The Resistance Girl

Narration well suited the book.
Yet another amazing historical novel by Mandy Robothom.
Based in Norway from 1942 till the end of the war and details the courageous work of the Norwegian people as part of the Resistance against the Nazi regime and the operating of the famous Shetland Bus sea network that helped smuggle people, weapons and vital information for the war effort.
The main storyline of a family and there close friends and their work with the SOE operatives is great, the sub story based in Hop is also riveting and shows 2 other strong and courageous heroines.
Great book and would recommend highly.

This book starts rather slowly and I wasn’t fully engaged initially. However, I found the central character, Rumi, intriguing and I stuck with it. I knew very little about Norway’s part in the war and believed the majority were collaborators who supported Germany. This story has changed my view and paints a very different picture of a quietly oppressed nation, struggling to counter the Nazis and their truly horrific plans for the country.

The bravery of countless people in helping the Allies is told with sensitivity and compassion by an author whose research seems meticulous. She’s created a really strong sense of place and time and her characterisations are solid. This is a powerful and compelling tale of the lengths people will go to in support of decent ideals. I’m so pleased I didn’t judge it too early…it’s a remarkable adventure told by a gifted storyteller.

My thanks to the publisher for a review copy via Netgalley.

The Resistance Girl is a historical fiction novel, set in Norway in the 1940s.

Before reading this book, I didn't really know much about the Nazi occupation of Norway in World War II, so this was quite an eye opener. What gripped me most was way that the horrific "Lebensborn" project was woven into this story.

The story is so engaging, well researched and thrilling - and features strong female characters and the power of hope during one of the most horrific time periods in our history.

I listened to the audiobook version (edition not available on Goodreads at the time of this review), so a few words about that. It is narrated by Antonia Beamish, who's voice and tone was a great fit for this book - it was well paced and mirrored the thrilling and beautiful moments perfectly.

Pub Date of #TheResistanceGirl is 31 Mar 2022
Thanks to HarperCollins UK Audio/Avon and #NetGalley for the opportunity to enjoy this ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

The first book I have read or listened to by this author and if her others are anything like this one, it won't be the last.

Following the lives of a small group of people in Norway during WWII, this is a compelling story of their bravery as part of the resistance movement.

With exceptionally strong characters and a powerful story, this is an important part of history that I was not familiar with and although this is historical fiction, it does weave actual events into the story which gives it a sense of realism and shows you what lengths 'normal' people will go to to protect freedom and whilst they have a strong regard for the danger they are putting themselves and, potentially, others in, the bigger picture is far more important. A poignant read given the current events in Ukraine.

The narrator told the story with ease and kept me engaged and enthralled from beginning to end; her voice was perfect.

Recommended for anyone who enjoys a great story of bravery, love and the importance of family, friends and freedom.

Thank you to HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.