As a fan of historical fiction I was pleased to read this thrilling page turning detailing the life of a taster for hitler.

For me the main interest in this book lies in telling about WW2 Germany from the viewpoint of an ordinary citizen. It seems that there were a significant number of people who did not support Hitler, despite the pressures to join the Nazi party. The number of different people / groups / etc trying to assassinate the Fuhrer made his terror of poisoning understandable. However, his assumption that others were willing to potentially sacrifice their lives for him by tasting his food and drink was just another indication of his megalomania. An interesting read.

After I came to the end of Her Hidden Life I was left feeling there was something missing, something not quite right about it. I liked the basic premise of the book, written from the point of view of one of the tasters of Adolf Hitler’s food and the light it throws on the Second World War from the Germans’ viewpoint. The general public were kept unaware of the atrocities that the Reich carried out by the propaganda perpetrated by Joseph Goebbels.

But I felt as though I was distanced from it – there is a lot of ‘telling’, of recounting what happened. It is fiction, not fact, although it is based on the life of one of the fifteen women who tasted Hitler’s food – and that part is fascinating. Magda is an amazing character. But maybe that is part of my problem with the book – she is so amazing, beautiful, intelligent, resourceful, with a will and determination that carries her through all the difficulties and dangers that are thrown at her. And there is so much danger. She falls in love with Karl, a handsome SS officer, who makes her heart flutter – and despite what the blurb states their love is not forbidden – when Hitler realises they are in love he insists they marry and not only that, he is present at the ceremony and presents them with silver wedding rings, inscribed inside with his name.

Anderson’s descriptive writing is good especially when he is describing scenes at Hitler’s mountain retreat, the Berghof, at his bunker in Berlin and at the Wolf’s Lair, his military headquarters. The scenes in Berlin during the Allies bombing raid and Magda’s imprisonment in the women’s concentration camp at Bromberg-Ost are particularly dramatic and horrific. I liked his portrait of Hitler, showing his charismatic side and the hold he exerted over people.I know almost nothing about Eva Braun, and liked the picture Anderson drew, but was surprised at Eva’s friendship with Magda and the access that Magda had to both Hitler and Eva. There were many assassination attempts that failed or weren’t carried out and there have been speculations about how he died and who killed him – but I can’t accept Anderson’s fictional version of who killed Adolf Hitler, even though it was foreshadowed throughout the book.

I realise now that it is the fictional elements of Her Hidden Life that bother me. In his Author’s Note, Anderson explains that the idea for writing this novel came from the story of Margot Woelk, one of Hitler’s tasters. She had kept that fact a secret until she was ninety five. It is not an account of her life but several scenes are based on her experiences, although Anderson doesn’t specify which are factual. He relied on many sources, some of which differed, and states that he has made every attempt to marry fiction with history,

Overall, I did enjoy aspects of this book and am glad I read it, even though I think I would prefer a factual account rather than fiction revolving around a romantic love story that had, to my mind, a fairy tale ending.

My thanks to Avon Books for a review copy via NetGalley.

At the end of Her Hidden Life, previously published as The Taster, by V.S Alexander, there is a set of questions for discussion one of them being 'At the end has the novel given you a new perspective on the war?' In answer to that question yes this riveting and quite frankly at times very unsettling novel has opened my eyes to a whole new perspective regarding World War Two. I love reading historical fiction and as I quickly glanced through the blurb I thought why not give this one a go. Never have I read a book in the historical fiction genre that focuses on anything to do with Hitler. As a reader I haven't gotten so deep into the mindset and the goings on of the German side during the war and to be honest previous to reading this story I'm not quite sure I ever wanted to.

Reading through this book, despite it being brilliantly written, with impeccable research, left me open mouthed at times, speechless and horrified and for the first half there was this niggling feeling that I shouldn't be reading this. It sounds silly to say but it felt almost like a betrayal that I was reading something from the opposing viewpoint and it felt wrong having been so accustomed to reading of the Allies during the war or easy enough to read wartime family sagas which I love to read. It's no fault of the book and the way it was written at all rather I think I just took a huge step out of my comfort zone in relation to books focusing on World War Two. At times I was feeling sympathy for Magda our main female protagonist and the opposing side and I'm not sure how comfortable I was with feeling this way given how strong a stance I and many others have in relation to the actions of the Germans during World War Two.

Her Hidden Life opens as Magda Ritter sits in her home in Berlin in 2013, she is looking back on her life, one in which many would scarcely believe what happened to her during World War Two. Magda was one of 15 women who tasted all food before it was sent to Hitler for consumption. This was a perilous job as one never knew if a meal had been laced with poison and therefore that woman's time would be up. Hitler believed in providence - his divine right to rule as he saw fit. He thought of himself as invincible, above everybody else and through the war he would achieve ultimate power and control. So how did Magda end up in the Berghof and the Wolf's Lair testing food and living amongst the most evil man in history?

As Magda recollects her life the reader is taken on a journey back in time and what one reads one scarcely can believe was ongoing while hundreds of thousands of people fought in the war or were being killed in concentration camps. Life inhabiting Hitler's dens was almost like existing in a parallel universe where things continued as normal whilst people starved and were disposed of. Magda's parents had insisted she evacuate out of Berlin to her Aunt and Uncle. I did find it interesting to read of how the capital city was coping with air raids and the fighting. One forgets that there were normal, innocent people suffering in the city who did not want any of this to happen.

When Magda arrives at her relations house she is told she must find work to contribute during these harsh times. Through one thing and another, even though she is not a party member, she enters the world of Hitler on a more personal level than she would ever have wished for. She is exposed to a world that the general German population have no clue about. Hitler lives in the lap of luxury while others starve. Through the endless propaganda pushed into the psyche of the German public, the German native on the street has no idea that in 1943 the tide of the war is slowly beginning to turn in the Allies favour nor do they know of the unspeakable atrocities being committed in the death camps. Hitler has so much power and influence that even the people who live at his various dens and camps are in fear of stepping out of pace for fear of repercussions.

Magda was taken out of her home and to me very much thrown to the lions, I couldn't imagine having to do the job she was given even though Cook was such a support to her. Magda lives on a knife edge and has to grow up very quickly. Even though I detested everything that was going on the reader does have to feel sympathy for what Magda endures but also admiration for the way in which she conducts herself at all times. She becomes watchful and wary of everything. No one can be trusted but love does come calling at her door in the form of Captain Karl Weber. A connection is quickly established between the pair and this felt so real and genuine, that amidst the horrors and brutality of the war that people could fall in love. But this love would never be simple and always tested and as Magda discovers Karl is part of a much bigger operation is she willing to sacrifice everything for the love she holds deep in her heart. I won't allude any more to what said operation was suffice to say it was very interesting and again another eye opener in this book. The course of the events would have rapidly changed if the operation had been successfully accomplished.

Throughout Magda showed her metal, her true courage and conviction. Brave is not a word to describe all the sacrifices she made and it was her love for her parents and for Karl that would hopefully see her through. It was brilliant to see that life for Magda wasn't a bed of roses once employed by Hitler but also through her eyes we are given an insight into what went on behind the scenes. Eva Braun makes several appearances and Magda does get to interact with her. But to be honest she came across as if living in an entirely different world to everybody else where she believed the war wasn't happening at all and once things had been sorted she would lead an idyllic life with Hitler and her dogs. It's scary how one man could exert so much influence through his insanity. There are innumerable feelings that arise whilst reading through this book and the readers perceptive on the war does change but then it sways back and forth over and over. One thing is for sure evil needed to be eradicated as there was a madman driving the world full force into untold horrors and destruction.

Without doubt Her Hidden Life was a deeply fascinating read that makes you question all your opinions with regard to the war that changed the world forever. I don't think mine changed radically instead I gained an even deeper understanding. I wouldn't use the word appreciation in any way shape or form because I don't feel that way in any sense of the word. But the author has provided plenty of food for thought and written about an aspect of the war as in being a taster for Hitler that I would never even have thought existed. She has given those women a voice through Magda. It must have been incredibly difficult to write this book in terms of providing a balanced, unbiased viewpoint and the fact that V.S Alexander did pull this off and allowed the reader to form their own opinions and decisions is testament to the excellent, exciting, riveting writing and plot lines throughout.

There was a very good twist towards the end that I desperately wanted but I did feel it would not come to fruition but the way it was subtly and aptly slipped in was just marvellous. Magda is a character who the reader definitely feels they have journeyed with through thick and thin, through the difficult, challenging times. The bad far out way the good but in this book she was a young girl transformed into a woman of resilience, determination. She became astute and cottoned on to a way which would hopefully see her emerge stronger and victorious on the other side. I am so glad the author choose to write this book given the delicate tough nature of the subject matter but she did pull it off.

Her Hidden Life is an ideal choice for a book club as there are endless questions that will surface as you read through this story and are taken in by Magda and the life changing events she experiences. For certain, I am now more than keen to see where the author will venture next as she has now been added to my list of go to historical fiction authors.

Mmm. An interesting read. Not the usual genre that I would normally go for, I don't read too much historical fiction. The content was absolutely fascinating. Would highly recommend for something a little bit different. 4* from me.
My thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the advance reader copy.

What a book! Two of my biggest loves are reading and history so when I saw this book that is based around Hitler and World War 2 I just had to read it.

Magda Ritter is a German woman who has lived a very sheltered life living with her parents in Berlin. She has barely ever worked even at the age of 25, but when Berlin is deemed to dangerous for her by her parents she finds herself in a even more precarious situation when she ends up working for the Fuhrer in Bertesgaden as a food taster.

What I loved about this book was the historical accuracy and the fact that it linked up with various events that actually did happen based around the life of the Fuhrer. Many of the events that are mentioned where searchable and not only was I enthralled by a well researched book but I was also learning more about WW2 and the plot for Hitler's downfall.

The story was completely enthralling and I devoured this book. I'll be honest, I could have done without the love story as the book would have completely worked without it but it also did work well especially at the end. What I since learned is that the book is roughly based on the memoirs of an actual taster so now I'm desperate to go and find out more information about her.

Read this book! You will not regret it all.

'Her Hidden Life', reads more like a memoir than a novel. Partly due to the iconic historical time but primarily because of the quality of the writing and the painstaking research that underlines it.

The story captures the underlying fear that symbolised Germany in 1943 and the sinister shadow of the Gestapo that ordinary German citizens experienced. Magda's own family is divided, her mother, a supporter of the regime, though more out of fear of reprisal than anything else.. Magda's father is critical of the government but again only in private. Both her parents want their daughter away from the bombing in Berlin, and so she is shipped off to her paternal uncle and forced to work for Hitler.

Magda's life as a taster of Hitler's food is knife-edge, as is living so close to the man and his entourage. The story portrays well the thinly veiled menace, and the sense of needing to do whatever it takes to survive is apparent. Her romance with Karl an SS officer is fraught with danger but surprisingly charming, Magda's naivety makes her seem younger than she is and shows how courageous some of her actions and decisions are. The atrocities of the Nazi regime are acknowledged and are the catalyst for much of the story, but there is a sense of the horror without overly graphic description.

The historical characters are realistic, but some of the others lack depth, this may be due to the shallowness of Magda's interactions with others, but a little more characterisation of her fellow tasters and the cook would have been better. Overall it is an absorbing, tense story with a vibrant historical setting making it worthwhile reading.

I received a copy of this book from Avon Books UK via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Reading the first line of the blurb for this book, was enough to convince me that I just had to read the book. I am so glad that I did because I absolutely loved reading ‘Her Hidden Life’ but more about that in a bit.
I took to and really felt for the character of Magda Ritter. She is an only child, who has led a very sheltered life. She lives in an apartment with her parents, who fearful for their child, send her to live in the country with her aunt and uncle at Berchtesgaden. They just think that Berlin is too dangerous a place for her to be. I wouldn’t say that Magda is at all committed to the Nazis and she certainly isn’t a party member yet. When she gets to her Aunt & Uncle’s house, her Aunt basically tells her that she has to get herself a job or get out as she is not going to pay her way for her. Eventually Magda does get a job- she has the unenviable job of being food taster for the Fuehrer himself. Whilst she is pleased to have a job, she can’t help but be worried in case she tastes food that is poisoned and she herself dies. I didn’t blame her for being apprehensive. After a short while, Magda falls in love with Karl, who is an SS officer. Magda shares a room with Ursula, who is much more outgoing and streetwise. However, Ursula betrays the Fatherland and pays the ultimate price. Magda grieves for her friend but she is worried for her own safety in case they think that she was in on Urusla’s betrayal. Magda finds herself getting deeper and deeper with Karl and she dreams of having a future with him. As time goes on Magda finds herself being trusted more and she finds herself becoming deeper and deeper involved with Hitler’s inner circle. However appearances can be deceptive. Is Karl who he says he is? Who is really telling the truth? Will the resistance movement succeed in their mission of killing Hitler? Does Magda survive the war? Do Karl and Magda get to live happily ever after? Well for the answers to those questions and more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
This book appealed to me on so many levels and ticked so many boxes for me. I have a degree in German, I love Germany, I love the present day German people, I love the modern day German traditions, I love German history and I love books that are set round about my favourite period in history which has to be World Wars 1 & 2. This book ticked all of those boxes and more. This author has done a tremendous amount of research for this book and this shines through and corresponds with what I learnt about the Nazis back in Sixth Form College.
I was hooked on this book from the moment I read the first sentence of the blurb. The author’s writing style is such that I couldn’t help but be drawn into the story. I then became addicted to reading ‘Her Hidden Life’ and because I am very nosy, I just had to read on and on to see what happened to Magda, Karl and the rest of the characters. The page numbers and time sped past in a blur and before I knew what was happening, I had cleared about 35% but I genuinely hadn’t realised because I was enjoying the story so much. The action takes place at a gentle pace but this so works in this book. ‘Her Hidden Life’ took me on a rollercoaster ride through a turbulent period in German (well and British) history and it put me through the emotional wringer. At times this book did my nerves no good at all because I was willing the resistance movement to do the world a favour and kill Hitler but the longer it took, the more nervous I got and the more fearful I became that the plotters would be discovered and dealt with accordingly.
In conclusion, I really did love reading this book and I would certainly recommend it to other readers. It may be of particular interest to those people, who enjoy historical fiction and those who love modern history. I can’t wait to read more from this author. Here’s hoping that we don’t have too long a wait in store. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a well deserved 4* out of 5*.

I thought that this was a great book. I liked Magda, her passion and her courage.
I struggled to put it down well past bedtime as I wanted to know how Magda's story finished.
I felt several emotions during the story and that is what a good book is about.
Thanks to NetGalley, V.S Alexander and Avon Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I really enjoy historical fiction particularly WW1 and WW2 so was pleased to be accepted to review this. It was a really fascinating insight into a role I had never even thought about - a taster for Hitler. It is always interesting to read stories from the German's perspective of the war. Magda was never an idoliser of Hitler or joined any party but found herself in this terrifying role through no desire of her own. It is a story of courage, love and the brutal reality of war and the devastation to the German people. I really enjoyed the story based on a real tasters experience with a little poetic license thrown in.

A fascinating read. This book has obviously been very well researched. Magda's story is insightful and haunting. It is a perspective on World War 2 that I had not thought about. As a historical novel this book is really well written and intriguing from the start. I will be looking out for more books by this author.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

I approached this book quite cautiously, I have a small issue about historical fiction that feature characters that didn’t actually exist. Especially when they’re inserted into such a recent and painful period of history. That being said I really did enjoy this book. Magda was a compelling character who you wanted to survive and thrive. Her sympathy and conflicted emotions for her family and friends who followed the furher seemed sincere and drew upon your own empathy as a reader for anyone in those times. I felt like Karl could have been a slightly more fleshed out character without detracting too much from the plot of the book. We know nothing about him and yet we are supposed to fall for him as Magda does?
I would recommend this book to people, but it won’t be one of my light summer recommends!

The harrowing tale of Magda Ritter, an ordinary German woman caught up in the events of the Second World War who went on to become one of Hitler’s meal tasters, checking for poison. Magda was implicated in plans to assassinate Hitler after falling in love with Karl Weber, an SS Captain. She tasted life (in more ways than one) by being with the elite, then cast out as a traitor to a hard labour camp, ending up at the Führer’s bunker in Berlin. Whilst not actually a true story it was well researched and brought a human perspective to those dark days. I found it enthralling and hard to put down.

A well researched, and beautifully written book about a young girl, Magda, who has to get a job in 1943 wartime in Germany. Her job - one of Hitler's 'tasters' of food and drink in The Berghof - Hitler's mountain retreat! Whilst this is a sometimes frightening occupation (with her friends 'disappearing'), Magda falls in love with a SS officer, Karl. The story revolves around their relationship, and his involvement in plotting with others against Hitler and the accompanying danger with defeat looming for the Third Reich. The author keeps the suspension going, especially as Magda ends up working in Hitler's bunker when the end is inevitable. Lovely descriptions of Eva Braun, Hitler's girlfriend. I could have given the book 5 stars but there was a bit too much 'soppiness' for me, but very enjoyable for all that.

Was looking forward to reading this as I love historical novels. Particularly those set during the Second World War.

This book didn’t appeal to me though. In fact, I abandoned it at about 30%. The writing was very whimsical, and lacked a sense of place in history. Woman cocooned in Hitler’s inner sanctum tasting his food. Despite your political persuasion surely you should realise the significance of where you are.

Didn’t finish and was disappointed with what I read.

This was a great read - although not based on factual knowledge it is based one events that happened and who's to say some of it didn't play out like that.

I enjoyed it and would read more by this author.

Although this is a work of fiction the author has based parts of the narrative on Margot Woelk’s account of her experience as a taster for Adolf Hitler which she revealed to the world at the age of 95. Magda Ritter, a young German woman, lives a sheltered life with her parents in Berlin. In 1943, as the situation worsens they send her to stay with her Aunt & Uncle who are staunch supporters of National Socialism and through her Uncle’s connections she is given a job. It is only when she arrives at the designated place that she is informed that she is to become one of a team of 15 who are tasters of Adolf Hitler’s food – all girls (presumably because the men are required as soldiers). Magda is aghast at the prospect that at each tasting session she might actually die.

What follows is an account of her life within the confines of Hitler’s household. How she meets her husband who becomes involved in plots to assassinate Hitler; how she meets both Hitler and Eva Braun; her internment in a concentration camp and finally the last days within Hitler’s bunker. It is a very interesting perspective and Alexander has captured a sense of history and the suffocating intimacy of life for Magda as she is forced into close contact with these powerful figures. The utter futility of the positions of these simple Germans entangled within the nightmare of the final days of the war. The plight of the civilian inhabitants of Berlin is particularly well-drawn.

Written in a simplistic, unsophisticated style it is almost impossible to believe that Magda would find herself in such a position (Hitler as witness to her wedding for example), but surely this is exactly what would happen. Someone was there as a taster…

Although I enjoyed this book, for me it lacked a sense of the bigger picture. These momentous events reduced somehow. The descriptions of the disposal of Hitler and Eva’s bodies lacked tension; but then, perhaps this is how a young German woman would view it, and perhaps that is testament to the author’s clever writing.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.