I did not really enjoy Promised Land by Martin Fletcher. I just could not get into it. I give it 2 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an ARC of Promised Land. In exchange I am offering my honest review.

Martin Fletcher chose to focus his newest novel on a topic that is very near and dear to me. I am fascinated and astonished by the young State of Israel, which has risen from ashes and desert and emerged as a flourishing country filled with innovation, technology, beauty and tradition. The pioneers, settlers, immigrants and founders of Israel formed a powerful country and a democratic presence in a hostile environment but at a price. Fletcher does a good job explaining the history and conflicts of the early years of Israel's statehood and delivers it in an interesting way. Still reeling from the horrors and pain of the Holocaust many a people in the novel are still struggling to cope with their loss and create new lives and homes for themselves while trying to deal with ghosts from the past. Everybody has a secret and a burden to bear.

Where this story failed for me was within the telling and setup of the love triangle between Tamara and the two brothers. I found the writing awkward and stilted. I literally cringed when Fletcher attempted to describe the passion and heat between the couples, it felt sloppy and juvenile. I don’t think the romance served any plot movement and it really removed me from the story. If you are reading this book for the historical component, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed however if you are looking for a sizzling love story this might not be a sure fire hit.

Promise land is a book full of action and intrigue. Following WWII a set of brothers who were separated during the war come together to help build the new Israel. This book changes from person to person each chapter so you can learn more about each character.

I loved learning a little about the true history of Israel as a new nation with a little fiction thrown in.

I have not read books from this author before but I enjoyed his writing style and this is a subject I love to learn about.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I took this book as I have enjoyed his reporting. He is a better reporter than writer.. Setting was interesting, story, ok... Nothing unusual.

This fragment of the Israel history set in the 50-60s shows a lot of struggle to keep the country independent, and sacrifices people had to make many times. The recent Holocaust is still haunting them as they try to focus on the future. I like that the author makes characters more complex when he does not divide them into just good and bad. They are just people, and he shows their mistakes as well as the right intentions. The love triangle also helps, Tamara makes her decision in the end without having done it though. However, there is one question unanswered - who is the father of the first set of twins? I would have developed this story line a little bit better.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Dunne Books for the ARC

Promised Land is a gripping story of the early years of the State of Israel. It covers the 1950's and 60's but is still very relevant today.
History has seperated two brothers just before WWII. Peter is sent to America, Arie to Auschwitz. After the war, with their parents and sisters lost to the Nazis, they meet again in Tel Aviv, where Peter joins the newly appointed Mossad and Arie becomes a selfmade businessman. They both get married and have children.
This book is a mixture of easy digestable homelife and heated political discussions, giving the reader a good insight in Israel's struggle to become a respected country, while war is always imminent.
Within this complex political situation is the story of Tamara, an Egyptian Jewish refugee, in love with both brothers. Will she choose a luxury life with Arie or true love with Peter? An intriguing romance well woven into the bigger picture. The books ends with a unexpected surprise. And no matter what, there's always orange juice...

Indeed, as the marketing material touts, it is very reminiscent of the book Exodus and it is a very good and fast read. It is an authentic history of the State of Israel with an enjoyable family saga embedded; a saga that includes horrific tales from the holocaust but also the crazy ride of building a country. There are stories of the Mossad (intelligence community), entrepreneurship, family and of course love. Throughout there are many history lessons from this diverse and colorful country. It's told from multiple lenses emphasizing the different Israeli personalities, viewpoints and opinions.

A wonderfully written family saga set in the fledgling nation of Israel from its War of independence, to the amazing victory of the Six Day War. No one knows the people, the history, the idiosyncrasies and the resolve of the Jewish State than this author who was NBC’s Middle East bureau chief for many years.

Set to be released in September 2018 I would add this one to your to-read list.

As the establishment of the State of Israel and it's development is dear to my heart, I feel privileged to have been able to read this enthralling saga of Peter and Arie and , through reading their story, to have gained a feeling of what it was like to live through that momentous time. This book engaged all of my emotions, from sorrow to joy and the characters and their story will remain in my mind and my heart.