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Half-Bloods Trilogy #2
Before the Brightest Dawn
Jana Petken’s extraordinary historical epic, The German Half-Bloods Trilogy, reaches its sweeping, heart-wrenching conclusion.
In The German Half-Bloods and The Vogels, Jana Petken followed the turbulent lives of an Anglo-German family as they forged their paths through the Second World War. Now, the conflict intensifies in the Soviet States, North Africa, France, and the growing resistance movement in Poland.
Will Max, Paul, and Wilmot Vogel survive the most ruthless phase of the war to date?
Max takes a path to momentous events in North Africa where he balances undercover games of espionage in decadent Cairo with dangerous missions behind the German Afrika Korps’ lines.
Paul’s loyalty to the Third Reich continues to wane as Germany’s extermination programmes in Poland expand, and he is stalked by the new Kriminalinspektor, Manfred Krüger. Can he stay one step ahead of a man who has been ordered to destroy him?
Wilmot faces new challenges in the Afrika Korps, but is he mentally and physically prepared to lead his men into Libya’s fiery desert and against the British 8th Army?
Before the Brightest Dawn, the long-awaited Book 3 of the Half-Bloods Trilogy, concludes the story of the inextricably entangled fates of three brothers … through a war that becomes increasingly brutal and cruel.
In The German Half-Bloods and The Vogels, Jana Petken followed the turbulent lives of an Anglo-German family as they forged their paths through the Second World War. Now, the conflict intensifies in the Soviet States, North Africa, France, and the growing resistance movement in Poland.
Will Max, Paul, and Wilmot Vogel survive the most ruthless phase of the war to date?
Max takes a path to momentous events in North Africa where he balances undercover games of espionage in decadent Cairo with dangerous missions behind the German Afrika Korps’ lines.
Paul’s loyalty to the Third Reich continues to wane as Germany’s extermination programmes in Poland expand, and he is stalked by the new Kriminalinspektor, Manfred Krüger. Can he stay one step ahead of a man who has been ordered to destroy him?
Wilmot faces new challenges in the Afrika Korps, but is he mentally and physically prepared to lead his men into Libya’s fiery desert and against the British 8th Army?
Before the Brightest Dawn, the long-awaited Book 3 of the Half-Bloods Trilogy, concludes the story of the inextricably entangled fates of three brothers … through a war that becomes increasingly brutal and cruel.
651 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 14, 2019
335 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Jana Petken
25 books715 followers Jana Petken is a multi award winning historical fiction author.
She is critically acclaimed as a bestselling, gritty author who produces bold, colourful characters and riveting storylines. She is the recipient of numerous major international awards for her works of historical fiction.
Before life as an author, she served in the British Royal Navy. During her service, she studied Naval Law and history. After the Navy, she worked for British Airways and turned to writing after an accident on board an aircraft forced her to retire prematurely.
Nice to meet you all x
She is critically acclaimed as a bestselling, gritty author who produces bold, colourful characters and riveting storylines. She is the recipient of numerous major international awards for her works of historical fiction.
Before life as an author, she served in the British Royal Navy. During her service, she studied Naval Law and history. After the Navy, she worked for British Airways and turned to writing after an accident on board an aircraft forced her to retire prematurely.
Nice to meet you all x
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
July 13, 2019
“If such a thing as sympathy existed in war, no one would die, and soldiers would shake hands with the enemy and march homeward without a drop of blood being spilt…”
But, when the best political weapon is that of terror, and it is mistakenly believed that *cruelty commands respect, there is no room for sympathy — only blood.
It had become a war of ideologies. National Socialism and the Germanic-Nordic blood on one side, and the other… Not men. Not women. Not children. They were certainly not people. On the other side, there were only animals.
Paul Vogel had seen The Third Reich’s idea of mercy, and it had made him sick to the very bottom of his soul. But nothing had prepared him for the horror of the Łódź Ghetto. Paul wanted to become a doctor because he wanted to make a difference. How was he supposed to treat the ghetto’s many patients when he was denied necessary supplies and equipment? And how was he, as a man who had sworn to do no harm, to stand by and do nothing as men, women, and children were shot in the streets? And what about those who were herded into cattle cars on the Sonderzüge, was he to stay quiet and say nothing about them as well? Paul has a decision to make. Does he continue to obey orders or does he dare to turn his back upon the Party, upon his own country, and fight with the Polish Resistance?
Wilmot Vogel had always dreamed of being awarded an Iron Cross. He had demonstrated his bravery and courage in Russia, and his dream had come true. Wilmot wears his Iron Cross with pride. He had hoped his next post would be in Europe, somewhere less inhospitable. Instead, Wilmot finds himself in Libya, with the Afrika Korps under the command of Erwin Rommel. However, this is a different type of war to the one Wilmot has fought in before. The heat is relentless, the food disagreeable, and the Allies are under the command of Field Marshal Montgomery. Wilmot knew the war in Africa would be no easy win. But he was beginning to suspect that he would be lucky if he came out of this with his life.
Max Vogel was also in Africa, but unlike his brothers, he had been a member of the British Special Operations Executive (SOE), from the very beginning. He could not stand and fight for a country that had so fundamentally lost its way. Thrown into a world of espionage, Max must keep his wits and his courage, for the Allies depend upon the information he can uncover.
Compelling, engrossing, the most vivid of tales, filled with moments of pure heroism as well as the deepest of tragedy, Before The Brightest Dawn (The Half-Blood Trilogy Book #3) by Jana Petken is the story of one family who is torn apart by the deadliest war in recorded history.
Having tutored Modern European History for many years, I have seen more than my fair share of black and white photographs of soldiers, taken during World War II, and while doing so, I have often wondered who these soldiers were and what happened to them. This story reminded me of those photographs and, although fictional in the telling, Before The Brightest Dawn gives us an insight into what it was like to fight on both sides of the war.
Wilmot, who despite mistaking nationalism for patriotism, is at heart a good man. He has lived through the horrors of being a Soviet prisoner of war only to find himself fighting for his life in the deserts of Libya. His war is an incredibly hard one, and yet his determination, and his loyalty and caring attitude, especially towards Egon — a shell-shocked young soldier — made him a very likeable character. He is young and full of life despite the terrible suffering he has endured, and his cheeky arrogance helps him to survive the war and all her horrors. When I started reading Book 1, I did have my doubts about Wilmot, he is almost besotted with the idea of Hitler and the Party, and because of this I feared I was going to struggle to connect with him, but in the end, I think he was one of my favourite characters in this series. He starts this series young and naïvely idealistic, but by Book #3 he is a seasoned soldier, and Hitler has well and truly fallen off the golden pedestal that Wilmot had initially put him on.
Despite it all, Wilmot also has an air of vulnerability about him. He is still a young man at the close of Before The Brightest Dawn, and he finds himself on the losing side. Much is written about the allied victory in works of historical fiction, but not as much is written about the German defeat from the German perspective. By showing both sides of the war, Petken has painted a very vivid and rounded story that swept me away in its brilliance.
The dangerous game of espionage that Max plays, and the risks that he takes to gather information made this story tautly gripping. I adored Max’s characterisation. He is incredibly driven, and he gets the job done despite the risks to himself. But there is another side to him. He is a brother, a son, and a fiancé. He wants to protect his family by bringing about an end to the war so that they can all be reunited.
Paul’s story is a cross between Thomas Keneally’s Schindler’s Ark and Wish Me Luck, a British television series about the resistance that was first broadcast in 1988. So many times, I found myself in tears as Paul’s story unfolded in front of me. Here is a decent, caring man who is being asked to do things that go against every fibre of his being. Paul is a very moral man, and he does not get caught up in party politics. Unlike Wilmot, Paul is a patriot, but he can see nationalism and the Nazi Party for what it truly is. His choice is simple. Either he toes the party lines and does as he is told without question, or he fights back. But if he does that, then he may well find himself in front of a firing squad. His decisions and actions really helped to drive this story forward, and I liked him very much. In truth, I was enthralled by Paul’s story from start to finish. His character is incredibly well drawn. A photograph come to life.
Once again, Petken has presented her readers with a historical rich tale, where nothing is beneath her attention. The hours of research that has gone into this book, and indeed this series, clearly shines through in the impressive prose and the persuasive narrative. Petken is one of those authors who makes history come alive.
I have enjoyed every minute of this series and now feel slightly bereft that it has come to an end. If you are looking for your next World War II historical fiction series which shows both sides of the war, then look no further than The Half-Blood Trilogy. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
I Highly Recommend.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde.
The Coffee Pot Book Club.
*“The best political weapon is the weapon of terror. Cruelty commands respect. Men may hate us. But, we don’t ask for their love; only for their fear.” Heinrich Himmler (original year not specified).
But, when the best political weapon is that of terror, and it is mistakenly believed that *cruelty commands respect, there is no room for sympathy — only blood.
It had become a war of ideologies. National Socialism and the Germanic-Nordic blood on one side, and the other… Not men. Not women. Not children. They were certainly not people. On the other side, there were only animals.
Paul Vogel had seen The Third Reich’s idea of mercy, and it had made him sick to the very bottom of his soul. But nothing had prepared him for the horror of the Łódź Ghetto. Paul wanted to become a doctor because he wanted to make a difference. How was he supposed to treat the ghetto’s many patients when he was denied necessary supplies and equipment? And how was he, as a man who had sworn to do no harm, to stand by and do nothing as men, women, and children were shot in the streets? And what about those who were herded into cattle cars on the Sonderzüge, was he to stay quiet and say nothing about them as well? Paul has a decision to make. Does he continue to obey orders or does he dare to turn his back upon the Party, upon his own country, and fight with the Polish Resistance?
Wilmot Vogel had always dreamed of being awarded an Iron Cross. He had demonstrated his bravery and courage in Russia, and his dream had come true. Wilmot wears his Iron Cross with pride. He had hoped his next post would be in Europe, somewhere less inhospitable. Instead, Wilmot finds himself in Libya, with the Afrika Korps under the command of Erwin Rommel. However, this is a different type of war to the one Wilmot has fought in before. The heat is relentless, the food disagreeable, and the Allies are under the command of Field Marshal Montgomery. Wilmot knew the war in Africa would be no easy win. But he was beginning to suspect that he would be lucky if he came out of this with his life.
Max Vogel was also in Africa, but unlike his brothers, he had been a member of the British Special Operations Executive (SOE), from the very beginning. He could not stand and fight for a country that had so fundamentally lost its way. Thrown into a world of espionage, Max must keep his wits and his courage, for the Allies depend upon the information he can uncover.
Compelling, engrossing, the most vivid of tales, filled with moments of pure heroism as well as the deepest of tragedy, Before The Brightest Dawn (The Half-Blood Trilogy Book #3) by Jana Petken is the story of one family who is torn apart by the deadliest war in recorded history.
Having tutored Modern European History for many years, I have seen more than my fair share of black and white photographs of soldiers, taken during World War II, and while doing so, I have often wondered who these soldiers were and what happened to them. This story reminded me of those photographs and, although fictional in the telling, Before The Brightest Dawn gives us an insight into what it was like to fight on both sides of the war.
Wilmot, who despite mistaking nationalism for patriotism, is at heart a good man. He has lived through the horrors of being a Soviet prisoner of war only to find himself fighting for his life in the deserts of Libya. His war is an incredibly hard one, and yet his determination, and his loyalty and caring attitude, especially towards Egon — a shell-shocked young soldier — made him a very likeable character. He is young and full of life despite the terrible suffering he has endured, and his cheeky arrogance helps him to survive the war and all her horrors. When I started reading Book 1, I did have my doubts about Wilmot, he is almost besotted with the idea of Hitler and the Party, and because of this I feared I was going to struggle to connect with him, but in the end, I think he was one of my favourite characters in this series. He starts this series young and naïvely idealistic, but by Book #3 he is a seasoned soldier, and Hitler has well and truly fallen off the golden pedestal that Wilmot had initially put him on.
Despite it all, Wilmot also has an air of vulnerability about him. He is still a young man at the close of Before The Brightest Dawn, and he finds himself on the losing side. Much is written about the allied victory in works of historical fiction, but not as much is written about the German defeat from the German perspective. By showing both sides of the war, Petken has painted a very vivid and rounded story that swept me away in its brilliance.
The dangerous game of espionage that Max plays, and the risks that he takes to gather information made this story tautly gripping. I adored Max’s characterisation. He is incredibly driven, and he gets the job done despite the risks to himself. But there is another side to him. He is a brother, a son, and a fiancé. He wants to protect his family by bringing about an end to the war so that they can all be reunited.
Paul’s story is a cross between Thomas Keneally’s Schindler’s Ark and Wish Me Luck, a British television series about the resistance that was first broadcast in 1988. So many times, I found myself in tears as Paul’s story unfolded in front of me. Here is a decent, caring man who is being asked to do things that go against every fibre of his being. Paul is a very moral man, and he does not get caught up in party politics. Unlike Wilmot, Paul is a patriot, but he can see nationalism and the Nazi Party for what it truly is. His choice is simple. Either he toes the party lines and does as he is told without question, or he fights back. But if he does that, then he may well find himself in front of a firing squad. His decisions and actions really helped to drive this story forward, and I liked him very much. In truth, I was enthralled by Paul’s story from start to finish. His character is incredibly well drawn. A photograph come to life.
Once again, Petken has presented her readers with a historical rich tale, where nothing is beneath her attention. The hours of research that has gone into this book, and indeed this series, clearly shines through in the impressive prose and the persuasive narrative. Petken is one of those authors who makes history come alive.
I have enjoyed every minute of this series and now feel slightly bereft that it has come to an end. If you are looking for your next World War II historical fiction series which shows both sides of the war, then look no further than The Half-Blood Trilogy. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
I Highly Recommend.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde.
The Coffee Pot Book Club.
*“The best political weapon is the weapon of terror. Cruelty commands respect. Men may hate us. But, we don’t ask for their love; only for their fear.” Heinrich Himmler (original year not specified).
January 12, 2020
Third and final volume in the trilogy, covering the war years 1943-45, and to my mind, the best of the three, perhaps because I had come to know the characters so well at this point, but also, I think, because of how much I learned in the well researched material covered. This included Rommel's campaign in North Africa, the political intrigue of Cairo, life in the Warsaw ghetto,the Polish Resistance, and even prisoner of war camp set-up and operations in Kansas. All three of the Vogel sons mature and change as the war hardens them in different ways. I didn't get everything I wanted at the ending -- but who did in World War II? Despite that, I finished this series with a deeper appreciation of how half-British/half German folk might have reacted to the conflict, and the wide range of horrors it demonstrated.
June 23, 2019
A marvelous conclusion to a five star trilogy!
An absolutely amazing conclusion to the best trilogy I have read! To me, this sets a benchmark for WWII period novels. Wonderfully researched and wonderfully written, my only sadness was in it's conclusion. Throughout the entirety of these three novels I felt as though I were right there witnessing the action that was described on the pages. I simply could not put these books down Highly recommended!
An absolutely amazing conclusion to the best trilogy I have read! To me, this sets a benchmark for WWII period novels. Wonderfully researched and wonderfully written, my only sadness was in it's conclusion. Throughout the entirety of these three novels I felt as though I were right there witnessing the action that was described on the pages. I simply could not put these books down Highly recommended!
August 30, 2019
5 stars
This is the third and final entry into the trilogy about Vogel family. The husband is German, the mother is English and they have four children – three boys and a girl.
Hannah and her husband Frank now have a young baby and they are happy living in England. Dieter and Laura have made their way to England as well. The Nazis believe that Dieter has been killed in a bomb blast. Instead, Dieter, Frank and Max are now working for MI6. While Frank and Dieter stay in England to assist in the war effort, Max is a roving agent and travels all over the world. This episode finds him in Cairo and later in France and Poland.
Paul has been conscripted into the medical corps. He feels his medical skills are being sorely misused. He is currently stationed at a hospital and ghetto in Jewish Poland. When he gets the word that the “final solution” is about to arrive at their facility, he assists some of his Jewish nurses and doctors in escaping. He is playing a very dangerous game, but his conscience cannot allow him to stand by and do nothing for he has done that far too much already. He is now being watched very closely by the new Kriminalinspektor Kruger. Kruger loves to bait Paul to try to get him into even more trouble.
Willie (Wilmot) is still a serving soldier in the German army. He has lost his SS commission for insubordination and is a corporal in Rommel's army in Libya. When one of his superiors hears him speaking perfect English to a captured soldier, he assigns him to be a translator for interrogations. As the war progresses, the German soldiers are overwhelmed and surrender to the Americans. Willie is shipped to a camp in Kansas. There he runs into all kinds of situations, problems and one very good thing.
I cannot say enough good things about this series. Ms. Petken is an excellent writer. I could see no errors in this novel. It read smoothly and the transitions were flawless. I appreciate the way that Ms. Petken pulls no punches when describing the horrors of the war. Her language is direct and very descriptive. Her characters are sympathetic and engaging. The Nazis who were bad were very bad. But the author did describe the apathy that some of the rank and file soldiers felt about their situation and continuing the war. All of the main characters were beset by doubts and fear. I found this to be very realistic given that they were engaged in war.
This book is action-filled and has joy and tragedy. I found it to be very entrancing and could hardly pull myself away from it at bedtime. I truly enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who is interested in WWII, Nazi Germany or just loves a good historical novel.
This is the third and final entry into the trilogy about Vogel family. The husband is German, the mother is English and they have four children – three boys and a girl.
Hannah and her husband Frank now have a young baby and they are happy living in England. Dieter and Laura have made their way to England as well. The Nazis believe that Dieter has been killed in a bomb blast. Instead, Dieter, Frank and Max are now working for MI6. While Frank and Dieter stay in England to assist in the war effort, Max is a roving agent and travels all over the world. This episode finds him in Cairo and later in France and Poland.
Paul has been conscripted into the medical corps. He feels his medical skills are being sorely misused. He is currently stationed at a hospital and ghetto in Jewish Poland. When he gets the word that the “final solution” is about to arrive at their facility, he assists some of his Jewish nurses and doctors in escaping. He is playing a very dangerous game, but his conscience cannot allow him to stand by and do nothing for he has done that far too much already. He is now being watched very closely by the new Kriminalinspektor Kruger. Kruger loves to bait Paul to try to get him into even more trouble.
Willie (Wilmot) is still a serving soldier in the German army. He has lost his SS commission for insubordination and is a corporal in Rommel's army in Libya. When one of his superiors hears him speaking perfect English to a captured soldier, he assigns him to be a translator for interrogations. As the war progresses, the German soldiers are overwhelmed and surrender to the Americans. Willie is shipped to a camp in Kansas. There he runs into all kinds of situations, problems and one very good thing.
I cannot say enough good things about this series. Ms. Petken is an excellent writer. I could see no errors in this novel. It read smoothly and the transitions were flawless. I appreciate the way that Ms. Petken pulls no punches when describing the horrors of the war. Her language is direct and very descriptive. Her characters are sympathetic and engaging. The Nazis who were bad were very bad. But the author did describe the apathy that some of the rank and file soldiers felt about their situation and continuing the war. All of the main characters were beset by doubts and fear. I found this to be very realistic given that they were engaged in war.
This book is action-filled and has joy and tragedy. I found it to be very entrancing and could hardly pull myself away from it at bedtime. I truly enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who is interested in WWII, Nazi Germany or just loves a good historical novel.
March 30, 2020
Good series
Well written, clean epic with the divisions of family during World War II. The Vogels a family to remember. Enjoyed!
Well written, clean epic with the divisions of family during World War II. The Vogels a family to remember. Enjoyed!
November 10, 2022
Great Ending
I enjoyed this ending to a suspenseful and action packed family saga set in many areas caught up in World War Two. Great read.
I enjoyed this ending to a suspenseful and action packed family saga set in many areas caught up in World War Two. Great read.
October 1, 2019
A true masterpiece
Jana Petken has managed to deliver a torrid reality checking account of the real inhumane treatment that was meted out to many of our fellow humans.
Told in a way that hits harder than the majority of factually documented narratives that have covered the inhuman way of life for those who were born at the wrong time, in the wrong place and of the wrong faith.
Following a German families escapades with both the Gestapo and the SS. The level of loyalty to the third reich and Adolf Hitler divides the family, compelling the grown up offspring of a mixed race long term marriage and their parents to take divided paths during the years of WW2.
What makes this beautifully written trilogy so compelling to follow and read is the depth of knowledge of armed forces of every nation involved in the struggle against the Nazis and the Axis forces, their leaders and actual events portrayed, even the types of weaponry, aircraft and armoured vehicles used, show the level and depth of research undertaken. This fictional but factual masterpiece is presented, not in the style of historians or filmmakers, but written the way that enables us readers to easily understand years of terror that the poor innocent Polish population, Jews and other minorities faced every living day of their occupation by the cold blooded murdering Nazis. The thought provoking description of tortures and execution, the horrifying selections of those chosen to die by brainwashed sadists brought me to a level of humility I never thought I'd ever possess.
Jana has managed to grasp my enthusiasm for this saga by making everyone of the cast into main actors, each with their own parts that had me following ever word written in the parts they played in. The trilogy leaps from country to country and event to event without losing me or my attention in any way. By far the best read I have had this year. I would love to see this saga turned into a historical drama by Netflix or Amazon Prime.
Thank you Jana Petken for this wonderful gift you have shared with us. God bless storytellers all over the world..
Al31327@icloud.com
Jana Petken has managed to deliver a torrid reality checking account of the real inhumane treatment that was meted out to many of our fellow humans.
Told in a way that hits harder than the majority of factually documented narratives that have covered the inhuman way of life for those who were born at the wrong time, in the wrong place and of the wrong faith.
Following a German families escapades with both the Gestapo and the SS. The level of loyalty to the third reich and Adolf Hitler divides the family, compelling the grown up offspring of a mixed race long term marriage and their parents to take divided paths during the years of WW2.
What makes this beautifully written trilogy so compelling to follow and read is the depth of knowledge of armed forces of every nation involved in the struggle against the Nazis and the Axis forces, their leaders and actual events portrayed, even the types of weaponry, aircraft and armoured vehicles used, show the level and depth of research undertaken. This fictional but factual masterpiece is presented, not in the style of historians or filmmakers, but written the way that enables us readers to easily understand years of terror that the poor innocent Polish population, Jews and other minorities faced every living day of their occupation by the cold blooded murdering Nazis. The thought provoking description of tortures and execution, the horrifying selections of those chosen to die by brainwashed sadists brought me to a level of humility I never thought I'd ever possess.
Jana has managed to grasp my enthusiasm for this saga by making everyone of the cast into main actors, each with their own parts that had me following ever word written in the parts they played in. The trilogy leaps from country to country and event to event without losing me or my attention in any way. By far the best read I have had this year. I would love to see this saga turned into a historical drama by Netflix or Amazon Prime.
Thank you Jana Petken for this wonderful gift you have shared with us. God bless storytellers all over the world..
Al31327@icloud.com
June 27, 2019
Meticulously researched, brilliantly told!!!!!!!!
Wow! I enjoyed this trilogy immensely. I only wish I could have read each book right after the other to better handle all the various details, characters, and storyline. These are definitely books one should read consecutively, rather than months apart; as it was, I had to refamiliarize myself with each read, once the next was made available. That is my only gripe, and a very small one indeed! These books tell a compelling story of a family with divided loyalties in World War II. The reader becomes intimately acquainted with characters on all sides, and follows them through many difficult, frightening, and sometimes shocking experiences. The complexities of the conscience, of good and evil, right and wrong, are laid bare in this stunning crucible of combat. As I read, I could not help but wonder: what would I have done? I can never know. But through the eyes of the Vogel family and their loved ones, colleagues, and enemies by war, I gained a glimpse of what that answer might have been, and all it could mean. I highly recommend this book with five stars! I would give more if I could!!!
Wow! I enjoyed this trilogy immensely. I only wish I could have read each book right after the other to better handle all the various details, characters, and storyline. These are definitely books one should read consecutively, rather than months apart; as it was, I had to refamiliarize myself with each read, once the next was made available. That is my only gripe, and a very small one indeed! These books tell a compelling story of a family with divided loyalties in World War II. The reader becomes intimately acquainted with characters on all sides, and follows them through many difficult, frightening, and sometimes shocking experiences. The complexities of the conscience, of good and evil, right and wrong, are laid bare in this stunning crucible of combat. As I read, I could not help but wonder: what would I have done? I can never know. But through the eyes of the Vogel family and their loved ones, colleagues, and enemies by war, I gained a glimpse of what that answer might have been, and all it could mean. I highly recommend this book with five stars! I would give more if I could!!!
November 26, 2019
I never normally pay more than 2 pounds for a book on kindle except for exceptional books but bought whole trilogy for about 4.50 each.
I would thoroughly recommend the trilogy you can relate to the characters and there is a brùtal reality to the depiction of war. Also very interesting from a historical viewpoint. I cannot recommend more highly and it has been a while since I have enjoyed a series of books like this but also found some of the scenes very moving.
I would thoroughly recommend the trilogy you can relate to the characters and there is a brùtal reality to the depiction of war. Also very interesting from a historical viewpoint. I cannot recommend more highly and it has been a while since I have enjoyed a series of books like this but also found some of the scenes very moving.
June 20, 2019
Absolutely great book!
This third book of the Voegel family's WWII story is absolutely great! The obvious research into the last few years of the war in Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa, including a prisoner-of-war camp in America, is outstanding.
I was glued to the pages as British Intelligence works throughout the war and resistance armies in Poland and France fight on to end Nazi control as the latter continue the genocide and civilian slaughter. It is beyond belief that German citizens supported their government's policies to such an extent. Shameful! To use the excuse of being unaware of the rampant atrocities is unacceptable! And to cowardly hide behind defenses of being under orders by the German military is absurd! Seeing is believing, and German soldiers saw the inhumanity and participated regardless of knowing it was wrong. It truly angered me as I read on.
I am disgusted and astonished at the blind eye to the slaughter and imprisonment of hundreds of thousands of Polish citizens by the allies. The bravery and heroism of the Polish resistance groups will ever be applauded by me! This novel truly brings it home!
Petken is an amazing author who skillfully created a plot here that gives many sides to this horrific conflict. The refrain "lest we forget" is a powerful reminder of the devastation and destruction perpetrated by fascism.
I highly recommend this profound novel and series to readers of historical fiction.
This third book of the Voegel family's WWII story is absolutely great! The obvious research into the last few years of the war in Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa, including a prisoner-of-war camp in America, is outstanding.
I was glued to the pages as British Intelligence works throughout the war and resistance armies in Poland and France fight on to end Nazi control as the latter continue the genocide and civilian slaughter. It is beyond belief that German citizens supported their government's policies to such an extent. Shameful! To use the excuse of being unaware of the rampant atrocities is unacceptable! And to cowardly hide behind defenses of being under orders by the German military is absurd! Seeing is believing, and German soldiers saw the inhumanity and participated regardless of knowing it was wrong. It truly angered me as I read on.
I am disgusted and astonished at the blind eye to the slaughter and imprisonment of hundreds of thousands of Polish citizens by the allies. The bravery and heroism of the Polish resistance groups will ever be applauded by me! This novel truly brings it home!
Petken is an amazing author who skillfully created a plot here that gives many sides to this horrific conflict. The refrain "lest we forget" is a powerful reminder of the devastation and destruction perpetrated by fascism.
I highly recommend this profound novel and series to readers of historical fiction.
May 9, 2020
The Half-Bloods Trilogy is by far the best historical fiction I've ever listened to. It takes place during WW2 and isn't just about the war itself, but the human experience of war. It revolves around the Vogel family. The father is German and the mother is English. The loyalty of each family member is questioned because of this and eventually they are on both sides of the war. Although this is fiction, there are many truths in this story, This series will have you experience a wide range of emotions, both good and bad. War is ugly, but there are still beautiful moments in between. I can't recommend this book and this series enough! I will most definitely be checking out more books by Jana Petken! Excellent narration by Norman Gilligan!
September 12, 2021
I have been a fan of this author for years and I must say that from her earlier down-the-time-track books up to WW2, she does not disappoint. Being a fan of WW2 lit, I especially loved this series and lapped them up. The 3rd installation of the Vogel family rings authentic and brings to life so many who died or were traumatized during the war. This is a writer who knows not only her history with accuracy but the geography in which the scenes are painted. Heartache balanced by lightness kept the read in balance down to the satisfying ending I did not expect. Another great story by a great storyteller.
December 2, 2022
Amazing trilogy!
Every one of the books in this series is riveting and a reminder of the capacity of love and hatred, good and evil held in the human heart and soul. Sadly It is particularly relevant today when the capacity for the revival of the Nazi agenda in liberal democracies is being revived by those who spew racial and anti-Semitic tropes to gain political power. It is a story of the good Germans who took action against Hitler's regime and the ones who were complicit. We must NEVER forget that democracy is fragile and needs to be nourished daily to save the human race.
Every one of the books in this series is riveting and a reminder of the capacity of love and hatred, good and evil held in the human heart and soul. Sadly It is particularly relevant today when the capacity for the revival of the Nazi agenda in liberal democracies is being revived by those who spew racial and anti-Semitic tropes to gain political power. It is a story of the good Germans who took action against Hitler's regime and the ones who were complicit. We must NEVER forget that democracy is fragile and needs to be nourished daily to save the human race.
November 10, 2021
Lesson in history
Beautiful. Just beautiful! The story of the Vogels is so heartwarming but, at the same time, so heartbreaking . The atrocities that occurred in Hitler's German army are so horrible that they are hard to comprehend. Yet, there were still a lot of good people who gave everything they had, often including their own lives, to stop Hitler. Never have there been such zealots on high sides. The story of the Vogels explains how such evil was allowed to continue for so long, but it does not excuse what occurred.This historical fiction is a great lesson in history.
Beautiful. Just beautiful! The story of the Vogels is so heartwarming but, at the same time, so heartbreaking . The atrocities that occurred in Hitler's German army are so horrible that they are hard to comprehend. Yet, there were still a lot of good people who gave everything they had, often including their own lives, to stop Hitler. Never have there been such zealots on high sides. The story of the Vogels explains how such evil was allowed to continue for so long, but it does not excuse what occurred.This historical fiction is a great lesson in history.
August 9, 2025
great story
This is the second series of stories about families in WW2.. the first was British and this is the Germans. Both were great stories of what families endured.
As a child, I lived in a town where a POW camp for officers had been. Many of the soldiers returned to my town later . Like immigrants before and after them, they added to the fabric of the town and boosted the economy by starting businesses and hiring locals.
Read these books. They tell about the 1930s and 40s but also a shocking story about much of what is happening today.
This is the second series of stories about families in WW2.. the first was British and this is the Germans. Both were great stories of what families endured.
As a child, I lived in a town where a POW camp for officers had been. Many of the soldiers returned to my town later . Like immigrants before and after them, they added to the fabric of the town and boosted the economy by starting businesses and hiring locals.
Read these books. They tell about the 1930s and 40s but also a shocking story about much of what is happening today.
July 18, 2019
Great trilogy
Each character was well thought out. I loved this series. I have read about WWII from the German's
point of view, Jewish experiences etc. This was a great story about an entire family torn between each one's own idea about what to support and defend in their lives. I couldn't put it down.
I had to re-read earlier books to remember characters and how they fit into the story line !
The final book was awesome
Thank you!
Each character was well thought out. I loved this series. I have read about WWII from the German's
point of view, Jewish experiences etc. This was a great story about an entire family torn between each one's own idea about what to support and defend in their lives. I couldn't put it down.
I had to re-read earlier books to remember characters and how they fit into the story line !
The final book was awesome
Thank you!
September 25, 2019
The final chapter of one of the best stories I have ever read.Ers
This book grabs your attention and 3 books later you will be downloading another Petken story. This trilogy takes you through the 2nd WW with the Vogal family. Imagine living in Berlin, your wife is London English and two of your four children were born in England. Throw in the 2nd WW and you have one heck of a problem. Read the story.
This book grabs your attention and 3 books later you will be downloading another Petken story. This trilogy takes you through the 2nd WW with the Vogal family. Imagine living in Berlin, your wife is London English and two of your four children were born in England. Throw in the 2nd WW and you have one heck of a problem. Read the story.
October 7, 2021
A Must Read
I have this book series a 5 because I could not put it down. I read both day and night.I was born in 1950 and I remember hearing about the concentration camps and atrocities that were committed by the Nazi party. I have always been drawn to that period in time. I would suggest to anyone who like me is drawn to this time in history to read this series. It is a must read!
I have this book series a 5 because I could not put it down. I read both day and night.I was born in 1950 and I remember hearing about the concentration camps and atrocities that were committed by the Nazi party. I have always been drawn to that period in time. I would suggest to anyone who like me is drawn to this time in history to read this series. It is a must read!
March 18, 2023
This was the best of the trilogy. The other two were left without a conclusion or denouement as do her other books. But finally this one has an ending. The characters are well formed and the plot
is very well developed. She has the courage to kill off a principle character without ruining the story.
Her writing grabs the reader and allows one to be in an "unputdownable" time while involved with her stories. Congratulations on a superb and well researched series centering on WWII.
is very well developed. She has the courage to kill off a principle character without ruining the story.
Her writing grabs the reader and allows one to be in an "unputdownable" time while involved with her stories. Congratulations on a superb and well researched series centering on WWII.
April 3, 2024
I enjoyed this series
This is the story off a family torn apart by war. The other British, the Father German, one son serves the British intelligence services the other two in the German army, one a doctor and the other a soldier. They all i there own way come to see the horror of the nazi regime. If you like his fiction an Ww2 you will e this book. It is well researched and the characters are well developed.
This is the story off a family torn apart by war. The other British, the Father German, one son serves the British intelligence services the other two in the German army, one a doctor and the other a soldier. They all i there own way come to see the horror of the nazi regime. If you like his fiction an Ww2 you will e this book. It is well researched and the characters are well developed.
August 29, 2019
Yesterday is now today.
I almost didn't get started but quickly became hooked on the Vogels. Realistic imperfect people. A family torn apart by war.
The terrifying aspect of this story is the similarity of today's Canada with prewar Germany. In many ways it was like reading a newspaper.
Truly Kurt was right when he said "We'r are all monsters".
I almost didn't get started but quickly became hooked on the Vogels. Realistic imperfect people. A family torn apart by war.
The terrifying aspect of this story is the similarity of today's Canada with prewar Germany. In many ways it was like reading a newspaper.
Truly Kurt was right when he said "We'r are all monsters".
September 21, 2019
Emotional!
Book number three. Since I read the book Anne Frank wrote when I was a young girl I have been in awe of the survivors of this terrible war. If I write more I will be giving away many important details of the rest of the story and I don't want to ruin it for others. There is much to look forward to in the next installment, I can't wait!
Book number three. Since I read the book Anne Frank wrote when I was a young girl I have been in awe of the survivors of this terrible war. If I write more I will be giving away many important details of the rest of the story and I don't want to ruin it for others. There is much to look forward to in the next installment, I can't wait!
October 15, 2019
The half bloods trilogy
I couldn’t put it down and didn’t want to finish it !
I would love to see these books adapted to film, what an epic story it would be to see.
A brilliant story plunging the reader into the Second World War in all it’s horror and heroism, a truly wonderful read.
I couldn’t put it down and didn’t want to finish it !
I would love to see these books adapted to film, what an epic story it would be to see.
A brilliant story plunging the reader into the Second World War in all it’s horror and heroism, a truly wonderful read.
October 30, 2019
Page turner
From the first book to the last in the trilogy I didn't want to put them down.
I would push aside my chores just so I could finish a chapter (or two or three)
Being an old WWII buff I would follow the author through Europe and North Africa.
All the way to end and still would have loved to have more.
From the first book to the last in the trilogy I didn't want to put them down.
I would push aside my chores just so I could finish a chapter (or two or three)
Being an old WWII buff I would follow the author through Europe and North Africa.
All the way to end and still would have loved to have more.
February 3, 2020
Third book in a great trilogy
Don't read this too you've read the first two. This is a riveting trilogy about WWII and half German, half English family living in Berlin at the start of the war. Great plot and well-defined characters. Hard to put down. Lots of espionage, action and even some romance.
Don't read this too you've read the first two. This is a riveting trilogy about WWII and half German, half English family living in Berlin at the start of the war. Great plot and well-defined characters. Hard to put down. Lots of espionage, action and even some romance.
February 3, 2020
Before The Brightest Dawn
Another good read from Jana Petken. Part of the story as in the previous books covers the atrocities the Nazis carried out against the Jewish and Polish people and it's authors like Jana Petken that ensure we do not forget what happened. The ending ties up all the loose ends and brings to a close a very good story. Highly recommended.
Another good read from Jana Petken. Part of the story as in the previous books covers the atrocities the Nazis carried out against the Jewish and Polish people and it's authors like Jana Petken that ensure we do not forget what happened. The ending ties up all the loose ends and brings to a close a very good story. Highly recommended.
February 17, 2020
I loved everything about this trilogy. Book three is just as good as one and two and a complete page turner. I wish it didn't end there but I am definitely going to read more from Jana Petken! Her story-telling and research is absolutely beautiful! I just recommended this series to my mother-in-law, that's how great it is!
March 8, 2020
Loved all three
I wish there had been a fourth book, simply because I miss the Vogels. I found myself so absorbed in the characters and either loved or hated them, at times forgetting they were fictional. I am a fan of WWII history and found the Trilogy intriguing. I will definitely read more of your books!
I wish there had been a fourth book, simply because I miss the Vogels. I found myself so absorbed in the characters and either loved or hated them, at times forgetting they were fictional. I am a fan of WWII history and found the Trilogy intriguing. I will definitely read more of your books!
March 15, 2020
Brilliant trilogy
Absolutely loved this series. The characters are so real and I love the way the author has allowed us to spend time with each of them. It gives us such a realistic sense of their experiences, their joys and their tragedies.
The historical scenarios are brutal but very necessary to remind us this should never happen again.
Absolutely loved this series. The characters are so real and I love the way the author has allowed us to spend time with each of them. It gives us such a realistic sense of their experiences, their joys and their tragedies.
The historical scenarios are brutal but very necessary to remind us this should never happen again.
June 26, 2020
Awesome books!!
I read all 3 of The Half-Bloods books and am sorry they are over. Highly recommended to anyone who is as fascinated with WW2 history as I am. Great story, excellent characterization, takes us back to the horrors of the War through the eyes of a mixed family. I would rate 10 stars if I could!!!
I read all 3 of The Half-Bloods books and am sorry they are over. Highly recommended to anyone who is as fascinated with WW2 history as I am. Great story, excellent characterization, takes us back to the horrors of the War through the eyes of a mixed family. I would rate 10 stars if I could!!!
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