“A Sparrow in Terezin” by Kristy Cambron

Bound together across time, two women will discover a powerful connection through one survivor’s story of hope in the darkest days of a war-torn world.

Present Day—With the grand opening of her new art gallery and a fairytale wedding just around the corner, Sera James feels she’s stumbled into a charmed life—until a brutal legal battle against fiancé William Hanover threatens to destroy the perfectly planned future she’s planned before it even begins. Now, after an eleventh-hour wedding ceremony and a callous arrest, William faces a decade in prison for a crime he never committed, and Sera must battle the scathing accusations that threaten her family and any hope for a future.

1942—Kája Makovsky narrowly escaped occupied Prague in 1939, and was forced to leave her half-Jewish family behind. Now a reporter for the Daily Telegraph in England, Kája discovers the terror has followed her across the Channel in the shadowy form of the London Blitz. When she learns Jews are being exterminated by the thousands on the continent, Kája has no choice but to return to her mother city, risking her life to smuggle her family to freedom and peace.

Connecting across a century through one little girl, a Holocaust survivor with a foot in each world, these two women will discover a kinship that springs even in the darkest of times. In this tale of hope and survival, Sera and Kája must cling to the faith that sustains and fight to protect all they hold dear—even if it means placing their own futures on the line.

I read A Sparrow in Terezin today, and I couldn’t put it down.  The second book in the Hidden Masterpiece series, I loved reading about how these two families, generates apart, were connected by the same faith – and by the same desire for a future full of hope.  My life has never contained the kind of large-scale desperation that either Kaja or Sera faced, but no matter the measure, we all need hope.

Kaja’s story was fascinating.  She was strong but often out of her element, and this characteristic showcased just how terrifying the events of World War II must have been to those who saw them firsthand.  Kaja was afraid on so many levels – to trust personally, of the bombings and brutal war danger, and for those whom she loved – but she faced each fear in turn.  She makes a fantastic heroine.

Her hero’s not half bad, either.  Liam Marshall is serious, smart, faithful, and honorable, his mysterious intentions lend the perfect air of suspense to Kaja’s romantic life.  It’s subtle enough not to overpower the story but sincere enough to keep you rooting for them both.

I didn’t quite get the connection between Liam and Katie Hanover, though, and I know there must be one.  I have suspicions, but I would love to have that firmed up in my mind.  Perhaps in the next book?

I would enjoy knowing Sera and William more, too, but I have a feeling I missed out on that by not reading the first book.  I’ll remedy that problem immediately.  This is one storyline for which I want to chase down every word.

It is rare that one can write about unspeakable tragedy and yet instill a feeling of hope in the reader, but that is exactly what Kristy Cambron has done.  Although not skimping on the horrors inflicted on the Jewish people by the Nazis, Cambron focuses on the bits of beauty found amidst the pain. It’s the beauty for ashes concept at it’s very best, and Cambron is a master.

Click here to read other reviews in this bloggy hop or here to purchase your own copy now.