From the award-winning author of Catching the Wind, which Publishers Weekly called “unforgettable” and a “must-read,” comes another gripping time-slip novel about hidden treasure, a castle, and ordinary people who resisted evil in their own extraordinary way.The year is 1938, and as Hitler’s troops sweep into Vienna, Austrian Max Dornbach promises to help his Jewish friends hide their most … friends hide their most valuable possessions from the Nazis, smuggling them to his family’s summer estate near the picturesque village of Hallstatt. He enlists the help of Annika Knopf, his childhood friend and the caretaker’s daughter, who is eager to help the man she’s loved her entire life. But when Max also brings Luzia Weiss, a young Jewish woman, to hide at the castle, it complicates Annika’s feelings and puts their entire plan–even their very lives–in jeopardy. Especially when the Nazis come to scour the estate and find both Luzia and the treasure gone.Eighty years later, Callie Randall is mostly content with her quiet life, running a bookstore with her sister and reaching out into the world through her blog. Then she finds a cryptic list in an old edition of Bambi that connects her to Annika’s story . . . and maybe to the long-buried story of a dear friend. As she digs into the past, Callie must risk venturing outside the safe world she’s built for a chance at answers, adventure, and maybe even new love.
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This poignant story wove around my heart and has left a lasting imprint that is sure to remain. Like a master orchestral composition, this story started in broad lyrical strokes and gradually build upon itself into a sweeping masterpiece. Past and present blend together seamlessly in this sweeping saga of love, loss and the power of restoration.
My copy of this book is awash in colorful highlights and page-flags noting parts that I especially enjoyed, quotes, and important details. The setting of the story sets the tone, but its the dynamic characters that carry the plot along, setting the tempo and the lyrical melody. I found myself simultaneously reaching for the tissue box and hugging the book when I finished.
Faith in God plays a central role in the characters lives. This gentle reminder weaved into the story, “God is infinitely more beautiful and loving and tender and kind than anything we can imagine of Him.”
Both vibrant and enduring, this dual-timeline story that is set primarily in Austria during World War II is one that you won’t want to miss! I give this story 5 enthusiastic stars. Order your copy today, or request it from your local library.
(I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)
Hidden Among the Stars is crafted with emotional depth, authenticity, and artistry! Everything about this story is beautifully intricate from the characters and their backstories to the intimate depiction of history and breathtaking landscapes. Timeless themes of love, faith, and family make this story a must read for all!
This story, these characters, and the inspiring message between these covers touched my reader heart in a way that few stories do… deep, wide adoration! Obviously, this book is going straight to my all-time favorites shelf and I strongly urge readers to experience this story for themselves.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
“No one can stop this music. Its journey continues, I think, throughout the earth and up into the heavens. An eternal, sacred song.”
Hidden Among the Stars is another winner from this masterful author. Melanie Dobson’s haunting, lyrical, and musical voice is powerful and beautiful. She creates a vivid world of 1938 Vienna and Austria – its music, beauty, and culture clashing against hatred and anger against the Jews. This dual timeline story unites 1938 Austria with present day Ohio and one antique book brings strangers and families together for an unforgettable journey. The slow unraveling of the past and present as they intertwine is delicious and full of intrigue and anticipation. The multiple twists and turns in the plot heightens the anticipation. The present day is from Callie’s first person perspective in present tense. The past is from Max, Luzi, and Annika’s limited third person perspective in past tense. The writing switches perspectives and times fluidly to create an incredible tale. I loved the way the author used well-known quotes from children’s books in the story and how the antique books central to the story are also children’s books.
The characters Callie and Josh from present day Ohio will charm you. The characters Max, Luzi, and Annika from pre-WWII Austria will make you cry and hurt and love with them. The themes of sacrifice, justice, full trust in our God, and letting go of fear are real and prominent in all the characters’ lives.
If you enjoy historical romance, especially dual timeline ones, you will absolutely love this book. It’s a must-read!
I received a copy of the book from the author/publisher via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to write a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
Hidden Among the Stars, by Melanie Dobson, is a compelling novel from the first page to the last. Once started, it is difficult to put this book down! Events of present day blend together effortlessly with events of eighty years ago to create a dual timeline story that is simply riveting. Elements of mystery, courage, and faith are thoughtfully intertwined in this well-researched novel. With excellent pacing that never tarries, important details are carefully revealed and hidden truths are uncovered as the story reaches its dramatic and satisfying conclusion.
In the face of dangerous circumstances and daunting secrets, the well-drawn characters in this novel possess an inner strength and determination that is profoundly inspiring. As they struggle with fear, loss, and uncertainty, the characters manage to cling to hope and strive for redemption. As it both conceals and reveals its mysteries, the castle setting itself also becomes an important character that cannot be overlooked. Furthermore, in the dim light of rejection, loss, and broken dreams, profound themes of perseverance, forgiveness, selflessness, sacrifice, and love shine brightly as beacons of hope and encouragement.
Hidden Among the Stars is an incredibly fascinating and moving novel. The absorbing mystery and enduring themes are intensely satisfying. It is extremely tender, emotional-stirring, and deeply thought-provoking. This book is well-written, engaging, and relevant. I recommend it wholeheartedly.
*I received a copy of this novel through Celebrate Lit and NetGalley. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.
An author who crafts her work with exquisite care and meticulous detail, Melanie Dobson blends fiction with facts and combines them with hope and faith. With “Hidden Among the Stars”, she takes her readers and her characters on an 80-year journey, back and forth from Vienna, Austria of the WWII Era and the Holocaust to a small bookstore in Ohio in our present-day world. Callie Randall owns and runs Magic Balloon Shop with her sister, Brianna. The discovery of mysterious notes in an old children’s book will lead Callie on a search through history to discover a long-silenced truth which which may affect someone she holds dear. As Callie turns the pages of the past, we get to know Max Dornbach of Hallstatt, Austria, a young man who, along with his childhood friend, Annika Knopf, covertly aids his Jewish friends by hiding their belongings on his family’s estate to prevent the Nazis from confiscating the valuables. When Max also hides a young Jewish woman, Luzia Weiss, at the castle, the danger of discovery threatens them all. “Hidden Among the Stars” is a wonderfully poignant and involving tale of heartache, hope, and history–an important reminder of the majesty of the human spirit and the beauty of abiding faith in the face of unimaginable tragedy.
Book Copy Gratis Tyndale House Publishers
Wonderfully written story and wonderfully narrated. Nancy Peterson was enjoyable to listen to as she reflected the beauty of this WWII fiction with perfect pacing and different voices. I enjoyed the tribute to children’s literature and the importance of books. The characters in both time frames learned lessons about perseverance. Then a picture of true sacrifice emerged which will remain with me. Great job, Two Words Publishing. I was given a copy of this audio book by the narrator. All opinions are my own.
My second book by Melanie Dobson, and I already got the next one from the library. It’s a good mystery about what actually happened in Austria during WWII, when a modern book lover seeks to find a former owner of a book that has some puzzling writing in it. And also a challenge for that book worm to step outside of her books into real life! Good read.
A truly amazing book. It is original, well-researched, and full of twists and turns. A page turner that defies you to figure out the ending.
What a riveting book! I fell completely in love with the Austrian characters, and I was so eager to find out what happened to them as their world collapsed into an inescapable trap of horror. I didn’t even want to read about Callie because she was so safe and “spoiled”–it was hard to sympathize with her or any of the modern-day characters after reading about the terrors and agonies the Austrians went through. But since many plot points were revealed by Callie, Charlotte, and Josh, I couldn’t skip their chapters. I SO wish this books would have just been about the Austrian characters–they went through so much, and my heart was fully entwined with them. I wanted to stay in their world the whole time. But it was still a wonderful book.
I enjoyed this very much. The character’s were very believable. I found myself holding my breath at times. I love suspense. It also gives a glimpse into history and what those times were like for those opposing Hitler.
Beautifully written
This book had twists that kept me wondering until the end. Good plot, many truths, plenty of history. Will be one of my favorites. Everything did not turn out predictably for everyone but that made it more real. There was a satisfying ending overall. This book will be on my mind for quite awhile.
Loved it!
Love this author. This is the reason I love well done historical Christian fiction. You learn so much history while enjoying a wonderful story. Love that she weaves faith through her books . Well done!
I greatly enjoyed this book. The characters become your friends or your enemies. Once I got into it I couldn’t put it down. Lots of history about a beautiful place in Austria. I have been there and stood on the shore of that lake, so that made it a bit personal to me.
I love anything written during the World War Ii era.
This was my first time reading a Melanie Dobson book. But the premise intrigued me because I love Nazi era stories and WW2. This story is written of that time but ties to the present which made it a real page turner. The book grabbed me from start to finish. If you like stories of that era, I think you’ll enjoy this one. Ms Dobson really developed great characters that only gets you deeper involved in the story.
Hidden Among the Stars is a powerful dual timeline story—definitely one of the best books I’ve read this year.
The past story begins in Austria in 1938, just after Adolf Hitler has annexed the country. Anyone who knows anything of twentieth century history suspects this isn’t going to end well. Max is the only son of a well-off Vienna banker. Luzi is the Jewish violinist he loves, and Annika is the daughter of a family servant … who loves Max.
The present story is that of Calisandra Anne Randall. Callie is the half-owner of a children’s bookstore in small-town Ohio. The bookstore has been Callie’s refuge since she was a child. Now she’s making it a place where the next generation of children meet and come to love some of her favourite fictional characters.
Callie sells both new and secondhand books, and often finds things hidden in the books she sells. But Bambi is different. It’s not just the photograph hidden inside the book that captures her attention. It’s the German words written between the lines of the book. Callie’s attempts to find the story behind the book lead her to Austria and a mystery that’s almost eighty years old.
There were so many things that impressed me about Hidden in the Stars. The way the two plot lines intertwined and intersected. The characters. The writing. The excellent historical research. The faith aspect. It all adds up to a lot more than the cover promised. And I was equally invested in the past and present stories, which is rare. (Yes, I’m one of those readers who usually wants to skip forward and read only half the story.)
The writing was excellent. My writer/editor self I was especially impressed by the way the author combined first person present tense for the contemporary story with third person past tense for the historical story. Mixing first and third person is not a technique for beginners. Mixing present and past tense is even more impressive. That Melanie Dobson managed to do both seamlessly is outstanding writing.
The historical research never overwhelmed the story. It was good to read a novel set in Austria rather than the more traditional Germany. And it was wonderful to read a story that didn’t have any obvious historical inaccuracies yet managed to share new information. (The author’s note at the end explained a couple of things I’d wondered about.)
I was also impressed by the way the Christian elements were woven into the plot. The first half had very few religious references—Jewish or Christian. The second half brought out many truths about the nature of God, and the nature of good and evil. Unfortunately, World War II taught us a lot about evil … if we care to learn.
Recommended for fans of dual timeline stories with a hint of romance from authors like Kristy Cambron, Heidi Chiavaroli, and Cathy Gohlke. Thanks to Tyndale House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
I haven’t read a book this good since Kristen Hannah’s The Nightingale! An absolutely wonderful read and i’m Sure this book will win many accolades and awards for Ms.Dobson and they will be well deserved for such a magnificent story!
4.5 stars
“It’s a tale of two books and their owners, stories that didn’t end between the covers.”
Trapped inside Austria during the Nazi occupation in 1938, the lives of three families intersect in a most unusual manner; the son of a castle owner, the caretaker’s daughter, and a lovely violinist born into a Jewish family. Annika has loved Max all her life, but Max only has eyes for the one whose music flows effortlessly between the strings and bow. When the unthinkable happens and families are ripped apart, it’s the books that tell the story.
Years pass before Ohio bookshop operator Callie Randall runs across a vintage book, finding pages inscribed with a curious list of valuables, carefully added in such a manner that the items have remained hidden in plain view. When Callie’s research surrounding the antique book connects her with a professor, whose own search for answers to the past includes an old picture on the grounds of an Austrian castle, the walls that she has so carefully constructed around her heart threaten to crumble.
“You have to relive the pain to tell the stories.” Thankfully, “God is infinitely more beautiful and loving and tender and kind than anything we can imagine of Him”.
What a lovely tribute to those whose family members became “hidden among the stars”.
I receive a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.