Ashes is the story of eighteen year old Simone Lyon, and her best friend Hava Daniels, during 1940, the beginning of the Second World War. Simone’s father is a Belgian war hero and recipient of the ‘Croix de Guerre’, so he is well-known across the country. Hava, on the other hand, is from a Jewish family who moved from Poland to Brussels together. Despite their differences, the girls become fast friends when they meet volunteering at the Red Cross. But when war strikes, Simone’s father must leave to fight again, and Hava’s family go missing. With nowhere in Brussels safe to stay for Hava anymore, the girls embark on a dangerous journey across Europe in an attempt to escape the Nazis before it is too late.
What really stood out to me at first about this book was the way in which it was written. The language wasn’t overly complicated, yet the writer painted a beautiful picture of Simone and Hava, and their escape. I was quickly drawn in by the story, as there was never a dull moment.
Whilst there were some seemingly impossible coincidences, they were made up for later on by some of the completely unpredictable downfalls of the escape. In the end, I think that this made the book better as it made the escape seem more realistic and added to the unpredictability of the story.
It really was impossible to put the book down, I ended reading the whole thing in one sitting because I was always kept on my toes, I just had to know what would happen next! I had become completely attached to the characters, and when the story was over and I’d found out what had happened to the characters, I was in tears.
All in all, I really enjoyed the book, the writing style was excellent, and I hope that I’ll be able to find more stories like it.
What really stood out to me at first about this book was the way in which it was written. The language wasn’t overly complicated, yet the writer painted a beautiful picture of Simone and Hava, and their escape. I was quickly drawn in by the story, as there was never a dull moment.
Whilst there were some seemingly impossible coincidences, they were made up for later on by some of the completely unpredictable downfalls of the escape. In the end, I think that this made the book better as it made the escape seem more realistic and added to the unpredictability of the story.
It really was impossible to put the book down, I ended reading the whole thing in one sitting because I was always kept on my toes, I just had to know what would happen next! I had become completely attached to the characters, and when the story was over and I’d found out what had happened to the characters, I was in tears.
All in all, I really enjoyed the book, the writing style was excellent, and I hope that I’ll be able to find more stories like it.