Katja soon reunites with Xavier and also with Toby, a dear friend from childhood. As Katja and Toby renew their friendship, an element of attraction builds on the comradery of their youth, and they quickly realize they have found something worth fighting for: love. But all too soon, the Ottomans encircle the city, blanketing its inhabitants in fear. Katja, Toby, and Xavier must each fulfill their new roles if they are to survive. In the overcrowded hospitals, below ground in the countermines, and on the ramparts defending the city walls, the three must fight for love, family, faith, and the survival of their city and everyone inside.
My Review:
4.5/5 stars Often when I go to historical sites I imagine what it might have been like to have lived there or what people would have done when an event took place. A.L. Sowards has written a fascinating story that places you right in the midst of a crucial time in the history of Vienna. With such gripping detail, I felt like I was sewing sandbags along with Katja, fighting alongside Toby, and feeling the sense of dread as the Turks were bombarding the city. History truly came alive as Katja, her brothers, and Toby all had important parts to play in the destiny of Vienna. Each person had a different role that provided a rich and in depth perspective of the siege.
With poignant events during the siege, I saw what people living during this time would have felt. I loved the healing and reconciliation that took place between Katja’s brothers. Toby and Katja’s tender love story showed that there is hope to continue on, even through the most difficult of circumstances. Death is shown in the battles, but if that is too much for you, you can skim through those details. At points it was intense, but was well done and necessary to show the reality of what was occurring. I recommend reading this richly detailed and interesting book if you like historical fiction or historical romance.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of the book. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4.5/5
About the Author:
A. L. Sowards is the author of multiple historical fiction novels, with settings spanning the globe from the fourteenth to twentieth centuries. Her stories have become Whitney Finalists and won a Whitney Award, reached the number one spot across multiple Amazon categories, received praise from the Historical Novel Society, and been loved by readers from a variety of backgrounds. She has called Washington State, Utah, and Alaska home. She enjoys hiking and swimming, usually manages to keep up with the laundry, and loves it when someone else cooks dinner. She lives with her husband, three children, and an ever-growing library.
Where to Purchase the Book:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58653736-before-the-fortress-falls
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09GLG2CX6/
Deseret Book: https://deseretbook.com/p/before-the-fortress-falls?variant_id=198499-paperback
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/before-the-fortress-falls-a-l-sowards/1140216107
Seagull Book: https://www.seagullbook.com/before-the-fortress-falls.html
Blog Tour Dates:
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