The Stolen Children of War

by Jina Bacarr

A powerful and emotional World War Two novel of courage, love and survival from Jina Bacarr, bestselling author of The Orphans of Berlin. Perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah, Kate Quinn and Sara Gruen! 🎪 It is 1943 in Nazi-occupied Paris, and nobody is safe. Nobody, except perhaps one small group of people, who’ve always existed outside the law…

At Le Cirque Casini, the trapeze artists still fly. The strong men still perform amazing feats. The sad-faced clowns still make people laugh, even in a city with a broken heart. The Nazis do not trouble them, as long as they keep the people happy and entertained.

But what the Germans don’t know is that there are circus performers with secrets of their own. And when Lia – a performer known for her bravery on the trapeze – finds herself with nowhere else to go but back to the circus she’d left 18 years ago – she does so with two small orphaned Jewish children in tow, who she’s sworn to protect.

As the circus’s numbers swell with people desperate to hide, and threats come not only from the Nazis but from one who seeks to kill someone amongst them, Lia and the other circus-performers know they must do everything in their power to protect the vulnerable.

But who better—than those who would risk their lives every day for entertainment—to save the lives of others?

A gripping and captivating novel of World War Two, perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy and Dinah Jefferies.

352 pages, Paperback

Published November 10, 2025

About the author

Jina loves dark chocolate truffles and rainy days in museums...

Reviews

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 3 out of 5]

2007. Lia di Montieri is taking part in a documentary celebrating her hundredth birthday and looking back at her career as a famous trapeze artist, circus performer and how she helped saved Jewish children during World War Two.

1943. Lia returns to Le Cirque Casini owned by the Joubert brothers after leaving eighteen years ago, she’s part of a resistance network and needs somewhere to hide. Hitler's a fan of circuses, that’s why they weren’t shut down, but like everywhere they are scrutinized and visited by the Gestapo and had spies in their ranks.

Lurking around in the background is The Magician, he’s a plastic surgeon, and he targets injured performers and when they are no longer useful he kills them, turns them into dolls and this side of the narrative is downright odd and creepy.

I received a copy of The Stolen Children by Jina Bacarr from NetGalley and Boldwood Books in exchange for an honest review. Promoted as a powerful and emotional dual timeline World War Two story, about courage and love and risks and survival and I found the plot confusing and hard get into.

I’m not really a fan of circuses, but at the time they would have been popular form of entertainment, the obvious place to hide Jewish and Roma children in plain sight, due to traveling around, the crowds and becoming performers or part of an act.

I had trouble following the story, and just when I was starting to piece it all together and found it interesting it ended. I’m sure it’s part of a series, I really liked two characters a clown Socks and a young Jeanne a trapeze artist, they are only reason I would read book two is to uncover what happens to them and three stars from me.

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This was a thrilling, unputdownable book, set in Nazi occupied Paris during WW2.
In the era of the Nazi regime, thousands of persecuted people are desperately seeking refuge. In this historical fiction novel that is based on true facts, circuses in war-torn Europe became hiding places for Jews, Romas, and other groups that the Nazis despised. Most circuses had been havens for years for persons that didn’t seem to fit in anywhere else; they could find acceptance and for who they were, as they were. During the war, what better place would there be to hide from the Gestapo than one in which people could “disappear in plain sight?”…

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

[Cindy Spear · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘...Le Cirque Casini, a place of fantasy and magic filled with heart...'

Jina Bacarr’s newest WW2 novel certainly is a show stopper! Powerful, emotional and at times fast paced! Set in 1943 in Paris when the Nazis occupied the city, there is danger lurking on every corner and behind the big tents of the circus. The performers continue to display their death defying acts inspiring and amusing viewers, despite having Nazis in the audience and those on the inside spying for them. So there is no safe place and trusting even your fellow circus members could be fatal. There is always a niggling question: who have become the eyes and ears of Hitler?

The novel opens with a dramatic scene in the Prologue that is a cut from a movie made about Lia, a famous trapeze artist, fighting a Gestapo man. In Chapter One we meet Lia, the main character. and she is expressing how 'appalled' she is that 'the director put that scene in the film'. She feels it is over the top as only Hollywood can do and she wants to set the record straight about how she became involved in the Resistance.

So we get to hear her story... from her own lips. And I adored Lia for her circus act skills, boundless courage and fierce determination. She has known heartbreak of the worst kind and as a result it caused her to run away from her own circus family. After a major loss, she ends up in other circuses and becomes known as Queen of the Air. Which means it is difficult for her to hide her identity. Her face is recognised by many.

When a Jewish woman comes to Lia and asks for help to protect her children, Lia accepts the task out of love from her own loss. Her heart is tender, kind and giving. And even though she knows it will put her and her circus mates in the firing line, she decides to take on the task. When a special contact attempts to move the children to a safer location, disaster strikes before he can fulfill his mission. His sacrifice leaves Lia in an awkward position. She must find a way to protect these children whose lives now depend on her. As new secrets add to the pile of her past ones, the strain on her emotions increase. Yet, she soldiers on with her mission.

Then the Nazis turn their gaze toward Lia, tipped off by an informant in the camp. She questions: who is her enemy? This turn of events forces her once again to run for cover. Away from the life she has built for eighteen years. After her departure with the children, she meets up with an unlikely ally on the way to her destination. When a shocking event occurs, she must make a difficult decision to return to hide in the circus of her youth. Here, the present collides with the past and disturbing events and various people reappear in her life to either haunt or free her. There are lots of twists and turns with plenty of hair raising moments and action!

A couple other viewpoints are presented in this novel besides Lia's. But I will only mention one (due to preventing plot spoilers). A frightening character called The Magician. He is a plastic surgeon but also a serial killer. His chapters in the story made me very uncomfortable. Quite honestly, there were times I had great difficulty reading the brutal descriptions of his evil mind and actions. Lia in Chapter One in a statement tries to prepare us for the movie scenes about this monster. She did not witness his acts but become aware of ' his reign of terror during that spring of 1943 after the murder of Henriette de la Blanche.' It seems The Magician's presence in the novel may offer a comparison to the Nazis’ activities. Like them, his deceptive approaches are disturbing. We learn more about this evil plastic surgeon as time progresses and the pieces of the puzzle fall into place. And we understand why Lia says to those in the audience who will watch the movie, to '...please be aware what you're about to see is horrifying, not just the physical depravity this monster perpetrated on this girl. But the mental torture. Her story still makes my thinning hair curl.' This is why Jina’s chapters on this character are so unsettling and difficult to read. And after re-reading the first chapter, I understand why they are there.

I must say Jina Bacarr has done an incredible job with sharing the circus life and the part circuses played in World War II. I was mesmerised by the descriptions of their performances and felt as if I was there inside each character’s skin. I could feel every emotion they had preparing for such risky routines. I did not realise Hitler was a lover of the circus but in learning this, it made me realise his reasons were in keeping with his personality. Apparently he loved acts that involved danger. In an article I read by Paula Lee, based on collected documents from the Office of Strategic Services, she says: ‘he took great pleasure in its non-bourgeois appeal, artistic milieu, and the knowledge that performers were risking their lives for his enjoyment.’ He and his second in command attended the circus frequently and would sit in the front row, possibly knowing his presence would make the performers uncomfortable. He would have known that ‘some of the trapeze artists were Jewish.’ His twisted mind took pleasure in the challenges they faced. This makes me think even more about The Magician’s part in this story and how he and Hitler were alike. Serial killers have strange desires and activities and love to taunt their prey.

The abrupt ending was startling and left me on a steep cliff, hanging on every word! It was quite jarring to say the least but it only made me more eager to read the rest of Lia’s story— which hopefully will come in the next instalment. Her heroism and courage shone in The Stolen Children of the War like a beacon (through past and present threads). The movie may have added hype, but the real facts she shared speak for themselves. In returning to a scene that caused her great pain, to save the children in her care, showed amazing bravery. And this led to an unexpected discovery which made my heart flip with joy! I look forward to the next instalment— the continuation of an intriguing story that is touched upon in Chapter One. I am sure there will be more moving scenes and insightful revelations, twists and turns and nail biting action that I have come to know and appreciate in the books of Jina Bacarr!

5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the review copy.

[Nelli Lakatos · Rating 5 out of 5]

A historical fiction including the circus?! Who needs more to dive into this beautiful novel with a mesmerizing cover and fantastic storyline!

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐚𝐫 gripped me from the very beginning, the prologue pulled me into the world of the circus and it never let me go. The intrigue, the flawless writing style and the setting and historical time completely enchanted me. I picked up this book and it captured my heart in the deepest most intimate way. It wasn't a read I sat down and read it in one sitting. No. This was something else. Something so powerful and special I wanted to savor slowly. Read a few pages then ponder on the lines. The Magician's chapters were my absolute favorite!

The ending!? I never imagined it would end on a cliffhanger! I need a continuation to this beautiful story!

I highly recommend reading this novel to readers craving a meaningful historical fiction read!

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 2,5* rounded to 3* review. The storyline sounded very intriguing, but the novel fell rather flat. I could not really feel any tension, and felt the novel was more about Lia, and how brilliant she was than anything else. The search for the serial killer could also have been better developed. The parts describing circus life was interesting though .I did not find him convincing at all. Overall, despite a difficult topic , a light novel.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

[C.R. Comacchio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood for an ARC of this novel.

In the ‘author’s note’ that closes this novel, the first of a duology, Jina Bacarr explains that, while researching the plight of circus people during the occupation of Paris, many Jewish and Roma people escaped the Nazis by ‘hiding in plain sight.’ This was relatively easy to do in the circus. Masks, make-up, costumes, secrets and a high turnover rate are part of the circus scene even in ordinary times. This ‘hiding in plain sight’ is the premise of circus queen Lia di Montieri’s story. It saves her, physically and emotionally, when, as a young and promising aerialist, a forbidden love and a stillborn baby threaten to destroy her. It covers her ‘sin’ of being half-Roma, born to an alcoholic, abusive horse trader and a beautiful British woman who died when she was a child.

As the Nazis, who hate few ‘miscreants’ as much as the Jews and the Roma, tighten their death grip on Europe, Lia applies the principle to her young charges as well—two Jewish children entrusted to her by their resistance fighter mother. Jakob and his little sister Anna become her own children, young clowns performing with her under the protection of her clown friends, especially Socks, who gave her the only parental care she had known after her mother’s death. She has to believe that ‘hiding in plain sight’ will keep her from being found out long enough to get them into Switzerland.

The story and the setting are exciting, and there are few tales I know of, and just as few actual histories, about the impact of Nazism on the circus, the most popular and accessible of the live entertainments available since its start in the mid 19th century. ‘Circus queens’ were young, beautiful, talented celebrities with their own crowd of fans. They were also the circus’s main draw, especially in hard times. The Nazis also used them to advertise their own cause: those, like Lia, who were tall, blonde, beautiful and fit, became Aryan gender models for German girls, gracing magazines and posters. In her case the irony is, of course, her good fortune in resembling her English mother and successfully hiding her Roma heritage. Hitler and the higher ranks of his forces, especially the SS, were evidently keen circus fans, and they were guaranteed free premium seats at all performances.

There is already much going on in this brief summary of the main plot points, and this story would work much better if left at that. The author adds a truly revolting story about a psychopath, a physician as terrible as Mengele, renowned for his ‘experiments’ on Nazi prisoners, especially women and children. This serial killer preys on circus and cabaret girls who have been scarred by accidents at work, which, especially in the circus, were frequent. Since beauty was central to their audience appeal, such disfigurement ended their careers. Known as The Magician, he is well paid by the Nazis to ‘fix’ girls and send them back to work—the only payment being their collaboration in exposing those the Nazis wanted imprisoned or murdered in the camps. There is an even sicker side to this substory, much of which I couldn’t read. Consider this a trigger warning.

The Magician story pushes Lia’s considerable problems, the principal story, into the already scary enough background of France in 1943. These include a possible reunion with the daughter who suddenly appears not to have been stillborn. It takes some time to work toward this important angle, even while Lia brings up the loss of her man and her baby so often it loses all impact. In fact, there is so much repetition of details and interpretations of past actions on all aspects across all chapters that sometimes they contradict. The dual timelines and multiple first-person perspectives add to the confusion. The opening ‘act,’ with a centenarian Lia costumed in the satin cape and sequins of her heyday while hosting the Hollywood premiere of a movie based on her life, starts off well but then goes on far too long (a quarter of the book) while revealing almost everything that will happen next.

This was a short book, and, being only part 1, maybe that explains the filler. It also simply stops in the final chapter, with a thankfully shorter return to Lia at the premiere. She literally thanks the audience for their patience as she prepares to take them (and the readers) to something of a conclusion. I imagine that most readers, like myself, will feel compelled to read the upcoming second part. There is enough of interest here to encourage that kind of patience.

[Meg Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Stolen Children of War by Jina Bacarr is a powerful and emotionally charged work of historical fiction that shines a light on a lesser-known corner of World War II history: the role of circuses in Nazi-occupied Europe and how they became places of resistance, refuge, and quiet defiance.

Set primarily in Paris in 1943, the novel follows Lia di Montieri, a celebrated trapeze artist known as the “Queen of the Air.” After years away, Lia returns to the circus carrying not only the weight of her own grief and past losses, but also the responsibility of protecting two Jewish children entrusted to her care. What unfolds is a story of courage under constant threat, where danger comes not only from the Gestapo watching from the audience, but also from within the shadows of the circus itself.

The circus setting is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. Bacarr vividly captures the contrasts of wartime performance: glittering lights and applause masking fear, hunger, and surveillance. The troupe feels like a true found family—messy, loyal, and fiercely protective—willing to risk everything to hide persecuted children “in plain sight.” This backdrop gives the story a fresh and compelling angle that sets it apart from more familiar WWII narratives.

Lia is a compelling and complex protagonist. She is brave and determined, but also deeply scarred by loss, guilt, and exhaustion. Her love for the children she protects is shaped by the child she herself lost, making her mission feel intensely personal. You feel the strain of every choice she makes, knowing that one wrong move could cost many lives.

Interwoven with Lia’s story is a darker, unsettling subplot involving “The Magician,” a sinister figure whose presence adds a disturbing layer of suspense. While this storyline may be unsettling for some readers, it reinforces the novel’s exploration of moral corruption, power, and the many forms of evil that thrive during wartime chaos.

Told through a dual timeline—shifting between wartime events and Lia’s reflections later in life—the novel emphasizes memory, survival, and the cost of resistance. The pacing builds steadily, and while emotionally heavy, the story is deeply moving, often heartbreaking, and impossible to read without feeling the weight of what is at stake.

Overall, The Stolen Children of War is a story of bravery, sacrifice, and resilience. It is a tear-jerker at its core, driven by strong female characters and quiet acts of heroism that remind us how ordinary people found extraordinary ways to protect the innocent. Perfect for fans of historical fiction, especially those who appreciate unique perspectives on World War II, this novel lingers long after the final page.

[Annette Jordan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Stolen Children of War by Jina Bacarr caught my eye because it lies at the intersection of two things I love to read about, circuses and the second world war, so I thought that a book that involved a circus setting during that time period would be a perfect fit and in while it did not live up to my hopes there were some things that I did like. The descriptions of the circus and performers were excellent and I could easily visualise it in my imagination as I read, so I do want to compliment the author on their ability to bring the sights, sounds and even smells so vividly to life. Unfortunately I did have some gripes with the book and the first and most important one that I need to bring to the attention of potential readers is that this is only half of the story, the book ends on a cliff hanger that feels very unfinished and left a most unsatisfying impression. As the book grew closer and closer to the end with so much of the story unresolved I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach and unfortunately my gut was right, the ending was so abrupt that it felt like the author had run out of steam. It really cheapened the experience of the book overall. I also have to say that the conceit of having the central character "tell" her story to an audience did not work for me. the first person narration felt very much tell rather than show, and it meant that I struggled to become invested in the character or her story of helping Jewish children to escape the Holocaust by hiding them among the circus performers until we moved more fully to the past time line, but it took far too long to get there. There is a second plot that involves a serial killer who targets circus performers, and though there were chapters from this character's perspective, I did not feel like the author did a good enough job of creating a distinctive voice for the character, the two first person narratives were just too similar in tone. This plot also felt a quite forced almost as if the author had an idea for a thriller and a historical fiction book and decided to just mash the two together. I can tell that the author has the potential to writing interesting characters and settings but unfortunately this book just did not work for me and I am not invested enough to continue reading the next book to see how the story ends.
I read an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own

[Jan Mawdesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the rise of Hitler became an undeniable fact, many Jewish people fled to countries where they felt would be safe only to discover they were not, as the Gestapo set about systematically seeking them out with a terrible fervour.
Parents looked for ways to save their children, giving many into the hands of Resistance factions to be smuggled to safety or hidden until things improved.
The Stolen Children of War from Jina Bacarr retells the story so many children faced through the eyes of Lia, a woman in her one hundredth year, a woman who survived the reign of the Nazi occupation of France and a woman who took two Jewish children and hid them in plain view for many years.
Harrowing and emotional, Lia looks back down through the years as she faces a press conference to talk about her experiences during the War and promote a film made about her life; that of a lauded circus performer and member of the Resistance.
When Lia finds herself reluctantly dragged into saving the lives of a young brother and sister she finds she is confronted with a past she felt she had successfully left far behind and one that will challenge her both as a performer and a mother.
Not only is she is being harassed by members of the Gestapo and at the same time she is aware, as are all the performers of a man, a murderer who is abducting beautiful but young women, all injured, Circus performers.
Everyone is aware of the immense danger they are facing by hiding the children and when the very worst happens, Lia is in despair as she once again finds she must let something precious go.
Jina Bacarr has captured the memories of a woman who was once top of her art, a performer who captivated all who saw her and a woman who faced fear, survived and understood very clearly the risks she and those around her were taking every minute of every day.
Book two carries the tale into the days of the Resistance and is a must read as only half the heartbreaking story has been told as the book ends at Intermission- an old-fashioned break for refreshment at performance venues.

[DustyBookSniffers - Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars, so I have round up.

I ended up really enjoying this one. Set in Nazi-occupied Paris in 1943, but what makes it feel different from other WWII books is the circus setting. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever read a wartime story told through the eyes of circus performers before, especially one where the circus becomes part of the underground. It gave the whole book a fresh angle that kept me interested right from the start.

Lia di Montieri, the trapeze artist at the centre of the story, is such an easy character to connect with. She’s strong, but she’s also tired and heartbroken in ways she doesn’t always show. Coming back to the circus after eighteen years and arriving with two orphaned Jewish children she’s promised to protect adds so much emotional weight to her journey. You really feel the fear, the guilt she carries, and that fierce determination that pushes her forward.

The circus troupe itself turned out to be one of my favourite parts. They feel like a found family in the truest sense, messy, loyal, protective, and willing to risk everything for one another. There’s something really touching about a group of people who gamble with danger for entertainment suddenly using those same skills to keep people safe.

The constant threat of the Gestapo hangs over the whole story, giving it a steady undercurrent of tension. But what surprised me was the serial-killer element woven in. I wasn’t expecting that, and it added an entirely different kind of suspense that worked better than I thought it would. The pacing stayed solid for me, and the story didn’t lose me at any point.

Overall, I really liked how the story unfolded. It’s heartfelt and driven by strong female characters who refuse to give up even as the world falls apart around them. If you enjoy WWII fiction with a different spin, especially if you like stories built around women, found family, and quiet acts of bravery, this one is absolutely worth picking up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jina Bacarr’s The Stolen Children of War is a hauntingly beautiful tale of resilience, sacrifice, and the quiet heroism found in the most unexpected places. Set in Nazi-occupied Paris, the novel transports us to the vibrant yet perilous world of Le Cirque Casini—a place where laughter masks danger, and acrobats defy not just gravity, but tyranny.

At the heart of the story is Lia, a trapeze artist whose return to the circus is not for applause, but for survival. With two orphaned Jewish children in her care, she becomes part of a hidden resistance—one that performs under the spotlight while protecting lives in the shadows. Bacarr’s writing is rich with atmosphere and emotional depth, painting a portrait of wartime Paris that is both tender and terrifying.

The novel’s strength lies in its characters: flawed, courageous, and achingly human. The circus performers are more than entertainers—they are guardians of hope, risking everything to shield the vulnerable. Bacarr masterfully blends suspense with sentiment, crafting a narrative that is as gripping as it is heart-wrenching.

Perfect for readers who cherish historical fiction with soul, The Stolen Children of War is a tribute to the quiet defiance of those who dared to protect, even when the world was falling apart.

with thanks to Jina Bacarr, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Charlie Sandino · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the heartbreaking storytelling of Lia, a circus queen during WWII. It is how the Gestapo is there all the time to get the Jews. The Gestapo will go to any means to get what they want. There is also in the circus some mysterious person causing danger and deaths of women. As the story unravels Lia leaves the circus she was working in when she needed to get away. She looses her baby girl many years ago. It has affected. her deeply and her purpose in life. Lia works all the time in different circuses since she's the queen of the air. It is a story of resilience, love and resistance to save those children. The enemy around the corner, just anywhere it's not safe, many risks taken. Lia will also do everything to protect the two children, Anna and Jakob that their mother had given to her. This story is quite different from other WWII resistance novels, as it is set in circuses in Paris and other places. The book kept up the suspense and there were a few twist and turns I didn't see coming. A very good read where Lia's mission was to save those stolen children. I'm glad to have read this book it certainly gives other perspectives and how others resisting the Gestapo managed saving those children.
I can recommend this read and I'm grateful to have read this book.
Charlotte N

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story exploring the role of circuses during WWII. Starring Lia, Queen of the Air, a trapeze artist who after losing a child of her own, helps smuggle Jewish and Roma children out of France during the Second World War. Lia’s story is told over a dual timeline, in 2007 she is taking part in a documentary of her life and 1943, we see her circus life. She was a fascinating character, well developed and very courageous. I’ve long been fascinated by stories set in Circuses and really enjoyed reading about circus life, the performers, acts and their resistance e work. It was interesting to see how the circuses kept going, mostly due to Hitler’s love of them and how they were often infiltrated by spies trying to find Jewish and Roma performers and resistance work.

Intwined with Lia’s story is one of a serial killer, a plastic surgeon seeking out injured circus performs to make them Angel Dolls. Told from The Magician’s point of view these were quite creepy. I was grabbed immediately and enjoyed seeing the stories play out and then come together, with a few twists and turns. Fitting with a big show stopping finale, it ended with a cliffhanger. I really hope there will be of Lia and her story.

[Firetruckmama · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.

“The Stolen Children of War” is a WWII historical fiction book by Jina Bacarr. I found myself really interested in this book based upon the premise - Lia, a trapeze artist, agrees to hide two Jewish children in a working circus while trying avoid the eye of the local Nazis. I found the parts about the circus interesting. However, the first quarter (or so) of this book started with a lot of telling not showing, because Lia is talking about her heroics as presented in a movie about her life after the war. Once the story flipped to the past, I became more engaged - until the serial killer’s chapters. The amount of detail in what he did honestly turned me off from those chapters. I found myself skipping those chapters and trying to focus more on Lia’s chapters and, sadly, grew disinterested in this story. I’ll give it a generous 3 stars because it sounded promising and once the “tell” part ended, the story was interesting … but it wasn’t something that gripped me.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Please note that this is the first of the books in this story.
Set in 1943 France the book is focused on the story of Lia di Montieri trapeze artist with Le Cirque Casini who is also a target for the Gestapo because she has a Roma father. The main thread is a 100th birthday retrospective documentary out of Hollywood as a monologue. The circus works to hide Jewish and Roma children in plain sight as they travel around and become performers or part of an act.
Threaded through Lia’s story is that of a serial killer/plastic surgeon seeking out injured circus performers to turn them into Angel Dolls. I found the book to have forced drama and awkward plot twists. A little too creepy for me.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected review e-galley from Boldwood Books via NetGalley.
#TheStolenChildrenofWar by @jinabacarr #BoldwoodBooks @theboldbookclub @boldwoodeverafter
#suspense #plottwists #book1 #Frenchresistance #circuslife #survival #horror #historicalfiction

[Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

We meet Lia for the first time on her hundredth birthday, an important fact, because we know that she survives the Nazis. She retells what happened in 1943 and other events in her life. Although the book is a little slow to get going, it is worth persevering. She is trying to save herself and two Jewish children, through circus life. She also finds out that the daughter she thought had died, hadn’t. Add to the mix a very perverse doctor, and some murders, so there is a lot going on. The story is gripping and the dangers very real, so it was a bit of a shock to come to the last page and find there is another book that will continue the story. I was invested in the characters, especially Lia, Jeanne, Socks and the elephants, and hope to find out what happened to them. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this book.

[Mairi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book wasn’t as engaging as Jina’s other novels have been. It starts with a case and then falls into a lengthy monologue detailing the life of Lia, as she tells her audience about her long life in the circus. Halfway through this monologue we are introduced to the magician, which opens up a bit of a mystery: what has his activities during the war got to do with Lia? In due course we are told and the real human story is revealed, as is the bravery and heroism of the resistance movement during World War 2. As the book develops pace this book does make for interesting reading especially about the role of the circus in World War 2 as they hid people in plan sight and also as they moved people across Europe.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood books for the advance copy. All the views expressed here are mine and I give them freely.

[Kim Wilch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Step right up—this book is a showstopper! Set in Nazi-occupied Paris, the story sweeps you into the world of a circus where the performers aren’t just dazzling the crowd—they’re offering hope in the darkest of times. Lia’s return to the show with two Jewish orphans adds heart and urgency, and from there, the action behind the curtain keeps you hooked. The author does an incredible job of pulling us right into the tension, the bravery, and the quiet acts of resistance. Historical fiction fans will eat this up—it’s moving, suspenseful, and a reminder that when we band together, we can shine even in the shadows.

[R Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

No one tells you this is the first part of a two part novel. It left you hanging with the story in mid air. It is a slow burn mystery romance that builds to a climax but then does not complete the story, just points to the next instalment. The central character is a circus star who is shielding two children from the nazis. As she returns to a circus she left 18 years previously a web of intrigue unfolds. It becomes a gripping story that relates how a circus stays on the right side of the Nazi regime while also shielding vulnerable people from them. As a topic, it is well worth exploring. I was disappointed not to complete the story

[Linda Foster · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a dual timeline story. In 2007 Lia Di Montieri takes part in a documentary celebrating her hundredth birthday. She looks back at her life as a famous trapeze artist in various circus troupes. In 1943 Lia (half Roma) returns to Le Cirque Casini and becomes part of the Resistance saving Jewish children in plain sight with the travelling circus. I am not actually a fan of the circus. I really did not like the character of The Magician, a plastic surgeon, who targets injured circus performers for Nazi purposes, and is a terminator. Disappointed. I really enjoyed Sisters of the Resistance.

[Su Thor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book starts with tension before deteriorating into a monologue of history given to us by Lia, the main character. A duel story then becomes evident. One continuing Lia’s life story and one dealing with the solving of the mystery of some women murdered during the war.

I found this a disappointing book, but others may find it interesting. There is a human story here of bravery and kindness.

Thank you netgalley and Boldwood books for the advance copy of this book. All the views given here are my own and they are given voluntarily.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve rounded this 3.5 down rather than up because I really didn’t enjoy it at the start - I didn’t like the voice of present day Lia, she came across as quite insufferable and uppity! I very nearly stopped reading, but I’m glad I didn’t because once we finally went back to the 1940s and stayed there, I couldn’t put it down.

I was also a little confused by the first “Magician” chapter as it seemed to come out of nowhere, and it took a while before that storyline started to make sense.

I loved the circus setting, and I am definitely eager to read the sequel once it is published!

[Daisy Hollands · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a moving story. It is, I would say, cross genre. Clearly it’s historical looking at the time period it’s dealing with but there are other elements too. Crime, suspense, mystery. Lia, the main female character is an incredible woman and she is written so perfectly. She has so much courage and strength in the face of real adversity and jeopardy. What a woman! There are other strongly written characters too and the plot is so gripping. I flew through the book and thoroughly enjoyed it. I would like to think that there could be more to come. Highly recommended

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hooked from the very first page, for a while and then I lost interest. I found it confusing and thought it would have covered more about the stolen children of war, as the title suggested. The plot idea was great, and I especially enjoyed the circus theme and the concept of hiding Jews and Roma in plain sight, which was intriguing, along with the mystery of the serial killer. It did manage to recapture my interest towards the end. I am looking forward to reading the next instalment of Lia’s story. 3 stars

[Michelle Wileman · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story about the circus folk during WW2, many facts I was unaware of and their part in rescuing and saving Jewish & Roma children from the gestapo. I found the parts about “the magician” really disturbing and found myself skipping through them, the book became a total thrill ride as it progressed through the story, definitely unputdownable with a cliffhanger of an ending!

Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

[Pam Papworth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher Boldwood and NetGalley for sending the ARC of this book. I read 25% of it and just did not like it. At that point, there had been very little mention of the "stolen children" which I'd wanted to learn about, and the focus had been on a disturbing plastic surgeon during WWII. I'm sure the children of the war that were protected by circus workers eventually come into the story, but I am just not willing to put more time into it.

[Andrea A · Rating 3 out of 5]

My thanks to Net Galley, Boldwood, and the personal invitation I received to review this arc.

This book was very good, but I had a few issues. I understand present time telling the story of the past. It was very good . I could have red just the circus life for hours. But then there's all the breaks with The Magician. What was his purpose other than to establish the crush . Then the ending just left me hanging. I had ideas but so many unanswered questions.

[Sue Rouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating storyline following the circus during WW2 and in particular Lia a trapeze artist. Lia joins the resistance and helps a woman by taking her two children who hide out in the circus. At her heals are the Nazis and French Police. I can’t wait for the next book to hopefully answer questions. A great book of this genre. Thanks to Jina and Boldwood Books.

[Kacey/Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captivating story of bravery and courage that people had during the war. It’s always amazing how people courageously work together to save others from evil and how creative they are. Highly recommend

[Diane Saul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in WWII this is a compelling story of bravery and heart break. This is a heartbreaking story, there is also hope, the determination of people to survive. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.