• TEARS OF AMBER: A Novel
• By Sofía Segovia
• Translated by Simon Bruni
• Amazon Crossing | May 1, 2021 | Historical fiction, International fiction, World War II Historical
• 496 pp. | ISBN#: 978-1542027918

Buzzfeed calls “Tears of Amber” a “historical fiction book you’re going to love.” Booklist says, “Readers will quickly bond with the families and secondary characters, as Segovia, author of the acclaimed The Murmur of Bees (2019), makes each individual memorable. The variety of background stories and voices allows for greater understanding of shared experiences. Segovia’s novel provides the domestic perspective of those caught in conflicts they have no power to change. Book groups and individual readers will find plenty to appreciate and discuss.”  

MY REVIEW

This heartbreaking and powerful story is based on real families and events in Prussia (current day Poland) during WWII. I actually recommend reading the authors notes at the end of the story first as it helps set the stage.  The book is told in dual chronological timelines and dual POV over a decade.  It follows a young woman named Ilse and a boy named Arno through their entire lives and length of the war.   Ilse’s family eventually decides to flee her town and home before Russian forces advance. Arno’s family chooses to hide and wait things out.   Both end up facing the horrors of war and desperation of survival. Isle copes with stories of history shared from her families laborer and Arno presses into his favorite books. 

The writing in this is exquisite filled with stunning detail and vivid descriptions.  You can’t help but picture yourself on the page with them as the story comes alive.  Even if you’ve read a lot of WWII fiction in the past, I recommend this one for her writing alone.  Sometimes translated fiction can feel stiff, but this one is so beautifully emotive.   You know exactly what each character is thinking and feeling.. 

Tears of Amber is a story of perseverance, resilience and strength of spirit.  It highlights the importance of family and helping others. 

You can pick up a copy of the book here.  To read more of my reviews, check out the rest of my blog.  To enter the latest giveaways and see what I’m currently reading, head to my Bookstagram account in IG.  And to listen to me chat all things bookish and share my latest reviews, head to my Booktube Channel. 

Giveaway

Enter to win a copy of Tears of Amber from the publisher. Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba1e8e5d1/?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR and TRANSLATOR:

Sofía Segovia was born in Mexico and studied communications at Universidad de Monterrey. A creative writing teacher, she has also been a ghostwriter and communications director for local political campaigns. The Spanish edition of her bestselling The Murmur of Bees was an Audie Award winner and named Novel of the Year by iTunes. This English translation by Simon Bruni, narrated by Xe Sands and Angelo Di Loreto, was one of Audible’s Top 10 of 2019 and a Voice Arts Award winner. Segovia is also the author of Peregrinos (TEARS OF AMBER), Noche de huracán (Night of the Hurricane), and Huracán (Hurricane). For more information visit www.sofiasegovia.com.

Simon Bruni translates literary works from Spanish, a language he acquired through total immersion living in Alicante, Valencia, and Santander. He studied Spanish and linguistics at Queen Mary University of London and literary translation at the University of Exeter. Simon’s many published translations include novels, short stories, video games, and nonfiction publications. His translations of Paul Pen’s The Light of the Fireflies and Sofía Segovia’s The Murmur of Bees have both become international bestsellers. For more information visit www.simonbruni.com.

TEARS OF AMBER Virtual Book Tour

Monday, May 3 – HASTY BOOK LIST 

Tuesday, May 4 – THE CAFFEINATED READER

Wednesday, May 5 – BOOKS, LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING

Thursday, May 6 – READ WITH JAMIE

Friday, May 7 – NURSE BOOKIE

Monday , May 10 – MOMMA LEIGHELLEN’S BOOK NOOK  

Tuesday, May 11 – KIM READS AND READS

Wednesday, May 12 – JENNIFER TAR HEEL READER

Thursday, May 13 – LATEST BOOK CRUSH

Friday, May 14 – BOOKTIMISTIC

Monday, May 17 – COMPULSIVE READERS BLOG

Tuesday, May 18 – ALLEGEDLY MARI  

Wednesday, May 19 – ARMED WITH A BOOK  

Thursday, May 20 – STRANDED IN CHAOS

Friday, May 21 – DANISH MUSTARD READS

Monday, May 24 – SUZY APPROVED

Tuesday, May 25 – THE LIT BITCH

Wednesday, May 26 – WHAT’S BETTER THAN BOOKS  

Thursday, May 27 – SUE THE BOOKIE  

Friday, May 28 – STOREYBOOK REVIEWS

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