Review: PRISONER OF NIGHT AND FOG by Anna Blankman

Title: Prisoner of Night and Fog
Author: Anne Blankman
Publication date: April 22, 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: an e-galley provided by the publisher for an honest review.

In 1930s Munich, danger lurks behind dark corners, and secrets are buried deep within the city. But Gretchen Müller, who grew up in the National Socialist Party under the wing of her "uncle" Dolf, has been shielded from that side of society ever since her father traded his life for Dolf's, and Gretchen is his favorite, his pet.

Uncle Dolf is none other than Adolf Hitler.

And Gretchen follows his every command.

Until she meets a fearless and handsome young Jewish reporter named Daniel Cohen. Gretchen should despise Daniel, yet she can't stop herself from listening to his story: that her father, the adored Nazi martyr, was actually murdered by an unknown comrade. She also can't help the fierce attraction brewing between them, despite everything she's been taught to believe about Jews.

As Gretchen investigates the very people she's always considered friends, she must decide where her loyalties lie. Will she choose the safety of her former life as a Nazi darling, or will she dare to dig up the truth—even if it could get her and Daniel killed?

From debut author Anne Blankman comes this harrowing and evocative story about an ordinary girl faced with the extraordinary decision to give up everything she's ever believed . . . and to trust her own heart instead.

Review: 

First line: Gretchen Müller peered through the car's rain-spotted windshield. 

I wish that the only response needed for this book is a standing ovation because that's easy. Sometimes you get a book that you enjoy to the point that you don't really have anything to say. You really liked it...now what? I'm sure there was a flaw somewhere throughout the book, but honestly, I can't remember and I'm glad I don't.

What I do remember is how great the antagonists were. Surprisingly, Hitler wasn't the only big, bad antagonist. No, it was her brother. That's right. HER BROTHER. I have no words to express how terrifying and despicable Reinhard was. "Uncle Dolf" was too, we all know that, but we had an even closer look in this book of how Gretchen's older brother was, who was implied to be a mini version of Hitler. Reinhard was a spectacular antagonist because he he wasn't coldhearted—he was no-hearted. He didn't care for a single thing, lacked emotion, and tortured for fun. SPOILER I couldn't take it when her kitten died. I was ready to just stop reading.END OF SPOILER.

Then Hitler is told in a new perspective, as Uncle Dolf. He's shown as seemingly sweet and caring and in a fatherly way. Even if I didn't know he was Adolf Hitler, I would've thought him as a bad guy and definitely skeevy. 

New perspective on a historical figure? Check. Twisted antagonists? Check. Oh, did I forget to mention that we also have a great main character, a realistic portrayal of the historical setting, and an ever-present feeling of dread over our heads? Well, we do. It's sometimes hard to read historical fictions in third person, but Blankman did a superb job in still connecting me to Gretchen, sympathizing with her, and really knowing her. I felt her confusion and despair, which is necessary. I never actually felt safe in the story. The dread loomed over me, threatening to take away my characters or rain more hardships on them. In this story, that was even refreshing because I wanted to be apprehensive. And like all books, I wanted to be sucked in and to keep reading so I can find out at the end if everyone comes out alright. 

Really, what else is there to say? 

Verdict: If you love historical fictions, READ THIS. If you don't love historical fictions, STILL READ THIS.

Six Reasons Why I'm Glad I'm Not in Fiction

Many times, I read a book and think, "Why can't I be her/in this world/have this guy/etc?!" Usually there's something about a book that I'm reading which makes me really wish I lived in fiction. Who likes reality anyways? Exams, work, staying fit, overcoming Mondays, you name it, we have to trudge through the mundane responsibilities of life. However, there's a plus side. So here are some reasons I am personally glad that I do not like in a book or am a fictional character.

Horrible worlds

Let's be real here. Fictional worlds might seem amazing, especially the future with all their cool technology, but most futuristic, dystopian, or alternate worlds that I've read aren't fun at all. They basically make me want to stuff these books in the government's faces and make sure this doesn't happen EVER. Kill 23 of your peers? Have a virtual world that's crumbling? Get your memory wiped clean thanks to suicide rates? Be an "ugly" outcast until you have major plastic surgery done? No thank you. I will enjoy my car that doesn't fly, McDonalds that doesn't deliver, and robot-less life happily, just please, don't make me go in those worlds. 

 Messed up families 

Granted, there are many messed up and beyond dysfunctional families right now. However, I, personally, do not have one. It seems as if every YA book has a nonexistent family to get them out of the way or a horrible one to add conflict. Life already has enough problems, I would rather not add another by including family.

Decision making 

Basically every book involves making a decision, but since I just read this one, it was the only one on my mind. Now, it's not just simple decision making, mind you. While I have a problem with normal decisions (i.e. what movie to watch, what to eat at a new restaurant...it's all pretty bad), I can't imagine how hard it would be if it was an actual crucial could be consequential to my world, my life, and could bring DOOM on us decision. 

There's also the love triangle decision where a girl has to pick a guy...oh wait, that won't matter. First, that would have to be an actual thing (since I've never heard of a real-life love triangle, have you?). Secondly, you need to have ONE guy interested in you first to have that "problem." 

Dead characters

This is another real-life problem, people die all the time, yada yada. I know, but it's always so traumatic in YA. Or maybe it's because no one super close to me have died. I mean, in If I Stay, her whole family dies. WHOLE FAMILY in one sha-bang (which is not a spoiler, it's what the whole book is about). In There You'll Find Me, her brother dies overseas as a reporter, which might be semi-normal, but still. It's a sibling. I don't know, I know there are lots of deaths in the world, I've just been fortunate with not having to deal with super close ones. 

Social 

Me 95% of the time.

I would actually label this as a trope that I see in YA where characters go out with friends every single day or night. They seem to be never home (even though some claim they normally do, but when we start reading about them, their lives suddenly get interesting), and if they are, which is rare, they are supposed losers for having no life. I know that it would be boring to read about a girl sitting at home, I do. But I barely go out. When I do, it's with angst (see decision making above since I can never decide if I should go) and a wishful desire to just stay home. I like my nights at home. After responsibilities in the day, it's me time (or family time) in the evening. 

You're critiqued/judged or you get the horrible MC brain syndrome where you act annoying/be stupid/lose the ability to think clearly

The first annoying MC book I  thought of.
This does not mean it represents this whole point.

For the first point, I would hate to be dissected and judged almost immediately with my life being read by tons of people. I know, they're fiction, but still. For the second one, I find more and more heroines who are just plain stupid. They're either aggravating or don't think clearly. Sure, the author has to had conflict somewhere, but sometimes it's too overdone with how much the character is not thinking or being oblivious to. 

Like I said, there are many perks to being in fiction (i.e. GUYS, being an "average" girl who suddenly gets perks such as GUYS, unrealistic things happen like royalty or the cute mysterious GUY taking notice of you, miracles, road trips...with, yes, GUYS...you get my point). But I, for one, am glad that I live in reality.

I do this 100% of the time, but my family is not as nice as the friend in this picture
because they still do not think I'm sane.
Also, I know I talked like this in a lot of points so this goes out to all of you! (obviously)

Are you glad you're not in fiction?