I loved the history of this book which kept me engaged until the end of the story. I didn't realize that more than just WWII families sent their children away during wartime. It's a translated book and the wording seems a bit off sometimes, but overall, it's a good read.

I really wanted to like this but ended up DNFing at 60%. I struggled to connect to the story and just could not stay engaged. I think it was the narrative style that always kept me at a distance. It felt more like a biographical overview than a fictional novel to me, keeping me at a distance emotionally in a way that I did not enjoy. The things that happened were horrendous but I think I’d rather read a nonfiction account in this style than a fictional book.

Remember Me is a historical novel by Mario Escobar that tells the story of Marco Alcalde and his two sisters, who are among the nearly 500 children sent from Spain to Mexico during the Spanish Civil War.

I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical fiction, especially those interested in the Spanish Civil War and its aftermath. I would also recommend this book to readers who appreciate stories of family, friendship, and survival. I would rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

I love some of his other works, but I could not get into this one, after several attempts. I will try more of his books

I found this one really hard to get into. Many reviews give it five stars but I just couldn’t get to a point that made me want to keep reading so I had to let it go.

DNF @ 60%

Normally I do not wait this long to DNF or I just power through and finish the book but life is too short for that. The first 20% is rough and honestly the only reason I kept going was I had read a review that said it got better after that. While I did become more invested in the characters after that point, I just could not stay engaged. I am not sure if it was just the format of the book, or just the subject matter but I had no problem setting it down for days before I would force myself to pick it back up. I feel like I would have enjoyed it more if I had a basic understanding of the Spanish Civil War. If you are looking for a non WWII historical fiction and you like character based stories maybe give this one a try.

It took a while to get into this book. I had put it down a couple of times but this time I decided to get through it. I am glad I did. Don't get me wrong it was not my favorite read but I fell in love with Marco, the little boy who had so much hope. The first part of the book I felt like it was preaching about the Spanish Civil War. After I got through that it was a better read. Marco, a 13 year old who was sent to Mexico by his Father and Mother with his 2 sisters, Isabel and Ana. He was told to always protect them and to remember his parents. There were quite a few hardships Marco and his sisters had to endure but they were always there for each other and young Marco took his mother's words very seriously and protected his sisters. It amazed me that he had the knowledge to get to places and find food and shelter. Sometimes the circumstances were very grim but Marco had the drive and the hope to get through those horrible times. His hope was to be reunited with his Father and Mother and be a family again.
Thanks to #netgalley, #thomasnelson and @marioescobar.oficial for a copy of this book.

Remember Me by Mario Escobar is a very interesting novel that is set during the Spanish Civil War and is about how a family’s life is profoundly effected by this war. As an uninformed Spanish Civil War reader who know very little about Spain’s history I learned so much by reading this novel. Remember Me makes the reader fully involved in what is a well researched novel, that although fiction, is so realistic. You want this family to survive and thrive and there are so many disappointments for them along their journey. War is never easy and this novel shows true to this fact. Reading opens one’s mind and this novel certainly does this. , I would like to thank Harper Collins, Mario Escobar and netgalley for allowing me to read this novel and m exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is a Historical Fiction that is about the Spanish Civil War. I found this book very hard to get into. It took me the first 25% to really get into the book, but after that I really enjoyed the characters. There was parts of the book that I really enjoyed reading about, but there where parts that I found very boring. I think that the pace of the book was off. I like my historical fiction books to be hard-hitting, and this book I do not think was that. I felt some events was not really explain that much, but there where some that was. I have to say that there is some hard to read events in this book, so if things bothers you when you read them please look into the events in this book before reading this book. Overall, I felt this book was good, and I liked it. I do think some people will love it. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Thomas Nelson) or author (Mario Escobar) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review about how I feel about this book, and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

Full of rich and vibrant descriptions, the hauntingly beautiful prose weaves a story not easy to forget. I like that this story centers around a historical event that I do not have much background knowledge, the Spanish Civil War. It tells of the brutality of war from the viewpoint of its most vulnerable victims, the children. Mario Escobar brings a unique voice, as a new-to-me author, that tells a compelling story that will stay with me forever.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was a different time period than what I am used to reading. Still very very good though! I quite enjoyed it. The Spanish civil war is not a period I read, only renaissance Spain but this was a nice change.

This is the second of Mario Escobar's books I have read and yet again blown away by the depth of feeling he stirred in me.

I knew nothing of the Spanish Civil War - apparently one of the bloodiest wars of the twentieth century. While this book is a work of fiction, the basis of true events is very accurate. "Remember Me" is written in the voice of an adult looking back on his childhood, leaving Spain and being sent to Mexico with his two sisters. At the time, Marco was 13 and the oldest of the three siblings, Isabel and Ana Alcalde being his sisters.

Given the chance of freedom from the civil war, by Mexico’s offer, nearly 500 children from Spain—remembered as Los Niños de Morelia—were relocated via ship to Mexico to escape the violence in 1937. The children travelled as part of group of children without their parents and we follow their journey which is full of hardship and quite frankly horrific instances of child abuse.

Living as refugees in a country that apparently wanted them but struggles to give them the basics. Certainly a tale of endurance for these 3 who constantly worry about the fate of their parents back in Spain.

No doubt the Alcalde parents questioned if they were making the right decision .... but as their time in Spain continues, overrun by the Franco regime, the hardship grows and price they pay for their political beliefs becomes very high.

"That day I understood that people can be right and still lose; that courage is not enough to defeat evil; and that the strength of weapons destroys the soul of humanity."

Two significant decision points in the story play heavily on my mind - both horrific and ending in death.
Mario Escobar wrote a story that was very emotional for me to read. It pays a lasting tribute to the brave children and their families who were faced with an impossible choice during this harsh regime, much of which we know little of, as it was overshadowed by world wars of the time.

I found the beginning of the book a little confusing.....but persisted and was soon drawn into the lives of these three children, a story of invincible love, endurance of the human spirit and ultimate tragedy.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson publisher and Mario Escobar for this fascinating story.

Remember Me is a fantastic historical fiction novel. I thoroughly enjoyed it! This was definitely a heartbreaking read for me but I really enjoyed the historical fiction background of the children of Morelia.

Another enjoyable historical fiction from Mario Escobar this time about a lesser known part of Spanish history.

I'll admit I don't know a whole lot about Spanish history. I have lived my life in the US and have not read many books on this subject.
Reading Remember Me, while it is fictional it is based on true historical events.
The read was very eye opening. This is an excellent author and I am always so glad to see any of his books translated to English. I eagerly await his next publication,
The Librarian of Saint-Malo which has been translated and releases in June.
Why are the children the ones who while the adults are trying to make things better the children are the ones suffering because they have no say, no control of their destiny.
They get sent away to another country, sometimes it's for the better but oftentimes it's not.
This book will get into your soul, it will be anchored there. You will not forget it!
Sad,tragic,so much wasted time,a life time of wasted time never to be retrieved.
A mother's love never forgets her children despite all separation. She will move heaven and earth for them!
Outstanding book!
Hope rises from the ashes!

Pub Date 15 Sep 2020
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

This beautiful well written, well researched novel takes place before, during and after the Spanish Civil in the years 1934 - 1941. I enjoy historical fiction and especially enjoy it if I learn something new. I knew very little about the Spanish Civil war before reading this book and learned about how the war split up Spain in this brother to brother conflict and the aftermath of this bloody war.

Marco, Isabel and Ana Alcalde live in Madrid with their parents, The war hasn't started yet but people have taken sides and Madrid is no longer safe. Once the war and the bombing start, Madrid became very dangerous and their mother decided to send them to Mexico when the Mexican government promised protection to the imperiled children of Spain. The three children are put on a ship with approximately 500 other children and sent across the ocean to live in a town called Morelie. When they first arrive, they are treated to parades and a lot of love from the citizens. However, the living conditions and treatment they were subjected to was horrendous. Along with living in a new land where they couldn't speak the language or know the customs, and the terrible treatment, the worst part for the children was missing their loving parents and not being able to hear from them for months. Marco was 13 and promised his parents that he would protect his younger sisters but as time went on, it became more difficult to do but they got through their days and weeks with thoughts of returning to Spain and their parents.

This was a beautiful book about family, tragedy, love, separation and the wish for a better future. This powerful book is about a time in history that is often unknown. We need to learn from our history to make sure that it isn't repeated in our future.

I thought Remember Me: A Spanish Civil War Novel was an okay read for me. I am giving it three stars.

Remember Me does for the Spanish Civil War what Auschwitz Lullaby did for World War II. Escobar is an excellent researcher and writer.

I received a copy of the book from Netgalley to review. Thank you for the opportunity.
A fascinating story on the little written about Spanish Civil War. The writing is good and the storyline epic.
However, at times the book over romanticises war which wasn't pleasant to read.
An OK read.

Interesting historical fiction about the Spanish War.Written from the view of a child and his experiences. Not read a lot about this war, and war is violent, but found it a little to violent for my tastes and I found it hard to like or identify with any of the characters. Another one if those "its not the author it was me books". Been getting a lot of those lately.
3 stars


Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher and author for an ARC of this book.The opinions expressed are my own.