Resistance

by Craig Simpson

Norway, September 1943. For brothers Marek and Olaf, a hunting trip offers a brief chance to get away from the German occupying forces. But returning home they witness the horror of their father's arrest by the Gestapo and the start of a brutal regime under the evil Lieutenant Wold. When their daring plan for revenge goes horribly wrong, they are forced to seek refuge in the vast and unforgiving Norwegian wilderness. Marek is captivated by the courage and determination of the Resistance freedom-fighters who save the two brothers from an icy grave. He may not be a crack shot like his brother, but he is quick-thinking, resourceful, and a talented mechanic. With youth on his side, the Germans probably won't suspect him to be a part of the ambitious sabotage attack planned by the fighters. But can he keep his nerve, especially when the final assault throws his friends and family into the path of the enemy?

Genres: Adventure, War, Historical Fiction

368 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2007

About the author

A writer of action thrillers and adventures, mostly WWII inspired by secret agents of the SOE. My first book, "Resistance" (2007) was short-listed for the Branford-Boase Award, and my highly-acclaimed award-winning Special Operations Series (4 titles) has been followed by various short-format illustrated EDGE titles for Franklin Watts (Hachette). I am currently working on a swashbuckling novel set during the Glorious Revolution of 1688.

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tyranny, courage, betrayal and espionage feature heavily in this action packed adventure set in Occupied Norway during the Second World War. Fourteen year old Marek and his brother join forces with the Resistance and stage acts of sabotage and rescue while battling the harsh sub-arctic conditions.
Full review at http://crushingcinders.com/?p=310

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved this book, it was so exciting, i couldn't put it down !

[Meena · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story follows a pair of brothers in Norway struggling during Nazi occupation, but in reality it manages to show the struggles of a lot of people. As the synopsis says, their father is taken by the Gestapo and they're a pair of hot blooded young men who cannot just stand back n wait for the war to end, the story follows how they cross paths with the resistance and how they were the perfect mentors for them. The horrors of war are mentioned without the inappropriate relish that a lot of authors tend to develop when describing a violent or painful event.

The writing is very straightforward and clear, not prosy and extremely captivating. The characters are beautifully developed, the little boy who narrates the story sees a lot more in the people he meets than just their facial features.

Beautifully researched and described well enough that you can practically see the events unfold, I'd definitely recommend.