I received a copy of HOW HUGE THE NIGHT: A NOVEL by Heather Munn and Lydia Munn, from Kregel Publications. The front of the cover says, “A teenager’s choices in the shadow of WWII will change him forever…” Instantly, I knew this was a book I could sink my teeth into, because I have a special admiration for historical stories. I have read numerous accounts of WWII and the Holocaust, but this was the first that dealt with a strong, religious background. The main characters relied heavily on their faith of God to help through their trials.
The characters act like believable teenagers, from how to interact with their friends and the need to do something more with their lives, so this book will appeal to today’s youth. The book also deals with major historical events and deadly choices, so it will also keep an adult’s attention. The authors, a mother-daughter team, kept an even balance between action, emotion, and description. I look forward to reading more of their work. The only thing I did not care for was their use of slang. When the characters said something, such as “screwed up,” it seemed too modern and pulled me out of the story. However, it should help today’s teens connect to the characters on an even playing field.
Thanks for your review! I'm so glad you liked the book. Yes, the slang was a bit of a judgment call... I thought it would help teens connect. (Though I don't quite remember using "screwed up". I can see how it might feel too modern.)
ReplyDeleteWe are working on a sequel! It follows Magali, Julien's sister, as she gets involved as an assistant in some underground rescue work and gets in over her head. She basically has her own coming of age story. It'll probably be a while before it's out though... we're on chapter 6.
Let me know when you finish the sequel! I will definitely add it to my TBR list.
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