3.5★s

It was 1943 when Sophie Scholl joined her brother Hans in Munich so she could attend university, wanting to complete her studies even though Hitler had ordered women were to stay home. But it wasn’t long before Sophie was aware of Hans' involvement in a fledgling group – the White Rose Network – which was defying Hitler, fighting against the cruelty of the Nazi regime in allowing their young men to fight and lose their lives. There were many of the country’s youth who hated Hitler – the White Rose network set about capitalizing on those emotions.

Printing leaflets all over the country, delivering them, dropping them off in areas they’d be most noticed and picked up, Sophie, Hans, Alex, Christoph, Willi and many others, faced the threat of arrest on a daily basis. But it was the biggest drop of all, done solely by Sophie and Hans at the Munich University, which saw their reign come to an end…

The White Rose Network by Ellie Midwood is based on the true story of Sophia Scholl, (please call me Sophie) and her brother Hans, and the telling didn’t appear to do it justice. The bravery and courage of the siblings, their sheer belief in all the White Rose network stood for, and their strength as the ending neared was captured well by the author. But in all that, it felt stilted and a little too political in parts. But I enjoyed the different look at WWII from the voices of German’s youth and their hatred of their leader.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

An interesting read about a resistance movement in Germany during the war. The book starts slowly, but the pace picks up quickly and you will find yourself immersed in the story. A truly inspirational book that is based on a true story.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Another great heroine from Ellie Midwood's books. One of my favorite things about Ellie's books is that she always brings stories that have powerful heroines, all of them always ready to help and bring the enemy to their knees.

This is Sophie's case, a great powerful heroine that came from a powerful family, who were always fighting for a good cause, trying to destroy Hitler and his evil plans.

Sophie didn't want to continue her university studies, she wanted to help her country and many others to win this war. she was already engaged to be married to a man who was fighting in the war, her life was already "planned", but she didn't have the same aspirations and dreams as others, she wanted to help to win this war no matter if that meant to renounce of many things and to join the resistance.

Hans, Alex, and Sophie the main characters of this novel are The members of The White Rose Network a very successful network spreading information about the atrocities the Germans were doing and planning to do, a very important movement during the War.

Robert Mohr the Kriminalkommissar of the Munich Gestapo, was investigating some leaflets being distributed at the university where Sophie used to attend. I felt sorry for Mr. Mohr he was always weak and nervous whenever he was interrogating Sophie. it was as if Mr. Mohr shrank and pale in Sophie's presence but at the same time, I enjoy these scenes because they are the ones that show the powerful strength of Sophie's character around the Nazis.

My favorite moments of this novel were during the interrogation with Mr.Mohr but also whenever Alex and Sophie were nearby.

Many great things make this book so enjoyable, like The Roosevelt speeches, which were so powerful and that we get to read from time to time during the course of the novel.

This was a very suspenseful novel, there was more action, and intriguing moments than the previous novels I've read from Ellie, making The White Rose network a powerful novel just like its characters.

Thank you, NetGalley, Bookoture, and Ellie Midwood.

I originally heard about Sophie and the white rose network on a my favorite murder podcast episode so I was so glad to find a book about these amazing heroes! There was a bit of a slow start but it was impossible not to fall totally in love with Sophie and Alex and Hans and Christoph. It was hard at times to read it knowing how it ends for them but I'm glad their story is being told and remembered.

Sophie Scholl moves to Munich to study at university and to live with her brother Hans. Nazi regime doesn’t exactly encourage women’s higher education so that’s a win by itself. In Munich, she meets Hans’ friends and soon discovers that Hans and his friends have been writing leaflets against the Nazi regime. At first, Hans wants to keep Sophie safe from all that, but Sophie insists on getting in on the group called The White Rose. Their father was against the nazi ideology from the start and has been quite vocal about it. He’s been in jail because of that, so the sisters know that resistance will get them in trouble.

This was my first book by the author and the first book about the White Rose and I really enjoyed this one. The book has dual timelines from Sophie’s POV: the interrogation and events leading to the capture. In a way, it would have been interesting to see how and why she first started to question the Nazi propaganda. Because every Scholl sister belonged to a youth program at some point and was very enthusiastic about it.

I knew very little about the other members of the group besides the Scholl sisters and loved learning more about them. My only problem was the Gestapo officer who interrogated Sophie. I don’t totally believe that he would have been that sympathetic towards her. But that was pretty much my only complaint.

I am really struggling with how to review this book. One the one hand, the story told is SO important. Based on the true story of Sophie Scholl, a brave, determined woman defying Hitler and the Nazi Regime. That being said, I found the book struggled to decide if it wanted to be political and fact based or more of a human love story. It made the book feel somewhat disjointed for me.

Sophie, her brother Hans and his friend Alexander despise the evil of Hitler and the Nazi Party. They form the White Rose Network, an underground network to fight against Hitler and evil. When Sophie and her brother are caught trying to gain followers in their resistance, their lives and the network are at risk. Will they remain strong or fall under the pressure of evil?

Although not my all time favorite Historical Fiction, I think that this book (and Sophie Scholl’s story) are incredibly important. If you are interested in history, it is definitely a book that you should read.

Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copy!

Having grown up with a father who was prepared to defy the Nazis and anyone else who tried to stop him doing what he considered right, it was hardly a surprise when Sophie went to university like her brother rather than staying at home as 'all good women should'. And when she got there and found a way she could help to fight the madness of Hitler's regime, she joined in, regardless of the possible cost. Along with her brother and several of his friends, she writes and distributes leaflets that call students to action. But the authorities fear the White Rose and will do anything they can to uncover and destroy it...

Despite knowing none of the history that I gather the book is based on, it was pretty clear from just about the first page how this was going to end. Somehow, though, rather than taking away the suspense, it almost seemed to increase it. I didn't necessarily agree with their approach or some of their actions, but I did appreciate their commitment and their willingness to stand up for their beliefs, whatever that might take. It was also an interesting look at life in Germany during the war but away from concentration camps - not a setting I've read much in. The writing is also good, keeping me gripped from the first page even though it's clearly not going to end well. In terms of content, while Sophie's relationship with Alex was closer than it should have been, there are basically no explicit details, and though violence is inevitable in such a setting, the horrors of war are mentioned more or less in passing, with nothing too graphic or gratuitous. All in all, not a particularly light read, but still a good read with a touching ending. A difficult sort of topic expertly handled.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

The White Rose Network provides a backstory and many of the possible details of Sophie Scholl and her brother Hans' lives as members of the White Rose, a Nazi resistance group active during World War II in Munich. Author Ellie Midwood took a story that is known in only the barest of details and wove a compelling historical novel. Because of my many decades teaching about the Holocaust, I was familiar with the story of the White Rose. I always wanted my university students to understand that it does not take a huge group of people to change history. I knew how the story ended and what happened to these young resisters, but in spite of that knowledge, Midwood brought me to tears several times in the last few sections of the book. I really could not put down this novel. I knew how it ended and still needed to know how this author would tie together so many stories. I am now the librarian at the Holocaust Museum in my city, and I will certainly order this book for our library. I am deeply thankful to the author and her publisher for providing me with this ARC. I appreciate that NetGalley has provided so many wonderful books to read and review. Although this novel was an ARC, my review reflects the absolute truth about what I think this author has accomplished in writing this novel.

This is an important book because Sophie and Hans Scholl were two great historical characters and they're as well known as they should be.
This is a political story because Sophie and The White Rose were fighting against Nazism as they thought it was the right thing to do.
I read some reviews stating "too much politics", well Sophie Scholl is a martyr and she kept hear head high even when she was questioned by Gestapo. Fighting for what you think is right, accepting to put your life at stake against one of the most horrible dictatorial regime is not politics, is making the right thing if you are brave.
So go and read it. I don't always agree with this book but I think it's important to get to know Sophie Scholl and her fight was more important than any romance.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

An interesting book to add to your World War II reading as the book unfolds in two time "spots." One is as Sophie is getting into the group and helping subvert the Nazi regime and sprinkled amongst those chapters are a few chapters where you see her interrogated and you know that at some point Sophie got caught and she is trying not to give up the group.

This was one of those books that felt familiar throughout my reading as I kept thinking about other World War II books that included different details that were in this one. Although it felt familiar, I enjoyed it because I enjoyed Sophie. She was such a fun character follow - I loved her tenacity and her drive to make sure that the "good side" won.

This was my second Ellie Midwood read and because many of her books center on World War II, I would love to read her backlist, but maybe not all in a row as I like to pepper my World War II reading throughout my reading life and not back to back.

Ellie Midwood has written several historical fiction books based on real events from WWII. She has a way of writing that captures the feelings of the time so they are never forgotten. In this story, Sophie, a leader in The White Rose resistance group, leads her group and is captured. The story alternates between her interrogation and her work before she was captured. This is not a piece of history I was very familiar with so it was great to learn about it. I absolutely loved Sophie’s strength and her resolve to do what is right. If you like WWII stories, you will not want to miss this one.

The White Rose Network was not as quickly paced as I enjoy my historical fiction books to be. This book was easier for me to put down because there was not a lot of significant or shocking events to keep me reading. I was expecting the same amount of shock and excitement as The Girl Who Escaped Auschwitz. 3.5 stars

The White Rose Network caught my attention based on its good reviews and the fact that it was inspired by true events. That’s the best kind of historical fiction, when authors really research the details to make it sound as authentic as ever, and Ellie Midwood confirms just that in her final notes at the end of the book.

Overall, I enjoyed the story, the writing style flows well, and the structure was reminiscient of movies (flashback to the past and chapters/scenes about the interrogations in the present).

The story is poignant, the fate of the main characters really moving. It would make a good movie, because these events need more light shed on them. However, I did feel like there was something missing to really make me feel « hooked » and not want to put the book down.

Regardless, I recommend this read because Sophie’s actions and fate are worth knowing and sharing.

Based on a true story, this novel invites you into the world of Sophie Shcoll as she attends university in Munich during the reign of Hitler. Along with her brother Hans and a few friends, you are transported into their world as they form a secret group to rally the youth of Germany against the atrocities that are taking place. While traitors lurk around every corner, the group grows stronger. Elle Midwood take you along on an emotional roller coaster til the very end. Bring a tissue.

Based on true events, THE WHITE ROSE NETWORK is the fictionalised story of Hans and Sophie Scholl, resistance fighters campaigning against the Nazi fascist regime during Hitler's reign during World War 2. Raised on truth and justice, their parents instilled in them the courage to challenge the injustice which they then found themselves in.

Hans, already in the Wehrmacht as medical aid (so he does not have to spill the blood of another human being), lives in Munich where his sister Sophie would join him as one of the very few women allowed to attend university. Upon moving to Munich, Sophie then meets her brother's friends who thus make up the White Rose network and is excited to join them in the cause, fighting for Germany's freedom. Amongst the friends is Alexander, half Russian and half German, with whom Sophie falls in love with despite being engaged to another away fighting at the Front. This is primarily her story.

Beginning in February 1943 after her capture for distributing a shower of leaflets at the university alongside Hans, Sophie is interrogated by KriminalKommissioner Robert Mohr who, as a vetran in the police, now works as a highly skilled interrogator with the Gestapo. His job is to elicit the truth and the wider expanse of their network. But what he experiences in her presence makes him question himself and his very reason for being there. Sophie is an extraordinary young woman, courageous beyond belief, and is not afraid to stand up for her belief in the injustice facing their country. Their tête-a-têtes in the interrogation room are some of the best scenes in the book as his truths versus hers are challenged creating something of an enigmatic contradiction in its place.

I had heard of Sophie Scholl and the White Rose network before picking up this book, but this story delves deeper into the lives of both Hans and Sophie and the depth of their involvement right up to the end. Although we know how the story ends, it doesn't stop the reader from hoping for the best whilst knowing without a doubt to expect the worst.

An inspirational story of a time long since past but never forgotten, THE WHITE ROSE NETWORK is a tribute of sorts to those men and women who gave up their lives for the social injustices that shrouded their much-loved country through Hitler's fascism. They gave their lives so that Germany may have a better future...in freedom.

As thought-provoking and heartfelt as it was, I found the story itself a little too political...and yet, that is exactly what the White Rose were fighting against. But that is just a reflection of my own personal tastes. It was certainly inspiration and heartfelt, but yes...too political for my tastes. But don't let that dissuade you because it is an incredible story of bravery and courage in the midst of injustice.

However, my favourite part of the entire book is the very last page...revealing that the heart and soul of the White Rose truly lived on.

I would like to thank #EllieMidwood, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheWhiteRoseNetwork in exchange for an honest review.

a solid solid solid historical fiction. took a hot second to get into but loved the story and even more that it is based on a true story! makes my short list of solid historical fictions!

I found this to be a slow burner. I felt that not much happened in the first half of the book, lots of character building, theme setting and highlighting the deep set issues of society.

Sophie was born a rebel and I loved everything that she stood for. Her family were also relatable and the brother sister dynamic was so heartwarming.
It was a courageous story that I felt would have connected with me more if Sophie had more romantic scenes with Alexander, and even with her fiancé fighting on the front line. Just deepening those emotions would have made this a five star read for me.

Overall, a great story about such an important time that we should not forget.

The White Rose Network
By Ellie Midwood
Publisher: Feb 9 2022 (Bookouture)

I feel like I’ve read every country’s experience, so many voices, and yet sometimes a new (to-me) author surprises me with a novel idea.

This book may take place within the terror of the Nazi rule in Munich… but it’s not about them. And it’s not about the atrocities that happened every minute of every day to Jewish families at that time. But rather, the author chose to spotlight one sibling in history that deserved to be read about. And one in which I knew nothing about.

It’s the story of Sophie & Hans Scholl. A sibling pair at the University in Munich who were the core of “The White Rose Network” . A group of students (and professors) who fought the Nazi regime from the underground and ultimately gave their lives up to hide the rest of the network.

The names of the areas (like Schwabing) were instant snapshots into where we lived when we lived in Germany. It made me connect immediately to the details in which the author shared. And while this is indeed fictional, it was based on the diaries and pamphlets (and other written documents) that are truth.

This book was amplifying a lesser known part of a group that did fight back. And more importantly, at the centre of it, was a young girl who said her life was worth the cause of freedom.

I got sucked right into the story and then proceeded to go and google the backstory on which the novel is based on. If you’re a reader of HF; this is one to add to your list. My only complaint is that I didn’t want it to end. And honestly, I loved the epilogue 4.5 ⭐️

In 1942 Sophie Scholl heads to Munich to study at university. Under the Nazi regime women are strongly discouraged from any kind of higher education, but Sophie is not about to let that stop her from fulfilling her dreams. She shares an apartment with her brother Hans, and quickly discovers that Hans and his best friend Alex are authors of an anti-Nazi leaflet being shared around Munich. Sophie very quickly joins the ranks of the White Rose, copying, authoring and spreading more anti-Nazi leaflets around Munich. The ranks of the resistance in Germany spread in part because of the bravery and determination of Sophie, Hans, and their close knit group of friends/resistance leaders. When Sophie and Hans are arrested in 1943 they discover how deep the resistance movement really goes.

This is an excellent read, well researched and based very closely on the truth of the White Rose resistance cell that began in Munich, Germany. I have read many, many historical fiction novels from this time period and up until now had not heard of the Scholls. I found the story of these young people incredibly inspiring. The author does an excellent job of bringing these strong young idealists to life. I highly recommend this novel, especially for readers looking for the lesser known stories of the hero’s of WWII.

5 stars

I think starting a book where your main characters get caught is tricky. As I started, I wondered, I already know they get caught, how will this be interesting? I needn't have worried. I loved the dual story approach. We get chapters of Sophie's interrogation paired with flashbacks of the events leading up to her arrest.

The White Rose Network was another example of "I've read tons of WWII novels, how could I possibly learn anything new?" Again, I needn't have worried. This novel reminded me of Dr. Erskine's quote in Captain America when he says that many forget that the first country the Nazis invaded was their own. Most stories out of Germany are from the other side of the token. Young Germans that have been brainwashed into believing that Nazi party line. Anytime there's a story of Resistance fighters, it's usually of the French resistance. It was nice to read about Germans that resisted and fought to take their country back. I did struggle with Sophie's treatment of her fiancé, but that's true to the historical records. Overall this was a great book. I loved learning about Sophie, Hans, and the White Rose Network.