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The Clockwork Chronicles #1
Breath of Bones
When darkness falls, a new guardian emerges.
Kateřina Dubová has always aspired to walk in her father's footsteps as a respected journalist, and the Second World War presents a unique opportunity for her to prove her worth to the world. A tip about an assassination attempt on a high-ranking Nazi official, Reinhard Heydrich, the "Butcher of Prague" leads Kateřina into the shadows of the Nazi occupation. Soon she discovers things are not as they seem.
As intrigue unfurls, Kateřina joins forces with Josef Loew, a descendant of the famous Rabbi Loew, renowned for creating a mystical guardian in the form of a golem to protect the souls of 16th-century Jews in Prague. In the chaos of war, some believe a new golem can once again bring help to those in need.
Like flickering candles in the abyss, Kateřina and Josef work to protect the innocent and end the evil that plagues their world. Yet, in their quest to save the Jewish people, have they inadvertently created a new danger? Could the very entity they had forged to protect become their greatest enemy?
Kateřina Dubová has always aspired to walk in her father's footsteps as a respected journalist, and the Second World War presents a unique opportunity for her to prove her worth to the world. A tip about an assassination attempt on a high-ranking Nazi official, Reinhard Heydrich, the "Butcher of Prague" leads Kateřina into the shadows of the Nazi occupation. Soon she discovers things are not as they seem.
As intrigue unfurls, Kateřina joins forces with Josef Loew, a descendant of the famous Rabbi Loew, renowned for creating a mystical guardian in the form of a golem to protect the souls of 16th-century Jews in Prague. In the chaos of war, some believe a new golem can once again bring help to those in need.
Like flickering candles in the abyss, Kateřina and Josef work to protect the innocent and end the evil that plagues their world. Yet, in their quest to save the Jewish people, have they inadvertently created a new danger? Could the very entity they had forged to protect become their greatest enemy?
288 pages, Hardcover
Published June 18, 2024
8 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
About the author
Tricia Goyer
163 books1,682 followersTricia Goyer is a busy mom of ten, grandmother of two, and wife to John. Somewhere around the hustle and bustle of family life, she manages to find the time to write fictional tales delighting and entertaining readers and non-fiction titles offering encouragement and hope. A bestselling author, Tricia has published thirty-three books to date and has written more than 500 articles. She is a two time Carol Award winner, as well as a Christy and ECPA Award Nominee. In 2010, she was selected as one of the Top 20 Moms to Follow on Twitter by SheKnows.com. Tricia is also on the blogging team at MomLifeToday.com, TheBetterMom.com and other homeschooling and Christian sites.In addition to her roles as mom, wife and author, Tricia volunteers around her community and mentors teen moms. She is the founder of Hope Pregnancy Ministries in Northwestern Montana, and she currently leads a Teen MOPS Group in Little Rock, AR. Learn more about Tricia at www.triciagoyer.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
August 18, 2024
Golems in World War Two are awesome. Enough said!
June 18, 2024
I love historical fiction, especially when it includes different cultural legends and guardians. The fact of the time and point of view throughout the story definitely adds a depth and emotional aspect that really drove this book. I highly recommend this for those who love learning about other cultures and enjoy historical fiction.
*I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book for my honest review and here it is!*
*I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book for my honest review and here it is!*
June 25, 2024
Everything you love in a WWII Tricia Goyer novel plus a gritty fantasy/steampunk vibe. I loved how the writers combined Tricia Goyer’s well-researched historical fiction, well-plotted inner spiritual journeys, and sweet romance with Nathan Goyer’s fantastical imagination of alternate steampunk universe with golems and some magic. Katerĩna and Joseph were well-drawn and interesting characters and I’m looking forward to more from them in the next book. I loved Katie’s determination to be seen as a legitimate journalist in her own right rather than depending on her father to make her succeed. She was strong and determined and brave but still feminine. Joseph was an admirable character who dealt with fear but still found courage in the idea that he was sacrificing for the greater good.
The overall story was entertaining, and I loved the gritty fantasy/steampunk twist to the historical fiction. A very fun read!
* I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and impartial review.
The overall story was entertaining, and I loved the gritty fantasy/steampunk twist to the historical fiction. A very fun read!
* I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and impartial review.
June 10, 2024
Intriguing blend of historical fiction, Jewish legend, fantasy and steampunk. I absolutely adore Tricia Goyer's historical fiction and was not disappointed at the detail that was included in this alternative historical account. The Jewish legend of the Golem of Prague is woven throughout this story. Add Nathan Goyer's inventive imagination and I was captivated by the steampunk vibes.
The story is set against the backdrop of Prague during the German occupation. I was enthralled by the expertly paced plot and the incredible humanity the authors portrayed in their unforgettable characters, the fears and beliefs that guided their actions. The authors peel back the layers of the inner turmoil the characters confront as they choose to stand for their faith, seeking justice and light amidst the darkness of war. Tricia Goyer's trademark themes of faith are woven seamlessly through the story. The authors make a wonderful team. The ending has hints of foreshadowing that have me eagerly anticpating the sequel.
***I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
The story is set against the backdrop of Prague during the German occupation. I was enthralled by the expertly paced plot and the incredible humanity the authors portrayed in their unforgettable characters, the fears and beliefs that guided their actions. The authors peel back the layers of the inner turmoil the characters confront as they choose to stand for their faith, seeking justice and light amidst the darkness of war. Tricia Goyer's trademark themes of faith are woven seamlessly through the story. The authors make a wonderful team. The ending has hints of foreshadowing that have me eagerly anticpating the sequel.
***I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
April 25, 2025
I received a free copy of this book (and the upcoming sequel) from the publisher. A review was not required.
I’m giving this 3 stars for “didn’t love it, didn’t hate it.” There is nothing *wrong* with it, and I honestly barely have anything to critique. The characters and story are interesting enough. It just hasn’t quite grabbed me as much as I’d hoped when I first heard of the concept behind this series. The Goyers are new-to-me authors and I think maybe I’m just not quite used to their style yet. I’m hoping that maybe as the series goes on and I get used to it, it will grab me more.
That said, I think they are doing a good job of staying true to the heart of the legend of the golem in that it is (based on my understanding of what I’ve read about it) largely a warning about unintended consequences. Golems are meant to protect the Jewish people, but folklore depicts them as mindless creatures that, once given an order, do it over and over again without discernment until told to stop. Including killing. We’re already starting to see that problem pop up even in this first book, so I’m curious to see how our hero and heroine deal with it as the story goes on.
My main critique so far is only that I don’t always like their handling of violence. The very first lines of the book featured blood splatter. (I actually had started to read it a bedtime, but noped-out after reading this opening, choosing to try again during daylight hours instead.) If you’ve been following my reviews for a while, you know I’m not a fan of depictions of blood or abrupt, surprising violence, and that actually happened a couple of times in this book. I was glad that this at least wasn’t frequent, and when it was a matter of the golem doing mass damage, it didn’t get quite so into the bloody description. Still… It’s just not my favorite thing, and makes me a smidgen nervous about continuing the series, even though I would like to know what happens with the story.
If I'm honest, I guess I was also hoping for the fantasy vibes to be a little more front-loaded than they are, if that makes any sense at all. As you can see from my Goodreads shelves, I read a wide variety of genres, and when I'm not reading speculative fiction, I'm often reading historical fiction, so WWII stories are nothing new to me. I think part of the reason this didn't grab me quite so much as I'd hoped is because I wanted to feel the fantasy elements immediately, but for the early part of the book (aside from the rather violent prologue that showed us a golem in action) this felt like a fairly standard WWII novel. Call it an issue of unmet expectations for me as an individual reader more than a problem with the book, but I do think that's why I didn't feel emotionally grabbed as fast as I wanted to be.
So… we’ll see. I’m going to give the second book a chance (as mentioned above, I have an ARC copy since the book doesn’t release until June) and see how I feel about it. Here’s hoping for the best.
Content Advisory:
Language:
None
Violence/Scariness:
The first chapter starts as the end of a battle with pretty described violent actions and blood. (Blood splatter described, but no description of wounds.)
Mention of a person who committed suicide, but no description of the act.
A mention of the smell of blood during one violent incident.
Mention of blood spray when someone gets shot. More mention of blood as someone holds the dying person in his arms.
General talk of the awful things the Nazis did.
Sexual/Romance:
Some attraction and mildly flirtatious dialog between the main characters, but they barely know each other, so there’s nothing beyond attraction right now.
Spiritual/Magic:
This book is Christian fantasy. It takes the legends of golems (creatures made of clay and brought to life with Hebrew letters placed on the forehead… In this case, we’re told the letters say, “breathe.”) from Jewish folklore, imagining what WWII might have been like if the Jews had been able to create such a thing to try to defend themselves from the Nazis.
There was a hint of a mention of the historically accurate fact that the Nazi’s dabbled in the occult, but I recall nothing other than that one passing hint at them messing with spiritual stuff.
Since the main characters are all Jewish, there’s talk and depiction of Jewish worship practices. People pray and talk about God and His will and sovereignty.
I’m giving this 3 stars for “didn’t love it, didn’t hate it.” There is nothing *wrong* with it, and I honestly barely have anything to critique. The characters and story are interesting enough. It just hasn’t quite grabbed me as much as I’d hoped when I first heard of the concept behind this series. The Goyers are new-to-me authors and I think maybe I’m just not quite used to their style yet. I’m hoping that maybe as the series goes on and I get used to it, it will grab me more.
That said, I think they are doing a good job of staying true to the heart of the legend of the golem in that it is (based on my understanding of what I’ve read about it) largely a warning about unintended consequences. Golems are meant to protect the Jewish people, but folklore depicts them as mindless creatures that, once given an order, do it over and over again without discernment until told to stop. Including killing. We’re already starting to see that problem pop up even in this first book, so I’m curious to see how our hero and heroine deal with it as the story goes on.
My main critique so far is only that I don’t always like their handling of violence. The very first lines of the book featured blood splatter. (I actually had started to read it a bedtime, but noped-out after reading this opening, choosing to try again during daylight hours instead.) If you’ve been following my reviews for a while, you know I’m not a fan of depictions of blood or abrupt, surprising violence, and that actually happened a couple of times in this book. I was glad that this at least wasn’t frequent, and when it was a matter of the golem doing mass damage, it didn’t get quite so into the bloody description. Still… It’s just not my favorite thing, and makes me a smidgen nervous about continuing the series, even though I would like to know what happens with the story.
If I'm honest, I guess I was also hoping for the fantasy vibes to be a little more front-loaded than they are, if that makes any sense at all. As you can see from my Goodreads shelves, I read a wide variety of genres, and when I'm not reading speculative fiction, I'm often reading historical fiction, so WWII stories are nothing new to me. I think part of the reason this didn't grab me quite so much as I'd hoped is because I wanted to feel the fantasy elements immediately, but for the early part of the book (aside from the rather violent prologue that showed us a golem in action) this felt like a fairly standard WWII novel. Call it an issue of unmet expectations for me as an individual reader more than a problem with the book, but I do think that's why I didn't feel emotionally grabbed as fast as I wanted to be.
So… we’ll see. I’m going to give the second book a chance (as mentioned above, I have an ARC copy since the book doesn’t release until June) and see how I feel about it. Here’s hoping for the best.
Content Advisory:
Language:
None
Violence/Scariness:
The first chapter starts as the end of a battle with pretty described violent actions and blood. (Blood splatter described, but no description of wounds.)
Mention of a person who committed suicide, but no description of the act.
A mention of the smell of blood during one violent incident.
Mention of blood spray when someone gets shot. More mention of blood as someone holds the dying person in his arms.
General talk of the awful things the Nazis did.
Sexual/Romance:
Some attraction and mildly flirtatious dialog between the main characters, but they barely know each other, so there’s nothing beyond attraction right now.
Spiritual/Magic:
This book is Christian fantasy. It takes the legends of golems (creatures made of clay and brought to life with Hebrew letters placed on the forehead… In this case, we’re told the letters say, “breathe.”) from Jewish folklore, imagining what WWII might have been like if the Jews had been able to create such a thing to try to defend themselves from the Nazis.
There was a hint of a mention of the historically accurate fact that the Nazi’s dabbled in the occult, but I recall nothing other than that one passing hint at them messing with spiritual stuff.
Since the main characters are all Jewish, there’s talk and depiction of Jewish worship practices. People pray and talk about God and His will and sovereignty.
July 27, 2024
Set in Czechoslovakia during World War II, this gripping novel incorporates steampunk elements into the lives of the people and the fight with Germany. Its fantastical portions fit seamlessly into the intense drama, which will keep reads intrigued and wanting more. I hope the saga continues. The characters come across as real and believable in their choices and actions. The story helps readers realize the intricacies of navigating life with an enemy breathing down your back and the desire to stop them. I think both teens and adults will enjoy the compelling tale. It would make an exciting movie too. The plot may be a bit predictable—after all, we’re familiar with how things went during the war and with resistance fighters—but this book offers a new experience with the events unfolding on the page. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.
March 26, 2025
I was not entirely sure if this book was gonna be for me, but I got a little too curious for my own good. I decided to get a copy and last week I started reading and slowly fell in love. It's clear that the authors know a lot about the second world war. They did an amazing job setting the atmosphere. The historical setting feels real and this book really gives a good impression of life during WWII. We see what impossible choices people are forced to make, what terrible things have happened, how hard it was to fight for what's right and as readers you're constantly challenged to ask yourself "how far are you willing to go?". I will for sure check out more books by these authors!
January 31, 2025
WOW!!! What an incredible ride this story is! So unique! Wasn’t sure about this fantasy/steam-punk/historical kind of genre mashup but I’m so glad I gave it a try! Anything by Tricia Goyer is a definite yes for me so this was an easy choice, really, even with my hesitation over the odd genre mix. Oh it’s just so good - read this book!!! I cannot wait for the next in this series! I have to know what the mysterious red headed lady has to say to Katerina!!!
August 31, 2025
Tricia's impeccable research methods always bring a unique layer to her stories. I love that she created and wrote this story with her son - that's something incredibly special and beautiful in it's own right - and how you can see the influence of both on the story. Their styles are great paired together and their strengths shine through this epic steampunk WWII mashup.
I love a good steampunk story, and it was such fun to see what elements of the historic setting the Goyers polished up with the steampunk spin. Honestly, I'm kind of shocked the two worlds mashed so well together - though I shouldn't be. Having seen it, it now feels so natural. The world may have been my favorite part of the book. Between the German, Czech, Jewish, and speculative fiction cultures, the worldbuilding and setting in this story is just phenomenal.
But I also just love how the Jewish legend of the Golem is woven into the war and plot. It feels lightly like one of my childhood favorite movies, The Iron Giant, but in a different era and country and with a different purpose and history.
The pacing in this one is slower than I'm used to and it did take me a while to get invested in the story. I never really got to a point where I felt like it "picked up" so to speak; I just adjusted my expectations of how this particular book was paced. That said, I still enjoyed the story! It just wasn't the page-turning suspenseful story I expected. It was more of a slow burn, subtlety building tension kind of story, that had a different kind of suspense that kept me intrigued for different reasons than I expected.
Katerina's tenacity and resilience are admirable, and Josef's empathy and passion for his people and those who suffer is incredibly noble. I loved how the two paired together and dovetailed into each other's stories. They each wrestled with their own goals, desires, and ghosts, and it was intriguing to see how each backstory and relationship with their parents impacted them. The story deals with themes of self-worth, identity, conviction, and suffering. The characters wrestle with the impossible balance of living in a German-occupied world while doing something that matters to fight against the suffering and persecution - and looks at what action and integrity mean in such a morally-depraved and dangerous situation.
Content: there's a subtle, clean romance, no swearing, and some mild fantasy/war violence. The story deals with the persecution of WWII in a non-gruesome, but still honest way (one of the things I appreciate about Tricia's fiction). I'd probably feel fine giving this one to a young teen.
I love a good steampunk story, and it was such fun to see what elements of the historic setting the Goyers polished up with the steampunk spin. Honestly, I'm kind of shocked the two worlds mashed so well together - though I shouldn't be. Having seen it, it now feels so natural. The world may have been my favorite part of the book. Between the German, Czech, Jewish, and speculative fiction cultures, the worldbuilding and setting in this story is just phenomenal.
But I also just love how the Jewish legend of the Golem is woven into the war and plot. It feels lightly like one of my childhood favorite movies, The Iron Giant, but in a different era and country and with a different purpose and history.
The pacing in this one is slower than I'm used to and it did take me a while to get invested in the story. I never really got to a point where I felt like it "picked up" so to speak; I just adjusted my expectations of how this particular book was paced. That said, I still enjoyed the story! It just wasn't the page-turning suspenseful story I expected. It was more of a slow burn, subtlety building tension kind of story, that had a different kind of suspense that kept me intrigued for different reasons than I expected.
Katerina's tenacity and resilience are admirable, and Josef's empathy and passion for his people and those who suffer is incredibly noble. I loved how the two paired together and dovetailed into each other's stories. They each wrestled with their own goals, desires, and ghosts, and it was intriguing to see how each backstory and relationship with their parents impacted them. The story deals with themes of self-worth, identity, conviction, and suffering. The characters wrestle with the impossible balance of living in a German-occupied world while doing something that matters to fight against the suffering and persecution - and looks at what action and integrity mean in such a morally-depraved and dangerous situation.
Content: there's a subtle, clean romance, no swearing, and some mild fantasy/war violence. The story deals with the persecution of WWII in a non-gruesome, but still honest way (one of the things I appreciate about Tricia's fiction). I'd probably feel fine giving this one to a young teen.
December 30, 2025
I have been waiting to read this one for a long time, and it didn't disappoint! I loved how this book dove deep into moral and ethical questions. Characters grappled with whether or not it was time to fight back, whether or not it was right to resist, and to what extents their resistance should go. Each character had a very different viewpoint on the situation. All in all, it provided really realistic conflict, as well as raised nuanced questions.
There were a few really nitpicky things that weren't quite my jam. I wasn't a huge fan of Kateřina's subplot with the Nazi leader, but I'm not a fan of any subplot where a girl has to pretend to be romantically involved with someone to accomplish a goal or get information. The pacing was a little wonky--we don't even get our first act of resistance until halfway through, and then we don't get any of the golem until about 60% through (it was criminally underused in my opinion). The writing style tends to lean more to telling and explaining than showing, especially when it comes to character emotions.
Also, I'm still confused as to exactly why they're using steam technology in the 1940s? Maybe it was explained and I missed it, but wouldn't the 40s be more likely to use diesel technology?
Still, even though that looks like a lot of little nitpicky things, it was still worth the read, especially when it came to the theme. Definitely will be checking out that second book!
Sensitive topics/content:
-abuse (character fears a parent will hit her, situation is never addressed again)
-deals with the oppression of the Jews in the 1940s
-loss of a loved one
Representation:
-Jewish
-disabled (2 characters with missing limbs, one with a prosthetic, one without)
There were a few really nitpicky things that weren't quite my jam. I wasn't a huge fan of Kateřina's subplot with the Nazi leader, but I'm not a fan of any subplot where a girl has to pretend to be romantically involved with someone to accomplish a goal or get information. The pacing was a little wonky--we don't even get our first act of resistance until halfway through, and then we don't get any of the golem until about 60% through (it was criminally underused in my opinion). The writing style tends to lean more to telling and explaining than showing, especially when it comes to character emotions.
Also, I'm still confused as to exactly why they're using steam technology in the 1940s? Maybe it was explained and I missed it, but wouldn't the 40s be more likely to use diesel technology?
Still, even though that looks like a lot of little nitpicky things, it was still worth the read, especially when it came to the theme. Definitely will be checking out that second book!
Sensitive topics/content:
-abuse (character fears a parent will hit her, situation is never addressed again)
-deals with the oppression of the Jews in the 1940s
-loss of a loved one
Representation:
-Jewish
-disabled (2 characters with missing limbs, one with a prosthetic, one without)
December 10, 2025
Breath of Bones Content Warnings and Review
Content Guide For Parents:
🤐 Language: none; the word “hellish” is used once to describe the Nazi rule
💋 Romance: nondescript flirtatious feelings between 2 characters; The FMC has a fake relationship with a german officer so she can get stories for the newspaper: Please note that their relationship gets no further than a couple of dates/outings, and hand holding (appropriate for 13+)
⚔️ Violence: nondescript moderate: blood(including the smell); semi-descript wounds; knifes; bombs; death; multiple characters wish to kill all of the germans; mentions of camps for the Jews; mentions of dead bodies; weapons of war; tanks; the german’s find joy in killing the jews; one characters arm catches on fire; mentions of the ovens used by the germans to burn dead bodies (Parents must note that this book is set in WW2, therefore there are the heavier aforementioned topics. For teens sensitive to blood, wounds, or death, I suggest the reading age: 15+. But for teens who enjoy the truths of history and are comfortable reading the aforementioned topics I suggest the reading age: 13+ )
👻 Spiritual Content: prayer; mentions of God; mentions of a Rabbi; mentions of the synagogue; characters read the Bible; mentions of deals with the devil; mentions of alchemy
⭐️ Other Content Considerations: alcohol consumption; usage of cigarettes
🧑🧑🧒🧒 Age Rating: 14/15+ (While this is my opinion for the reading age… I suggest that parents read this book first to discern whether or not their child will be comfortable with this books topics)
A Wee Reveiw:
I wasn’t really “in to it” at first, but around 50% (yes. 50%.) I couldn’t stop reading.
The end —I admit — made me cry… multiple times. This book is definitely one of my top 10s of the year! My favorite character was probably Petr . The Golom reminded me a lot of Baymax?… Especially towards the end. Overall I’d say that this book is a MUST read for lovers of steampunk and WW2 history!
UPDATE: Upon rereading I moved my rating up from 4 stars to 4.5
Content Guide For Parents:
🤐 Language: none; the word “hellish” is used once to describe the Nazi rule
💋 Romance: nondescript flirtatious feelings between 2 characters; The FMC has a fake relationship with a german officer so she can get stories for the newspaper: Please note that their relationship gets no further than a couple of dates/outings, and hand holding (appropriate for 13+)
⚔️ Violence: nondescript moderate: blood(including the smell); semi-descript wounds; knifes; bombs; death; multiple characters wish to kill all of the germans; mentions of camps for the Jews; mentions of dead bodies; weapons of war; tanks; the german’s find joy in killing the jews; one characters arm catches on fire; mentions of the ovens used by the germans to burn dead bodies (Parents must note that this book is set in WW2, therefore there are the heavier aforementioned topics. For teens sensitive to blood, wounds, or death, I suggest the reading age: 15+. But for teens who enjoy the truths of history and are comfortable reading the aforementioned topics I suggest the reading age: 13+ )
👻 Spiritual Content: prayer; mentions of God; mentions of a Rabbi; mentions of the synagogue; characters read the Bible; mentions of deals with the devil; mentions of alchemy
⭐️ Other Content Considerations: alcohol consumption; usage of cigarettes
🧑🧑🧒🧒 Age Rating: 14/15+ (While this is my opinion for the reading age… I suggest that parents read this book first to discern whether or not their child will be comfortable with this books topics)
A Wee Reveiw:
I wasn’t really “in to it” at first, but around 50% (yes. 50%.) I couldn’t stop reading.
The end —I admit — made me cry… multiple times. This book is definitely one of my top 10s of the year! My favorite character was probably Petr . The Golom reminded me a lot of Baymax?… Especially towards the end. Overall I’d say that this book is a MUST read for lovers of steampunk and WW2 history!
UPDATE: Upon rereading I moved my rating up from 4 stars to 4.5
February 1, 2025
Can we talk about this book that needs to get in front of more people? If you're a fan of WWII then you need to pick this up. We'll start there!
The cover might be a "little" misleading for the first half of the book. Hear me out!! If you're like me, you don't read the back of the book to learn more about the story. You just dive in. Well, since I'm not really a "let's involve robots" into a story kind of gal, I just put the book on the back burner. Let me state for the record, that was a mistake.
This is mainly a story set during WWII in Czechoslovakia. Kateřina is trying to prove herself to her father (who is also her boss) at the newspaper. That's rather fruitless, although she doesn't understand why! She's determined to make a name for herself in the industry, but WWII makes reporting truth deadly.
Then there's Josef Loew, whose family's history as protectors dates back centuries. But more than that, they're inventors. His ancestor built a golem (something I'd never heard of) and Josef's grandfather has been searching for it as will help them defeat the Nazis.
The first half of the story introduces us to the characters and the overall story. I thought the "robot" was going to be the main character of the story since it's so front and center of the cover. Turns out, that's not the case. We do get glimpses of steampunk with Josef and his grandfather discussing the creations they're working on, but it's not as huge a part of the story as I expected. It really read as a straightforward WWII novel.
THEN... then the golem finally makes its appearance! It was truly such an interesting aspect to add to the story! What if "we" had a machine that could "dispatch" evil people? What would happen if that machine got into the wrong hands? So many "what if" scenarios. Josef has to come to grips with his anger towards the Germans or allow it to control him & destroy him. Kateřina needs to see outside of herself (being half German and half Czech) to the horrors around her.
The story is intense from start to finish. It's a nail biter that will get your heart racing. When Kateřina puts herself in danger's way, when the German's attack innocent people, when the golem shows up - it will keep you reading into the wee hours. Also, it'll make you take a hard look at yourself and make you question what your choices might be in similar situations.
We're left on a cliffhanger and I can't wait for the second book!
The cover might be a "little" misleading for the first half of the book. Hear me out!! If you're like me, you don't read the back of the book to learn more about the story. You just dive in. Well, since I'm not really a "let's involve robots" into a story kind of gal, I just put the book on the back burner. Let me state for the record, that was a mistake.
This is mainly a story set during WWII in Czechoslovakia. Kateřina is trying to prove herself to her father (who is also her boss) at the newspaper. That's rather fruitless, although she doesn't understand why! She's determined to make a name for herself in the industry, but WWII makes reporting truth deadly.
Then there's Josef Loew, whose family's history as protectors dates back centuries. But more than that, they're inventors. His ancestor built a golem (something I'd never heard of) and Josef's grandfather has been searching for it as will help them defeat the Nazis.
The first half of the story introduces us to the characters and the overall story. I thought the "robot" was going to be the main character of the story since it's so front and center of the cover. Turns out, that's not the case. We do get glimpses of steampunk with Josef and his grandfather discussing the creations they're working on, but it's not as huge a part of the story as I expected. It really read as a straightforward WWII novel.
THEN... then the golem finally makes its appearance! It was truly such an interesting aspect to add to the story! What if "we" had a machine that could "dispatch" evil people? What would happen if that machine got into the wrong hands? So many "what if" scenarios. Josef has to come to grips with his anger towards the Germans or allow it to control him & destroy him. Kateřina needs to see outside of herself (being half German and half Czech) to the horrors around her.
The story is intense from start to finish. It's a nail biter that will get your heart racing. When Kateřina puts herself in danger's way, when the German's attack innocent people, when the golem shows up - it will keep you reading into the wee hours. Also, it'll make you take a hard look at yourself and make you question what your choices might be in similar situations.
We're left on a cliffhanger and I can't wait for the second book!
June 29, 2024
Tricia Goyer and Nathan Goyer, a mother-son duo, collaborated on this excellently written book. It is a blend of their two distinct writing styles. While Tricia typically hasn't penned this genre before, Nathan, her son, has been intrigued by it for some time. Nathan was naturally enthusiastic when he discovered that his mother was considering writing a historical fantasy book featuring fantasy elements.
This book is a historical perspective on the Jewish people during WWII with a significant fantasy twist. It centers around the main characters Josef and Katerina. Another key character is an invention that Josef and the Loew family believe can aid in saving the Jewish people. Josef, a member of the Loew family with a centuries-old responsibility to protect the Jewish people, is an inventor like his grandfather. He comes up with promising ideas but struggles to make his inventions work effectively. He is working on something he believes will tip the balance of the war between the Nazis and their oppression of the Jewish people. However, he encounters technical difficulties and is unable to identify the problem. This is compounded by his efforts to keep the Jewish people hidden from the Nazis.
Katerina is striving to prove herself as a journalist, particularly to her father. When an opportunity arises for a story that could earn her father's recognition, she seizes it. What she uncovers surpasses her expectations, and her path crosses with Josef's. Together, they become embroiled in efforts to save the Jewish people. Will their hearts lead them to become even more involved, or will the enormity of saving the Jewish people in the face of Nazi atrocities prevent them from considering it? To find out, you'll have to read this well-researched and faith-infused book. It comes highly recommended from me.
I received a complimentary copy from the author through Celebrate Lit, for my honest opinion.
This book is a historical perspective on the Jewish people during WWII with a significant fantasy twist. It centers around the main characters Josef and Katerina. Another key character is an invention that Josef and the Loew family believe can aid in saving the Jewish people. Josef, a member of the Loew family with a centuries-old responsibility to protect the Jewish people, is an inventor like his grandfather. He comes up with promising ideas but struggles to make his inventions work effectively. He is working on something he believes will tip the balance of the war between the Nazis and their oppression of the Jewish people. However, he encounters technical difficulties and is unable to identify the problem. This is compounded by his efforts to keep the Jewish people hidden from the Nazis.
Katerina is striving to prove herself as a journalist, particularly to her father. When an opportunity arises for a story that could earn her father's recognition, she seizes it. What she uncovers surpasses her expectations, and her path crosses with Josef's. Together, they become embroiled in efforts to save the Jewish people. Will their hearts lead them to become even more involved, or will the enormity of saving the Jewish people in the face of Nazi atrocities prevent them from considering it? To find out, you'll have to read this well-researched and faith-infused book. It comes highly recommended from me.
I received a complimentary copy from the author through Celebrate Lit, for my honest opinion.
June 30, 2024
Breath of Bones by Tricia and Nathan Goyer is a World War II novel. Is it any different than other published World War II novels? Not really. There is a robot called a Golem, which I kept seeing Lord of the Rings every time I read the word. As I was reading the book, I kept wondering why the story was published under Enclave Publishing, which does highly fantasy novels. This novel was not at all. It could have been published by Bethany House and marketed as a Historical story. I really wanted a little more on the fantasy side during World War II, but I believe it fell short. If readers are coming to expect that, like me, they may be disappointed. If readers want to read it as a historical fiction story that takes place during World War II, then it was fine. Plot idea was done before. Characters were a little flat. They really didn’t stand out to me. Little people walk across the pages, but nothing special about them. A little hurt from the past, but nothing that stopped them from doing what they needed to accomplish. Brave. Yes. Some spiritually in the characters. Overall, Breath of Bones by Tricia and Nathan Goyer led me to believe that there would be a fantasy element tied to the plot, but it read just like a normal World War II historical novel.
I received a complimentary copy of Breath of Bones by Tricia and Nathan Goyer from Enclave Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
I received a complimentary copy of Breath of Bones by Tricia and Nathan Goyer from Enclave Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
July 23, 2024
This is a debut novel for Nathan Goyer, but it’s also a change in genre for Author Tricia Goyer. Tricia Goyer is known for her Amish and Historical Fiction books, but this is a new genre for her to write. With the help of her son, they have brought a wonderful adventure.
If you like things that are a bit futuristic yet mixed with history, a bit of steampunk, and gadgets, then you’ll love this new book.
While I was reading it, I kept thinking of a Japanese anime movie series—the Full Metal Alchemist. It had that flair, especially with the character of the golem!
It was full of wonderful, interesting facts and images. I was captured by the passion of the characters. Josef wanted to save his people, but his methods were not correct. His grandfather kept trying to teach him to strive for peace. Katerina just wanted her words to be heard, and it wasn’t until they bumped into each other that things started to change.
Read this incredible story to see how they work together.
Throughout this story, we read of God’s care and love but also see the evils of historical events.
This beautiful story is about love, courage, purpose, and finding God’s path. It might challenge you to look at the world around you and see where you can make a difference.
I highly recommend you pick it up.
The publisher gave me this book, but this did not influence my review in any way; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
If you like things that are a bit futuristic yet mixed with history, a bit of steampunk, and gadgets, then you’ll love this new book.
While I was reading it, I kept thinking of a Japanese anime movie series—the Full Metal Alchemist. It had that flair, especially with the character of the golem!
It was full of wonderful, interesting facts and images. I was captured by the passion of the characters. Josef wanted to save his people, but his methods were not correct. His grandfather kept trying to teach him to strive for peace. Katerina just wanted her words to be heard, and it wasn’t until they bumped into each other that things started to change.
Read this incredible story to see how they work together.
Throughout this story, we read of God’s care and love but also see the evils of historical events.
This beautiful story is about love, courage, purpose, and finding God’s path. It might challenge you to look at the world around you and see where you can make a difference.
I highly recommend you pick it up.
The publisher gave me this book, but this did not influence my review in any way; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 16, 2025
Breath of Bones by Tricia Goyer and Nathan Goyer is a Christian Historical fiction book that is also fantasy and has steam punk elements like a Golum protector for the Jewish people in Prague during WWII. The world building and fantastical elements like spider tanks, airship and mechanical arms creates an engaging backdrop for the historical elements of the story. Josef Loew comes from a family that has protected the Jewish People in the past. He struggles with his longing for revenge and hate against the desire to defend and protect his people. Where is the line? Who can he trust to help him?
Katerina grew up privileged and has favor with the upper leaders of the occupational German forces. As she sees behind their propaganda and realizes how evil there plans are, she is confronted with the delimma of her moral obligation. How should she proceed with regards to helping the innocent, many women and children, when it could cost her own life to do so?
The struggles are something the reader can identify with. The scriptural tie-ins show the importance of God's truth and the strength and wisdom that can be found standing on the word of God.
This is a powerful story of faith, family and looking beyond your own interests.
I highly recomend this book to readers young and old alike.
I recieved a copy from the author, the review is my own! I loved this book and look forward to the next installment. I also ordered a copy to have on my bookshelf, that's how much I loved it!
Katerina grew up privileged and has favor with the upper leaders of the occupational German forces. As she sees behind their propaganda and realizes how evil there plans are, she is confronted with the delimma of her moral obligation. How should she proceed with regards to helping the innocent, many women and children, when it could cost her own life to do so?
The struggles are something the reader can identify with. The scriptural tie-ins show the importance of God's truth and the strength and wisdom that can be found standing on the word of God.
This is a powerful story of faith, family and looking beyond your own interests.
I highly recomend this book to readers young and old alike.
I recieved a copy from the author, the review is my own! I loved this book and look forward to the next installment. I also ordered a copy to have on my bookshelf, that's how much I loved it!
June 28, 2024
This novel is a combination of speculation and history. The World War II setting is the foundation for an adventure in Jewish folklore and mysticism. Hitler was interested in the possibility of using the power mysticism and alchemy promised and here we see Jews activating a mystical being with great power.
Readers who like alternative history novels will find this one interesting. The Nazis have articulated spider like tanks, for example, and there is much mention of clockwork kinds of gadgets, all powered by steam. That places this novel in the subgenre of science fiction called steampunk, something with which I am not familiar.
The characters are developed rather well. There are heroes and villains in addition to arrogant and aggressive Nazis. The plot pacing was consistent with suspense at times. There is a strong sense of revenge against the Nazis by some and strong language about it. Since this is my introduction to steampunk, I cannot comment on that aspect of the novel. I do know we are left with the possibility of a sequel. I enjoyed this novel enough to be watching for the next one.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.
Readers who like alternative history novels will find this one interesting. The Nazis have articulated spider like tanks, for example, and there is much mention of clockwork kinds of gadgets, all powered by steam. That places this novel in the subgenre of science fiction called steampunk, something with which I am not familiar.
The characters are developed rather well. There are heroes and villains in addition to arrogant and aggressive Nazis. The plot pacing was consistent with suspense at times. There is a strong sense of revenge against the Nazis by some and strong language about it. Since this is my introduction to steampunk, I cannot comment on that aspect of the novel. I do know we are left with the possibility of a sequel. I enjoyed this novel enough to be watching for the next one.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.
July 1, 2024
This is the second Tricia Goyer book I have read. Her impeccable historical research, the fascinating premise, and my love for the publisher propelled me to read this book. The premise really was very interesting and combined the dark days of WWII in Czechoslovakia, a Jewish myth and folklore, and a dash of steampunk. The mechanical work Josef did to make weapons for the resistance was neat and the assembly and functioning of golem were really cool. The historical component of the story was terribly heart-breaking and somewhat emotionally difficult to read, as all WWII narratives are. Katerina's non-Jewish voice as part of the Czech press was a very different narrative from Josef's and added a deeper layer to the plot. This book is the first of a series so be forewarned that it ends on a cliffhanger of sorts.
Though the premise was very attractive and the fusion of history and steampunk worked well, I unfortunately didn't fully connect with any of the characters. The interactions and dialogue amongst the characters felt stilted. The many scene changes from Josef to Katerina and from different parts of the city felt choppy. I still think fans of historical fiction and steampunk will enjoy this book and the rest of the series, even if I didn't love the book as much as I had expected and hoped.
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Enclave Publishing via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.
Though the premise was very attractive and the fusion of history and steampunk worked well, I unfortunately didn't fully connect with any of the characters. The interactions and dialogue amongst the characters felt stilted. The many scene changes from Josef to Katerina and from different parts of the city felt choppy. I still think fans of historical fiction and steampunk will enjoy this book and the rest of the series, even if I didn't love the book as much as I had expected and hoped.
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Enclave Publishing via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.
July 7, 2024
Breath of Bones by Tricia Goyer and Nathan Goyer is an Adult historical steampunk fantasy co-authored by Tricia Goyer and her son Nathan Goyer. As a homeschooling mother, I was familiar with Tricia Goyer before this book. I followed her blog and more. I looked forward to reading this book, and it did not let me down.
Kateřina Dubová dreams of being a respected journalist like her father. The Second World War provides her the opportunity to do so. Receiving a tip about an assassination attempt on a high-ranking Nazi official, Reinhard Heydrich, known as the “Butcher of Prague,” leads Kateřina into the shadowy evil of the Nazi occupation. She quickly learns that things are not as they seem.
She works with Josef Loew, a descendant of the famous Rabbi Loew, renowned for creating a mystical guardian to protect 16th-century Jews in Prague. Tricia Goyer and her son Nathan create an engaging work that keeps you reading. The story moves along at an excellent pace. My one complaint about this book comes from the ending. I wanted to read more.
So, if you enjoy adult historical fantasies, check out Breath of Bones by Tricia Goyer & Nathan Goyer.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from CelebrateLit, which never influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
Kateřina Dubová dreams of being a respected journalist like her father. The Second World War provides her the opportunity to do so. Receiving a tip about an assassination attempt on a high-ranking Nazi official, Reinhard Heydrich, known as the “Butcher of Prague,” leads Kateřina into the shadowy evil of the Nazi occupation. She quickly learns that things are not as they seem.
She works with Josef Loew, a descendant of the famous Rabbi Loew, renowned for creating a mystical guardian to protect 16th-century Jews in Prague. Tricia Goyer and her son Nathan create an engaging work that keeps you reading. The story moves along at an excellent pace. My one complaint about this book comes from the ending. I wanted to read more.
So, if you enjoy adult historical fantasies, check out Breath of Bones by Tricia Goyer & Nathan Goyer.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from CelebrateLit, which never influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
July 8, 2024
I enjoy Christian Historical Fictions and Tricia Goyer has been a favorite author for quite a while. I was excited when I found out that she and her son Nathan Goyer wrote a book together. Breath of Bones is Book 1 in The Clockwork Chronicles series. It actually is a mix of Historical Fiction with Steampunk Fantasy. Nathan Goyer is the contributor for the Steampunk Fantasy aspects of the story.
I have to say that I did need to look up "Steampunk Fantasy" as it was not a genre that I was familiar with. I wanted to understand the genre before I began reading the book. I truly believe that helped me enjoy the book from the very beginning. The Historical aspect of the WWII and the Jewish People was very intriguing. The main characters are Josef and Katerina. Katerina is a journalist and she is working with Josef to help with Jews in Prague in the 16th Century. I really enjoyed their story and how they were determined to help. Nathan Goyer has an AMAZING writing style and the fantasy parts of this book are quite interesting. I feel he added so much to this book! I am excited to read the rest of the series as the books are released! I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical and Steampunk Fiction! GREAT BOOK!
I have to say that I did need to look up "Steampunk Fantasy" as it was not a genre that I was familiar with. I wanted to understand the genre before I began reading the book. I truly believe that helped me enjoy the book from the very beginning. The Historical aspect of the WWII and the Jewish People was very intriguing. The main characters are Josef and Katerina. Katerina is a journalist and she is working with Josef to help with Jews in Prague in the 16th Century. I really enjoyed their story and how they were determined to help. Nathan Goyer has an AMAZING writing style and the fantasy parts of this book are quite interesting. I feel he added so much to this book! I am excited to read the rest of the series as the books are released! I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical and Steampunk Fiction! GREAT BOOK!
July 17, 2024
What an adventure this story is. The first page got me right away. It is a little graphic at times but is necessary to understand the characters struggles better. What I liked the most about this story was the steampunk genre. There is nothing better than this genre with a look at the Jewish culture.
Taking us into the perils of people who fight to survive this story will grab you from the beginning. I appreciate the writing style and how you feel like you have been dropped right into the story. I am impressed with the intricate details such as how the uniforms looked and the surrounding areas where the story is.
The main characters are epic and I love the faith spread throughout the story. It is a good vs evil story where power is at the realm. I was surprised at the many twists in the story and how the action continued throughout. I would definitely recommend this book for the theme, genre and exciting action in the book.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Taking us into the perils of people who fight to survive this story will grab you from the beginning. I appreciate the writing style and how you feel like you have been dropped right into the story. I am impressed with the intricate details such as how the uniforms looked and the surrounding areas where the story is.
The main characters are epic and I love the faith spread throughout the story. It is a good vs evil story where power is at the realm. I was surprised at the many twists in the story and how the action continued throughout. I would definitely recommend this book for the theme, genre and exciting action in the book.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
April 20, 2025
Disclaimer: I was given a free e-book of this story as a part of the publisher’s street team.
Reminiscent of Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan Trilogy, Breath of Bones takes the historical setting of WWII Europe and incorporates fantastical elements that make for a riveting adventure!
I’ve encountered golems in other stories before, but I really appreciated how Breath of Bones made a point of exploring the Jewish heritage of these creatures. The WWII and Nazi threat against the Jewish people was a perfect backdrop for the inclusion of these creatures; typically, I’ve seen them in more of a fantasy setting, but pitting one against the Nazis highlighted their origins and kept me turning the pages—I was not disappointed by the climax!
Out of all the characters, Katerina’s storyline was my favorite. I resonated with her as a writer, and admired her quest to report on the truth, despite the danger.
I highly recommend this book if you love historical fiction with fantastical elements!
Reminiscent of Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan Trilogy, Breath of Bones takes the historical setting of WWII Europe and incorporates fantastical elements that make for a riveting adventure!
I’ve encountered golems in other stories before, but I really appreciated how Breath of Bones made a point of exploring the Jewish heritage of these creatures. The WWII and Nazi threat against the Jewish people was a perfect backdrop for the inclusion of these creatures; typically, I’ve seen them in more of a fantasy setting, but pitting one against the Nazis highlighted their origins and kept me turning the pages—I was not disappointed by the climax!
Out of all the characters, Katerina’s storyline was my favorite. I resonated with her as a writer, and admired her quest to report on the truth, despite the danger.
I highly recommend this book if you love historical fiction with fantastical elements!
September 1, 2025
3.5 stars
(It's been a while since I finished Breath of Bones, so I'm sorry this review is sparse)
What I Liked:
-The blend of steampunk and WWII worked really well together and was written in a way that felt authentic.
-The interior of the book is beautiful. I loved the newspaper clippings interspersed among the chapters.
What I Struggled With:
-There isn't one specific thing I can pinpoint, but something about the book overall kept it from clicking with me completely. But reading is subjective, and everyone's reading experiences will be different.
-The pacing was maybe a little slow at times.
Overall:
A fresh spin on WWII novels for both fans of speculative fiction and historical fiction.
Cautions: light romance; semi-detailed moderate violence^ *
*Since it's been a while since I finished Breath of Bones, I've possibly forgotten a caution.
^I can't remember whether or not the violence was detailed for certain, but I'm pretty sure there were some descriptions.
(It's been a while since I finished Breath of Bones, so I'm sorry this review is sparse)
What I Liked:
-The blend of steampunk and WWII worked really well together and was written in a way that felt authentic.
-The interior of the book is beautiful. I loved the newspaper clippings interspersed among the chapters.
What I Struggled With:
-There isn't one specific thing I can pinpoint, but something about the book overall kept it from clicking with me completely. But reading is subjective, and everyone's reading experiences will be different.
-The pacing was maybe a little slow at times.
Overall:
A fresh spin on WWII novels for both fans of speculative fiction and historical fiction.
Cautions: light romance; semi-detailed moderate violence^ *
*Since it's been a while since I finished Breath of Bones, I've possibly forgotten a caution.
^I can't remember whether or not the violence was detailed for certain, but I'm pretty sure there were some descriptions.
did-not-finish
March 10, 2025DNF. Read about 30% and then skimmed a bit, finally decided I didn't have the motivation to continue. I loved the idea of steampunk plus WW2, as I greatly enjoyed the Leviathan trilogy (which is WW1 steampunk), but the characters really had no agency. They complained about what they couldn't do and they kept getting set back, and at 30% they still weren't in a new place (which they should have been by 25%). I just don't do well with slow pacing when the characters aren't clicking for me, and these definitely were not. I also didn't understand the whole clay golem thing. Maybe it would have made more sense if I kept reading, but I was expecting more mechanical creatures and things (which there were some - the reviewers who say this reads as straightforward WW2 I do not agree with), but there is mention of alchemy and mystical arts which is kind of a big turnoff for me.
April 26, 2025
I didn’t know what to expect going into this book. I’ve never read anything in the steam punk genre so it was all a little new to me but I actually really enjoyed it! The authors mixed all the fantasy/steampunk elements with the WWII elements really well and it didn’t feel *too* far fetched (there were a couple things that were a bit of a stretch but not enough to take away from the enjoyment of the book!). One thing that was a little distracting for me was that they really pushed the fact that everything was decorated with gears and cogs-to the point that I was getting slightly annoyed with the constant mention that something was decorated with gears or laced with cogs. However, I can definitely see how that would be kind of necessary when one is taking a piece of history and combining it with a new genre. Overall, it was a really enjoyable read and I can’t wait for the next book!
July 7, 2024
I'm not new to Tricia Goyer's books, but I don't think I've read any with her son, Nathan Goyer included. Let me tell you, they did a fantastic job! This is a steampunk blend of WWII and it's far more interesting than I had anticipated. The focus on the Jewish people, it just gripped my heart. Long ago I found a different author who wrote books about WWII and the Jewish plight, which greatly moved my heart. This book is the first one to do that in this area again since then. I love the story and the way the authors worked it. The robots, settings, title, it all just fits. I did wish for more steampunk/fantasy aspects, but I still liked it a lot.
Thanks to Celebrate Lit for my digital copy of this book. This review is mine. A positive review is never required.
Thanks to Celebrate Lit for my digital copy of this book. This review is mine. A positive review is never required.
November 19, 2024
I was so excited to hear that a novel set in Prague was coming from Enclave, written by the Goyers! This novel was steeped in a story that I grew up hearing from my Czech mother, but with a fascinating steampunk twist. As a writer who puts fantasy elements on other Czech stories, this was a read that I was really anticipating.
As a whole, I really enjoyed this story! But it took me several months to finish and I didn't find myself quite as engaged with the story as I had wished. This is likely attributed to reading burn-out and not a fault of the book itself. I am interested in what the second book will cover, and I'll have to give this one another try when I'm more in the mood for historical fantasy.
As a whole, I really enjoyed this story! But it took me several months to finish and I didn't find myself quite as engaged with the story as I had wished. This is likely attributed to reading burn-out and not a fault of the book itself. I am interested in what the second book will cover, and I'll have to give this one another try when I'm more in the mood for historical fantasy.
February 9, 2026
This book was an interesting twist on your typical WW2 novel because it pulls in a Jewish legend about a rabbi who created a clay golem that protected the Jews. Josef is a descendant of this rabbi and is trying to do his part to protect the Jews from the "Butcher of Prague". Katerina is an aspiring journal who is looking for her father's approval. She finds herself caught up with some high ranking Germans and tries to find the story that will make her name known as a journalist.
Josef and Katerina team up to try to help save the Jews from slaughter, but they have to make choices about how far they are willing to go to accomplish this goal.
It is lightly steampunk, but not overly so. I enjoyed listening to this story unfold and look forward to continuing on in the series.
Josef and Katerina team up to try to help save the Jews from slaughter, but they have to make choices about how far they are willing to go to accomplish this goal.
It is lightly steampunk, but not overly so. I enjoyed listening to this story unfold and look forward to continuing on in the series.
June 9, 2025
very pleasantly surprised! excellent!
I really enjoyed this WWII story about generations of Jewish protectors living in Prague, trying to rescue other Jewish families; also a reporter trying to find out the truth. There is suspense, lots of action, faith, some fantasy/steampunk, too. I was scared off by the cover for a while, but I love the other books Tricia Goyer has written, so I gave it a chance, and I’m so glad I did! After reading the book, I love the cover! Her son, Nathan, co-authored it, making for an action-packed page-turner! Looking forward to reading the sequel!
I really enjoyed this WWII story about generations of Jewish protectors living in Prague, trying to rescue other Jewish families; also a reporter trying to find out the truth. There is suspense, lots of action, faith, some fantasy/steampunk, too. I was scared off by the cover for a while, but I love the other books Tricia Goyer has written, so I gave it a chance, and I’m so glad I did! After reading the book, I love the cover! Her son, Nathan, co-authored it, making for an action-packed page-turner! Looking forward to reading the sequel!
June 15, 2024
Like so many readers, I am fascinated by the Second World War. Though I spend countless hours reading nonfiction and memoirs about the period, I have a hard time relating to a lot of the fiction that is out there.
Breath of Bones was so refreshing, so different, and so gripping that I could not put it down. I am completely new to both speculative fiction and steampunk, but this book left me feeling like I better pick up a few more books in these genres.
Although Nathan Goyer is a fairly new author, it is clear he has his mother's gift for weaving a fascinating tale. Looking forward to much more from him, and to the rest of this series.
Breath of Bones was so refreshing, so different, and so gripping that I could not put it down. I am completely new to both speculative fiction and steampunk, but this book left me feeling like I better pick up a few more books in these genres.
Although Nathan Goyer is a fairly new author, it is clear he has his mother's gift for weaving a fascinating tale. Looking forward to much more from him, and to the rest of this series.
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