Finally! A Real Book Review!: The Gathering Storm by Bodie and Brock Thoene

The Gathering Storm by Bodie Thoene

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


First of all, this is the first book I've been able to finish since school started. It took me almost 2 months of 20 minute "Magical Mondays" to complete! Second of all, this is my first read by Bodie Thoene. That being said...



I was instantly attracted to this book based on the cover and the premise. I love reading books about the Holocaust (I really don't know why, it's such a sad point in history) and this cover instantly drew me in. The flag, the burning, the couple, told me that I might enjoy this book. I feel that the fact that it took me so long to read, I my have missed some points, as I struggled a bit with the ending.



Lorelei (love the name!) is a young girl from a missionary family who struggles to find her way in life after losing her mother and then choosing to marry Varrick to save him from being sent to the concentration camp. Her life is full of struggle from the beginning and just never seems to end. Varrick is sent away to fight in the war and Lorelei, her dad, her sister Jessica, and her nieces begin a journey to leave their homeland. More lives are lost along the way and soon Lorelei finds herself all alone. She is proficient in several languages so her skills come in handy in churches and other refugee places for those who are misplaced due to the war.



As far as characters go, Judah is a favorite of mine, as are the other Tin Man army. Their stories are inspiring to me. I was also intrigued by Helga, but found her character's choices to be very frustrating. Eben was another intriguing character although I do not like how things ended up with him. I felt that his character took a poorly scripted turn that was set up to be spiritual and I do not believe it was in the least bit. It was too much of a stretch for me personally. I have read other reviews where readers felt entirely different so please read this book and decide for yourself.



Overall, I enjoyed this book and will read other titles by the Thoenes. I have read many great reviews on other books they have written and they tend to focus on a time period in history that I enjoy reading.



I was provided this book by the publisher in exchange for my honest review, of which you have received without any coercion.



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