Where the Wandering Ends by Yvette Manessis Corporon was a book I thought I would love. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres so I requested this one right away. Unfortunately, I could not get into this story at all. It was very slow and even though I picked it up to start it over and over the same disconnect was there. Sadly, I had to put this one on my DNF list at about 30% because I was getting very frustrated with the time it was taking for anything to happen.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for my gifted copy. I really wish I could have made a connection to the characters and story sooner in the novel.

This is a fascinating story. The characters feel so real. Their lives are compelling and it’s amazing how they go through all that they do. Such hardships and emotions they go through makes you compelled to keep going.

Harper Muse granted me both the written and audio version of this book. I started with the written but just couldn’t get into it, so I switched to the audio version. Whilst the narrator’s accent was a delight to listen to and the descriptions of places and objects were amazing. I did still find my attention drifting as the pace seemed very slow.

This was well written and thoughtful and I was delighted to see a novel set partially in Corfu (one of my favorite places on earth), but ultimately this was just not my kind of book.

It’s well written and the story is fine, and I expect it will play well for fans of writers like Elena Ferrante. I was hoping for more history and setting than what I actually got, and the intensely relationship-driven plot just wasn’t for me.

There’s a lot of beautiful scenery and history in this location, and though the book does touch on some of it, it misses what I consider to be its most interesting historical significances.

But this too is a matter of opinion. Because the book was well written, I’ll chock this one up to simply not for me. I’ll also note that if you’re able to read in audiobook format, the narrator does a beautiful job.

I thought this was a wonderful story. I enjoyed the story line and the location. I love the historical aspect, and I found it really interesting!

I was pleasantly surprised to read this story about the Greek civil war, which I previously knew nothing about. I love Historical Fiction for this very reason, as it always inspires and teaches me something, while also offering an entertaining read.

I also really loved the audiobook and would recommend this to those that want to give audiobooks a try.

*many thanks to Harper Muse for the gifted copy for review

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harper Muse for my copy of Where the Wandering Ends by Yvette Manessis Corporon Narrated by Myrto Stylou in exchange for an honest review. It published September 6, 2022.
First off, I thought the narration was very well-done. I really enjoyed the smile I could hear in her voice at times.
Wow, this book was so good. I didn't know anything about the Greek civil war in the 20th century, and I'm so glad that this book was written to pass on that part of history via story.
I felt like the author did such a good job treating history carefully through the eyes of a child, and looking back on events that a child may not have paid attention to. I feel like that is very realistic, that children wouldn't really realize the depth of the situation, even in the midst of it.
I loved the way that this book ended. It had so many bitterly sad parts, but it made the sweet parts that much sweeter.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

A lot of heart break and a lot of love packed inside this one. Very well written, and the narrator did great.

This book wasn’t doing much for me. First, the narrator’s accent was strange. I lived in Greece and she sounds Spanish? Second, I don’t know why they are all calling it Corfu and not kerkyra? Generally this just doesn’t vibe with my expectations. Maybe I’m misunderstanding.

Where the Wandering Ends is a beautifully written historical fiction novel that begins in the 1940's in Greece. It centers around a strong friendship between Katarina and Marco. As children, the friendship comes to an abrupt stop but endures through the years. It is a captivating story of two lives taking different roads. I loved the fact that Prince Phillip was included in the novel. I recommend this novel to the reader who appreciates a well-written, well-researched historical fiction novel.

This was a great story. It was packed full of wonderful Greek culture and beautiful descriptions of the area. I thoroughly enjoyed reading a story that spans over 6 decades. It was a fascinating story line that was very cleverly wrote and this ment I had to finish the book in a day. This historical fiction book actually felt like a real life story meaning it flowed so well and definitely kept my interest peaked. It was a heartbreaking, shocking and heartwarming story. I love reading fiction books set in Greece but never anything about the civil War and just loved taking in the Greek history in this book. As this book is a work of fiction I have taken on the history with a pinch of salt as I am sure the author has taken her artistic licence slightly changing events to make for a more interesting story. I loved how it was based in a small village as you always get a sense of community that just makes you smile. It has a great medium pace book full of interesting and well developed characters that you really warm too or those you just love to hate. Like the mayor. The author really brought out a great sense of atmosphere and tension. This really made me feel the characters emotions and really heightened my own. 

I definitely recommend reading this book as it will take you on a emotional roller coaster ride. 

So much praise goes out to the author and publishers for creating such a wonderful well rounded story that was so well wrote you will definitely become entwined in.
The above review has already been placed on goodreads, waterstones, Google books, Barnes&noble, kobo, amazon UK where found and my blog today https://ladyreading365.wixsite.com/website/post/where-the-wandering-ends-by-yvette-manessis-corporon-harpercollins-4-star either under my name or ladyreading365

{4.5 stars}

This story takes place on the Greek island of Corfu and follows two children from post-war through modern days. Marco is a poor boy whose mother grew up with Prince Phillip (the late Duke of Edinburgh) and while they have little, they hope that connection will benefit them as Greece is torn apart by civil war. Katerina is Marco's childhood friend and we see a different view of the war from her slightly more affluent family. Both are forced out of their beautiful island home and end up in starkly different circumstances. Will they ever find their way home and back to one another?

If you're looking for great historical fiction that does not center on WWII (it does deal with the impact of it though), this book will really wow you. I liked the view of what regular Greek citizens had to deal with after the war and fighting the communist uprising but what was really great was the balance of the royal family's impact as well. Katarina and Marco had such complex childhoods that went from idyllic to tragic. They grew up with love and hope and lost it somewhere; spending the rest of their lives trying to figure out if they were capable of it once again.

I knew very little about Greek history before this and feel like I learned a ton. I love the juxtaposition of the Greek and Italian views; the blending of Christianity with mythology and the different social issues that were tackled along the way. There were a few times where I thought the book could have ended right where it was but then went on and I was thankful for it.

I did this one on audiobook and the narrator had a lucious accent which added to the ambiance of the story.

Thanks to Harper Muse via Netgalley for access to this audiobook. All opinions above are my own.

A enjoyable listen. I liked being sweeped back to a time before my time in this World. This book is worth your time.

Thank you to my friends at @harpermusebooks for this #giftedcopy and #netgalley for the accompanying #giftedaudiocopy in exchange for my unbiased review.

It never fails...when something big happens in the life of the British Monarchy, I happen to stumble upon a book that references Prince Phillip! Unbeknownst to me, he was born on the island of Corfu in Greece. That is the setting of this book. I learned so much, as I have never read a novel set in Greece. This book has rich characters, traditions, and culture in a emotionally charged story of struggle, survival, family and love. It broke my heart to hear what the Greeks endured during their Civil War, especially the children. Add this to your TBR! It is an inspirational and moving plot.

Where the Wandering Ends was the first book that I had the pleasure of reading/listening to by Yvette Manessis Corporon. I was quite impressed with her exquisite and descriptive prose she used to weave this sad yet uplifting tale. Her descriptions made it easy for me to imagine all the beautiful scenery, beaches and abundant and colorful flowers and trees that grew on the island. Yvette Manessis Corporon’s research for Where the Wandering Ends was extensive and impeccable. She is truly a masterful storyteller. Myrto Stylou did an amazing job narrating the audiobook. I enjoyed listening to her performance tremendously. Where the Wandering Ends was a character driven historical fiction saga that followed the two main characters from Corfu, Greece to the Bronx, New York to Albania to Poland and back to Corfu from 1946 to 2013. The characters were richly drawn and the saga was well plotted. There were flashbacks from the past that only aided in the understanding of what had previously transpired to some of the characters. I particularly enjoyed the addition of certain Greek mythology stories throughout the novel and the mention of Queen Frederica, Princess Alice, Prince Phillip and even Queen Elizabeth in the context of the plot. Where the Wandering Ends detailed Corfu’s war driven history and the lives of its people after World War II as it was on the brink of Civil War with the Communists.

In a poor village in the north of Corfu two ten year old children, Katerina and Marco, had forged a beautiful friendship. They shared their secrets with each other and looked out for one another. Their time together would abruptly end though with the threat and imminent danger of the Communist partisans approaching, Katerina and Marco would be forced to take two completely different paths in life as war threatened their peaceful village. Katerina and her family would follow all the people from her small village on foot as they left her village behind to go where they would safe. Marco would be transported to one of Queen Frederica’s children’s villages. One of Queen Frederica’s many contributions to the people of Corfu was to provide safe places for children where they could receive an education, be well fed and thrive. Before the two friends proceeded on their different paths, they vowed to remain best friends and family to each other and to meet again when it was safe. While Queen Frederica tried her best to save as many children as she could and keep them off the streets, the Communists were ripping children out of their parents protective arms, kidnapping them and using the children as human targets in their war. The children were placed on the front lines in harms way and sacrificed in battle. Children were severely mistreated and starved by the Communist partisans. The children were taken from Corfu and brought to Albania to fight. So many children were sacrificed and killed. After the war concluded, the surviving children were brought to Poland where they were indoctrinated into Communism. Would Katerina and Marco be able to honor and keep the vow that they had made to each other? Would they each be able to find their way back to one another? Would the love they had for each other prevail?

Where the Wandering Ends was a heart-wrenching yet hopeful story that centered around Katerina and Marco. It spanned several decades and combined the history of war-ravaged Corfu with the lessons found in the stories of Greek mythology. It detailed the support of the monarchy and their role during that time in Corfu’s history. Where the Wandering Ends was a sweeping multigenerational saga that drew me in from the very beginning. It explored the unconditional love of mothers towards their children and the loyalty that friends share. Where the Wandering Ends encompassed love, separation, deceit, loss, despair, guilt, loneliness, pain, family, hope, sorrow, trust, survival, sorrow, sadness, courage and perseverance. I hadn’t known a lot about the devastation and strife Corfu experienced through the wars it fought on their island. It is always an added bonus for me when I learn something new after reading a historical fiction book and this one did not disappoint. Where the Wandering Ends by Yvette Manessis Corporon was an engrossing and beautiful historical fiction saga that I enjoyed very much and highly recommend.

Thank you to Harper Muse for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Where the Wandering Ends by Yvette Manessis Corporon through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

World War II has come to an end and Greece is at the brink of a civil war, Where the Wandering Ends transports you the Greek island of Corfu in 1947. If the name is familiar to you, it should be, as it is the hometown of the late Prince Phillip.

The story is packed with breathtaking descriptions of the surroundings and what is happening within the story. It follows several different characters that ebb and flow as it builds to the end. My only complain is the length. It's long and there are times where I struggled to stay engaged, but overall, it's a wonderful novel so I do recommend it.

Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for a review.

🎧Audiobook Review🎧

Thank you @netgalley and @harpermusebooks for the ALC for Where the Wandering Ends.

This book is a beautifully written historical fiction novel about Greece ranging from the 1940s onward. This is a book about friendship between two small children…and a book about the love of mothers.

I really enjoyed it and the narrator had a wonderful accent and cadence for this book. This is one I definitely recommend for historical fiction lovers! So much research and thought went into the story, the setting and the characters.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Side note: I’m currently reading The Rose Code as well and both it and Where the Wandering Ends have Prince Philip as a side character. Another funny connection between seemingly dissimilar books!

Where the Wandering Ends by Yvette Manessis Corporon was narrated by Myrto Stylou.
The narration deserves a 5 ⭐️. Myrto Stylou was clear and almost elegant in her spoken words. But I found the story over lengthy and repetitive. I also didn’t enjoy the way it jumped back and forth. And most of the events were told past tense.
I’m giving the book a 2.5 ⭐️. Because I had trouble staying interested. I simply wasn’t compelled to finish.
Thanks Harper Muse via NetGalley.