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I could not put the "Daughter of the Reich" down. Even before finishing the book, I raved to friends about it. I am an avid read of fiction occurring in times of rising authoritarianism. I loved the 'Nightingale" and "All the Light We Cannot See". This book towers above those two great reads. The layers and complexity of the character development are phenomenal. Hettie's transformation from a Nazi loyalist to resister is highly believable. The writing is well crafted. Each character plays a significant role in the development of the story and adds to the describing the tension of living in Germany during the late 1930's. The scenes about Kristallnacht are graphic and chilling. I highly recommend this book. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. It is GREAT.

What an insightful, well written, and compelling novel! Fein presents one of the most realistic and compelling stories that I have read concerning the rise of Hitler and the atrocities inflicted upon the European Jews and those who opposed Nazi rule. As an added bonus, an endearing love story between the strong willed daughter of Hitler's inner circle and the young Jewish man who saves her life, is artistically woven into this poignant read. At 530 pages, I found myself wanting more, which is one of the highest complements I can pay to what may be the absolute BEST novel I will read this year...thank you Louise Fein for your amazing work and to Book Browse for the opportunity to experience it!

I chose this book from Book Browse to read and review the Advance Reader's edition. I'm giving it four out of five stars.

"Daughter of the Reich" is a good work of fiction that would make an excellent book club choice. The author, Louise Fein, tells the oft-told story of star-crossed young lovers in 1930's Germany. The two protagonists- Hetty and Walter - are friends but become lovers as they age. Hetty is from a doctrinaire Nazi family, while Walter is Jewish. While it would be easier for Louise Fein to draw simple caricatures of her characters, she actually gives them identities which make them interesting to the reader. The plot is also less conventional than many on the same subject. It's a good read and brings up some interesting questions about families in the Nazi era.

This is the second book I've read in recent months that is set in the pre-World War II time period of the 1930s in Germany, during which Hitler rose to power and Nazism infiltrated every part of the country. Though set in a similar time period, the angle that this book explores is markedly different. The story is told from the perspective of Hetty Heinrich, who, as the daughter of a high-ranking SS officer, was raised to be the perfect German citizen — pure in lineage, patriotic, fiercely loyal to Hitler and the Nazi ideology he espoused. As a dutiful "daughter" of the Thousand Year Reich, Hetty is prepared to do her part — that is, until one day when she is accidentally reunited with Walter Keller, an estranged childhood friend who had saved her from drowning when she was seven years old. To Hetty, Walter is perfect in every way — except for the fact that he is Jewish, and also, as Hetty slowly starts to realize, he goes against every belief she had previously been taught. The two of them end up falling in love and gradually, Hetty realizes everything she thought she understood about her family and country were actually lies, which ignites in her the will to fight against them. When the tides of anti-semitism in Germany escalate to the point where Walter's mere existence is put into question, Hetty is faced with the ultimate decision to try and save him at all costs.

As is expected when reading historical fiction, the feeling of being transported to a different time and place is one of the things I always look out for, which in this story worked really well. This book's strongest element though is in the area of character development. We first meet Hetty when she is 7 years old and subsequently follow her development through her teenage years, but what stands out the most is her feisty personality and strong-willed nature. Hetty is a character who both enthralls and frustrates in equal measure, which I guess is what makes her such an interesting character.

Given the historical context, books set against the backdrop of Nazi rule going into World War II are rarely ever "easy" reads and of course, this book was no exception. The sections that described the brutalities inflicted upon Jews (and others who were considered "enemies" of the regime) were difficult to read, yet I understand why such details were necessary to the story. With that said though, I also felt the writing was a bit uneven in certain areas — the narrative was told entirely from Hetty's first person perspective, yet some sections were descriptive to the point that it didn't seem to match the voice. I also felt the story dragged a bit in the earlier chapters and it wasn't until around the halfway mark that the story became much more engaging — though with that said, for me at least, the last section of the book was the strongest in terms of plot, character, and emotional nuance.

Despite some issues with pacing and flow, this was a good story overall, and definitely a worthy entry into the canon of WWII-era fiction, in my opinion. Over the years, I've heard many people complain about the over-saturation of WWII era novels in the market and while I agree for the most part, I also feel it's extremely important for these stories to continue to be told, if anything, to serve as a lesson for us and future generations, that history cannot be forgotten.

Received ARC from William Morrow (HarperCollins) via Bookbrowse First Impressions program

The power of love is our greatest currency and commodity. Writing this review during almost a month of being directed by our Governor to "stay home - stay safe" life becomes very precious as we once knew it. We make our daily decisions based on what is the greatest good morally, and limit the casualties of the number who will die of no fault of their own.

This kind of story took place in WWII Germany as well. Good people bridging the gap between the expected promises of the 3rd Reich and a love that will bend and grow based on secret yearnings of the heart and passions. Neither can coincide together.

My In-laws met this way after WWII, one a young French country girl, the other a New York Jew from Forest Hills. Even though it was clear that my mother-in-law was not from New York by her accent and mannerisms, their love and struggle was greater than what people thought. They told neither set of parents of their diverse backgrounds - they chose love. Tough decisions for difficult times.

We speak in kindness to impossible situations, matters of the heart, but we will not be quieted. In short, love reigns.

I enjoyed this book. The author portrayed the main character with understanding and showed that love can overcome ignorance. The reader also gets a glimpse of the psyche of the German people under Hitler who followed him. It's a love story, somewhat contrived, but interesting. The main character, Hetty Heinrich, as a child wants to love her country but loving a Jew puts into question everything she is taught in her home under a father who is a high ranking Nazi official. Many are put in harms way when she can not resist her love.

Another great historical book. I am totally falling for historical romance books. Hetty was a good daughter of a high ranking Nazi officer. She plays the part, exactly as was suspected she would. She did until she meets Walter. A secret love affair them begins. The book takes you they there love story, both trials and tribulations. Take the time to read and enjoy!!!!

One summer day in 1929 seven-year old Hetty and her older brother, Karl, sit on a lakeside jetty watching Karl's friend, Walter, swimming toward them. Ignoring her brother's warning, Hetty leans over the edge and lands in deep water. Unable to swim, screaming for help, she slips beneath the surface. Walter's strong strokes draw her to shore, forming a life-long bond.

The next time we meet Hetty she is eleven years old and just entering gymnasium. One by one classmates and friends enter the story, along with the subtle changes taking place in their lives and their country. These children of Leipzig, Germany, struggle with the hatred being taught, changes in their parent's attitudes and cruelty they see on the street.

Louise Fein skillfully weaves the threads of Nazi prejudice and dehumanization into the thought patterns of questioning, testing, teenagers. These young people, being trained to Salute Hitler and follow his goal of creating an Aryan pure race, at the same time have strong bonds of love and friendship with the very people they are supposed to hate. Their story unfolds through powerful examples of humanness overcoming fear and poignant relationships of selfless love.