Ashes: A WW2 historical fiction inspired by true events. A story of friendship, war and courage
Paperback Published on: 20/08/2020
Price: £12.99
Synopsis
WINNER OF THE ‘FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR’ AT CRT 2021
A deeply touching novel about two young women whose differences, which once united them, will tear them apart forever, during Hitler’s Nazi occupation of Belgium and France. Based on true events.
For fans of All The Light We Cannot See and Tattooist of Auschwitz.
Belgium, July 1939: Simone Lyon is the daughter of a Belgium national hero, the famous General Joseph Lyon. Her best friend Hava Daniels, is the eldest daughter of a devout Jewish family. Despite growing up in different worlds, they are inseparable.
But when, in the spring of 1940, Nazi planes and tanks begin bombing Brussels, their resilience and strength are tested. Hava and Simone find themselves caught in the advancing onslaught and are forced to flee.
In an emotionally-charged race for survival, even the most harrowing horrors cannot break their bonds of love and friendship. The two teenage girls, will see their innocence fall, against the ugly backdrop of a war dictating that theirs was a friendship that should never have been.
Publisher information
- Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc
- ISBN: 9780310111986
- Number of pages: 352
- Dimensions: 181 x 127 x 25 mm
- Weight: 240g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
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Loved it
I loved this story, I thought it was beautifully written. The story follows Simone Lyon and her best friend Hava Daniels as they try and escape the Nazi Ge... READ MORE
Friendship amidst Persecution
A Heart-felt story of a Belgian woman, Simone, who is the daughter of a Belgian general, her best friend, Hava, who is a Jew, at the time of the Nazi occup... READ MORE
Powerful and Immersive
Although this isn't my usual style nor genre of book, I will admit that I was deeply intrigued after reading both the synopsis and the 'First Look' that wa... READ MORE
Friendship against all odds
This is a historical fiction that tells the story of friendship, bravery and loss.
It is set in Belgium in 1939, before World War 2. Simone Lyon, the daug... READ MORE
Ideal for newcomers to this type of tale
Starting in Belgium in 1939, this book is based on true events. Simone Lyon and Hava Daniels are best friends, and the stories about their life and adventu... READ MORE
Really interesting historical fiction
I'm not a huge reader of historical fiction, but I do tend to be drawn towards world war two era stories. Having read the Tattooist of Auschwitz I kind of ... READ MORE
Fantastic, couldn't put it down
I don't even know where to start with this novel, it was amazing and one of my fave reads of this year.
It tells the story of Hava Daniels and Simone Lyon,... READ MORE
World War II Forbidden Friendship
This is the story of the friendship of Simone Lyon, daughter of a Belgium national hero, and Hava Daniels, daughter of a devout Jewish family who meet just... READ MORE
Powerful and touching story
I was given a free copy of this book from Readers First in exchange for an honest review.
I am a big fan of all stories involving world war 2, I like to ... READ MORE
Amazing
I love this book so far it gripped me from very start, I was hanging on edge of my seat on first couple pages and knew I had to read this. This book has be... READ MORE
Compelling and heartbreaking
"Hitler had not been invited to dinner"....I love this quote!!
Ashes is a beautiful and compelling story and written from the point of view of a Belgium c... READ MORE
Friendship conquers all!
There’s quite a few WWII books around at the moment, however I would highly recommend this one.
Inspired by true events, this is an incredibly well writte... READ MORE
Deeply Moving
I don’t even know where to begin with this book I have so much I want to say but I don’t want to ruin it for anyone.
I fell in love with the characters in... READ MORE
Interesting to read
This book has an interesting plot and was great to read. Historical fiction is a favourite book genre of mine, so I was intrigued to read this one. I found... READ MORE
Friendship and heartbreak
Personally I think this would be an excellent book for students in secondary schools to read for History and /or PSHE.
The book looks at how two very diff... READ MORE
Love this book
Ashes is a raw and moving story which illustrates just how powerful the bond of friendship between two people can be, as well as the adversity that can be ... READ MORE
A beautiful and emotive story
Ashes is the story of eighteen year old Simone Lyon, and her best friend Hava Daniels, during 1940, the beginning of the Second World War. Simone’s father ... READ MORE
Unsure
Really can’t decide about this one and I was really looking to reading it.
The book is about Simone, daughter of General Joseph Lyon, everyone knew him for... READ MORE
Really good book
I really enjoyed this book, the descriptions are so clear and you really feel like you’re there with the characters. I love reading stories focused around ... READ MORE
Friendship and bravery prevails...
Following a story of a young women’s journey throughout WW2 and her strong, unstoppable friendship with a young Jewish woman, Ashes is just perfect in ton... READ MORE
Beautiful Story
I really enjoyed this beautiful story of two friends, Simone the daughter of a Belgian General and Hava the daughter of a Jewish family. The two girls are ... READ MORE
Such a sad story
This is the story of two friends in wartime, one a Belgian and the other a Jew.
Though warned to sever her association with Hava Simone loves her friend l... READ MORE
A tale of friendship during the harrows of war....
“Ashes” is the heartwarming tale based on true events by author Christopher De Vinck. Set in Belgium 1939, eighteen year old Simone Lyon is the Catholic da... READ MORE
Not as good as expected
I have to admit I had very high expectations for this book as it seemed to have ticked all the boxes. It had a beautiful cover which drew me towards the bo... READ MORE
A Touching War Story
Belgium, July 1939: Simone Lyon is the daughter of a Belgian national hero, the famous General Joseph Lyon. Her best friend Hava Daniels, is the eldest dau... READ MORE
Fantastic
This was a beautifully written book and well researched. It is about a friendship of two 18-year-old girls, Simone Lyon and Hava Daniels, during the Second... READ MORE
Fantastic war era novel
Having a PhD in history, and a very keen interest in the war era, I was instantly drawn to this book. I love anything with a historical setting, but this o... READ MORE
historical
This novel is set during world war II and tells the story of Simone who is Belgian and the daughter of a hero of world war I and her friend Hava who is Pol... READ MORE
Beautiful and Insightful
Captivating from start to finish, this is a story of enduring friendship during the chaotic first days of Belgium occupation. The story follows Simone, the... READ MORE
Brilliant read
The author Christopher de Vinck has written a lovely and touching novel and is based around 2 women during the Nazi occupation of Belgium and France. in ... READ MORE
Beautifully Written and Heart-Breakingly Poignant
This is ostensibly a story about the invasion of Belgium in May 1940, told from the point of view of teenager Simone Lyon.
Simone is 18 in August 1939 when... READ MORE
Powerful
This was incredible, a tale of loss and friendship at a time when the friendship described was taboo and forbidden by the mores of the day.
It is the time ... READ MORE
Amazing book
As soon as I started reading this book I couldn't put it down. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading books set in World War II th... READ MORE
Amazing and poignant read
I don't even know where to start with this novel, it was amazing and one of my fave reads of this year.
It tells the story of Hava Daniels and Simone Lyon,... READ MORE
brilliant
This novel is set during world war II and tells the story of Simone who is Belgian and the daughter of a hero of world war I and her friend Hava who is Pol... READ MORE
Amazing and poignant read
I don't even know where to start with this novel, it was amazing and one of my fave reads of this year.
It tells the story of Hava Daniels and Simone Lyon,... READ MORE
Heartfelt
Inspired by a true story, this tale takes on the horrors of WWII without flinching.
Simone Lyon is the daughter of a decorated Belgium General from WWI; Ha... READ MORE
So moving
I really enjoyed this book, although from the beginning when you realise that Simone is friends with a Jewish girl there is little doubt that it will be a ... READ MORE
Flight from Evil
Simone is the daughter of a Belgian hero of WW1, Hava belongs to a family of Polish Jews. In 1939 in Brussels they become close friends, united by their lo... READ MORE
Competent story of a friendship divided by WWII but lacking in emotional resonance.
Ashes pays tribute to a friendship irrevocably altered by the horror of World War Two and the courage of two young women, one a gentile and the other a Jew... READ MORE
Heartbreaking story of friendship
Thank you so much to @readerstfirst @harpercollinsuk and the author for the gifted copy of this book in return for an honest review.
It's an historical fic... READ MORE
Painfully heartbreaking
Ever read a book where you just have to give yourself a moment when you finish? This is one of those books. I've given 5 stars but wish I could give more.
... READ MORE
Two young women in wartime Belgium
From the very first pages we learn about some hard facts of war, in regard to civilians, who through no fault of their own loose loved ones or limbs, or e... READ MORE
Excellent read
I found this book very interesting to read as it is the true story it is more you it is more enjoyable to me to read it. Next question it is a very it is a... READ MORE
I couldn't get on with the writing style
I am sorry to say that this book just didn't engage me at all and I hardly got beyond 10%. War fiction is my preferred genre and it is rare for me not to f... READ MORE
Love and war
This isn’t my usual read however I still enjoyed it despite the uncomfortable subject matter, I think fiction is a great way to open people’s eyes to histo... READ MORE
Powerful
This is a powerful book. At times I wished for more in depth insights into Simone’s character and life, sometimes it felt a bit rushed from one event to th... READ MORE
Story of friendship
Thank you so much to @readerstfirst @harpercollinsuk and the author for the gifted copy of this book in return for an honest review.
It's an historical fic... READ MORE
Love and war
This isn’t my usual read however I still enjoyed it despite the uncomfortable subject matter, I think fiction is a great way to open people’s eyes to histo... READ MORE
Beautiful and emotional read
This book is set during Hitler's Nazi occupation of Belgium and France. Ashes is about two eighteen year old girls, Simone Lyon (who is Belgian and Christi... READ MORE
Great
This book is so beautifully written and has a wonderfully compelling story. I particularly enjoyed the writing style and how descriptive it was, you can re... READ MORE
Flowers amongst the rubble
Two young women face the invasion of Belgium by Nazi forces, exploring friendship and the heartbreaking treatment of innocents by those with a cruel agenda... READ MORE
Amazing and powerful story
I don't even know where to start with this novel, it was amazing and one of my fave reads of this year.
It tells the story of Hava Daniels and Simone Lyon,... READ MORE
Embodiment of war torn friendships and tragedys
The Adrenalin induced introduction, throws you into the midst of a bomb raid. Simone is desperately trying to get to her Jewish friends house. The horror... READ MORE
Enjoyed it but with some reservations!
Set during World War II, ‘Ashes’ tells the story of Belgian, Simone Lyon, (daughter of a World War I hero, General Joseph Lyon), and her Polish friend Hava... READ MORE
Friendship amid Persecution
A Heart-felt story of a Belgian woman, Simone, who is the daughter of a Belgian general, her best friend, Hava, who is a Jew, at the time of the Nazi occup... READ MORE
Extremely moving
Gosh what a profoundly sad, moving and emotionally powerful book. It is 1939 and Europe is on the brink of World War II. Two eighteen year old girls living... READ MORE