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Flying Without Wings
Do you enjoy World War II thrillers? This historical thriller with a tearful ending is filled with conspiracy, corruption, the horror of a Nazi ghetto camp, a mysterious escape from Europe, hunting Nazi treasures and a stolen toy aeroplane.
“I couldn't put it down and cried at the end.” ARC Reader Flying Without Wings At the close of World War II in Terezín Concentration Camp 1945 a young Jewish boy, Johan Falkner, overhears a deadly secret about the final legacy of the Third Reich.
Forty years later, in rural England, Matt Buttrick learns of a hidden Nazi rumoured to be living in the area.
Are the two connected? And what is the mysterious treasure that one of two men took from Germany on a flight from an abandoned airfield near Bremen at the end of the war?
The discovery of a body confirms that ruthless people are also searching for this treasure, and the safety of Matt's family may depend on him getting to it first. The only problem is that to do so he will have to talk to the man he holds responsible for the greatest loss in his life, and in doing so confront his broken dream of taking to the skies.
Fly with a young man through life's journey of hopes, dreams and tragedies!
ARC Reader “World War II is not my genre. That being said, this was an EXCELLENT story!!! I really, really enjoyed it! And the story is woven between World War II and the modern world of 1985.”
“I couldn't put it down and cried at the end.” ARC Reader Flying Without Wings At the close of World War II in Terezín Concentration Camp 1945 a young Jewish boy, Johan Falkner, overhears a deadly secret about the final legacy of the Third Reich.
Forty years later, in rural England, Matt Buttrick learns of a hidden Nazi rumoured to be living in the area.
Are the two connected? And what is the mysterious treasure that one of two men took from Germany on a flight from an abandoned airfield near Bremen at the end of the war?
The discovery of a body confirms that ruthless people are also searching for this treasure, and the safety of Matt's family may depend on him getting to it first. The only problem is that to do so he will have to talk to the man he holds responsible for the greatest loss in his life, and in doing so confront his broken dream of taking to the skies.
Fly with a young man through life's journey of hopes, dreams and tragedies!
ARC Reader “World War II is not my genre. That being said, this was an EXCELLENT story!!! I really, really enjoyed it! And the story is woven between World War II and the modern world of 1985.”
- GenresHistorical Fiction
560 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 13, 2019
57 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Paula Wynne
20 books284 followersPaula Wynne is the award-winning author of The Grotto's Secret which won The People's Book Prize. She has appeared on TV several times, including the BBC Show, Escape to the Continent, which showed her and her husband's quest to live in Spain so Paula could become a full time writer.
The Grotto's Secret is a fast-paced thriller that laces together historical and modern global settings with a supernatural hint. The Sacred Symbol and The Luna Legacy follows the characters and their journeys with Elixa's story kicking it all off in the prequel! The Torcal Trilogy series is described by readers as a 'must' for fans of Kate Mosse and Dan Brown.
Paula is currently writing more conspiracy thrillers with historical mystery twists. She brings her love for thrillers and history, along with the beauty of European countries into her books.
Paula runs regular book giveaways, so join her news or find out more about Paula at https://www.paulawynne.com.
The Grotto's Secret is a fast-paced thriller that laces together historical and modern global settings with a supernatural hint. The Sacred Symbol and The Luna Legacy follows the characters and their journeys with Elixa's story kicking it all off in the prequel! The Torcal Trilogy series is described by readers as a 'must' for fans of Kate Mosse and Dan Brown.
Paula is currently writing more conspiracy thrillers with historical mystery twists. She brings her love for thrillers and history, along with the beauty of European countries into her books.
Paula runs regular book giveaways, so join her news or find out more about Paula at https://www.paulawynne.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
September 20, 2019
I Pre-ordered this excellent historical novel from Amazon. This is an extraordinary novel, one I am pleased to refer to friends, and family. The work is well researched. The telling of the tale is simple and easily followed, and the WWII facts true to history. The characters are all interesting and picturesque. This is an all-nighter novel.
The central hook of Flying Without Wings is an inherent love of flying and a quote from Zen Dog by Edward Monkton. "He knows not where he's going, For the ocean will decide. It's not the destination, It's the glory of the ride." And then there is the red K345 model plane that crops up every so often in all time frames...
We do time-travel flip-flopping, beginning In May of 1942, deep diving with Steffan Sommer in Lake Toplitz in the Austrian Alps and other adventures as he searches out remote hiding places for storing Nazi loot. May 7, 1945, we are at Theresienstadt Concentration Camp in Czechoslovakia, seen through the eyes of Johan Falkner who was interred with his whole family in 1942. Johan is young and small and still housed with his mother in the women's quarters. He had brought with him hidden in his coat when the Falkner family was shipped to Theresienstadt a small red German K345 model airplane which was confiscated by the commandant of the camp and placed in plain sight at the gate guards hut, where Johan could see it every day but never again touch. He has watched his older brother Aron and father being hauled off to an unknown labor camp, and his beautiful older sister Elza put through medical 'testing' and tortured before her death. Both Johan and his mother Ima are skin and bones and out of hope. The Russians are coming, they can often hear the shooting and shelling, but will Allied forces arrive in time to save the Czech families still alive, or will the stepped-up killings at the concentration camp get them all before the Germans flee?
In June of 1945, Little Hollow, Berkshire, England, we visit the Sommer family, who are the elite in that stretch of the English woods, and we spend time with Sommer cousins Steffan and Wilhelm at Bremen Airfield in Germany and join in their travels at war's end in search of Nazi gold.
In 1977 we join John Falcon and Aron who are also Nazi hunters - both Nazi criminals and stolen loot. The Falcon brothers, however, would like to see that loot returned to the families it was stolen from.
In our more modern time frame, we have Matt Buttrick in Aldermaston, Berkshire, England beginning in July 1985. What is behind the vague rumors of a Nazi hiding out in Berkshire after the war? Is there really a treasure map of Nazi loot as reported by cousin Allan? What really happened in the Falklands? The Buttrick boys lost their father in a plane crash in the Falklands War. The co-pilot of the plane, Steven 'Bomber' Balmaine, lived to return home and run a small local airfield. Matt has always held Bomber personally responsible for his father's death. Their mother runs a coffee shop in Little Hollow. Both Matt and Luke are crazy about planes. Luke actually works at the local airfield with Bomber, but Matt, injured in a fall years ago, is still mourning the fact that he cannot pass the physical requirements to join the RAF.
author gift 99
Reviewed September 16 at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, BookBub. Not available at Barnes & Noble, Kobo, or GooglePlay.
The central hook of Flying Without Wings is an inherent love of flying and a quote from Zen Dog by Edward Monkton. "He knows not where he's going, For the ocean will decide. It's not the destination, It's the glory of the ride." And then there is the red K345 model plane that crops up every so often in all time frames...
We do time-travel flip-flopping, beginning In May of 1942, deep diving with Steffan Sommer in Lake Toplitz in the Austrian Alps and other adventures as he searches out remote hiding places for storing Nazi loot. May 7, 1945, we are at Theresienstadt Concentration Camp in Czechoslovakia, seen through the eyes of Johan Falkner who was interred with his whole family in 1942. Johan is young and small and still housed with his mother in the women's quarters. He had brought with him hidden in his coat when the Falkner family was shipped to Theresienstadt a small red German K345 model airplane which was confiscated by the commandant of the camp and placed in plain sight at the gate guards hut, where Johan could see it every day but never again touch. He has watched his older brother Aron and father being hauled off to an unknown labor camp, and his beautiful older sister Elza put through medical 'testing' and tortured before her death. Both Johan and his mother Ima are skin and bones and out of hope. The Russians are coming, they can often hear the shooting and shelling, but will Allied forces arrive in time to save the Czech families still alive, or will the stepped-up killings at the concentration camp get them all before the Germans flee?
In June of 1945, Little Hollow, Berkshire, England, we visit the Sommer family, who are the elite in that stretch of the English woods, and we spend time with Sommer cousins Steffan and Wilhelm at Bremen Airfield in Germany and join in their travels at war's end in search of Nazi gold.
In 1977 we join John Falcon and Aron who are also Nazi hunters - both Nazi criminals and stolen loot. The Falcon brothers, however, would like to see that loot returned to the families it was stolen from.
In our more modern time frame, we have Matt Buttrick in Aldermaston, Berkshire, England beginning in July 1985. What is behind the vague rumors of a Nazi hiding out in Berkshire after the war? Is there really a treasure map of Nazi loot as reported by cousin Allan? What really happened in the Falklands? The Buttrick boys lost their father in a plane crash in the Falklands War. The co-pilot of the plane, Steven 'Bomber' Balmaine, lived to return home and run a small local airfield. Matt has always held Bomber personally responsible for his father's death. Their mother runs a coffee shop in Little Hollow. Both Matt and Luke are crazy about planes. Luke actually works at the local airfield with Bomber, but Matt, injured in a fall years ago, is still mourning the fact that he cannot pass the physical requirements to join the RAF.
author gift 99
Reviewed September 16 at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, BookBub. Not available at Barnes & Noble, Kobo, or GooglePlay.
August 15, 2019
Thoroughly enjoyed this heartfelt story I raced through it.... The characters are well-developed, the writing flows well with rich detail, and a twist at the end caught me by surprise.This was a book I couldn't put down. There were many plot lines the story being told from two time periods was very interesting. WWII story of a young boy in a concentration camp and his life of revenge after the war.
August 30, 2019
I really enjoyed this World War II story! I really liked how all the other stories branched out from the main story of Johan and his family at the concentration camp. Such an emotional subject was handled with grace! What happened during the holocaust will forever have a lasting impact! This is the second novel I have read by this author and I look forward to reading more!
August 14, 2019
A sensitive and thrilling novel
Author Paula Wynne began her career in writing after moving to rural Andalusia, Spain. This journey/change of location was documented: Paula and her husband Ken starred in the BBC Show, ‘Escape to the Continent’, which showed their quest to live in Spain. Paula has won acclaim for the Writers’ Resource Series – ‘A-Z Writers’ Character Quirks’, ‘Pimp My Fiction’, ‘Create a Successful Website,’ and ‘Pimp My Site’ as well as for her exceptional historical fiction novels.
Paula’s novel, FLYING WITHOUT WINGS, is a ‘conspiracy mystery thriller’ and she does indeed know how to spin a yarn that involves the reader from page one. ‘7 May 1945 Theresienstadt Concentration Camp, Czechoslovakia Johan Falkner fell from his bunk and woke me, his spirit. Providence endowed me to watch over this ten-year-old boy in whom I live. Thus far, despite these dark years, we have managed to remain intact and partly sane. The earth shuddered again as a second mortar exploded and the ground under the barracks shook. Now fully awake, Johan gasped. The guard hut! Had it been bombed? Through the shocked silence, broken only by the sound of his gnawing belly, twisting and turning as it cried out for even a crust of bread, Johan wondered if it was still inside the guard hut.’ Without further probing we have a finger on the pulse and direction of the novel – except for the well-paced twists that offer background and purpose of the story’s drive.
Paula offers a fine synopsis: ‘At the close of World War II in Terezín Concentration Camp 1945 a young Jewish boy, Johan Falkner, overhears a deadly secret about the final legacy of the Third Reich. Forty years later, in rural England, Matt Buttrick learns of a hidden Nazi rumoured to be living in the area. Are the two connected? And what is the mysterious treasure that one of two men took from Germany on a flight from an abandoned airfield near Bremen at the end of the war? The discovery of a body confirms that ruthless people are also searching for this treasure, and the safety of Matt's family may depend on him getting to it first. The only problem is that to do so he will have to talk to the man he holds responsible for the greatest loss in his life, and in doing so confront his broken dream of taking to the skies.
As with her other historical fiction novels, Paula once again proves she is an important author of this genre. Propulsive and rich in imagery and tension, FLYING WITHOUT WINGS is a stunning achievement. Recommended.
Author Paula Wynne began her career in writing after moving to rural Andalusia, Spain. This journey/change of location was documented: Paula and her husband Ken starred in the BBC Show, ‘Escape to the Continent’, which showed their quest to live in Spain. Paula has won acclaim for the Writers’ Resource Series – ‘A-Z Writers’ Character Quirks’, ‘Pimp My Fiction’, ‘Create a Successful Website,’ and ‘Pimp My Site’ as well as for her exceptional historical fiction novels.
Paula’s novel, FLYING WITHOUT WINGS, is a ‘conspiracy mystery thriller’ and she does indeed know how to spin a yarn that involves the reader from page one. ‘7 May 1945 Theresienstadt Concentration Camp, Czechoslovakia Johan Falkner fell from his bunk and woke me, his spirit. Providence endowed me to watch over this ten-year-old boy in whom I live. Thus far, despite these dark years, we have managed to remain intact and partly sane. The earth shuddered again as a second mortar exploded and the ground under the barracks shook. Now fully awake, Johan gasped. The guard hut! Had it been bombed? Through the shocked silence, broken only by the sound of his gnawing belly, twisting and turning as it cried out for even a crust of bread, Johan wondered if it was still inside the guard hut.’ Without further probing we have a finger on the pulse and direction of the novel – except for the well-paced twists that offer background and purpose of the story’s drive.
Paula offers a fine synopsis: ‘At the close of World War II in Terezín Concentration Camp 1945 a young Jewish boy, Johan Falkner, overhears a deadly secret about the final legacy of the Third Reich. Forty years later, in rural England, Matt Buttrick learns of a hidden Nazi rumoured to be living in the area. Are the two connected? And what is the mysterious treasure that one of two men took from Germany on a flight from an abandoned airfield near Bremen at the end of the war? The discovery of a body confirms that ruthless people are also searching for this treasure, and the safety of Matt's family may depend on him getting to it first. The only problem is that to do so he will have to talk to the man he holds responsible for the greatest loss in his life, and in doing so confront his broken dream of taking to the skies.
As with her other historical fiction novels, Paula once again proves she is an important author of this genre. Propulsive and rich in imagery and tension, FLYING WITHOUT WINGS is a stunning achievement. Recommended.
August 14, 2019
The appalling conditions in a Nazi concentration camp at the end of WII sets the stage for a fast-paced, historical thriller, with revenge, secrets, and broken dreams scattered around every corner.
WWI is not really my genre at all. However, that being said, this was an EXCELLENT story! I really, really enjoyed it. Even though the story flips between 1945 and 1985, the plotline revolves around the characters themselves, instead of the events of the war.
The storyline is intriguing, the characters are well-developed, the writing flows well with rich detail, and a twist at the end caught me by surprise.This was a book I couldn't put down.
I received an ARC from the author and I'm voluntarily leaving an honest review. I liked it so much I also bought a copy of the book.
WWI is not really my genre at all. However, that being said, this was an EXCELLENT story! I really, really enjoyed it. Even though the story flips between 1945 and 1985, the plotline revolves around the characters themselves, instead of the events of the war.
The storyline is intriguing, the characters are well-developed, the writing flows well with rich detail, and a twist at the end caught me by surprise.This was a book I couldn't put down.
I received an ARC from the author and I'm voluntarily leaving an honest review. I liked it so much I also bought a copy of the book.
August 29, 2019
This tale is told in pieces from the 1940s and the 1980s. At the beginning I had trouble figuring out what the pieces were. As the story continues the pieces start to fit together but you don't get the whole picture until the end. I was frustrated at times and occasionally had to set it aside as there is also evil that was hard for me to take. It is well written and recommended for those who enjoy puzzles and anyone interested in World War II fiction.
December 29, 2019
Brilliant
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, the author is great at reeling you in and hooking you until the end. The characters are unique and interesting and all believable. The twist and turns keeps you wanting more and I love how it jumps from different times. Thank you Paula Wynne for a super book yet again.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, the author is great at reeling you in and hooking you until the end. The characters are unique and interesting and all believable. The twist and turns keeps you wanting more and I love how it jumps from different times. Thank you Paula Wynne for a super book yet again.
January 7, 2020
Enjoyed the story overall. Had some difficulty following the timeline. Recommended.
September 8, 2019
OMG!! This book will literally knock your socks off! I love how the story goes back and forth in time. The characters are all so richly developed that the reader MUST know what happens to each and every last one of them! The story starts out with a little Jewish youngster stuck in a concentration camp. Somehow he was able to sneak in his toy airplane... but, unfortunately for him... the jerk off SS Commander of the camp finds the plane and sticks it in one of the SS buildings... right in the window so that the little boy can see it, but not touch it. The Commander loves finding weaknesses and then toying with his victims.
Then... POOF! You're now about thirty years in the future seeing life through the eyes of a young man who had an unfortunate accident that left him crippled. Sadly, Matt allows not only his body to be crippled... but, his mind and thoughts are as well. He has one true desire and that's to be an RAF pilot just like his deceased father.
Back to the camp... the little boy overhears the Commander talking about a secret hiding place that his cousin is building... and the Nazi's are busy moving all sorts of war booty and loot so that when the Reich arises from the ashes they will have plenty of money to take over the world.
BAM! Now, forward in time... Matt's brother is working at an airfield and talks his brother into coming to work with him. Hoping that his brother will still get to learn how to fly... even if it's not for the military. Add in the story of the little village being home to a hidden Nazi who has a hidden treasure... and FLYING WITHOUT WINGS by Paula Wynne writes a story that will leave the reader in total awe!
I enjoyed this book so much... that I purchased a number of the author's other novels! I love finding a diamond in the middle of nowhere! So glad that I stumbled upon the book!! It's SOOOOOOOOO good!!
Then... POOF! You're now about thirty years in the future seeing life through the eyes of a young man who had an unfortunate accident that left him crippled. Sadly, Matt allows not only his body to be crippled... but, his mind and thoughts are as well. He has one true desire and that's to be an RAF pilot just like his deceased father.
Back to the camp... the little boy overhears the Commander talking about a secret hiding place that his cousin is building... and the Nazi's are busy moving all sorts of war booty and loot so that when the Reich arises from the ashes they will have plenty of money to take over the world.
BAM! Now, forward in time... Matt's brother is working at an airfield and talks his brother into coming to work with him. Hoping that his brother will still get to learn how to fly... even if it's not for the military. Add in the story of the little village being home to a hidden Nazi who has a hidden treasure... and FLYING WITHOUT WINGS by Paula Wynne writes a story that will leave the reader in total awe!
I enjoyed this book so much... that I purchased a number of the author's other novels! I love finding a diamond in the middle of nowhere! So glad that I stumbled upon the book!! It's SOOOOOOOOO good!!
August 30, 2019
His suffering under the brutalities of The Wolf, the commandant of the brutal concentration camp and the confiscation of his beloved red airplane will forever change the life of young Johan Falkner , driving his single minded obsession, in later life, with finding and taking back the treasures the Nazis stole from the victims and the nations they conquered. When his search takes him to England tracking a trio of prominent Nazi officers fleeing the prosecution, the residents of the tiny town of Little Hollow will be pulled into the mystery and intrigue for years to come.
Murder, kidnapping, secrets and the map to a hidden Nazi treasure beyond all imagining kept me glued to this wonderful new book from start to finish. It offers a slice of European history that is well researched, characters who are driven by their past and their demons and proof that villains come in many shades and have many different motivations.
I loved the "boys" in this story with their obsessions for flying : Johan, Steven, Matt and Luke all fall under the spell of the flying bug in one way or another, and they all find what they need, sometimes in the most unexpected way.
Flying Without Wings is a story that will horrify you at the violence of the camps, sadden you at the cruelty of life and of young boys persecuting those who are different and tear at your heartstrings as the cruelty of fate twists and tempers young lives and weaves them together in the most unexpected ways to finally reveal the secrets they've hidden in a heart stopping conclusion you won't see coming.
Great reading for mystery or history fans.
Murder, kidnapping, secrets and the map to a hidden Nazi treasure beyond all imagining kept me glued to this wonderful new book from start to finish. It offers a slice of European history that is well researched, characters who are driven by their past and their demons and proof that villains come in many shades and have many different motivations.
I loved the "boys" in this story with their obsessions for flying : Johan, Steven, Matt and Luke all fall under the spell of the flying bug in one way or another, and they all find what they need, sometimes in the most unexpected way.
Flying Without Wings is a story that will horrify you at the violence of the camps, sadden you at the cruelty of life and of young boys persecuting those who are different and tear at your heartstrings as the cruelty of fate twists and tempers young lives and weaves them together in the most unexpected ways to finally reveal the secrets they've hidden in a heart stopping conclusion you won't see coming.
Great reading for mystery or history fans.
August 16, 2019
In her previous books the author splits her historical stories between two periods, and this continues in that vein, this time set during WWII and the 1980s, both periods are evoked brilliantly, the horrors of the concentration camps and the struggles to keep alive in the 1940s and the rather more bucolic 1980 in the English countryside.
The other aspects of Ms. Wynne's writing that really stand out are the rather involved plots, with the focus switching between the two time periods and the characters.
In this book there are really well developed and believable characters, the desperate internees in the concentration camp, doing whatever they must to survive set against the cruelty and inhumanity shown by the guards and then in the 1980s there are more great characters who are allowed to grow and change as the story develops, especially 'Bomber' who redeems himself from his initial grumpy self, but Cami is perhaps the best written character, bitterness having eaten her up to become an evil, cold-hearted and manipulative treasure hunter, willing to do whatever it takes to get vengeance, as she saw it.
If I do have a criticism it is that because of the switching between era and the number of characters it isn't an easy read, you do have to concentrate to get the most out it, but if you do, the reward is an exciting, original read with a fascinating plot.
I received an advance copy of the book from the author, but have voluntarily written this honest review.
The other aspects of Ms. Wynne's writing that really stand out are the rather involved plots, with the focus switching between the two time periods and the characters.
In this book there are really well developed and believable characters, the desperate internees in the concentration camp, doing whatever they must to survive set against the cruelty and inhumanity shown by the guards and then in the 1980s there are more great characters who are allowed to grow and change as the story develops, especially 'Bomber' who redeems himself from his initial grumpy self, but Cami is perhaps the best written character, bitterness having eaten her up to become an evil, cold-hearted and manipulative treasure hunter, willing to do whatever it takes to get vengeance, as she saw it.
If I do have a criticism it is that because of the switching between era and the number of characters it isn't an easy read, you do have to concentrate to get the most out it, but if you do, the reward is an exciting, original read with a fascinating plot.
I received an advance copy of the book from the author, but have voluntarily written this honest review.
August 30, 2019
"What good are wings without the courage to fly?"
This book begins with the story of a young Jewish boy in a Nazi concentration camp. His beloved sister has been killed and his father and brother are somewhere unknown. The only thing that keeps Johan going is being able to see his toy aeroplane from time to time and dreaming of being a pilot. The cruel Kommandant seems to take special delight in putting the plane in a place where Johan can see it. Johan vows to get his toy back someday and also to find where the Reich has hidden treasures stolen from his people.
Fast forward to 1985 and the story of a boy named Matt. Matt also dreams of being a pilot with the RAF, but an ankle injury seems to have stolen that dream from him. For me, this part of the book was totally different from the beginning, being more about a coming of age for Matt and his friends and Matt trying to cope with his situation.
The book was well-written with well-developed characters, but did take some effort to keep the story line straight. Ms. Wynne is a wonderful author and I will definitely read more of her work.
This book begins with the story of a young Jewish boy in a Nazi concentration camp. His beloved sister has been killed and his father and brother are somewhere unknown. The only thing that keeps Johan going is being able to see his toy aeroplane from time to time and dreaming of being a pilot. The cruel Kommandant seems to take special delight in putting the plane in a place where Johan can see it. Johan vows to get his toy back someday and also to find where the Reich has hidden treasures stolen from his people.
Fast forward to 1985 and the story of a boy named Matt. Matt also dreams of being a pilot with the RAF, but an ankle injury seems to have stolen that dream from him. For me, this part of the book was totally different from the beginning, being more about a coming of age for Matt and his friends and Matt trying to cope with his situation.
The book was well-written with well-developed characters, but did take some effort to keep the story line straight. Ms. Wynne is a wonderful author and I will definitely read more of her work.
August 26, 2019
Seeking revenge doesn't do anyone any good
This is an extraordinary book. It spans 2 generations starting in Poland in 1945 during the Nazi occupation. The conditions in the concentration camp were horrific making it difficult to read at times but the storyline was very interesting. It is told in the POV of a 10 yr old boy in the camp with his mother and younger sister. His father and older brother were separated from them and sent to other camps. Eventually, the Russians come and liberate them.
The story then jumps 40 yrs and we follow what the main characters are doing. The plot is woven with how they are coping; some trying to forget, some seeking revenge. The story then jumps another 10 yrs to a satisfying ending.
It's hard to say I enjoyed the book but I did learn a lot about that era. While it's a fictionalized story, it's based on true events. The author did a great amount of research for this and it shows.
This is an extraordinary book. It spans 2 generations starting in Poland in 1945 during the Nazi occupation. The conditions in the concentration camp were horrific making it difficult to read at times but the storyline was very interesting. It is told in the POV of a 10 yr old boy in the camp with his mother and younger sister. His father and older brother were separated from them and sent to other camps. Eventually, the Russians come and liberate them.
The story then jumps 40 yrs and we follow what the main characters are doing. The plot is woven with how they are coping; some trying to forget, some seeking revenge. The story then jumps another 10 yrs to a satisfying ending.
It's hard to say I enjoyed the book but I did learn a lot about that era. While it's a fictionalized story, it's based on true events. The author did a great amount of research for this and it shows.
September 23, 2019
Really enjoyed this book. It goes from WWII to present time following the little red airplane. It was difficult reliving the time with prisoners starving and dying, but I think it was important to include this in the story. It gives insight to a shy young boy whose passion to fly planes never leaves him, and how he finally makes his dreams come true.
I really understood this boy and his dreams. In my own life, at 73, I finally realized that my life was not going to change unless I did something about it. Too inhibited to have the nerve to pursue what I wanted out of life, I have just let life take me where it will. That has not always made me happy, so even if it is a few years late, I have stepped up and went after what I want. I just wish I had had someone in my life to push me they way Bomber pushed Matt. Very good read.
I really understood this boy and his dreams. In my own life, at 73, I finally realized that my life was not going to change unless I did something about it. Too inhibited to have the nerve to pursue what I wanted out of life, I have just let life take me where it will. That has not always made me happy, so even if it is a few years late, I have stepped up and went after what I want. I just wish I had had someone in my life to push me they way Bomber pushed Matt. Very good read.
October 8, 2019
I have been enjoying Paula Wynne's books in the past and was curious how she was going to handle this new material. She did a marvelous job in describing been interned in a Concentration camp through the eyes of a young Jewish boy. How he felt the loss of his sister. The importance of him holding on to the little toy airplane even risking his live trying to recover it after the Nazi commander had stolen it from him. The boy survived, became a father and started recovering stolen goods by the Nazis to return to their rightful owners for a commission. I'm sure he never would have understood the actions of his child after he died. The child trying to rectify the horror he had lived through by becoming as violent as some of the Nazis had been with little feelings for the harm done to others.
December 23, 2021
I received and ARC copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I personally feel that this is her best book so far. It starts out in 1945 from the viewpoint of a 10 year old boy in a concentration camp and the heartache that he endures as some of his family and his prized airplane are taken from him. He vows revenge. Then it is the 1980’s and we meet a new group of people who are all connected to the boy and his airplane from the beginning. Intrigue, greed, infatuation, hate, jealousy, and murder all occur during the search for stolen Nazi treasures. A great ending! Fantastic book! The characters are truly believable.
August 20, 2019
Not really a history buff, but I wanted to give this book a try because I enjoy Ms. Wynne's writing. And thankfully, she didn't disappoint me! From the death camps of the Nazi regime to 40 years later in a small town in England, life has a way of circling back. This an intriguing story of hatred, domination, greed, small town life, first love, and a small child's toy airplane. It will make you angry, make you cry, make you smile, and make you thankful that there really are good people in this world. Grab this book and settle in for an amazing "flight."
I received an ARC of this book from the author, but this review is my opinion alone.
I received an ARC of this book from the author, but this review is my opinion alone.
August 26, 2019
I really enjoyed this book especially a the beginning but then it switched to up to date time maybe 20 years later and I can understand having to catch up m to the the story with the past but I think it jus went on to much that didn't need to be in the story. As I read it started to make sense but had to re-read some of it cause I got so lost on what was going on. It did make sense at the end but still I think it went to long! This plot is great the characters you will so much enjoy them makes you think about things and the mystery of how things can go!! It is another great read from this special lady!!🙉🙈🙊
August 23, 2019
Riveting WWII Storyline
Super story. Emotionally involving. From the horror of a Nazi concentration camp comes an enthralling story of actions having long-lasting effects on friends and families. Paula Wynne has written a thrilling tale with many twist and turns. A red model aero plane becomes a key element in the plot. The characters have a depth of character that gets revealed at a good pace. There are thrills as the story unwinds, but the key feature of the story is the parallel of the lives of characters that drive the appropriate ending.
Super story. Emotionally involving. From the horror of a Nazi concentration camp comes an enthralling story of actions having long-lasting effects on friends and families. Paula Wynne has written a thrilling tale with many twist and turns. A red model aero plane becomes a key element in the plot. The characters have a depth of character that gets revealed at a good pace. There are thrills as the story unwinds, but the key feature of the story is the parallel of the lives of characters that drive the appropriate ending.
August 24, 2019
This opens in a Nazi concentration camp, and the vivid descriptions are haunting. The characters in the book are deep and well-developed, and the storyline is complex. As the story unfolds, secrets, surprises, and connections are revealed.
The story is very well-written. The only issue I had was keeping up with the changes from 1945 to 1980. At times the first half of the book laid so much groundwork that it tended to drag a bit, but the second half more than made up for it.
This is a terrific book if you like WWII stories of the Nazis and their effect on everyone’s life they touched.
The story is very well-written. The only issue I had was keeping up with the changes from 1945 to 1980. At times the first half of the book laid so much groundwork that it tended to drag a bit, but the second half more than made up for it.
This is a terrific book if you like WWII stories of the Nazis and their effect on everyone’s life they touched.
August 21, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing book!
August 18, 2019
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Beautifully written with genuine characters, faults and all! I could not put this book down. I devoured it. Haunting story of war, its horrors and how they linger for generations. Truly one of the best I have read this year. I highly recommend it to everyone. I received an ARC and knew I had to purchase it after reading it.
Amazing book!
August 18, 2019
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Beautifully written with genuine characters, faults and all! I could not put this book down. I devoured it. Haunting story of war, its horrors and how they linger for generations. Truly one of the best I have read this year. I highly recommend it to everyone. I received an ARC and knew I had to purchase it after reading it.
August 29, 2019
Let me start by saying I am not a fan of historical fiction. This book however has changed my mind. This was an extremely well written story of a boy who survived the holocaust and became a treasure hunter searching for the plunders of of Hitler. I’ll be honest with you, the first 1/3 of book was extremely slow and I almost gave up. I stuck with it and I am very glad I did. Featuring a great cast of characters, loaded with intrigue and a very well written story line I thoroughly enjoyed it.
September 12, 2019
Great
This book was fabulous until the inappropriate language towards the end. I can handle some language, but this did not fit with the times. It's the only reason I gave it four stars instead of five. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, and this book didn't disappoint. In spite of the language,I would highly recommend this book. The reader does need to pay attention to the changing years. It's a long book, but very well written!
This book was fabulous until the inappropriate language towards the end. I can handle some language, but this did not fit with the times. It's the only reason I gave it four stars instead of five. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, and this book didn't disappoint. In spite of the language,I would highly recommend this book. The reader does need to pay attention to the changing years. It's a long book, but very well written!
October 17, 2019
The book is a well written historical World War II to the present novel. Something about it just bothered me. I usually like this type of book. Maybe because it was just too long. Much of the story seems to have been written before. I read the book in short spurts as I really couldn't get into it but really wanted to finish the book and write a review. I received this book free from the author and promised to review it. It was an ARC which I've had for probably 6 weeks
August 13, 2019
Wonderfully realistic WWII story of a young boy in a concentration camp and his life of revenge after the war. Revenge that turned to greed and spilled over to his daughter. Her disregard for the lives of others made her no different than those she was primed to hate. I was gifted this from the author.
August 19, 2019
The story starts at Theresenstadt Concentration Camp at the end of WWII.
A young boy, Johan has a red aeroplane that he plays with. Out of meanness, the Camp Commandant takes it away.
Over the years, Johan and his brother Aron search for for items stolen by the Nazis. Something horrible happens.
There are twists and turns that make this a very exciting read!!!
A young boy, Johan has a red aeroplane that he plays with. Out of meanness, the Camp Commandant takes it away.
Over the years, Johan and his brother Aron search for for items stolen by the Nazis. Something horrible happens.
There are twists and turns that make this a very exciting read!!!
September 6, 2019
Fascinating
Really had trouble putting my iPad down. This era is of special interest for me and my family. My wife has spent several years trying to track down her aunt. But because she had married we were not aware of her last name. She and her six sons did not survive the holocaust.
Really had trouble putting my iPad down. This era is of special interest for me and my family. My wife has spent several years trying to track down her aunt. But because she had married we were not aware of her last name. She and her six sons did not survive the holocaust.
August 13, 2019
A poignant tale of Nazi atrocities, stolen treasures and secrets. This well researched story gives the reader an idea of what the aftermath of War was like, and how the Jewish survivors might have reached far to take their revenge. This was a hard book to put down.
August 15, 2019
A heartwarming story that has you wanting to change history. Definitely made me think about the past. We all need to be more tolerant of others, getting along isn’t that difficult. Don’t miss this outstanding book.
August 18, 2019
I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest review.I enjoyed it. A World War 2 mystery about the concentration camps and afterwards. I was a little confused at first but then I realised Paula Wynne was showing how some things come full circle.
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