What do you think?
Rate this book
World War II Historical Fiction #1
To Dream Of Shadows
She’ll save hundreds of lives. But can she save her own?
Inspired by a previously untold true story.
1943, Eastern Europe. 18-year-old Czech, Inge is torn from her family and imprisoned in some godforsaken hellhole. Half-starved and suffering regular beatings, she battles through month after month of torturous labor while praying for liberation by the Allies. But rescue never comes. And her dream of surviving the war dies.
Heinz, an SS Sergeant, has been force-fed the Third Reich's poisonous philosophy since childhood. As a boy, he had no choice but to believe it, however, nowadays, he uses his position to covertly help prisoners.
So when a random act of kindness thrusts Inge and Heinz together, they can't resist being drawn to one another. And it turns their world upside-down. Unable to deny their feelings, they dare to dream of a future, a life… together.
But their relationship does not go unnoticed. For Inge and Heinz, falling in love becomes a death sentence. And not just for them, but for all those they care about.
Unless…
Inge can make an unthinkable sacrifice.
Inspired by a previously untold true story of a forbidden love, To Dream Of Shadows is an epic tale of compassion, sacrifice, and the strength of the human spirit.
For fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Beneath a Scarlet Sky, The Nightingale, and Schindler's List, To Dream Of Shadows is one of the most heartwarming, heartbreaking, and heroic tales of the Holocaust.
Inspired by a previously untold true story.
1943, Eastern Europe. 18-year-old Czech, Inge is torn from her family and imprisoned in some godforsaken hellhole. Half-starved and suffering regular beatings, she battles through month after month of torturous labor while praying for liberation by the Allies. But rescue never comes. And her dream of surviving the war dies.
Heinz, an SS Sergeant, has been force-fed the Third Reich's poisonous philosophy since childhood. As a boy, he had no choice but to believe it, however, nowadays, he uses his position to covertly help prisoners.
So when a random act of kindness thrusts Inge and Heinz together, they can't resist being drawn to one another. And it turns their world upside-down. Unable to deny their feelings, they dare to dream of a future, a life… together.
But their relationship does not go unnoticed. For Inge and Heinz, falling in love becomes a death sentence. And not just for them, but for all those they care about.
Unless…
Inge can make an unthinkable sacrifice.
Inspired by a previously untold true story of a forbidden love, To Dream Of Shadows is an epic tale of compassion, sacrifice, and the strength of the human spirit.
For fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Beneath a Scarlet Sky, The Nightingale, and Schindler's List, To Dream Of Shadows is one of the most heartwarming, heartbreaking, and heroic tales of the Holocaust.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 16, 2023
1407 people are currently reading
2417 people want to read
About the author
Steve N. Lee
26 books108 followersSteve has three passions: anti-heroes, animals, and travel. To date, he's visited 60 countries and has adopted five homeless cats, but he's yet to prowl the streets in the dead of night to beat up bad guys (though he still daydreams about doing so, but who doesn't?).
In pursuit of adventure, he's cage-dived with great white sharks, sparred with a monk at a Shaolin temple, and explored exotic locales such as Machu Picchu, Pompeii, and the Great Wall of China.
Fortunately, his passions fuel his fiction. He loves to pepper his action-packed thrillers with the exotic places he's explored and the unusual encounters he's experienced, while his dog stories glow with the love and companionship that will warm the heart of any animal lover.
More recently, while on his travels, Steve came across two true stories from the Holocaust which moved him so deeply, he has based two novels on them.
He lives in the North of England with his partner, Ania, the great-great-great niece of the 1924 winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, and two stray black cats who visited their garden one day and liked it so much, they moved into the house. Luckily, they graciously allowed Steve and Ania to carry on living there, even allowing Steve to continue paying the mortgage to give him a sense of purpose.
If you love stories of four-legged heroes, tales from histories darkest hour, or books with pulse-pounding action, you'll love Steve's three series. He wrote them for book lovers just like you!
Visit Steve's website: http://stevenleebooks.com/
Follow Steve on Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/steve...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
May 28, 2023
Inspired by true events, To Dream of Shadows by Steve N Lee is a heart-wrenching yet powerful novel. We meet eighteen-year-old Inge Zaleska, packed into a cattle car with her family and other Jews on their way to being “resettled”. On reaching their destination, she is separated from her family and sent to a Nazi labor camp in Estonia. Alone, she has to learn to fend for herself and endure the filth, starvation, back-breaking work and horrific living conditions not to mention the cruelty of the SS Officers and the kapos in charge of the barracks. In a turn of events, she is eventually transferred to a different camp where she meets Nazi Commandant, SS Oberscharfuhrer Heinz Rudolf “Rudi”Kruse who has only recently assumed charge of the camp. Rudi is portrayed as a compassionate character and as he observes the Jews in captivity and bears witness to the cruelty meted out to them by his fellow SS officers, he begins to question the beliefs that have been instilled in him about Jews while in SS training. His predecessor was a vile man who enjoyed inflicting the harshest possible punishment, but Rudi, though firm in his authority, does not follow his commandant's example. He is tested further when he meets Inge and observes her compassion for others and as they befriend one another, Rudi begins to see Jews as human beings and not “vermin” as he had been taught. Inge senses Rudi is different from other SS officers, but both of them know that there are lines that can not be crossed, failing which would lead to dire consequences for both of them.
Meticulously researched, beautifully written, and consistently paced, this novel is a compelling read. Stories set in this era are never easy or light reads, and this novel is no exception. Needless to say, the descriptions of the working and living conditions in the camp were difficult to read, the author does not mince his words while describing the camps and the punishment meted out to those who were deemed unfit to work or those deemed guilty of breaking the rules set by their SS captors. Inge is portrayed as an admirable character. Her resilience and resourcefulness in the face of hardship and cruelty truly make her stand out. It was a bit hard to accept that Rudi, a Nazi, would be any different from other SS officers but yes, the author does a good job is depicting him as a conflicted individual who is torn between his loyalty to his fatherland and his humanity. Ultimately, this is a story of resilience, compassion and sacrifice in a time of incomprehensible evil and tyranny.
Having said that, I don’t think I would have been able to appreciate the premise of this novel had it not been based on true events. Do read the Author’s Note, where he details the historical context of the story and also provides a link to his research into the true events and places that inspired the story.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Connect with me!
Instagram
My Blog
The StoryGraph
Meticulously researched, beautifully written, and consistently paced, this novel is a compelling read. Stories set in this era are never easy or light reads, and this novel is no exception. Needless to say, the descriptions of the working and living conditions in the camp were difficult to read, the author does not mince his words while describing the camps and the punishment meted out to those who were deemed unfit to work or those deemed guilty of breaking the rules set by their SS captors. Inge is portrayed as an admirable character. Her resilience and resourcefulness in the face of hardship and cruelty truly make her stand out. It was a bit hard to accept that Rudi, a Nazi, would be any different from other SS officers but yes, the author does a good job is depicting him as a conflicted individual who is torn between his loyalty to his fatherland and his humanity. Ultimately, this is a story of resilience, compassion and sacrifice in a time of incomprehensible evil and tyranny.
Having said that, I don’t think I would have been able to appreciate the premise of this novel had it not been based on true events. Do read the Author’s Note, where he details the historical context of the story and also provides a link to his research into the true events and places that inspired the story.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Connect with me!
My Blog
The StoryGraph
April 16, 2023
The novel begins in 1943 when Eva, an 18 year old Czech, is in a packed cattle car with no idea of where she and her family are headed. They believe that it's a resettlement until they are taken out of the cars and she is taken into a prison while her family disappears in the other direction. Eva is sent to a barracks that is crowded with women and the next day is sent on work detail. At first she doesn't understand the cruelty that happens daily at the camp but makes a friend who shares advice with her on how to survive. The work they are required is back breaking and they are watched over by people who don't hesitate to use a whip to keep them in line. After a short period of time in the prison, she and a group of women are forced to walk to a local concentration camp. The commandant of the concentration camp is cruel and enjoys inflicting pain on his Jewish prisoners. The second in command is Rudi who is beginning to question what he's been taught about Jewish people for his whole life. When the camp leader is injured and sent away to recuperate, Rudi starts doing things to help the prisoners as he begins to view them as people and not vermin. When Eva and Rudi first meet, there is interest between them but both know that it will be a death sentence for both of them if they allow their relationship to develop. They can't hold back their feelings for each other even though it puts them in grave danger. What will happen to both of them when their feelings for each other becomes known to the leadership in the camp?
This well written book required significant research and it shows it on every page. I'll admit it was tough reading in some places - for me the description of the torture that was inflicted on the women was horrendous and unsettling but from other books that I've read during this time period, no matter how horrible it was to read about -- it actually happened. Eva is an interesting character - no matter what is going on in her life she continues to try to take care of her best friend and the other women in her barracks.
This historical fiction novel is an epic tale of compassion, sacrifice and the ultimate strength of the human spirit.
NOTE: Be sure to read the author's comments at the end of the book. He provides information on the people that the story is based on and goes into detail about the difficulty of his research.
This well written book required significant research and it shows it on every page. I'll admit it was tough reading in some places - for me the description of the torture that was inflicted on the women was horrendous and unsettling but from other books that I've read during this time period, no matter how horrible it was to read about -- it actually happened. Eva is an interesting character - no matter what is going on in her life she continues to try to take care of her best friend and the other women in her barracks.
This historical fiction novel is an epic tale of compassion, sacrifice and the ultimate strength of the human spirit.
NOTE: Be sure to read the author's comments at the end of the book. He provides information on the people that the story is based on and goes into detail about the difficulty of his research.
April 20, 2023
This tragic yet beautiful story reminds us of the horrors that Jewish people endured during WWII and the Holocaust.
This story follows two individuals, Inge and Rudi. They are on opposite sides of the war, he is part of the Nazi brigade, and she is a Jewish woman interned at his camp. Yet, there is something in both of them that speaks to the other on a deeper level. Rudi is humane and isn't fond of his position, but he knows that he can't make massive changes without arousing suspicion. Inge is one voice of reason in his head, and she challenges him to treat all of the prisoners humanely, that he wouldn't treat a dog like how he treats these people just because they are Jewish.
My heart hurt for all that these women endured at the camp. They were beaten, starved, and forced to work long hours. No one cared about them; they only cared about how much work they could get from them until the women perished from their living conditions. The guards were cruel on top of that and took any opportunity to flog and beat the women.
The story moves at a steady pace and picks up near the end when the situation is coming to a head. There is a twist at the end that I probably should have expected but did not. The interactions between all of the characters made me feel like I was right there experiencing this situation.
The story is also about friendship and love. We are shown that even two people on opposite sides of a situation can look deeper into the other and find common ground and love.
I was captured by this novel and had difficulty putting it down. It is a book that could remain on one's mind long after the book has been read. We give this book 5 paws up.
This story follows two individuals, Inge and Rudi. They are on opposite sides of the war, he is part of the Nazi brigade, and she is a Jewish woman interned at his camp. Yet, there is something in both of them that speaks to the other on a deeper level. Rudi is humane and isn't fond of his position, but he knows that he can't make massive changes without arousing suspicion. Inge is one voice of reason in his head, and she challenges him to treat all of the prisoners humanely, that he wouldn't treat a dog like how he treats these people just because they are Jewish.
My heart hurt for all that these women endured at the camp. They were beaten, starved, and forced to work long hours. No one cared about them; they only cared about how much work they could get from them until the women perished from their living conditions. The guards were cruel on top of that and took any opportunity to flog and beat the women.
The story moves at a steady pace and picks up near the end when the situation is coming to a head. There is a twist at the end that I probably should have expected but did not. The interactions between all of the characters made me feel like I was right there experiencing this situation.
The story is also about friendship and love. We are shown that even two people on opposite sides of a situation can look deeper into the other and find common ground and love.
I was captured by this novel and had difficulty putting it down. It is a book that could remain on one's mind long after the book has been read. We give this book 5 paws up.
April 16, 2023
Reading Stuff 'n' Things
Oh my word ... what a story!! I don't think there are adequate words that capture adequately how I felt about this book and how good it was ... it was absolutely gripping and I was rivetted from the very first to the very last word ... and it's inspired by a true story.
To Dream of Shadows is a powerful story of survival, loss, resilience, hope and the power of friendship and love; it is a difficult book to read in parts but I was absolutely gripped and devoured it in quick time and have no problem recommending this to those of you who love getting totally immersed in a wonderful book that will have your emotions in tatters and your eyes glued to the words.
Many thanks must go to the author, Steve N Lee, for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of To Dream of Shadows.
Oh my word ... what a story!! I don't think there are adequate words that capture adequately how I felt about this book and how good it was ... it was absolutely gripping and I was rivetted from the very first to the very last word ... and it's inspired by a true story.
To Dream of Shadows is a powerful story of survival, loss, resilience, hope and the power of friendship and love; it is a difficult book to read in parts but I was absolutely gripped and devoured it in quick time and have no problem recommending this to those of you who love getting totally immersed in a wonderful book that will have your emotions in tatters and your eyes glued to the words.
Many thanks must go to the author, Steve N Lee, for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of To Dream of Shadows.
April 16, 2023
I enjoyed this book a lot. The plot seems so unrealistic, yet it is based on a true story. Great attention to details was given and it shows, as the life in the camp is accurately depicted.
The characters are well thought of and nicely created.
I highly recommend the book. I enjoyed it, the style of writing is lovely, flows beautifully, and the story is gripping and engaging.
5 stars!
The characters are well thought of and nicely created.
I highly recommend the book. I enjoyed it, the style of writing is lovely, flows beautifully, and the story is gripping and engaging.
5 stars!
April 19, 2023
I couldn't wait to get started on this book! I have loved other books by the author and I am always drawn to books and stories set during WWII.
Here we follow the story of Inge and Rudi based on a true story that we do not know a lot about. Inge is torn from her family and imprisoned. She finds herself moved to another camp under Rudi. Rudi has been fed Hitler's lies since he was a boy. Nowadays he realizes that those were lies and is using his power to try to help his prisoners the best he can. When the two meet there is something there. An unthinkable and dangerous love that can and will ruin everything if anyone finds out.
Words are hard.......I really adored this book. I had a hard time putting it down but due to life. Gah. Why must we humans sleep?
This was just so tragic all the way around. So many countless deaths over hate and lies. The author did a fantastic job bringing this world and these characters to life. They were complex and you wanted everyone to live happily ever after. Times are dark and uncertain.
Oof the ending got me. Loved that nice final twist so good.
Awww Bruno!!!! That had me in absolute tears!!!
I never, ever encourage this...but you HAVE to read the Author's Note at the end. I found it added something special to what we just read. I won't spoil anything, but yes, read that too once you finish the story.
This was heart-wrenching, beautifully written, carefully researched, gripping, and inspiring. The characters jump off the page and you won't want to stop reading.
In the end, read this. I enjoyed it. I loved it. 5 stars from me.
Here we follow the story of Inge and Rudi based on a true story that we do not know a lot about. Inge is torn from her family and imprisoned. She finds herself moved to another camp under Rudi. Rudi has been fed Hitler's lies since he was a boy. Nowadays he realizes that those were lies and is using his power to try to help his prisoners the best he can. When the two meet there is something there. An unthinkable and dangerous love that can and will ruin everything if anyone finds out.
Words are hard.......I really adored this book. I had a hard time putting it down but due to life. Gah. Why must we humans sleep?
This was just so tragic all the way around. So many countless deaths over hate and lies. The author did a fantastic job bringing this world and these characters to life. They were complex and you wanted everyone to live happily ever after. Times are dark and uncertain.
Oof the ending got me. Loved that nice final twist so good.
Awww Bruno!!!! That had me in absolute tears!!!
I never, ever encourage this...but you HAVE to read the Author's Note at the end. I found it added something special to what we just read. I won't spoil anything, but yes, read that too once you finish the story.
This was heart-wrenching, beautifully written, carefully researched, gripping, and inspiring. The characters jump off the page and you won't want to stop reading.
In the end, read this. I enjoyed it. I loved it. 5 stars from me.
May 25, 2023
I have read so many holocaust books and I must say that that's was the most heartbreaking of them all. Inge and Rudi's lives don't intertwine for a good portion of the book but that doesn't mean there isn't plenty of heartbreaking scenes. We open with an SS Nazi officer telling a story. Then we join Inge on the cramped cattle cars to the prison camps. There was just a way that the author tells a story that guts you. Every scene has you holding your breath that something horrible doesn't happen. Half the time it doesn't and half the time you cry. I think everyone should read this book though because then there would be no doubt what the Jews suffered at the hands of the Nazis.
April 17, 2023
I took a chance. I gambled. I let my heart out of its confines to explore this new venture from someone that has penned great yet heartbreaking work before...and I can't say I'm sorry for having done so.
This story has its bare bones in history, but the details, the fleshing out, and the ending are all speculation. It provided the author with a time period well known, locations visited many times over, and lives to explore on both sides of the war, along with the atrocities that still shock to this day, and the evil that was done in the name of a homeland. It allowed him to build complex characters that we can't help but feel for. Now whether those feelings were in favor of them or wishing they would fall into their own mass graves is something to be determined, but I will say this...while you could easily get lost in the story, both that of life in the camps, and the potential for love brewing in the most unlikely of places, it raised some interesting questions.
Inge's character I was behind one hundred percent. Even though she talked out of turn with no care for herself at times, she was always trying to help others, save others, protect others, and then eventually herself. It wasn't an easy road to walk in any way, but she did the best she could in the dire situation presented. It was so hard watching her struggles day in and day out, but it was equally hard seeing the hardships of those around her, and the people in general. It's so heartbreaking to know things like that actually happened, and that's where my second query came in. Heinz was a character that I had a very hard time liking. Grant it, it was more plausible than Gruber, or Kloser, or several others, but although he was nicer, he was still one of them. It wasn't until about seventy-five percent through the book that I was willing to accept him as something more than an instrument of war.
All in all, it was both captivating, and heartbreaking. It gave us another glimpse into history, while raising questions that are very hard to answer, and still grabbing us by the heartstrings as we wait with baited breath to see if things turn out right in the end.
*ecopy received for review; opinions are my own
This story has its bare bones in history, but the details, the fleshing out, and the ending are all speculation. It provided the author with a time period well known, locations visited many times over, and lives to explore on both sides of the war, along with the atrocities that still shock to this day, and the evil that was done in the name of a homeland. It allowed him to build complex characters that we can't help but feel for. Now whether those feelings were in favor of them or wishing they would fall into their own mass graves is something to be determined, but I will say this...while you could easily get lost in the story, both that of life in the camps, and the potential for love brewing in the most unlikely of places, it raised some interesting questions.
Inge's character I was behind one hundred percent. Even though she talked out of turn with no care for herself at times, she was always trying to help others, save others, protect others, and then eventually herself. It wasn't an easy road to walk in any way, but she did the best she could in the dire situation presented. It was so hard watching her struggles day in and day out, but it was equally hard seeing the hardships of those around her, and the people in general. It's so heartbreaking to know things like that actually happened, and that's where my second query came in. Heinz was a character that I had a very hard time liking. Grant it, it was more plausible than Gruber, or Kloser, or several others, but although he was nicer, he was still one of them. It wasn't until about seventy-five percent through the book that I was willing to accept him as something more than an instrument of war.
All in all, it was both captivating, and heartbreaking. It gave us another glimpse into history, while raising questions that are very hard to answer, and still grabbing us by the heartstrings as we wait with baited breath to see if things turn out right in the end.
*ecopy received for review; opinions are my own
April 16, 2023
Good luck reading this without sobbing your heart out! I love historical WWII fiction and this is nothing like anything I have ever read before. From start to finish, it is simply amazing. Loosely based on true events, it is everything I could ever hope for in a book. It is heart-warming, heart-wrenching, emotional, horrific, and an absolute love story.
There were many times throughout the book when I just couldn’t believe what I was reading. I was angry at Rudi (Heinz), a German SS officer. I was scared for Inge, the eighteen-year-old Jewish woman who often should probably have kept quiet but who was forever sticking up for her camp mates. I haven’t read a book in a while that kept me hooked from page one, right the way through to the end. I had no idea how it was going to end, and what was going to happen to our mismatched couple. I wanted to turn the pages fast, so I found out what was going to happen and I wanted to turn them slowly because I didn’t want this wonderful story to end.
If WWII fiction is your thing, then I cannot recommend To Dream of Shadows enough. I promise you will not be disappointed. If you haven’t read anything like this before and you want to dip your toe in to the historical fiction water, then give this a try.
Thank you so much to Steve N Lee for providing me with the opportunity to read and review a copy of To Dream of Shadows. It will definitely be included in my most favourite books on 2023.
There were many times throughout the book when I just couldn’t believe what I was reading. I was angry at Rudi (Heinz), a German SS officer. I was scared for Inge, the eighteen-year-old Jewish woman who often should probably have kept quiet but who was forever sticking up for her camp mates. I haven’t read a book in a while that kept me hooked from page one, right the way through to the end. I had no idea how it was going to end, and what was going to happen to our mismatched couple. I wanted to turn the pages fast, so I found out what was going to happen and I wanted to turn them slowly because I didn’t want this wonderful story to end.
If WWII fiction is your thing, then I cannot recommend To Dream of Shadows enough. I promise you will not be disappointed. If you haven’t read anything like this before and you want to dip your toe in to the historical fiction water, then give this a try.
Thank you so much to Steve N Lee for providing me with the opportunity to read and review a copy of To Dream of Shadows. It will definitely be included in my most favourite books on 2023.
April 13, 2023
Inge is a Jewish prisoner sent to one of the concentration camps during WW2. Separated from her family and trying to find a way to survive. Inge suffers a lot from the awful working tasks to the brutality of the kapos and the SS. During her second camp she finds that not all German soldiers are the same.
Rudi is made commander of the camp and wants to do his best to change things without breaking protocol. He has been taught most of his life that Jews are not human and are like animals however Rudi wouldn't treat an animal as brutally as these prisoners have been treated by the Nazis.
Things start to change when Inge and Rudi meet and start falling for each other. Going against everything they've both been taught. I loved the comparison that both Rudi and Inge were prisoners of the camp and how against all odds they fell in love.
This book was amazing and disturbing. Disturbing due to the brutality the prisoners suffered however it was very well written and based on a very true part of history. I have read a few WW2 books based in the camps and this is up there with one of my favorites.
Rudi is made commander of the camp and wants to do his best to change things without breaking protocol. He has been taught most of his life that Jews are not human and are like animals however Rudi wouldn't treat an animal as brutally as these prisoners have been treated by the Nazis.
Things start to change when Inge and Rudi meet and start falling for each other. Going against everything they've both been taught. I loved the comparison that both Rudi and Inge were prisoners of the camp and how against all odds they fell in love.
This book was amazing and disturbing. Disturbing due to the brutality the prisoners suffered however it was very well written and based on a very true part of history. I have read a few WW2 books based in the camps and this is up there with one of my favorites.
April 17, 2023
“It all started when I lost my hand.”
wow. that’s how the book started and that’s how it got me hooked right from the start.
I’ve always wanted to read a story based on how a SS officer falls in love with a jew prisoner.. ! and this story was amazing… but also heartbreaking as always.
Rudi starts realizing how absurd everything is and tried to do anything to help the prisoners.. he started to question the beliefs he was supposed to show/live for/fight for.. he finally starts viewing them as people… since the second he laid his eyes on Eva he knew, I knew as a reader, she knew. ‘why is he being so nice? he can’t be nice.’ not only Rudi starts to question what he’s going thru emotionally but also Eva.
this story is a lot of things, a true rollercoaster. the way it is brutally written and just very detailed! i loved it!.. the end broke my heart i wish i could talk about it but no spoilers here… the research made for this book is out of this world. it was not easy to read in some parts but that’s exactly what i was expecting from this book and i got it 100%!
also loved how the author goes into detail at the end about the people the book is based on! made it so much more real and special! 🤍
wow. that’s how the book started and that’s how it got me hooked right from the start.
I’ve always wanted to read a story based on how a SS officer falls in love with a jew prisoner.. ! and this story was amazing… but also heartbreaking as always.
Rudi starts realizing how absurd everything is and tried to do anything to help the prisoners.. he started to question the beliefs he was supposed to show/live for/fight for.. he finally starts viewing them as people… since the second he laid his eyes on Eva he knew, I knew as a reader, she knew. ‘why is he being so nice? he can’t be nice.’ not only Rudi starts to question what he’s going thru emotionally but also Eva.
this story is a lot of things, a true rollercoaster. the way it is brutally written and just very detailed! i loved it!.. the end broke my heart i wish i could talk about it but no spoilers here… the research made for this book is out of this world. it was not easy to read in some parts but that’s exactly what i was expecting from this book and i got it 100%!
also loved how the author goes into detail at the end about the people the book is based on! made it so much more real and special! 🤍
June 14, 2023
Wow, just wow
I’ve just finished this book and it has a cracking ending that has left me wanting to know more about the real life characters. Thankfully the author has made available a short e book about his research. I applaud the author for the level of his research throughout the entire book. I thought that I already had my favourite author of holocaust related stories but this has eclipsed it. I can’t recommend this book enough.
I’ve just finished this book and it has a cracking ending that has left me wanting to know more about the real life characters. Thankfully the author has made available a short e book about his research. I applaud the author for the level of his research throughout the entire book. I thought that I already had my favourite author of holocaust related stories but this has eclipsed it. I can’t recommend this book enough.
April 13, 2023
I was given this book to review and found it to be disturbing but extremely well done. It was disturbing because of the subject matter - German camps during WW2. The cruelty and disgusting behaviour of that time was highlighted enough so that we should never forget the atrocities committed in the name of superiority.
It was well done because it was sensitive to the characters but also by questioning the mind set of the Nazis and their barbaric and ignorant philosophies mainly through Rudi. Inge was a strong character that refused to deny kindness and compassion.
It was well-written yet harrowing but certainly a worthwhile read.
I would recommend that everyone should read this story...nobody should forget this terrible time in history.
It was well done because it was sensitive to the characters but also by questioning the mind set of the Nazis and their barbaric and ignorant philosophies mainly through Rudi. Inge was a strong character that refused to deny kindness and compassion.
It was well-written yet harrowing but certainly a worthwhile read.
I would recommend that everyone should read this story...nobody should forget this terrible time in history.
May 9, 2023
Gripping and Emotional
Very much enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it. The book was full of suspense and well researched. Some of the details were horrific but it never felt unrealistic. The characters were believable and having read many books set around the Holocaust, this is definitely one of the very best ones.
Very much enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it. The book was full of suspense and well researched. Some of the details were horrific but it never felt unrealistic. The characters were believable and having read many books set around the Holocaust, this is definitely one of the very best ones.
November 4, 2024
Inspired by a previously untold true story, To Dream of Shadows is an emotional roller coaster. It's brim-full of heart-pounding action, suspense, close calls, and much more. It's 100% riveting.
World War II is raging. Eighteen year-old Inge Zaleska, a Jew, is prisoner #1582 in a Nazi death camp in Estonia. She feeds a hungry robin during the dead of winter. SS Oberscharfuhrer Heinz Rudolf “Rudi” Kruse is the camp commandant. He sees Inge feed the bird. That single act of kindness ignites an epic tale of love and courage.
To be sure, To Dream of Shadows isn’t for the faint-hearted. It’s heart-warming and heart-rending. Intense. Gripping. And utterly shattering. It's also much more.
To Dream of Shadows is about a lot of things. It's about light in the darkest hellhole imaginable. It’s about shoes. (Yep, shoes.) Soup. Friendship. Kindness. Unspeakable brutality. A magnificent German shepherd named Bruno.
But most of all, To Dream of Shadows is about the triumph of the human spirit against seemingly insurmountable odds. It’s about finding humanity in the face of staggering inhumanity. It’s about compassion. Beauty in the midst of unimaginable ugliness. Sacrifice. Loyalty. Love. It's simply stunning.
Expertly written with pitch-perfect pacing, To Dream of Shadows is jaw-dropping. It grabbed me from chapter one and reeled us in, hook, line, and sinker.
Indeed, To Dream of Shadows is the kind of book that grabs you by the throat. Slides both thumbs down your jugular. And doesn’t let go until the final page. It will leave you breathless.
I received a free copy of this book in order to write an honest review.
World War II is raging. Eighteen year-old Inge Zaleska, a Jew, is prisoner #1582 in a Nazi death camp in Estonia. She feeds a hungry robin during the dead of winter. SS Oberscharfuhrer Heinz Rudolf “Rudi” Kruse is the camp commandant. He sees Inge feed the bird. That single act of kindness ignites an epic tale of love and courage.
To be sure, To Dream of Shadows isn’t for the faint-hearted. It’s heart-warming and heart-rending. Intense. Gripping. And utterly shattering. It's also much more.
To Dream of Shadows is about a lot of things. It's about light in the darkest hellhole imaginable. It’s about shoes. (Yep, shoes.) Soup. Friendship. Kindness. Unspeakable brutality. A magnificent German shepherd named Bruno.
But most of all, To Dream of Shadows is about the triumph of the human spirit against seemingly insurmountable odds. It’s about finding humanity in the face of staggering inhumanity. It’s about compassion. Beauty in the midst of unimaginable ugliness. Sacrifice. Loyalty. Love. It's simply stunning.
Expertly written with pitch-perfect pacing, To Dream of Shadows is jaw-dropping. It grabbed me from chapter one and reeled us in, hook, line, and sinker.
Indeed, To Dream of Shadows is the kind of book that grabs you by the throat. Slides both thumbs down your jugular. And doesn’t let go until the final page. It will leave you breathless.
I received a free copy of this book in order to write an honest review.
October 25, 2024
More a romance novel
My first read by this author. I liked the plot but there seemed to be so many missing details. No obvious questions such as Inge asking what had happened to her family. Just lacked details to give more depth to the storyline. I was hoping it would be more historical as to how it was like in the camp but came across as more of a romance novel.
My first read by this author. I liked the plot but there seemed to be so many missing details. No obvious questions such as Inge asking what had happened to her family. Just lacked details to give more depth to the storyline. I was hoping it would be more historical as to how it was like in the camp but came across as more of a romance novel.
April 27, 2023
To Dream of Shadows is a book that I could not put down. While I love many different types of novels, I find that I have been drawn to those that take place before/during and after the Second World War.
I know there is a fascination with all that went on during that time and I'm sure that having had family in the European world during that horrific era, makes those novels seem to come alive for me.
It was a horrible time in our history for sure. Given what we know now about the atrocities that took place during that time, but, we also hear of immense heroic acts as well.
Even though the German army was the perpetrators of many of these terrible deeds, there were those who used their rank to undermine the intentions of the Nazi party! Just think of Schindler's List as one of those!
To Dream of Shadows falls into that category of book. While the Nazi's were the POWER , many of the people who found themselves in positions within the Reich, really thought that the intention of the labor camps was to make the workforce (they were not humans) productive for the needs of the Reich. To be sure, these individuals were totally deluded in their thinking. The Reich did not care about productivity of their workforce (Jews were replaceable), as much as it cared about showing the Jews who was in power and yielding that power without consideration for anything humane or decent. The Germans did not think that the Jews were human, they were less than the family dog! They were there to be dominated, made to feel less than dirt! Their main use was being worked death or on really bad days, being used for the entertainment of the officers! They would find all kinds of ways to make a Jew suffer for their very sordid amusement. When morality gives way to power, all manner of abuse is possible and some of these officers devised ways that were so horrific that even today we get the chills at the thought of what was happening in those prison camps.
Even in these terrible circumstances, the light of hope is never extinguished. There will always be hope and that is what author Steven N. Lee uses to drive this story. Hope in the midst of every possible horror and dehumanizing situation, can keep the strong willed alive!
From the time of her incarceration at 18, Inge has been relocated away from her family to a hellhole of a war prison. Not knowing what has happened to the rest of her family, Inge undergoes all manner of deprivation. Starving and being worked almost to death, she finds her inner strength with the hopes of liberation. But can there be hope right here in the midst of this prison?
Heinz, one of her captors and an SS Sergeant, has been fed the lies about the Jews since childhood. He never questions what is happening right before his eyes until he falls in love with one of the prisoners and begins to see that they are just as human as he is.
He becomes a bright light in a very dark place, trying to make things better for all those captives. But his intentions do not go unnoticed by others in the rank and file, at the prison. Turning in one of their own (who is helping the enemy) would mean extra honors for them. Heinz needs to watch his back as his subordinates are getting concerned about his treatment of their "subjects".
Can he get out of this squalid place with the prisoner that he adores? He and Inge can be put to death in a heartbeat if their relationship becomes public. It is a forbidden love and the consequences of this union could result in death for both of them.
What can be done? You will have to read this book and see what happens. Just be ready to hold your breath in anticipation.
Steven N. Lee has done a masterful job in retelling this story and I know if you are anything like me, you will have a hard time putting this book down. Suffice it to say this could make a great movie along the lines of Schindler's List and maybe open your eyes to what the human spirit is capable of when love is the driving force.
I know there is a fascination with all that went on during that time and I'm sure that having had family in the European world during that horrific era, makes those novels seem to come alive for me.
It was a horrible time in our history for sure. Given what we know now about the atrocities that took place during that time, but, we also hear of immense heroic acts as well.
Even though the German army was the perpetrators of many of these terrible deeds, there were those who used their rank to undermine the intentions of the Nazi party! Just think of Schindler's List as one of those!
To Dream of Shadows falls into that category of book. While the Nazi's were the POWER , many of the people who found themselves in positions within the Reich, really thought that the intention of the labor camps was to make the workforce (they were not humans) productive for the needs of the Reich. To be sure, these individuals were totally deluded in their thinking. The Reich did not care about productivity of their workforce (Jews were replaceable), as much as it cared about showing the Jews who was in power and yielding that power without consideration for anything humane or decent. The Germans did not think that the Jews were human, they were less than the family dog! They were there to be dominated, made to feel less than dirt! Their main use was being worked death or on really bad days, being used for the entertainment of the officers! They would find all kinds of ways to make a Jew suffer for their very sordid amusement. When morality gives way to power, all manner of abuse is possible and some of these officers devised ways that were so horrific that even today we get the chills at the thought of what was happening in those prison camps.
Even in these terrible circumstances, the light of hope is never extinguished. There will always be hope and that is what author Steven N. Lee uses to drive this story. Hope in the midst of every possible horror and dehumanizing situation, can keep the strong willed alive!
From the time of her incarceration at 18, Inge has been relocated away from her family to a hellhole of a war prison. Not knowing what has happened to the rest of her family, Inge undergoes all manner of deprivation. Starving and being worked almost to death, she finds her inner strength with the hopes of liberation. But can there be hope right here in the midst of this prison?
Heinz, one of her captors and an SS Sergeant, has been fed the lies about the Jews since childhood. He never questions what is happening right before his eyes until he falls in love with one of the prisoners and begins to see that they are just as human as he is.
He becomes a bright light in a very dark place, trying to make things better for all those captives. But his intentions do not go unnoticed by others in the rank and file, at the prison. Turning in one of their own (who is helping the enemy) would mean extra honors for them. Heinz needs to watch his back as his subordinates are getting concerned about his treatment of their "subjects".
Can he get out of this squalid place with the prisoner that he adores? He and Inge can be put to death in a heartbeat if their relationship becomes public. It is a forbidden love and the consequences of this union could result in death for both of them.
What can be done? You will have to read this book and see what happens. Just be ready to hold your breath in anticipation.
Steven N. Lee has done a masterful job in retelling this story and I know if you are anything like me, you will have a hard time putting this book down. Suffice it to say this could make a great movie along the lines of Schindler's List and maybe open your eyes to what the human spirit is capable of when love is the driving force.
April 24, 2023
Steve Lee is a brilliant storyteller. So much so, that I stuck with his newest novel, To Dream of Shadows, a romance set in the Nazi prisons and concentration camps of World War II, even though the first half of the story is almost unrelentingly grim. I say ‘almost’ because there are bright spots, Rudi, the SS officer who is torn between being “a good German or a good Nazi,” and who displays increasing doubt about the way the Jews in the camp where he serves, when we first meet him, and ends up commanding, albeit temporarily, saves a young woman at the start of the story, and his scenes with his rescued dog, the impeccably-trained Bruno, offer much-needed breaks from the main story.
There are also some bright moments with Inge, who we first meet on a cattle car en route to “resettlement” – which ends up being a prison camp in Estonia where she’s forced to do hard labor, but makes a good friend, and manages to find favor with some of the prisoners who have more power than she does when it’s necessary.
Ironically, it isn’t until Inge arrives at Rudi’s camp, which is run by a brutal man named Kloser who takes real pleasure in tormenting people, and is credited with the invention of the Box, a “punishment” device so brutal that Lee chose not to share the full effects of being sentenced to it.
Inge and Rudi make believable characters, and plausible friends (sort of ) who become lovers in the worst possible situation. Lee writes their romance from a place of truth, and their choices are plausible and both heartbreaking (when Inge solves a mystery that is weighing on Rudi) and heartwarming, though none of these things is ever truly happy or joyous due to the horrific circumstances that serve as background to their tale.
I’ve read a lot of holocaust novels, not because I have a particular fascination with the period, but because it’s a popular period for a lot of really good stories, and this one, at it’s core, is less a true romance than a tale of compassion, “which is contagious, and must be spread to others,” as Rudi tells Inge during their first meeting.
I especially appreciated the way Lee bookended the story with Kloser’s debriefing, which made everything more chilling, but also put the worst horrors at a bit of a distance – how reliable a narrator is Kloser, anyway? I also appreciated that there was a range of personalities both among the imprisoned Jewish people, and within the officers of the camp. The medic, Baumann, who tries to help everyone without the necessary skills or supplies was a brighter spot and a good mirror to Gruber who is as bloodthirsty as his commander. I also appreciated the way the author used language – his dialogue always feels like real people speaking. Pacing was also perfect – and the final few chapters had me literally biting my nails with worry and excitement.
Overall, this is a satisfying, if difficult read. I would also say that stories like this are necessary reads in world where fascism seems to be growing ever stronger. We’re often reminded that those who don’t their history are doomed to repeat it. This story is a novel, but it’s based in truth and it is our history. Here’s hoping we take the right lessons from it.
Goes well with: a stiff drink and a dog to cuddle.
There are also some bright moments with Inge, who we first meet on a cattle car en route to “resettlement” – which ends up being a prison camp in Estonia where she’s forced to do hard labor, but makes a good friend, and manages to find favor with some of the prisoners who have more power than she does when it’s necessary.
Ironically, it isn’t until Inge arrives at Rudi’s camp, which is run by a brutal man named Kloser who takes real pleasure in tormenting people, and is credited with the invention of the Box, a “punishment” device so brutal that Lee chose not to share the full effects of being sentenced to it.
Inge and Rudi make believable characters, and plausible friends (sort of ) who become lovers in the worst possible situation. Lee writes their romance from a place of truth, and their choices are plausible and both heartbreaking (when Inge solves a mystery that is weighing on Rudi) and heartwarming, though none of these things is ever truly happy or joyous due to the horrific circumstances that serve as background to their tale.
I’ve read a lot of holocaust novels, not because I have a particular fascination with the period, but because it’s a popular period for a lot of really good stories, and this one, at it’s core, is less a true romance than a tale of compassion, “which is contagious, and must be spread to others,” as Rudi tells Inge during their first meeting.
I especially appreciated the way Lee bookended the story with Kloser’s debriefing, which made everything more chilling, but also put the worst horrors at a bit of a distance – how reliable a narrator is Kloser, anyway? I also appreciated that there was a range of personalities both among the imprisoned Jewish people, and within the officers of the camp. The medic, Baumann, who tries to help everyone without the necessary skills or supplies was a brighter spot and a good mirror to Gruber who is as bloodthirsty as his commander. I also appreciated the way the author used language – his dialogue always feels like real people speaking. Pacing was also perfect – and the final few chapters had me literally biting my nails with worry and excitement.
Overall, this is a satisfying, if difficult read. I would also say that stories like this are necessary reads in world where fascism seems to be growing ever stronger. We’re often reminded that those who don’t their history are doomed to repeat it. This story is a novel, but it’s based in truth and it is our history. Here’s hoping we take the right lessons from it.
Goes well with: a stiff drink and a dog to cuddle.
April 14, 2023
To Dream Of Shadows by Steve N Lee is a powerful historical novel that has its roots in fact. The author has carefully woven his tale, clearly after much research in order to be as accurate as possible.
Much of the tale is set in a concentration camp which is hell on earth. We see the story through the eyes of Rudi, a Nazi, and Inge, a young Jewish woman. Their experiences are similar but different. Both are trapped – one in luxury, the other in filth. They are held captive. Rudi does not realise this at first but there is no escape from his posting. We see that “there was a huge difference between being a good German and being a good Nazi. Which one was he?” There are always decisions to be made – keep low and don’t rock the boat? Or stand up for what is right?
We see the strength needed to survive – not necessarily physical but that would help – but mental too. “Some people picked up a rifle to become a freedom fighter, but her resistance was going to be different – she was going to survive to tell the world of the atrocities she’d witnessed.” Luck would be needed too. We witness how Inge found blessings in the most horrendous of circumstances.
Steve N Lee has captured the horror with his words. Conditions were beyond horrific and yet people survived. There were moments of tenderness which were beautiful, as a character has compassion for nature, sharing what she has with a bird who has nothing. This is truly inspiring. “If a Jew can see beauty in a camp filled with horror, maybe there was hope for him too.” Drawn to a quiet inner beauty, she has compassion when those around her have lost theirs.
There is a beautiful bond between a man and his dog. “Bruno was a joy and a wonder, curiosity and playfulness.” Bruno becomes a character in his own right.
It is awful to witness man’s inhumanity to man – but beautiful when we see scales fall from eyes. “The insanity of a world at war melted away … it was as though he was facing another person. A living, breathing, vibrant person. A person just like him.”
To Dream Of Shadows was an incredibly powerful and heart-wrenching read. Steve N Lee has written with care and compassion whilst revealing the terrible horrors the Jewish people endured, from cattle cars to the camps. This is a book that must be read in memory of the six million innocents who perished.
I will leave you with a powerful quote:
“Compassion is contagious, so we should spread it everywhere.”
I received a free copy from the author. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
Much of the tale is set in a concentration camp which is hell on earth. We see the story through the eyes of Rudi, a Nazi, and Inge, a young Jewish woman. Their experiences are similar but different. Both are trapped – one in luxury, the other in filth. They are held captive. Rudi does not realise this at first but there is no escape from his posting. We see that “there was a huge difference between being a good German and being a good Nazi. Which one was he?” There are always decisions to be made – keep low and don’t rock the boat? Or stand up for what is right?
We see the strength needed to survive – not necessarily physical but that would help – but mental too. “Some people picked up a rifle to become a freedom fighter, but her resistance was going to be different – she was going to survive to tell the world of the atrocities she’d witnessed.” Luck would be needed too. We witness how Inge found blessings in the most horrendous of circumstances.
Steve N Lee has captured the horror with his words. Conditions were beyond horrific and yet people survived. There were moments of tenderness which were beautiful, as a character has compassion for nature, sharing what she has with a bird who has nothing. This is truly inspiring. “If a Jew can see beauty in a camp filled with horror, maybe there was hope for him too.” Drawn to a quiet inner beauty, she has compassion when those around her have lost theirs.
There is a beautiful bond between a man and his dog. “Bruno was a joy and a wonder, curiosity and playfulness.” Bruno becomes a character in his own right.
It is awful to witness man’s inhumanity to man – but beautiful when we see scales fall from eyes. “The insanity of a world at war melted away … it was as though he was facing another person. A living, breathing, vibrant person. A person just like him.”
To Dream Of Shadows was an incredibly powerful and heart-wrenching read. Steve N Lee has written with care and compassion whilst revealing the terrible horrors the Jewish people endured, from cattle cars to the camps. This is a book that must be read in memory of the six million innocents who perished.
I will leave you with a powerful quote:
“Compassion is contagious, so we should spread it everywhere.”
I received a free copy from the author. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
April 16, 2023
A deeply heart-wrenching story that depicts how even under horrific circumstances, love can conquer all.
After being separated from her family, Inge is forced to forge her own path in concentration camps where the line between life and death is so thin. Inge is in constant battle with her own failing body, and mental stability as she, and her fellow prisoners, are worked to the brink of death every day. She has an incredible strength to go on, even when you think she’s given up, she picks herself up and continues. The simple act of caring for a helpless, starving bird, is what draws Rudi to her.
SS Sergeant, Heinz (also known as, Rudi) is at constant war with his own thoughts regarding his position in the war and in the camp. His own beliefs have been tainted by the indoctrination he faced as a child growing up in Nazi Germany. It’s clear that he can feel his grip on his humanity slipping the longer the war rages on. When he spots Inge outside his window feeding that bird, he sees an act of compassion so unusual that it shakes him to his core. He knows she must be starving, so to share her limited food with another animal shows him another side to the people he’s been taught to hate.
Reading as their relationship developed brought warmth to the story. It’s forbidden love to the utmost degree, but they know it’s worth fighting for. In a world crippled by war and inhumanity, this love brings them the comfort and companionship they both desperately need to survive. You can’t help but root for them as they start their dangerous journey toward love and a happier ending.
This is in no way a light read, some of the heinous crimes committed will leave you feeling sick to your stomach. The torturous condition the prisoners are forced to live in is soul-destroying. However, it’s an incredibly powerful, moving read and I highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in War Fiction / WW2 stories. Lee does a superb job of taking you from the depths of despair to finding pockets of hope throughout the book.
After being separated from her family, Inge is forced to forge her own path in concentration camps where the line between life and death is so thin. Inge is in constant battle with her own failing body, and mental stability as she, and her fellow prisoners, are worked to the brink of death every day. She has an incredible strength to go on, even when you think she’s given up, she picks herself up and continues. The simple act of caring for a helpless, starving bird, is what draws Rudi to her.
SS Sergeant, Heinz (also known as, Rudi) is at constant war with his own thoughts regarding his position in the war and in the camp. His own beliefs have been tainted by the indoctrination he faced as a child growing up in Nazi Germany. It’s clear that he can feel his grip on his humanity slipping the longer the war rages on. When he spots Inge outside his window feeding that bird, he sees an act of compassion so unusual that it shakes him to his core. He knows she must be starving, so to share her limited food with another animal shows him another side to the people he’s been taught to hate.
Reading as their relationship developed brought warmth to the story. It’s forbidden love to the utmost degree, but they know it’s worth fighting for. In a world crippled by war and inhumanity, this love brings them the comfort and companionship they both desperately need to survive. You can’t help but root for them as they start their dangerous journey toward love and a happier ending.
This is in no way a light read, some of the heinous crimes committed will leave you feeling sick to your stomach. The torturous condition the prisoners are forced to live in is soul-destroying. However, it’s an incredibly powerful, moving read and I highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in War Fiction / WW2 stories. Lee does a superb job of taking you from the depths of despair to finding pockets of hope throughout the book.
April 17, 2023
To Dream of Shadows: A Gripping Holocaust Novel Inspired by a Heartbreaking True Story (World War II Historical Fiction Book 1) by Steve N. Lee. If you know me, I gravitate towards WWII-era nonfiction and historical fiction. Luckily, this book found me, and I read it in less than 3 days! I was hooked from the beginning given the characters and their development throughout the story. The book is based on a true story and was clearly well-researched by author Lee. I have read A LOT of books about the holocaust and never thought I could be surprised by even more methods of torture I had not already read about! The depravity involved to create new ways to torture human beings in the camps…and to actually watch and/or participate in the methodology being used as if it is entertainment…is almost unbelievable, but it DID happen!
Inge at first is a naïve teenaged Czech Jew, who like so many other European Jews, was ripped apart from her family during selections. Not only is she imprisoned, starved and worked like an animal, she is alone. Despite her grave situation, she still dreams of holding on until liberation. She soon becomes savvy and resourceful. While helping herself, she also helps others to survive, sometimes to her own detriment. Although the allies do not rescue her, she is rescued in meaningful ways, by some of the least obvious people.
Rudi is an increasingly conflicted high-ranking SS sergeant at Inge’s camp. He has a dog named Bruno, which we learn Rudi does not use to inflict fear and pain in the camp. Rather, Bruno is his pal and serves as an escape into nature and away from the atrocities of the camp. We learn early on that Rudi is innately compassionate. He increasingly questions the Nazi position against Jews instilled in him since boyhood. One day Rudi notices Inge off on her own in the camp and given their common interest in animals, their story begins.
This untold-before story tugs at your heart, reaches down into your soul and moves you to root for the proverbial underdog(s). I look forward to Lee’s book 2!
Inge at first is a naïve teenaged Czech Jew, who like so many other European Jews, was ripped apart from her family during selections. Not only is she imprisoned, starved and worked like an animal, she is alone. Despite her grave situation, she still dreams of holding on until liberation. She soon becomes savvy and resourceful. While helping herself, she also helps others to survive, sometimes to her own detriment. Although the allies do not rescue her, she is rescued in meaningful ways, by some of the least obvious people.
Rudi is an increasingly conflicted high-ranking SS sergeant at Inge’s camp. He has a dog named Bruno, which we learn Rudi does not use to inflict fear and pain in the camp. Rather, Bruno is his pal and serves as an escape into nature and away from the atrocities of the camp. We learn early on that Rudi is innately compassionate. He increasingly questions the Nazi position against Jews instilled in him since boyhood. One day Rudi notices Inge off on her own in the camp and given their common interest in animals, their story begins.
This untold-before story tugs at your heart, reaches down into your soul and moves you to root for the proverbial underdog(s). I look forward to Lee’s book 2!
May 7, 2023
TRIGGER WARNING: graphic Nazi brutality and Holocaust detail
Inge is separated from her family once the cattle truck arrives at its destination. She is taken to a brutal prison until she is moved to a concentration camp. Rudi is an SS officer who takes charge of the camp. He is beginning to doubt the Nazi ideology and his own perception of the world...
To Dream Of Shadows is an historical novel set during WW2. It is exceedingly good but also very upsetting at times. It is based on a true story which adds poignancy to the plot and characters.
I was totally absorbed by the beginning of the book as Inge and Rudi adjust to their circumstances. Both Inge and Rudi are portrayed sympathetically despite their radically different experiences of the Holocaust. Inge's determination to survive is inspirational whilst Rudi's twisted ideology is gradually eroded.
The two main characters do not meet until half way through the book when Rudi has started to question the validity of seeing Jews as subhuman and Inge acts on impulse showing her humanity. I felt that the romance of the second half of the book was of secondary importance to me compared with the devastating detail of the horrendous experiences in the camp. The ending left me with questions but also with a sense of hope.
The mix of casual abuse against the hideous torture is carefully balanced. Daily beatings and the exhaustion from being worked to death are described with haunting authenticity. The use of the Box is very distressing but I think it is so important to acknowledge the trauma of the past. The fact that this is based on a true story is fascinating as well as awful, and the author offers his research on the topic at the end of the book.
To Dream Of Shadows was absolutely gripping and I was totally immersed in the lives of the characters.
Inge is separated from her family once the cattle truck arrives at its destination. She is taken to a brutal prison until she is moved to a concentration camp. Rudi is an SS officer who takes charge of the camp. He is beginning to doubt the Nazi ideology and his own perception of the world...
To Dream Of Shadows is an historical novel set during WW2. It is exceedingly good but also very upsetting at times. It is based on a true story which adds poignancy to the plot and characters.
I was totally absorbed by the beginning of the book as Inge and Rudi adjust to their circumstances. Both Inge and Rudi are portrayed sympathetically despite their radically different experiences of the Holocaust. Inge's determination to survive is inspirational whilst Rudi's twisted ideology is gradually eroded.
The two main characters do not meet until half way through the book when Rudi has started to question the validity of seeing Jews as subhuman and Inge acts on impulse showing her humanity. I felt that the romance of the second half of the book was of secondary importance to me compared with the devastating detail of the horrendous experiences in the camp. The ending left me with questions but also with a sense of hope.
The mix of casual abuse against the hideous torture is carefully balanced. Daily beatings and the exhaustion from being worked to death are described with haunting authenticity. The use of the Box is very distressing but I think it is so important to acknowledge the trauma of the past. The fact that this is based on a true story is fascinating as well as awful, and the author offers his research on the topic at the end of the book.
To Dream Of Shadows was absolutely gripping and I was totally immersed in the lives of the characters.
April 16, 2023
👮♂️ TO DREAM OF SHADOWS LAUNCH DAY 👮♂️
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Average Goodreads Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.79
Vibes: 🩸💔👮♂️
Format: 📖
Publisher: Blue Zoo
Pages: 354
👮♂️ Nazi Germany
👮♂️ Concentration Camp
👮♂️ Human Resilience
👮♂️ Forbidden Love
"Inspired by a previously untold true story.
18-year-old Czech, Inge is torn from her family and imprisoned in some godforsaken hellhole. Half-starved and suffering regular beatings, she battles through month after month of torturous labor while praying for liberation by the Allies. But rescue never comes. And her dream of surviving the war dies.
Heinz, an SS Sergeant, has been force-fed the Third Reich's poisonous philosophy since childhood. As a boy, he had no choice but to believe it, however, nowadays, he uses his position to covertly help prisoners.
So when a random act of kindness thrusts Inge and Heinz together, they can't resist being drawn to one another. And it turns their world upside-down. Unable to deny their feelings, they dare to dream of a future, a life… together."
You may not know, as I don't read nearly enough books about it, but another passion of mine is WWII history. I've visited Auschwitz and Birkenau, blown away by the sheer scale of the atrocities witnessed by Jews, disabled people, gay people... the list goes on.
Steve N Lee's writing is wonderful, bringing this story to life in a way not any less impactful than Heather Morris' The Tattooist of Auschwitz series. I audibly gasped in some parts (did The Box really exist? I wanna find out, but idk if I can take it) and fell in love with so many characters.
I would have loved a less smushed-together ending with more clarity on what actually happened, but overall this was a very powerful read I would highly recommend.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Average Goodreads Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.79
Vibes: 🩸💔👮♂️
Format: 📖
Publisher: Blue Zoo
Pages: 354
👮♂️ Nazi Germany
👮♂️ Concentration Camp
👮♂️ Human Resilience
👮♂️ Forbidden Love
"Inspired by a previously untold true story.
18-year-old Czech, Inge is torn from her family and imprisoned in some godforsaken hellhole. Half-starved and suffering regular beatings, she battles through month after month of torturous labor while praying for liberation by the Allies. But rescue never comes. And her dream of surviving the war dies.
Heinz, an SS Sergeant, has been force-fed the Third Reich's poisonous philosophy since childhood. As a boy, he had no choice but to believe it, however, nowadays, he uses his position to covertly help prisoners.
So when a random act of kindness thrusts Inge and Heinz together, they can't resist being drawn to one another. And it turns their world upside-down. Unable to deny their feelings, they dare to dream of a future, a life… together."
You may not know, as I don't read nearly enough books about it, but another passion of mine is WWII history. I've visited Auschwitz and Birkenau, blown away by the sheer scale of the atrocities witnessed by Jews, disabled people, gay people... the list goes on.
Steve N Lee's writing is wonderful, bringing this story to life in a way not any less impactful than Heather Morris' The Tattooist of Auschwitz series. I audibly gasped in some parts (did The Box really exist? I wanna find out, but idk if I can take it) and fell in love with so many characters.
I would have loved a less smushed-together ending with more clarity on what actually happened, but overall this was a very powerful read I would highly recommend.
April 14, 2023
When I was asked to read this book and learned of the subject matter, I really, really dreaded it. The horrors of the Holocaust disturb my thoughts and rip my heart to pieces. We must never, ever forget that time in history. I have been to Dachau; I wish that everyone was required to visit a concentration camp. It leaves a lasting impression. Even though I did not want to read this book, I have never been disappointed with a book written by Steve N. Lee so I decided to give it a chance. Once again, he did not disappoint.
This is the story of a Jew, Inge Zaleski and an SS officer, Rudoph (Rudi) Kruse whose lives became intertwined during the Holocaust. We meet Inge as she, along with her family, is captive on a cattle car. When the cattle car arrives at it's destination, she is separated from them and taken to a work camp. It doesn't take her long to learn that cruelty and hate have no bounds. She decides that she is going to survive, no matter what it takes; she will not let the Germans win.
Rudi is very conflicted about what he has been taught all his life: that Jews are like animals, that they are vermin, etc. He sees that they can think, they feel, they have spirit, etc. Is it possible that they are people, just like everyone else? His views and behavior toward the prisoners changes as he begins to sympathize with their plight.
Rudi and Inge will eventually cross paths.....and they will learn things about how human and similar they each are...that they want to survive at all costs, but survive being free.
This is the story of a Jew, Inge Zaleski and an SS officer, Rudoph (Rudi) Kruse whose lives became intertwined during the Holocaust. We meet Inge as she, along with her family, is captive on a cattle car. When the cattle car arrives at it's destination, she is separated from them and taken to a work camp. It doesn't take her long to learn that cruelty and hate have no bounds. She decides that she is going to survive, no matter what it takes; she will not let the Germans win.
Rudi is very conflicted about what he has been taught all his life: that Jews are like animals, that they are vermin, etc. He sees that they can think, they feel, they have spirit, etc. Is it possible that they are people, just like everyone else? His views and behavior toward the prisoners changes as he begins to sympathize with their plight.
Rudi and Inge will eventually cross paths.....and they will learn things about how human and similar they each are...that they want to survive at all costs, but survive being free.
April 14, 2023
This was not a light read, but it was a powerful, moving story. This might be the epitome of a forbidden love story - a Nazi concentration camp officer falling in love with one of the prisoners. Dangerous for both of them - this puts both of their lives on the line. I really liked Inge from the start, she's strong, even in the face of such overwhelming cruelty. I didn't like Heinz very much at the start, but as the story progressed, and we got to know him better, and he started to change, I began to like him much more. I won't lie, this book is very emotional, but it gets you wrapped up in the plot fairly quickly, and although you might need a box of tissues at times, you won't regret one moment of reading this. Lee does an excellent job of bringing the historical setting to life, and doesn't tone down anything. I won't give away the ending, but I promise by the time you reach it, you'll have your heart wrapped up in the fate of Inge and Heinz.
April 16, 2023
This is a story about bravery, compassion, and love. Two people, an SS soldier and a Jewish woman transferred to his camp, are put in a tough place and the soldier must make decisions that could put him and everyone he cares about in danger.
This story was wonderfully written. It hooked me from the get-go. I’ve read many holocaust and labor camp stories and this one was right up there with my favorites. The difficulties the Jewish people dealt with during this period was horrendous and the German soldiers were truly cruel. However, I believe that in everything that is evil, or made to appear extremely evil, there is some good hidden within, and this story showcases just that. This was a powerful, heart-wrenching read that tore at my soul.
I also really enjoyed learning that the story was based on researched facts. The extent the author went to find as much as he could about the two main characters and the setting is amazing. Well done.
This story was wonderfully written. It hooked me from the get-go. I’ve read many holocaust and labor camp stories and this one was right up there with my favorites. The difficulties the Jewish people dealt with during this period was horrendous and the German soldiers were truly cruel. However, I believe that in everything that is evil, or made to appear extremely evil, there is some good hidden within, and this story showcases just that. This was a powerful, heart-wrenching read that tore at my soul.
I also really enjoyed learning that the story was based on researched facts. The extent the author went to find as much as he could about the two main characters and the setting is amazing. Well done.
June 26, 2023
An incredibly important interesting WWII historical novel that explores the relationship of the Nazi concentration camp commander with his prisoners. Rudi begins to realize that the Jews are not the animal vermin that they were taught! They are real humans with clever minds and emotions. Rudi meets Inga at the camp and her affronted vocals haunt him while he starts to hate seeing the horrific conditions of the camp.
He builds in winter coats for the prisoners and adds one piece of bread to the food portions. Inga mentions necessary adjustments that should be made under the disguise of “getting better work output at the quarry so Nazi army benefits “.
Rudi’s housekeeper breaks her leg and after much thought, he gets Inga to resume her duties. They begin to fall in love; both fighting the very concepts they were brainwashed with.
The ending is a wow and the author is easy to read/smooth dialog. Read this novel based on a true story!!
He builds in winter coats for the prisoners and adds one piece of bread to the food portions. Inga mentions necessary adjustments that should be made under the disguise of “getting better work output at the quarry so Nazi army benefits “.
Rudi’s housekeeper breaks her leg and after much thought, he gets Inga to resume her duties. They begin to fall in love; both fighting the very concepts they were brainwashed with.
The ending is a wow and the author is easy to read/smooth dialog. Read this novel based on a true story!!
April 12, 2025
Unbelievable...
This is my second book from this author and I cannot wait for the third.
This book tells it like it is and in my opinion has been very well researched and respectfully written. Stories about the Holocaust need this kind of respect , respect for all those that did not make it home to tell their own tales.
Igne is a wonderful character so full of courage and sarcastic humour , i really did laugh out loud sometimes. It can shock you with the raw truth of living in a prison or concentration camp during some of the worst days in history. Rudi questions his involvement with the Jewish prisoners , he questions his state of mind , and questions all he was lead to believe growing up.
Thank you to the author once again and may I congratulate you on a book worth reading .
Katheryn worrall
This is my second book from this author and I cannot wait for the third.
This book tells it like it is and in my opinion has been very well researched and respectfully written. Stories about the Holocaust need this kind of respect , respect for all those that did not make it home to tell their own tales.
Igne is a wonderful character so full of courage and sarcastic humour , i really did laugh out loud sometimes. It can shock you with the raw truth of living in a prison or concentration camp during some of the worst days in history. Rudi questions his involvement with the Jewish prisoners , he questions his state of mind , and questions all he was lead to believe growing up.
Thank you to the author once again and may I congratulate you on a book worth reading .
Katheryn worrall
April 9, 2023
WWII historical fiction with a twist. A camp commander who questions the Nazi ways. Why are Jews treated worse than Germans when everyone is a person. When the commander is put in charge of the camp he sees it as an opportunity to implement kinder policies but he must be careful so other don’t turn him in as being ‘soft’ on the Jews. At the same time a prisoner has the strength to stand up for herself and others.
This book is a story within a story. One of the German officers is telling the story of this camp, which is an interesting way to write the book. I highly enjoyed the book because of the characters. You want to see them survive in a horrible time. If you enjoyed WWII historical fiction, this is a must read.
This book is a story within a story. One of the German officers is telling the story of this camp, which is an interesting way to write the book. I highly enjoyed the book because of the characters. You want to see them survive in a horrible time. If you enjoyed WWII historical fiction, this is a must read.
October 4, 2024
Jean38no
A heartbreaking story that reads like non fiction. I‘ve read many, many books on the Holocaust . Maybe two where a SS Nazi soldier had fallen in love with a Jewish woman . They never ended up together . So I have to say that I choose to believe a second ending where they were able to live out their lives together. It made me personally feel that there is some good in the world . I know there were many German people that didn’t believe the hype that Hitler put out. They remembered and had the courage to be decent humans even under such a regime. I see what happened than and are much afraid we are at the precipice of such a thing happening again! But this author gives me hope. A great read
A heartbreaking story that reads like non fiction. I‘ve read many, many books on the Holocaust . Maybe two where a SS Nazi soldier had fallen in love with a Jewish woman . They never ended up together . So I have to say that I choose to believe a second ending where they were able to live out their lives together. It made me personally feel that there is some good in the world . I know there were many German people that didn’t believe the hype that Hitler put out. They remembered and had the courage to be decent humans even under such a regime. I see what happened than and are much afraid we are at the precipice of such a thing happening again! But this author gives me hope. A great read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews