Children of the Siege

by Diney Costeloe

Heart-stopping and gripping, this classic Diney Costeloe story shows the courage of one family in the face of great danger. Nineteenth-century Paris is in flames, houses ransacked, streets barricaded. Most people are fleeing the ravaged city, but the St Clair family have made a fateful decision – to return to Paris from their house in the country. As the horrors of the Commune and the ensuring siege engulf the St Clairs, little Helene falls ill and becomes separated from the family. Lost and alone, she must fend for herself on the war-torn streets.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Audiobook, War, Novels, Adult Fiction

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 8, 2019

About the author

Encouraged by my publisher father, I have been writing all my life. When I was five, he took my first effort to his office and brought it back in a cardboard cover with the label, 'Tom's Party'written by Diney, published by Daddy.
I've never looked back and always have some writing on the go.
To date I have written 10 romantic novels under the name of Diney Delancey (I liked the shape of the name and it sounded like a romantic novelist) and four novels as Diney Costeloe.
All are also in large print and several recently published as e-books.
See my reviews on Amazon and on my website, http://www.dineycosteloe.co.uk or http://castlehavenbooks.co.uk

Reviews

[Stephanie Ng · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favourite book by Diney Costeloe as it started off quite slow. From half way onwards, it really took off and became "un-put-downable" and in the end I really enjoyed it.

[Bev Totten · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books build on one another with the same characters. I really have enjoyed this series!

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having seen Les Miserables several times helped with the background on this story, as it takes place in 1871 during the Paris Siege. The National Guard, the barricades, the looting of dead National Guardsman lying in the street - all familiar. Now add the character, Helene, an 11 year-old girl who gets tossed and turned due to unfortunate events. A very good story at the heart -- 6 out of 10.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read! A lot of action, very entertaining and informative about the civil war in Paris. Well researched historical background, a plot that kept me holding my breath until the conclusion. This is my first novel by the author, and I will definitely read more of her books!

[Carolyn Leshyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The French Revolution, indeed, was a time of war, family upheaval and separation, suffering, and indicated a wide degree of emotions. The book is well written and is an easy read.

[LWF · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set after the Franco-Prussian War, the St. Claire family returns to Paris as the father feels they need to stick together and he needs to be there in order to do some of his business. The mother did not want to return to Paris with the husband nor take any of the children as she felt it was too dangerous. Their dangerous journey and terrifying ordeal begins before the ever even make it to their home within the city.

By the time the father finally agrees mother was right and should indeed return home to the country with the children, one of their daughters, Helene becomes I'll and must remain behind with the father and housekeeper and nursemaid. Meanwhile, the two oldest brothers are off fighting as enemies across the barricades in the war . After Helen becomes well enough to travel, father leaves to find provisions for the trip and a bunch of soldiers break into the home where Helen, the nursemaid and housekeeper are and all of them are terrified!

What will happen when Helen disappears? What happens to the two brothers fighting on opposing sides? Heartbreaking, courageous, historical fiction. Well written and well read in an Audible book.

[Sarah Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

The St Clair's are going back to Paris because their father is worried about their house and business, Paris is still in civil unrest and the family would be far safer if they stay in the country but Emile St Clair thinks he know better. If only he had listened to other people.

Helene is interested in seeing Paris and knowing what's going on so she goes with Jeannot the street urchin to see what is going on the street. Helene end up throwing rotten veg at the guards as they march by.

The civil unrest grows so Emile decides to send his family back to the country so they will be safe, but before they go Helene falls ill and has to stay with her father and the plan is for Helene to meet back up with her mother and sister in the future when she is better.

But when they are preparing to go to the country the house is broken into and the nursemaid is killed and Helene nightmare begins.

This is a great story with lots of twists and turns and well worth a read.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the Germans (Prussians) lay siege to Paris in 1870-1871, Helene St. Claire and her family return to their family home. But disaffected army soldiers have left Bonaparte's army and formed the National Guard, the Commune, and are in rebellion. Paris is dangerous, and the St. Claire's decide to return to Etienne...but 11-year-old Helene falls ill and left in Paris with her father while her mother and sisters retreat to their country home. A series of dramas unfold, and the plucky Helene and her street-urchin friend Jeannot, struggle to survive. Fast read, and good historical fiction.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

1871, the Paris Siege - will a little girl from a wealthy family survive being taken from her family? A page turning read as Helen struggles to survive, flee from captors, the orphanage and return home. Reunited with her brothers, who are fighting on opposite sides, she must stay strong until they can get her back with the family who has fled the city. Will her brothers survive this civil war and get her to safety?

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good story. It's the first Diney Costeloe book I've read and I will surely read more!! I didn't know much about French history so this story taught me a lot. The author did a good job of describing men of his "generation". I didn't much care for his attitude but loved his strong wife and Helene.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting story of a family's experience in Paris during the 19th century. Helen becomes ill and is separated from her family. She finds a friend and a new family to get her through the difficult times, until she can be reunited with her family. Great read!

[Lucy Martinez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written

I have read several of Diney Costeloe’s novels, and my favorite, by far, was The Girl With No Name! This book doesn’t compare! For some reason I couldn’t really get interested in the story.

[Ted Duke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story. I don't know much about that period in Paris, but I suspect it is historically correct. Good characterization of all who loved or came in contact with Helene.

Only negative comment is that there were too many coincidences used to move the story along.

Worth the read!

[Joann 'bartunek' prashek · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 4th audiobook I've listened to by the author and "Children of the Siege" has been my least favorite. For me the characters did not have any depth. I guess my review clashes with the high praise given by other reviews, but I'm just being honest.

[Emily Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I accidentally listened to the audiobook of the 2nd part first, so it was a little backwards for me, but still a great read! It made me want to go back and re-read the 2nd one now that I know the first part of the story!

[Elizabeth Findlay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light read about civil war in Paris Reasonable but predictable

[Bonni Schumann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

I enjoyed her characters and many plot lines running simultaneously. Her historical accuracy is always on point. I am a fan.

[LINDA POISSON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

Great book I did not want to put down wanted more. Liked to know how their life turns out. Always will love this writter

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good Diney book!

[Edith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice eventful Novel of frances history told from the insight of the children left on the street because of war

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easily predicted tale of a well to do family and how life treats them in the siege if Paris in 1871.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a awesome book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the characters and the way the story went. It was definitely a page turner. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

[GREEAR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really exciting, Sad in mAny areas but so good !

[Zona Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

Great story I had to read it in small doses because it made me so sad. But I couldn't stop reading it.

[Fi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diney Costeloe is fast becoming one of my new favourite authors!

[KAREN RUTH ULLOM · Rating 5 out of 5]

A TOUCHING STORY THAT DESCRIBES HOW PEOPLE REACT IN TIMES OF SEVERE DISTRESS

People react to times of severe distress in various ways; anger, ignoring the problem altogether, while others jump right in to determine the cause of the crisis and mover right in to fix the problem by leaving their personal problems at the door and fix the cause. The people with the most problems are the ones who ignored the cause in the first place. The author did has a great ability portraying the varied types of personalities in this well-written book.

[Gwenyth Doggett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author. Have read many of her books.

[janet cartwright · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story

[Jenny Machak · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good story set in Paris during 1871 Siege. The main characters are engaging. This is the second book I have read by this author, I will look for more.

[Dorothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars