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The Righteous
From the New York Times bestselling and National Jewish Book Award–winning author: a gripping novel of foreboding, betrayal, heroism, and hope set in World War II Budapest
By the end of 1943, nearly all of Europe’s Jewish population had fled, been deported, captured, or killed by Hitler. Only Hungary, and its almost 900,000 Jews, remained free from Hitler’s subjugation. They lived under government edicts and restrictions but without fear of harm. That changed in March 1944, after the Nazi defeat at Stalingrad, as an avaricious Hitler conquered Hungary and declared his plan for mass extermination of the Jewish people. With the notorious Adolf Eichmann supervising the process, Nazis began rounding up Hungary’s Jewish population.
In this dramatic new novel, The Righteous, Theresa Weissbach, a professor at the University of Michigan, hasn’t heard from her parents in Budapest for over a year. Her best friend, Julia Powers, recently awarded a Distinguished Service Medal for her OSS service in occupied Holland, joins with her to locate and rescue Theresa’s family. While there, they become involved in a much larger cause, trying to save as many people as they can. Theresa’s father, a leader of the Budapest Jewish community, accompanies them in a desperate effort to rescue their people. Working alongside the newly formed US War Refugee Board, diplomats from neutral nations, and leaders of underground rescue organizations, Julia and Theresa forge relationships with Swiss Vice Consul Carl Lutz and Swedish businessman, Raoul Wallenberg. Their skills and connections in the complex networks of public and secret diplomacy enable Julia, Theresa, and others to take enormous risks in an effort to save thousands of innocent lives.
Authentic, suspenseful, and deeply moving, The Righteous continues Ronald H. Balson’s fictional exploration of World War II and the heroic actions of those who resisted Hitler’s Master Plan.
By the end of 1943, nearly all of Europe’s Jewish population had fled, been deported, captured, or killed by Hitler. Only Hungary, and its almost 900,000 Jews, remained free from Hitler’s subjugation. They lived under government edicts and restrictions but without fear of harm. That changed in March 1944, after the Nazi defeat at Stalingrad, as an avaricious Hitler conquered Hungary and declared his plan for mass extermination of the Jewish people. With the notorious Adolf Eichmann supervising the process, Nazis began rounding up Hungary’s Jewish population.
In this dramatic new novel, The Righteous, Theresa Weissbach, a professor at the University of Michigan, hasn’t heard from her parents in Budapest for over a year. Her best friend, Julia Powers, recently awarded a Distinguished Service Medal for her OSS service in occupied Holland, joins with her to locate and rescue Theresa’s family. While there, they become involved in a much larger cause, trying to save as many people as they can. Theresa’s father, a leader of the Budapest Jewish community, accompanies them in a desperate effort to rescue their people. Working alongside the newly formed US War Refugee Board, diplomats from neutral nations, and leaders of underground rescue organizations, Julia and Theresa forge relationships with Swiss Vice Consul Carl Lutz and Swedish businessman, Raoul Wallenberg. Their skills and connections in the complex networks of public and secret diplomacy enable Julia, Theresa, and others to take enormous risks in an effort to save thousands of innocent lives.
Authentic, suspenseful, and deeply moving, The Righteous continues Ronald H. Balson’s fictional exploration of World War II and the heroic actions of those who resisted Hitler’s Master Plan.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published September 9, 2025
133 people are currently reading
9295 people want to read
About the author
Ronald H. Balson
13 books1,868 followersWhen he’s not writing books, Ron is a practicing attorney with the firm of Stone, Pogrund & Korey in Chicago. He has been a civil litigation attorney for forty-three years. He was an adjunct professor of business law at the University of Chicago, Graduate School of Business for twenty-five years and was a frequent lecturer in the federal bar certification course and in trial advocacy seminars.
The demands of his legal practice have taken Ron into courts all across the United States and Canada, and for deposition testimony all across Europe and Asia. A few years ago, Ron became involved in a commercial dispute concerning telephone service in Poland. Numerous trips to Warsaw and southern Poland provided the inspiration for his first novel, Once We Were Brothers. Ron’s love of history and his travels to the Middle East provided the motivation for his second novel, Saving Sophie.
During the Once We Were Brothers book tour, Ron was introduced to several survivors of the World War II concentration camps. Of all the stories of courage and determination, one woman’s story was so moving that it formed the basis for Karolina’s Twins, Ron’s third book due out in 2016.
Ron was a finalist for the Harper Lee Award for Legal Fiction in 2014 and a finalist for the Premio Bancarella Italian Literature Award in 2014. He was an honoree at the Chicago Public Library Foundation’s Carl Sandburg Literary Award dinner.
The demands of his legal practice have taken Ron into courts all across the United States and Canada, and for deposition testimony all across Europe and Asia. A few years ago, Ron became involved in a commercial dispute concerning telephone service in Poland. Numerous trips to Warsaw and southern Poland provided the inspiration for his first novel, Once We Were Brothers. Ron’s love of history and his travels to the Middle East provided the motivation for his second novel, Saving Sophie.
During the Once We Were Brothers book tour, Ron was introduced to several survivors of the World War II concentration camps. Of all the stories of courage and determination, one woman’s story was so moving that it formed the basis for Karolina’s Twins, Ron’s third book due out in 2016.
Ron was a finalist for the Harper Lee Award for Legal Fiction in 2014 and a finalist for the Premio Bancarella Italian Literature Award in 2014. He was an honoree at the Chicago Public Library Foundation’s Carl Sandburg Literary Award dinner.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
December 10, 2025
This is a well-written, informative historical fiction novel. It has likable female protagonists, and follows them on their journey to Hungary during the Holocaust, to save the family of one of these courageous, brave, and compassionate young women. Fred Berman does an excellent job narrating the the audiobook.
May 22, 2025
Having read and enjoyed ALL of Ronald Balson’s prior novels, I was eager to read this endeavor and thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity. However, I must say that this book was a complete disappointment to me. Having visited the extermination camps in Poland and the Czech Republic, I am very much aware of the history and the horrors of the Holocaust. I felt that most of this book was written as a history of what occurred in Hungary with several asides concerning the involvement of one family. To my way of thinking, the characters were not a compelling part of the story but rather a means of moving the plot forward to a very abrupt conclusion that actually left the reader wondering what happened. It is almost as though this book is the first volume in a series
September 8, 2025
Fred Berman just became one of my two all time favorite narrators. This is the first time I’ve listened to his narration and it was magnificent. The story centered around the Hungarian Jews. They remained untouched and I effected for quite a while during WWII. The main characters were fictional but the heroic actions were based upon fact. I learned so much while listening to this book. Loved the main characters.
I was blessed with an ARC. The opinions expressed are unbiased and are my own.
I was blessed with an ARC. The opinions expressed are unbiased and are my own.
May 25, 2025
Book Review: The Righteous by Ronald H. Balson
Title: The Righteous
Author: Ronald H. Balson
Genre: Historical Fiction / WWII Drama
Review:
Ronald H. Balson’s The Righteous is a meticulously researched historical novel that plunges readers into the harrowing final years of World War II, focusing on Hungary’s Jewish population and the courageous individuals who risked everything to save them. While Balson, a New York Times bestselling and National Jewish Book Award-winning author, delivers a narrative rich in historical detail, the novel struggles to balance its educational ambitions with compelling character development, leaving some emotional resonance unexplored.
The story follows Theresa Weissbach, a professor desperate to locate her missing parents in Nazi-occupied Budapest, and Julia Powers, a decorated OSS operative who joins her in a perilous rescue mission. Their alliance with real-life heroes like Swiss diplomat Carl Lutz and Swedish savior Raoul Wallenberg provides a gripping framework for exploring lesser-known acts of wartime heroism. Balson excels in depicting the bureaucratic intricacies of rescue operations, offering a sobering look at the bureaucratic and moral challenges faced by those who defied the Holocaust.
However, while the historical context is immersive, the novel’s pacing and characterization occasionally falter. Some secondary figures, including Theresa’s father—a leader in Budapest’s Jewish community—feel underdeveloped, serving more as narrative conduits than fully realized individuals. The abrupt ending further detracts from the novel’s impact, leaving key threads unresolved and suggesting a potential sequel rather than a standalone work.
Despite these flaws, The Righteous succeeds as an informative tribute to Holocaust resistance. Fans of Balson’s previous works (Once We Were Brothers, The Girl from Berlin) will appreciate his signature blend of suspense and historical depth, though newcomers may find the prose more didactic than emotionally immersive.
How I would describe this book:
- A gripping tale of heroism in the shadow of the Holocaust—Balson’s The Righteous illuminates the unsung rescuers of WWII Hungary.
- For fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz and The Nightingale, this novel blends history with heart-stopping suspense.
- Julia Powers’ journey—from disillusioned wanderer to OSS hero—is a testament to courage in the face of unimaginable evil.
- Balson’s research shines, but it’s the daring rescue missions that will keep readers turning pages late into the night.
Critique & Praise:
-Strengths: Immersive historical detail, tense rescue sequences, and a poignant focus on real-life figures like Wallenberg and Lutz.
-Weaknesses: Uneven character arcs and a rushed ending that leaves too many questions unanswered.
-Standout Element: Julia’s transformation from a directionless young woman to a determined operative is the novel’s most compelling thread.
Acknowledgments:
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing an advance review copy. While The Righteous diverges from Balson’s usual narrative polish, its historical significance and tribute to Holocaust rescuers make it a worthwhile read for WWII fiction enthusiasts.
Final Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5/5) – A historically rich but uneven addition to Balson’s WWII oeuvre.
Audience: Ideal for readers of historical fiction focused on Holocaust narratives, particularly those interested in Hungary’s wartime experience. Book clubs may find fertile ground for discussion on themes of resistance, bureaucracy, and moral courage.
Title: The Righteous
Author: Ronald H. Balson
Genre: Historical Fiction / WWII Drama
Review:
Ronald H. Balson’s The Righteous is a meticulously researched historical novel that plunges readers into the harrowing final years of World War II, focusing on Hungary’s Jewish population and the courageous individuals who risked everything to save them. While Balson, a New York Times bestselling and National Jewish Book Award-winning author, delivers a narrative rich in historical detail, the novel struggles to balance its educational ambitions with compelling character development, leaving some emotional resonance unexplored.
The story follows Theresa Weissbach, a professor desperate to locate her missing parents in Nazi-occupied Budapest, and Julia Powers, a decorated OSS operative who joins her in a perilous rescue mission. Their alliance with real-life heroes like Swiss diplomat Carl Lutz and Swedish savior Raoul Wallenberg provides a gripping framework for exploring lesser-known acts of wartime heroism. Balson excels in depicting the bureaucratic intricacies of rescue operations, offering a sobering look at the bureaucratic and moral challenges faced by those who defied the Holocaust.
However, while the historical context is immersive, the novel’s pacing and characterization occasionally falter. Some secondary figures, including Theresa’s father—a leader in Budapest’s Jewish community—feel underdeveloped, serving more as narrative conduits than fully realized individuals. The abrupt ending further detracts from the novel’s impact, leaving key threads unresolved and suggesting a potential sequel rather than a standalone work.
Despite these flaws, The Righteous succeeds as an informative tribute to Holocaust resistance. Fans of Balson’s previous works (Once We Were Brothers, The Girl from Berlin) will appreciate his signature blend of suspense and historical depth, though newcomers may find the prose more didactic than emotionally immersive.
How I would describe this book:
- A gripping tale of heroism in the shadow of the Holocaust—Balson’s The Righteous illuminates the unsung rescuers of WWII Hungary.
- For fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz and The Nightingale, this novel blends history with heart-stopping suspense.
- Julia Powers’ journey—from disillusioned wanderer to OSS hero—is a testament to courage in the face of unimaginable evil.
- Balson’s research shines, but it’s the daring rescue missions that will keep readers turning pages late into the night.
Critique & Praise:
-Strengths: Immersive historical detail, tense rescue sequences, and a poignant focus on real-life figures like Wallenberg and Lutz.
-Weaknesses: Uneven character arcs and a rushed ending that leaves too many questions unanswered.
-Standout Element: Julia’s transformation from a directionless young woman to a determined operative is the novel’s most compelling thread.
Acknowledgments:
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing an advance review copy. While The Righteous diverges from Balson’s usual narrative polish, its historical significance and tribute to Holocaust rescuers make it a worthwhile read for WWII fiction enthusiasts.
Final Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5/5) – A historically rich but uneven addition to Balson’s WWII oeuvre.
Audience: Ideal for readers of historical fiction focused on Holocaust narratives, particularly those interested in Hungary’s wartime experience. Book clubs may find fertile ground for discussion on themes of resistance, bureaucracy, and moral courage.
August 20, 2025
It’s a heavy subject. This book made me feel the intense sadness from the tragic loss of roughly 500,000 Hungarian Jews who were murdered during WWII in 1944-45.
Most of this story was based on actual historical events with the exception of two University of Michigan friends. Julie Powers and Theresa Weissback lost touch after graduating and then five years later they got together to catch up. They had no idea that their conversation would lead them into a complex seven-month mission to rescue Jews out of Hungary with the support of the US Government.
It took some time digesting this story, knowing the end result. However, much of it focused on the people who were trying their best to get the Jewish community in Budapest to understand the urgency of leaving Hungary to safe grounds. It was a time when families were facing their worst fears: war with Germany.
The story presented eye-opening information which helped me understand more about the US role with the Jews in Hungary. It didn’t make sense to me why Congress wasn’t more supportive at first. You could feel the anxiety with the slow process when Julie and Theresa were working with a Swiss diplomat.
Then the story ended unexpectedly when I wanted to know more. At the end, Ronald Balson noted that he’s working on his next book which I can’t wait to read.
My thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of September 9, 2025.
Most of this story was based on actual historical events with the exception of two University of Michigan friends. Julie Powers and Theresa Weissback lost touch after graduating and then five years later they got together to catch up. They had no idea that their conversation would lead them into a complex seven-month mission to rescue Jews out of Hungary with the support of the US Government.
It took some time digesting this story, knowing the end result. However, much of it focused on the people who were trying their best to get the Jewish community in Budapest to understand the urgency of leaving Hungary to safe grounds. It was a time when families were facing their worst fears: war with Germany.
The story presented eye-opening information which helped me understand more about the US role with the Jews in Hungary. It didn’t make sense to me why Congress wasn’t more supportive at first. You could feel the anxiety with the slow process when Julie and Theresa were working with a Swiss diplomat.
Then the story ended unexpectedly when I wanted to know more. At the end, Ronald Balson noted that he’s working on his next book which I can’t wait to read.
My thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of September 9, 2025.
November 2, 2025
“We were the witnesses.”
In 1943 many Western allies didn’t know, didn’t want to know, or didn’t believe that Adolf Hitler was killing every European of Jewish ancestry. The Righteous follows two former college friends as they discover and combat the genocide.
“I don’t know Eichmann. To me, he’s just another German. … Either way, I am not leaving.”
Balson exposes the ignorance and prejudices of many Americans to the unfolding extermination and how a courageous few discover and combat the horror. Julie and Teresa serve as everyman observers to the ignorance and inertia on both sides of the Atlantic. They prowl the intersections of American government departmental conflicts and coverups, international diplomacy and relief, and the resistance inside the Budapest Jewish community as fellow Jews disappear from the Hungarian countryside enroute to the gas chambers of Auschwitz. Along the way they meet and assist many historic heroes.
“The moment Eichmann begins to make Hungary Judenfrei, the moment he start going through neighborhoods and isolating innocent people, that is the moment it is too late to start.”
Such a serious topic merits Balson’s somber approach, however the novel is slowed by speeches masquerading as dialogue, background data dumps, and repetition. For example, the statistic that 12,000 Jews a day are being shipped north is repeated a dozen times—often in conversations among the same people. Likewise, Ira Hirschmann’s previous rescue of Jews from Hungary is belabored. Many “as you know, Bob” conversations repeat known data. In 1943 regular telephone calls from Budapest to Bern, Switzerland and Stockholm, let alone Washington, D.C., would not have been so easy.
“You are looking for evidence that your neighborhood is under siege. When that evidence comes, it will be too late. You will be taken.”
Brings the past to life through the eyes of sympathetic participants. Excellent history with an overlay of fiction.
“Where am I going, Terri?” “What am I doing? I told myself I wasn’t going to do this again.” “You’re where you should be.”
In 1943 many Western allies didn’t know, didn’t want to know, or didn’t believe that Adolf Hitler was killing every European of Jewish ancestry. The Righteous follows two former college friends as they discover and combat the genocide.
“I don’t know Eichmann. To me, he’s just another German. … Either way, I am not leaving.”
Balson exposes the ignorance and prejudices of many Americans to the unfolding extermination and how a courageous few discover and combat the horror. Julie and Teresa serve as everyman observers to the ignorance and inertia on both sides of the Atlantic. They prowl the intersections of American government departmental conflicts and coverups, international diplomacy and relief, and the resistance inside the Budapest Jewish community as fellow Jews disappear from the Hungarian countryside enroute to the gas chambers of Auschwitz. Along the way they meet and assist many historic heroes.
“The moment Eichmann begins to make Hungary Judenfrei, the moment he start going through neighborhoods and isolating innocent people, that is the moment it is too late to start.”
Such a serious topic merits Balson’s somber approach, however the novel is slowed by speeches masquerading as dialogue, background data dumps, and repetition. For example, the statistic that 12,000 Jews a day are being shipped north is repeated a dozen times—often in conversations among the same people. Likewise, Ira Hirschmann’s previous rescue of Jews from Hungary is belabored. Many “as you know, Bob” conversations repeat known data. In 1943 regular telephone calls from Budapest to Bern, Switzerland and Stockholm, let alone Washington, D.C., would not have been so easy.
“You are looking for evidence that your neighborhood is under siege. When that evidence comes, it will be too late. You will be taken.”
Brings the past to life through the eyes of sympathetic participants. Excellent history with an overlay of fiction.
“Where am I going, Terri?” “What am I doing? I told myself I wasn’t going to do this again.” “You’re where you should be.”
May 21, 2025
This brave Word War II story will follow the brave adventures of those who aare trying to help the jews from being victims of Hitler's persecution. This story also tells the brave story of one woman's brave journey in Europe that originally started out as following her boyfriend's band around. With all the problems being caused by the war will these brave people be able to accomplish what they want?
Our main character Julia is living in the United States in the late 1930's. Much to her parents disappointment she decides to leave home to follow her boyfriends band around. However, she later realizes she made a mistake and breaks it off in Amsterdam. She decides to stay in the Netherlands and work for the government which ends up being a huge success.
However with her huge sucess it doesn't last long with the issues of the war. She has a friend back in the states who is worried about her parents who live in Budapest and are Jewish because she hasn't heard fron them. From there they will embark on a journey to not only help Theresa's parents but also the lives other jews as well.
Overall this was a fantastic story about hope and bravery. I am super honored that I took the time to read this novel.
I received an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.
Our main character Julia is living in the United States in the late 1930's. Much to her parents disappointment she decides to leave home to follow her boyfriends band around. However, she later realizes she made a mistake and breaks it off in Amsterdam. She decides to stay in the Netherlands and work for the government which ends up being a huge success.
However with her huge sucess it doesn't last long with the issues of the war. She has a friend back in the states who is worried about her parents who live in Budapest and are Jewish because she hasn't heard fron them. From there they will embark on a journey to not only help Theresa's parents but also the lives other jews as well.
Overall this was a fantastic story about hope and bravery. I am super honored that I took the time to read this novel.
I received an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.
August 15, 2025
I was excited to see this continuation of Julia’s story from ‘A Place to Hide’. You don’t need to read the first book, as the author does a great job of bringing readers up to speed, but I highly recommend it. This installment continues to follow Julia, and we also get to follow Theresa, her friend. Together, they travel to Budapest to check on Theresa’s family and to help Jewish people before Germany invades. It’s a race against time, and once again, Julia and Teresa must convince friends and neighbors to leave before it’s too late.
Balson’s books always take me on a wide range of emotions, and this one was no exception. The narrator, Fred Berman does a fantastic job bringing the characters to life. I was hooked from the very beginning. Berman tells their story well. My only issue was that the ending felt a bit abrupt. I would have loved a little more closure. But this ending also gives the reader hope.
A very special thanks to Netgalley +Macmillan Audio for the gifted copy.
Balson’s books always take me on a wide range of emotions, and this one was no exception. The narrator, Fred Berman does a fantastic job bringing the characters to life. I was hooked from the very beginning. Berman tells their story well. My only issue was that the ending felt a bit abrupt. I would have loved a little more closure. But this ending also gives the reader hope.
A very special thanks to Netgalley +Macmillan Audio for the gifted copy.
August 2, 2025
I was one of the winners of an ARC of The Righteous. While this book didn't grab me the way Once We Were Brothers did, it was definitely worth reading. Sometimes it seems resistance to the Nazis during WWII has been fictionalized to death however The Righteous covered a portion that I had not known about before.
The way Balson showed the rabbi, Apa, and others as saying everything is fine vs Julia and Theresa trying to convince them there is danger and that by the time the others see the changes destruction will have already occurred really hit home.
The way Balson showed the rabbi, Apa, and others as saying everything is fine vs Julia and Theresa trying to convince them there is danger and that by the time the others see the changes destruction will have already occurred really hit home.
September 3, 2025
DNF
I wanted to like this book, but I had a hard time getting into it, because there was so much repetition. The same situation had to be explained to every person that was introduced and I lost interest in a subject I am really quite fond of.
I wanted to like this book, but I had a hard time getting into it, because there was so much repetition. The same situation had to be explained to every person that was introduced and I lost interest in a subject I am really quite fond of.
November 16, 2025
3 1/2,rounded up. Slow start..
August 22, 2025
Balson is one of my absolute favorite authors! I was so excited to receive an ARC of his newest book!
The book revolves around the Hungarian Jews during World War II. This is a country I haven’t seen written about in all the other books I’ve read. It follows Julia, a character from one of Balson’s other books as she goes on a mission to save her good friend’s family, and to save as many others that she can while she’s at it. As I read, I found myself searching online about the characters and events mentioned. This book read much more like a history book versus historical fiction. The inclusion of exact dates and full names pulled me out of the book a few times, but they generally made sense with the narrative.
I have two main complaints with the book. The first is that the plot seemed to just be to move the historical facts along. A lot of the conversations don’t seem plausible, and the family itself isn’t as central to the story as I think it should be. Also, the general premise of the book wasn’t very believable. A woman’s good friend comes to her saying she’s concerned about the welfare of her family in Hungary. In no time at all, they are in Hungary as Swiss embassy employees. The second main complaint was just something that irked me. There were quite a few instances during conversations that someone would ask a question immediately followed by more questions then a statement. There really aren’t answers provided for the questions. For one person to do so would maybe just be how they speak. For several people to do it made for an uncomfortable conversation. That isn’t how most people have conversations about difficult topics.
Overall it’s a very interesting piece of history woven into a historical fiction book. Balson is a fantastic author. This one was just a miss for me.
I was fortunate to receive both an ARC and an ALC. The narrator is a tried and true narrator for Balson’s books. He does a great job with male voices. I found it to be an odd choice to have a male narrator for a book with a FMC and the second most important character being female as well. In my opinion a dual narration would have better served the book.
*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for advanced copies of this book in exchange for an honest review!*
The book revolves around the Hungarian Jews during World War II. This is a country I haven’t seen written about in all the other books I’ve read. It follows Julia, a character from one of Balson’s other books as she goes on a mission to save her good friend’s family, and to save as many others that she can while she’s at it. As I read, I found myself searching online about the characters and events mentioned. This book read much more like a history book versus historical fiction. The inclusion of exact dates and full names pulled me out of the book a few times, but they generally made sense with the narrative.
I have two main complaints with the book. The first is that the plot seemed to just be to move the historical facts along. A lot of the conversations don’t seem plausible, and the family itself isn’t as central to the story as I think it should be. Also, the general premise of the book wasn’t very believable. A woman’s good friend comes to her saying she’s concerned about the welfare of her family in Hungary. In no time at all, they are in Hungary as Swiss embassy employees. The second main complaint was just something that irked me. There were quite a few instances during conversations that someone would ask a question immediately followed by more questions then a statement. There really aren’t answers provided for the questions. For one person to do so would maybe just be how they speak. For several people to do it made for an uncomfortable conversation. That isn’t how most people have conversations about difficult topics.
Overall it’s a very interesting piece of history woven into a historical fiction book. Balson is a fantastic author. This one was just a miss for me.
I was fortunate to receive both an ARC and an ALC. The narrator is a tried and true narrator for Balson’s books. He does a great job with male voices. I found it to be an odd choice to have a male narrator for a book with a FMC and the second most important character being female as well. In my opinion a dual narration would have better served the book.
*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for advanced copies of this book in exchange for an honest review!*
September 22, 2025
Disappointing from Ronald Balson
I pre-ordered this book from Amazon specifically because of the subject matter and the author. I now live in the United States but my parents, my brother and extended family were in Hungary and lived through that awful time. I had an aunt and uncles who were unfortunate enough to live in the countryside and were taken to Auschwitz. Only one person, my aunt survived and came back. The rest of my family lived in Budapest under horrific circumstances. My mother lost an 11 month old baby, because as a “Jew baby “ the hospital wouldn’t treat her. With all this introduction, one can see, why I was looking forward reading this book. Why was I disappointed? The author did research and mostly correctly weaved the events into the story. However, there were many inaccuracies. While it’s true that most of Hungary’s Jews were spared till the very end, they did not enjoy the complete calm, availability of good food, entertainment as described in the book prior to the German occupation. I never heard of some of the foods mentioned, honey brisket? Many of the places were misspelled, Such as Hatvah, where Jews were deported from. It’s Hatvan, the Hungarian word for sixty, because it’s 60 kilometers from Budapest. I found the writing at best Young Adult level, to me both Julia’s and Theresa’s characters were naive and unrealistic. As for the ending?
Did the train get to it’s destination, were those people saved ? That shouldn’t have been left to imagination or a sequel. The author’s note should have included that 565,000 Hungarian Jews were exterminated in the Holocaust and the majority were deported in just 56 days from May 1944 to July 1944.
I pre-ordered this book from Amazon specifically because of the subject matter and the author. I now live in the United States but my parents, my brother and extended family were in Hungary and lived through that awful time. I had an aunt and uncles who were unfortunate enough to live in the countryside and were taken to Auschwitz. Only one person, my aunt survived and came back. The rest of my family lived in Budapest under horrific circumstances. My mother lost an 11 month old baby, because as a “Jew baby “ the hospital wouldn’t treat her. With all this introduction, one can see, why I was looking forward reading this book. Why was I disappointed? The author did research and mostly correctly weaved the events into the story. However, there were many inaccuracies. While it’s true that most of Hungary’s Jews were spared till the very end, they did not enjoy the complete calm, availability of good food, entertainment as described in the book prior to the German occupation. I never heard of some of the foods mentioned, honey brisket? Many of the places were misspelled, Such as Hatvah, where Jews were deported from. It’s Hatvan, the Hungarian word for sixty, because it’s 60 kilometers from Budapest. I found the writing at best Young Adult level, to me both Julia’s and Theresa’s characters were naive and unrealistic. As for the ending?
Did the train get to it’s destination, were those people saved ? That shouldn’t have been left to imagination or a sequel. The author’s note should have included that 565,000 Hungarian Jews were exterminated in the Holocaust and the majority were deported in just 56 days from May 1944 to July 1944.
July 27, 2025
I wanted more dialog between the characters and would have liked more about what happened to them afterwards.
October 9, 2025
Not one of his best.
October 28, 2025
Rating - 4/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Date Read - October 21, 2025
Publication Date - Available Now!
*I received a finished copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review* - Thank you @stmartinspress and @macmillanusa!
The Righteous is a WW2 historical fiction novel with a focus on the United States and Hungary, which I enjoyed getting to learn more about. I also found it very interesting to gain a better understanding of the bureaucratic side of the war. There was so much going on publicly, but there was a lot going on behind the scenes too and the specifics of that are not as widely known. After reading, I did my own research on the role of the US government during the war and let me tell you, the reality of their role needs to be talked about more! This book demonstrates how every action and inaction has consequences. Inaction is just as much of a decision as taking action and it can be just as, if not more, harmful. I got frustrated so many times because of the inaction of characters and I wanted to talk sense into so many people but I loved feeling so invested in the story and characters. I didn't love how the female characters were written but it didn't stop me from enjoying the book itself. If you are interested in WW2 historical fiction and having more of a behind the scenes understanding and bureaucratic perspective, you should try The Righteous!
Get excited to read The Righteous, available now! 🎉
*Please check trigger warnings*
Date Read - October 21, 2025
Publication Date - Available Now!
*I received a finished copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review* - Thank you @stmartinspress and @macmillanusa!
The Righteous is a WW2 historical fiction novel with a focus on the United States and Hungary, which I enjoyed getting to learn more about. I also found it very interesting to gain a better understanding of the bureaucratic side of the war. There was so much going on publicly, but there was a lot going on behind the scenes too and the specifics of that are not as widely known. After reading, I did my own research on the role of the US government during the war and let me tell you, the reality of their role needs to be talked about more! This book demonstrates how every action and inaction has consequences. Inaction is just as much of a decision as taking action and it can be just as, if not more, harmful. I got frustrated so many times because of the inaction of characters and I wanted to talk sense into so many people but I loved feeling so invested in the story and characters. I didn't love how the female characters were written but it didn't stop me from enjoying the book itself. If you are interested in WW2 historical fiction and having more of a behind the scenes understanding and bureaucratic perspective, you should try The Righteous!
Get excited to read The Righteous, available now! 🎉
*Please check trigger warnings*
September 30, 2025
Another heart-wrenching read by Ronald H. Balson.
We again meet up with Julia Powers and Teddy Hartigan from "A Place to Hide." They are now back in America, and this time we follow the story of Julia and her best friend from university, Theresa Weissbach.
Theresa is Jewish and is originally from Budapest, where her family still lives. It is 1944, and Terri has not been able to make contact with her family for about a year. Things were seemingly fine in Hungary, and the Jewish people have not been prosecuted like they were in other countries, but for how long will things stay relatively peaceful? They find a way to travel to Hungary under the pretense that they work for the Swedish consulate to try and find Terri's family and see if they can help them get out before it is too late, but soon things take a turn for the worst, and they are up against the clock.
We again meet up with Julia Powers and Teddy Hartigan from "A Place to Hide." They are now back in America, and this time we follow the story of Julia and her best friend from university, Theresa Weissbach.
Theresa is Jewish and is originally from Budapest, where her family still lives. It is 1944, and Terri has not been able to make contact with her family for about a year. Things were seemingly fine in Hungary, and the Jewish people have not been prosecuted like they were in other countries, but for how long will things stay relatively peaceful? They find a way to travel to Hungary under the pretense that they work for the Swedish consulate to try and find Terri's family and see if they can help them get out before it is too late, but soon things take a turn for the worst, and they are up against the clock.
October 28, 2025
Poor writing. I’ve read every other book of his and loved them. This seems like a robot wrote it. Tons of needless repetition and stiff writing. Not enjoyable
October 24, 2025
The Righteous by Ronald H. Balson
Narrated by Fred Berman
Because I received this print book from the publisher after the book had already published, I was able to obtain the audiobook from my library so I could read and listen to the book at the same time. This book can be read as a standalone but I had already followed these characters in a previous book, A Place to Hide. The Righteous fills the reader in on anything they need to know for this story but having the full background of the experiences of Julia Powers, and the people she had worked with earlier, adds to the experience of reading this book.
The books starts with Julia Powers home from her years of struggle to save Jewish people in Holland. For her work in Holland, Julia was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal and she's suffering with her memories of all the horrors she saw and lived through, trying to save the lives of those who Hitler and company are determined to exterminate. Now those extermination plans might turn to Hungary and Julia's friend, Theresa Weissbach, a Hungarian professor at the University of Michigan, wants to be allowed to go back to Hungary so she can see if her family there is still alive and safe.
Arrangements are made for Julia and Theresa to be assistants to Swiss Vice Consul Carl Lutz, in Hungary, and off the women go to Budapest. Both women are highly capable for the work to come due to their lifetime experiences, knowledge, and willingness to help those in great danger. Little did they know just how the war would come to the doorstep of Theresa's parents, but, at the same time, they suspected what was coming because of their connections to the US government, other government workers, and political secrets which would eventually be known world wide.
So much of what this books presents is what I want to know, the events in history, as they happened, and what was done to help save any lives that could be saved. In the time we are in this story, in the background, and sometimes in the foreground, unbelievable numbers of people are being rounded up and killed. Knowing what I already know about history, it's not as if I can forget what happened in the past and feel calm about it.
One thing about this book that felt "too much" is that at any time any character could become almost a robotic dispenser of historical facts, as if they are a built into the book Wiki. They'll be reciting facts to each other even when I'm pretty sure the characters themselves often already know these facts. I realize this is a way for the author to inform the reader but I wish there was a better, more realistic way to do this passing on of information to the reader. I'm probably better suited for this glut of information in the midst of character interaction than most people since I like to look things up anyway but it was sometimes too much for even me.
The book ends with another book to be written (just guessing, I don't really know for sure). The war isn't over, the killing is continuing, and people need to be saved even if the numbers might be a fraction of those who are killed. I'll be there for the next step in this historical journey, hoping there really will be another book of what comes next for these characters.
My review of A Place to Hide, which takes place before this book
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Published September 9, 2025
Thank you to St Martin's Press for the copy of the print book and to my library for a copy of the audiobook.
Narrated by Fred Berman
Because I received this print book from the publisher after the book had already published, I was able to obtain the audiobook from my library so I could read and listen to the book at the same time. This book can be read as a standalone but I had already followed these characters in a previous book, A Place to Hide. The Righteous fills the reader in on anything they need to know for this story but having the full background of the experiences of Julia Powers, and the people she had worked with earlier, adds to the experience of reading this book.
The books starts with Julia Powers home from her years of struggle to save Jewish people in Holland. For her work in Holland, Julia was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal and she's suffering with her memories of all the horrors she saw and lived through, trying to save the lives of those who Hitler and company are determined to exterminate. Now those extermination plans might turn to Hungary and Julia's friend, Theresa Weissbach, a Hungarian professor at the University of Michigan, wants to be allowed to go back to Hungary so she can see if her family there is still alive and safe.
Arrangements are made for Julia and Theresa to be assistants to Swiss Vice Consul Carl Lutz, in Hungary, and off the women go to Budapest. Both women are highly capable for the work to come due to their lifetime experiences, knowledge, and willingness to help those in great danger. Little did they know just how the war would come to the doorstep of Theresa's parents, but, at the same time, they suspected what was coming because of their connections to the US government, other government workers, and political secrets which would eventually be known world wide.
So much of what this books presents is what I want to know, the events in history, as they happened, and what was done to help save any lives that could be saved. In the time we are in this story, in the background, and sometimes in the foreground, unbelievable numbers of people are being rounded up and killed. Knowing what I already know about history, it's not as if I can forget what happened in the past and feel calm about it.
One thing about this book that felt "too much" is that at any time any character could become almost a robotic dispenser of historical facts, as if they are a built into the book Wiki. They'll be reciting facts to each other even when I'm pretty sure the characters themselves often already know these facts. I realize this is a way for the author to inform the reader but I wish there was a better, more realistic way to do this passing on of information to the reader. I'm probably better suited for this glut of information in the midst of character interaction than most people since I like to look things up anyway but it was sometimes too much for even me.
The book ends with another book to be written (just guessing, I don't really know for sure). The war isn't over, the killing is continuing, and people need to be saved even if the numbers might be a fraction of those who are killed. I'll be there for the next step in this historical journey, hoping there really will be another book of what comes next for these characters.
My review of A Place to Hide, which takes place before this book
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Published September 9, 2025
Thank you to St Martin's Press for the copy of the print book and to my library for a copy of the audiobook.
November 5, 2025
Despite what was happening to the Jewish citizens of other countries in Europe, the Jewish people in Hungary still thought that they were safe. Their President didn't agree with Hitler and didn't want to see his people persecuted. In fact, he was trying to work with the Axis powers to negotiate an armistice. In March, 1944, Germany occupied Hungary and the new government was led by Adolph Eichmann whose main goal was to round up the Jewish population of Hungary to be sent to camps and exterminated.
Julie Powers had just returned to the US from Amsterdam where she worked for the US Consulate. Her main job was to handle requests from European refugees who wanted VISAs to the US. After Germany invaded Holland, she worked as undercover intelligence agent for 18 months. After that it became too dangerous for her to stay because her picture was circulated to German personnel and she was in danger of being caught but she managed to escape to England and then head home to Michigan. She was offered a job in DC but she was tired and wanted to spend time with her family and learn to relax again after being in danger in Holland. She met with her best friend from U of M who wanted to know if she had any information about what was happening with the Jewish people in Hungary. Her parents lived there and she was unable to get it touch with them. Theresa and Julie ended up going to Hungary to try to find her parents and try to get them to a safer place. At the time, her father still felt that it was safe for Jewish people in Hungary and he was totally against escaping to America. As life in Hungary got more difficult, he still felt that it was his place to stay and help his people. Will Theresa be able to convince her family to leave their lives in Hungary and move to safety?
I found it very interesting to read about the Americans in government who didn't believe that the Jewish people were in trouble and refused to allow more of them immigrate to the US. There were several US leaders who were very anti-Semitic and didn't really believe that a mass extermination was taking place in Europe.
My only complaint about this book is that at times it seemed like a nonfiction book - the author got into sharing what was going on in the US and Europe and didn't have space to develop his characters. Despite that issue, this was a book about brave women who were real heroes in the work that they did to save Jewish people despite the danger to themselves.
Be sure to read the Author's Notes at the end where we learn about the real people who were in the novel and real people that other characters were based on. I've read all of this authors books -- this wasn't my favorite but I'll be looking forward to his next book.
Julie Powers had just returned to the US from Amsterdam where she worked for the US Consulate. Her main job was to handle requests from European refugees who wanted VISAs to the US. After Germany invaded Holland, she worked as undercover intelligence agent for 18 months. After that it became too dangerous for her to stay because her picture was circulated to German personnel and she was in danger of being caught but she managed to escape to England and then head home to Michigan. She was offered a job in DC but she was tired and wanted to spend time with her family and learn to relax again after being in danger in Holland. She met with her best friend from U of M who wanted to know if she had any information about what was happening with the Jewish people in Hungary. Her parents lived there and she was unable to get it touch with them. Theresa and Julie ended up going to Hungary to try to find her parents and try to get them to a safer place. At the time, her father still felt that it was safe for Jewish people in Hungary and he was totally against escaping to America. As life in Hungary got more difficult, he still felt that it was his place to stay and help his people. Will Theresa be able to convince her family to leave their lives in Hungary and move to safety?
I found it very interesting to read about the Americans in government who didn't believe that the Jewish people were in trouble and refused to allow more of them immigrate to the US. There were several US leaders who were very anti-Semitic and didn't really believe that a mass extermination was taking place in Europe.
My only complaint about this book is that at times it seemed like a nonfiction book - the author got into sharing what was going on in the US and Europe and didn't have space to develop his characters. Despite that issue, this was a book about brave women who were real heroes in the work that they did to save Jewish people despite the danger to themselves.
Be sure to read the Author's Notes at the end where we learn about the real people who were in the novel and real people that other characters were based on. I've read all of this authors books -- this wasn't my favorite but I'll be looking forward to his next book.
August 31, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an early audiobook edition of “The Righteous” by Ronald H. Balson, narrated by Fred Berman, in exchange for an honest review. Fred is one of my favorite narrators, and he did not disappoint in this book. He is the reason I ranked this up from the 2.5 I wanted to give this book.
This was another disappointing book by Ronald H. Balson. I fell in love with Mr. Balson's Liam and Catherine stories, so he is currently on my "read everything he writes list." However, if he keeps writing like this, he will be removed. There was too much emphasis on the protagonists, Julia, Terry, and Teddy, trying to convince everyone to get out of harm's way, but refusing to take their own advice. Also, too much reminding of what happened in “A Place to Hide” (which there is no reference in the summary of the book, not sure why the publisher wouldn’t want to let a reader know that this story is the next in the Teddy/Julia stories) There are other ways to inform the reader about the character's emotions, thoughts, and once you tell one thing about the character, please don’t keep repeating it. We know Julia saw the atrocities in the Netherlands; you did not have to keep telling us every three pages.
This is a historical fiction about the German takeover of Hungary, where there were still 800,000 (in the summary of the book) / 900,000 (in the book itself) Jewish citizens. Julia and Teddy (from “A Place to Hide”) are back, along with Julia’s best friend Terry, and they get a mission to go to Hungary on the brink of the Germans taking over. Working together with other underground organizations, they saved many Jewish families from the death camps.
There was no depth to this story; it read more like a history book than a story where you were invested in the characters. The storyline was weak. You should read “A Place to Hide” first, which will give you a little more depth on Julia and Teddy, as you will not get any from this book. I would give it a 2.5 if I could, as I mentioned above, I rounded up to the 3.0 for the narrator.
This was another disappointing book by Ronald H. Balson. I fell in love with Mr. Balson's Liam and Catherine stories, so he is currently on my "read everything he writes list." However, if he keeps writing like this, he will be removed. There was too much emphasis on the protagonists, Julia, Terry, and Teddy, trying to convince everyone to get out of harm's way, but refusing to take their own advice. Also, too much reminding of what happened in “A Place to Hide” (which there is no reference in the summary of the book, not sure why the publisher wouldn’t want to let a reader know that this story is the next in the Teddy/Julia stories) There are other ways to inform the reader about the character's emotions, thoughts, and once you tell one thing about the character, please don’t keep repeating it. We know Julia saw the atrocities in the Netherlands; you did not have to keep telling us every three pages.
This is a historical fiction about the German takeover of Hungary, where there were still 800,000 (in the summary of the book) / 900,000 (in the book itself) Jewish citizens. Julia and Teddy (from “A Place to Hide”) are back, along with Julia’s best friend Terry, and they get a mission to go to Hungary on the brink of the Germans taking over. Working together with other underground organizations, they saved many Jewish families from the death camps.
There was no depth to this story; it read more like a history book than a story where you were invested in the characters. The storyline was weak. You should read “A Place to Hide” first, which will give you a little more depth on Julia and Teddy, as you will not get any from this book. I would give it a 2.5 if I could, as I mentioned above, I rounded up to the 3.0 for the narrator.
August 6, 2025
When I first started reading it seemed familiar. I was right. This is a coninuation fo Julia's story in A Place To Hide. Once she arrives back in America, from occupied Holland, she feels useless, lost. She could work in DC, but would that be satisfying?
She soon finds purpose. Her university friend, Theresa, was stranded in America. Her family was at risk in Hungary. Hungary might be allied with Germany but how long would it last. The fear for her family, and the other Jews in Budapest, grew day after day.
Theresa would stop at nothing to return to Budapest and check on her family. Julia and Theresa soon find themselves flying to Europe. Hope is running out for the Jewish people. The German soldiers are increasing. The SS walks the streets. The Arrow Cross Party were picking them up on the street, sending them away.
The Righteous goes into great detail of Budapest before and during the occupation. At times it was hard to stop the tears from flowing. The Jewish people were losing everything. If something wasn't done, soon they would lose their lives. Open the book and learn of the brillance of those determined to save as many lives as possible. Let the subterfuge bring you happiness and joy knowing that something positive will soon be happening in a world at war. Respect the names of those that risked so much.
I never realized how clever those that created the evaculation plan were. I was left speechless by the plan. My nerves were frayed, not knowing of the successes and failures. Compassion wins over evil. Brilliance conquers hatred. The question is what happens next for those that no longer have homes but have their lives.
She soon finds purpose. Her university friend, Theresa, was stranded in America. Her family was at risk in Hungary. Hungary might be allied with Germany but how long would it last. The fear for her family, and the other Jews in Budapest, grew day after day.
Theresa would stop at nothing to return to Budapest and check on her family. Julia and Theresa soon find themselves flying to Europe. Hope is running out for the Jewish people. The German soldiers are increasing. The SS walks the streets. The Arrow Cross Party were picking them up on the street, sending them away.
The Righteous goes into great detail of Budapest before and during the occupation. At times it was hard to stop the tears from flowing. The Jewish people were losing everything. If something wasn't done, soon they would lose their lives. Open the book and learn of the brillance of those determined to save as many lives as possible. Let the subterfuge bring you happiness and joy knowing that something positive will soon be happening in a world at war. Respect the names of those that risked so much.
I never realized how clever those that created the evaculation plan were. I was left speechless by the plan. My nerves were frayed, not knowing of the successes and failures. Compassion wins over evil. Brilliance conquers hatred. The question is what happens next for those that no longer have homes but have their lives.
September 13, 2025
Review of The Righteous by Ronald H. Balson
In my humble opinion, few historical fiction authors consistently display the depth of knowledge and research about the Jewish experience in WWII and make that experience come to life for his readers as does Ronald H. Balson. He has been on my "read every book this author writes" list since his first riveting novel Once We Were Brothers. I have learned so much from his books and am so grateful to him for that!
With this book, Balson takes us into Hungary in 1944, towards the end of WWII. The author's historical knowledge and willingness to educate his readers is once again very apparent. However, the characters in this novel are not as complex or developed as in his previous works and that threw the book out of balance. I also struggled with the amount of repetition in the writing. Characters have the same conversations with each other over and over again, to the point it becomes distracting and disrupts the flow. The ending also seemed quite abrupt.
As in his other novels, The Righteous shows the immense and extraordinary difference an individual can make when standing up for what's right and working together with others to improve a situation.
It hurts my heart to say that overall I found The Righteous disappointing and not on par with his other works. As a result it gets three stars from me. That being said, I will continue to read everything this author writes.
My sincere thanks to St. Martin's Press for allowing me the privilege of reading a DRC of this novel via NetGalley. The book is available now. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.
In my humble opinion, few historical fiction authors consistently display the depth of knowledge and research about the Jewish experience in WWII and make that experience come to life for his readers as does Ronald H. Balson. He has been on my "read every book this author writes" list since his first riveting novel Once We Were Brothers. I have learned so much from his books and am so grateful to him for that!
With this book, Balson takes us into Hungary in 1944, towards the end of WWII. The author's historical knowledge and willingness to educate his readers is once again very apparent. However, the characters in this novel are not as complex or developed as in his previous works and that threw the book out of balance. I also struggled with the amount of repetition in the writing. Characters have the same conversations with each other over and over again, to the point it becomes distracting and disrupts the flow. The ending also seemed quite abrupt.
As in his other novels, The Righteous shows the immense and extraordinary difference an individual can make when standing up for what's right and working together with others to improve a situation.
It hurts my heart to say that overall I found The Righteous disappointing and not on par with his other works. As a result it gets three stars from me. That being said, I will continue to read everything this author writes.
My sincere thanks to St. Martin's Press for allowing me the privilege of reading a DRC of this novel via NetGalley. The book is available now. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.
August 3, 2025
*I won this book from a Goodreads first-reads giveaway
The Righteous is the fourth Ronald Balson novel I've read, and once again, his storytelling does not disappoint. I’ve come to really enjoy his writing style—clear, compelling and always rich in historical detail. Like Once We Were Brothers, Karolina’s Twins, and Saving Sophie, this novel centers around the Holocaust, but brings a fresh perspective through its setting in 1944 Budapest, Hungary.
What stood out to me was the combination of historical authenticity and emotional depth. The story follows Theresa Weissbach and Julia Powers as they risk everything to find Theresa’s family and ultimately become part of a much larger mission, which is to save as many lives as possible from the horrors of Nazi occupation. Real-life heroes like Carl Lutz and Raoul Wallenberg are seamlessly woven into the narrative, adding even more weight to the drama.
Balson captures the tension, fear and bravery of this dark time with great sensitivity. The book is suspenseful, heartbreaking, and full of hope. I appreciated the meticulous research and the way the characters evolved throughout the story.
While I didn’t find this installment quite as gripping as some of his earlier works, it’s still a powerful read that I’d definitely recommend, especially for fans of historical fiction that honors the strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable odds.
The Righteous is the fourth Ronald Balson novel I've read, and once again, his storytelling does not disappoint. I’ve come to really enjoy his writing style—clear, compelling and always rich in historical detail. Like Once We Were Brothers, Karolina’s Twins, and Saving Sophie, this novel centers around the Holocaust, but brings a fresh perspective through its setting in 1944 Budapest, Hungary.
What stood out to me was the combination of historical authenticity and emotional depth. The story follows Theresa Weissbach and Julia Powers as they risk everything to find Theresa’s family and ultimately become part of a much larger mission, which is to save as many lives as possible from the horrors of Nazi occupation. Real-life heroes like Carl Lutz and Raoul Wallenberg are seamlessly woven into the narrative, adding even more weight to the drama.
Balson captures the tension, fear and bravery of this dark time with great sensitivity. The book is suspenseful, heartbreaking, and full of hope. I appreciated the meticulous research and the way the characters evolved throughout the story.
While I didn’t find this installment quite as gripping as some of his earlier works, it’s still a powerful read that I’d definitely recommend, especially for fans of historical fiction that honors the strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable odds.
September 5, 2025
4.5 stars.
The Righteous by Ronald H. Balson is a fascinating World War II historical novel.
Hungary is a stalwart ally of Hitler’s Germany, and the country’s 900,000 Jews have remained safe. However, in 1944, their relationship is changing as Germany begins losing the war. With German troops are now filling the streets of Budapest, Adolph Eichmann oversees the rounding up the Jewish population in order to ship them to concentration camps where many of them will be put to death.
Julia Power has recently returned to the US from Amsterdam but she feels a bit lost. She reaches out to her college friend Theresa Weissbach who is very concerned about her family in Budapest. She has not heard from them for over a year. With Julia’s assistance, Theresa is connected with people in Washington who might be able to assist her. Julia and her friend become part of the newly formed US War Refugee Board. Working with Swiss Vice Consul Karl Lutz, they frantically try to save as many people as they can from certain death.
The Righteous is an engrossing historical novel that highlights this overlooked part of World War II. Julia recognizes what is about to happen in Hungary but she struggles to make people understand the terrible events that are going to unfold. Theresa is a bit irritating but her desire to see and help her family is understandable. The storyline is well-written and engaging. Ronald H. Balson’s impeccable research brings this captivating novel vividly and heartbreakingly to life.
The Righteous by Ronald H. Balson is a fascinating World War II historical novel.
Hungary is a stalwart ally of Hitler’s Germany, and the country’s 900,000 Jews have remained safe. However, in 1944, their relationship is changing as Germany begins losing the war. With German troops are now filling the streets of Budapest, Adolph Eichmann oversees the rounding up the Jewish population in order to ship them to concentration camps where many of them will be put to death.
Julia Power has recently returned to the US from Amsterdam but she feels a bit lost. She reaches out to her college friend Theresa Weissbach who is very concerned about her family in Budapest. She has not heard from them for over a year. With Julia’s assistance, Theresa is connected with people in Washington who might be able to assist her. Julia and her friend become part of the newly formed US War Refugee Board. Working with Swiss Vice Consul Karl Lutz, they frantically try to save as many people as they can from certain death.
The Righteous is an engrossing historical novel that highlights this overlooked part of World War II. Julia recognizes what is about to happen in Hungary but she struggles to make people understand the terrible events that are going to unfold. Theresa is a bit irritating but her desire to see and help her family is understandable. The storyline is well-written and engaging. Ronald H. Balson’s impeccable research brings this captivating novel vividly and heartbreakingly to life.
December 17, 2025
In this powerful new historical fiction novel from Ronald Balson, readers follow Theresa Weissbach and Julia Powers as they try to discover what happened to Theresa’s parents in Budapest. Julia, having served with the OSS in occupied Holland, heads into the city with Theresa, and their rescue mission of Theresa’s parents soon turns into an attempt to save as many people as they can with the help of neutral-state diplomats, the US War Refugee Board, and underground rescue organizations. The characters are well-written, and Theresa and Julia’s friendship is brilliantly written and really captures the desire to help friends in the face of great tragedy and stress. The drama and emotional intensity is absolutely fantastic, and readers will love this gripping and thrilling glimpse into people’s lives in Budapest in World War II. The side characters have complex personalities and motivations, and their interactions with Theresa, Julia, and other characters really help flesh out the larger world that Balson has brought to life. The historical details and setting are a fantastic backdrop to Theresa and Julia’s story and character arcs, and the depth of detail in both the story and historical inspiration will really pull readers into this powerfully written and totally immersive new World War II historical fiction title.
Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the advance copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the advance copy.
July 26, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book, which is a fictional, behind the scenes look at the crisis that took place in Hungary in 1944 during the German Invasion known as “Operation Margarethe”. Balson includes many well-known heroic historical figures in this story including: Raoul Wallenberg, Carl Lutz, Ira Hirschman, Ottó Komoly, Gisi Fleischmann, Israel Kasztner, and Joel Brand. He created two fictional characters, Julia Powers and Theresa Weissbach from Budapest, best friends who met at the University of Michigan to bring the novel to life.
I had previously read Balson’s Once We Were Brothers and Karolina’s Twins and found these to be well-written, entertaining reads, which compelled me to request this copy of Balson’s newest work.
While I appreciate Balson’s incorporation of facts, I found that they were prevalent, abundant and repetitive to the point that they detracted from novel as character development and interaction took a back seat to the textual inclusion of dates, names, places and events. At times this read more like a history book than historical fiction. I feel that Balson lost the potential for Julia and Theresa to add emotion and a truly personal side to the story.
The buildup of a plan to rescue a segment of the Jewish population in Hungary from extermination ends abruptly as it moves to the execution phase.
I had previously read Balson’s Once We Were Brothers and Karolina’s Twins and found these to be well-written, entertaining reads, which compelled me to request this copy of Balson’s newest work.
While I appreciate Balson’s incorporation of facts, I found that they were prevalent, abundant and repetitive to the point that they detracted from novel as character development and interaction took a back seat to the textual inclusion of dates, names, places and events. At times this read more like a history book than historical fiction. I feel that Balson lost the potential for Julia and Theresa to add emotion and a truly personal side to the story.
The buildup of a plan to rescue a segment of the Jewish population in Hungary from extermination ends abruptly as it moves to the execution phase.
September 12, 2025
The Righteous by Ronald H. Balson is based on The Righteous Among the Nations (be sure to read the author's notes). Many countries are under Nazi control in the early 1940s and in Hungary is surprisingly relatively unscathed until Hitler and Eichmann take control in March, 1944. Jews are forced into ghettos and taken and transported to killing camps as part of the Final Solution. Desperate to rescue her Jewish family in Budapest, Theresa and her American friend Julia make the long flight from America, risking their lives over and over again to attempt to get them to flee. They are armed with Swiss protection letters. The two women are aided by several others including Carl and Raoul who give their all to save hundreds of lives. They secure funds for accommodations and transport and produce identification for residents. Jewish and non-Jewish people alike proved their incredible heroism.
Though I have read many, many World War II Historical Fiction novels, the courage and determination of those involved always astonish me. These brave people knew the risk and often paid the ultimate price for others. This story highlights the efforts behind the scenes to pull plans together. I also appreciate the fascinating historical descriptions such as the Dohány Street Synagogue. The writing pulled me in and kept me intrigued.
Though I have read many, many World War II Historical Fiction novels, the courage and determination of those involved always astonish me. These brave people knew the risk and often paid the ultimate price for others. This story highlights the efforts behind the scenes to pull plans together. I also appreciate the fascinating historical descriptions such as the Dohány Street Synagogue. The writing pulled me in and kept me intrigued.
June 3, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I had read the author’s previous book “ A Place To Hide”, so I was happy to read his new offering. This book uses a character “ Julia” who was in the previous story, although there was enough information given so that it wasn’t necessary to read that book before this one, it is a stand alone book. This book takes place in Hungary in the later part of the war, Julia goes to a Hungary with a college friend “ Theresa” who is now a professor in the US on a permanent visa who is concerned about her family living in Hungary that she has been unable to contact, the two women get involved with obtaining visas and trying to transport many of the Jewish population out of Hungary working with the Swiss Embassy. This story was very interesting and informative , the author’s research really is impressive and should be commended. I enjoyed this book, as with any historical fiction book that I read, I always learn something new. I was somewhat disappointed in the ending of this book, it seemed too abrupt, perhaps there will be a sequel.
June 29, 2025
The Righteous follows Ronald Balson's book A Place to Hide.
The first 1/3 of The Righteous seemed to be a follow-up to A Place to Hide and gets us up to date with what has happened to Julia and Teddy Hartigan (co-workers at the US Consulate in Amsterdam when the Nazis occupied) who have escaped and are back in the US after having been provided distinguished service award.
Julia is reconnecting with some of her college classmates (from Michigan :) love the Michigan details!) and her friend Theresa hasn't heard from her family in Hungary in quite some time. At the end of 1943 Hungary hadn't been invaded (yet) but had a Jewish population of 800,000-900,000 people.
So even though there is a war going on in Europe, Julia and Theresa are able to go to Hungary as diplomatic assistants using Theresa's knowledge of the language and knowing that she has a family network there.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for approving my request to read the advance read copy of The Righteous in exchange for an honest review. Approx 304 pages. Expected release date is Sept 9, 2025.
I liked The Righteous, but I did like A Place to Hide quite a bit more.
The first 1/3 of The Righteous seemed to be a follow-up to A Place to Hide and gets us up to date with what has happened to Julia and Teddy Hartigan (co-workers at the US Consulate in Amsterdam when the Nazis occupied) who have escaped and are back in the US after having been provided distinguished service award.
Julia is reconnecting with some of her college classmates (from Michigan :) love the Michigan details!) and her friend Theresa hasn't heard from her family in Hungary in quite some time. At the end of 1943 Hungary hadn't been invaded (yet) but had a Jewish population of 800,000-900,000 people.
So even though there is a war going on in Europe, Julia and Theresa are able to go to Hungary as diplomatic assistants using Theresa's knowledge of the language and knowing that she has a family network there.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for approving my request to read the advance read copy of The Righteous in exchange for an honest review. Approx 304 pages. Expected release date is Sept 9, 2025.
I liked The Righteous, but I did like A Place to Hide quite a bit more.
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