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 is a Belgian war hero and recipient of the ‘Croix de Guerre’, so he is well-known across the country. Hava, on the other hand, is from a Jewish family who moved from Poland to Brussels together. Despite their differences, the girls become fast friends when they meet volunteering at the Red Cross. But when war strikes, Simone’s father must leave to fight again, and Hava’s family go missing. With nowhere in Brussels safe to stay for Hava anymore, the girls embark on a dangerous journey across Europe in an attempt to escape the Nazis before it is too late. What really stood out to me at first about this book was the way in which it was written. The language wasn’t overly complicated, yet the writer painted a beautiful picture of Simone and Hava, and their escape. I was quickly drawn in by the story, as there was never a dull moment. Whilst there were some seemingly impossible coincidences, they were made up for later on by some of the completely unpredictable downfalls of the escape. In the end, I think that this made the book better as it made the escape seem more realistic and added to the unpredictability of the story. It really was impossible to put the book down, I ended reading the whole thing in one sitting because I was always kept on my toes, I just had to know what would happen next! I had become completely attached to the characters, and when the story was over and I’d found out what had happened to the characters, I was in tears. All in all, I really enjoyed the book, the writing style was excellent, and I hope that I’ll be able to find more stories like it.

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 that aren't about soldiers and fighting. This truly is a book about friendship and how in the most difficult times it is those we love that we cling to. Hava and Simone are beautiful characters. I loved following their journey from when they met to how they got through the occupation in Belgium. I haven't read many books set in Belgium during the occupation, so I also found it incredibly informative (even though the story was fiction). It was interesting reading about the differences in Hava's and Simone's childhood and how they found similarities even though they were told they ought not to be friends.

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 daughter of the infamous General Joseph Lyon, recalls her friendship with Polish Hava Daniels. The daughter of a devote Jewish family. Despite, having many differences, they were inseparable. They enjoyed each others company. In the spring of 1940, the Nazis started to bomb Belgium and their idealist lives became embroiled in terror. In the midst of chaos, Simone and Hava continue to have a prosperous friendship but the events of war has dire consequences and you're left to wonder; 'Will their friendship lasts?' I liked how the author had written it in first person, Simone's account of her the evenst, her feelings and her thoughts. Each chapter, has real life events of what happened in the war, which makes it more of a realistic read. It is an amazing story of friendship against all odds and you're eager for the central characters to be saved.

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 daughter of a war hero and her Jewish friend Hava. Both are innocent, sometimes naive, 18 year olds who have to grow up fast to flee the German army. This is the the first book I have read from the perspective of a citizen of Belgium during the war and my knowledge of the occupation of Belgium was very limited. I found the historical excerpts and facts at the beginning of each chapter very helpful in setting the scene and estabilshing a timeline. The author does a brilliant job of building the characters and establishing the relationships. This made each new revelation all the more poignant and i often found myself holding my breath while reading. This is most definitely a must read book and I'm keen to read more from this author.

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 very interesting read to realise other people's mistakes in life and mother's happens I feel sorry for the girl after losing her family I'm trying to figure out to it was who murdered her family upon reading this book I really do like the way that the author has written the book it is very well written and also it does make you want to read more I can't wait to read more from the same author I do hope she brings out more books. it would be interesting if there was a series of this books or a series of other kind of books I've only read a first few pages of the book so far but they are as very interested to read.