Half in Shadow

by Gemma Liviero

From the bestselling author of In a Field of Blue comes an unforgettable novel about courage, love, and consequences at the dawn of World War I.

1915. In German-occupied Belgium, a tragic loss forces Josephine Descharmes to navigate dangerous new territory. By day it’s compliance, serving German officers at the Hotel Métropole. By night it’s resistance, working with her brothers underground to help Allied soldiers and civilians cross the border into Holland. Both paths put her and her family at great risk.

As Josephine struggles to keep her family safe, Arthur, a grief-stricken English soldier trapped behind enemy lines, finds purpose and hope with Josephine and her work. Meanwhile, Franz, a German officer remorseful for the casualties of war, offers her protection and opportunity. These two men from opposing sides will open her heart and test her loyalties.

Amid the sorrows of war and threats of mortal danger and betrayal, Josephine must steer her own fate. In a country deprived of freedom, she will make an impossible choice—one that will forever impact the family she cherishes and the man she loves.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Historical, World War I, War, Ebooks

383 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2022

Reviews

[Jude · Rating 5 out of 5]

The critical reviews are so wrong. This is amazing!

This book is not just a novel, it's literature at its best. The writing is wonderful, the metaphors (which I always love in novels) so lovely, the characters so well fleshed out, the story line so true to life. I loved this book and couldn't put it down.

Many years ago, I briefly visited a small town in France just inside its border with Germany. There were few people around and I sat on a park bench beside a woman who lived in the village. We talked a bit about her life during WWII. I'll always remember her saying that a whole generation of men were killed and the hardships that caused for everyone, including the women of that generation. Although this novel is set in WWI, it also speaks of yet another generation of women who faced a life following WWII with few men available in their lives. War creates an enormous loss in so many, many ways, and Half in Shadow depicts this very clearly.

[Deacon Tom (Feeling Better) · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolutely enjoyable book. Plenty of action; lots of twists and turns.

It was very accurate historical fiction. When I lived in Europe for 10 years I was in Belgium and the places they talk about They were spot on.

Strong characters – – great story.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

WWI 1914/15 Belgium is occupied by Germany. Hard book to read since it so closely mirrors what is happening at the moment that we can all watch in real time on TV.

Josephine, having seen her father shot in front of her, is in an impossible position as she must navigate the treacherous territory serving German officers at a hotel in order to have access to some food for herself and her mother. One such officer takes a liking to her and it appears that he is not as bad as the others and does in fact offer her some small help. But looks and actions can be deceiving – especially in war.

While Josephine is involved with her brother’s underground work she meets a wounded English soldier who slowly regains his strength and begins to assist Josephine and her brothers in their underground efforts.

The book begins with a Prologue: 1938 London – Eleanor whose father was executed for desertion is approached by a stranger who says “….it was a great honour to serve with your father during the war” and hands her a brown paper package tied with string.

Who is Eleanor’s father?

[AJ Motika · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was interesting to learn about the German invasion and occupation of Belgium during WW1 and what it was like to live in Belgium during this time, which is why I generally enjoyed the book. The story was for the most part interesting enough to flush out this setting, but I felt that this story lacked character development and drove the plot through some forced, hard to believe connections between characters.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...

I was interested to read a book set in the First World War because the majority of my ‘war reads’ are in the second conflict instead. I was hoping for a thrilling, compelling narrative but found myself bored and distracted by the story.

[Rich · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was the first book I have read by this author. I will say this author has some talent but I could never get into the story . It just felt to remote or detached in the style it was written.I will say maybe give it a spin if you are light on reading material but it was just not for me.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want a well-done novel set during World War I or II, I highly recommend Gemma Liviero. This book tells the story of a young Belgian woman during World War I (Belgium is an interesting setting since most WWI novels are set in France). Through our heroine’s eyes, we see and feel the terror and brutality of the invasion and occupation of Belgium by the Germans. But at the heart of this novel are the very human tragedies and sufferings the individual Belgian people experience as well as choices which they are forced to make. Several of our heroine’s family members are killed, and her personal hatred of the Germans knows no bounds. Our heroine’s bother is heavily into the resistance, and she wants to help him – but at what cost to herself and the rest of her family and to what level? Our heroine wants to support her family – should she work in a hotel restaurant frequented primarily by Germans? On a more difficult level, when a German Captain becomes smitten with her, should she return his advances - and she is attracted to him? What should she do when all these conflicting matters are going on at the same time? Among many well portrayed characters, there is another truly wonderful character – a British man in a waning marriage who enlists, is wounded, winds up in Belgium and is cared for by our heroine’s resistance group. This author does a wonderful job of combining the horrendous damage and issues brought by war with believable people trying to continue living and having to make difficult life decisions every day.

[Kira · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a while there to get through this and that was only because I felt like I needed time to absorb all the emotions and grief portrayed in the book.

Half in Shadow by Gemma Liviero is a powerful novel set during World War I in German occupied Belgium. The characters and the story itself were so well fleshed out that one couldn’t help but get personally invested in the plot. I got the feeling that the author tried to stick close to reality as much as possible which made this book infinitely better.

This may be the first war novel where I genuinely liked the romantic component and that’s mostly because there was nothing cheesy or fantastical about it, all the situations Josephine finds herself in feel real enough to make me root for her.

I am on fence about her and Franz’s connection but Arthur and Josephine and the way they connected had me shedding tears. The ending was bittersweet and so much better honestly than what I had feared it would be. I am imagining Eleanor and Etienne connecting well in the future and finally have a family they never had.

[Melodie Norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belgium, WWI. Wonderful writing, loved all the characters, sad but happy, loved this one.

[Rosie Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Half In Shadow is set during World War One in occupied Belgium. It revolves around the Descharmes family, with a sub-plot about an English soldier.

The story begins in 1914 with the occupation of Belgium; the Descharmes family are shocked by a series of shootings and arrests. After this terrifying time the family go to live in Brussels which is now under German rule. Josephine Descharmes finds work as a waitress in a hotel, while her brother plays a dangerous game: driving a delivery lorry for the Germans and working for the resistance.

The secondary plot is about Arthur, whose son was killed early in the war. The heartache from the boy’s death breaks up his family, and while consumed by grief and guilt Arthur enrols himself in the army. He chooses to follow his son's path, fighting from the trenches on the frontlines.

The First World War theme of this book appealed to me; I was reminded that I know less about this war than the Second World War. For example, I hadn’t remembered that Holland was a neutral country at this time. It explained why the Resistance were so eager to get soldiers across the border into Holland.

It took me a long time to settle into this story; I was into the last third of the book before I began to feel empathy for the characters. The style of writing chosen by the author made it hard for me to engage with them. It is important to me to have an emotional connection to characters and I just didn’t get that. I would also have liked to ‘feel’ more of the fear, grit and desperation; yes there was sorrow, pain and anger, but I never really believed that they w

I’m sure that there will be lots of readers who will enjoy this story and who won’t mind the style in which it is written. I quite liked the overall story themes, but it didn't 'touch' me.

[Marcin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say that at the beginning it was a bit difficult for me to get to know all the characters and used to the switching of time periods, and points of view. But around quarter of the book I was completely hooked and couldn't put it away till the end. I think it was the first fictional WWI book I have read but I thought I was in general familiar with that part of history. Well, not only I truly enjoyed this wonderful story but I have learned something completely new about this awful part of the war which was Belgium's occupation. Since then I have tried to find out more about Louvain during that time and was surprised to see that what happened there was probably even worse than the impression I have got by reading the book.

This was the first book by Gemma Liviero I have read but now I'm looking forward to discovering the other ones.

[Diane Secchiaroli · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting novel about resistance by the Belgians during WW1. I have read few novels concerning WW1 and found this one to be the most researched and informative. Josephine and her family are routed from their home by the Germans. He brother Eugene immediately joins the resistance later bringing in brother Isak and eventually Josephine who is being courted by an officer in the German army. The story covers their fight be publishing a newspaper the Virete taking photos of Allie’s, making false identities and eventually getting them safe houses and across the border. Arthur is one such Englishman who is severely injured and spends a long time at Virete House, meeting Josephine and falling in love. It is a love story as well as a book of the atrocities of war. I will certainly look for other novels by this author.

[Capsule Gal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Visceral account of war brings you there

Identifying with these characters and caring about what happens to them made me also interested in the conditions they lived through during the war. The author's words give just enough detail to put the reader there if but for a short time. I don't read a lot of fiction, but I am glad I read this story. You can read about the war's happenings in a history book but it cannot bring you there. This book does that.

[joni allego · Rating 5 out of 5]

a remarkable book

This book was so well written and the characters were so unforgettable. I knew nothing of the struggles of the Belgium people during WWI. This book brought all the terrors of War to life . Just one of the best books I’ve read in along time.

[Ariana Castillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Only you can know whether you are truly doing something wrong. No one else can tell you that.”

A story about survival but crossing both lines in warn torn Belgium in WWI. This book was a very difficult start - a lot of names and having to flip back chapters to understand context. About 1/3 of the way though it finally started picking up, but it felt like a chore to read! After that, however, it was very difficult to put the book down. I see a lot of myself in Josephine, making mistakes, learning and growing from them, and being true to oneself.

I’ve always stuck with WWII Historical fiction but this was a good read. I learned a lot about the contexts of WWI and how they led to WWII through this book. If you like historical fiction I recommend!

[James Scheid · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Tale of War, Grief and Love

This is a tale of WW I mostly during the German occupation of Belgium. The harrowing battle scenes reminded me of ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT which I read long ago but it is also a tale of the courageous resistance made up of ordinary people. It is a story of imperfect people dealing with the horrors of war. I have over used this description but it applies here. This is a darkly beautiful story. I will be looking for other Gems Lucero books.

[Jaclyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautifully written historical novel. It was engaging and interesting; the characters and story were so well developed and presented. This was my second read by Gemma Liviero and it was equally well researched and written in similar nuanced prose. If you enjoy historical fiction and are looking for a good work of literature that you can take your time savoring, learn from and appreciate, Gemma Liviero delivers.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story.

This was an interesting story because it was set during World War I. The first part of the story was slow and the characters were drawn in a way that held the reader at arms length. The end, though, made up for small flaws in the story. This story is worth the time needed to read it.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from the Amazon First Reads Program.

1915. In German-occupied Belgium, a tragic loss forces Josephine Descharmes to navigate dangerous new territory. By day it’s compliance, serving German officers at the Hotel Métropole. By night it’s resistance, working with her brothers underground to help Allied soldiers and civilians cross the border into Holland. Both paths put her and her family at great risk.

As Josephine struggles to keep her family safe, Arthur, a grief-stricken English soldier trapped behind enemy lines, finds purpose and hope with Josephine and her work. Meanwhile, Franz, a German officer remorseful for the casualties of war, offers her protection and opportunity. These two men from opposing sides will open her heart and test her loyalties.

Amid the sorrows of war and threats of mortal danger and betrayal, Josephine must steer her own fate. In a country deprived of freedom, she will make an impossible choice—one that will forever impact the family she cherishes and the man she loves.

This was quite the weird character triangle. I did like how Liviero made Josephine such a strong character in a difficult time.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best First Reads book I've read

This is perhaps the best Amazon First Reads book that I've read. The writing was very good, the characters believable, the story engaging. I also learned a lot more about WWI, particularly from the Belgian perspective.

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book because I love historical fiction, particularly that set during the First World War and thought that this would be something different as it was set in Belgium and the main character was a Belgian woman. The strength of the novel, I felt, came in the latter part of the novel after the characters of Josephine and Arthur met. However, I feel that, overall, the characters were somewhat two dimensional, mainly because there was so much subject matter crammed in- this would have made a superb historical saga.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

[Richard Corwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Without giving away too much, this was an interesting read. A woman, who never met her father, learns at her mother's death that he had been reported shot for desertion. At her mother's funeral a stranger shows up with a box for her from her father. This story is about the occupation of Belgium in WW I, the resistance and about a strong family helping others during the occupation by Germany. Interesting characters create for a good read.

[Mrs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tragic and Touching

This is a war story, so gory incidents and suffering are to be expected. It is a sad story in many ways, but the brutality of war is handled very well. There is a lot of love and family closeness to offset it. The thoughts and reactions of the characters are so well written that I felt that I knew them. I really enjoyed the look into history with personal viewpoints.

[Kirby · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Bonnye Reed]

The title did NOT download correctly. I will not be able to read and review. Sorry
AmazonPrime First Reads, December 7
pub date January 1, 2022
Amazon Digital Services

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deciding to challenge herself, the author chose to write in a completely different style. While it is commendable to try something new, it’s also risky. I’m in no position to say whether it is successful or not; however, I’m not sure that I felt as much a connection to the characters nor the story this time. I wonder if the characters weren’t as developed as I thought they should be or if telling it from two different points of view and two different time periods was confusing for me?

Regardless, it was a dramatic and heartfelt tale that gave me perspective and made me appreciate the liberties and opportunities we have today. The author portrayed the bravery and resilience of the people, the uncertainty everyone faced as a result of war, and therefore, I was better able to understand the sacrifices, the expectation and duty. Liviero highlighted the ‘nobody wins in war’ theme by showing the atrocities and suffering on both sides.

Within the first few pages, the Descharmes family experience their first heartache of German-occupied Belgium. The devastating loss permeates through the home, through everything they do, and tints their future. For the boys, it drives them into the resistance movement and for Josephine, it drives her to seek employment at the Hotel Metropole. The loss creates tension that increases throughout the story especially when readers realize Josephine is serving German officers at the Metropole and then going to work against them by night when she helps her brothers in the Resistance. It all comes to a nail-biting situation when an officer offers to help Josephine while she’s helping people escape. The author shows how people in wartime made quick decisions based on few options and without the luxury of time to contemplate their repercussions.

Arthur Shine has also experienced loss – his son’s death affects him in a profound way. Contrary to what we’d expect, he enlists. The author uses this to show that we can do things during wartime that we wouldn’t normally do. I wonder if Arthur would have made this choice had he not been grieving? Was he thinking clearly or did grief confuse him?

War affects everyone differently. Nobody wins in war. Difficult decisions were made in haste. Message received.

I was gifted this copy by Gemma Liviero, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Sharon Cogburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living with the enemy day to day

This captured the ways of war when the enemy occupies your town and you have to live side by side every day with the enemy. The author reveals the details of drastic changes that result from living in constant fear with an enemy who is so invasive…taking over your business, your home, and your freedom, watching you and looking for opportunities to arrest you, imprison you and execute you.

These details shape the story of a family living through the constant presence of the enemy whose occupation changes the very fabric of their lives. Despite their differences, they remain loyal to each other, caring for and looking out for one another. The response of individual family members to this occupation by the enemy varies . Some remain sure of their path, while others struggle more to find their role and their loyalties as they navigate the way of living among the enemy. I enjoyed seeing the different responses. The struggle to determine how you will survive is an important part of what happens in the story. Seeing how pervasive the enemy’s role is in the life of civilians, how the enemy among them controls jobs, food, housing, movement, survival…all citizens of occupied Belgium make choices to befriend or fight the enemy. I am glad there is this account of what life is like day to day with the enemy living right among you and the inner conflicts that presents when the enemy is also the source of everything you need to survive. A great job by the author. I highly recommend.

[Joanne Preece · Rating 5 out of 5]

A courageous war tale.

Most historical war books are focused on WW2, so it was nice to read a WW1 book about the invasion of Belgium. This tale is a full circle story between a Belgian family working an underground resistance and an Englishman fighting in the war after the death of his son.

This book was so well written, you truly felt the emotion, sacrifice, and heartache the characters went through; particularly Josephine, who constantly struggled between the support of her family and just trying to survive. Her love stories show you just truly how different war times can be.

Falling in like? love? with a German should have made the reader so angry, yet you felt happy for her to experience someone taking a liking to her, and keeping her and her family safe. And when she falls for Arthur, the age gap should have had you cringing; but instead again, you felt happy that she felt loved and safe again.

It was a shame Anja was caught and immediately turned on her allies and lover, Eugene.
I really enjoyed the ending with the two children meeting and Arthur meeting the daughter he never even knew he had

When reading books about the world wars, you really appreciate how lucky you truly are. Especially considering, there is a similar situation going on exactly right now in Europe.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it but it wasn't my favorite by Gemma Liviero. I loved all of her previous books but I had a hard time getting into this story. I would give it 2.5 stars. I didn't love the characters and at times felt the story was a bit choppy. It's a miracle Gene and Anya's safe house wasn't discovered sooner. It had to look suspicious with Josephine constantly coming and going, plus Gene and Xavier. The love story between Arthur and Josephine seemed out of the blue and forced. I do believe Franz loved Josephine. If it wasn't for him Josephine's family would never have survived.

Definitely give the book a try, especially if you enjoy historical fiction. Look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Lake Union Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Johnny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of us read historical fiction to be immersed in the cultural artifacts and surroundings of an earlier time. Others of us read historical fiction in an attempt to get our heads around how individuals might have reacted personally to the headline news of our awareness. Good historical fiction taps into the universal human emotions as expressed in different circumstances. Great historical fiction does so while fleshing out the outlines of those “headlines” we “know” from history with different perspectives and somewhat veiled analysis of the history from the perspective of the protagonists and those around them. Half in Shadow is a wonderful novel. It is good solid historical fiction in terms of cultural immersion (Belgium during the German occupation of World War I) and human emotion (reaction to loss, love, betrayal, fear, sacrifice, and courage). The only reason I don’t rate it five (5) stars on my arbitrary rating scale is because it doesn’t really flesh out the outline described above. Still, Half in Shadow is an impactful book in terms of emotion.

Half in Shadow is an excellent title for the story of a young Belgian female protagonist named Josephine Descharmes who is immediately faced with loss, guilt, and the challenge of survival. Her attitude toward the invading “Boche” moves from hatred through ambivalence to empathy and, to some extent, back again. Her sense of guilt for circumstances largely (if not completely) out of her control leads her into the shadows of resistance. And it is in those shadows that she must deal with her feelings. At first, she does not want to work in the restaurant which, for survival, serves a clientele almost exclusively of Germans. Because of what she has experienced, she needs the wise counsel of the restaurant manager: “You must draw a line between what was and what is. Only then can you leave the past in some context and allow yourself to make the best of what you have now.” (p. 100) Indeed, her conflicting emotions are well-summarized by a German officer who both clarifies and complicates her feelings. “Time does not change the past, but it allows us the opportunity to change our hearts.” This consideration enhanced a few lines later when he states: “I just don’t believe we should wish for the things we can’t undo. It stops us from building bridges, from healing, from living.” (p. 127) Eventually, Josephine’s thoughts express her confusion to a mysterious young noblewoman who has acquired a dubious reputation: ““But how does one know if they are doing right anymore? Whom to trust?”(p. 215)

If Half in Shadow were merely Josephine’s story, it would be emotional enough, but it is also the story of Arthur Shine—victim of tragedy and a gross miscarriage of justice (such a miscarriage inspired the writing of this novel itself). Arthur is an English soldier who enlists later in life after his son has been killed on those bloody fields of France and his wife, torn with grief, not only withdraws from him emotionally but elects to separate from him to find time for healing. In grief and guilt, feeling he really has nothing to lose, Arthur enlists and refuses the rank of non-commissioned officer he is offered to further identify with his lost son. So, we not only see the events transpiring from the perspective of one experiencing the occupation but of one involved on the battlefield. Admittedly, the balance of the book is on the former rather than the latter, but I believe the balance is just right.

Battlefield insights are not so much about the horrifying futility we know was present in some of these senseless actions brought about by the arrogance and ambition of the top brass. Rather, the insights bring the futility home to individuals. In a piece of correspondence from the front, Arthur writes: “Being this close to the enemy, my eyes had the chance to wander curiously over the faces of the men who had, till then, been seen as one giant beast to slay, not these pallid human scales that have fallen from its back.” (p. 63) More tellingly, we engage his thoughts after he becomes somewhat battle-hardened: “It is only after several days of rest that it grows hardest to go over. Those brief days of rest, of knowing they are going back, make one a little weaker. They have tasted an ounce of peace.” (p. 159)

I am trying to avoid the last third of the book where the most dramatic encounters occur. Yet, any reader knows that a book covering war is going to be filled with death and tragedy, so I want to share one particularly vivid (at least to me) line which occurs after one such tragic scene. After the seeming inevitable death, words of comfort and encouragement are offered. One of the main characters realizes that the actual words will quickly be forgotten because: “days. It’s how grief works to begin with. It suspends all rational thought. It waits insidiously behind the pretence of normalcy, then ambushes its prey when they least expect it, often at their weakest.” (pp. 268-269).

As with both novels by Gemma Liviero (I previously devoured In a Field of Blue as an Amazon Prime read.), the story is bittersweet. Protagonists struggle against incredible odds and the openings for proverbial happy endings are shaded by realism. Yes, there is some triumph and some resolution such as one might expect, but there are nuances and suggestions beyond expectation. In short, Half in Shadow is thoughtful, moving, and satisfying. It may not have everything one might desire in historical fiction, but it has more than enough to satisfy.