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Reschen Valley #1
No Man's Land
A plan to flood her valley. A means to destroy her culture.
1920, former Austrian Tyrol. Katharina Thaler prepares to be the first woman to ever own a farm in the Reschen Valley. The Great War has taken more than her beloved family, it has robbed the province of its autonomy and severed it in half. As her countrymen fight to prevent the annexation to Italy, Katharina finds a wounded Italian engineer on her mountain. Her decision to save Angelo Grimani’s life, however, thrusts both of them into the middle of a new world order—a labyrinth of corruption, prejudice, and greed.
Trapped between a growing fascist regime and a man who threatens to tear her home away, Katharina must decide what to protect: love or country?
This gripping, historical saga reveals one of the least known political crises in Europe: the South Tyrolean and Italian conflict, which spanned nearly a century. The Reschen Valley series is based on the flooding of the valley that is now the Reschen Lake dam and reservoir, where a centuries-old church tower still stands straight out of the water.
NO MAN’S LAND is the first book in the Reschen Valley historical fiction series. If you enjoy gripping, meticulously researched historical fiction, with characters that stay long after you've read the last chapter, you will love Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger’s vivid saga.
1920, former Austrian Tyrol. Katharina Thaler prepares to be the first woman to ever own a farm in the Reschen Valley. The Great War has taken more than her beloved family, it has robbed the province of its autonomy and severed it in half. As her countrymen fight to prevent the annexation to Italy, Katharina finds a wounded Italian engineer on her mountain. Her decision to save Angelo Grimani’s life, however, thrusts both of them into the middle of a new world order—a labyrinth of corruption, prejudice, and greed.
Trapped between a growing fascist regime and a man who threatens to tear her home away, Katharina must decide what to protect: love or country?
This gripping, historical saga reveals one of the least known political crises in Europe: the South Tyrolean and Italian conflict, which spanned nearly a century. The Reschen Valley series is based on the flooding of the valley that is now the Reschen Lake dam and reservoir, where a centuries-old church tower still stands straight out of the water.
NO MAN’S LAND is the first book in the Reschen Valley historical fiction series. If you enjoy gripping, meticulously researched historical fiction, with characters that stay long after you've read the last chapter, you will love Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger’s vivid saga.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2022
94 people are currently reading
486 people want to read
About the author
Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger
17 books250 followersAward-winning historical fiction!
Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger is a Ukrainian-American who transplanted to Austria.
Born in 1969, she grew up in the culture-rich neighborhood of "Nordeast" Minneapolis and started her writing career with short stories, travel narratives, and worked as a journalist and managing magazine editor, before jumping the desk and pursuing her own writing and traveling.
Her books tackle David-vs.-Goliath themes with strong women battling for the Underdogs against a system, be it political, geographical, or industrial. Sometimes all three. "I enjoy discovering the good, the bad, and the ugly in my characters when they come into conflict," she says. "And all of my stories have been inspired by injustices I've discovered along my travels."
The RESCHEN VALLEY series is based on the South Tyrolean-Italian conflict during the interwar period and was inspired by her travels to the Reschen Lake reservoir.
Her collection of short stories, which "reads like a novel", SOUVENIRS FROM KYIV won the silver medal in the IPPY Book Awards 2020 and features six stories inspired by true accounts from WW2 Ukraine. THE WOMAN AT THE GATES is what she identifies as her magnum opus and is based on her family in WW2 Ukraine.
THE GIRL FROM THE MOUNTAINS was inspired by an anecdote about a Nazi family from Austria.
The DIPLOMAT'S WIFE trilogy (released in 2023) follows Kitty Larsson, a U.S. senator's daughter who marries an Austrian diplomat before the Anschluss, only to discover that his family is not what she thought they were. Part spy-thriller, part political-thriller, the series promises a wild romp as Kitty navigates the events of WW2 with her moral compass in hand.
And in 2024, Chrystyna's first middle-grade historical fiction novel will be published by Scholastic USA. Set in 2014 Sevastopol, SWIMMING WITH SPIES is about 12-year-old Sofiya who is forced to wrestle with her Ukrainian identity as Russians swarm her peninsula and annex it. When they threaten to seize the dolphins in her father's care, she races against time to save them from a brutal fate.
Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger is a Ukrainian-American who transplanted to Austria.
Born in 1969, she grew up in the culture-rich neighborhood of "Nordeast" Minneapolis and started her writing career with short stories, travel narratives, and worked as a journalist and managing magazine editor, before jumping the desk and pursuing her own writing and traveling.
Her books tackle David-vs.-Goliath themes with strong women battling for the Underdogs against a system, be it political, geographical, or industrial. Sometimes all three. "I enjoy discovering the good, the bad, and the ugly in my characters when they come into conflict," she says. "And all of my stories have been inspired by injustices I've discovered along my travels."
The RESCHEN VALLEY series is based on the South Tyrolean-Italian conflict during the interwar period and was inspired by her travels to the Reschen Lake reservoir.
Her collection of short stories, which "reads like a novel", SOUVENIRS FROM KYIV won the silver medal in the IPPY Book Awards 2020 and features six stories inspired by true accounts from WW2 Ukraine. THE WOMAN AT THE GATES is what she identifies as her magnum opus and is based on her family in WW2 Ukraine.
THE GIRL FROM THE MOUNTAINS was inspired by an anecdote about a Nazi family from Austria.
The DIPLOMAT'S WIFE trilogy (released in 2023) follows Kitty Larsson, a U.S. senator's daughter who marries an Austrian diplomat before the Anschluss, only to discover that his family is not what she thought they were. Part spy-thriller, part political-thriller, the series promises a wild romp as Kitty navigates the events of WW2 with her moral compass in hand.
And in 2024, Chrystyna's first middle-grade historical fiction novel will be published by Scholastic USA. Set in 2014 Sevastopol, SWIMMING WITH SPIES is about 12-year-old Sofiya who is forced to wrestle with her Ukrainian identity as Russians swarm her peninsula and annex it. When they threaten to seize the dolphins in her father's care, she races against time to save them from a brutal fate.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
December 11, 2018
Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger has penned an engaging and well-written historical fiction. The meticulous research shines through in her notable portrayal of the sights, smells, and tastes of the Austrian Tyrol, which becomes its own character in this drama. The story begins in 1920 and is set during the annexation of the Austrian Tyrol to Italy. The fascinating details in this often overlooked but important and difficult segment of history captured my interest the most. No Man’s Land is part 1 in a series.
December 28, 2018
If you love riveting, meticulously researched historical fiction, you’ll love “No Man’s Land.” First thing I’d like to mention is that I instantly felt connected with the main heroine, Katharina. She’s everything I always look for in a protagonist - strong and self-sufficient despite living in a very patriarchal, male-dominated Tyrolean community. Her devotion to her land and desire to improve it even in view of a highly unfavorable political situation (we’re talking post-WWI Italian occupation of the area) made me respect her even more. Reschen Valley itself - its culture, traditions, and lifestyle - is described with such authenticity that I could only applaud the author for her detailed research. What I also enjoyed was how both sides, the Austrians and the Italians, were presented in this novel. The tension between the occupying forces and the local population, the rising of the fascist movement in Italy, the greed and corruption of certain profiteers (I’m talking about Angelo’s father here) - all this makes “No Man’s Land” a truly epic saga. And of course, there’s a love story, both beautiful and devastating, but I won’t give away any more spoilers here. Read it - you won’t regret it, I promise. I’ll definitely be continuing with the series!
February 13, 2019
This could have been a great short story but turned out to be a first chapter, which I don't like reading in isolation. A young woman manages the family farm after the Great War took the men from Austria. Her valley is now subject to Italy - something I don't know much about - and winter is bitter. She finds a wounded man in a cabin, an Italian as it turns out.
If I get the whole book I will revisit the review. The author is writing fine detail and provides a feast for the senses.
I downloaded from Instafreebie. This is an unbiased review.
If I get the whole book I will revisit the review. The author is writing fine detail and provides a feast for the senses.
I downloaded from Instafreebie. This is an unbiased review.
March 11, 2021
Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger
No Man’s Land – A Reschen Valley Novel
5 Stars
Gripping and compelling account of a little known slice of history
Kudos to the author for bringing to life a little known history of a people truly caught between a rock and a hard place, e.g., the emerging Nazi Germany and Mussolini’s Italy. Set in Reschen Valley in Austrian Tirol, this novel, the first of four, is a brilliantly imagined story of a people trying to survive and retain their culture and control over their land while faced with increasingly ominous pressures from outside. The two central protagonists are Katharina Thaler and Angelo Grimaldi whose lives intersect with unforeseen consequences. The portrayal of these two is compelling as is that of all the other individuals in the novel. The author has succeeded in creating an array of complex multi-dimensional characters; one comes to care about them even while increasingly aware of their respective weaknesses and flaws. There is a scene showing a kind of “practice run,” initiated by agents of the emerging fascist state, of how to create terror among a group of citizens as a starting point for exerting more punitive authoritarian control that is shocking, particularly in light of recent events in the US. The novel is well written and gripping, and I look forward to reading the sequels. Highly recommended.
No Man’s Land – A Reschen Valley Novel
5 Stars
Gripping and compelling account of a little known slice of history
Kudos to the author for bringing to life a little known history of a people truly caught between a rock and a hard place, e.g., the emerging Nazi Germany and Mussolini’s Italy. Set in Reschen Valley in Austrian Tirol, this novel, the first of four, is a brilliantly imagined story of a people trying to survive and retain their culture and control over their land while faced with increasingly ominous pressures from outside. The two central protagonists are Katharina Thaler and Angelo Grimaldi whose lives intersect with unforeseen consequences. The portrayal of these two is compelling as is that of all the other individuals in the novel. The author has succeeded in creating an array of complex multi-dimensional characters; one comes to care about them even while increasingly aware of their respective weaknesses and flaws. There is a scene showing a kind of “practice run,” initiated by agents of the emerging fascist state, of how to create terror among a group of citizens as a starting point for exerting more punitive authoritarian control that is shocking, particularly in light of recent events in the US. The novel is well written and gripping, and I look forward to reading the sequels. Highly recommended.
March 19, 2019
Engaging from the very first page
No Man’s Land brings the reader to the land rarely visited by novelists – Austrian Tyrol, which after the WWI is not Austrian at all. Annexed by Italy, the land and people are now facing the harsh reality (I’m not going to give spoilers here).
In her flowing narrative and with the beautiful, descriptive language the author engages the reader with Katharina, the main character, and other people both Tiroleans and Italians. The conflict is palpable; the stakes are high; the future doesn’t seem bright. Katharina’s confused relationship first with Angelo and then with Florian was so touching, I couldn’t wait to see how these complicated relationships would develop. As a reader, I felt as though I was alongside with them all along their difficult journey (which I’m going to continue through the following books of the series).
Compiled with attention to details, the author presents a meticulously researched historical background.
I highly recommend this story, which I'm sure will captivate you from beginning to end.
No Man’s Land brings the reader to the land rarely visited by novelists – Austrian Tyrol, which after the WWI is not Austrian at all. Annexed by Italy, the land and people are now facing the harsh reality (I’m not going to give spoilers here).
In her flowing narrative and with the beautiful, descriptive language the author engages the reader with Katharina, the main character, and other people both Tiroleans and Italians. The conflict is palpable; the stakes are high; the future doesn’t seem bright. Katharina’s confused relationship first with Angelo and then with Florian was so touching, I couldn’t wait to see how these complicated relationships would develop. As a reader, I felt as though I was alongside with them all along their difficult journey (which I’m going to continue through the following books of the series).
Compiled with attention to details, the author presents a meticulously researched historical background.
I highly recommend this story, which I'm sure will captivate you from beginning to end.
October 21, 2019
Interesting
This book is set in a part of Italy i visited as a child in the sixties, and I remember the Italian soldiers guarding a nearby fan from protesters. So, it was interesting to read a story set around the beginnings of the complex annexation.
The heroine is a feisty character and I felt for her plight when as an innocent, protected young woman she ends up having to marry her 'teacher's (no spoilers).
The descriptions of the beautiful mountains are stunning.
I'd have given the book 5 stars but I felt cheated with the ending. I was left in mid-air and annoyed when I realised I have to buy the next book to find out what happens next. I don't think I will.
This book is set in a part of Italy i visited as a child in the sixties, and I remember the Italian soldiers guarding a nearby fan from protesters. So, it was interesting to read a story set around the beginnings of the complex annexation.
The heroine is a feisty character and I felt for her plight when as an innocent, protected young woman she ends up having to marry her 'teacher's (no spoilers).
The descriptions of the beautiful mountains are stunning.
I'd have given the book 5 stars but I felt cheated with the ending. I was left in mid-air and annoyed when I realised I have to buy the next book to find out what happens next. I don't think I will.
July 3, 2019
Life in the mountains of the Austrian Tyrol in the 1920s is hard and uncertain. The climate and poor soil conspire against the farmers on the mountains, while politicians in their city offices conspire to take their very land from them. This is a novel about national and personal identity, about the importance of family, love and loyalty, and about how the livelihoods of individuals are at the mercy of those who do not even know their names. Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger has created a thoroughly good read that shows how the re-drawing of Austria’s border after the Great War affected humble folk, robbing them of their province’s autonomy, forcing them to adopt Italian as their working language and even Latinise their names.
Central to the story are Tyrolean Katharina Thaler, whose ambition is to own her grandfather’s farm, and Angelo Grimani, who is doing his best to avoid the tentacles of Mussolini’s fascists. Angelo owes Katharina his life, but his father, ‘the Colonel’ is determined to steal her valley for a vast hydro-electric damn.
Lucyk-Berger gives us Katharina’s daily life in well-chosen detail. Sparingly, we see her milking cows, separating the curds and whey, then we see how she faces real dangers such as a marauding wolf after a new-born calf, and how she is unafraid to go out trapping animals for the pot knowing there is a desperate criminal on the loose. Katharina is strong-willed and brave, yet naïve and unsure of herself in matters of the heart. So, when she saves Angelo’s life and immediately falls under his spell, setting in motion a chain of events that link her remote farm to Rome, we know we are in for a deeply satisfying saga.
No Man’s Land is the first book in the Reschen Valley series. As soon as I had finished it, I started Book 2. All the characters, and there are many, are well-drawn. The main characters are complex and convincing; they each have flaws so one understands their doubts and joys better. The residents of the valley are each given a back-story, so one can understand their reaction to what Katharina does, and how and why they resent the incoming Italians. Lucyk-Berger’s writing is economical and so right that the story seems real – which to a degree I know it is because I have visited that part of the Tyrol. At some points I felt I ought to check to see if the characters were genuine as well. This book would make an excellent television series. It is also an appropriate topic for these days. History repeats itself as we currently face another rise in heartless, nationalist populism.
If you are looking for a thumping good historical saga, this is a great summer read; well-researched with a star-crossed love story; absolute political villains versus a village of sympathetic characters you’ll want to succeed.
(This review was written for Discovering Diamonds & received a 'Discovered Diamond' award,
Central to the story are Tyrolean Katharina Thaler, whose ambition is to own her grandfather’s farm, and Angelo Grimani, who is doing his best to avoid the tentacles of Mussolini’s fascists. Angelo owes Katharina his life, but his father, ‘the Colonel’ is determined to steal her valley for a vast hydro-electric damn.
Lucyk-Berger gives us Katharina’s daily life in well-chosen detail. Sparingly, we see her milking cows, separating the curds and whey, then we see how she faces real dangers such as a marauding wolf after a new-born calf, and how she is unafraid to go out trapping animals for the pot knowing there is a desperate criminal on the loose. Katharina is strong-willed and brave, yet naïve and unsure of herself in matters of the heart. So, when she saves Angelo’s life and immediately falls under his spell, setting in motion a chain of events that link her remote farm to Rome, we know we are in for a deeply satisfying saga.
No Man’s Land is the first book in the Reschen Valley series. As soon as I had finished it, I started Book 2. All the characters, and there are many, are well-drawn. The main characters are complex and convincing; they each have flaws so one understands their doubts and joys better. The residents of the valley are each given a back-story, so one can understand their reaction to what Katharina does, and how and why they resent the incoming Italians. Lucyk-Berger’s writing is economical and so right that the story seems real – which to a degree I know it is because I have visited that part of the Tyrol. At some points I felt I ought to check to see if the characters were genuine as well. This book would make an excellent television series. It is also an appropriate topic for these days. History repeats itself as we currently face another rise in heartless, nationalist populism.
If you are looking for a thumping good historical saga, this is a great summer read; well-researched with a star-crossed love story; absolute political villains versus a village of sympathetic characters you’ll want to succeed.
(This review was written for Discovering Diamonds & received a 'Discovered Diamond' award,
August 6, 2020
Raw at times, heartwarming at others, suspenseful from start to finish. I enjoyed this book so much! I fell in love with the characters, except for the bad guys, hated them! It was one of those books I couldn’t put down, stayed up too late several nights until it was done. And, it was very educational as well! I hadn’t learned much about this period of time in this part of the world previously. Highly recommend.
January 16, 2019
An interesting tale to during War in 1920 and a young lady, who only has her Grandfather left – for a family and their survival. While hunting for food she finds a wounded Italian who is working on taking their home away from them and has to figure out how to survive. Well written and well plotted!
July 23, 2020
The audio for this story is excellent.
I very much enjoyed reading the book when it first came out so I was delighted to revisit these characters’ stories with this excellent narration.
I have re-read the book several times and I will definitely be listening to this audio again too.
Christine Schneider is great.
I am hoping she will do the rest of the series soon!
I very much enjoyed reading the book when it first came out so I was delighted to revisit these characters’ stories with this excellent narration.
I have re-read the book several times and I will definitely be listening to this audio again too.
Christine Schneider is great.
I am hoping she will do the rest of the series soon!
February 26, 2018
Throughly enjoyed this book. Kept my interest from first page to the last
March 8, 2021
I loved the audiobook, the narrator Christine Schneider has a wonderful soothing voice and does an outstanding job with all the character voices. In the beginning when Angelo spoke in Italian, I was glad I knew what he was saying. My Nonno was a Carabinieri, and hearing about them had me think of him. I googled, read and saw the beautiful photos of the Reschen Pass, it is amazing. Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger worked hard in researching and bringing her vision to life. She has done a fantastic job in this first book of a major saga. I will be continuing with this series and read the following 5 books to see how it ends, it is a must do.
March 22, 2018
I received No Man's Land as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
In the aftermath of World War I, Katharina Thaler picks up the pieces of her life in war-torn Tyrol and dreams of inheriting her family farm. One day she happens upon an injured Italian engineer and former soldier, Angelo Grimani, and as Angelo recuperates in the Thalers' care, the pair grow close despite their different backgrounds. Both Katharina and Grimani have responsibilities, however--Katharina must care for her aging grandfather and the farm, while Angelo has a wife back home in Italy. When they separate, they are thrust into a series of events that they are helpless to control, and must make decisions to protect their well-being, and that of those they love.
I was really interested by the setting of this book--Austria, immediately post-WWI, and the tenuous political situation Katharina and Angelo find themselves in. It wasn't a part of history I was familiar with, and the tensions were fascinating (though understandable). I feel like the narrative cut off in a slightly awkward place, but I'm interested in reading more of their story in the next volume.
In the aftermath of World War I, Katharina Thaler picks up the pieces of her life in war-torn Tyrol and dreams of inheriting her family farm. One day she happens upon an injured Italian engineer and former soldier, Angelo Grimani, and as Angelo recuperates in the Thalers' care, the pair grow close despite their different backgrounds. Both Katharina and Grimani have responsibilities, however--Katharina must care for her aging grandfather and the farm, while Angelo has a wife back home in Italy. When they separate, they are thrust into a series of events that they are helpless to control, and must make decisions to protect their well-being, and that of those they love.
I was really interested by the setting of this book--Austria, immediately post-WWI, and the tenuous political situation Katharina and Angelo find themselves in. It wasn't a part of history I was familiar with, and the tensions were fascinating (though understandable). I feel like the narrative cut off in a slightly awkward place, but I'm interested in reading more of their story in the next volume.
August 20, 2019
With lots of different facets to this story, it's an excellent read - and one I really enjoyed!
Katharina lives with her grandfather on the family farm in the Reschen Valley. Following the end of the Great War, her family is much depleted and there are changes afoot which may well change their way of life - and not for the better. When Katharina rescues a wounded Italian, currently regarded as 'the enemy', the consequences are long and far reaching.
There is so much detail in this novel, and I had no idea how absorbing it would be! Each different thread would make a good story on it's own, but put together and woven through each other all adds up to a great read! I'm thrilled that there are more in the series which I downloaded when I was around half way through this one. Beautifully written and beginning with family, adding community and so much more this gets even more exciting as it goes along and I'm looking forward to find the time to complete the tale. A good solid read, and one I'm so happy to recommend. Absolutely worth a full five stars.
My thanks to Inktreks for my copy; this is, of course, my honest, original and unbiased review.
Katharina lives with her grandfather on the family farm in the Reschen Valley. Following the end of the Great War, her family is much depleted and there are changes afoot which may well change their way of life - and not for the better. When Katharina rescues a wounded Italian, currently regarded as 'the enemy', the consequences are long and far reaching.
There is so much detail in this novel, and I had no idea how absorbing it would be! Each different thread would make a good story on it's own, but put together and woven through each other all adds up to a great read! I'm thrilled that there are more in the series which I downloaded when I was around half way through this one. Beautifully written and beginning with family, adding community and so much more this gets even more exciting as it goes along and I'm looking forward to find the time to complete the tale. A good solid read, and one I'm so happy to recommend. Absolutely worth a full five stars.
My thanks to Inktreks for my copy; this is, of course, my honest, original and unbiased review.
October 29, 2019
The story feels very unique to me. The backdrop is fascinating and there is so much insight into the characters it is as though you are reading it from their POVs but the beauty and the craftsmanship of Lucyk-Berger is that it is all in the writing and the third person narrative. There is a bit of a theatrical almost Chekovian feel which I rather enjoyed where the author will at times hint at things without coming out and directly saying them. Those subtleties are like gold to a reader. And I am in awe how the author is able to take a time period and a setting that I know so little about and thrust me right into the middle of it. And instead of turning me off because of its unfamiliarity the language is intriguing to me and I find myself needing to keep reading. The first line "It seemed ashamed to kill on such a fine, spring day." told me this was a must read and I wasn't able to put it down. Lucyk-Berger strikes a nice balance of setting the scene and then inserting what on the surface could seem like casual dialogue but is often loaded with subtext. I am so glad I heard about this author and am definitely looking forward to continuing on with the series.
February 2, 2024
I love history, so I was excited to read about the South Tyrol, a region of northern Italy that is historically part of Austria. During the inter-war period between the two world wars is when Itally annexes the region now known as the South Tyrol. They flooded the valley to create more electrical power & displaced hundreds of families, farms, & villages. It's a bit dry in parts (I'm not crazy about politics), & it was a bit slow, but still I enjoyed learning about this little-known event in history.
I would've liked more descriptions. For example, the colors of the Tyrolean flag are mentioned, but not described. I have no idea what those colors are. Also, there's a lot of German & Italian phrases used, but not explained. I would've at least liked a glossary at the end of the book. I don't mind stopping to google something in a book written during the era in which it's set, but not in a contemporary book set in the past.
Still, I'd like ro read the rest of the series.
I would've liked more descriptions. For example, the colors of the Tyrolean flag are mentioned, but not described. I have no idea what those colors are. Also, there's a lot of German & Italian phrases used, but not explained. I would've at least liked a glossary at the end of the book. I don't mind stopping to google something in a book written during the era in which it's set, but not in a contemporary book set in the past.
Still, I'd like ro read the rest of the series.
February 5, 2018
Set in a small, rural community still reeling from the aftermath of the Great War, No Man’s Land is the first of a series of books set in the Reschen Valley. Simmering with intrigue and political tension, I quickly found myself drawn in – and I’m now on tenterhooks waiting for the next book to come out! I loved the main character, Katharina Thaler. She’s strong, resourceful and passionate young woman who wants nothing more than to take over her family’s farm. But when she saves the life of a stranger, her whole world is turned upside down. Katharina is faced with some difficult choices – and the consequences of her actions reach further than she could have ever imagined. I can’t wait to see how she develops over the course of the series, and how the choices she’s made will affect not only her future, but that of the entire village.
March 18, 2018
I received this book for free from Amazon via Bookbub and I'm so glad that I did as I may otherwise never have discovered this author.
What a great story! This book is a long way from the usual genre that I read but it captivated me from the moment that I started it. Several stories - the two main ones of the main characters, as well as secondary stories such as the Tyroleans fight for independence and the fascist's rise to power - intertwine seamlessly and provide a rich, authentic narrative of the times. This book has been very well researched and is full of details, although this does not detract from the story and only adds to it.
I would highly recommend this book although be warned - it is addictive and is not a stand alone story, it leaves you hanging for the next book! I look forward to the next one.
What a great story! This book is a long way from the usual genre that I read but it captivated me from the moment that I started it. Several stories - the two main ones of the main characters, as well as secondary stories such as the Tyroleans fight for independence and the fascist's rise to power - intertwine seamlessly and provide a rich, authentic narrative of the times. This book has been very well researched and is full of details, although this does not detract from the story and only adds to it.
I would highly recommend this book although be warned - it is addictive and is not a stand alone story, it leaves you hanging for the next book! I look forward to the next one.
January 27, 2018
No Man’s Land is an earthy, passionate novel about a young Tyrolean woman at the end of the Great War. Lucyk-Berger expertly intertwines the stories of the farmer Katharina, the handsome Italian engineer whose life she saves, and the power-struggle between the Italian occupants, the Fascists, and the Austrian farmers who want to save their valley from exploitation. No Man’s land is a vivid and intriguing narrative that transports the reader to another time and place, and will have you mesmerized from page one.
April 2, 2019
I enjoyed the setting and the characters. It’s a nice change from the books I’ve read. The politics is a bit confusing to me. I’m not always sure who’s for or against who. It might just be because this part of history is new and unfamiliar to me. I am looking forward to reading the second book in the series.
June 1, 2020
This book is in the time just after WWI, when the losing countries were partly chopped up and given to other countries. The place is the Alps between Italy and Austria. Italy has acquired Austrian lands and immediately start the Italianating the area. Towns, streets and even peoples names had to be changed to Italian names. I would've liked this book more if wasn't part 1 of a continuing book.
April 11, 2023
This book is about an area of Austria that was annexed by Italy following WWI. It centers around a small mountain village occupied by those of German heritage and the city where the Italian government is, seeking to enforce Italy's new rules, is located. I am always glad to find well written books that teach me about parts of history I know little to nothing about.
February 2, 2018
Absolutely wonderful!! This story immediately captured my attention from page one. I cannot wait for the remaining books in this series. I will be definitely following this author and am looking forward to all and any new books she is working on.
March 12, 2019
This book was recommended as historical fiction. My take is 99% fiction. Basically a love story that stops abruptly with no resolution.
October 28, 2019
Very interesting story about Tyroleans having to adapt to new circumstances when their land was annexed to Italy.
July 9, 2022
Tyrol, Austria, seized by Italy at the end of the Great War. Katharina Thaler is caught between warring factions, her Opa, and a desire to preserve her family farm.
January 12, 2024
political
The book is well written. I don’t care for politics so it’s a difficult read for me. The characters are very interesting.
The book is well written. I don’t care for politics so it’s a difficult read for me. The characters are very interesting.
July 6, 2025
I thought this would more of a romance but ended up general historical fiction and still very good! Not sure if I’ll get the second one but it’s a definite maybe.
November 14, 2025
Received this book from the author through Book Funnel.
It was, especially at first, slow going.
I did finish it, but am not sure it peaked my interest sufficiently to continue with the series.
It was, especially at first, slow going.
I did finish it, but am not sure it peaked my interest sufficiently to continue with the series.
February 6, 2018
Captivating, heartfelt and deeply moving. Lucyk-Berger immediately draws the reader in with her strong characters who so beautifully illustrate the struggles and anxieties of the people of South Tyrol as they have to accept the annexation to Italy, without losing sight of the fact that there are always two sides to every story. Can’t wait for part two to be released!
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