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Berlin Butterfly #1
Ensnare
An overnight prison. One chance to escape. Who will pay the price?
13 August 1961.
Nationale Volksarmee soldiers roll barbed wire across a war-torn city—families are separated, livelihoods destroyed, and death comes easily as crippling fear paralyzes the occupants of both sides of the Berlin Wall. In one fate driven moment, Fifteen-year-old Ella Kühn must make the agonizing decision to remain with her dying father or flee with her brother and best friend to the West.
Caught in the crossfire of duty and survival, Ella’s enforced occupation exposes her to the evil workings of the secret police and the deadly plans of a destructive regime. Torn between loyalty and temptation, she seeks comfort in the belief she will be reunited with one man, while another challenges her heart.
Will Ella risk her life for freedom? Or will her restless soul find comfort in the shadows of East Berlin?
Ensnare, the first book in the "Berlin Butterfly" series, is a story of life, love, survival, and the struggle of living through the early years of the Berlin Wall. Readers will be captivated with Ella's strength, determination, and vulnerability as she opens her heart amidst a dangerous and terrifying journey.
Fans of Historical and German war fiction will love this extraordinary twentieth-century political drama.
293 pages, ebook
Published October 21, 2018
671 people are currently reading
1851 people want to read
About the author
Leah Moyes
31 books185 followersLeah Moyes is a wife and a mother, a former teacher and coach with a background in Anthropology and History. Between writing and archaeological digs, the world is her playground.
She loves popcorn and seafood (though not together) and is slowly checking off her very long bucket list.
She loves popcorn and seafood (though not together) and is slowly checking off her very long bucket list.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
September 8, 2018
Fantastic book! Cannot wait for the second and third books to come out in this series.
Want to read
March 12, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/12/2020)! 🎁
February 9, 2019
Ensnare, book one of the Berlin Butterfly series by Leah Moyes, tells the heart wrenching story of a young, former orphan girl, Ella, trapped on the wrong side of Berlin when the wall is erected in August of 1961.
Ella’s father is gravely ill as soldiers start unrolling spools of barbed wire, which will form the first Berlin Wall, to keep the citizens of East Berlin from fleeing to the west. She is torn between escaping while she still can, with her young brother and best friend Anton, and staying behind to care for her sick father. Ella makes the only decision she feels she can and stays behind while entrusting her brother to Anton’s care.
In a very short time, Ella’s father passes away and she is stuck alone in East Berlin. She has no money for food or to bury her father. Therefore, she strikes a deal with the Frankes, a wealthy and influential family in East Berlin, whom runs a mortuary. She will work as domestic help for 2 years to pay off the debt she owes them for the casket and burial. Once Ella begins working for the Frankes she makes friends and seeks ways to escape East Berlin. Yet what awaits Ella in the next two years will be much more than she expected and will put her life in danger and the lives of those she comes to trust and even love.
I was captivated with the character of Ella from the first. Her story has a realness to it and kept me engaged throughout. Just thinking about a 15 year old girl having to make such a life changing decision gives me goose bumps. Yet, she is strong and resilient. I felt the author did justice to the character by making her that way. Times were different then and hard ship was common; therefore, children had to grow up much faster.
I also loved the historical aspect of the book and felt the setting was the perfect backdrop for Ella’s story. The descriptions of the East versus West side of Berlin rang true to the times. It is obvious that the author did her research.
In addition, the plot moves smoothly along and at a nice pace. I was never bored and never felt the story was rushed. The story just seemed to unfolding effortlessly with just enough twists to keep your attention but not so much that it felt over worked. Really well done!
Ensnare is one of those books that has a lot going for it and should appeal to a broad audience. I highly recommend this book to lovers of Historical Fiction, Romance and Women’s Fiction.
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for my honest review. You can see more of my reviews, and author interviews, at www.thespineview.com.
Ella’s father is gravely ill as soldiers start unrolling spools of barbed wire, which will form the first Berlin Wall, to keep the citizens of East Berlin from fleeing to the west. She is torn between escaping while she still can, with her young brother and best friend Anton, and staying behind to care for her sick father. Ella makes the only decision she feels she can and stays behind while entrusting her brother to Anton’s care.
In a very short time, Ella’s father passes away and she is stuck alone in East Berlin. She has no money for food or to bury her father. Therefore, she strikes a deal with the Frankes, a wealthy and influential family in East Berlin, whom runs a mortuary. She will work as domestic help for 2 years to pay off the debt she owes them for the casket and burial. Once Ella begins working for the Frankes she makes friends and seeks ways to escape East Berlin. Yet what awaits Ella in the next two years will be much more than she expected and will put her life in danger and the lives of those she comes to trust and even love.
I was captivated with the character of Ella from the first. Her story has a realness to it and kept me engaged throughout. Just thinking about a 15 year old girl having to make such a life changing decision gives me goose bumps. Yet, she is strong and resilient. I felt the author did justice to the character by making her that way. Times were different then and hard ship was common; therefore, children had to grow up much faster.
I also loved the historical aspect of the book and felt the setting was the perfect backdrop for Ella’s story. The descriptions of the East versus West side of Berlin rang true to the times. It is obvious that the author did her research.
In addition, the plot moves smoothly along and at a nice pace. I was never bored and never felt the story was rushed. The story just seemed to unfolding effortlessly with just enough twists to keep your attention but not so much that it felt over worked. Really well done!
Ensnare is one of those books that has a lot going for it and should appeal to a broad audience. I highly recommend this book to lovers of Historical Fiction, Romance and Women’s Fiction.
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for my honest review. You can see more of my reviews, and author interviews, at www.thespineview.com.
October 24, 2018
Great story! History and romance...a good mix! Loved her main character, Ella. Can't wait for the second book!
July 14, 2018
This novel tells the story of the horrific tale of the people who had to endure life after the Berlin Wall was installed.
In August 1961, German soldiers rolled barbed wire across this war torn city. Some escaped leaving family members and friends behind.
Fifteen year old Ella is torn between leaving with her childhood friend, Anton and brother or staying to care for her dying father. Ella is not sure of her feelings for Anton should she stay or should she go. Anton has always been there for her every step of the way. Can she live life without him?
This is Ella’s story and how her life changed by making the decision that she makes. It is heart wrenching. This book is very well written and the story is captivating. I couldn’t put this book down. After reading this book, I cannot wait for the sequel
In August 1961, German soldiers rolled barbed wire across this war torn city. Some escaped leaving family members and friends behind.
Fifteen year old Ella is torn between leaving with her childhood friend, Anton and brother or staying to care for her dying father. Ella is not sure of her feelings for Anton should she stay or should she go. Anton has always been there for her every step of the way. Can she live life without him?
This is Ella’s story and how her life changed by making the decision that she makes. It is heart wrenching. This book is very well written and the story is captivating. I couldn’t put this book down. After reading this book, I cannot wait for the sequel
May 10, 2020
This is my first time reading anything by this author and what a delightful book to be introduced to her with. It’s book 1 in a trilogy so 2 more books to go in this series. I loved everything about this book. The author told her story at a nice steady easy to read pace. There’s a lot of emotion in this book and the characters have a lot of depth to them.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 21, 2019
This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"National and world events are shown through Ella’s eyes and like most ordinary people at that time, they hardly touch her except for the tension expressed by her employers and colleagues. The atmosphere is realistically and very deftly evoked. "
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"National and world events are shown through Ella’s eyes and like most ordinary people at that time, they hardly touch her except for the tension expressed by her employers and colleagues. The atmosphere is realistically and very deftly evoked. "
January 30, 2019
*I received a free copy of this book, with thanks to the author. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
RECIPIENT OF THE B.R.A.G. MEDALLION
Ensnare is the first in a series of Berlin Butterfly books and tells the story of Ella’s struggle to survive alone and on the ‘wrong’ side of the Berlin Wall.
I am quite familiar with the history of the World Wars – before and during – but my education is sadly lacking when it comes to the aftermath. My knowledge of the Wall prior to reading this book was limited to its existence, and the fact that people celebrated when it came down in my childhood.
Leah Moyes brings to life the heartbreak and devastation of these events, educating the reader on the reasons and causes as well as the effects of such a division, whilst never losing sight of the human aspect of her story. Ella is a strong and resilient main character. At times you wonder how she can survive the hardships she faces and yet the author clearly indicates that Ella is in fact one of the ‘lucky ones’ in her situation, and Ella herself often recognises this.
This is a war romance story, but more than that, it is a glimpse into part of history that seems almost incomprehensible to us now… even as the modern parallels are stacking up around us. Leah Moyes tells an entertaining story, with some important messages about division and hatred, inclusion and kindness, which will sadly resonate with many readers today.
I deliberately walked towards the Brandenburg Tor. It was not a common path, though one developed as of late. I watched angrily as soldiers worked diligently to reinforce the segregated cage that now cut Berlin in half. The barbed wire that had originally been rolled out the night the boys left proved to not be strong enough to keep people in. Efforts for a crueler bind were being developed, but nothing – not even concrete blocks or wire – could stop some people from trying… this the steady sound of gunshots from day one and nearly every day since.
– Leah Moyes, Berlin Butterfly: Ensnare
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
RECIPIENT OF THE B.R.A.G. MEDALLION
Ensnare is the first in a series of Berlin Butterfly books and tells the story of Ella’s struggle to survive alone and on the ‘wrong’ side of the Berlin Wall.
I am quite familiar with the history of the World Wars – before and during – but my education is sadly lacking when it comes to the aftermath. My knowledge of the Wall prior to reading this book was limited to its existence, and the fact that people celebrated when it came down in my childhood.
Leah Moyes brings to life the heartbreak and devastation of these events, educating the reader on the reasons and causes as well as the effects of such a division, whilst never losing sight of the human aspect of her story. Ella is a strong and resilient main character. At times you wonder how she can survive the hardships she faces and yet the author clearly indicates that Ella is in fact one of the ‘lucky ones’ in her situation, and Ella herself often recognises this.
This is a war romance story, but more than that, it is a glimpse into part of history that seems almost incomprehensible to us now… even as the modern parallels are stacking up around us. Leah Moyes tells an entertaining story, with some important messages about division and hatred, inclusion and kindness, which will sadly resonate with many readers today.
I deliberately walked towards the Brandenburg Tor. It was not a common path, though one developed as of late. I watched angrily as soldiers worked diligently to reinforce the segregated cage that now cut Berlin in half. The barbed wire that had originally been rolled out the night the boys left proved to not be strong enough to keep people in. Efforts for a crueler bind were being developed, but nothing – not even concrete blocks or wire – could stop some people from trying… this the steady sound of gunshots from day one and nearly every day since.
– Leah Moyes, Berlin Butterfly: Ensnare
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
March 18, 2019
I have really been into historical fiction lately and then one totally swept me away! Although, some historical fictions fell a bit like you're reading a history book but, thankfully this one does not. It is a beautifully well-written book that makes you feel all of the emotions that you'd expect from this era. I can't sing its praises enough!
This isn't actually your typical historical fiction either. I read where someone else posted that instead of how this type of book usually tells the story about a person who is trying to survive on the wrong side of the government, yet this one is about Berlin's people surviving a life in Germany during 1961 and they were definitely right. I appreciate the different perspective.
Well done, Leah Moyes, well done!
*Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This isn't actually your typical historical fiction either. I read where someone else posted that instead of how this type of book usually tells the story about a person who is trying to survive on the wrong side of the government, yet this one is about Berlin's people surviving a life in Germany during 1961 and they were definitely right. I appreciate the different perspective.
Well done, Leah Moyes, well done!
*Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 23, 2024
Captivating
Very tense and captivating !
A must read as it captures true life and historical facts presented in a new light! Some can be upset but this is how it was and what life was like!
Very tense and captivating !
A must read as it captures true life and historical facts presented in a new light! Some can be upset but this is how it was and what life was like!
July 25, 2020
Great characters, based on true events!
Wow! Such an amazing book, I can’t wait to read the other 2. I was lucky enough to find this right when the last book came out now I don’t have to wait! :)
Wow! Such an amazing book, I can’t wait to read the other 2. I was lucky enough to find this right when the last book came out now I don’t have to wait! :)
March 28, 2018
I love the suspense maintained throughout the story. The characters are complex and believable. #hungryforthenextbook
January 10, 2018
Really liked it. Plan to read sequels.
January 30, 2019
I love historical fiction, so I was eager to grab Berlin Butterfly to read, and I'm glad I did. Moyes did an excellent job blending fact in fiction in this account of the awful time when the Berlin wall was put into place.
We meet Ella, who is living in East Berlin, and when rumor turns fact, and the wall is imminent, she chooses to stay behind with her ailing father, rather than travel West with her brother Josef, and her best friend, Anton.
Growing up an orphan, she had only Anton as her close friend and companion. He helped her during the dark times at the orphanage, he was her first kiss, and their bond is close. After being adopted, she finally found family only to lose her mother and then shortly after the wall is in progress, her father. She's now trapped in the flailing and dangerous East Berlin, away from the ones she loves and forced to work off the funeral debt of her father by working for a wealthy family.
This is where the story incorporates romance as she meets Stefan, the son of the family she is working for, who was awful to her during their first encounter. But as time is known to do, her hatred for Stefan starts to turn into something more. Life isn't easy in the East, especially when you aren't born into a wealthy and influential family, one who wouldn't want their son dating someone like Ella. So we read and watch as they traverse their relationship and life in East Berlin.
This was a really good story. I enjoyed the portrayal of what life was like for Ella, her constant need to be alert and cautious with whom she speaks with. She also went through a lot of personal growth learning how to navigate her new world while trying to keep ties with her past. I was a bit disappointed in how the book ended, but I know that the next book will pick up right where this one left off. I am anxious to see what is to become of both Ella, Stefan, her family, and how Moyes continues to tell the history of the future of West and East Berlin. Nicely done.
We meet Ella, who is living in East Berlin, and when rumor turns fact, and the wall is imminent, she chooses to stay behind with her ailing father, rather than travel West with her brother Josef, and her best friend, Anton.
Growing up an orphan, she had only Anton as her close friend and companion. He helped her during the dark times at the orphanage, he was her first kiss, and their bond is close. After being adopted, she finally found family only to lose her mother and then shortly after the wall is in progress, her father. She's now trapped in the flailing and dangerous East Berlin, away from the ones she loves and forced to work off the funeral debt of her father by working for a wealthy family.
This is where the story incorporates romance as she meets Stefan, the son of the family she is working for, who was awful to her during their first encounter. But as time is known to do, her hatred for Stefan starts to turn into something more. Life isn't easy in the East, especially when you aren't born into a wealthy and influential family, one who wouldn't want their son dating someone like Ella. So we read and watch as they traverse their relationship and life in East Berlin.
This was a really good story. I enjoyed the portrayal of what life was like for Ella, her constant need to be alert and cautious with whom she speaks with. She also went through a lot of personal growth learning how to navigate her new world while trying to keep ties with her past. I was a bit disappointed in how the book ended, but I know that the next book will pick up right where this one left off. I am anxious to see what is to become of both Ella, Stefan, her family, and how Moyes continues to tell the history of the future of West and East Berlin. Nicely done.
August 18, 2018
I really loved this story! (I thought I read somewhere it's to be a trilogy and I hope so.... There has to be more)
Ella is living on the East side of Germany as the Berlin Wall goes up. Her adopted brother and best friend make it over the wall before it's completed but Ella stays behind to care for her dying, adoptive father. After his death, she goes to work for a rich man who has involvement with bad men. She eventually (although one time, he's quite rude to her in front of his friends) falls in love with the son, Stefan, even though they would never be allowed together. Not only because of their status, but because of their different skin color.... Stefan is white and Ella is black. A lot happens in their secret relationship until Stefan is forced to join the army for 10 years.
It's a beautiful love story in a very hard time in history!
Ella is living on the East side of Germany as the Berlin Wall goes up. Her adopted brother and best friend make it over the wall before it's completed but Ella stays behind to care for her dying, adoptive father. After his death, she goes to work for a rich man who has involvement with bad men. She eventually (although one time, he's quite rude to her in front of his friends) falls in love with the son, Stefan, even though they would never be allowed together. Not only because of their status, but because of their different skin color.... Stefan is white and Ella is black. A lot happens in their secret relationship until Stefan is forced to join the army for 10 years.
It's a beautiful love story in a very hard time in history!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2017
Wow. This book is incredible! I seriously could not put it down. It's so captivating and detailed. She keeps the reader engaged throughout the entire story. I am obsessed with the characters. The author does a great job of shedding light on a dark part of history that has not been "over told". I would recommend this to everyone. It is not a difficult read and you do not feel you are reading a history book. I cannot say enough about this book. Well done!
October 31, 2017
Keeper. Going in my re-read collection.
Very well written and engaging story. The characters are in depth and relatable. The strength and resilience of characters brought me directly into the story. I was swept along from the first chapter. Hoping for a follow up novel to continue the story.
Very well written and engaging story. The characters are in depth and relatable. The strength and resilience of characters brought me directly into the story. I was swept along from the first chapter. Hoping for a follow up novel to continue the story.
January 1, 2022
This book is based in Berlin, Germany 1961 when the first Berlin wall went up. It is romantic and the setting is post war germany. Ella is the main character and the author writes a wonderful character of her and you fall in love with her,her lost family,her best friends, and her mentors. Thank you for such a wonderful book.
May 22, 2018
One word to describe this book: awesome. Strongly recommend this engaging, well-written text to all who value a memorable reading experience.
January 31, 2022
Like some people used to say they read Playboy for the articles, I read historical fiction romance stories for the historical fiction. I'm just not a romance novel person. That said, Ensnare definitely trapped me with its incredible back story of family separation that was immediate, devastating and marked East Berlin as a third world country kind of city while those who made it to West Berlin prospered. A wall went up. I was born seven years before the wall was erected between East and West Berlin and so my memory was that it was always there. It was talked about a lot during the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union, so we heard about it in school, on the news, at the dinner table. Moyes is no slouch in her research and detail, bringing alive 15 year old Ella Kuhn's experience when the only family she has, her adopted brother Joseph, age 11 and her best friend from the orphanage, Anton quickly leave East Berlin as the well is being put up. She stays behind to care for her adopted father, who is terminally ill. She ends up working as a maid for the mortuary owner who buried her father, to discharge her debt for his burial. Mr. and Mrs. Franke are not nice and many people he cremates were killed at the wall as they tried to escape. Food and employment are impossible to get. Ella has no one at all. The Frankes entertain and are politically connected to the corrupt German government and the highest level law enforcement officers. Through this time, she finds friendship and burgeoning love. It is an interesting touch that Ella is biracial, something that has caused some hateful behavior and some unwanted attention from the wrong people. Moyes, definitely engages us emotionally and writes Ella's character beautifully. The butterfly aspect of the series is because Ella can draw gorgeous butterflies in chalk and wax. This weaves through the trilogy as an important fact and symbol. The romance part was done fine and romance readers have obviously gone five stars all the way with this one! While I have issues with the basic premise of this and other romance novels where a poor beautiful girl falls in love with a wealthy handsome guy, Moyes does not make anything easy or obvious and we are left at the end of the novel with uncertainty and something of a cliff hanger.
March 27, 2021
Berlin Butterfly: Ensnare: Berlin Butterfly Series Book 1 is by Leah Moyes. This series begins with the building of the Berlin Wall. It is the last possible chance for anyone to escape into West Berlin and Ella Kuhn has to make one of the worst decisions of her life. She can leave immediately with her best friend, Anton, and her little brother, Josef, and head to West Berlin or she can stay here with her adopted father who is ill and possibly dying. For a fifteen-year-old, that is a hard decision to make. Ultimately, she decides she cannot leave the man who saved her from a life in the orphanage. She rushes her little brother awake and dressed. He is out the window almost before he knows he is leaving. Her last sight of them is cautiously running from the apartment building. Will she ever see them again?
Ella was half-white and half-black. She was abandoned shortly after birth and brought up in an orphanage in Berlin. Anton came into her life when she was about seven. They became inseparable and she knew she could always trust him. They looked after each other and were family. Then, when she was eleven, the Kuhn’s adopted her and she left the orphanage for her new home, without Anton. The morning of her departure, she woke to find Anton was gone. He wasn’t staying unless she was there. Later, he followed her home so he knew where she lived. Later, her new family accepted him as a friend and he was able to spend more time with her. Now she was alone with her ailing father.
After her Father’s death, Ella agreed to work for the undertaker’s wife to pay for his funeral. After she works for a day or two, she runs into the spoiled, rotten son who seems to hate her. Hate her!! He was the one who tried to steal her painting. Now she has to work to pay off her loan and stay from the boss’s son while trying to get in touch with Anton. She has to be very careful since they are constantly entertaining top men in the Party. Men who scare Ella.
Will she be reunited with Anton and Josef or stay in Berlin? This is an aspect of post-WWII I have read little on. It is an interesting book and I hope the series keeps being as good.
Ella was half-white and half-black. She was abandoned shortly after birth and brought up in an orphanage in Berlin. Anton came into her life when she was about seven. They became inseparable and she knew she could always trust him. They looked after each other and were family. Then, when she was eleven, the Kuhn’s adopted her and she left the orphanage for her new home, without Anton. The morning of her departure, she woke to find Anton was gone. He wasn’t staying unless she was there. Later, he followed her home so he knew where she lived. Later, her new family accepted him as a friend and he was able to spend more time with her. Now she was alone with her ailing father.
After her Father’s death, Ella agreed to work for the undertaker’s wife to pay for his funeral. After she works for a day or two, she runs into the spoiled, rotten son who seems to hate her. Hate her!! He was the one who tried to steal her painting. Now she has to work to pay off her loan and stay from the boss’s son while trying to get in touch with Anton. She has to be very careful since they are constantly entertaining top men in the Party. Men who scare Ella.
Will she be reunited with Anton and Josef or stay in Berlin? This is an aspect of post-WWII I have read little on. It is an interesting book and I hope the series keeps being as good.
February 7, 2022
Having lived on the Western side of the Berlin Wall, I have a special fascination with books on this subject. Leah Moyes has written an excellent historical fiction trilogy called the Berlin Butterfly series. Ensnare is the first volume and introduces us to Ella who is fifteen when the wall suddenly erupts. She lives in the eastern part of Berlin. Rather than flee to the West with her brothers, she stays behind to care for her invalid adoptive father. However, Papa soon dies leaving Ella completely alone. We experience the horrors of family separation, loss, and physical entrapment through Ella's eyes.
"The moment the sun's rays hit the rift in the curtains, the exact location the military truck headlights lit only hours before - my eyes flashed open, red and enflamed. Bouts of tears bounced between head bobs as the screams and chaos robbed my silence and left me with little comfort in the form of a thin blanket overhead." (pg. 6).
As the police force residents living next to the wall to leave, Ella finds herself homeless and desperate for income. Ella goes to work for a wealthy family as a maid. The job pays seven marks a day, but she must fulfill 24 months of duty or lose additional wages that are being withheld. Her employer, the Franke family, have close ties to the East German regime. The Franke lifestyle is lavish while most East Germans are living in poverty like Ella.
Shockingly even to Ella, she falls in love with the son of her employer. Their feelings are mutual. Their happiness is short-lived due to a lewd attack on Ella leading to the arrest of both she and Stephan.
Moyes does a brilliant job of characterizing Ella. We see and hear her determination, courage, and insecurity. She is vulnerable yet she has great spunk. Moye’s use of flashback to reveal Ella’s childhood experiences is very effective. Having been adopted, Ella has a complicated past which still haunts her. She is a complex young woman.
With sensory imagery and historical detail, Moyes takes us into time and place of the story. “It was only a matter of time before the soldiers would be here. They were everywhere. I couldn’t take a step in any direction of the city without catching sight of the typical green tunic, matching pants, and the visor service cap of a uniformed soldier in front of me…. My whole world had become a military zone.” (pg46)
Having visited East Berlin myself, I can attest to the accuracy of Moyes portrayal of the destitute and fear-filled walled-in city. I applaud her.
"The moment the sun's rays hit the rift in the curtains, the exact location the military truck headlights lit only hours before - my eyes flashed open, red and enflamed. Bouts of tears bounced between head bobs as the screams and chaos robbed my silence and left me with little comfort in the form of a thin blanket overhead." (pg. 6).
As the police force residents living next to the wall to leave, Ella finds herself homeless and desperate for income. Ella goes to work for a wealthy family as a maid. The job pays seven marks a day, but she must fulfill 24 months of duty or lose additional wages that are being withheld. Her employer, the Franke family, have close ties to the East German regime. The Franke lifestyle is lavish while most East Germans are living in poverty like Ella.
Shockingly even to Ella, she falls in love with the son of her employer. Their feelings are mutual. Their happiness is short-lived due to a lewd attack on Ella leading to the arrest of both she and Stephan.
Moyes does a brilliant job of characterizing Ella. We see and hear her determination, courage, and insecurity. She is vulnerable yet she has great spunk. Moye’s use of flashback to reveal Ella’s childhood experiences is very effective. Having been adopted, Ella has a complicated past which still haunts her. She is a complex young woman.
With sensory imagery and historical detail, Moyes takes us into time and place of the story. “It was only a matter of time before the soldiers would be here. They were everywhere. I couldn’t take a step in any direction of the city without catching sight of the typical green tunic, matching pants, and the visor service cap of a uniformed soldier in front of me…. My whole world had become a military zone.” (pg46)
Having visited East Berlin myself, I can attest to the accuracy of Moyes portrayal of the destitute and fear-filled walled-in city. I applaud her.
January 17, 2022
A poignant post-war Berlin story with captivating characters
For any fan of historical novels this story will not only inform, shock, and capture the reader's interest, it will also introduce a uniquely courageous, female teenager as the heroine. Having lived for years in a Berlin orphanage, then being rescued through adoption, it seemed life could offer love and security, after all. THAT expectation was destroyed when the city of Berlin was split apart into political sectors - leaving her alone and indentured as a maid in a household loyal to the cruel Soviet regime. Even an innocent flaw in performance could lead to danger! The plot line was diminished only slightly by the author's shift in focus to a romantic relationship, which leads to the second in a series of three novels.
For any fan of historical novels this story will not only inform, shock, and capture the reader's interest, it will also introduce a uniquely courageous, female teenager as the heroine. Having lived for years in a Berlin orphanage, then being rescued through adoption, it seemed life could offer love and security, after all. THAT expectation was destroyed when the city of Berlin was split apart into political sectors - leaving her alone and indentured as a maid in a household loyal to the cruel Soviet regime. Even an innocent flaw in performance could lead to danger! The plot line was diminished only slightly by the author's shift in focus to a romantic relationship, which leads to the second in a series of three novels.
September 16, 2019
Great storytelling
Moyes pens a grand story in Ensnare. This is the first book in the Berlin Butterfly series, and this story fits with its title and its series title. A historical fiction that introduces the reader to Ella, living in 1961's Germany, where the east and west are separated by the wall. This story is definitely captivating, and heartbreaking. Ella is a strong character, and she and her family are on a long journey filled with danger, struggles and strength. This story was one with strong characters, and was a definite page-turner. I look forward to reading more by this author, especially the books in this series.
Moyes pens a grand story in Ensnare. This is the first book in the Berlin Butterfly series, and this story fits with its title and its series title. A historical fiction that introduces the reader to Ella, living in 1961's Germany, where the east and west are separated by the wall. This story is definitely captivating, and heartbreaking. Ella is a strong character, and she and her family are on a long journey filled with danger, struggles and strength. This story was one with strong characters, and was a definite page-turner. I look forward to reading more by this author, especially the books in this series.
January 29, 2021
Ensnare
Berlin Butterfly Ensnare
What a wonderful book. Very heart wrenching throughout the book, as we in the Western world could never imagine a life like that. Definitely worth the read. The storyline is about the horrid life of a young orphan in East Germany after the war, and how she was treated. Through love, loss, her life is tossed around with no consequence. The cruelty of many upper class didn’t care if the other folks had nothing at all. The struggles of Ella are real, the reader feels the heart break of her life and wants to cheer her on. I couldn’t put the book down.
Berlin Butterfly Ensnare
What a wonderful book. Very heart wrenching throughout the book, as we in the Western world could never imagine a life like that. Definitely worth the read. The storyline is about the horrid life of a young orphan in East Germany after the war, and how she was treated. Through love, loss, her life is tossed around with no consequence. The cruelty of many upper class didn’t care if the other folks had nothing at all. The struggles of Ella are real, the reader feels the heart break of her life and wants to cheer her on. I couldn’t put the book down.
January 15, 2022
I am at a loss to understand all the exceptional reviews. I found the writing to be cloying ( how many ways can you describe excessive crying?) and almost as if the author used a Thesaurus to find the right or sometimes, wrong, word. I have read countless books on this period in the history of Germany so found nothing new in the truly tragic stories of the suffering of the East Germans. I lived in West Berlin from 1961 to 1965 so experienced the Cuba crisis, the visit of Kennedy and the assasination of Kennedy. I saw the sad families wave to each other from the little platforms behind the wire. Sorry this book just didn't do it for me.
June 14, 2022
Great Story! Post Second World War Love Story Makes It Unique!
This story started a little slow, but when our heroine meets and starts to trust her employers' son, things definitely start to pick up! This is the first book I have read that takes place as Berlin is being split after World War II, which is a wonderful change from all of the World War I and II books I have been finding lately. And this one was very good and continues for two more books. It does have some parts that are difficult to read (it is not all happy & light), but there are some very touching parts, as well. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys good stories.
This story started a little slow, but when our heroine meets and starts to trust her employers' son, things definitely start to pick up! This is the first book I have read that takes place as Berlin is being split after World War II, which is a wonderful change from all of the World War I and II books I have been finding lately. And this one was very good and continues for two more books. It does have some parts that are difficult to read (it is not all happy & light), but there are some very touching parts, as well. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys good stories.
January 27, 2022
Loved learning about this subject
This was an excellent way to learn about life behind the 'not so great' side of the Berlin Wall. The characters are engaging, the conflicts are maybe an indication of what some people were experiencing at the time in history. It really made me anxious to read the next book to see how this all ends. With the characters, I already know how the wall ends. President Reagan says, "Tear down that wall", David Hasselhoff sings, and we Americans once again mess with stuff that isn't ours. Good or bad. Like a kid hoarding All the toys. Good book tho.
This was an excellent way to learn about life behind the 'not so great' side of the Berlin Wall. The characters are engaging, the conflicts are maybe an indication of what some people were experiencing at the time in history. It really made me anxious to read the next book to see how this all ends. With the characters, I already know how the wall ends. President Reagan says, "Tear down that wall", David Hasselhoff sings, and we Americans once again mess with stuff that isn't ours. Good or bad. Like a kid hoarding All the toys. Good book tho.
March 17, 2022
I love this book! I think I was a little frustrated at the ending, but that quickly went away as I started the second book. That shows just how good it is! I would definitely recommend this book to others. I love reading historical fiction, especially when it shows what it was like in the years after WWII.
July 18, 2022
Very very good book!!
I can't wait to start book 2.i hope it's a good as book one, but honestly they usually aren't lol but I'm hoping they are at least good enough that I'll want to finish the whole series! Book one was incredible! There were so many times my heart raced and I shook like I was right there when I was happening!! That's rare for me!
I can't wait to start book 2.i hope it's a good as book one, but honestly they usually aren't lol but I'm hoping they are at least good enough that I'll want to finish the whole series! Book one was incredible! There were so many times my heart raced and I shook like I was right there when I was happening!! That's rare for me!
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