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Zion Covenant #7
London Refrain
IN THE DARK FALL OF 1939, the hopes of the Polish people fade as Nazi bombers strafe the beloved city of Warsaw. Politicians debate while hundreds stand in lines at the British Embassy, desperate to flee the country before Hitler's ground forces arrive.
Mac McGrath, a veteran American photographer, recorded the landslide toward war with dedication, believing that if he told the truth, the world would rise up and put a stop to Hitler's evil plans. Now his foolish idealism embarrasses him.
Outside the embassy gates, Jewish school teacher Eva Weitzman prays for a miracle. Without a British passport, she will fall into the Nazis' clutches.
Who will live and who will die? Will anyone dare to stand against the apathy of nations?
Mac McGrath, a veteran American photographer, recorded the landslide toward war with dedication, believing that if he told the truth, the world would rise up and put a stop to Hitler's evil plans. Now his foolish idealism embarrasses him.
Outside the embassy gates, Jewish school teacher Eva Weitzman prays for a miracle. Without a British passport, she will fall into the Nazis' clutches.
Who will live and who will die? Will anyone dare to stand against the apathy of nations?
304 pages, Paperback
First published June 20, 2005
153 people are currently reading
1307 people want to read
About the author
Bodie Thoene
203 books1,368 followersBODIE AND BROCK THOENE (pronounced Tay-nee) have written over 45 works of historical fiction. These best sellers have sold more than 10 million copies and won eight ECPA Gold Medallion Awards.
Bodie began her writing career as a teen journalist for her local newspaper. Eventually her byline appeared in prestigious periodicals such as U.S. News and World Report, The American West, and The Saturday Evening Post. She also worked for John Wayne’s Batjac Productions (she’s best known as author of The Fall Guy) and ABC Circle Films as a writer and researcher. John Wayne described her as “a writer with talent that captures the people and the times!” She has degrees in journalism and communications.
Bodie and Brock have four grown children—Rachel, Jake Thoene, Luke Thoene, and Ellie—and five grandchildren. Their sons, Jake and Luke, are carrying on the Thoene family talent as the next generation of writers, and Luke produces the Thoene audiobooks.
Bodie and Brock divide their time between London and Nevada.
Bodie began her writing career as a teen journalist for her local newspaper. Eventually her byline appeared in prestigious periodicals such as U.S. News and World Report, The American West, and The Saturday Evening Post. She also worked for John Wayne’s Batjac Productions (she’s best known as author of The Fall Guy) and ABC Circle Films as a writer and researcher. John Wayne described her as “a writer with talent that captures the people and the times!” She has degrees in journalism and communications.
Bodie and Brock have four grown children—Rachel, Jake Thoene, Luke Thoene, and Ellie—and five grandchildren. Their sons, Jake and Luke, are carrying on the Thoene family talent as the next generation of writers, and Luke produces the Thoene audiobooks.
Bodie and Brock divide their time between London and Nevada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
January 7, 2022
A great follow up to Warsaw Requiem!
Warsaw Requiem was meant to be the last book in the Zion Covenant series but it appears the author just couldn't leave it alone ;)
Because the book is written several years later, the writing style is slightly different. This is not surprising to me, as an author myself I know a writer's voice changes over the years. I personally prefer Bodie's older style, but this works just fine as well.
In this book a lot of new characters are added, but you still get to hear a lot about the old ones.
For me, this book was deeply convicting and maddingly frustrating because of history. The fact that France and England stood by doing NOTHING while Poland was attacked- Well. The sin of apathy and indifference is a sneaky one.
Overall, an engaging and highly enjoyable read.
Warsaw Requiem was meant to be the last book in the Zion Covenant series but it appears the author just couldn't leave it alone ;)
Because the book is written several years later, the writing style is slightly different. This is not surprising to me, as an author myself I know a writer's voice changes over the years. I personally prefer Bodie's older style, but this works just fine as well.
In this book a lot of new characters are added, but you still get to hear a lot about the old ones.
For me, this book was deeply convicting and maddingly frustrating because of history. The fact that France and England stood by doing NOTHING while Poland was attacked- Well. The sin of apathy and indifference is a sneaky one.
Overall, an engaging and highly enjoyable read.
January 10, 2010
Brock and Bodie Thoene always deliver an interesting and informative story. They are able to depict war in a realistic way without being quite as "gory" aa some other authors. London Refrain and the next two books, Paris Endore and Dunkirk Crescendo, are labeled directors cuts and contain material from their book Twilight of Courage, along with new material. I was leery at first because I've read Twilight of Courage and didn't want to feel like I was simply re-reading it. but there seems to be enough new content my fears were unfounded and I plan to read the other two.
December 1, 2011
I read this whole series several years ago. Each book was so well written. I was captivated by the characters, their stories and struggles. It was this series that really peaked by love for historical fiction.
February 12, 2025
I didn’t have this book, for the simple reason the series originally ended with Warsaw Requiem>. It does bridge the gap between that story and The Zion Chronicles series. I understand there’s some crossover with The Twilight of Courage, which I do own and remember as a standalone adjacent to The Zion Covenant series.
Anyway, it primarily covers Elisa and her family back in England and Wales; the Lubetkin family in Warsaw; Captain Orde, Lucy, Jacob, Alfie and the others who escaped from Warsaw as they make their way east and eventually by water to the land of Israel; and the so-called Phony War in the east of France. Not quite as good as the original series, but I’m invested in the characters.
Anyway, it primarily covers Elisa and her family back in England and Wales; the Lubetkin family in Warsaw; Captain Orde, Lucy, Jacob, Alfie and the others who escaped from Warsaw as they make their way east and eventually by water to the land of Israel; and the so-called Phony War in the east of France. Not quite as good as the original series, but I’m invested in the characters.
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October 20, 2008What can I say, I just like all Bodie Thoene's stuff. I can't call it great literature, but great stories for rest and relaxation, it helps to have read the first 6, which like I said I reread for fun like watching TV reruns. Of course only rare birds reread books like I do. Several times in my sordid past I had to place a complete moriatorium on reading a book that was new until I had completed my Continuing Education for Pediatrics. Those were the little baby years and I could not allow myself to get "stuck" in a good book and neglect responsibility at home or work. There are advantages to the almost empty nest
May 20, 2015
Amazing series. So well researched and well written. I'm convinced that Bodie and Brock are the perfect team for writing books. It has everything that I love (music and European history) all in one. This series also just gets better with every book! Highly recommended.
April 28, 2017
Sometimes when a series originally ends. you need to stop there. With book 6, I felt we were getting too many storylines and characters but I still enjoyed the book. This one was even worse. I found myself skimming through the characters who I didn't know. I've spent 6 books with these people, I want to finish their story! I started book 8 & 9 and the original characters (Murphy, Elisa, Lori, Rachel, Alfie, etc) were not there. I didn't even bother reading them.
June 4, 2018
I've read some reviews that said this was not one of the better in the series. And I agree--but it was still interesting. This one was definitely not as tense or overwhelming. (I don't know, sometimes, I need a break) It was sad, though, and I was disappointed that barely anything was resolved. Especially with Horst von Bockman. How can he not have any resolution at all??
The Americans always give me something to smile about, though. (The journalists--not the apathetic people in the U.S.) I still love Murphy, and I didn't know a photography journalist could be as endearing as Mac McGrath. Especially when his first description is 'not gentlemanly'.
Though the Zion Covenant books are usually filled with lots of history, this one was especially fact-based, and not so emotional. (I mean, there was that aspect, it just didn't overwhelm the whole book) I feel that if one were to really think about the heartless butchery of Jews, Christians, and anyone else caught in the middle, one would not be able to function right. It would be too sickening. All those people caught, who weren't able to leave ... and I think of the previous books, where if the Jews could just get to Warsaw, they'd be saved. Not anymore.
It did have a good balance between tragedy and hope, though. The tragedy, hopelessness, and suffering was in no way diminished. Yet even those in harm's way, those who were captured by the Nazis, had faith in God and looked to Him as the only way of escape.
I sure hope the conclusion of the Zion Covenant series has a happy ending. Then, I guess I'll read the Zion Chronicles, and whatever else additional series there are.
The Americans always give me something to smile about, though. (The journalists--not the apathetic people in the U.S.) I still love Murphy, and I didn't know a photography journalist could be as endearing as Mac McGrath. Especially when his first description is 'not gentlemanly'.
Though the Zion Covenant books are usually filled with lots of history, this one was especially fact-based, and not so emotional. (I mean, there was that aspect, it just didn't overwhelm the whole book) I feel that if one were to really think about the heartless butchery of Jews, Christians, and anyone else caught in the middle, one would not be able to function right. It would be too sickening. All those people caught, who weren't able to leave ... and I think of the previous books, where if the Jews could just get to Warsaw, they'd be saved. Not anymore.
It did have a good balance between tragedy and hope, though. The tragedy, hopelessness, and suffering was in no way diminished. Yet even those in harm's way, those who were captured by the Nazis, had faith in God and looked to Him as the only way of escape.
I sure hope the conclusion of the Zion Covenant series has a happy ending. Then, I guess I'll read the Zion Chronicles, and whatever else additional series there are.
February 17, 2010
not as good as the first 6...
May 31, 2024
4.25 stars.
May 4, 2014
Coming from book 6, the first thing that was written was "London Refrain is a "Director's Cut," including protions of the Thoene Classic "The Twilight of Courage" and thrilling, ever-before-published scenes with the characters you've come to know and love through The Zion Covenant series." I like this because it gives me a warning that if you have read the books before, it may be repetitive.
So, having read my "Warsaw Requium" review, my frustration that they seemed to end the series while leaving Lori in the tower should have come through. It was resolved in this book by saying "Discovered during the search for explosive charges set around the cathedral's dome, Lori was now safe ..." Lori and Jacob, neither knowing what is happening to the other, start writing letters to each other and by these letters, we the readers can at least know what is happening as well as the angst that comes through from newlyweds separated so violently.
In Warsaw Requium, Rachel gave her British passport to an unknown woman. London Refrain includes that woman's story here - how she is involved with the Murphy's after getting to England and what she does. The story also continues to follow Rachel Lubitkin and her family. I remember in another of the books that as the family were waiting for the train, a woman came up and "rescued" the baby Yacov - this book gives more details of how they were at the train and how the rescue happened.
The book includes von Horst. I believe von Horst is included in the Twilight of Courage, but I would have to re-read it to be certain. There are certain scenes with vonHorst, but it seems to be more of a character growth, wrangling with questions of morality serving under the Reich.
The book also touches on more couriers, who are getting passports to desperate people. One courier is caught, so the action follows those people back home who are dealing with the repercussions of knowing that she is either killed or tortured in Germany. The book also talks about how people are trying to break Hitler's Enigma code. Both are dealt with in the same person - an officer in the British army.
This is the characterization of the Third Reich, as seen by John Murphy: "Twenty thousand active and organized Nazis in England? He found himself evaluating every man and woman on the platform and wondering: Who among them favored a United States or Europe governed by the Third Reich? a world devoid of human beings with physical or mental disabilities? a society where there were no elderly? a culture where those of Jewish heritage were marked for genocide? a nation that separated children from parents, dictated schooling, rewarded betrayal of fathers and mothers by sons and daughters, condoned and practiced euthanasia and abortion? a government that arrested, imprisoned and executed those who spoke out against legalized murder?"
There is a cynical view which is expressed. These are the relevant parts of a conversation recorded: "They love the beast [Hitler] alright. He's built a bankrupt, starving, pitiful democracy into a thriving nationalistic dictatorship. The trains run on time. They've scraped the bums off the streets, wiped out the loonies, euthanized the sick, and turned the asylums into maternity wards for pregnant SS bimbos reproducing little master-race replicas. What are a few Jews compared to that? What is principle compared to that?" ...
Overall, the book advances the timeline a little bit, which goes from the time Germany invaded Poland to after Warsaw fell, but seems to repeat the same things expressed in the prior books. Rather to be expected from a refrain.
So, having read my "Warsaw Requium" review, my frustration that they seemed to end the series while leaving Lori in the tower should have come through. It was resolved in this book by saying "Discovered during the search for explosive charges set around the cathedral's dome, Lori was now safe ..." Lori and Jacob, neither knowing what is happening to the other, start writing letters to each other and by these letters, we the readers can at least know what is happening as well as the angst that comes through from newlyweds separated so violently.
In Warsaw Requium, Rachel gave her British passport to an unknown woman. London Refrain includes that woman's story here - how she is involved with the Murphy's after getting to England and what she does. The story also continues to follow Rachel Lubitkin and her family. I remember in another of the books that as the family were waiting for the train, a woman came up and "rescued" the baby Yacov - this book gives more details of how they were at the train and how the rescue happened.
The book includes von Horst. I believe von Horst is included in the Twilight of Courage, but I would have to re-read it to be certain. There are certain scenes with vonHorst, but it seems to be more of a character growth, wrangling with questions of morality serving under the Reich.
The book also touches on more couriers, who are getting passports to desperate people. One courier is caught, so the action follows those people back home who are dealing with the repercussions of knowing that she is either killed or tortured in Germany. The book also talks about how people are trying to break Hitler's Enigma code. Both are dealt with in the same person - an officer in the British army.
This is the characterization of the Third Reich, as seen by John Murphy: "Twenty thousand active and organized Nazis in England? He found himself evaluating every man and woman on the platform and wondering: Who among them favored a United States or Europe governed by the Third Reich? a world devoid of human beings with physical or mental disabilities? a society where there were no elderly? a culture where those of Jewish heritage were marked for genocide? a nation that separated children from parents, dictated schooling, rewarded betrayal of fathers and mothers by sons and daughters, condoned and practiced euthanasia and abortion? a government that arrested, imprisoned and executed those who spoke out against legalized murder?"
There is a cynical view which is expressed. These are the relevant parts of a conversation recorded: "They love the beast [Hitler] alright. He's built a bankrupt, starving, pitiful democracy into a thriving nationalistic dictatorship. The trains run on time. They've scraped the bums off the streets, wiped out the loonies, euthanized the sick, and turned the asylums into maternity wards for pregnant SS bimbos reproducing little master-race replicas. What are a few Jews compared to that? What is principle compared to that?" ...
"We fought the last war [WWI] for democracy, for freedom, for an ideal."
There were a number of looks exchanged around the table. The responses were polite chuckles and a few groans.
Konrad, who was clearly pope and chief apostle of the Doctrine of Cynicism, corrected her. "We fought the last war because the Germans sank our ships and because we insisted on freedom of the seas. We fought the last war to protect our investments. This gag about making the world safe for democracy is propaganda that American politicians use to draw in the hillbillies who could care less about freedom of the seas or investment. Like the Crusaders, those guys dying in the trenches needed some moral reason to leave home and die. And their mothers needed some noble cause to help ease the pain when the telegram came from the War Department."
"That is the ugliest thing I have ever heard," Josie proclaimed rather self-righteously. "Young men are not sent to die for other people's money! Everything we believe in, everything that is true and decent and honorable -- that's why we were in the last war and why we must come into this one as well!"
But Konrad was sure of himself. He continued as if she had not uttered a word. "The democracy thing is a terrible ruse, full of holes. You really think America can deliver God and democracy to the rest of the world? The rest of the world doesn't really want either unless there is some economic benefit. They want their Hitler and their Mussolini and their Stalin and their Franco. As long as the trains run on time and there's a chicken in every pot, then people can take ideals, moral righteousness, and God -- or leave them."
This had clearly disintegrated from friendly discussion to outrage for Josie Marlow. She glared back at Konrad. "You're dead wrong. I was there, you know. I saw the faces of the Polish people. Watched them at the barricades. Heard their prayers. Prayed with them for deliverance."
"And were their prayers answered?" Konrad smiled smugly.
"Not yet. But it isn't over, is it? God will answer for the right. The Allies have gone to war over Poland."
"Leave God out of this for a minute. Poor God gets tangled up in the middle of all sorts of quarrels, blamed for everything. Now ask yourself. Do you think anyone cares about Poland, Josephine? This is not about Poland. It's about those idiots, Chamberlain and Daladier, finally drawing a line in the sand so that the entire economic wealth of Europe does not end up in the hands of Hitler."
"And the people? What about them?"
"The Jews, you mean." Konrad laughed. "As if anybody cared about the Jews of Europe. I mean cared enough to do more than just talk, talk, talk about them. Poor Jews. Not even the Poles like their Jews. England shut down immigration into Palestine. The Brits are still tossing illegal Jewish immigrants into concentration camps, both in the Middle East and here in England. Go down to Kent and have a look for your self, if you don't believe me. They're behind wire down there -- refugees from Nazi Europe. And good old America has closed the floodgates, slam-bang! All Roosevelt cares about is getting elected to a third term. America will get into this thing as soon as our economic interest is seriously threatened, not until. And certainly not for the sake of the downtrodden. There is no God but Mammon in America. That is wheat the slogan means on our bills: In Money We Trust; For Money We Fight; For Money We Bury Our Sons. If God is interested at all, I don't believe human motives fit anywhere into His agenda."
So there it was. Konrad won the bout with a knockout. Josephine, who thought she had all the answers, backed into her corner. She listened politely to the rest of the conversation, which covered everything from the rifling of American mail by the British authorities to the lousy media censors.
Was Konrad right?
She was shaken by the logic of his arguments. She felt the whispers at her back as she left the Savoy. She saw the nudges and the winks and was embarrassed by her idealism. Was she foolish to hope that somewhere in the horror of war God still existed, still reached out, still changed the course of human events for the sake of righteousness and the value of human life?
Overall, the book advances the timeline a little bit, which goes from the time Germany invaded Poland to after Warsaw fell, but seems to repeat the same things expressed in the prior books. Rather to be expected from a refrain.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2024
London Refrain
Read: Jun 20-24, 2022
“IN THE DARK FALL OF 1939, the hopes of the Polish people fade as Nazi bombers strafe the beloved city of Warsaw. Politicians debate while hundreds stand in lines at the British Embassy, desperate to flee the country before Hitler's ground forces arrive.
Mac McGrath, a veteran American photographer, recorded the landslide toward war with dedication, believing that if he told the truth, the world would rise up and put a stop to Hitler's evil plans. Now his foolish idealism embarrasses him.
Outside the embassy gates, Jewish school teacher Eva Weitzman prays for a miracle. Without a British passport, she will fall into the Nazis' clutches.
Who will live and who will die? Will anyone dare to stand against the apathy of nations?”
While I have a deep admiration for this series, this book left me somewhat disappointed due to its more tell than show narrative style. It stands out noticeably from the other books in the series, presenting a different approach that, while not bad, felt somewhat unexpected. The change in style can be attributed to the fact that this installment was written several years later, resulting in a less consistent tone with the rest of the series. Despite this, I appreciated the introduction of new characters and the references to past characters. The book effectively continues to depict the tumultuous events of World War II in Europe with a realistic and deeply convicting portrayal.
Rated: 3.5/5.0
Read: Jun 20-24, 2022
“IN THE DARK FALL OF 1939, the hopes of the Polish people fade as Nazi bombers strafe the beloved city of Warsaw. Politicians debate while hundreds stand in lines at the British Embassy, desperate to flee the country before Hitler's ground forces arrive.
Mac McGrath, a veteran American photographer, recorded the landslide toward war with dedication, believing that if he told the truth, the world would rise up and put a stop to Hitler's evil plans. Now his foolish idealism embarrasses him.
Outside the embassy gates, Jewish school teacher Eva Weitzman prays for a miracle. Without a British passport, she will fall into the Nazis' clutches.
Who will live and who will die? Will anyone dare to stand against the apathy of nations?”
While I have a deep admiration for this series, this book left me somewhat disappointed due to its more tell than show narrative style. It stands out noticeably from the other books in the series, presenting a different approach that, while not bad, felt somewhat unexpected. The change in style can be attributed to the fact that this installment was written several years later, resulting in a less consistent tone with the rest of the series. Despite this, I appreciated the introduction of new characters and the references to past characters. The book effectively continues to depict the tumultuous events of World War II in Europe with a realistic and deeply convicting portrayal.
Rated: 3.5/5.0
April 25, 2025
So wonderfully researched with characters who seem so real! As always, this Zion Covenant did not disappoint. I had a little trouble with the number of different characters, many of whom I recognized from earlier volumes in the series, but others gave me a little more difficulty. It is a complex series and covers a lot of the intricate details of World War II and how it affected the Jews and others. I think I may have accidently skipped #6 and that's probably why I was in a little bit of a fog. Otherwise, an excellent book following Murphy, Mac McGrath, Elise, Josie and others as many try to escape Poland, and the reporters attempt coverage in the media. Eva is a new character, given an English passport by a young Jewish girl who does not want to leave her family behind. Her sacrifice is enormous. Others pray for their loved ones during this horrific time in history. Excellent series! Enjoyed the book greatly.
August 30, 2025
This series has taught me a great deal about World War 2. London Refrain did as well. This time, as the Germans are invading Poland, England and France are determining whether they will follow through with their promise of declaring war on Germany if they invade Poland. As Warsaw falls and no help is in sight, the continent is beside itself as to what will stop the Nazis. Is France next? With this back drop, we see American, French, English, German and Russian encounters by the characters in all different walks of life trying to understand what this war will now mean for them. The loss, the love and the betrayal keeps the reader wanting to know how people justify their actions and their futures.
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February 21, 2018Although not as exciting as the previous books, I am pleased to have been able to read the 7th book in the Zion Covenant. London Refrain isn't as long as the previous books so I am hoping that the last three, which add up to about the same length as the other books will become as exciting.
Because I read the first six books in an earlier edition, I found that the print of this edition much harder to read. The letters written by some of the characters were written using a cursive font. I know why the editors decided to use such font. It is supposed to look like a real letter, but it made the reading much more difficult.
Because I read the first six books in an earlier edition, I found that the print of this edition much harder to read. The letters written by some of the characters were written using a cursive font. I know why the editors decided to use such font. It is supposed to look like a real letter, but it made the reading much more difficult.
August 31, 2017
Excellent historical drama. Have found in the past that the authors have been very true to events that happened in this horrific episode of history and hope everyone will recognize and try to understand the insight they have presented. This is so important to events that are currently happening in the middle east and around the world!! This struggle has not been resolved but is ongoing and unfortunately shows how evil can take control and continue even when the original perpetrators have been removed. The fight goes on.
June 18, 2021
3.5 stars
This one is so different from the rest of the series in a bad way...a bit disappointing. It's sooo slow and barely any action. The letters between Lori and Jacob were distracting and didn't add anything to the plot in my opinion. The ending is the exact same as Warsaw Requiem. And Lori is Elisa's cousin, not her niece yet she is referred to as her niece several times which is very confusing.
Will still read the remaining 2 books in the series because I need to find out how it all ends.
This one is so different from the rest of the series in a bad way...a bit disappointing. It's sooo slow and barely any action. The letters between Lori and Jacob were distracting and didn't add anything to the plot in my opinion. The ending is the exact same as Warsaw Requiem. And Lori is Elisa's cousin, not her niece yet she is referred to as her niece several times which is very confusing.
Will still read the remaining 2 books in the series because I need to find out how it all ends.
September 14, 2021
Well, I found three additional books in the Zion Covenant series. This is Book 7. Book 8 is “Paris Encore” and Book #9 is Dunkirk Crescendo”. I enjoyed this continuation of the series and was glad to find out what happened to my favorite characters. I look forward to books 8 and 9. This is excellent writing, superb character development and very accurate historical fiction. My thanks to the authors for many hours of thoughtful reading and a high regard for the importance of having God as central in our lives.
May 31, 2019
I agree with other reviewers that the writing style in this book is different from the first six books in the series. It took some adjustment but I got used to it. There are new characters and several prominent characters from the previous books are not mentioned at all. The story is still interesting but it makes me wonder what has happened to them. Still, it’s informative and I liked it. On to the next book.
December 31, 2025
This of all the books in the series is the most detailed with heartache and gruesomeness. The setting takes place mostly in Poland when the Germans took over in 1939. Some of the Jewish characters will survive and make it to the “Promised Land” (as Alfie would sense). Yet the Rabbi Lebowitz whole family is taken by the Nazis. We hope that in the next and last book in the series more of the beloved characters escape from this evil. The authors Bodie and Brock Thoene do not disappoint.
January 31, 2019
I’m surprised that this book was so well-written. This is by far the best book in the series, in my opinion. There’s less political writing and more action and drama. The way Bodie Thoene has characters interact with one another is beautiful. I don’t want to give away spoilers, but there is a different format that some characters communicate compared to the previous books.
June 19, 2019
I was disappointed in this book. It felt so different from the others. There was too much packed into it and there wasn't the same care with all the detail and story of the first books. I think I'm done with the series after reading other reviews about these Director's Cuts. The first 6 books were amazing though!
June 23, 2023
I’m a big fan of this series and have read it many times. This time I think is the first I noticed how much too fast paced London Refrain is. I think I understand why, the Thoenes weave many different characters into their stories, but this one is just page after page of new characters and not enough time is spent with them. The story is still well done, just much too quick for my liking.
September 8, 2023
This is an extended version of “Twilight of Courage”. ToC is one of my favorite books, but London Refrain: not so much. I did enjoy it, but I found myself annoyed with the inconsistencies (Mac, Eva, and Josie) from the original. Maybe I need to set ToC aside and just appreciate this book as a totally new book. Or maybe the next book will make it all make sense. Eager to see…
November 16, 2017
Read the first six again and Loved them as much as when I first read them!!!! I really wanted to like this (read half) but found it was more war oriented rather than about the characters which I prefer. Disappointed 😥
January 1, 2019
This book was slower than the others, for me, and a bit more disjointed. It didn’t read as smoothly, but each family’s story was still written beautifully. I didn’t really enjoy how Jacob’s story was only told through letters to Lori. I would have liked to know more about that journey.
October 27, 2019
Lots of new characters to keep track of and more scattered locations, but war does have multiple theaters. Appreciate the historical accuracy and sense of learning about history while following plot lines of favorite characters.
May 31, 2020
Another richly-drawn tapestry, shifting in location and perspective. Though the focus now is on new characters, with only occasional appearances of those from past books, the story was as pleasurable as past entries in the series, and I have already started the sequel.
August 20, 2020
The Lubetkins were the family I was most interested to follow. Rachel’s self-sacrifice was empowering. I feel sad for Poland, they were a valiant people and none of their allies came to help in he end. That bothers me, why was everyone so slow to act back then?
January 10, 2021
I will continue reading to finish the series, but it certainly feels like it’s beginning to jump the shark. The style has definitely changed from the first six books, having lost its meatiness and depth of plot.
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