Crow's Song

by Nicky Webber

Based on a true story, Crow’s Song is an uplifting love story of hope for the future.

This story recreates the war-torn childhoods of Piet and Ava Verberne, growing up in different countries during WWII. Both suffer excruciating loss and heartbreak. They unexpectedly meet for the first time after Liberation in 1945, when their romance blossoms.

Crow’s Song is a heart-wrenching tale of Piet and Ava’s survival during one of history’s darkest periods. They can't imagine a future without each other. But the horror of war overshadows this unlucky couple until they take the future into their own hands.

An emotional journey set against the backdrop of earth-shattering historical events. An inspiring love story of hope and faith in the future. Will these two teenagers find the courage to escape to New Zealand after surviving WWII?
Highly recommended for lovers of Beneath a Scarlet Sky, Not Without My Sister, The Nightingale, and the Tattooist of Auschwitz.

Genres: Historical Fiction

340 pages, Paperback

Published February 18, 2022

About the author

Nicky Webber, an award-winning New Zealand author, excels in crafting suspense thrillers and psychological narratives, drawing upon her rich background in journalism and a diverse life experience. She writes thriller suspense under her initials N F Webber.

Her acclaimed works, including the internationally recognized novel, ‘Duplicity,’ explores the depths of human emotions, resilience, and the dark corners of society. With an impressive portfolio spanning historical love stories to contemporary thrillers, Nicky’s writing is marked by relatable characters, emotional depth, and gripping suspense.

Living in Cambridge with her husband, pets, and a passion for sustainable gardening, Nicky’s stories reflect her keen observation of life and the extraordinary tales hidden within ordinary lives.

Reviews

[Evan G · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covers the stories of two young people caught up in World War Two, from 1938 to 1952. They grow up suffering the privations of war, then meet, marry and emigrate to New Zealand for a better life away from war-ravaged Europe. The book offers a fascinating insight into the affects of war on children in England and the Netherlands as they each struggle to survive their own hardships. The author had the benefit of her grandparents' diaries to give the authentic details of that time of their lives, and the story rings true. Recommended for readers interested in WW2 and the history of some of NZ's immigrants of the 1950s.

[Jeff Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent novel based on true history. The details of the two key characters' lives during WW2 are very compelling. A young boy in the occupied Netherlands, and the young girl evacuated into the countryside to escape the bombing in Britain, who meet at war's end. The nitty gritty detail of their different lives growing up, and subsequent lives together, makes for a very good read.

[Gaylene May · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has woven an intricate fact based storyline, perfectly; past and present melds to form a novel you can’t put down - not until the last page is turned.

The WWII past storyline is gleaned from historical family letters, collected diaries and verbal stories retold. And the present day fictional storyline cleverly lifts the reader out of the harsh realities of the past at just the right moments.

There are clear images experienced at this time in our history; quite vivid and still sticking with me. Children being put on a train with little more than a label pinned to their jersey stating their name and age, are sent out of London to Wales - to be dropped off enroute to anyone willing to take them in as a labour unit, or as a kindness. Many of these children were ‘lost’ to their families. There are the shortages of everything and near starvation of families living right in the war zone....it’s a graphic account which has fictional elements written into it. The physical and emotional harm suffered by these people, even as they eventually forge a new life in New Zealand, is measured in their flashbacks of fear. But through it all there is a core resilience, the drive to persist and a desire for something better.

From the first page this is an excellent read. Memorable characters and settings. It’s also a story of hope and love and the sure knowledge that there could a better life in another country. What guts it took to leave their familiar native homeland and board a ship for a new and unknown future. A future where they made their dreams a reality.

WWII is an unforgettable time in the history of our world; exactly as it should be. We must never forget. And only by reading the reality of this family’s experiences do we understand why we can never forget, why it must never be allowed to happen again.

I received an ARC for an honest review. I learnt so much. VGrateful.

[Nikki Crutchley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crow's Song tells the stories of children Ava (England) and Piet (Holland) as they live through World War 2, their subsequent meeting after the war and making a life together. There is also a present day perspective that appears throughout the book which balanced out the historical parts really well.
It was such an eye-opening look at what children went through during the war, forcing them into the adult world long before their time. Crow's Song is, at times, heartbreaking and confronting, but ultimately it is a story of how two people found each in extraordinary circumstances and fell in love.

[Sofe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ebook Review: CROW'S SONG by Nicky Webber

(C) allous
(R) ituals
(O) f
(W) ar

(S) tanding
(O) n
(N) ew
(G) round

CROW'S SONG...
with many verses.

Devastating times...
WWI and WWII.

Story of...
Ava and Piet.

Along with...
Pete and Sonya.

Precious love...
Linked with trust.

Years pass...
Travelling with them.

Time Tunnel...
Past and present.

Both affected...
Keep in mind.

History repeats...
Will it again?

Long story...
Came to me.

Found love...
Got me through.

Hope too...
Kept me reading.

So glad...
Heart holds dearly.

**********************************
I received an advance review copy for free,
and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
**********************************

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

War and it's impact on ordinary lives and relationships. Is there a more topical subject for today?Nicky takes us on an historically accurate journey through hemispheres, generations and decades. From the conservative structured life of the Northern Hemisphere in the 40's and 50's, the strong formal bonds of European families, to modern day Southern Hemisphere New Zealand and it's more casual approach to romantic liaisons. Romance happens and we see war's terrible impact weave it's way through generations, crossing through the paths of lives lived far from it. Yet war has become so embedded in family history, it continues to shape the romantic choices right through to modern day.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of two families with main characters as children growing up during the Holocaust whose lives cross paths after the war. This novel covers the past of two different people and the present of a direct descendent of the people of the past perfectly. All parts help to move the story along and all of them are necessary and do not distract the reader from the story and have clear connections unlike some I have read similar to this one.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Tina Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crow's Song is such a heart-warming story. It is a generational story that's based in Europe and in New Zealand in the present day, and goes back in time to uncover a family's survival during WW2. I really like how it ranges from when the two main characters are young to how they fall in love and end up in New Zealand. It shows that 'ordinary' people can have extraordinary lives.

[Karen Bowller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am still swimming in the energies of this powerfully written book. It is poignant, heart wrenching and masterful in its imagery. I loved it. As I read the final few chapters I couldn't help but feel the relevance of the book with the Russia/Ukraine conflict and the innocence of young children caught up in war.

[Deb Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book - beautifully written and heart felt - having family who lived through this time of fear and the unknown, the writer transported me to how amazingly resilient, kind and resourceful many people caught in this war were.

[Peter Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read. This book has every ingredient in it to make you want to keep reading and then sad when you’ve finished it. I recommend it to all.

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crow's Song is an involving story that tells us about the war from the perspective of shattered routines, and the memories of what life used to be like before the war. It tells us about the horrors of war but it also gives us hope, and it nurtures our spirits to know that it is based on a true story.

[Erin Kirstein Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crow's Song by Nicky Webber is a beautiful war love story. This is the tale of how Piet and Ava survived WWII in their respective countries of Holland and The United Kingdom. The narrator tells the story in modern day after his grandparents death as his renovates their house and stumbles on diaries and love letters of the years of 1938-1952.

As a history teacher, I liked to hear about the struggles of Holland during WWII instead of just France and England. This story reminded me a little of Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale. I would have given it 5 stars but didn't enjoy the present day narration as much as Piet and Ava's stories. Overall, I would highly suggest this book for any one who loves WWII historical fiction or a good old fashioned love story.

I want to thank booksiren.com and Media Publishers for allowing me to have an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Anne-Marie Webster · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the account of Eva and Piet and the challenges they faced as children during WWII. The physical, as well as the emotional hardships faced by families during these times of terror and depravation were impactful and rang true. The relationship of the couple who discovered and interpreted the diaries, Pete and Sonja, in my opinion, detracted rather than added to this account. I found them to be more juvenile than the subjects whose lives they were exploring and presenting to their readers.

[Bernie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the interwoven stories which created a great ‘page turner’ novel. Believable, sad, uplifting and heartwarming novel.

[Jane Verco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crow's Song was a delightful book, and one which presented the much written about WWII historical "fiction" genre from a very different aspect.

Over 2 time periods and full of very special characters, we learn of the experiences of previous generations as they endured the evils of WWII as children, both in Britain and in the Netherlands.

The author shares with us a beautiful insight into her family's history, with so much material to work with that much was left out in this narration, yet she says in her epilogue "it was only after my parents died … I wished I had asked more questions". We have so much to learn and be grateful to these previous generations who endured so much. Thank you Nicky Webber for sharing your family with us. I received a review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Becky Durstenfeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are three stories in this book, of Pete and his grandmother and his grandfather. The grandparents stories are hard to read because they happen during World War II. It was interesting that the author chose to tell the parts of their story when they were children and teenagers, ending it when they were together in New Zealand. It was such a sweet love story. I am not a big fan of books that jump from one time frame to another and/or one character to another, but at least the chapters were short enough that it wasn't too hard most of the time to remember where we left off when switching between characters and times. The language in the book is sometimes very beatiful. There is no bad language or sex scenes in the book which I appreciated.

[Melissa Pearl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The thing I loved most about this book was that it was based on true events. Every time it flashed back to the past and put us in WW2, I was transported back in time. Seeing the war through children's eyes was a wonderful way to experience it. There was an innocence and hopeful perspective that I really appreciated.

Filled with beautiful descriptions, this book was a lovely read.
I actually think I would have preferred it without coming back to the present day, but I understand creating that link from the past to the present. It was cool that the main character was reading his grandparent's journals and uncovering the truth as he went along.

All-in-all, an enjoyable read :)

[Dotty Weis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful love story written within a great history lesson. This book should be required reading for all high school students.
Ava and Piet survive the horrors of the Nazis in Holland and England.
Atrocities inhuman beings inflict on others.
Even thru all their hardship they persevere to begin a new life.
It is one wonderful story

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written book based on a true story close to the author’s heart. Set in WW2 Europe and present day New Zealand, it tells of the survival of two young people under extraordinary circumstances and their love story. Particularly enjoyed it as it has a NZ reference. Five stars.

[Barbara Gore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

I have read many stories about the war and Jews, this is one of the better stories. Based on real family but a lot is fictional. I loved the characters and would recommend this book.

[Renee Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how this story weaves the lives of two people from different countries living during WWII with the lives of two people in present time. I learned a great deal about how life during the war affected not just those fighting via resistance and military service but also those left at home.

[Nicky Webber · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I was in the jungle in India, hunting elephant when one with a giant tusk, roared and stampeded straight towards me..."
She pulls a face and giggles.
"A shark attack?"
"No." Her eyes roll as if bored by it all.

Currently up page 17