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The Girl Who Rode the White Lion
The story takes place in two timelines. The first begins in the city of Darmstadt, Germany, on November 9, 1938, during Kristallnacht, and follows the plight of the young girl Sarah Frank and her escape from the SS officer, Hauptsturmführer Hubert Zimmer. She finds refuge in the marvelous circus of Adolf Frey. Adolf, the circus owner and famous lion trainer, is married to Louis, a French woman and elephant trainer, who hides her Jewish identity. The circus has already committed to performances in German cities, but Adolf’s plans are disrupted when the SS officer, searching for Sarah, shows no intention of giving up.
The second timeline of the book takes place in New York City, USA, on January 6, 1957, when Mark Spencer, a veterinarian at the Central Park Zoo, performs a post-mortem examination on a rare white lion named Christmas, and discovers an SS ring made of silver inside its stomach.
How did the SS ring end up in the lion’s belly? Mark Spencer becomes embroiled in a mystery that takes him to Miami, France, Israel, and back to New York. The two timelines eventually converge as the mystery is solved.
The second timeline of the book takes place in New York City, USA, on January 6, 1957, when Mark Spencer, a veterinarian at the Central Park Zoo, performs a post-mortem examination on a rare white lion named Christmas, and discovers an SS ring made of silver inside its stomach.
How did the SS ring end up in the lion’s belly? Mark Spencer becomes embroiled in a mystery that takes him to Miami, France, Israel, and back to New York. The two timelines eventually converge as the mystery is solved.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 16, 2026
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
DNF at 22% | The Girl Who Rode the White Lion by Yishay Ishi Ron [Inspired by a True Story]
The premise sounded like something I would love. A Jewish girl fleeing Nazi persecution and finding refuge with a traveling circus is such a unique concept. Unfortunately, this one just didn’t work for me.
I struggled to keep the German characters straight because they were often referred to by multiple names, ranks, and titles. For example, characters might be referred to as Hubert Zimmer, Hauptsturmführer Zimmer, or simply by their position, which left me frequently stopping to figure out who was who. I found myself focusing more on keeping track of names and ranks than becoming immersed in the story.
I also felt like the story jumped into intense situations before I had enough time to connect with the characters. While the events were clearly tragic and disturbing, I never became emotionally invested in the people experiencing them. As a result, scenes that should have felt heartbreaking landed more as shocking and upsetting.
By 22%, I still felt disconnected from both the characters and the story, so I decided it wasn’t the right book for me.
PUBLISH DATE: June 16, 2026
BOOK TITLE: The Girl Who Rode the White Lion
AUTHOR: Yishay Ishi Ron
PUBLISHER: Soncata Press| Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)
FORMAT: ebook
PAGES: 272
I received a complimentary digital ARC [Advanced Readers Copy] of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to the Publisher and the Author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The premise sounded like something I would love. A Jewish girl fleeing Nazi persecution and finding refuge with a traveling circus is such a unique concept. Unfortunately, this one just didn’t work for me.
I struggled to keep the German characters straight because they were often referred to by multiple names, ranks, and titles. For example, characters might be referred to as Hubert Zimmer, Hauptsturmführer Zimmer, or simply by their position, which left me frequently stopping to figure out who was who. I found myself focusing more on keeping track of names and ranks than becoming immersed in the story.
I also felt like the story jumped into intense situations before I had enough time to connect with the characters. While the events were clearly tragic and disturbing, I never became emotionally invested in the people experiencing them. As a result, scenes that should have felt heartbreaking landed more as shocking and upsetting.
By 22%, I still felt disconnected from both the characters and the story, so I decided it wasn’t the right book for me.
PUBLISH DATE: June 16, 2026
BOOK TITLE: The Girl Who Rode the White Lion
AUTHOR: Yishay Ishi Ron
PUBLISHER: Soncata Press| Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)
FORMAT: ebook
PAGES: 272
I received a complimentary digital ARC [Advanced Readers Copy] of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to the Publisher and the Author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
June 29, 2026
This was such a powerful book! It had me intrigued from the first few pages of this book.
The 2 timelines came together perfectly. The mystery of how the Nazi Ring got in the lion was interesting! This book was sad and speaking on the atrocities of what happened to many Jews went through and the salvation. I would definitely recommend this book!
The 2 timelines came together perfectly. The mystery of how the Nazi Ring got in the lion was interesting! This book was sad and speaking on the atrocities of what happened to many Jews went through and the salvation. I would definitely recommend this book!
June 6, 2026
This book was so incredible. The minute I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. The story is captivating and unexpected at every turn
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Eerie, mesmerizing and based on true stories. Yishay Ishi Ron hooks readers from the very first page in this WWII novel featuring an SS officer's cruel obsession, a mystical circus and a zookeeper who tries to uncover the history behind a long-lost ring. The nook alternates between decades during and after the war, unraveling the mystery of THE GIRL WHO RODE THE WHITE LION piece by captivating piece. The writing does feel stilted at times, likely due to the translation, but it's nothing that the intrigue of the story doesn't forgive. Chapters switch POVs to offer powerful insights into the mindsets around the atrocities faced, including not just the victims' perspectives but (horrifyingly) members of the Nazi party's as well - a move that broadcasts a sharp contrast between their depraved mental fragility and the courage and strength of the survivors. This book celebrates those survivors who looked fear in the eye and kept going and spotlights the real circus allies who sheltered them.
August 3, 2026
The Girl Who Rode the White Lion is a captivating and emotionally resonant work of historical fiction that masterfully blends wartime survival, mystery, and human resilience into an unforgettable narrative. Through dual timelines spanning Nazi Germany and postwar America, Yishay Ishi Ron crafts a story that explores courage, sacrifice, identity, and the enduring consequences of history. Beautifully translated by Yardenne Greenspan, the novel combines the suspense of a historical mystery with the emotional depth of a character-driven drama, creating a reading experience that is both gripping and deeply moving.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is its expertly constructed dual-timeline narrative. Beginning with the horrors of Kristallnacht in 1938 and later shifting to New York in 1957, Ron carefully builds two seemingly unrelated stories that gradually intertwine into a compelling mystery. The discovery of an SS ring inside the stomach of a rare white lion immediately captures the reader's curiosity, while the gradual unfolding of its significance keeps the suspense alive until the two timelines converge in a satisfying and emotionally powerful conclusion.
Particularly compelling is Sarah Frank's journey of survival during one of history's darkest periods. As she escapes persecution and finds refuge within Adolf Frey's extraordinary circus, readers witness not only the brutality of Nazi oppression but also the extraordinary acts of compassion and bravery that emerge even in times of unimaginable danger. The circus itself becomes a symbol of hope, offering sanctuary in a world increasingly consumed by fear and violence.
Another remarkable strength is the novel's vivid cast of characters. Adolf Frey and his wife Louis are portrayed with emotional depth and moral complexity, illustrating the difficult choices ordinary people were forced to make under extraordinary circumstances. Their determination to protect Sarah despite the ever-present threat posed by the relentless SS officer Hubert Zimmer adds tension while highlighting themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and quiet heroism.
The second timeline introduces an equally fascinating perspective through veterinarian Mark Spencer, whose seemingly routine examination of a deceased white lion transforms into an international investigation spanning New York, Miami, France, and Israel. His search for the truth provides the novel with an engaging detective element that complements the historical narrative, allowing readers to uncover the lingering echoes of World War II alongside the protagonist.
The novel also excels in its exploration of memory and the lasting impact of history across generations. Rather than confining the Holocaust to the past, Ron demonstrates how its consequences continue to shape lives decades later. The mystery surrounding the silver SS ring becomes a powerful metaphor for the way history remains embedded within people, places, and even unexpected objects, waiting to reveal forgotten stories that demand to be remembered.
Despite addressing profound historical tragedy, the writing remains accessible, emotionally engaging, and richly atmospheric. Ron balances moments of suspense, heartbreak, hope, and wonder with remarkable skill, while the circus setting adds an element of enchantment that contrasts beautifully with the darkness surrounding the characters. The result is a novel that feels both epic in scope and deeply intimate in its emotional impact.
Perhaps the book's most significant achievement is its ability to combine historical fiction with mystery without diminishing either genre. The carefully paced investigation keeps readers invested in uncovering the truth, while the historical storyline offers meaningful reflections on courage, identity, persecution, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. This fusion creates a novel that is both intellectually engaging and emotionally unforgettable.
Powerful, suspenseful, and beautifully written, The Girl Who Rode the White Lion is an outstanding contribution to historical fiction, Holocaust literature, and literary mystery. Yishay Ishi Ron has crafted a remarkable novel that will captivate readers interested in World War II history, historical mysteries, survival stories, and emotionally rich narratives that honor the resilience of those who endured history's darkest chapters.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is its expertly constructed dual-timeline narrative. Beginning with the horrors of Kristallnacht in 1938 and later shifting to New York in 1957, Ron carefully builds two seemingly unrelated stories that gradually intertwine into a compelling mystery. The discovery of an SS ring inside the stomach of a rare white lion immediately captures the reader's curiosity, while the gradual unfolding of its significance keeps the suspense alive until the two timelines converge in a satisfying and emotionally powerful conclusion.
Particularly compelling is Sarah Frank's journey of survival during one of history's darkest periods. As she escapes persecution and finds refuge within Adolf Frey's extraordinary circus, readers witness not only the brutality of Nazi oppression but also the extraordinary acts of compassion and bravery that emerge even in times of unimaginable danger. The circus itself becomes a symbol of hope, offering sanctuary in a world increasingly consumed by fear and violence.
Another remarkable strength is the novel's vivid cast of characters. Adolf Frey and his wife Louis are portrayed with emotional depth and moral complexity, illustrating the difficult choices ordinary people were forced to make under extraordinary circumstances. Their determination to protect Sarah despite the ever-present threat posed by the relentless SS officer Hubert Zimmer adds tension while highlighting themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and quiet heroism.
The second timeline introduces an equally fascinating perspective through veterinarian Mark Spencer, whose seemingly routine examination of a deceased white lion transforms into an international investigation spanning New York, Miami, France, and Israel. His search for the truth provides the novel with an engaging detective element that complements the historical narrative, allowing readers to uncover the lingering echoes of World War II alongside the protagonist.
The novel also excels in its exploration of memory and the lasting impact of history across generations. Rather than confining the Holocaust to the past, Ron demonstrates how its consequences continue to shape lives decades later. The mystery surrounding the silver SS ring becomes a powerful metaphor for the way history remains embedded within people, places, and even unexpected objects, waiting to reveal forgotten stories that demand to be remembered.
Despite addressing profound historical tragedy, the writing remains accessible, emotionally engaging, and richly atmospheric. Ron balances moments of suspense, heartbreak, hope, and wonder with remarkable skill, while the circus setting adds an element of enchantment that contrasts beautifully with the darkness surrounding the characters. The result is a novel that feels both epic in scope and deeply intimate in its emotional impact.
Perhaps the book's most significant achievement is its ability to combine historical fiction with mystery without diminishing either genre. The carefully paced investigation keeps readers invested in uncovering the truth, while the historical storyline offers meaningful reflections on courage, identity, persecution, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. This fusion creates a novel that is both intellectually engaging and emotionally unforgettable.
Powerful, suspenseful, and beautifully written, The Girl Who Rode the White Lion is an outstanding contribution to historical fiction, Holocaust literature, and literary mystery. Yishay Ishi Ron has crafted a remarkable novel that will captivate readers interested in World War II history, historical mysteries, survival stories, and emotionally rich narratives that honor the resilience of those who endured history's darkest chapters.
June 18, 2026
Yishay Ishi Ron wrote, "The girl who rode the white lion." He served in an elite IDF combat unit and is a survivor of PTSD. PTSD stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying, shocking, or life-threatening event. He turned his experiences into his debut 2025 178-page novel, Dog, and offered readers a raw portrayal of a soldier grappling with trauma and addiction. It is an exploration of PTSD, addiction, and redemption, told through the eyes of an Israeli officer haunted by trauma and spiraling into heroin addiction, until a stray dog unexpectedly enters his life. Ron is an Israeli author whose debut novel earned two National Jewish Book Awards and is currently being adapted into a feature film.
The novel offers a profound examination of PTSD's mechanisms - how extreme stress, moral injury, and the experience of combat rewire the brain, making a return to civilian life nearly impossible. With sharp, illuminating critique and emotional depth, his story sheds light on the invisible wounds of war upon those who carry its scars.
His 2026 260-page historical novel, The Girl Who Rode the White Lion, is equally brilliantly written and informative. It expertly combines Holocaust intrigue, mystery, suspense, and an exploration of moral courage.
The tale turns to two timelines. In 1938, while Nazi Germany was in turmoil, young Sarah Frank escaped persecution against Jews. She finds refuge in a traveling circus populated by lion trainers, acrobats, elephant handlers, and interesting, sometimes strange people.
Two decades later, in 1957, an unusual discovery inside a zoo in Manhattan, New York, launches an international investigation that gradually uncovers Sarah's strange personal story and the secrets cloaked by war. A veterinarian performs an autopsy on a deceased lion that had originally belonged to a traveling circus during World War II. The veterinarian finds a silver high-ranking Nazi officer's ring, a Totenkopfring (skull ring), inside the animal's digestive tract. This macabre discovery triggers a global, dual-timeline investigation that traces back to Nazi Germany in 1938 and uncovers wartime and personal secrets as well as the history of the circus. The two-part drama blends a fictional depiction of history that reveals truths with a compelling, thought-provoking detective drama that keeps readers pleasantly engaged while revealing what people should know about relatively recent events.
Ron dramatizes the difficult choices faced by victims, rescuers, bystanders, and perpetrators. The circus serves as a powerful symbol of society, a fragile sanctuary where people from different backgrounds face life’s difficulties and, all too often, cruelties. He depicts both a deeply Jewish and a profoundly universal aspect of life. The struggles are not merely for survival but for the preservation of human dignity, identity, and hope amid overwhelming, blinding darkness.
Ron is a superb writer. His historical sections clearly make readers realize the horrors of the Nazi period, and his depiction of the post-war investigation unfolds like an international thriller. Yet beneath the suspense lies understanding and the reader’s responsibility. The past refuses to remain buried, and history is seen as essential to understanding oneself today. While the novel is fiction, it reveals relevant truths that readers need to know.
The praise the novel has received is well deserved. Israeli President Isaac Herzog described the book as "a solemn lesson we are all compelled to relearn," emphasizing its importance in preserving Holocaust memory, and that the lessons of this horrendous period must urgently be constantly relearned to assure harmonious future generations.
The Girl Who Rode the White Lion succeeds on multiple levels. It establishes Yishay Ishi Ron as one of the most compelling Israeli novelists writing today and a master writer who teaches us much.
The novel offers a profound examination of PTSD's mechanisms - how extreme stress, moral injury, and the experience of combat rewire the brain, making a return to civilian life nearly impossible. With sharp, illuminating critique and emotional depth, his story sheds light on the invisible wounds of war upon those who carry its scars.
His 2026 260-page historical novel, The Girl Who Rode the White Lion, is equally brilliantly written and informative. It expertly combines Holocaust intrigue, mystery, suspense, and an exploration of moral courage.
The tale turns to two timelines. In 1938, while Nazi Germany was in turmoil, young Sarah Frank escaped persecution against Jews. She finds refuge in a traveling circus populated by lion trainers, acrobats, elephant handlers, and interesting, sometimes strange people.
Two decades later, in 1957, an unusual discovery inside a zoo in Manhattan, New York, launches an international investigation that gradually uncovers Sarah's strange personal story and the secrets cloaked by war. A veterinarian performs an autopsy on a deceased lion that had originally belonged to a traveling circus during World War II. The veterinarian finds a silver high-ranking Nazi officer's ring, a Totenkopfring (skull ring), inside the animal's digestive tract. This macabre discovery triggers a global, dual-timeline investigation that traces back to Nazi Germany in 1938 and uncovers wartime and personal secrets as well as the history of the circus. The two-part drama blends a fictional depiction of history that reveals truths with a compelling, thought-provoking detective drama that keeps readers pleasantly engaged while revealing what people should know about relatively recent events.
Ron dramatizes the difficult choices faced by victims, rescuers, bystanders, and perpetrators. The circus serves as a powerful symbol of society, a fragile sanctuary where people from different backgrounds face life’s difficulties and, all too often, cruelties. He depicts both a deeply Jewish and a profoundly universal aspect of life. The struggles are not merely for survival but for the preservation of human dignity, identity, and hope amid overwhelming, blinding darkness.
Ron is a superb writer. His historical sections clearly make readers realize the horrors of the Nazi period, and his depiction of the post-war investigation unfolds like an international thriller. Yet beneath the suspense lies understanding and the reader’s responsibility. The past refuses to remain buried, and history is seen as essential to understanding oneself today. While the novel is fiction, it reveals relevant truths that readers need to know.
The praise the novel has received is well deserved. Israeli President Isaac Herzog described the book as "a solemn lesson we are all compelled to relearn," emphasizing its importance in preserving Holocaust memory, and that the lessons of this horrendous period must urgently be constantly relearned to assure harmonious future generations.
The Girl Who Rode the White Lion succeeds on multiple levels. It establishes Yishay Ishi Ron as one of the most compelling Israeli novelists writing today and a master writer who teaches us much.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A literary fiction based on a true story deepens the involvement a reader has with the characters and overall outcome of the book. I found this to be especially true when reading the novel, The Girl Who Rode the White Lion, by Yishay Ishi Ron.
Yishay Ishi Ron is the son of a Holocaust survivor and an Israeli writer. His story is based on the true story of the Althoff family who ran a circus and used their unique opportunity to safeguard Jews during the Holocaust. Yishay Ishi Ron took the reality of the horror of war and created a story of love, survival and well served justice. True heroes chose to protect the persecuted through "Moral Charity" (as stated in the acknowledgements portion of his book).
Set in Germany, 1938, Sarah Frank a young Jewish girl and her family are routed from their home through the obsession of an SS. officer, Hauptsturmfűhrer Hubert Zimmer of the Third Reich they had thought was a friend. Separated from her husband, Ruth Frank is on the run with her young daughter to hide from the evil. Needing refuge and respite for a few hours Ruth finds that Adolf Frei's Magical Circus is in town and a perfect location to hide from the Nazi's while giving her young daughter a bit of joy. Ruth finds her persecutor in the crowd and sends Sarah to the circus manager, Adolf Frei for refuge. Thus sets the stage for a life of hiding as a part of the circus. Next we meet Dr. Mark Spencer, a veterinarian for the New York Central Park Zoo in 1957. Dr. Spencer is called in to perform an autopsy on an aged white lion, named Christmas. While teaching a younger veterinarian, Dr. Spencer discovers an odd item within the white lion's intestines. A Nazi SS officer's silver skull ring. From this time forth, the reader is taken on a journey of survival for Sarah Frank and a mystery to solve for Dr. Mark Spencer.
Yishay Ishi Ron does a masterful job of weaving the two timelines together to create both intrigue in the mystery as well as fear for the life of young Sarah. War is ugly and the reader feels this truth within the book, The Girl Who Rode the White Lion. I began reading the story assuming it was a purely fiction based tale. It wasn't until the end of the book that I found in the acknowledgement section that the story was based on truth. This made it so much more powerful.
I sincerely hope that Yishay Ishi Ron's book soars in popularity so many may revisit the tragedy of evil and how it effects many. We must remember and not repeat. I have included a web source below to further educate the source of the story.
The Girl Who Rode the White Lion by Yishay Ishi Ron and translated from the Hebrew by Yardenne Greenspan will publish June 16, 2026 through Soncata Press. Please take the time to read this wonderful novel. I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Girl Who Rode the White Lion through NetGalley in exchange for an honest reivew. Thank you again NetGalley for the opportunity to discover diverse voices in literature.
https://www.yadvashem.org/righteous/s...
#NetGalley #TheGirlWhoRoadtheWhiteLion
Yishay Ishi Ron is the son of a Holocaust survivor and an Israeli writer. His story is based on the true story of the Althoff family who ran a circus and used their unique opportunity to safeguard Jews during the Holocaust. Yishay Ishi Ron took the reality of the horror of war and created a story of love, survival and well served justice. True heroes chose to protect the persecuted through "Moral Charity" (as stated in the acknowledgements portion of his book).
Set in Germany, 1938, Sarah Frank a young Jewish girl and her family are routed from their home through the obsession of an SS. officer, Hauptsturmfűhrer Hubert Zimmer of the Third Reich they had thought was a friend. Separated from her husband, Ruth Frank is on the run with her young daughter to hide from the evil. Needing refuge and respite for a few hours Ruth finds that Adolf Frei's Magical Circus is in town and a perfect location to hide from the Nazi's while giving her young daughter a bit of joy. Ruth finds her persecutor in the crowd and sends Sarah to the circus manager, Adolf Frei for refuge. Thus sets the stage for a life of hiding as a part of the circus. Next we meet Dr. Mark Spencer, a veterinarian for the New York Central Park Zoo in 1957. Dr. Spencer is called in to perform an autopsy on an aged white lion, named Christmas. While teaching a younger veterinarian, Dr. Spencer discovers an odd item within the white lion's intestines. A Nazi SS officer's silver skull ring. From this time forth, the reader is taken on a journey of survival for Sarah Frank and a mystery to solve for Dr. Mark Spencer.
Yishay Ishi Ron does a masterful job of weaving the two timelines together to create both intrigue in the mystery as well as fear for the life of young Sarah. War is ugly and the reader feels this truth within the book, The Girl Who Rode the White Lion. I began reading the story assuming it was a purely fiction based tale. It wasn't until the end of the book that I found in the acknowledgement section that the story was based on truth. This made it so much more powerful.
I sincerely hope that Yishay Ishi Ron's book soars in popularity so many may revisit the tragedy of evil and how it effects many. We must remember and not repeat. I have included a web source below to further educate the source of the story.
The Girl Who Rode the White Lion by Yishay Ishi Ron and translated from the Hebrew by Yardenne Greenspan will publish June 16, 2026 through Soncata Press. Please take the time to read this wonderful novel. I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Girl Who Rode the White Lion through NetGalley in exchange for an honest reivew. Thank you again NetGalley for the opportunity to discover diverse voices in literature.
https://www.yadvashem.org/righteous/s...
#NetGalley #TheGirlWhoRoadtheWhiteLion
August 10, 2026
5 Stars for "The Girl Who Rode the White Lion"
Setting- Central Park Zoo, NYC 1958-ish.
Setting - Berlin 1938
“The author has just come off the success of his award-winning 2025 book
Dog , and has now released this new book in 2026
.”Mark Spencer, the veterinarian at the Central Park Zoo in NYC stands by the metal table shaking his head. No, no; he cannot understand why their white lion passed away..
As he concludes his insisted autopsy, Spencer suddenly finds a strange silver ring lodged in the lion's stomach. With a closer look, he can see the ring has markings all over it with a skull outlined. Extremely curious, he calls a friend who can hopefully explain what this is. Spencer is shocked as he learns the ring is called a Totenkopfring; meaning in German : The Ring: A high-ranking silver Nazi SS skull ring.
Spencer lets us know he is aware of few details regarding the Holocaust, as this history wasnt his in adulthood. But now, he has to find the provenance of the white lion.
An educated guess tells him to start in Germany.
Sarah was a jewish child hidden inside a traveling circus which became her family. Sara also knows that twenty years later her PTSD will act up in adult relationships. Her reactions of PTSD invade her personal interpretations of recognition, trust, and love.
Ishay Ishi Ron points out the microcosm of humanity. Included throughout the
story are parallels and allegories from past history, and most absolutely apply today. One example he uses is about the fiddler on the roof; life is precarious.
Another; finding a Nazi ring in a lion's belly 20 years later in
NYC- the refusal to have jewish history stay buried. Well, we know it is anything but buried. But a tiny amount of magical realism never hurts a soul.
I believe a small bit of romance never hurts a historical fiction mystery novel. And so, I wasn't disappointed when Mark Spencer meets Sara Frank in Tel Aviv after his visit from France.
The author does an ultra sensational job developing every character for this pertinent story as well as melding every topic through it.
"The novel, translated from the Hebrew by Yardenne Greenspan, is based
on the true story of the Althoff family, which owned a circus where it
hid Jews from the Nazis during the Holocaust. The family was later
recognized as Righteous Gentiles".
Thank you Ishay, I loved the story.
Setting- Central Park Zoo, NYC 1958-ish.
Setting - Berlin 1938
“The author has just come off the success of his award-winning 2025 book
Dog , and has now released this new book in 2026
.”Mark Spencer, the veterinarian at the Central Park Zoo in NYC stands by the metal table shaking his head. No, no; he cannot understand why their white lion passed away..
As he concludes his insisted autopsy, Spencer suddenly finds a strange silver ring lodged in the lion's stomach. With a closer look, he can see the ring has markings all over it with a skull outlined. Extremely curious, he calls a friend who can hopefully explain what this is. Spencer is shocked as he learns the ring is called a Totenkopfring; meaning in German : The Ring: A high-ranking silver Nazi SS skull ring.
Spencer lets us know he is aware of few details regarding the Holocaust, as this history wasnt his in adulthood. But now, he has to find the provenance of the white lion.
An educated guess tells him to start in Germany.
Sarah was a jewish child hidden inside a traveling circus which became her family. Sara also knows that twenty years later her PTSD will act up in adult relationships. Her reactions of PTSD invade her personal interpretations of recognition, trust, and love.
Ishay Ishi Ron points out the microcosm of humanity. Included throughout the
story are parallels and allegories from past history, and most absolutely apply today. One example he uses is about the fiddler on the roof; life is precarious.
Another; finding a Nazi ring in a lion's belly 20 years later in
NYC- the refusal to have jewish history stay buried. Well, we know it is anything but buried. But a tiny amount of magical realism never hurts a soul.
I believe a small bit of romance never hurts a historical fiction mystery novel. And so, I wasn't disappointed when Mark Spencer meets Sara Frank in Tel Aviv after his visit from France.
The author does an ultra sensational job developing every character for this pertinent story as well as melding every topic through it.
"The novel, translated from the Hebrew by Yardenne Greenspan, is based
on the true story of the Althoff family, which owned a circus where it
hid Jews from the Nazis during the Holocaust. The family was later
recognized as Righteous Gentiles".
Thank you Ishay, I loved the story.
July 6, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Girl Who Rode the White Lion is a compelling blend of historical fiction, mystery, and Holocaust remembrance that kept me turning the pages until the very end.
Set across two timelines, the novel follows young Sarah Frank, a Jewish girl forced to flee Nazi persecution in Germany, and a veterinarian in 1957 New York whose discovery of an SS ring inside a dead white lion sets off an investigation spanning continents and decades. The mystery of how the ring ended up inside the animal provides a fascinating thread that gradually reveals a much larger story of survival, courage, and human decency in extraordinary circumstances.
What makes this novel particularly memorable is its unusual setting. The travelling circus offers a striking contrast to the darkness of the era, becoming both a refuge and a symbol of the outsiders who chose to help when many others turned away. The characters who populate the circus feel vivid and distinctive, and Sarah's journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring.
The dual timelines are woven together effectively, with each chapter adding another piece to the puzzle. While the historical events are difficult to read at times, the story never loses sight of the resilience of those who endured them. I especially appreciated learning that the novel was inspired by a true story, which gave even greater weight to the narrative and its themes.
For readers who enjoy historical fiction with elements of suspense and mystery, The Girl Who Rode the White Lion offers a unique perspective on the Holocaust, focusing not only on persecution but also on the individuals who risked everything to help others survive.
A moving and thought-provoking novel that reminds us why these stories continue to matter.
I received an advance reader copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Girl Who Rode the White Lion is a compelling blend of historical fiction, mystery, and Holocaust remembrance that kept me turning the pages until the very end.
Set across two timelines, the novel follows young Sarah Frank, a Jewish girl forced to flee Nazi persecution in Germany, and a veterinarian in 1957 New York whose discovery of an SS ring inside a dead white lion sets off an investigation spanning continents and decades. The mystery of how the ring ended up inside the animal provides a fascinating thread that gradually reveals a much larger story of survival, courage, and human decency in extraordinary circumstances.
What makes this novel particularly memorable is its unusual setting. The travelling circus offers a striking contrast to the darkness of the era, becoming both a refuge and a symbol of the outsiders who chose to help when many others turned away. The characters who populate the circus feel vivid and distinctive, and Sarah's journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring.
The dual timelines are woven together effectively, with each chapter adding another piece to the puzzle. While the historical events are difficult to read at times, the story never loses sight of the resilience of those who endured them. I especially appreciated learning that the novel was inspired by a true story, which gave even greater weight to the narrative and its themes.
For readers who enjoy historical fiction with elements of suspense and mystery, The Girl Who Rode the White Lion offers a unique perspective on the Holocaust, focusing not only on persecution but also on the individuals who risked everything to help others survive.
A moving and thought-provoking novel that reminds us why these stories continue to matter.
I received an advance reader copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Truth is often more amazing and shocking horrific than fiction. "The Girl Who Rode the White Lion" by Yishay Ishi Ron is based on a true story of how the Althoff family circus troupe opened their hearts and tents, offering disguise and hope to jewess Sarah Frank.
A young girl who had lost her father to a concentration camp and witnessed the murder of her mother lives in1938 Germany, which is a brutal time for any jew. Previous friendships with Germans are now forgotten, as those same people are now SS officers, hungry (and often crazy) for the power they previously lacked. Hauptsurmfuher Hubert Zimmer's obsession with the Frank family is all encompassing.
Amongst an unlikely mix of outsiders working as lion trainers, elephant mahoots and acrobats, Sarah enjoys anonymity and is able to rally the courage she never knew she possessed, when her new family of humans and animals is obliterated.
A dual timeline story finds Mark Spencer, a vet in 1957 New York City, discovering a silver SS skull ring, within a deceased white lions body. And so we are taken on his journey of truth to discover the lions origin in postwar Paris and Tel Aviv.
This is a holocaust story not set in death camps (for a change). It is the suspenseful survival story of a young girl and her older self navigating her shattered altered self when history comes searching for her.
I loved how the ring came to be inside the lion and I loved the last chapter.....revenge being sweet, but in a twist I suspected but was ultimately surprised by.
Thanks to NetGalley and Sonata Press for my copy.
A young girl who had lost her father to a concentration camp and witnessed the murder of her mother lives in1938 Germany, which is a brutal time for any jew. Previous friendships with Germans are now forgotten, as those same people are now SS officers, hungry (and often crazy) for the power they previously lacked. Hauptsurmfuher Hubert Zimmer's obsession with the Frank family is all encompassing.
Amongst an unlikely mix of outsiders working as lion trainers, elephant mahoots and acrobats, Sarah enjoys anonymity and is able to rally the courage she never knew she possessed, when her new family of humans and animals is obliterated.
A dual timeline story finds Mark Spencer, a vet in 1957 New York City, discovering a silver SS skull ring, within a deceased white lions body. And so we are taken on his journey of truth to discover the lions origin in postwar Paris and Tel Aviv.
This is a holocaust story not set in death camps (for a change). It is the suspenseful survival story of a young girl and her older self navigating her shattered altered self when history comes searching for her.
I loved how the ring came to be inside the lion and I loved the last chapter.....revenge being sweet, but in a twist I suspected but was ultimately surprised by.
Thanks to NetGalley and Sonata Press for my copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The story of the book is based on a true story of how a young girl escapes the Holocaust with the help of a traveling circus.
In 1938 during the onslaught of the persecution of the Jewish community in Germany, the reader is introduced to an SS officer in charge of interrogation of suspected Jewish. As his view of his longtime friends is reshaped into hatred and anger, he seeks out and initiates prosecution of his Jewish doctor who is now in the search light of the SS. A warped sense of justice and lust for what is not his nor allowed by the party, he scares his friends wife and her daughter Sarah into escaping with a circus. This ignites an anger in the SS officer, that will last a life time.
In 1957 an SS ring is found in the stomach of a white lion from the zoo. As the veterinarian is pulled into a twisted tale of finding the origins of the ring, the reader is tossed between 1957 and 1938 and invited on a journey of discovery. How did the ring end up in the stomach of the lion? What happened to Sarah? What happened to the SS officer? What will the veterinarian find out? The outcome is not certain until the very last.
This was a captivating and thrilling read that kept me glued to the pages and eager to know the outcome of the next page and the next chapter.
Thank you Soncata Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
In 1938 during the onslaught of the persecution of the Jewish community in Germany, the reader is introduced to an SS officer in charge of interrogation of suspected Jewish. As his view of his longtime friends is reshaped into hatred and anger, he seeks out and initiates prosecution of his Jewish doctor who is now in the search light of the SS. A warped sense of justice and lust for what is not his nor allowed by the party, he scares his friends wife and her daughter Sarah into escaping with a circus. This ignites an anger in the SS officer, that will last a life time.
In 1957 an SS ring is found in the stomach of a white lion from the zoo. As the veterinarian is pulled into a twisted tale of finding the origins of the ring, the reader is tossed between 1957 and 1938 and invited on a journey of discovery. How did the ring end up in the stomach of the lion? What happened to Sarah? What happened to the SS officer? What will the veterinarian find out? The outcome is not certain until the very last.
This was a captivating and thrilling read that kept me glued to the pages and eager to know the outcome of the next page and the next chapter.
Thank you Soncata Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
June 21, 2026
“The Girl Who Rode the White Lion” is a spellbinding, fascinating novel that is propulsive to read, because it’s author, Yishay Ishi Ron, has a remarkable ability to keep the reader guessing and anticipation high as to the mystery at the heart of this book. The story goes back and forth in time from the Nazis’s initial efforts to eliminate Jews from Germany, to the beginnings of World War Two, and then to the mid 1950s, when a New York City veterinarian from the Central Park Zoo performing an autopsy of a deceased white lion finds an SS officer’s ring in the lion’s belly, leading to his search for how it came to be there.
The story not only is mysterious and full of twists, but also its one of remarkable exhibitions of courage, bravery, and character in a world seemingly gone mad. It’s also full of love and loyalty and hope, despite present atrocities or past devastations. Finally, it’s a tale rooted in reality, which to me usually makes for the best types of fictionalized tales. I’m so glad to have read this and expect more great books from this talented author. I might now have to read his first book translated into and published in English, “Dog,” which was the winner of not just one but two 2026 National Jewish Book Awards.
I received this book as an advanced digital edition from NetGalley, and I’m leaving my review voluntarily.
The story not only is mysterious and full of twists, but also its one of remarkable exhibitions of courage, bravery, and character in a world seemingly gone mad. It’s also full of love and loyalty and hope, despite present atrocities or past devastations. Finally, it’s a tale rooted in reality, which to me usually makes for the best types of fictionalized tales. I’m so glad to have read this and expect more great books from this talented author. I might now have to read his first book translated into and published in English, “Dog,” which was the winner of not just one but two 2026 National Jewish Book Awards.
I received this book as an advanced digital edition from NetGalley, and I’m leaving my review voluntarily.
July 26, 2026
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The Girl Who Rode the White Lion by Yishay Ishi Ron is his second novel, very different from the first one DOG that won two Jewish Book Awards this year, but I think he has another winner. This historical novel set in two timelines—WWII era and more than a decade after, begins with a lion autopsy that turns up a Nazi silver skull ring. The mystery of how and why it got there involves a great cast of characters—the Nazi owner of the ring, the Jews he knew and persecuted, the circus members and owners who cared for the lion and shielded a young Jewish girl, the veterinarian who seeks to solve the mystery. There are many nuances that lend authenticity and richness to the story. While a thrilling tale in itself, we also get a picture of the machinations of the Gestapo and the SS—how they used intimidation and both mental and physical torture to keep their own members in line, as well as to torture those they persecuted and killed mercilessly. We see examples of incredible bravery from many of the characters, Jewish characters who sought to save their loved ones, and non-Jews who courageously helped by standing up to hatred and acting with bravery and human decency. So much to love and admire within these pages. A tale of mystery, good and evil, revenge and resolution, a page turner than both informs and entertains.
The Girl Who Rode the White Lion by Yishay Ishi Ron is his second novel, very different from the first one DOG that won two Jewish Book Awards this year, but I think he has another winner. This historical novel set in two timelines—WWII era and more than a decade after, begins with a lion autopsy that turns up a Nazi silver skull ring. The mystery of how and why it got there involves a great cast of characters—the Nazi owner of the ring, the Jews he knew and persecuted, the circus members and owners who cared for the lion and shielded a young Jewish girl, the veterinarian who seeks to solve the mystery. There are many nuances that lend authenticity and richness to the story. While a thrilling tale in itself, we also get a picture of the machinations of the Gestapo and the SS—how they used intimidation and both mental and physical torture to keep their own members in line, as well as to torture those they persecuted and killed mercilessly. We see examples of incredible bravery from many of the characters, Jewish characters who sought to save their loved ones, and non-Jews who courageously helped by standing up to hatred and acting with bravery and human decency. So much to love and admire within these pages. A tale of mystery, good and evil, revenge and resolution, a page turner than both informs and entertains.
July 6, 2026
I picked up this book through the Jewish Book Committee as we determine which authors to bring to our area to speak about Jewish literature.
This dual timeline story starts with a Nazi fed by endless jealousy of his schoolmate and a desire for his wife that ends up in a multi-year hunt for their daughter within the circus.
The story skips forward to about 20 years later where a US based veterinarian does an autopsy on a lion and finds the Nazi’s ring. The story fully in the two timelines with 3rd person POVs of many characters as the stories bridge together as to what happened to both Sarah and the Nazi officer, as well as the people they met.
Overall, the book is short and impactful. The allegory of the officer treating Jews like circus animals was apt. I appreciate the author’s tie to the story and the story of the Jews saved by the circus in WW2. This story was hard to read, as most Holocaust literature is.
I did feel like the ending was abrupt, and could have used an epilogue. To me, this story felt like it was moreso the Nazi’s story, rather than the brave Jewish girl who survived him, or the righteous among the nations who sheltered her. I feel like Sarah deserved more of a hopeful ending to her story, even if this is a fictional retelling of a true story.
This dual timeline story starts with a Nazi fed by endless jealousy of his schoolmate and a desire for his wife that ends up in a multi-year hunt for their daughter within the circus.
The story skips forward to about 20 years later where a US based veterinarian does an autopsy on a lion and finds the Nazi’s ring. The story fully in the two timelines with 3rd person POVs of many characters as the stories bridge together as to what happened to both Sarah and the Nazi officer, as well as the people they met.
Overall, the book is short and impactful. The allegory of the officer treating Jews like circus animals was apt. I appreciate the author’s tie to the story and the story of the Jews saved by the circus in WW2. This story was hard to read, as most Holocaust literature is.
I did feel like the ending was abrupt, and could have used an epilogue. To me, this story felt like it was moreso the Nazi’s story, rather than the brave Jewish girl who survived him, or the righteous among the nations who sheltered her. I feel like Sarah deserved more of a hopeful ending to her story, even if this is a fictional retelling of a true story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2026
A celebration of resilience in the face of unspeakable horrors, this book highlights those who helped during the holocaust — particularly those in the circus (and the Althoff family mentioned in the acknowledgements).
The story alternates timelines between a veterinarian who finds an SS ring in the stomach of a white lion and a circus in Nazi Germany where the white lion originated. The author took me on a journey of discovery to find out how the ring got there and how the timelines merged that had me turning pages! Although it was somewhat predictable, I definitely wanted to read what I knew was coming!
My favorite part of this book was that it explored the different responses to fear people chose during the Holocaust. Some were ruled by their fear while others rose above it. I think this book would make a great book club selection on that topic alone.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, WW2-era stories, and/or stories of hope and resilience.
Thank you to Yisay Ishi Ron, Sonata Press, and NetGalley for the eARC of this book. I will always provide an honest review.
The story alternates timelines between a veterinarian who finds an SS ring in the stomach of a white lion and a circus in Nazi Germany where the white lion originated. The author took me on a journey of discovery to find out how the ring got there and how the timelines merged that had me turning pages! Although it was somewhat predictable, I definitely wanted to read what I knew was coming!
My favorite part of this book was that it explored the different responses to fear people chose during the Holocaust. Some were ruled by their fear while others rose above it. I think this book would make a great book club selection on that topic alone.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, WW2-era stories, and/or stories of hope and resilience.
Thank you to Yisay Ishi Ron, Sonata Press, and NetGalley for the eARC of this book. I will always provide an honest review.
March 11, 2026
3.5 ⭐️This book was such a cool take on World War 2. I really enjoyed the premise of the story and it was back and forth between the past and the future for multiple different characters. This made it feel like you got a more well rounded story.
This is a bit of a sexually disturbing story. There is talk of rap but no actual rap is described. The main Nazi character is really creepy and gross which just makes you hate him more. I honestly almost stopped reading it because of how nasty it got.
Also, I wasn’t a fan of the love story. It seemed to go to unrealistically fast and was also a bit sex based which isn’t my style.
It is based in a true story of circus people who would hid Jew’s which was really cool.
This is a bit of a sexually disturbing story. There is talk of rap but no actual rap is described. The main Nazi character is really creepy and gross which just makes you hate him more. I honestly almost stopped reading it because of how nasty it got.
Also, I wasn’t a fan of the love story. It seemed to go to unrealistically fast and was also a bit sex based which isn’t my style.
It is based in a true story of circus people who would hid Jew’s which was really cool.
June 16, 2026
This is a beautifully-written novel that weaves together the stories of a self-absorbed Nazi officer, a New York veterinarian who discovers a Nazi ring while autopsying a dead lion, and a girl who watched the Nazi officer march into the tent of a traveling circus and murder her mother as she cowered under the elephant rider’s skirts. In 1957, years after the war, a veterinarian in New York finds a silver SS ring while autopsying a dead lion. He embarks on a quest to discover how the ring got into the lion’s stomach. The story turns back to 1938 Germany, before the war, as Jewish homes and businesses are destroyed, circus employees help young Sarah Frank escape an obnoxious SS officer who is obsessed with finding her. The Girl Who Rode the White Lion is one of my top five books of 2026!
June 27, 2026
The Girl Who Rode the White Lion, by Yishay Ishi Ron, newly from Soncata Press, is the tale of an improbable, courageous, and thrilling escape of a young Jewish girl fleeing a vindictive and relentless SS official in Nazi Germany, a former friend of her father’s. Based on a true story, Ron’s novel is a masterfully crafted dual timeline thriller that engages from the opening scenes with its gorgeous prose and page turning pacing. A gorgeously rendered cinematic read, this novel is a natural to be translated to film. Highly recommended as a must-read for book clubs, history enthusiasts, and thriller lovers everywhere.
-- Karen Tintori, author of Unto the Daughters: The Legacy of an Honor Killing in a Sicilian American Family, St. Martin’s Press
-- Karen Tintori, author of Unto the Daughters: The Legacy of an Honor Killing in a Sicilian American Family, St. Martin’s Press
July 30, 2026
This book is phenomenal! If you are a fan of water for elephants, you must read this. What a unique, heart-breaking, and amazing story!!!!
In the first 40 pages, I thought I had the whole story figured out and was prepared for a predictable story. I. WAS. WROOOOOONG.
Enough twists and turns to keep you flipping pages, but also not so on the edge of the seat that you don't get immersed in the setting and atmosphere.
The POV switched a lot but somehow, all the characters were developed so well. I guess if I were to say one critique, it's that the love story grew too fast (I'm not a romance reader anyway so it's hard for me to appreciate any romance in a story).
Overall, this is a must read.
In the first 40 pages, I thought I had the whole story figured out and was prepared for a predictable story. I. WAS. WROOOOOONG.
Enough twists and turns to keep you flipping pages, but also not so on the edge of the seat that you don't get immersed in the setting and atmosphere.
The POV switched a lot but somehow, all the characters were developed so well. I guess if I were to say one critique, it's that the love story grew too fast (I'm not a romance reader anyway so it's hard for me to appreciate any romance in a story).
Overall, this is a must read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review:
I loved this book! I love the different perspective of a WW2 story in Germany. Just touching on another aspect of life in Germany during that time opens another door to histories we don’t know about. And the author’s note says it was inspired by real people!
The entire book weaves together a number of different characters, a number so high that one would think it’s too many. Each of these characters is key to the entire story, and that weaving together creates a beautiful book. Every character had to be written delicately and with respect, and I am blown away by the masterful way it was done.
I loved this book! I love the different perspective of a WW2 story in Germany. Just touching on another aspect of life in Germany during that time opens another door to histories we don’t know about. And the author’s note says it was inspired by real people!
The entire book weaves together a number of different characters, a number so high that one would think it’s too many. Each of these characters is key to the entire story, and that weaving together creates a beautiful book. Every character had to be written delicately and with respect, and I am blown away by the masterful way it was done.
May 26, 2026
Exciting plot… but almost too exciting. True, it is based on a real family that hid Jews in their circus (and I did not know that while reading the book!), but most of what occurred in the plot was too Hollywood, too unbelievable.
There’s also something cringe about reading a “Holocaust thriller,” like making something exciting and mysterious out of real tragedy that loses points for me. That, and the writing lacked depth. The writing was nowhere near his first book, DOG. That said, I could imagine this making a great movie.
There’s also something cringe about reading a “Holocaust thriller,” like making something exciting and mysterious out of real tragedy that loses points for me. That, and the writing lacked depth. The writing was nowhere near his first book, DOG. That said, I could imagine this making a great movie.
July 5, 2026
Following the success of his two-time National Jewish Book Award-winning debut, Dog, Yishay Ishi Ron's engrossing new novel is inspired by the true story of a circus that sheltered Jews in Nazi Germany. In 1938, Sarah Frank is forced into hiding after her family is targeted by an SS officer, and she finds refuge among the performers of a traveling circus. In 1957, a mystery begins when Dr. Mark Spencer, a veterinarian at the Central Park Zoo, discovers a silver SS ring inside the stomach of a lion. His search unfolds across Paris, Tel Aviv, and New York until the two narratives gradually converge. I was immediately drawn in by the novel’s unique premise and was eager to see how the timelines would intersect. The author does an excellent job of sustaining the suspense as the mystery unfolds, making this part Holocaust tale, part literary page-turner. It’s another excellent choice for book clubs! I'm especially looking forward to hearing the author discuss the remarkable real-life heroes who inspired the book, and how he transformed the story into fiction at Literary Modiin’s July event on Juy 12. I am looking forward to reading more from this author!
July 23, 2026
Oh my gosh, this was such a good book! I quite literally struggled to put it down. I don’t normally like reading holocaust stories, but the premise of this one was so interesting to me. A veterinarian at Central Park zoo conduct an autopsy on a white lion and discovers a SS ring in its stomach, igniting a worldwide detective hunt for how that lion could’ve eaten a Nazi. Truly suspenseful and addictively page turning, I really really really enjoyed this book!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The overall story was good. But the writing was choppy and scattered. Maybe it was related to the translation. The story is baseed on a true story. The author is the son of a holocaust survivor. Definitely worth reading.
Thank you Netgalley and Soncata Press for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Expected release date June 16 2026
Thank you Netgalley and Soncata Press for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Expected release date June 16 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book! This book wound the magic of the circus into the horror of war beautifully. The descriptions of the characters and places were so well done it was like a movie playing out in my head as I read. I do wish the ending had tied up more loose ends. I’d have liked to know what became of Sarah and Mark.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you author Yishah Ishy Ron (and translator Yardena Greenspan), and #netgalley for this amazing e-ARC of The Girl Who rode the White Lion.
It’s no spoiler to say that the story involves a circus during WW2. There is another timeline in the novel that is 1957 New York City. Both timelines are fascinating.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It’s no spoiler to say that the story involves a circus during WW2. There is another timeline in the novel that is 1957 New York City. Both timelines are fascinating.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 24, 2026
The Girl Who Rode The White Lion is a fast-paced moving plot full of excitement, wonder and pain. Yishay Ishi Ron, marries fact and fiction to take his readers on an adventure that spans across a dual narrative. The work is beautifully translated and transports us in time to remember what makes us human and the kinds of sacrifices we make to survive despite all odds.
April 10, 2026
This was a beautifully poignant story of survival, resilience, and perseverance in the face of a tragic event - the Holocaust. It’s inspired by a true story of a rescue of Jews hidden within a circus in Germany.
The author really was able to write this story in a way that created an angst - real gut wrenching emotion for the characters. The compassion and suspense are palpable.
I loved the dual POV of Sarah’s story and Mark’s search for the owner of the ring.
I caught myself reading faster so I could get to the next timeline and find out the outcome of each story; and, the epic intertwining of the story made for the perfect conclusion.
5 🌟 stars!!!!!!
Thanks NetGalley for the advanced reader copy!
The author really was able to write this story in a way that created an angst - real gut wrenching emotion for the characters. The compassion and suspense are palpable.
I loved the dual POV of Sarah’s story and Mark’s search for the owner of the ring.
I caught myself reading faster so I could get to the next timeline and find out the outcome of each story; and, the epic intertwining of the story made for the perfect conclusion.
5 🌟 stars!!!!!!
Thanks NetGalley for the advanced reader copy!
Did Not Finish
April 11, 2026Received an ARC from netgalley of this book and unfortunately it just didn’t work for me and I did not finish. Bad timing to try reading it perhaps.
May 16, 2026
Excellent complex story about WWII mystery unraveled by a nyc vet
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