What do you think?
Rate this book
WW2 Resistance #1
The Silence Before Dawn
Nazi-occupied France, 1944: I tear open the envelope, extracting a sheet of folded paper. I read it, my heart cracking with every word. There is no mistaking the name of the man who betrayed us. Jack. My beloved fiancé – and now, a traitor.
For months, Marianne’s resistance network has carried out courageous missions from a remote farmhouse in southern Provence, aiding the Nazis’ downfall. But one fateful night, they are viciously ambushed as German soldiers storm in, scattering, capturing or killing every last person there.
Mourning the loss of her friends, Marianne will need every ounce of courage to survive. Not only has her life as a secret agent been critically compromised, but her heart has been shattered. Because Jack, her darling fiancé and fellow spy, fled in the chaos – and is accused of being the traitor who betrayed them.
Desperate to believe Jack’s innocence and that their love was true, to her horror Marianne discovers he has been seized by the Butcher of Lyon, a Nazi more brutal and ruthless than any other. Now it is more imperative than ever that Marianne finds Jack – before he reveals the names of every undercover agent in France, or before he is murdered for remaining loyal.
So Marianne sets out on the most dangerous mission of her life, and the most personal. With her tight-knit group of fellow women agents by her side, she risks everything to rescue Jack. Can she save her fiancé before it’s too late – and change the fate of the war in the process? Or is she blind to the heart-breaking truth, and simply sacrificing her own life?
Based on true stories of the fearless women secret agents – and their tales of bravery, betrayal and love – this is the first book in the heart-pounding, heart-wrenching and totally addictive WW2 Resistance series. Perfect for readers of The Nightingale, All the Light We Cannot See and Ellie Midwood.
For months, Marianne’s resistance network has carried out courageous missions from a remote farmhouse in southern Provence, aiding the Nazis’ downfall. But one fateful night, they are viciously ambushed as German soldiers storm in, scattering, capturing or killing every last person there.
Mourning the loss of her friends, Marianne will need every ounce of courage to survive. Not only has her life as a secret agent been critically compromised, but her heart has been shattered. Because Jack, her darling fiancé and fellow spy, fled in the chaos – and is accused of being the traitor who betrayed them.
Desperate to believe Jack’s innocence and that their love was true, to her horror Marianne discovers he has been seized by the Butcher of Lyon, a Nazi more brutal and ruthless than any other. Now it is more imperative than ever that Marianne finds Jack – before he reveals the names of every undercover agent in France, or before he is murdered for remaining loyal.
So Marianne sets out on the most dangerous mission of her life, and the most personal. With her tight-knit group of fellow women agents by her side, she risks everything to rescue Jack. Can she save her fiancé before it’s too late – and change the fate of the war in the process? Or is she blind to the heart-breaking truth, and simply sacrificing her own life?
Based on true stories of the fearless women secret agents – and their tales of bravery, betrayal and love – this is the first book in the heart-pounding, heart-wrenching and totally addictive WW2 Resistance series. Perfect for readers of The Nightingale, All the Light We Cannot See and Ellie Midwood.
361 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2022
1495 people are currently reading
1312 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
September 27, 2024
If you love strong female protagonists, then look no further than ‘The Silence Before Dawn’, - a frightening but beautifully written World War II novel that is based on true stories of female secret agents!
Nazi occupied France 1944, and young Englishwoman Marianne, is leader of a network of French Resistance fighters, most of them men. She may be young and she may be female, but the men trust her with their lives - she has earned the right to be their leader. However, there is an informant in their midst, responsible for many deaths - that person will be found and dealt with! Marianne is then given an envelope, supposedly with the name of the informant, the traitor in their midst, so with shaking hands she slowly opens and reads the name. The shock she experiences is like nothing before - the informant is none other than her fiancé, secret agent Jack!
In the meantime, Jack has been seized by the butcher of Lyon - Nazi, Klaus Barbie, currently head of the Gestapo in Lyon. Marianne doesn’t want to believe that Jack would betray them, but she isn’t sure what to think. One thing is certain though, they will have to rescue Jack before he reveals important information about any upcoming missions, and also prevent him from giving the names of all the undercover agents. And equally, if he isn’t a traitor, then they need to rescue him before the brutal butcher of Lyon does his worst on him.
It goes without saying how much we owe to these amazingly brave young women (and men) although this novel focuses mainly on the women. ‘The Silence Before Dawn’ is exceptional - the characters were perfectly formed, the storyline authentic, (if brutal at times). There are many heart stopping situations, so naturally the tension is palpable throughout, but it makes for a real page turner. You don’t want to miss this one!
*My thanks to Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
Nazi occupied France 1944, and young Englishwoman Marianne, is leader of a network of French Resistance fighters, most of them men. She may be young and she may be female, but the men trust her with their lives - she has earned the right to be their leader. However, there is an informant in their midst, responsible for many deaths - that person will be found and dealt with! Marianne is then given an envelope, supposedly with the name of the informant, the traitor in their midst, so with shaking hands she slowly opens and reads the name. The shock she experiences is like nothing before - the informant is none other than her fiancé, secret agent Jack!
In the meantime, Jack has been seized by the butcher of Lyon - Nazi, Klaus Barbie, currently head of the Gestapo in Lyon. Marianne doesn’t want to believe that Jack would betray them, but she isn’t sure what to think. One thing is certain though, they will have to rescue Jack before he reveals important information about any upcoming missions, and also prevent him from giving the names of all the undercover agents. And equally, if he isn’t a traitor, then they need to rescue him before the brutal butcher of Lyon does his worst on him.
It goes without saying how much we owe to these amazingly brave young women (and men) although this novel focuses mainly on the women. ‘The Silence Before Dawn’ is exceptional - the characters were perfectly formed, the storyline authentic, (if brutal at times). There are many heart stopping situations, so naturally the tension is palpable throughout, but it makes for a real page turner. You don’t want to miss this one!
*My thanks to Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
September 12, 2022
Marianne and her team of loyal Resistance followers fled when the Germans found their safe-house, the farm they held their meetings in, deep in the forest. Three were captured and left hanging in front of the farmhouse, as a reminder to everyone that the Nazis were everywhere. As Marianne continued to wonder who had betrayed them, more betrayals followed before they joined with another Resistance group, led by the inimitable Juliette. Their work in Lyon was only just beginning, with more of their members infiltrated in various places of importance. They would make a difference in the hateful, horrible war!
When Jack, Marianne's fiance, was captured by the Gestapo and taken to holding where the Butcher of Lyon, a brutal, heartless man named Barbie, would torture his victims before executing them, Marianne was determined to rescue him before their secrets were revealed. With help from within the organisation, to only just escaping with the Nazis behind them, they edged closer. But what would they find? Would they be able to retrieve their captured friends before it was too late?
The Silence Before Dawn is the 1st in the WW2 Resistance Series by Amanda Lees and I was captivated from the start, flying through the pages until the end. An excellent covering of the Resistance of Lyon, the based-on-true-stories of the strong, resilient and determined young women agents who showed such bravery and courage in the face of true horror - I was entranced and am very much looking forward to book #2. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
When Jack, Marianne's fiance, was captured by the Gestapo and taken to holding where the Butcher of Lyon, a brutal, heartless man named Barbie, would torture his victims before executing them, Marianne was determined to rescue him before their secrets were revealed. With help from within the organisation, to only just escaping with the Nazis behind them, they edged closer. But what would they find? Would they be able to retrieve their captured friends before it was too late?
The Silence Before Dawn is the 1st in the WW2 Resistance Series by Amanda Lees and I was captivated from the start, flying through the pages until the end. An excellent covering of the Resistance of Lyon, the based-on-true-stories of the strong, resilient and determined young women agents who showed such bravery and courage in the face of true horror - I was entranced and am very much looking forward to book #2. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
September 13, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really, really enjoyed this. Listening to the audio book took quite a while, but the story was very much worth it.
The strength and sense of duty and community that these characters exhibited was poignant and moving, and I cared for every single one of them. I loved that we actually got to see the perspective of the women in this case, as their stories aren't given nearly enough attention in this context. If I had to choose what I enjoyed most about the book it would definitely be the characters. Well-rounded and realistic, they were a joy to read about.
This novel taught me a lot about the resistance movement during WW2. But what I respect the most is that it did so unobtrusively. I didn't feel like facts were being forced on me and I wasn't bored for a single moment. Everything was integrated into the story beautifully, which says a lot about the author's skill.
The reason this wasn't a 5-star read was that I found certain bits slightly unrealistic. Yes, this is partly fiction, but some parts required a bit too much suspension of disbelief for my taste. Still, it was an incredible novel that anyone interested in historical and feminist fiction should pick up.
I really, really enjoyed this. Listening to the audio book took quite a while, but the story was very much worth it.
The strength and sense of duty and community that these characters exhibited was poignant and moving, and I cared for every single one of them. I loved that we actually got to see the perspective of the women in this case, as their stories aren't given nearly enough attention in this context. If I had to choose what I enjoyed most about the book it would definitely be the characters. Well-rounded and realistic, they were a joy to read about.
This novel taught me a lot about the resistance movement during WW2. But what I respect the most is that it did so unobtrusively. I didn't feel like facts were being forced on me and I wasn't bored for a single moment. Everything was integrated into the story beautifully, which says a lot about the author's skill.
The reason this wasn't a 5-star read was that I found certain bits slightly unrealistic. Yes, this is partly fiction, but some parts required a bit too much suspension of disbelief for my taste. Still, it was an incredible novel that anyone interested in historical and feminist fiction should pick up.
November 21, 2022
In this thrilling historical fiction by Amanda Lees, Marianne is part of a group of resistance fighters during World War II. It is Nazi occupied France and Marianne is the leader of a network that is working hard to bring the Nazi's down. Despite their hard work, however, there appears to be a traitor among them.
It doesn't matter how many historical novels that I read that I am always learning about another aspect, or area where the war affected so many lives in devastating ways. The fight is on, however, even with a traitor in their midst. Also, with Marianne's boyfriend Jack having been captured, Marianne wonders if indeed he is the traitor.
The resistance is currently focused on Klaus Barbie, who is known as the "Butcher of Lyon", a man feared by many. One of Marianne's team goes undercover to try and thwart Klaus Barbie's efforts. Also, they do hope to not only rescue Jack, but also hope that he is innocent and not the traitor.
What an amazing book and an excellent start to a new series. There were so many countries affected by World War II and the author focuses this story on France, all while telling various stories, that of Marianne, Jack, and their past, as well as the efforts to stop Klaus Barbie and how far one of her team members is willing to go to accomplish their objectives.
This amazing book is one of the best historical fiction books that I have read, especially with learning France’s role in World War II and the resistance efforts as well as the tragedies and the betrayal that needed to be identified. I love that The Silence Before Dawn is the first book in a new series. I am very much looking forward to book two, Paris at First Light, which is set for release at the end of November.
In fact, one of the principal characters in this first book, Juliette, will be the primary protagonist in the second book. Kudos to Amanda Lees for not only writing a thrilling book set in Lyons, France, but also by making it a series that will most definitely be another compelling read.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Please enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/T1qYe1nP1iY
It doesn't matter how many historical novels that I read that I am always learning about another aspect, or area where the war affected so many lives in devastating ways. The fight is on, however, even with a traitor in their midst. Also, with Marianne's boyfriend Jack having been captured, Marianne wonders if indeed he is the traitor.
The resistance is currently focused on Klaus Barbie, who is known as the "Butcher of Lyon", a man feared by many. One of Marianne's team goes undercover to try and thwart Klaus Barbie's efforts. Also, they do hope to not only rescue Jack, but also hope that he is innocent and not the traitor.
What an amazing book and an excellent start to a new series. There were so many countries affected by World War II and the author focuses this story on France, all while telling various stories, that of Marianne, Jack, and their past, as well as the efforts to stop Klaus Barbie and how far one of her team members is willing to go to accomplish their objectives.
This amazing book is one of the best historical fiction books that I have read, especially with learning France’s role in World War II and the resistance efforts as well as the tragedies and the betrayal that needed to be identified. I love that The Silence Before Dawn is the first book in a new series. I am very much looking forward to book two, Paris at First Light, which is set for release at the end of November.
In fact, one of the principal characters in this first book, Juliette, will be the primary protagonist in the second book. Kudos to Amanda Lees for not only writing a thrilling book set in Lyons, France, but also by making it a series that will most definitely be another compelling read.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Please enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/T1qYe1nP1iY
August 23, 2022
I was giddy with excitement at this refreshingly different wartime fiction book! If you are looking for something unique, this one’s for you.
This is the most informative book I’ve read yet on the French Resistance. Historical Fiction, particularly WW2, is my interest and yet I’ve never come across the Lyon network written about in such amazing detail. I learned about the resistance groups getting organized and working closely with Churchill’s SOE to make life difficult for the Nazis and how Hitler sent Klaus Barbie, the Butcher of Lyon, to eradicate the French Resistance. Then I learned about the Milice, a French version of the Gestapo set up by the Vichy government and two strategic maneuvers I’d never heard of before, Operation Dragoon and Operation Jedburgh. I was engrossed in this spectacular story, a wonderful tribute to those ordinary people who gave so much to free France and the rest of the world from the horrors of war.
In addition to lots of new information to learn, I appreciated the strong female characters, the twists revealing the moles, the pacing and compelling plot, and the tension. The author mentions that this is a love story featuring ordinary men and women. Yes, there’s romance, but Lees examines the love these courageous people have for the work they do. It’s obvious that they care about their country and their mission, but there’s also a deep care and concern for the many resistance fighters they work alongside. I was in awe of the risks they took to ensure the safety of their network fighters, those they would have known, as well as the risks for those across the sea that were strangers. I can't wait for book 2 in the series.
This page-turner needs to be on every historical fiction lover’s reading list.
I was gifted this advance copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
This is the most informative book I’ve read yet on the French Resistance. Historical Fiction, particularly WW2, is my interest and yet I’ve never come across the Lyon network written about in such amazing detail. I learned about the resistance groups getting organized and working closely with Churchill’s SOE to make life difficult for the Nazis and how Hitler sent Klaus Barbie, the Butcher of Lyon, to eradicate the French Resistance. Then I learned about the Milice, a French version of the Gestapo set up by the Vichy government and two strategic maneuvers I’d never heard of before, Operation Dragoon and Operation Jedburgh. I was engrossed in this spectacular story, a wonderful tribute to those ordinary people who gave so much to free France and the rest of the world from the horrors of war.
In addition to lots of new information to learn, I appreciated the strong female characters, the twists revealing the moles, the pacing and compelling plot, and the tension. The author mentions that this is a love story featuring ordinary men and women. Yes, there’s romance, but Lees examines the love these courageous people have for the work they do. It’s obvious that they care about their country and their mission, but there’s also a deep care and concern for the many resistance fighters they work alongside. I was in awe of the risks they took to ensure the safety of their network fighters, those they would have known, as well as the risks for those across the sea that were strangers. I can't wait for book 2 in the series.
This page-turner needs to be on every historical fiction lover’s reading list.
I was gifted this advance copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
August 12, 2022
I dithered over 3 or 4 stars for this book. I settled on 3 because it was a well written story and the roles of the SOE and the Resistance were well portrayed. The chapters were short and sharp and held your interest. There's also a nice love story. It was the women to the fore of this novel.
I dropped two stars because some of it was unbelievable. It's hard to imagine a group of tough, war hardened men obeying a slip of an English girl without question or resentment. It was the same for Jennifer, Christine was the only one who really rang true for me.
Everything was slightly over done. Marianne had to do a truly awful thing which would cause anyone to suffer terribly but she carried on as normal and just mentioned it once afterwards.
When the traitor was revealed, I was gob smacked. Thought I had guessed who it was but was totally wrong. However, the incident was abrupt and almost glossed over.
They evaded and escaped from the Gestapo numerous times. The Gestapo were some of the most ruthless people in the war and the most feared. This story made them look incompetent.
Still it's a good read for anyone who likes this genre and it has got a lot of 4 and 5 star reviews.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for an early copy of this book.
I dropped two stars because some of it was unbelievable. It's hard to imagine a group of tough, war hardened men obeying a slip of an English girl without question or resentment. It was the same for Jennifer, Christine was the only one who really rang true for me.
Everything was slightly over done. Marianne had to do a truly awful thing which would cause anyone to suffer terribly but she carried on as normal and just mentioned it once afterwards.
When the traitor was revealed, I was gob smacked. Thought I had guessed who it was but was totally wrong. However, the incident was abrupt and almost glossed over.
They evaded and escaped from the Gestapo numerous times. The Gestapo were some of the most ruthless people in the war and the most feared. This story made them look incompetent.
Still it's a good read for anyone who likes this genre and it has got a lot of 4 and 5 star reviews.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for an early copy of this book.
October 17, 2022
1944-Nazi occupied France. A young English woman, Marianne is a leader of a network of French Resistance fighters. Everyone trust her with their lives, however there is an informant. Marianne is given an envelope of the traitor, and is shocked by what she finds. Unfortunately it is her fiancé Jack. How can she not have known!
Jack has been taken by the butcher of Lyon-Nazi Klaus Barbie. Marianne realizes they have to rescue Jack before their missions are compromised more. Is Jack really a traitor or is the note false?
This beautiful novel focus on the brave women and men. This book is very intense, as is the subject matter, but truly worth the time. I felt this novel was authentic and beautifully researched. Thank you Bookouture, Netgalley and author Amanda Lees for this advanced copy, which is out Sept 13, 2022.
Jack has been taken by the butcher of Lyon-Nazi Klaus Barbie. Marianne realizes they have to rescue Jack before their missions are compromised more. Is Jack really a traitor or is the note false?
This beautiful novel focus on the brave women and men. This book is very intense, as is the subject matter, but truly worth the time. I felt this novel was authentic and beautifully researched. Thank you Bookouture, Netgalley and author Amanda Lees for this advanced copy, which is out Sept 13, 2022.
September 20, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for accepting my request to audibly read and review The Silence Before Dawn.
Author: Amanda Lees
Published: 09/13/22
Narrator: Sofia Zervudachi
Genre: Historical Fiction
Narrator Sofia Zervudachi did a nice job. This book required a host of emotions. Her voice is soft and calming in dangerous situations, and confidently stern when necessary. She also did quite well showing compassion.
The story itself is long and boredom set in repeatedly. With the respect to the time period and subject matter I tried to stay focused. There is a lot of planning that goes into the missions. There are detailed conversations necessary to move forward. However, I didn't find the story to be plausible. While this is a fictitious tale, I needed it to make sense.
I do understand that sex is powerful. I also know that the Germans didn't have reasonable standards and people were disposable. The women in this book were far more aggressive and successful in situations that weren't explained.
Sadly, this is a 2 star read for me. It appears this will be a series, and it stops here for me.
Author: Amanda Lees
Published: 09/13/22
Narrator: Sofia Zervudachi
Genre: Historical Fiction
Narrator Sofia Zervudachi did a nice job. This book required a host of emotions. Her voice is soft and calming in dangerous situations, and confidently stern when necessary. She also did quite well showing compassion.
The story itself is long and boredom set in repeatedly. With the respect to the time period and subject matter I tried to stay focused. There is a lot of planning that goes into the missions. There are detailed conversations necessary to move forward. However, I didn't find the story to be plausible. While this is a fictitious tale, I needed it to make sense.
I do understand that sex is powerful. I also know that the Germans didn't have reasonable standards and people were disposable. The women in this book were far more aggressive and successful in situations that weren't explained.
Sadly, this is a 2 star read for me. It appears this will be a series, and it stops here for me.
September 12, 2022
If you enjoy fast paced historical fiction, World War II French Resistance stories, as well as romance, you’ll most definitely like this book by author Amanda Lees.
You can read this book without any prior knowledge. It does a fairly decent job at explaining the situation in France in 1944, even though it doesn't go into much detail about it. However, I would argue your reading experience will be much improved by knowing a few key facts.
These facts and much more on the book in my review on the blog:
https://readfinebooks.com/2022/09/10/...
You can read this book without any prior knowledge. It does a fairly decent job at explaining the situation in France in 1944, even though it doesn't go into much detail about it. However, I would argue your reading experience will be much improved by knowing a few key facts.
These facts and much more on the book in my review on the blog:
https://readfinebooks.com/2022/09/10/...
August 19, 2022
Kick Ass female Main characters, the book has an abundance lf those. I read this book in one day. Omg i felt all their hardships, their heartaches, the love they had for eachother. I seriously cried. So I highly recommend this book. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion
September 19, 2022
The Traitor
The time is 1943 somewhere in the south of France. A resistance group is working to free France from the Nazi's. When a traitor informs on them they are surprised by the Nazi's in a farmhouse where no one but those in the group knew they were meeting. This means someone within the resistance group is a mole. When the evidence points to Marianne's fiancée she is heartbroken.
Three of them are taken by the Nazi's and set to go before the Butcher of Lyon the most famous and cruel Nazi. Now a group of resistance fighters ran by women resistance must somehow rescue them from the Nazi's before more details of the resistance are given to the Nazi's and more lives are in danger.
Marianne truly wants to believe her fiancée Jack is not the traitor even if the evidence proves otherwise. In trying to free them she puts her life on the line and herself in great danger as well as others.
This is a story of brave women that gave all to save their country from the Nazi's. They did not give up, they were fearless and fierce. They undertook dangerous missions right under the noses of the Nazi's. They were caught, tortured and some murdered by the Nazi's as they tried to save their country. These women suffered both mental and physical torture and sometimes they even found that friends, family and fellow resistance would betray them for money and power. It was a sad state when you could trust no one and everyone was suspect
I loved the characters and the setting. The narrator was good and the accent was perfect for the story. It was filled with suspense and a bit of mystery. I listened to the audio book while doing my evening walk. I became engrossed in the book and walked a lot longer than usual. I need to listen to more like this.
The novels such as this about the resistance and the brave men and women that fought this battle in the midst of the Nazi's are inspirational and shout of courage and determination.
This was a good book and I enjoyed listening to the audio book. I would recommend it .
Thanks to Amanda Lees for writing a great story, to Sofia Zervudachi for the wonderful narration, to Bookouture Audio for publishing it and to NetGalley for providing me with a copy to listen to and review.
The time is 1943 somewhere in the south of France. A resistance group is working to free France from the Nazi's. When a traitor informs on them they are surprised by the Nazi's in a farmhouse where no one but those in the group knew they were meeting. This means someone within the resistance group is a mole. When the evidence points to Marianne's fiancée she is heartbroken.
Three of them are taken by the Nazi's and set to go before the Butcher of Lyon the most famous and cruel Nazi. Now a group of resistance fighters ran by women resistance must somehow rescue them from the Nazi's before more details of the resistance are given to the Nazi's and more lives are in danger.
Marianne truly wants to believe her fiancée Jack is not the traitor even if the evidence proves otherwise. In trying to free them she puts her life on the line and herself in great danger as well as others.
This is a story of brave women that gave all to save their country from the Nazi's. They did not give up, they were fearless and fierce. They undertook dangerous missions right under the noses of the Nazi's. They were caught, tortured and some murdered by the Nazi's as they tried to save their country. These women suffered both mental and physical torture and sometimes they even found that friends, family and fellow resistance would betray them for money and power. It was a sad state when you could trust no one and everyone was suspect
I loved the characters and the setting. The narrator was good and the accent was perfect for the story. It was filled with suspense and a bit of mystery. I listened to the audio book while doing my evening walk. I became engrossed in the book and walked a lot longer than usual. I need to listen to more like this.
The novels such as this about the resistance and the brave men and women that fought this battle in the midst of the Nazi's are inspirational and shout of courage and determination.
This was a good book and I enjoyed listening to the audio book. I would recommend it .
Thanks to Amanda Lees for writing a great story, to Sofia Zervudachi for the wonderful narration, to Bookouture Audio for publishing it and to NetGalley for providing me with a copy to listen to and review.
September 25, 2022
Rating: 4 Stars ⭐️
I voluntarily read and reviewed and advanced copy of this book. All thought and opinions are my own. This ARC was provided to me through NetGalley.
This was a very interesting read. I like to now and then read books like this and The Silence Before Dawn did not disappoint.
The plot follows the story of Marianne, a British girl, who is part of the French resistance against the Nazis during the WW2. Marianne is engaged to a man named Jack, who is revealed to be a spy against their mission, and is taken by the butcher of Lyon. The group led by Marianne embark in a mission to rescue Jack from the butcher so their mission is not further compromised, all while questioning whether or not the note that singled Jack out as a spy is real.
The story was very well written. The author follows historical events very well, all within the confines of this being a fictional novel, of course. There are some parts of the plot that come across as maybe too unrealistic but it was not hard to overlook if you remember that it is a fictional story. The characters were great, and the women were real badasses which I loved seeing. And while I didn’t cry, some part were so emotional 😭😭😭I can’t wait to read the second book of this series. Congrats to the author for this great book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed and advanced copy of this book. All thought and opinions are my own. This ARC was provided to me through NetGalley.
This was a very interesting read. I like to now and then read books like this and The Silence Before Dawn did not disappoint.
The plot follows the story of Marianne, a British girl, who is part of the French resistance against the Nazis during the WW2. Marianne is engaged to a man named Jack, who is revealed to be a spy against their mission, and is taken by the butcher of Lyon. The group led by Marianne embark in a mission to rescue Jack from the butcher so their mission is not further compromised, all while questioning whether or not the note that singled Jack out as a spy is real.
The story was very well written. The author follows historical events very well, all within the confines of this being a fictional novel, of course. There are some parts of the plot that come across as maybe too unrealistic but it was not hard to overlook if you remember that it is a fictional story. The characters were great, and the women were real badasses which I loved seeing. And while I didn’t cry, some part were so emotional 😭😭😭I can’t wait to read the second book of this series. Congrats to the author for this great book.
September 14, 2022
'The Silence Before Dawn' is a face paced book set in the closing stages of WWII. From the first page, this book is all action: espionage, double-crossing, and of course a dash of love.
Marianne, the central protagonist, is a trained SOE, leading a team of men in occupied France. In the lead-up to their final mission, it appears there is a mole in their midst. Uncovering the mole, while keeping the Gestapo off their trail and, of course, completing their mission takes careful planning and a whole lot of guts. Marianne's character has a similar spunk to real-life SOE, Nancy Wake (aka White Mouse).
Amanda Lees does a fantastic job weaving elements of real, incredible women working as SOEs into a pacy, packed story. Throughout, I kept thinking I must be nearing the end of the book as so much had happened, only to find I was nowhere near to it (and had no idea what could or would come next). As this book is the beginning of a series, it will be interesting to see if the subsequent books can continue to pack in as much.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this book
Marianne, the central protagonist, is a trained SOE, leading a team of men in occupied France. In the lead-up to their final mission, it appears there is a mole in their midst. Uncovering the mole, while keeping the Gestapo off their trail and, of course, completing their mission takes careful planning and a whole lot of guts. Marianne's character has a similar spunk to real-life SOE, Nancy Wake (aka White Mouse).
Amanda Lees does a fantastic job weaving elements of real, incredible women working as SOEs into a pacy, packed story. Throughout, I kept thinking I must be nearing the end of the book as so much had happened, only to find I was nowhere near to it (and had no idea what could or would come next). As this book is the beginning of a series, it will be interesting to see if the subsequent books can continue to pack in as much.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this book
September 5, 2022
The Silence Before Dawn had me hooked from the very beginning. It follows Marianne, a female leader of the French Resistance, and her co conspirators. By the end of the book I get a connection with so many of the characters. I held my breath so many times through out the story. The reveal of the mole was quiet a shock. This was my first book from Amanda Lees and I look forward to reading more from her!
A special thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to review this amazing book!
A special thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to review this amazing book!
September 9, 2022
A historical fiction about the French Resistance that is full of twists and turns. What courageous women!
I was taken by surprise to find out who the mole was at the end of the book.
A intriguing and fast paced WWII novel.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I was taken by surprise to find out who the mole was at the end of the book.
A intriguing and fast paced WWII novel.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
October 2, 2022
This was a fantastic audiobook with a very strong female lead.
There are some unpleasant scenes and with it being an audiobook where quite difficult to listen to.
But it happened and it was portrayed incredibly well.
The story of the SOE and its French andAmerican counterpart.
The narrator was excellent.
Strongly recommended if you like WW2 historical fiction.
There are some unpleasant scenes and with it being an audiobook where quite difficult to listen to.
But it happened and it was portrayed incredibly well.
The story of the SOE and its French andAmerican counterpart.
The narrator was excellent.
Strongly recommended if you like WW2 historical fiction.
November 2, 2022
Wow, this is a superb historical fiction book, set in France in 1944, during World War 2. I absolutely loved it, and I really enjoyed it.
Marianne is part of the resistance, and as a secret agent, we are taken on an adventure with her as she goes against Hitler's men, with the help of some friends. We are shown her falling in love with her fiance Jack, and them having to separate, as they both play important roles in the war. Later in the story, Marianne can't trust Jack, as she thinks he is working for the other side, but is he, or is he still on her side? Will brave and strong Marianne be able to survive and fulfil her role?
This story is really fascinating, inspiring, heartbreaking and shocking, and it really kept me engrossed as I listened to the wonderful audiobook narrator telling the story.
I look forward eagerly to the 2nd book in this series, which comes out on the 23rd of November 2022.
I highly recommend this book, it is really amazing!
Marianne is part of the resistance, and as a secret agent, we are taken on an adventure with her as she goes against Hitler's men, with the help of some friends. We are shown her falling in love with her fiance Jack, and them having to separate, as they both play important roles in the war. Later in the story, Marianne can't trust Jack, as she thinks he is working for the other side, but is he, or is he still on her side? Will brave and strong Marianne be able to survive and fulfil her role?
This story is really fascinating, inspiring, heartbreaking and shocking, and it really kept me engrossed as I listened to the wonderful audiobook narrator telling the story.
I look forward eagerly to the 2nd book in this series, which comes out on the 23rd of November 2022.
I highly recommend this book, it is really amazing!
October 11, 2022
Heartbreaking and remarkable!!
Thank you NetGalley for opportunity to listen for this amazing book audio version for a honest review from me!
Nazi-occupied France, 1944: I tear open the envelope, extracting a sheet of folded paper. I read it, my heart cracking with every word. There is no mistaking the name of the man who betrayed us. Jack. My beloved fiancé – and now, a traitor.
How do you keep strong in the times when the world goes mad, when the loved one might have betrayed you and all you fight for. How to keep fighting for the lost ones when you just feel hopeless and defeated.
This book just touched me in the ways I wasn’t sure how to feel about anything I felt mad and devastated and sad and so deeply wounded thinking that some of these things were actually happening and the feelings of people!
I really enjoyed listening to the book tho sometimes the narrator felt as emotionally empty and there were times when I thought that the robot is reading the story but overall I liked it !
Thank you NetGalley for opportunity to listen for this amazing book audio version for a honest review from me!
Nazi-occupied France, 1944: I tear open the envelope, extracting a sheet of folded paper. I read it, my heart cracking with every word. There is no mistaking the name of the man who betrayed us. Jack. My beloved fiancé – and now, a traitor.
How do you keep strong in the times when the world goes mad, when the loved one might have betrayed you and all you fight for. How to keep fighting for the lost ones when you just feel hopeless and defeated.
This book just touched me in the ways I wasn’t sure how to feel about anything I felt mad and devastated and sad and so deeply wounded thinking that some of these things were actually happening and the feelings of people!
I really enjoyed listening to the book tho sometimes the narrator felt as emotionally empty and there were times when I thought that the robot is reading the story but overall I liked it !
September 2, 2022
In this story we get a slice of the French resistance during World War II. Marianne is deeply entrenched in spying and subversive acts to try to end the war. We see how women are able to infiltrate and miss lead German officials as well as gather information for counterattacks. These women are sometimes coquettish, sometimes using their feminine wiles but generally just using their hearts to find the strength to fight for what they believe in. We get a few stunning betrayals in this story including some that are quite hard to swallow.
You really can’t go wrong with World War II historical fiction, especially showing the impact of women on the war. I enjoyed the portrayals of Marianne and Christine and the complex network of characters you’re not always sure you can believe.
Thanks to Bookouture via Netgalley for access to this audiobook. All opinions above are my own.
You really can’t go wrong with World War II historical fiction, especially showing the impact of women on the war. I enjoyed the portrayals of Marianne and Christine and the complex network of characters you’re not always sure you can believe.
Thanks to Bookouture via Netgalley for access to this audiobook. All opinions above are my own.
September 9, 2022
Marianne’s resistance network has faced a betrayal. But anger and heartbreak won't stop her and her intention to free France from the dirty and bloody hands of german soldiers. Going from one mission to another, Marianne meets people who help her accomplish her goals.
Whenever I was beginning to lose interest, the author managed to pull me back into the pages of the book with yet another thrilling twist. Great story of the resistance and their war against the Nazi occupiers. Fast pacing and intriguing WWII read. A wonderful set of characters, too many to my liking, but an author made it work. The novel left me with many unanswered questions, and hopefully, the next book of the series will have all the answers.
Thank you NetGalley for a free and advanced copy of the novel in the exchange for my honest review.
Whenever I was beginning to lose interest, the author managed to pull me back into the pages of the book with yet another thrilling twist. Great story of the resistance and their war against the Nazi occupiers. Fast pacing and intriguing WWII read. A wonderful set of characters, too many to my liking, but an author made it work. The novel left me with many unanswered questions, and hopefully, the next book of the series will have all the answers.
Thank you NetGalley for a free and advanced copy of the novel in the exchange for my honest review.
July 12, 2022
This is an excellent first in a series novel. WW2 is one of the periods in history I'm interested in because my father saw action during that time.
The author wove actual events into her fiction seamlessly. I loved it! I admit I didn't know much about the resistance other than it existed and the portrayal of the women involved in leading their men - Marianne, Juliette, Christine and Suzanne - was well-told and believable. They were strong yet vulnerable which made them appealing.
Thanks, Bookouture and NetGalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The author wove actual events into her fiction seamlessly. I loved it! I admit I didn't know much about the resistance other than it existed and the portrayal of the women involved in leading their men - Marianne, Juliette, Christine and Suzanne - was well-told and believable. They were strong yet vulnerable which made them appealing.
Thanks, Bookouture and NetGalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
October 18, 2022
The Silence Before Dawn by Amanda Lees Narrated by: Sofia Zervudachi was set in WW2 and is the first book in the new Resistance Series and what a brilliant start to this promising series. I loved it I was gripped from the beginning till the end. It was a lovely read/audiobook and all the characters were brilliant. I am looking forward to the second book within this series.
The narrator was excellent.
Big Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture publisher for providing me with an audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The narrator was excellent.
Big Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture publisher for providing me with an audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 8, 2022
Heart-breaking. Romantic. Mystery. Alluring men. What more could a girl ask for?!
I was intrigued when I started reading the Prologue where Jack, Guy and a couple of other men were escaping from a prison. At first I thought this would be a story based on love within the camps during the war, however, when I started reading the next chapter I realised that the book was primarily from Marianne’s view point. The resistance network had arranged to meet up but was ambushed by the Germans, some were caught and hanged, others killed by bombs and guns – Marianne however, was able to lead her men to safety. Once at the safe house, her younger brother, Marcus reveals that her older brother, Edward had been arrested (for his part in the resistance) and executed. Marcus also reveals that Jack (a guy Marianne is very fond of) had been captured by the Germans (he also works in the resistance).
Someone betrayed him. Possibly the same someone who betrayed you all here tonight.
Soon suspicion falls to Jack for being the mole within the Network;
We know it’s someone who goes by the codename of Claude to his German masters. Possibly one of Jack’s network. A double agent.
Marianne, unwilling to believe it, set her Network on gaining as much information as possible so that they rescue Jack and his men. Shortly after arriving at the town where Jack and his men were, they were ambushed by another resistance group as one of Jack’s men was part of their group. Marianne and her Network were taken back to HQ to wait on information, Juliette was the leader of this resistance group.
There are fleeting chapters where we find out that Jack and Marianne had meet before the war and was head over heels in love. This idea came crashing down when Marianne received a letter stating that Jack was Claude (the traitor). If this was true, does that mean that Jack was trying to spy on the resistance and Network from the beginning in order to gain as much information as possible?
There was no mistaking the poem code he’d used to send messages from Lyon. The same one he’d whispered in my ear.
Whilst we hear about Marianne and her life before the war with Jack, there are also chapters were we witness the heart-breaking torture that Jack is going through in the German’s jail. However, we also get reintroduced to a character, Guy (from the Prologue) who is in the same cell as Jack, and is one of his men. What is interesting is that Guy doesn’t get beaten hardly as much as Jack, does that make Guy the traitor?
Throughout this book, I never once figured out correctly who the traitor was!!! It was infuriating!
Upon deciding to rescue Jack and his men, Marianne and Juliette went to Lyon to join the Network there. There were two women deep undercover that they were to touch base with. One of the them, Christine, was currently trying to gain information from Klaus Barbie by seducing him. Together the three of them, along with resistance groups and resistance supporters have to go through hell and back in order to safety get Jack and his men out of the HQ (where Klaus was torturing them), all the while, the mole was tracking their every move, leading the Germans to be on the tail.
There is so much more to the end of the book which I am dying to share!! But I truly believe I would ruin the plot if I ruin it for you all now. The twists and turns that occur kept me on my toes!
I was intrigued when I started reading the Prologue where Jack, Guy and a couple of other men were escaping from a prison. At first I thought this would be a story based on love within the camps during the war, however, when I started reading the next chapter I realised that the book was primarily from Marianne’s view point. The resistance network had arranged to meet up but was ambushed by the Germans, some were caught and hanged, others killed by bombs and guns – Marianne however, was able to lead her men to safety. Once at the safe house, her younger brother, Marcus reveals that her older brother, Edward had been arrested (for his part in the resistance) and executed. Marcus also reveals that Jack (a guy Marianne is very fond of) had been captured by the Germans (he also works in the resistance).
Someone betrayed him. Possibly the same someone who betrayed you all here tonight.
Soon suspicion falls to Jack for being the mole within the Network;
We know it’s someone who goes by the codename of Claude to his German masters. Possibly one of Jack’s network. A double agent.
Marianne, unwilling to believe it, set her Network on gaining as much information as possible so that they rescue Jack and his men. Shortly after arriving at the town where Jack and his men were, they were ambushed by another resistance group as one of Jack’s men was part of their group. Marianne and her Network were taken back to HQ to wait on information, Juliette was the leader of this resistance group.
There are fleeting chapters where we find out that Jack and Marianne had meet before the war and was head over heels in love. This idea came crashing down when Marianne received a letter stating that Jack was Claude (the traitor). If this was true, does that mean that Jack was trying to spy on the resistance and Network from the beginning in order to gain as much information as possible?
There was no mistaking the poem code he’d used to send messages from Lyon. The same one he’d whispered in my ear.
Whilst we hear about Marianne and her life before the war with Jack, there are also chapters were we witness the heart-breaking torture that Jack is going through in the German’s jail. However, we also get reintroduced to a character, Guy (from the Prologue) who is in the same cell as Jack, and is one of his men. What is interesting is that Guy doesn’t get beaten hardly as much as Jack, does that make Guy the traitor?
Throughout this book, I never once figured out correctly who the traitor was!!! It was infuriating!
Upon deciding to rescue Jack and his men, Marianne and Juliette went to Lyon to join the Network there. There were two women deep undercover that they were to touch base with. One of the them, Christine, was currently trying to gain information from Klaus Barbie by seducing him. Together the three of them, along with resistance groups and resistance supporters have to go through hell and back in order to safety get Jack and his men out of the HQ (where Klaus was torturing them), all the while, the mole was tracking their every move, leading the Germans to be on the tail.
There is so much more to the end of the book which I am dying to share!! But I truly believe I would ruin the plot if I ruin it for you all now. The twists and turns that occur kept me on my toes!
July 9, 2023
ARC audiobook provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
“The Silence Before Dawn” is a World War II historical fiction novel told from a combination of third-person narration and a first-person account by the female protagonist, Marianne. Marianne is an English woman working undercover as a spy in occupied France, aiding the resistance to free France and take down the Nazis. After many successful operations, Marianne’s world comes crashing down in one night. Her network is attacked, leaving few survivors and many questions. The most pressing question of all: who betrayed them? Soon enough Marianne is given an answer: her fiancé, Jack, is the traitor.
Jack fled during the Nazi raid, only to be captured by the infamous Butcher of Lyon, condemned to unspeakable torture. Marianne and what remains of her network launch a mission to bring down the Butcher and free Jack before he reveals too much. As Marianne’s rag-tag group of spies set to work, she can’t help but wonder whether Jack is truly the traitor. Is she fighting to save the innocent man she loves, or is she on a mission for heartbreaking vengeance to take down the man who betrayed them all?
This book was an excellent tale told from the unique perspective of an English woman working within the French resistance. The narrative features strong female characters fighting to shape the future demise of the Nazis. The book opens with two timelines: the story of Marianne and Jack before they go off to war and the circumstances that befall them after they are embedded in France. Leading her resistance network, Marianne’s strength has a counterpoint of emotional turmoil when her fiancé is identified as the traitor. Despite this turmoil, Marianne perseveres, determined to bring down the Nazi regime.
I felt the book had a strong cast of characters, and their struggles as operatives working for the resistance are beautifully painted. My only critique is that I felt Marianne’s emotional ups and downs in the first part of the book was slightly overwrought, distracting a bit from the core story. Despite this, I still gave this book a strong four-star review. The loss of one star is mainly due to my experience with many other World War II historical fiction novels that just knocked it out the park. This book is almost there, but just falls slightly too short to earn five stars in my book. That being said, I am most definitely looking forward to reading the forthcoming books in this series.
My copy of this book was an audiobook, so I must comment on the narrator. I thought she did an amazing job overall. Her accents were on point, and even her male voices were believable (a feat that many other narrators fail to succeed at). I would absolutely love to hear more of her work.
Overall, this is a strong World War II historical fiction novel. I would recommend this book for adult readers who are fans of historical fiction and fiction in general, as well as readers new to the historical fiction genre. This book was a great start to a series while still functioning well as a standalone novel. I’m excited to read the rest of the series, and I believe that other readers will be as well.
“The Silence Before Dawn” is a World War II historical fiction novel told from a combination of third-person narration and a first-person account by the female protagonist, Marianne. Marianne is an English woman working undercover as a spy in occupied France, aiding the resistance to free France and take down the Nazis. After many successful operations, Marianne’s world comes crashing down in one night. Her network is attacked, leaving few survivors and many questions. The most pressing question of all: who betrayed them? Soon enough Marianne is given an answer: her fiancé, Jack, is the traitor.
Jack fled during the Nazi raid, only to be captured by the infamous Butcher of Lyon, condemned to unspeakable torture. Marianne and what remains of her network launch a mission to bring down the Butcher and free Jack before he reveals too much. As Marianne’s rag-tag group of spies set to work, she can’t help but wonder whether Jack is truly the traitor. Is she fighting to save the innocent man she loves, or is she on a mission for heartbreaking vengeance to take down the man who betrayed them all?
This book was an excellent tale told from the unique perspective of an English woman working within the French resistance. The narrative features strong female characters fighting to shape the future demise of the Nazis. The book opens with two timelines: the story of Marianne and Jack before they go off to war and the circumstances that befall them after they are embedded in France. Leading her resistance network, Marianne’s strength has a counterpoint of emotional turmoil when her fiancé is identified as the traitor. Despite this turmoil, Marianne perseveres, determined to bring down the Nazi regime.
I felt the book had a strong cast of characters, and their struggles as operatives working for the resistance are beautifully painted. My only critique is that I felt Marianne’s emotional ups and downs in the first part of the book was slightly overwrought, distracting a bit from the core story. Despite this, I still gave this book a strong four-star review. The loss of one star is mainly due to my experience with many other World War II historical fiction novels that just knocked it out the park. This book is almost there, but just falls slightly too short to earn five stars in my book. That being said, I am most definitely looking forward to reading the forthcoming books in this series.
My copy of this book was an audiobook, so I must comment on the narrator. I thought she did an amazing job overall. Her accents were on point, and even her male voices were believable (a feat that many other narrators fail to succeed at). I would absolutely love to hear more of her work.
Overall, this is a strong World War II historical fiction novel. I would recommend this book for adult readers who are fans of historical fiction and fiction in general, as well as readers new to the historical fiction genre. This book was a great start to a series while still functioning well as a standalone novel. I’m excited to read the rest of the series, and I believe that other readers will be as well.
September 20, 2022
Nazi occupied France 1944
Marianne is the leader of a network of French Resistance fighters, most of them men. She is young, and female, but she is good at what she does & the men trust her. However, when their safe-house is compromised, it becomes apparent that there is a “mole” in their midst. As more betrayals follow, they link up with another Resistance group led by Juliette.
Can the women, and their networks, rescue some of their colleagues from Nazi imprisonment & also discover who the traitor is before too many more secrets are passed on and more lives are in danger? Marianne is heard to say “trust no one”, but when evidence points to Marianne's fiancée being the traitor, will she follow her head or her heart? Can she discover the truth?
There were possibly just a few too many characters to fully keep track of, but they were generally believable. I really liked that the story was complex with many unexpected twists. There were perhaps a few too many dramatic moments for it to remain entirely believable, but it was well paced, had plenty of tension and is most definitely not a cliched love story!
I like books that subtly educate me, particularly around history. I had no idea about the Traboules – the secret passages in Lyon – and had not heard of Klaus Barbie who was nicknamed “the butcher of Lyon”. Similarly I was not aware of “la Milice”, the French militia, or of two SOE (Special Operations Executive) operations: Operation Dragoon and Operation Jedburgh. I think I might have got a deeper understanding/appreciation for the story if I had been aware of some of these facts before reading the book, but you can definitely read this book without any prior knowledge!
The book does feel slightly unfinished, and I am left with unanswered questions, but as the first in a series I expect that some will be answered in the next instalment. I will be interested to see what happens next for Marianne, Juliette, Suzanne, Jack & the resistance fighters.
If you enjoy fast paced historical fiction and/or World War II French Resistance stories, I would definitely recommend this book.
Disclosure: I received an advance reader copy of this book free via NetGalley. Whilst thanks go to the author & publisher for the opportunity to read it, all opinions are my own & my review is left voluntarily.
Marianne is the leader of a network of French Resistance fighters, most of them men. She is young, and female, but she is good at what she does & the men trust her. However, when their safe-house is compromised, it becomes apparent that there is a “mole” in their midst. As more betrayals follow, they link up with another Resistance group led by Juliette.
Can the women, and their networks, rescue some of their colleagues from Nazi imprisonment & also discover who the traitor is before too many more secrets are passed on and more lives are in danger? Marianne is heard to say “trust no one”, but when evidence points to Marianne's fiancée being the traitor, will she follow her head or her heart? Can she discover the truth?
There were possibly just a few too many characters to fully keep track of, but they were generally believable. I really liked that the story was complex with many unexpected twists. There were perhaps a few too many dramatic moments for it to remain entirely believable, but it was well paced, had plenty of tension and is most definitely not a cliched love story!
I like books that subtly educate me, particularly around history. I had no idea about the Traboules – the secret passages in Lyon – and had not heard of Klaus Barbie who was nicknamed “the butcher of Lyon”. Similarly I was not aware of “la Milice”, the French militia, or of two SOE (Special Operations Executive) operations: Operation Dragoon and Operation Jedburgh. I think I might have got a deeper understanding/appreciation for the story if I had been aware of some of these facts before reading the book, but you can definitely read this book without any prior knowledge!
The book does feel slightly unfinished, and I am left with unanswered questions, but as the first in a series I expect that some will be answered in the next instalment. I will be interested to see what happens next for Marianne, Juliette, Suzanne, Jack & the resistance fighters.
If you enjoy fast paced historical fiction and/or World War II French Resistance stories, I would definitely recommend this book.
Disclosure: I received an advance reader copy of this book free via NetGalley. Whilst thanks go to the author & publisher for the opportunity to read it, all opinions are my own & my review is left voluntarily.
March 12, 2023
The Silence Before Dawn by Amanda Lees was a thrilling WWII spy story. I loved the writing and the development of characters throughout the book. I wish that I could be as prolific as Ms. Lees is as she develops just the right amount of imminent fear to keep the reader reading as fast as possible to find the outcome of the danger and threat that the Nazis and Gestapo have over the resistance groups and the maquis as they try to inflict the most damage to the occupying Germans.
The novel begins with an escape attempt by prisoners of war in the German prison camp. The escapees are British spies who know that the Gestapo will kill them if they do not give them the information they want about the resistants. It then moves to the burning farm house where the heads of all the groups are gathered to participate in
Marianne, who is British, heads up a resistant group, along with her two brothers. Juliette heads up another resistance group of Frenchmen. These women are secret agents sent to cause havoc within the German army and the Gestapo. There is a traitor in their midst because this meeting was top secret. Their fighters are being rounded up all over the region by the SS troops. Klaus Barbie, the “Butcher of Lyon” is an integral part of this story. His savagery against the prisoners is a legend.
These women, Marianne, Juliette, Maggie, Suzzane have tremendous bravery and love for the people. Their betrayal is at the core of this novel. I was so into this story that I absolutely could not put this book down. What a thrilling novel of WWII! I’m not sure that the twenty-somethings of today could do what these brave men and women did for their country and their people.
You can find this review on my blog at https://wp.me/p2pjIt-GW.
The novel begins with an escape attempt by prisoners of war in the German prison camp. The escapees are British spies who know that the Gestapo will kill them if they do not give them the information they want about the resistants. It then moves to the burning farm house where the heads of all the groups are gathered to participate in
Marianne, who is British, heads up a resistant group, along with her two brothers. Juliette heads up another resistance group of Frenchmen. These women are secret agents sent to cause havoc within the German army and the Gestapo. There is a traitor in their midst because this meeting was top secret. Their fighters are being rounded up all over the region by the SS troops. Klaus Barbie, the “Butcher of Lyon” is an integral part of this story. His savagery against the prisoners is a legend.
These women, Marianne, Juliette, Maggie, Suzzane have tremendous bravery and love for the people. Their betrayal is at the core of this novel. I was so into this story that I absolutely could not put this book down. What a thrilling novel of WWII! I’m not sure that the twenty-somethings of today could do what these brave men and women did for their country and their people.
You can find this review on my blog at https://wp.me/p2pjIt-GW.
November 11, 2024
‘Marianne was different to the others. He’d known that from the moment he’d set eyes on her. She had instantly and irrevocably filled a gap he hadn’t even been aware existed, the part of him he thought he’d kept hidden. But she had found it and, without even knowing, poured herself into the hollow that had been there since he was a very small child.’
I finished reading this novel on the 11th November 2024. No day more fitting. With understanding, insight and empathy Amanda Lees celebrates those extraordinary women who, in the author’s own words, fought the Nazi tyranny with ‘quiet, lonely courage’.
‘The Silence Before Dawn’ tells the story of Marianne and her resistance network in France 1944, as the Allied reclamation of western Europe unfolds. It’s a heart stopping adventure, with the best of humanity matched against the worst. The sense of threat is palpable; no one is safe. The description of Nazi brutality is also unflinching. But it is the passion and courage of Marianne and the other female agents that leaves the greatest impression.
As much as this is a cracking thriller, it is a story of intensely passionate love, erotic and romantic, beautifully written. The all-consuming, overwhelming nature of love is central to this excellent novel. In amongst the action, the human stories are never sidelined. Rather they drive the action, ever-heightening the sense of peril.
It is the deft combination of passion and peril that makes ‘The Silence Before Dawn’ such a satisfying read. But more than that, this is the novel as testimony, as an act of remembrance. Without such women, our lives today would be diminished immeasurably. We owe them, and their ‘quiet, lonely courage’, so much.
I finished reading this novel on the 11th November 2024. No day more fitting. With understanding, insight and empathy Amanda Lees celebrates those extraordinary women who, in the author’s own words, fought the Nazi tyranny with ‘quiet, lonely courage’.
‘The Silence Before Dawn’ tells the story of Marianne and her resistance network in France 1944, as the Allied reclamation of western Europe unfolds. It’s a heart stopping adventure, with the best of humanity matched against the worst. The sense of threat is palpable; no one is safe. The description of Nazi brutality is also unflinching. But it is the passion and courage of Marianne and the other female agents that leaves the greatest impression.
As much as this is a cracking thriller, it is a story of intensely passionate love, erotic and romantic, beautifully written. The all-consuming, overwhelming nature of love is central to this excellent novel. In amongst the action, the human stories are never sidelined. Rather they drive the action, ever-heightening the sense of peril.
It is the deft combination of passion and peril that makes ‘The Silence Before Dawn’ such a satisfying read. But more than that, this is the novel as testimony, as an act of remembrance. Without such women, our lives today would be diminished immeasurably. We owe them, and their ‘quiet, lonely courage’, so much.
September 16, 2022
The Silence Before Dawn (WW2 Resistance Series #1)
Amanda Lees
This series is based on actual events.
The year was 1944, the location Nazi occupied France.
This is the story of Marianne; she lived on a farm in the French Providence and was one of the leaders of the French Resistance fighters. One night Marianne’s network was attacked; many were taken captive, and many were killed. There was a traitor in their midst. An envelope was placed in Marianne’s hand inside was a folded piece of paper with the name of the traitor. Marianne was heartbroken for the name on the paper was Jack, her fiancé. Could the paper be a fake? She can’t believe Jack would betray her, their people and their cause. Jack was taken captive by Lyon-Nazi Klaus Barbie. She was desperate to rescue him for he would be tortured. Marianne’s network was determined to stop the Butcher of Lyon.
Women played an important role in WWII. The Germans rarely suspected they were being played by a woman. The women made very good spies; they gathered information by whatever means.
I often wonder if people today, whether male or female would have the fortitude to resist Hitler. Would we sit back and just let it happen. Frankly, I believe we would just give up. Oh, I’m sure there are some seasoned/mature citizens that would fight to the death but I’m not sure that would be enough. We have become a spoiled people. We prefer to be fed by the government. We prefer to sit on our laurels with our hand stuck out waiting for a handout. The resistance movement of WWII were real men and real women. They were willing to give their lives. I admire the people that assisted in bringing down Hitler and his minions.
Amanda Lees
This series is based on actual events.
The year was 1944, the location Nazi occupied France.
This is the story of Marianne; she lived on a farm in the French Providence and was one of the leaders of the French Resistance fighters. One night Marianne’s network was attacked; many were taken captive, and many were killed. There was a traitor in their midst. An envelope was placed in Marianne’s hand inside was a folded piece of paper with the name of the traitor. Marianne was heartbroken for the name on the paper was Jack, her fiancé. Could the paper be a fake? She can’t believe Jack would betray her, their people and their cause. Jack was taken captive by Lyon-Nazi Klaus Barbie. She was desperate to rescue him for he would be tortured. Marianne’s network was determined to stop the Butcher of Lyon.
Women played an important role in WWII. The Germans rarely suspected they were being played by a woman. The women made very good spies; they gathered information by whatever means.
I often wonder if people today, whether male or female would have the fortitude to resist Hitler. Would we sit back and just let it happen. Frankly, I believe we would just give up. Oh, I’m sure there are some seasoned/mature citizens that would fight to the death but I’m not sure that would be enough. We have become a spoiled people. We prefer to be fed by the government. We prefer to sit on our laurels with our hand stuck out waiting for a handout. The resistance movement of WWII were real men and real women. They were willing to give their lives. I admire the people that assisted in bringing down Hitler and his minions.
September 17, 2022
The Silence Before Dawn is the first in the Wartime Resistance series by Amanda Lees. Set in France during World War Two it follows a group of resistance fighters led by a strong woman named Marianne who has such guts and ingenuity about her that you can’t fail but feel an ever increasing amount of admiration for her the further the book develops. It was brilliant to read of several women who put their lives on the line time and time again in order to try and secure freedom for France and to rid the world of the tyrant that was Hitler.
It was a refreshing to read of a different aspect to the war with women getting such a focus. Right from the get go this was an action packed, thriller of a read with a rapid pace full of twists and turns and many curveballs. It really was edge of your seat stuff with the reader never knowing who to believe as to who the mole within the groups could be. The author suggested it could be one person but to me this seemed way too obvious and for Marianne she has to wrestle with her emotions as things get very personal for her in more ways than one. Will her heart rule over her head and prevent her from seeing the bigger picture and long term goal or will sense prevail?
Set during 1944 as the war was reaching its climax this story takes the reader deep within the French countryside where Marianne is in charge of a network of resistance fighters whose sole goal is to cause as much hassle for the Germans as possible. Blowing up railway lines, interrupting conveys, learning top secret information, saving people from capture they literally do it all. As I mentioned within the first chapter we were straight into the action and although I would normally appreciate this no frills or fuss approach I found it slightly disconcerting at first because it felt like I was meant to know who the characters were, what their connections to each other were and what had previously happened up to the point where we were introduced to them.
It took me a little time to establish who was who, what side they were on and what the main strand of the plot was but once I did this I found myself deeply invested in the exploits of Marianne and her network. They were brave, daring and courageous and had no qualms about getting stuck into the messiest of situations. It really struck me that I was reading about one network of many of the time and the creative brilliance, flair and genius of everyone involved was just incredible. They literally thought of every little detail and knew no matter how small or insignificant something may seem it would all help with Operation Dragoon which the British had set up to drive the Germans from the south of France.
As the story develops we learn more about Marianne and the fact she is a secret agent. This blew my mind because given her name and that she was in the thick of the action in the first chapter I just automatically presumed she was a French woman very much stepping out of her comfort zone. She has many sides to her personality and flashback chapters give us a deeper insight into those. When she learns her fiancée Jack has been captured along with several other men, Marianne is distraught and so begins the main point/aim of the story. Jack and these men need to be rescued before the infamous brut Klaus Barbie gets his hands on them and the worst fate could occur. But someone has been leaking key strategic information to the Germans and Marianne is shocked to learn that her beloved Jack is the culprit. How could someone so close to her have caused so much damage and done the impossible putting so many lives at risk? Does he deserve to be rescued or should he be left to rot in prison and suffer the torture Barbie is renowned for meting out?
Deep down I think Marianne put her country, her mission and the resistance network first and foremost. She was always aware of what the long term goals were and never deviated from them but at the same time Jack was the love of her life and despite what she had heard she couldn’t just give up on him. Marianne was someone who could put her femininity aside easily and assume a strong place amongst men. She was a cool headed leader who was brave and respected and I loved how she numerous times she pushed herself beyond endurance. The need for revenge and retribution burnt bright within her and made her a fantastic leader.
Maggie is the networks courier and my god she did some amount of work going from here there and everywhere. I would have loved to have read even more of her story. Juliette, a fellow resistance group leader, was a brave woman to send her family to safety in order to help with the network and subsequently she joined forces with Marianne to set a plan in place where Jack and his fellow prisoners could be rescued. Madame Suzanne and Countess Christina were brilliant additions to the story and as the women joined forces as one and a plan was hatched with the networks members all working together my heart was in my mouth as to what the eventual outcome would be? Would there be disaster, death and destruction or would the plan prove successful? Will the truth out or is the truth already out there and Marianne is making unnecessary sacrifices?
The Silence Before Dawn is a welcome addition to the World War Two historical fiction genre. It’s a bit different from the norm as it runs more on the thriller side but I loved that because you never knew what was coming with each turn of the page. The tension just increased with each chapter and just as you thought oh you could trust what one character was saying bang then they did something which threw everything into doubt. Marianne, Juliette, Maggie and Suzanne were all remarkable, resourceful and shrewd characters that did so much for women. They stepped outside of their comfort zones and were thrown in at the deep end into a volatile, unstable and dangerous world and they did it all without complaint.
Amanda Lees has certainly done justice to her subject matter and shown how ordinary women and let’s not forget their fellow men in the Resistance never wavered in their courage, steadfastness and perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds. Their actions were extraordinary and made for a very good read. Book two in the series, Paris at First Light, will focus on Juliette and having read the blurb it sound equally as exciting if not more so than book one and thankfully it’s not long until I can read the next instalment.
It was a refreshing to read of a different aspect to the war with women getting such a focus. Right from the get go this was an action packed, thriller of a read with a rapid pace full of twists and turns and many curveballs. It really was edge of your seat stuff with the reader never knowing who to believe as to who the mole within the groups could be. The author suggested it could be one person but to me this seemed way too obvious and for Marianne she has to wrestle with her emotions as things get very personal for her in more ways than one. Will her heart rule over her head and prevent her from seeing the bigger picture and long term goal or will sense prevail?
Set during 1944 as the war was reaching its climax this story takes the reader deep within the French countryside where Marianne is in charge of a network of resistance fighters whose sole goal is to cause as much hassle for the Germans as possible. Blowing up railway lines, interrupting conveys, learning top secret information, saving people from capture they literally do it all. As I mentioned within the first chapter we were straight into the action and although I would normally appreciate this no frills or fuss approach I found it slightly disconcerting at first because it felt like I was meant to know who the characters were, what their connections to each other were and what had previously happened up to the point where we were introduced to them.
It took me a little time to establish who was who, what side they were on and what the main strand of the plot was but once I did this I found myself deeply invested in the exploits of Marianne and her network. They were brave, daring and courageous and had no qualms about getting stuck into the messiest of situations. It really struck me that I was reading about one network of many of the time and the creative brilliance, flair and genius of everyone involved was just incredible. They literally thought of every little detail and knew no matter how small or insignificant something may seem it would all help with Operation Dragoon which the British had set up to drive the Germans from the south of France.
As the story develops we learn more about Marianne and the fact she is a secret agent. This blew my mind because given her name and that she was in the thick of the action in the first chapter I just automatically presumed she was a French woman very much stepping out of her comfort zone. She has many sides to her personality and flashback chapters give us a deeper insight into those. When she learns her fiancée Jack has been captured along with several other men, Marianne is distraught and so begins the main point/aim of the story. Jack and these men need to be rescued before the infamous brut Klaus Barbie gets his hands on them and the worst fate could occur. But someone has been leaking key strategic information to the Germans and Marianne is shocked to learn that her beloved Jack is the culprit. How could someone so close to her have caused so much damage and done the impossible putting so many lives at risk? Does he deserve to be rescued or should he be left to rot in prison and suffer the torture Barbie is renowned for meting out?
Deep down I think Marianne put her country, her mission and the resistance network first and foremost. She was always aware of what the long term goals were and never deviated from them but at the same time Jack was the love of her life and despite what she had heard she couldn’t just give up on him. Marianne was someone who could put her femininity aside easily and assume a strong place amongst men. She was a cool headed leader who was brave and respected and I loved how she numerous times she pushed herself beyond endurance. The need for revenge and retribution burnt bright within her and made her a fantastic leader.
Maggie is the networks courier and my god she did some amount of work going from here there and everywhere. I would have loved to have read even more of her story. Juliette, a fellow resistance group leader, was a brave woman to send her family to safety in order to help with the network and subsequently she joined forces with Marianne to set a plan in place where Jack and his fellow prisoners could be rescued. Madame Suzanne and Countess Christina were brilliant additions to the story and as the women joined forces as one and a plan was hatched with the networks members all working together my heart was in my mouth as to what the eventual outcome would be? Would there be disaster, death and destruction or would the plan prove successful? Will the truth out or is the truth already out there and Marianne is making unnecessary sacrifices?
The Silence Before Dawn is a welcome addition to the World War Two historical fiction genre. It’s a bit different from the norm as it runs more on the thriller side but I loved that because you never knew what was coming with each turn of the page. The tension just increased with each chapter and just as you thought oh you could trust what one character was saying bang then they did something which threw everything into doubt. Marianne, Juliette, Maggie and Suzanne were all remarkable, resourceful and shrewd characters that did so much for women. They stepped outside of their comfort zones and were thrown in at the deep end into a volatile, unstable and dangerous world and they did it all without complaint.
Amanda Lees has certainly done justice to her subject matter and shown how ordinary women and let’s not forget their fellow men in the Resistance never wavered in their courage, steadfastness and perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds. Their actions were extraordinary and made for a very good read. Book two in the series, Paris at First Light, will focus on Juliette and having read the blurb it sound equally as exciting if not more so than book one and thankfully it’s not long until I can read the next instalment.
November 9, 2025
France 1944. Lovers Marianne and Jack are brave resistance fighters against the Nazi occupiers. But their group is betrayed. Both survive the raid but Jack is captured. Marianne is planning to rescue him when she is informed that Jack is the traitor. She is determined to prove his innocence but is she mistaken…?
The Silence Before Dawn is an historical novel set in France in the 1930s and 40s. The majority is set in 1944 but we also see earlier times when Jack and Marianne first met in England and developed their romance.
The narrative style varies as some of the book is written from Marianne’s first person perspective whilst there are other chapters written in the third person to show other characters and their situations.
Bravery and courage feature heavily and the strength of the female characters is refreshing. There are moments of brutality and violence but these felt authentic and in keeping with the genre and historical reality.
Marianne has a whole mixture of emotions to deal with over the course of the book. Her loyalties are divided after she is informed that Jack has betrayed them but her heart can’t quite believe it. She also has grief at the death of her brother early in the book and fear for the safety of her remaining brother and the rest of their unit.
The Silence Before Dawn is an enjoyable historical novel.
The Silence Before Dawn is an historical novel set in France in the 1930s and 40s. The majority is set in 1944 but we also see earlier times when Jack and Marianne first met in England and developed their romance.
The narrative style varies as some of the book is written from Marianne’s first person perspective whilst there are other chapters written in the third person to show other characters and their situations.
Bravery and courage feature heavily and the strength of the female characters is refreshing. There are moments of brutality and violence but these felt authentic and in keeping with the genre and historical reality.
Marianne has a whole mixture of emotions to deal with over the course of the book. Her loyalties are divided after she is informed that Jack has betrayed them but her heart can’t quite believe it. She also has grief at the death of her brother early in the book and fear for the safety of her remaining brother and the rest of their unit.
The Silence Before Dawn is an enjoyable historical novel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews