In The Way We Hide, Fenna Vos, a fictional magician in America during World War II, is recruited by British Military Intelligence, MI9, to be a temporary wartime civilian designing escape-and-evasion gadgets for Airmen, POWs and others covertly fighting the Nazis in Europe. The book also features her childhood sweetheart, Arie Jansen, whom she reunites with in Europe during a covert operation, adding a touch of romance to the novel.

I have enjoyed Kristina McMorris’ previous work so I was excited when offered the opportunity by NetGalley and Sourcebooks to read an ARC copy of this book. Unfortunately, unlike her previous works, this book failed to engage my interest. I think this may have been in part due to a somewhat lackluster writing style with short, choppy sentences, unlike her usual lyrical prose style. The book also felt drawn out and tedious, so that even the parts that were supposed to be suspenseful dragged on so much that even those sections of the book became boring.

That being said, the story itself would have been interesting if the pacing and writing style had been better. I may be in the minority in this opinion, as I place as much emphasis on writing style as the plot itself. Others may not be so exacting.

This book was one of those that will always be with me. The story is captivating and gut wrenching at the same time. I am amazed at Kristina's vast knowledge of the times and setting of this story. I felt like I was actually living it alongside Fenna. Kristina is one of my favorite authors because she cuts no corners and pens rich stories. I can hardly wait for her next one!

I almost did not finish this book. The first chapters were about a hung girl who worked as a magician’s assistant, even though she was the one with the plans and ideas eventually she is called by the British military to design an create various gadgets to be used as escape aids against the German army. As she is drawn deeply into the war, she is faced with unexpected emotions.
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this very captivating book.

This is another aspect of World War II that Was a complete surprise to me. Fenna had to learn to survive at a very early age living in a poor mining town in Michigan. She honed her escape skills while watching films featuring Harry Houdini. This talent made her invaluable to the war effort in Europe. Another story brought to light by a talented author.

Ways We Hide by Kristina McMorris is a wonderful WWII- era historical fiction that I truly enjoyed.

Fenna Vos is such a wonderfully complex, flawed, and ultimately like able and admirable heroine. She is a fighter, stronger than she realizes, and has heart and fortitude. Going through so much, yet persevering…just beautiful.

I loved the inclusion of the concepts of the “magic acts” and how that illusionary vision and talent caught the eyes of British intelligence and that they saw in her a resource that could contribute to the cause and war effort. It was just such a unique premise and really gave the story a unique angle to make it even more memorable.

I really liked the moments of suspense, the emotions, and the eventual outcome. It was just such a great book that I highly recommend.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Sourcebooks Landmark for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 9/6/22.

Not sure where to even start as this book had me engaged and captivated. I was taken away into the journey of survival that Fenna was going through.
Age 11 she is living with her widowed father, A teenager seeing and discovering the magic of Houdini. I have to admit I got caught up in Houdini's magic as well.
She gets recruited by British Intelligence to use her "magic" skills of escapism to help win the war against the Nazis.
An edge of your seat story as you take the journey with Fenna of danger during war while dealing with memories and things in her past that still haunt her.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the opportunity to read this book.

The Ways we Hide is another amazing novel by Kristina McMorris!
Fenna's background story is in parts heartbreaking but is also a survivors story. Before picking up this book, I had no idea persons with Fenna's skillset would be such an asset in a war setting, now I want to learn more!
The Ways we Hide is a page-turner! Before I knew it, I was at the half way point and just had to know what happened next.

I'd like to be able to give this book 3.5 stars. There wasn't anything particularly WRONG with it, I just didn't LOVE it. I'm sure there will be no shortage of readers who will love this book, however.
Part of the 'problem' for me was that my expectations weren't quite met; my assumptions for which character(s) and/or parts of the book would be history vs fiction were wrong. That being said, the story was perfectly fine, though I felt there were at least a couple scenes that could've been shortened or cut altogether.

Fen's story from being a poor daughter in a mining community to her experiences during World War II is engaging from start to finish! A well earned 5 stars!

I have no idea where to start with my thoughts about this mesmerizing book, which held me under its spell for every deep emotion, every heart pounding scene, every line of superbly-crafted prose. It’s apt to use a magical term to describe a book that features an illusionist, an escape artist, a woman who uses her cunning and intellect to escape her hardscrabble life, and to help the Allies during WWII. Fenna Vos is one of the most extraordinary characters ever to inhabit any novel. Her life is shaped by hardships and trauma that left deep psychological scars, but also left her with a profound instinct for bravery and survival. Completely enraptured, I was swept up by Fen’s journey from 1928 Michigan when Fenna is an 11-year-old living with her widowed father; to her teenage years when she first discovers the magic of Houdini and also her first love; to 1942 when she is first the mastermind of a magic act, until she is recruited by British intelligence to use her skills to design gadgets and escape aids to help defeat the Nazis. I was completely invested in every aspect of Fenna’s life, always on the edge of my seat, as she faced memories and regret that haunted her, at the same time facing treachery and danger during wartime. I cried for her and with her, I celebrated her victories, I was fraught with worry, I was amazed by her cleverness, and I was in awe of her courage.

There’s something about Kristina McMorris’s books that I so want to enjoy. Her latest offering “The Ways We Hide” checks a lot of my historical fiction boxes. Parts about a love for Harry Houdini were a bonus, as my child is a huge fan of Houdini’s style of escapism magic. I liked the overall idea of this book - working for the war effort - but for the UK folks, not American; a woman using her knowledge of escapism to help try to win the war - sign me up. I enjoyed the story between Feena and Arie (best friends under difficult circumstances), but something was just “off” for me about this book. I will be in the minority, I’m sure, as Ms. McMorris’s books are well received. So, if this book interests you, I’d say give it a try. It didn’t quite work for me - and articulating why is frustrating since it checked so many boxes for me. I may give this book another try at a later date. If/When I do, I’ll revise my review. Overall, 3.5 stars.