I loved Noelle Salazar's debut novel, The Flight Girls, so when I saw she had a new book coming out, it immediately made it onto my TBR.

Angels Of The Resistance did not disappoint. Lien and Elif's story was beautiful and heartbreaking. I loved seeing the growth of both characters - especially Lien - throughout the book.

It did start off a bit slowly, but definitely picked up as I got into the story and the girls joined the resistance. I frequently found myself hurriedly reading to make sure that the characters I was so invested in were going to be ok. For me, that's definitely a sign of a good book.

Another beautiful book. Noelle Salazar is definitely an author whose books are a must-read for me.

Thank you to Netgally for providing me with an early copy of the book. All opinions are mine.

Loved!!!! I would give this more than five stars if I could! If you’re a fan of Kate Quinn, Kristen Harmel or Kelly Rimmer, do not skip out on this!!

Synopsis: Angels of the Resistance takes place in the Netherlands during WWII. It follows Lien, a 14 year old, who joins the Dutch Resistance with her sister Elif. While at first their involvement includes smaller tasks, like forging identity cards and passing along messages, as the years go by, they are tasked with more daunting jobs like blowing up railroads, helping Jewish families escape and killing Nazi soldiers. Based loosely on two Dutch sisters, Freddie and Truus Oversteegen, this story perfectly highlights the courageous women who played a vital role in the resistance.

Thoughts: I was absorbed by Salazar’s writing from the start and felt as though I was right alongside Lien and the rest of her tight-knit crew who fought against Nazi Germany. While a work of fiction, everything felt too real, and I love that I’m walking away learning more about the Dutch Resistance than I did prior to reading, which was basically nothing. This story is enthralling, suspenseful and action packed. The emotional highs and lows of the book are perfectly surmised by an ending that feels earned.

Thank you so much Mira and HTP for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

Angels of the Resistance is an intriguing novel. The author's vivid details give you a clear picture of the historical era and landscape. Salazar makes you feel as if you're there along with the characters of the story. I loved the book and highly recommend it.

Wrenching but engaging story of two sisters drawn into the Dutch Resistance in World War II. Some scenes were hard to read because of the violence, but probably representative of the heroic acts of those in the Resistance.

Couldn't resist this one when I first saw the cover and then read the summary. I knew I had to check it out!

We follow Lien and her family. She has lived a quiet life in a small town in the Netherlands. When the war comes she feels like it is inescapable and decides to join the Dutch resistance to drive the Nazis away. Trained by their late father to shoot, the sisters will become a threat the Nazis do not see coming.

I literally finished this in two sittings. It was hard to put down because I had to know what was going to happen to everyone. There are a lot of characters you grow attached to and that is dangerous at this time. You know some will not survive the war and the Nazi rage.

I loved Charlie. I think Charlie was my favorite. Lien was my second favorite. Poor things...too young to have to deal with fighting in a war.

Now, I will say the first quarter of the book was slower-paced, but you could tell something was coming and something bad had happened. Our narrator seemed too scared to talk about the past. It makes sense later on. But yes, the beginning was slow but it was worth pushing through. I had to know what was going to happen next.

The ending did bring a tear to my eye for sure. SOBS! Honestly...I didn't cry until the end. Yes, there are a lot of sad parts throughout, but that epilogue did me in. Lien is an angel that is for sure.

Overall, I really enjoyed this. The beginning was a touch slow, but I still couldn't put it down. I finished this in just a couple of sittings. If you are looking for a good WWII that will give you feels, this may be the one you are looking for. I'll give this 4 stars.

A Wonderful tale about the resistance against the Nazi's during WWII and the bonds of sisterhood, and how the two affect the other during this time of war and sacrifice. The bonds of sisterhood run deep, and though I have no sister myself, I can experience it vicariously, and I enjoyed seeing the two sisters interactions against the backdrop of occupation and war. Each was courageous in her own way, and I kept turning the pages to see what would happen. Highly recommend this book, especially to those who loved "The Nightingale"

I always learn something when I read a book about the Holocaust and I was especially impressed with this one. I have not read many books about the role of the Dutch resistance and how they contributed to the destruction of the Nazi regime in the Netherlands so this one was quite eye-opening,
The story of 2 sisters who join the Resistance was fascinating. To see the bravery shown by not only the main characters but by so many who were willing to risk everything in the name of freedom renewed one's faith in mankind. During the darkest of time, the author proved that evil did not win.
I couldn't put this book down. The characters were inspiring and the story overwhelming. Great read!

WWII novels always draw me in, but the heroism and bravery of the women of the resistance blows me away. I really enjoyed this novel. I will be looking for more by this author. I was given an ARC in by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a WWII story that takes place in the Netherlands, which was an interesting new perspective for me to read about. Sisters Lien and Elif are teens living with their mother when the war begins. As the girls grow and mature, so do their emotions as the Dutch area is invaded and begins to feel all of the impacts of war. Early on, the sisters find themselves well positioned to participate in the underground movement, and they take risks that will make your heart race. This story does a great job of reflecting the relationships, risks, and emotions that the girls go through during this horrible time in history.

I absolutely loved The Flight Girls by Noelle Salazar. So when I had the opportunity to read an ARC of her newest book, I was happy to oblige!

Angels of the Resistance is loosely based on a true story. It’s about two sisters who join the Dutch resistance after the Nazis invade their small town in the Netherlands. Food was scarce and friends disappeared after the invasion. Lien is just fourteen when she and her older sister decide they want to fight back.

The first half of this book was a little slow for me. It focuses on the girls joining the resistance and their training. The second half is where the story picked up. The girls start getting missions. Salazar definitely didn’t sugarcoat the dangers of war. These girls went through a lot. They risked their lives daily.

I really enjoyed this book. Some parts were hard to read, but Salazar did a great job describing the dangers and horrors of war.

This historical fiction, set in the Netherlands during the German occupation, focused on a period of history that is not often written about in popular fiction. I have read a lot about the occupation in France but very little about the Dutch resistance so found this very informative and eye opening.

I really enjoyed the character development, finding myself rooting for the central characters and getting anxious for their safety at specific points. I really loved seeing the relationship between the sisters and how supportive they were of each other, despite the traumas of the war around them.

The book was really well written, offering sufficient detail to give historical context about why the characters did things the way they did.

I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend for those who are fans of historical fiction.

If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would. It was honestly one of the most moving historical fiction books I have ever read. No other book has actually brought tears to my eyes while reading it. It was so well written, with such intracit characters and storylines. I truly loved reading this story and learning about WW2 from the perspective of one teenage girl, trying to do her own small part to protect her family, friends and her country. Amazing amazing book, 5+ stars.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book which isn't surprising as Flight Girls was also amazing. It gave a great glimpse into another view of WWII and how people different countries stepped up and were affected. The characters were well written and I cared about them. I would recommend this book to a friend especially anyone interested in WWII history.

A thrilling read, full of action and suspense. The characters are well developed and you find yourself caring about what happens to them a terrific novel.

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

I loved this book. I wasn’t sure I would, as the beginning is slow to start. But once the story really gets going, the author doesn’t shy away from the horrors Dutch resistance fighters faced in the War. Absolutely worth a read.

I could not put this book down! I've read about the French Resistance in World War II but not much is written about the Dutch Resistance and how the Netherlands were forced into the war. With the focus on 2 young girls, Lien and her sister Elif, living in a small town near Amsterdam, we find out what choices are available to them and how they choose. Most people worked hard enough at maintaining during the war. Food was scarce, no electricity, friends and families were disappearing in the middle of the night and it was a challenge to stay safe and stay alive. But some people, like Lien and Elif and their friends, did more. They gave more, took more and lost more but they fought. Reading about the events these young girls endured and the people they saved brought me to tears! The courage they portrayed and their quick decisions and determination is a story that must be read! You'll smile at some of their antics and you'll cry at their losses but you won't regret reading this book!!

Lien and her sister, Elif, are mourning the death of their father, and their younger sister, Madi, when World War II begins in their small city of Haarlem, outside of Amsterdam. Together with their mother and several family friends, the two sisters become embroiled in the Dutch resistance, killing Nazis, assisting in saving the lives of Jewish families, and passing messages. Elif and Lien’s experiences are based partially on the true story of Truus and Freddie Oversteegen, and their courageous acts during the Second World War.

I am usually a pretty critical reviewer when I read World War II historical fiction, but this book—like Salazar’s Flight Girls—blew me away. I would give it more than five stars if I could. Salazar did an incredible job describing the war as it happened in the Netherlands. She hooked me from the start with her descriptions of the coming of war, Lien’s fiery attitude, and her devotion to family and friends. She had me crying when I read the sadder parts of this tale (I won’t mention them here so as not to ruin the book for other readers), and rejoicing along with Lien when things went well for her.

Suffice it to say, this is a book I highly recommend. I have read a lot about the French resistance, but very little about the Dutch resistance, and this book is a worthy addition to the genre of WWII historical fiction. I connected with these sisters and their mother almost immediately and raced through the book, wanting to know what would happen to them and if they’d make it through the war. If you liked books like Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale, you’ll love this one, as well.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for review.

Ⓑⓞⓞⓚ Ⓡⓔⓥⓘⓔⓦ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝑨𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆
𝓝𝓸𝓮𝓵𝓵𝓮 𝓢𝓪𝓵𝓪𝔃𝓪𝓻
𝙷𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚌𝚊𝚕 𝙵𝚒𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗
368 Pages

Sʜᴏᴿᴛ Sʏɴᴏᴘsɪs

A story about the Dutch Resistance during World War II. The focus is on two young ladies who put themselves in danger to help their country.

Mʸ Tᴴᴼᵁᴳᴴᵀs

Angels of the Resistance showed me yet another part of World War II. Being able and willing to put yourself in danger is unthinkable. Teenagers were involved in doing the same dangerous work as the adults.

Although this is historical fiction, it opened my eyes to more suffering and grief due to the Nazis. The more I learn, the angrier I get. How do people get to the mindset of the Nazis? It is scary to think about.

Angels of the Resistance isn’t a book full of excitement but more of a straightforward story of how the citizens of the Netherlands secretly fought, lived, and died during this atrocious war.

I found their methods of delivering information quite interesting. Their methods of taking people out are sad and brutal to read about.

Doing the research for this book must have been mentally exhausting. The story itself is well-written and told by Lien, only fourteen when the story begins and an integral part of the resistance.

Among all of the horror, there was also love shown between family members, and Lien met someone special along the way.

Angels of the Resistance is an informational and heartbreaking story about the human spirit and what the mind can handle. If you want to learn more about this horrible part of history, I suggest reading this book.

Oh my goodness! This is such a good read. Lien and Elief story of bravery, romance, strength of character and heroism is amazing. This was a good insight into the horror of WWII. It has warm family relationships and friendships. Truly a must read.

WOW! Angels of the Resistance was the best book I've read in 2022. Historical fiction story set in the Netherlands during the Nazi invasion. It's loosely based on two sisters and their experiences as part of the resistance. The writing was excellent and I felt connected with the characters. I will be ordering this book for our library when it releases. I appreciate the opportunity to receive the ARC.