The Diva's Daughter

by Heather Walrath

A young aspiring singer in 1930s Europe fights to achieve her operatic dreams while confronting personal loss, political pressure, and the secrets of her famous mother's past. Can she ultimately risk everything to stand against the rise of Nazism?

Munich & Vienna, 1932.

Aspiring opera singer Angelika Eder thought she had it all — a cultured life in Vienna, along with the guidance of her glamorous mother, a world-famous soprano. But when tragedy strikes and her mother dies amidst a swirling family scandal, eighteen-year-old Angelika finds herself uprooted to Munich, where civil unrest is rife and leaders of the increasingly powerful Nazi Party seek to use her voice as propaganda.

When a figure from her mother’s past offers Angelika the chance to study and sing at an elite Viennese university, she decides to fight for her dream while evading the vile Nazis she despises. But the Nazis aren’t relenting in their demand that Angelika support their party and sing for Hitler himself. Can Angelika find her voice and stand against evil, even if it means risking not only her dreams of fame, but also the safety of herself and everyone she loves?

400 pages, Paperback

First published November 28, 2025

About the author

Heather Walrath is an author crafting new stories while celebrating the release of her debut historical novel, THE DIVA'S DAUGHTER. Whether they are standing against evil in fractious 1930s Europe or solving a sticky bootlegging mystery in Prohibition-era America, Heather’s relatable heroines make the past accessible and engaging for modern readers. She holds a master’s degree in publishing and a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

Reviews

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Angelika is eighteen, and and there are many interesting aspects to her. She’s a twin to Andreas, and they’re very close. She’s an excellent singer, just like her late mother was, and has dreams of becoming an opera star. Vienna is where she feels safe and at home, until lately…the rise of the power of the Nazi party is bringing unsettling troubles to the city she loves. Soon, Angelika and many people she knows will be forced to make life-altering decisions, about whether to comply with the harsh rules the Nazis are imposing, or take risky stands against the escalating evilness…
Interesting historical fiction, about life in Vienna, Austria at the beginning of WW2.

*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Diva's Daughter is a debut historical fiction novel that transports readers to the tumultuous 1930s Vienna & Munich where the political world is fraught with the rising power of the Nazis under the leadership of Adolf Hitler.

The novel is a coming of age story in a way that follows an aspiring opera singer who wants to continue to honor her late mother's legacy but is constantly hounded by the unrelenting pull of the Nazis, who want to use her voice as a propoganda weapon to fuel their political agenda.

The Diva's Daughter reminds readers that our voices are the most powerful weapons we have to repel the unwantedness in the world.

Thank you to the author and their publisher The Book Guild via NetGalley for an opportunity to read this an an eARC in advance. Novel was released November 28, 2025. All opinions are my own.

[Kirsty Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to instabooktours, heatherwalrathwrites and thebookpublishingguild for inviting me to read this book before its launch. 😍📚💕 AD-PR Product

Title - The Divas Daughter
Author - @heatherwalrathwrites
Publisher - @thebookguildpublishing
Genre - Historical Fiction
Setting - Munich & Vienna, 1932
Insta Tour Dates - 17th - 28th November 📚💕

My Review

I really enjoyed this book! I’ve become a fan of historical fiction this year, and whilst I’ve read many books around war time Europe this year, this was the first set in the build up to WW2. It made a real difference thinking of it through the eyes of the characters and the feelings and emotions they went through as the Nazis became more powerful. I found myself really rooting for a few of them, however always with the back drop of knowing what was about to come for them, it really added some emotion to the story. For any fans of the Lucinda Reilly Severn Sisters series this book reminded me of the historical parts of some of those.

A highly recommended read for historical fiction fans, or those looking to dip their toes in to this genre.

The details

Aspiring opera singer Angelika Eder thought she had it all — a cultured life in Vienna, along with the guidance of her glamorous mother, a world-famous soprano. But when tragedy strikes and her mother dies amidst a swirling family scandal, eighteen-year-old Angelika finds herself uprooted to Munich, where civil unrest is rife and leaders of the increasingly powerful Nazi Party seek to use her voice as propaganda.

When a figure from her mother’s past offers Angelika the chance to study and sing at an elite Viennese university, she decides to fight for her dream while evading the vile Nazis she despises. But the Nazis aren’t relenting in their demand that Angelika support their party and sing for Hitler himself.

[Emma Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️ Blurb -
A young aspiring singer in 1930s Europe fights to achieve her operatic dreams while confronting personal loss, political pressure, and the secrets of her famous mother's past. Can she ultimately risk everything to stand against the rise of Nazism?
Munich & Vienna, 1932.
Aspiring opera singer Angelika Eder thought she had it all — a cultured life in Vienna, along with the guidance of her glamorous mother, a world-famous soprano. But when tragedy strikes and her mother dies amidst a swirling family scandal, eighteen-year-old Angelika finds herself uprooted to Munich, where civil unrest is rife and leaders of the increasingly powerful Nazi Party seek to use her voice as propaganda.
When a figure from her mother’s past offers Angelika the chance to study and sing at an elite Viennese university, she decides to fight for her dream while evading the vile Nazis she despises. But the Nazis aren’t relenting in their demand that Angelika support their party and sing for Hitler himself. Can Angelika find her voice and stand against evil, even if it means risking not only her dreams of fame, but also the safety of herself and everyone she loves?
💙 Review -
This was such a beautifully written novel. The author's writing had me hooked from the very first page and I kept reading until the end as I wanted to know what happened. I loved Following Angelika's journey through the book and I wanted her to have the happy ending that she deserved. I found the story interesting and beautifully written and was entertained all the way through. Historical fiction fans will love it. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Instabook tours, the author Heather Walrath and the publisher The Book Guild for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura Sapio · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Diva’s Daughter is a powerful and deeply moving novel, driven by the author’s clear passion for history and her deep knowledge of the world of opera.

Set in the 1930s, the story follows an opera singer faced with an impossible choice when she refuses to perform at a Nazi-organized concert, unwilling to be associated with a regime she does not believe in. The historical context is handled with care and sensitivity, never feeling like a backdrop but an essential part of the characters’ lives and moral dilemmas.

What stayed with me most was the emotional weight of the story — particularly the legacy of the protagonist’s mother, whose tragic fate exposes the brutal consequences of love, prejudice, and silence in that era. These themes are explored with restraint and respect, making the novel all the more affecting.

The opera world is vividly and convincingly portrayed, clearly written by someone who understands and loves it. This authenticity gives the story depth and credibility, and makes the characters’ choices feel all the more real.

The Diva’s Daughter is a thoughtful historical novel about courage, integrity, and the cost of standing up for what is right — even when doing so comes at a personal price.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angelika is an aspiring opera singer, but it’s also 1930s Munich and the threat of the Nazis is ever present. I enjoyed that this was more a story of her personal journey, of how one might go about their training in both Munich and Vienna at the time, with the shadow of Hitler looming but not the sole focus of the story. Although it does of course loom quite darkly in many places! I’d be interested to read on, if in fact there is a sequel to this, as it felt like a lot of seeds were being sown for the future.

It was also interesting to read a book set in the early 30s where a lot of people were just trying to go about their lives (eg. Lotte) as per usual whilst ignoring all the politics going on. If it didn’t affect you then it was very easy in those early days to turn a blind eye!

My only gripe was the over abundance of the word “sweetheart”! You know when a kid learns a new word and uses it at every possible opportunity? That’s what that started to feel like. Sounds like a small gripe but it really started to grate on me before even halfway!

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in Germany and Austria in the 1930s with the rise of Nazism, we found young Angelika Eder, an aspiring opera singer who longs to be as good as her late mother. But her amazing voice brings her the attention of the Nazis, they want to use her to promote their ideology which she wholeheartedly opposes to.
With the turbulent political winds running amok Angelika has to decide on which side she should stand and how to use her voice to voice her sentiments and opinions.
This book is about love, to follow your dreams, family, friendship but also about doing the right thing and to follow your heart.
With lots of research and historical details, this book will grab you from beginning to end.
I would love to have a following on this book and maybe that’s the idea of the author becaus thr ending of the book which binds leds and hints to a second book continuing telling the story of Angelika.

[Patricia Avery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This debut novel, The Diva's Daughter, is set in pre-war Germany and Austria, offering an insight into the rise of Hitler and Nazism in the 1930s. While the story delves into the grim realities of that era the novel follows 18 year old Angelika, whose life is shattered by family tragedy and scandal, forcing her to leave her privileged Viennese life for Munich. Her dream of following in her famous opera singer mother's footsteps faces many obstacles. However, Angelika's resilience and unwavering determination quickly endeared her to me. Amidst the backdrop of escalating civil unrest, The Diva's Daughter is a captivating love story and a truly memorable read.
I received a free copy of this book via The Niche Reader

[Kelly Hollingworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

1930’s Europe, a turbulent time politically with the rise of National Socialism. Angelika Eder, her twin brother Andreas and father Rudolf flee Vienna for Munich. Angelika is training to be an opera singer like her acclaimed mother Clara and is invited to join the singing programme at the Tonkunst Conservatory which means returning to Vienna but her reputation leads to her being asked to sing for the Nazi party. This is a book about trust, love, fear, friendship and family. It is a very good debut historical novel that has clearly been well researched. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would look out for the next book by this author.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartbreaking story of WWII and the resilience of a young girl who is forced to sing for Hitler. A must read.

[J R · Rating 5 out of 5]

gorgeous book with some fantastic plotting and impeccable vibes. the protagonist is such an effective character too. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

[TH Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Such an interesting mix of music and WWII. It really took me to Vienna and Munich. I would recommend to any historical fiction fan!

[Lorna Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Insta Tours, The book Guild and Heather Walrath for my physical copy to read and review.

1932 and tensions are building in Germany and Austria. Angelika is an aspiring Opera singer and desperately wants to follow in her mother’s footsteps as a successful and glamorous soprano. But tragedy has hit the family and the political backdrop makes life even more challenging.

Starting in Munich, where her family has moved to after tragedy, Angelika is slowly building some friendships and continuing her singing. But for her to really take the next ambitious steps she must got back to Vienna and face the scandals and secrets of the past.

With a range of characters who are all facing their own decisions about politics and the future – the 1930’s history of Germany and Vienna makes a fascinating back drop for this book.

Angelika is feisty and determined but her fears and loves and actions can compromise her. She will need to be brave and make tough decisions to get what she wants from life in a world that is very unstable.

I really enjoyed this book. I think 1930’s Europe is an interesting time and we often forget the long slow build of tensions that Hitler and the Nazi’s created before war started in 1939

There are a lot of different characters in the book from family to friends, to Nazis and Jews but each one of them is considered carefully and contributes to the story and the political picture well.

A great page turner and enticing read. I cant wait for more by this author