Prague Counterpoint

Zion Covenant #2

by Bodie Thoene, Brock Thoene

In Vienna Prelude, Elisa Lindheim risked her life helping others escape pre-World War II Austria. The climactic ending finds her safely in Czechoslovakia, but not for long. A million other lives are endangered, and she cannot still their silent cry for help.

Prague Counterpoint finds Elisa watching in horror as Hitler's forces sweep through her beloved Vienna and he directs his ambition toward the takeover of Czechoslovakia. As Europe slides irrevocably toward the brink of war, Elisa is torn between the Underground's lofty political goals and the safety of two little boys….And underneath it all, her heart yearns for John. Will she ever see him again?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Historical, World War II, Romance

392 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1989

About the author

BODIE AND BROCK THOENE (pronounced Tay-nee) have written over 45 works of historical fiction. These best sellers have sold more than 10 million copies and won eight ECPA Gold Medallion Awards.

Bodie began her writing career as a teen journalist for her local newspaper. Eventually her byline appeared in prestigious periodicals such as U.S. News and World Report, The American West, and The Saturday Evening Post. She also worked for John Wayne’s Batjac Productions (she’s best known as author of The Fall Guy) and ABC Circle Films as a writer and researcher. John Wayne described her as “a writer with talent that captures the people and the times!” She has degrees in journalism and communications.

Bodie and Brock have four grown children—Rachel, Jake Thoene, Luke Thoene, and Ellie—and five grandchildren. Their sons, Jake and Luke, are carrying on the Thoene family talent as the next generation of writers, and Luke produces the Thoene audiobooks.

Bodie and Brock divide their time between London and Nevada.

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wrote to the author and asked:

why do you use real character names (such as Winston Churchill) and change names of other characters (Craine & his castle clearly refer to William Herst)?
----------------------------
their response:
Dear Becky:
Good question! When we have interviews with real people who met historical characters (like Churchill) then we are comfortable using real names. When the setting involves hear-say reports or is purely fictional (even if realistic and true to character) then we change the names. It's one of the requirements we impose on ourselves to keep the history as accurate and reliable as possible.
Blessings,
Bodie and Brock

------------------------------------------
anyway, I thought it was really good that they were trying to be historically accurate and not going overboard with creative license when it comes to actual people in history.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many years ago, before I was a Goodreads member, I discovered the Thoenes' books thanks to a book sale room at a local library. After reading just one, I started to devour any of their works I could get my hands on; I went as far as requesting some via inter-library loan or obtaining them from a library outside my city of residence.

That was a while ago...and, though I still read Christian fiction rather often, I hadn't cracked open a Thoene novel in a few years. After buying a Amazon gift card recently, I thought: Why not revisit their works via Kindle? I've read so many books since I first discovered the Thoenes' works, I had forgotten a lot of the story...but, it was still just as amazing as I remembered. I hope to own the complete series in Kindle format sometime soon...and, once I do, I will revisit it again and again.

[Jaimie · Rating 3 out of 5]

SPOILER ALERT!! DON'T READ THIS IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW THE ENDING!!

Gotta say, I did NOT like the ending on this one. I mean, don't get me wrong (spoiler) the story ended happily, but there wasn't as much to it as I expected. The authors did an EXCELLENT job telling the history of Hitler's whole silent world takeover strategy and propaganda pre-WWII. They had me on the EDGE of my seat for the story of Charles and Louis trying to make it to safety. And the misunderstood love story between Elisa and Murphy had so much drama and tension that I could hardly stand it! But then the end skips over all the details (the good parts) of how the day is saved and when Murphy and Elisa finally fall in love and just kind of tidies it all up by a few short paragraphs of "the bullet misses the Czech president, Murphy is in the right place at the right time to catch Sporer, Elisa gets the love letter, all is forgiven, Elisa and Murphy are in love". I need more than that. I need last minute, desperate decisions with Murphey flinging himself, all that he has left, at the aweful Sporer who you can imagine, at that point, almost escaping (God forbid!) and dragging Murphy and Elisa into a final pit of utter despair. And I need to see Elisa return home with Murphy, not knowing or understanding everything that had happened that day. I need them both choked up with too many words to say. I need to see her eye catch the unopened letter in which Murphy had poured out his heart. I need uncomfortable, awkward silence until...finally! The truth is revealed and they are so overwhelmed they can hardly even move toward each other. You know? The end was more like, "I love you. I love you too." Great.

Anyway, it was some of the best written, most historically accurate fiction I'd read. Until the end.

[Kelsey Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I may not have liked this one quite as much as the first, it was still an excellent read! I'm not completely sure why it didn't measure up to the first book in my mind... perhaps because there was more jumping between perspectives, the plot seemed less clear-cut from beginning to end, and the drawn-out confusion in Murphy and Elisa's romance frustrated me? I also felt there may have been less character growth and fewer moving passages about the spiritual, Christian perspective on the European nightmare. But that said, the nearly nonstop action and tension sure made this book hard to put down, and I really enjoyed the well-researched, well put together adventure into 1930s Europe. I'm looking forward to book 3.

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did no research whatsoever into the historical accuracy of the story, mostly so I could enjoy it for what it is. The likelihood of all of these people being entangled in the same political events is obviously a bit far-fetched, but the storyline itself, especially that of trying to help two little boys escape, is what really draws you in. The contrast of the "purity" of the "master race" and the joy and compassion exhibited by the "undesireables" is what drives the theme of the story. It's all about not being apathetic and ignoring the evils in the world, which has led to such destruction in the past. Definitely a message that still needs to be brought to the world today.

[Charyla Olsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can see my review about the first book, Vienna Prelude. Bodie Thoene continues her excellent work exposing the evil as the Nazis invade Czechoslovakia and the world reels or ignores the problems.

[Jen Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this whole series several years ago. Each book was so well written. I was captivated by the characters, their stories and struggles. It was this series that really peaked by love for historical fiction.

[Aidan Cooley (The Melancholic Celt) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[James Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first reading I thought this was not going to be as good as the 1st book, Vienna Prelude, how wrong could I have been it's like a watching a movie and starting out again after the intermission, I just couldn't stop reading. Hitler and Germany has seized control of Vienna and the SS and the Gestapo have started terrorizing the Jews and the Nonconformist to the Nazi party, they have appointed Nazi puppets into key positions of Government of Austria and have set-up check points. Most all of the main characters are back and their missions and characters have expanded. There are some real surprises in store for the reader with some of the characters. Hitler is using occupation of Austria as a springboard to take over Czechoslovakia and seize control over the Government. Refugees from Austria who thought they we're safe from the evil of the Nazi's soon found out that they were not. This book really reminds us how really evil that Hitler and the Nazi's really are. To this day, I still find it hard to believe that the world powers stood by and did little or nothing to stop or prevent the atrocities from happening. As Sir Edmund Burke so wisely stated, " for evil to prevail, is that Good do nothing" that was true then and it is especially true today. Every person born whether healthy or handicapped has worth and deserving life and love, as Our Father in Heaven Loves us.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated the historical research and backdrop presented in this story and how it occasionally left the main characters to show a key scene in history with Churchill, Hitler and/or Franklin. Kudos for how well this was laid out.

The story itself was pretty good too, with a lot of plot and/or action happening. More of a "Hallmark Movie" feel to it, so possessing a somewhat predictable story-line with a leading female who's obviously gorgeous and a few love quadrangles thrown in, of course. What was unlike Hallmark, however, was how this book went a little passed the line of morality standards that Hallmark follows (see Cleanliness below). By the third book, I felt that the authors had pushed it a little too far for my comfort (and I was losing interest in the new characters and the bunny trails they were making away from the main characters I wanted to read about).

Ages: 17+

Cleanliness: Even though the books in this series are published by a Christian publishing house, I didn't really think they felt all that Christian. The characters may mention God once or twice but it's fairly trivial and most of the characters certainly don't live an obvious Christian lifestyle. If you think of these books as perhaps just clean fiction with non-Christian characters, you might not be disappointed.

There is drinking and smoking mentioned throughout, and characters getting drunk to drowned their sorrows. There is kissing, lustful glances, and thoughts of adultery/fornication (not detailed or explicit). Lingerie is mentioned. There are characters thinking of suicide as a way out. There are about two swear words in each book (b*tch is one of the words used).

**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!

So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!

[Beverley McPherson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this historical fiction also. It really helped with an understanding of pre- WWII. It was clearly evident from the book, people Like Otto, Leah, John and Eliza who was instrumental in helping ,did a marvelous Job to twist Hilter plan. I liked Otto character and it really boosted the book ratings.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this one...my heart was racing the last 30 pages or so as I was so anxious to see what would happen (and then to start the next in the series, of course). Lots more European history from the late 1930s and helps me understand so much more clearly Hitler's rise to power and what led to the war.

[Kirstin Dobson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read. Like the characters, plot, and historical setting. It flows well even though it's a long read. Mostly didn't mind though. Not much complaint with book except this a little too detailed in the middle.

[Bo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, which had some interesting twists and turns in the plot. I appreciate the author bringing out different situations and types of people that the Nazis persecuted.

Much of my same concerns regarding book 1 are still valid for this book. Although from a Christian publisher, it's really not what I would class as a Christian book, and although characters may talk about God in a positive manner, you really don't get any sense of them being true followers of Christ. Some of the more "spiritual" moments are rather vague and open to interpretation.

I do think the author does a good job of giving you a sense of what life was like at the time, as well as what was happening politically.

I would give the book 3.5 stars if I could.

[Claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yes, I'm still reading this series despite my 2-star review for the first book. Thanks to a more intriguing storyline, this book was better than the first one—more like 2.5 stars. I actually stayed up late to find out what happened at the end.

However, the romantic subplot was still eyeroll-inducing (very clichéd) and the writing style still needed help.

One thing I've pinpointed about the writing is the pet phrases used constantly, to the point of distraction. For example, "leveled his/her gaze," "inclined his/her head," "lifted his/her chin" and "swallowed hard" appear often.

"Broadly" is another favorite word, as in "smiled broadly," "gestured broadly," "winked broadly" and "nodded broadly."

The frequent use of "as if/as though" and "seemed" (often multiple times per page) is probably the worst though. These phrases weaken the impact of the writing, create more distance between the reader and the characters, and sometimes attempt to explain actions that would be better left to the reader's imagination.

Just a few examples of many:

She shook her head as if to knock loose her own foolishness.

She looked at him as if to search out the possibilities of what he said.

She touched the stone rail of the bridge as though she remembered Leah’s hand there.

Elisa smiled at him as though he were unbelievably dense.

He could only gasp for breath as if he were drowning, fighting to surface for air, now fighting for his life!

She clambered up the steps alone and flung the door open as though she were being pursued.

She held the cello as if she found some comfort in its nearness.

Herschel nodded guiltily and stepped back as though the words of his uncle were blows.

He cleared his throat as if to let that thought sink in.

As though hypnotized by the sight of the structure, Herschel stepped off the curb and walked toward it.

Her face was grim and her eyes seemed to reflect the sorrow of a thousand years.

Everything seemed gray and lifeless except Elisa.

[Pamela Shropshire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is really good historical fiction even though it was published as “Christian fiction.” In fact, this book in particular is probably more accurate to the period regarding religious attitudes than the current HF that completely ignores religion. Even in Europe most ordinary citizens were still actively Christian in the 1930s.

So this book takes up where Vienna Prelude left off.

*The Anschluss completed
On the brink of war
Act brutal with no pity
Be harsh, show no remorse
Start the war machine
The Reich will rise

Elisa is mostly safe because of her new American passport after her marriage of convenience to John Murphy, but she knows her best friend, Leah Feldstein, a Jewish cellist, and her typanist husband, Shimon, are in deadly danger. She is determined to try to help them.

Meanwhile, Walter Kroenenberger, a journalist from Berlin, is introduced. He and his wife had twin sons, Charles and Louis; Charles, however, had been born with a cleft palate. In addition to their irrational hatred of Jewish people, the Nazis also had declared war against anyone with handicaps or malformities. The Kroenenbergers’ doctor tried to convince them to allow the infant to die. They refused and when Mrs. K was pregnant again, they forcibly performed an abortion that resulted in her death from infection. Walter was forcibly sterilized. The Nazis find Walter in Vienna and, as he runs into the office of the International News Service, gun him down in front of the journalists, including Murphy.

The book ends during the Sudenten crisis and an assassination attempt (fictional as far as I can determine) on Czech President Edvard Beněs that Murphy and Elisa (who escaped Vienna with little Charles) manage to foil while at the same time, Leah and Louis have reached the Tyrol to await their escape over the border into Switzerland.

(*Rise of Evil by Sabaton - IYKYK 😉)

[Corinne Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book two of the series, so you need to read book one before reading this review!

We pick up right where we left off. Murphy and Elisa have made it safe to her family in Prague and Leah and Shimon are left in the newly Nazi-ized Vienna. One new and important piece of this story is a set five year old twin boys whose very existence is going to complicate matters for both Leah and Elisa. In a world where looking different is a punishable offense and Hitler's plans are becoming more and more obvious, it is time for everyone to choose what side they are on, regardless of the consequences.

I have forgotten so much of what happens! I totally forgot about the twins, which really make this installment interesting and upsetting. I wish that Elisa and Murphy spent more time together, since I like their romance, but it moves along nicely and while some horrible and violent things happen, I love to see how the pieces interconnect. There is so much history here, while there is some western-European bias, obviously, the books really do a good job of getting the sequence of things straight in your head.

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

March 12, 1938, is a dark day. Hitler's evil sweeps across Austria, destroying all in its path. Although violinist Elisa Lindheimis safe in Czechoslovakia for now, she grieves over her beloved Vienna. Swastika flags now wave from every window. Jewish shops are destroyed. Neighbor's houses stand empty. The Jews and those who try to defend them are arrested or killed. The clock is running out for those the Nazis considered enemies of the state, such as journalist Walter Kronenberger and his five-year-old son Charles. If Lisa agrees to help Charles and his twin brother, Louis, she could become useless to the Jewish Underground. Yet how she stand by and watch two children fall into the clutches of the Nazis?
Another great book in the Zion Covenant Series.

[Sherrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love the development of the characters who were introduced but not well known in the first book like otto, hershel, thomas etc. the only thing i didn't like about this book was that i felt like the plot with the twin boys dragged on. the whole second half of the book they sat in that dumb apartment. but loved this book and can't wait to get the next one...

[JaNae · Rating 5 out of 5]

After I finished #1 I kept wondering about book 2 but didn't have it yet from the library. I think I liked this one better than #1! I don't want to give anything away so I'll leave it at that.

Can't wait to start #3 but the Library does NOT have that one in the series, SERIOUSLY?!?! Guess I'll be borrowing a copy soon.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is amazing to read about the events before WWII. It certainly makes me wonder, what would I do in similar circumstance! The fictional characters are also very intriguing. This series has really drawn me in.

[Carolyn C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this second book in this series. Well written and again I was left feeling very connected to the characters:) Not only was I thoroughly engrossed in the story but this has been a great way for me to learn some of the history of the days leading up to WWII. Tough time to live!

[Jennifer LCF · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read in decades that had me so engrossed, I actually skipped ahead. After finally deciding I had to shut it at 1am, I just couldn't stand waiting to find out the fate of one of the characters. Fabulous read.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first one was better... this was good, but it just seemed to take a really long time to get anywhere... it's so sad too to read about people getting treated that way.

[Jill K Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent second book to the Zion Covenant series. I really felt I was in Vienna and Prague in 1938.

[Karma Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book - an interesting and enlightening sequel. I am half way through the third and still enjoying the story!

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book - difficult to read or should I say difficult to go through emotionally what the people experienced then.

[Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written. The authors develop the characters well. Heavy subject matter makes be want to take time between the books in the series.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely to read the background of characters I was familiar with from the Thoenes' other series. Well written and page-turner, as usual.

[Beth Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a fascinating series of WW2 - more like an exciting personal accounting from several individuals.