if by some chance you are reading this Michael, you embarrassed me at the Dr's office. I finished the book and yelled out loud, "What?! Really?! Are you serious?!" I had to explain to a couple people that I didn't think the book was ending yet. I'm glad to see there will be another out this year!

Michael has turned into one of my favorite authors. I received an email about the book. I didn't have much time to pay attention to who wrote it or what it was about. I knew I wanted to read it. I was thrilled when I got home and saw not only that he was the author, but it was a sequel to Orphan's of War.

If you have the time, I would suggest reading Orphan's of War. If you don't, that's fine. The author refers to happenings from the 1st book, making it an easy follow and a nice refresher for those of us that have already read it.

We continue to follow the fight for freedom with main characters Nora and her brother in law, Christian along with his fiancé, Lisa. They are part of the Resistance, always in danger of being found out.

Nora's husband, Floris is the enemy. We also follow his journey from capture by the Resistance to his escape. I won't say more on that and spoil your read.

There are tons of reviews with details, so I won't repeat what others have already said. I suggest you get your copy and pre-order if you can!

[Eunice Chin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again WW2 historical fiction is brought to us, this time, in this riveting account of courageous men and women of Dutch descent who dissented and rebelled against the evil of the Nazi occupation in their country. They were people who desparately wanted to undermine and overthrow the occupiers. Nora, Christiaan, Marcel, Jean Weidner, and Lars were among these book characters representing true-to-life heroes of those times. Dutch traitors also abounded, represented by cruel and evil men such as Floris and Hans.

This book is a sequel to Orphans of War, and is part of a trilogy. Potential readers may wish to read the books in order because although They Bled Orange (the second in the series) can be a stand alone story, I suspect readers may find it helpful to have read the first in the series beforehand as I felt there were some slight 'mis-connections' that would have linked this one more adroitly had I read it.

Generally speaking, this has been a very good read and I'd highly recommend it.

~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~

March 2023

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

“They Bled Orange” is the second book in a trilogy by Michael Reit that began with “The Orphans of War.” As I had not read the first book, I can confidently say that this can be a stand-alone book as well. There will be a third book in the series, coming soon.
This is a historical fiction book set during World War II, in 1943. Having read hundreds and hundreds of this particular genre, I will say that this book focuses on an area I haven't had much previous exposure to, specifically the Dutch fighters that were enlisted into the British SOE. It was fascinating to read about these adventures, and the exposure of the network. The book follows 4 main characters as they try to survive during the horrors of WWII: Floris Brouwer and his wife Nora, as well as Floris' brother,. Christiaan Brouwer, and his Jewish girlfriend Lisa Abrahams. This book was quite graphic, which the author spoke to in his afterwards, he felt it was necessary to expose what truly happened.
Rating: 3/5 stars. I did feel that some of the story dragged for me, but I was committed to finding out what happened to the main characters.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book; opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Nancy Garbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

“They Bled Orange” is the second book in the Orphans of War trilogy. In this book World War II is in its fourth year and the Nazis are expanding their murderous grip on Northern Europe and Russia. The struggle between the Resistance and the Nazi sympathizers is raging in The Netherlands and Nora Brouwer is forced to escape south to get passage to safety from her husband and Nazi leader, Floris. Christiaan Brouwer, Floris’ brother and a member of the Resistance, with his wife also escape from Amsterdam to England and safety, but Christiaan returns to help the Resistance.

This story tells of some of the horrors of WWII and Nazi persecution of millions of Jews and dissidents. The incredible risks taken by incredibly courageous people to stop the Nazi onslaught make exciting and sometimes terrifying and heartbreaking stories. This book tells some of those stories and we should never forget them and the possibility of new threats on freedoms at home and around the world.

I received a free advanced copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest voluntary review. I have read many WWII novels and this is a very well researched and well written story depicting the real struggles to survive a war of unimaginable horrors.

[Diane Ferbrache · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was ready to give this book a so-so review, until I realized it was book 2 in a trilogy. I have not read book 1, and it was not a necessity since the characters and events are clearly introduced and explained, but clearly I would have been more committed had I read book 1 first. They Bled Orange suffers from "book 2" problems -- although it CAN stand alone, everything seems unfinished and unsettled. I cannot recommend reading this as a standalone book.

Having said all that, I did enjoy the storylines presented here. The four main characters are well drawn, the tension builds throughout, and I was completely drawn into the story of Dutch resistance fighters and Nazis. I was disappointed that none of the stories seemed to come to a real conclusion -- BUT that's because it's book 2. There have been so many books set in Europe during WWII, that it becomes almost boring to read the same story over and over. Reit has written a book (a trilogy) that focuses on the impact Nazi occupation had on the Dutch people, a setting that has not received much attention. This is most likely a worthwhile trilogy, but reading just this one left me with a hollow feeling, wanting more.

[Jennifer B · Rating 4 out of 5]

They Bled Orange
By: Michael Reit
Review Score: 4 Stars

Five Key Feels
-This book is intense and engaging from the start.

-I loved how the different stories were woven together, and how each part played out in different locations of Europe during the war.

-Reit does an amazing job of mixing real events of the war with these fictional characters.

-There is a lot more violence in this book compared to other Historical Fiction on WW2.

-I know it’s a trilogy, but I was so bummed by the cliffhanger at the end!

——

They Bled Orange was kindly provided as an ARC by Netgalley and The Book Whisperer. Thank you for allowing me to read this wonderful book!

Release Date: Out now!

They Bled Orange was an engaging story, covering several parts of World War 2. The dutch resistance, spy networks, the holocaust, and the lengths people had to go through to escape the Nazis. All of it was so well done, and a great Historical Fiction read.

#bookstagram #books #readingnow #boogiereadsbooks #fivekeyfeels #audiobooks #audiobook #historicalfiction #arcreview #netgalley #theybledorange #michaelreit #thebookwhisperer #worldwar2

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes the reader on a harrowing and emotional journey as we pick back up with Nora, Christiaan and Floris (or are introduced to them for the first time if you have not read Orphans of War).

In They Bleed Orange, Nora’s cover in the Resistance is blown and she must try to escape Amsterdam before being caught and killed. Her husband Floris, who has been working for the other side capturing and transporting Jews to concentration camps, has found out that she has been working against him and is now hunting her down, but at the same time he comes under fire and is at risk of being sent to a concentration camp himself. Meanwhile, Nora’s brother in law Christiaan has made it to safety in Switzerland with his Jewish girlfriend Lisa but longs for the opportunity to get back to doing more for the Resistance and is finally given the opportunity.

The story is spellbinding, as the reader sees the situation of each character unfold. There is a full range of emotion as you connect with the different characters whether you root for them or against them.

As a standalone or as part of the series, this book is a must read!

[Cheryl Rowland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the trilogy that started with the Orphans of War. The first book was mostly about the occupation of the Netherlands, primarily in Amsterdam. This book was more about the actual war and scenes of war, i.e., the environs of the war and when the bad brother, Floris, was given a direct order to kill a naked Jewish man standing in a trench and how he reacted. But it also showed how the soldiers sent to the Eastern Front fought and lived to fight another day. You also have Nora'x journey to England by the southern route through the Pyrennes with all of its dangers and hardships. then finally you have Christiaan and Lisa's journey to England from Geneva, Switzerland and Chris being assigned a very important mission because of Lisa's work as a typist. overall, it was an exceptional story. As someone who has read a lot of WWII historical fiction. Mr. Reit did extremely well in keeping the story moving and keeping the historical part within the story correct. Looking forward to Book Three.

[Prunella Trudi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, this novel conveys a lot of research and also imagination of various locations in the theatre of war. It is a tense, exciting war drama which was very believable. The characters were for the most part fairly consistent and had more depth than those in the first novel in this trilogy. The action in the storyline was viewed from different geographical locations and experiences of characters in the plot, and occasionally I found myself not remembering clearly what point we had reached in a particular character's experience in a previous chapter. The section telling of the realities of war from the point of view of a soldier was sufficiently brutal and stark to convey a convincing scene. The adverse situation faced by the soldier in this story induced him to change his mindset at the end of his life. This was unexpected, and in a certain way I felt that the change in his viewpoint would have benefited from a little more elaboration or connection with that characteristic in his previous life.

[Diana M · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a reader of WWII historical fiction I give this book a 3.75 stars. The Dutch Resistance is not one that is often written about and I so appreciated learning more. This is a fast moving book with interwoven stories in the fight against the Nazis. It showed the courage of civilians and the hardships they faced during the war. The author gave a clear and hair-raising image of what it was like once a resistance line had been compromised and the escape each person faced to save their lives.

The main area that fell down for me and caused me to not give it a full 4 stars was the dialogue. At times it felt forced and simplistic.

I am hoping book three will pick up where this one left off as I did feel it ended a bit abruptly. I would read other books by Michael Reit.


Thank you to The Book Whisperer for publishing it and to NetGalley for providing me with a copy to read and review.

[Robin Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fascinating look at the Dutch Resistance during WWII. Nora has been part of the Dutch Resistance while her husband Floris is very involved in rounding up Jews to send them away to the camps. His brother Christiaan and his fiancé Lisa are also heavily involved in the resistance. Floris was captured by the resistance and held captive for four months. Now he is scheduled to be killed but unfortunately escapes. His focus in rounding up more Jews and hunting for his wife and brother. Separately, Nora and Christiaan embark on their journeys to get to safety in England and work with the Dutch Resistance there. I did not read the first book in the series but there is enough information of the background to catch up (although I will read the first book soon). The story held my interest throughout, and I learned many things I wasn’t aware of during this part of the war. Although the characters are fictional there are many interesting facts that aren’t commonly known.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

They Bled Orange is the second book in the Orphans of War, but my first read of Michael Reit's series. There was plenty of backstory included so I didn't get lost in the storyline. The story follows three Dutch relatives, each with a different twist. As the story begins, Nora works in-country as a resistance fighter; her estranged husband, Floris, is a vicious Nazi-loving policeman is held captive by the Resistance in Amsterdam, while his brother / her brother-in-law Christiaan, another resistance fighter, has fled Holland with his Jewish girlfriend Lisa.

The narrative moves quickly with twists and turns that kept me engaged. I've read a lot of WWII historical novels, but this was my first focusing on the Dutch resistance. It did not disappoint. I'm looking forward to the sequel, which is due out later this year.

Thanks to the author, NetGalley and the Book Whisperer for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

THEY BLED ORANGE by Micheal Reit

Courage in the face of danger, fear, cold and hunger, loyalty to others, and the senseless horror of war and hate were all demonstrated in this second book of the ORPHANS OF WAR trilogy. Keeping their wits about them, seeking unique solutions and caring for others, the undercover agents and resistance fighters faced much in their efforts to stop the Nazis. The hardships felt real and reminded me of the current courageous actions of the Ukrainian people. War, what is it good for?
One touching note of grace was Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands personally serving tea to newly arrived refugees and working to establish the resistance network to aid English forces in retaking her country, a gracious leader setting an example to help others take heart.
The third book is promised for September. I’m not sure I can stand to wait that long, worrying about Christiaan. I’ll have to have the patience of Nora . . .

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

They Bled Orange by Michael Reit is the second book of this series. Although I did not read the first book, (and I am going to read it soon) I feel that this book can be read as a stand-alone. It does leave you wanting to read the third book that has not been published yet, so there's that.

The characters and the plot are well developed and facts are well researched. The book is mainly set in Amsterdam - hence the title including "orange", the national color of the Netherlands. It is a story about the resistance during WWII. It tells about the atrocities that the Nazis did to the Jewish people living in Amsterdam and also describes the horrors that happened to them on the Russian front by the Nazis.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book that I received as an advance reader copy on NetGalley. I highly recommend that everyone read this book, especially those who do not know the history and horror of Nazi persecution of the Jewish people.

[Anita R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC from NetGalley for an impartial review. This is a very interesting story based on many true events and people. This book is one of three in the trilogy “Orphans of War” that deals with Dutch refugees and resistance fighters during WWII and the Nazi reign of terror. The story follows Christiaan Brouwer and his Jewish girlfriend, Lisa, ; Nora Brouwer, Christiaan ‘s sister-in-law; and Floris Brouwer, Christiaan’s Nazi brother. The story takes the reader to Amsterdam, France, Geneva, London, Barcelona and Portugal. There is an interesting part about Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands and her involvement with the resistance. The final book in this series will tie up any loose ends and tell what happened to the main characters. I learned a lot about the resistance fighters .