1930s, Germany- Freya watches in shock as Berlin begins to descend into chaos with the rise of Hitler and the Nazi party. She is forced to make a choice - turn a blind eye to the destruction around her or fight back against evil.

Present day, Los Angeles- Maddie’s life is in turmoil so she retreats to her family home to lick her wounds. While there she helps her grandfather clear out his home and discovers his mother’s wartime journal. As the journal is translated by new friends, questions emerge about the past.



Title: The Banned Books of Berlin
Author: Daisy Wood
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: July 15, 2025
Rating: 4⭐️

Dual POVs and timelines can be a tricky balance - both have to be equally as engaging. What kept this from being a 5 ⭐️ read was the second timeline - Maddie’s POV.
I could not put down Freya’s chapters - I kept saying “one more chapter” and reading another after that. Watching the world fall apart and the tension as Freya tries to figure out who to trust was breathtaking. Seeing this timeframe from the perspective of a German artist, who could easily have gone along with the status quo but chose to fight back, was incredibly captivating.

Maddie’s timeline took a little longer to resonate though it did by the end. The work problems that sent her home felt a little forced so it took me longer to care about her struggle. It was ultimately her grandfather and brother’s struggles that brought me into her story and made me care.

A worthwhile read that brings to light that you never really the truth about those to whom you’re close - either for better or worse.

Thank you @netgalley and @avonbooks for the ARC.

I found this book slow at the start, especially the first 100 pages. Also throughout the book I found it slow going and not that exciting at times. This book is set in the 1930’s in Berlin, it was interesting to read about Hitler’s rise to power however I think this book would have been more interesting it been set chiding ww2. I’m not a big fan of dual timelines as I find them annoying.
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book, all opinions expressed are my own.

The Banned Books of Berlin by Daisy Wood is a heartwarming story. In Berlin, 1933, the night skies are burning bright with huge bonfires of banned books. The Nazi party is swelling in number and Berlin is no longer a safe place for young Freya. She can only watch on as her beloved city falls to fascism - and the usually law-abiding Freya is forced to make a choice: continue being a bystander, or sacrifice herself to save the lives of others.

New York, present day. Maddie commutes home to her family to reset. Struggling to fully turn off from her work, she is surprised to come across a pre-war German diary amongst her Grandpa's things. And when she starts to dig into the diary, Maddie's shocked by what she finds. And so begins a journey that will take Maddie beyond America as she searches for the truth about Freya, and how she changed people's lives across the globe.

Wood does a wonderful job creating an inspirational story of courage and resilience. The Banned Books of Berlin had me turning the pages to the very end. This book is an easy 4 stars. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves historical fiction and thrillers.

I received a free advanced copy and all opinions are my own. I would like to offer my sincerest gratitude to Avon Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

this book perfectly takes it to two different times. its does it so well. this author has had a few books out and i have to say is perfecting her craft and her genre of book writing choice. i cant quite believe how lucky we are that authors like Daisy are as good as they are. because it blows me away. and when you come across books as fab is this, im truly in awe.
when historical fiction is done well its hits me deep. and is one of my must read genres every time. especially the ones surrounding war. i love them. and this one is right up there with my best.
we span two ladies timelines. first is Freya. who is living within berlins walls at the time of the burning of the books. and a time where she is no longer feeling safe in her city. the Nazis are gradually gaining power and showing it in any way they can. but Freya cant see this happening to her city anymore. she cant stand this feeling of fear anymore. and so she decides to do something both brave and dangerous. can she come out of this? and how when such decisions dont always end well in this war torn era.
then we have Maddie. her story is more our time. shes not doing well in her own world either. she needs a break from some stuff that is happening at work so decides to go home. there she helps her grandfather sort out his belonging so he can move house for a simpler life. on doing so they come across a diary belong to her great grandmother. they read on and in doing so unopen secrets and life they new nothing of. some shocking tales unfold from the pages and Maddie has to work through them both fugitively and emotional.
can you just imagine coming across a diary of someone in the war who went through even more than we imagined?

The story in a few words:

Berlin 1933

Horrified, Freya sees her beloved city fall to fascism. Berlin is no longer a safe place; she is now forced to make choices as the night skies are burning bright with huge bonfires of banned books. Will she stay on the sideline or sacrifice herself to help others…..

New York present day:

In New York, Maddie comes across a pre-war diary amongst her grandfather’s things. Shocked by what was written Maddie digs deeper thus begins a journey across time…..

My thoughts:

This story is atmospheric and the words immerse the reader in the mystery smoothly. It is easy to let ourself go with the flow and picture the coming and going as the story progresses. Eventually it all comes together seamlessly as we reach the last words. I like Freya and Maggie’s characters they are warm and intriguing and as each take turns describing what they are seeing and feeling it is easy to imagine being with them.

Ms. Wood style is engaging and the story is well-said and well-done. But for those who are historical fiction buff as I am this story is far from being original. It has been said many times. On a positive note, I agree revising horrors of war should always be remember and what better way then to express what happened in words.

This book takes place in two time periods: 1930s Berlin narrated by Freya and 2024 Los Angeles narrated by Maddie. The book opens in Berlin with the death of Freya's beloved mother who tells her to leave home and make her way in the world. Freya ends up as a seamstress in a cabaret club where she meets Violet, a popular British dancer. This time period moves forward with the advent of the Nazi takeover and all things Freya holds dear threatened, including all of the literature she's grown to love.

In 2024, Maddie returns home to L.A. from Portland after she's been attacked online over a story she's written about a zoo. In L.A. she learns that her grandfather is planning for his death, by cleaning out his apartment and participating in a "death cafe."

The two timelines continue as we learn that Freya is Maddie's great grandmother, whose diary, written in German, Maddie discovers.

The compelling aspect of this novel is the story about Freya in Berlin. Maddie's story pales in comparison until possibly her final chapters, which could have just been told by Freya. I know the author needed Maddie to bring Freya's work to light, but it just felt like there was a lot of unnecessary work put into the Maddie portion of the book.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

I have read several of these authors previous novels and enjoyed the lost bookshop of Paris and the Royal librarian therefore when the publisher email to say this book was available on NetGalley UK I requested it right away
It’s a very enjoyable read elements of the Sally Bowls Cabaret Story intertwined with a modern day story.
In Berlin in 1933, we meet Freya and her family watching as the Nazi party gain followers and the country moves towards war. She takes on a job working as a costume designer and maker in a small cabaret club. We meet the British socialite who is escaping family responsibilities by singing in the cabaret .
The Title of the novel refers to the burning of books by authors in persecuted group such as Jews. This was carried out in Berlin in mass burning parties.
The story is contrasted by a modern day story when we meet Freya’s great granddaughter living in America and investigating her family
Tree.

The author has a beautifully writing style which is a pleasure to read despite the potentially traumatic subject matter. The book is a relaxing enjoyable read.
The characters in the book are described well and feeling entirely like real people the way that they behave given the stresses in their life also seems natural and real.

I read an early copy of the novel on NetGalley UK in return for an unbiased review. The book is published in the UK on the 10th of April 2025 by Avon books UK .

This review will appear on NetGalley UK, StoryGraph, and my book blog bionicSarahS books.wordpress.com. After publication will also appear on Amazon UK.

From the description of this book you could be forgiven for thinking it’s just another book about the atrocities of the Second World War and to an extent it is but it is also so much more. The story dips between two timelines and countries, pre-war Berlin and modern day America.

Without giving any spoilers, anyone who loves a family saga with secrets galore or loves a historical fiction book with brave heroines and hero’s, or just wants to learn more about pre-war Germany and what it was like for Germans at that time, particularly young adults

I loved the book and it did give me another perspective of the Second World War, one that is not really thought of before

This is my 1st book by Daisy Wood and I was pleasantly impressed and would be interested in reading more of her books.
The Banned Books of Berlin is a dual timeline story that opens in Berlin, 1933 with Freya Amsel, in her early 20's dealing with her mother's illness and the beginning rise of Hitler in Germany. The 2nd story is set in New York in 2024 with Maddie, a writer, struggling with a work issue, who goes home and finds a diary regarding her grandfather past.
The author's descriptive writing engages you with rising tension as acts of fear mongering about "others" taking away jobs, immigrants, and the erosion of freedoms of speech, news, educational material and restrictions like curfews and lockdowns take place in Freya's timeline. She is appalled by her father and brother's embracing the Nazi, subsequently moving out to a theater where she revels in the freedom she finds, until the Nazi's states to inhabit her place of refuge. When she hears about a book burning, it's the spark that lights her active resistance against the controlling regime. Freya and her friends are increasing danger as they look for ways to resist.
In the meantime, Maddie's family struggles include media attacks, aging and death, special needs young adults, and a budding romance as well as investigating family history. The emotional situations are relatable and feel authentic., keeping the reader engaged in the outcomes of the various situations.
There is some violence in Freya's story, with 1 sexual near assault, some foul language and racism that is commiserate to the story and the historical context. The title is a bit misleading as the banned books were a more minor event in the book that happened about 2/3rds into the book.
Overall, I would definitely recommend reading this well researched historical novel that is engaging and suspenseful with strong female character's, that are inspiring in both timelines.
A big thank you to Avon UK and NetGalley for the privilege of the ARC, it was a wonderful opportunity. All opinions expressed are my own.

Great characters good storyline. Hooked from the first chapter. Thanks for letting me review. Would continue the series

Beautiful. A poignant story. I loved the cross over of past and present - I tend to enjoy books that do this, and this one does it particularly well. Beautifully written. Important. Just a joy to read

We meet Freya in 1930 in Berlin as she struggles to survive and as Hitler starts to get his power.

Then we meet Maddie in 2024, the great granddaughter of Freya, when she returns home to Los Angeles after an awful incident at work.

While helping her grandfather throw out things, Maddie finds a diary that her grandmother had written. What an incredible find!!

What does Maddie find?

You will love Freya and Maddie, and the storyline will keep you glued to the pages with both timelines holding your interest.

Freya keeps you biting your nails as she tries to hide books along with other ordeals.

Maddie will have you rooting for her to succeed at what she is wishing for.

THE BANNED BOOKS OF BERLIN is a tribute to how important books are and will have you reading non-stop. 5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Such a great book! If you enjoy books about WWII and finding a lost diary, you will love this! I’m continually fascinated by WWII stories.

Such a lot of great research went into this book. It captured my attention from the start. A dual timelined read, with well crafted characters. Very enjoyable

Daisy Wood has become one of my favorite Historical Fiction writers. She always takes me on a journey back to the time of World War 2. I close every book knowing more, understanding more and wanting to know more.

Once Again she has taken me on a journey I will not soon forget. The dual time line allows the reader to learn about Freyal Amsel, Maddie's great-grandmother, and her life in 1930's Berlin. Maddie collects a few things while helping her grandfather clear out his apartment. A few items soon becomes a obsession to learn of Freya's life before arriving in America.

Freya is not living her best life. Her mother has died and she now has more responsibilities. She finds herself taking care of a home. She is trying to keep a business running and failing. She soon finds herself working outside the home taking care of costumes for performers. It isn't enough. Still struggling financially; they take in a boarder, Walther Grube.

The more Walther Grube talked about Hitler, the more her brother and father sided with the Nazis. Freya did not see things the same way. She could not comply. She could not stay in the same place as Walther Grube. Living in a small room in the theater is better than living at home.

Through her eyes; the reader witnesses the beginnings of Hitler's influence and control. Experience the horrors inflicted by the Brownshirts. Feel the heat caused by banned books being burned. My heart broke over Freya's struggles. What was happening in Berlin was atrocious. Knowing it was just the beginning had me in tears. I couldn't hope but wish for her to find happiness. I soon learn that the war might have ended, but struggles still remain.

The Banned Books of Berlin by Daisy Wood is a dual timeline novel set in early Nazi-controlled Berlin and present day. It follows Freya’s struggles in the 1930s and Maddie’s perspective in 2024, revealing their interconnected lives. If you’re a fan of WW2 fiction, read it.

I received an ARC of The Banned Books of Berlin by Daisy Wood from the publisher and from Netgalley.

I always love picking up historical fiction books and this one is no different. I've read The Clockmaker's Wife from this author and thoroughly enjoyed it like I did this one.

I love how this book flips between the 1930's with Freya and present time while Maddie undertakes a journey after discovering a pre-war German diary amongst her Grandpa’s things.

This story pays important attention to books and the need prevent censorship as done by the Nazis during WWII. It shocked me a little when the author shared PEN America’s report that more than 10,000 books were banned in public schools in the academic year 2023-24.

Freya is horrified to find that 25,000 books by Jews and gays were destroyed in flames on May 10, 1933. The author perfectly wrote the jolting history of Hitler's power shaking Germany in the post WWI era with his rise to power.

I was immersed in the story from the beginning and could not get enough of it. I needed to follow the story to see where Maddie's journey into her family's past brought her and to find out what happened for Freya in the years following 1933.

I will defiantly be picking up more books from this author!

I felt like after a bit of a slow start, this book too off and truly showed the hardships of WW II, but also the beauty of books in times of hardship. The characters find a way into your heart, and the complexity of the time period reminds the reader to hold onto hope, resilience, family, and books! The power of a good book is priceless.

This was another winner from Daisy Wood. I love historical fiction and having visited Berlin, the story was even more interesting to me personally.

This novel has a dual timeline from 1930’s Berlin to present day LA. I love how a lot of our history defines us, and how Maddie in the present day, finds clues and uncovers her family’s history . This took me on a journey to 1930’s Berlin where Freya’s fascinating story had me reading with tears in my eyes.

Although I had heard of the burning of books in Berlin this novel really makes you think deeper with such insightful descriptions, uncovering the horrors which many people experienced WW11.

The story was expertly crafted, both timelines were bursting with wonderful characters. A story of bravery, sacrifice, family, and love. I didn’t want the book to end. Leaving me thankful that I have the freedom to enjoy and read anything I want to.

This book will keep you enthralled throughout.
It is the story of Freya Amstel who lives at home with her parents and brother, when her mother is dying she pleads with Freya to get out. Not quite understanding what is meant by this this Freya stays put, keeping house for the men, that is until with war looming and not liking how her brother Otto is coming under the spell of the nazis she decides it’s time to go and sets up accommodation in her workplace Zaubergarten, where she is in charge of the costumes. The only drawback with this is that one of the girls Violet appears to be getting close to Leon Kohl who Freya has had a crush on for years, how will affect their friendship? Freya is one brave lady who defies the Nazis by hiding books and going about dropping cardboard bombs.
She has secret talents that others either ridicule or only to happy to take advantage of, but the Freya uses this to get someone close to her to safety.

Present day is the story of Maddie who is helping her grandad death cleansing, which leads to the finding of documents that send her on a search. This is helped when she visits the death cafe with her grandad and meets Eva and grandson Daniel,
Daniel offers to help her , which leads to some amazing discoveries.

Favourite character was Freya for being so helpful & trusting. Least favourite was Rupert for being a cad.
Enjoyed that while you maybe worked out some things, others came as a surprise.