A group of students at the University of Munich are unhappy with what’s happening in German, young people who question what the Nazis and their supporters are doing and they decide to print leaflets, and take part in acts of resistance. The White Rose movement is led by siblings Hans and Sophie Scholl, their friends, and fellow academics. They pick names out of the phone book, send their anti-war messages to these people, fling leaflets off buildings and leave them in public places.

Natalya volunteers to be a nurse’s aide for the Red Cross, as the train rolls across the plains and gets closer to the Russian front, she sees whole villages have been destroyed and she wonders what happened to the people who once lived there? Her parents left Russia for a better life in Germany and her memories of living in Leningrad are hazy. Natalya discovers how badly the war is going, thousands of German soldiers are being killed, maimed and when she returns home she doesn’t tell anyone what she witnessed first-hand and it’s too horrible.

Natalya goes back to university in Munich and joins the White Rose circle, she attends secret meetings, and takes part in small acts of defiance, printing and distributing flyers, she doesn’t really understand how much danger she's in, it just takes one person to infiltrate the group, or a collaborator inform the authorities and the Gestapo will pounce and the consequence are unimaginable.

I received a copy of The Traitor by V.S Alexander from NetGalley and Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review. Mr. Alexander has an interest in the Second World War, and I can understand why he chose to write about the White Rose movement in Germany and the brave university students who used words to battle against tyranny and oppression and fours stars from me.

This book is based on the true story of the White Rose, a non-violent resistance group to the Nazis during WWII. It was started by students at the University of Munich who objected to the Nazis and their actions. They published flyers and tried to get the their message out to regular Germans. It was a dangerous group to belong to, when they got caught they died by guillotine.
The book focuses on Natalya, a fictional character who was born in Russia but raised in Munich. She volunteered to be a nurse at the front, and saw the horrors of war firsthand. She joined the White Rose to try and make a difference.
The writing was good, but I couldn’t get into the book. I ended up skimming it. 3.5 stars.

I so appreciate the books V.S. Alexander puts out nearly yearly. The Traitor is no exception. This book told another hidden story from WWII. Although every work of historical fiction has made-up elements, I always find myself learning about the facts. I like that books such as this one encourage me to look more closely at the sometimes forgotten heroes of such a difficult time.

I had never heard of the White Rose Resistance Group, so was quite interested in reading this book. White Rose was a peaceful resistance group in Germany led by a group of students including siblings Hans and Sophie Scholl at the University of Munich. The group mailed leaflets to random people picked from the phone book, appealing to them to fight against what was happening. They were mailed from different cities to different cities to “allay suspicion from the home city of Munich and to make the group seem much larger than it was.” This story features a fictional character, Natalya Pertovich, a young woman for Russian decent. In 1938, at the age of sixteen, she notices that her Jewish friends and neighbours are disappearing from her Munich Neighbourhood. In 1942, she volunteers as a nurse with the Red Cross on the Russian front and witnesses the horrors and atrocities that are happening. When she returns home shortly after, she joins the White Rose.

I do not want to give away anymore of this story. I will say that I was a bit disappointed that the characters of Hans and Sophie Scholl were not major players in this story. They were the real life siblings that actually founded this group. They were mentioned and their arrest and trial were covered in the story well. This was a relatively slow moving story, concentrating on Natalya and her story before, during and after her involvement with the White Rose. Natalya is a strong woman, one who stands up for her principles and convictions. She was also smart and had good instincts most of the time. This was another instance of everyday German people who tried to stand up to tyranny and evil. There was a bit of romance in the story, but it was a necessary to move the plot forward. I liked Natalya, although we don't really get to know her well. This was an interesting story and it did pique my interest enough to get me heading off to the internet to find out more about the White Rose Group as well as the Scholl siblings. An interesting story, one that I enjoyed, but I was hoping for more.

This book was a tough read- so much suffering- but very moving and well written. I wish the part set in Russia had lasted longer but I still enjoyed the book! Natalya was a brave and memorable heroine. Historical fiction buffs will love this!

I wish I could give this book for than 5 stars!! It was excellent!! Thank you so much NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. I loved the authors prior book, The Taster, and just like that book this book kept me on the edge of my seat at times hoping Natalya would not be caught, etc. This book was very well researched and I have already recommended it to several friends.

I really enjoy World War 2 novels, and this book was no exception. The plot was fascinating, fast paced and had many unexpected turns. It communicated the beautiful, true story of the White Rose Rebellion and the way they stood up for justice at ultimate cost. Highly recommend!

I love when historical fiction educates me about real life events. I had never heard of the White Rose resistance movement and found myself looking for more information after finishing this book. The storyline stayed true to the time period and the author captured the emotional turbulence perfectly.

The Traitor by V.S. Alexander
Source: NetGalley and Kensington
Rating: 4/5 stars

What a long, winding, and disturbingly wonderful read this turned out to be!

Natalya is a Russian-born German citizen trying to live her life, a meaningful life, amid the horrors of the second world war. As a volunteer nurse, Natalya has seen the worst Hitler and his regime have to offer. Men, women, and children killed for no reason other than their faith or heritage, young men torn apart on the battlefield, and a hateful and cruel occupying force hell-bent on converting all to their twisted version of right. For one so young, Natalya has seen a great deal and it is enough to convince her something must be done.

As a university student, Natalya has more freedom than many. She comes and goes to her classes, she studies hard, and she meets many new and wonderful friends. Among her new friends are Hans and Sophie, a brother and sister who have taken the “something must be done” to the next level. In the dead of night and with the utmost care for the safety, Hans and Sophie have become the ring leaders of the White Rose, a resistance movement largely comprised of young Germans. When Natalya and her best-friend, Lisa are recruited into the White Rose, neither has any idea of the truly dangerous path they have set out upon.

As a member of the White Rose, Natalya writes seditious literature and helps distribute it among the citizens of Munich. Her tasks and endeavors are considered treason under Hitler’s regime and getting caught is unthinkable. To that end, all members of the White Rose try to shield themselves, but in the middle point of the war, Hitler’s men are very good at their jobs and it isn’t long before Natalya and her friends are betrayed and arrested. While this generally means a certain death, Natalya alone is spared in exchange for her “service” to the Nazi party. All she has to do is root out traitors among her fellow prisoners and feed their names to the appropriate people.

What the Nazis’ don’t count on is Natalya resolve and her determination to stand by her beliefs and conviction no matter the cost. Though she would like to protect those she loves from harm, Natalya knows she can only truly do that if Hitler and his evil are defeated. Through two years of torturous time in prison, to a mental institution, to a POW camp, Natalya remains true to her beliefs at great personal cost. She is recruited, she is abused, she is psychologically tortured, and she is fiercely determined to survive. With few she can trust, Natalya does her best to navigate her circumstances and constantly contribute to the resistance efforts.

The Bottom Line: I can’t this is a wonderful book (the subject matter), but I can say it is wonderfully and beautifully written. The topic, to say the least, is horrifying yet is based on historical fact which makes it all the more horrifying. Natalya’s story is one that is based on that of real people, the youth of Germany who were outraged by Hitler’s words and actions and wanted to see him brought down even if it meant their own demise. The courage and the bravery of these young people can never be underestimated or undervalued. They were willing to bring to light, at great personal cost, the truth of their situation and to ignite a spirit of rebellion that would last, in some for or another, until the end of the war. Though there are some slower parts in this book, the last half really picks up the pace and races towards a heart-pounding ending. There is never a moment when you are sure of Natalya’s safety or what evil lurks around the next corner. Her story is compelling, it is real, it is devastating, and it is full of hope. For lovers of this genre, I am going to heartily recommend this book.

DNF.
The Traitor is inspired by the Germany's White Rose, a group of people, mostly in their early twenties, who resisted the Nazis from within Germany. Although I was excited for the opportunity to read this, unfortunately it moved to slowly for me and after about 40% I had to give up.

Yall…..this book. The Traitor by V.S. Alexander is so GOOD!  Go get this book now! You know you need a good book to read, so why not read a page turning, edge of your seat, marvelous book? ...that’s it review over.

Just kidding, here is my full review, for animal lovers, I will have an animal spoiler at the bottom of this review. 

First of all thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for the chance to read and review this book as an Advanced Readers Copy. I didn’t think that V.S. Alexander could write a better book than the Taster, and while I still think The Taster is the superior of the two, this one is a really fricking close second. The Traitor is the story of Natayla Petrovich, a student who finds herself working with the White Rose movement in Nazi Germany. As she fights against the tyranny of the Third Reich she learns about bravery, retribution, revenge, compassion, and just how far you are willing to go for what you believe in. This book takes its story from real history, and is so informative that I had to go back and research the White Rose because I wanted to know more about the group.

V.S. Alexander has a way of writing her books like the perfect chocolate cake; so very dense but full of layers and layers of flavor.  When you think you are through with one layer, another pops up and you are dying to finish it to know what happens. For lovers of historical fiction V.S. Alexander is an author to watch, follow on social media, and mark the days off your calendar until she writes her next book.

The only quibble that I have with this book, and it’s not a big one, is that the beginning took a looonng time to get interesting. I actually put the book down at one point because it was just taking a while for the book to get its hooks in me. Once it did though, man it had me. So dear readers if you can just get through the first few chapters, get past Russia, I promise you it is supremely worth it. Of course it could also be that I have a short attention span and I need a book to get my attention fast.  On my scale of how good this book is, I give it 9 out of 10.  I ignored my family to read it, I missed sleep because of it, I was mad at the fact I had to work instead of reading this book. Seriously if you like historical fiction, you need this book on your shelf!

***Animal Spoiler – One of the main stressors in this book for me was does Katze the cat live? I think I loved him more than the main character Natayla. Dear reader I can proudly say that no harm comes to Katze in this book and he has a very happy ending

What an amazing historical fiction story about the White Rose resistance group during WWII. I was not familiar with this particular aspect of history and am grateful to the author for sharing such an emotional story of bravery, fear, determination, relationships, and love.

I continue to be amazed at the strength, bravery, and resilience individuals displayed during the atrocities of the Nazi regime.

You will be waffling whether or not to believe who is telling the truth, and you will find yourself gasping as revelations are made. My words cannot do justice to the horrors the characters experienced. Their efforts and willingness to face such evil without flinching is beyond admirable.

V. S. Alexander weaves a tale that will have you invested in the lives of the White Rose resistance. His words create a vortex that draws you in and will have you flipping through the pages as fast as you can. You will not be able to put the book down until you've read the last word and closed the book with reverence. This book will stay with you long after you've finished.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishers for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to read such a wonderful book and can't wait for the author's next book to readers.

Thank you, NetGalley, for a complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Unfortunately I didn't feel a connection to any of the characters, and there were some parts that didn't quite make sense to me. (What happened to Greta's character, and why was Lisa invited into the White Rose first?) I appreciated the author beginning the book during Kristallnacht, but I would have loved to hear more as this event is the cataclysm that would eventually lead to the horrors of the Holocaust. I would have actually loved it if the book was longer so there would be more detail.

Readers of the genre know that there's always something special when fictional characters interact with real historical figures= and this novel of the White Rose movement is no exception. Told through the voice of Natalya, it's the tale of young Germans who tried to fight the regime non-violently, a fight which was, unfortunately, unsuccessful. Natalya is a Russian emigre to Germany, her parents having fled to Munich when things went sideways in Russia. The novel opens with Kristallnacht and then jumps (disconcertingly) to Natalya traveling via train to serve as a nurse at the front. It brings her back to Munich where she connects with the network and, sadly, discovers that trust is a fragile thing. I was unfamiliar with the White Rose network; recommend reading the afterward for additional information. My quibble is that Natalya is not the most engaging character. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For fans of historical fiction.

This book is based on the true story of the White Rose - the resistance movement of young Germans against the Nazi regime. It tells about Natalya, who becomes a part of the group because of her best friend. It begins with making leaflets and leaving them in public places and mailing them to addresses they chose randomly from the phone book. The missions slowly became more and more dangerous as they stakes became higher. The one rule was the promise not to sell the others out if they got caught. Then one day the inevitable happened.....

I had never heard of the White Rose before this so I found this book fascinating. It really brought that section of history to life. I highly recommend it for all historical fiction fans.

A bit of an intense book of surviving WW2. I didn’t realize it was based on some actual people and events. I enjoyed the story and the main character. I couldn’t help but feel I have read several other books just like this one. Thanks to Netgalley for the early copy

The Traitor by V. S. Alexander is historical fiction story of a young woman‘s life that is based on facts set in Nazi Germany 1942 through 1949. It describes small group resistance to evil and how she and other members of various groups including the famous White Rose made a difference. Harrowing details and experiences most could never imagine. The Traitor is written with characters who come alive to the reader. Alexander’s book reads like a true story because of the authors extensive research, study and understanding of those who were a part of the resistance and historical documents. This important book helps us to remember the brave people who fought the evil of that was the National Socialist Party.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars

Interesting story. Interesting piece of history. Ultimately though I didn't find myself able to connect to the characters. For some reason I just didn't find them that interesting and was never pulled back into the story after I stopped reading. So while the story was interesting, I just wasn't blown away.

historical-fiction, historical-places-events, historical-figures, Germany, resistance-efforts, danger, historical-research, WW2

This book dresses some ugly history in the finery of fiction. That's a good thing.
Natalya stands as the everywoman of the German peaceful resistance known as the White Rose of underground defiance of the Nazis. Her family fled the predations of Russia coming to Germany and becoming citizens, but it all went from bad to worse as the Reich rose in strength and cruelty. She undertook hazardous tasks, tried to comfort the despair of others, and even found time for a little romance. The characters and their situations are all too believable as are the lessons from the past. The book is very moving.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

V.S. Alexander charmed me with The Taster, so I was very excited to read The Traitor. I expected a stunning novel with difficult subject matter, characters brought to life, and a historical setting described so vividly and realistically that it made me feel like I was there. I was not disappointed.

The book follows Natalya Petrovich and is based on the true story of the White Rose. She is adamantly opposed to the Nazi regime, and does what she can to resist and fight back. She loses friends and lands in prison, but she never gives up.

The Traitor has stunning language. The characters are well-developed and easy to relate to. Everything is described vividly without going overboard. Time passes through the course of the book in a natural way; it doesn't feel like too much or too little is written for any given scene. 

This was a hard read, but I enjoyed it. I would not recommend picking this up for a light read, but would absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a WWII novel. The overarching theme of holding out hope even when things look hopeless is something that we all need sometimes.