This is a must-read for any fan of WWII historical fiction! It is such a fantastic book with a wonderfully written story that gives the reader the insight into the lead up to WWII from the perspective of civilians living in Nazi Germany. I truly wasn't able to put it down. I really was able to feel all the emotions the characters felt. The characters are well developed and the story flows nicely. I also loved the unique perspective of this and definitely recommend!

I liked this novel a lot. I appreciated that it didn't end in a fairytale sort of way, because that seems more true to the reality of relationships during war time. Despite the lack of fairytale ending, I would still describe the ending as happy. I did feel like the story was a little onesided because it's a little difficult for me to understand what Walter saw in Hetty. I just felt like we never saw a lot of equity in this relationship and it didn't engage me as much as it could have. Thank you to NetGalley/William Morrow Books and Book Club Girl for the book.

“Daughter of the Reich” offers a unique take on the World War II historical fiction novel as it is told through the eyes of Hetty, the young daughter of a high ranking Nazi official. Initially, Hetty is a devout follower of Hitler, who she once witnessed presenting a speech at a ceremony for Hitler Youth. She even taunts the elderly neighborhood Jews. However, she begins to question her beliefs when she discovers that Walter Heller, her older brother’s former boyhood friend, and a boy for whom she has harbored a childhood crush, is Jewish.

The novel reveals how Hetty’s character changes from an enthusiastic supporter of Hitler to a doubter as her relationship with Walter is kindled amid clandestine outings together. Through vivid prose, the novel does an excellent job of recreating the atmosphere of Leipzig, Germany as the Nazi party gains power and begins to persecute the Jews. The author obviously researched this time and place very thoroughly. The novel also creates tension as Hetty and Walter risk discovery to be together.

My only quibble with the book, and it is a minor one, is that at times the romance aspect of the novel sometimes felt like it took on the qualities of a Young Adult (YA) novel. Although I have nothing against YA novels, when I began to read the book I thought the focus would be more on the historical fiction aspects rather than romance.
That being said, the novel is well-written and offers a unique view of World War II history through a German perspective.

This was a riveting book with a beautifully written story about German citizens in pre-WWII living in Nazi Germany. The author effectively portrayed a vivid picture of the inner thoughts and workings of an young girl who navigates her way through numerous struggles when the new beliefs and opinions she begins to feel go against everything she has been told by family, friends, and society. The parallels to today’s political issues and how media influences large masses of people were very eye opening. This is a must-read for any fan of historical fiction looking for a different perspective of WWII.