Sundin has a way of making you feel not like you're reading about history but that you're living out history right along with the characters. When members of the resistance took part in some defiant activities, I could feel the tension and the urgency. When Else was insulted by her boss, I felt the cruelty and the injustice.

It was fascinating reading about what it was like in Denmark during WWII. Their commitment to saving their Jewish countrymen was amazing. It's even more compelling as it feels like that kind of sacrifice and compassion is not so prevalent these days. We can learn a lot from reading stories like this.

I loved Else and Hemming. Else sees her prejudice against the quiet Hemming and pursues conversation and friendship with him anyway, recognizing that she is the one with the issue. I also loved seeing the growth in Hemming and his relationship with his father.

This book was so well written. It was a delight to read. Thank you to Revell for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

If you're a fan of WWII stories, you are not going to want to miss this new release from Sarah Sundin. I learned so much about Denmark and the Danish resistance—or non-resistance—to Germany's occupation.

Baron Henrick Ahlefeldt wants to stand up against the Nazis. In a twist somewhat reminiscent of The Scarlet Pimpernel, Henrick decides to take on a secret identity. Instead of a rich playboy, he takes on the persona of a common, illiterate laborer in order to avoid detection and help with sabotage.

Dr. Else Jensen loves her work in theoretical physics. Even though her dual American citizenship would allow her to leave the country, she's determined to stick it out and make a name for herself at the institute. But her new assignment is thwarting her talent, and her Jewish roommate is pressuring her to join the resistance. And she can't help noticing the kind, if rough around the edges, shipyard worker who shares their boardinghouse.

Else and Henrick are both wonderful characters. Henrick shows determination and sacrifice at every turn, embracing the good of his country above his own desires time and again. Else grows so much throughout the novel, and I cheered for her every step of the way. I had no idea that there were certain countries who lived under Nazi occupation with very little interruption to their daily lives. It was interesting to see how the people of Denmark rose up as the war stretched on, and in the end the Danish people saved more than 90% of their Jewish population. If you want to find out how they did that, you should read this book.

Another thing I loved about this story was how Sundin wove in so much imagery from Denmark's own Hans Christian Andersen. That added an authentic touch to the portrayal of Danish culture and mindset.

I highly recommend this book to fans of WWII stories and historical romance in general.

I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All thoughts in this review are my own.

When it comes to historical fiction, I find that I prefer stories that take place during or around WWII... and when it comes to WWII fiction, there is none who does it better in my opinion than Sarah Sundin!

The research that goes into each and every novel is apparent within the pages, effortlessly weaving beautiful characters and romance with true historical facts. Fiction or no, I feel like I always walk away from each of her books learning something unique and new about WWII--- so far beyond what we are taught in the history books. The Sound of Light is absolutely no exception. This story was beautifully done, giving us a look at Denmark during this time.

If you enjoy WWII fiction, this is certainly one to check out.

**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

Sarah Sundin is an author who can spin a World War II novel like no other! Each of her stories showcase the simultaneous trials and hopes that emerged from that period of history from different angles, locations, and years of the war. Despite the number of novels I've read set in this era and amount of time I've spent studying it myself, I still close each of her novels having learned something new while also being encouraged in my faith and entertained by a story well told.

This is a gift few authors possess, but I am so grateful for authors like Sarah who unapologetically write about the hardships of life but also of the hope and peace found in a relationship with God.

The Sound of Light, by Sarah Sundin, is set in the year 1940. Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt is shocked when he hears the sound of German soldiers entering the streets of the Danish capital city. Now Henrik needs to help his friend, Svend escape the madness that is soon to come. Before Svend is dropped of in Sweden, he has convinced Henrik to help by passing secrets to the Allies. Henrik would now to known as “The Havmand”!

Three years later, Henrik is definitely leaving behind his aristocratic lifestyle as he walks the streets and travels the waterways to fulfill his undercover tasks. When he meets Dr. Elsebeth Jensen at his boardinghouse, you wonder how his life may change. Else is a physicist at a preeminent laboratory in Denmark. You will soon realize that Henrik has found the perfect partner in his work against the Nazis!

When the Nazis threaten to round up all Jews living in Denmark, Else and Henrik go into action hiding many Jews away. You wonder how Else and Henrik will make it through these deadly days with their lives!

The Sound of Light is Sarah Sundin’s eighteenth WWII-set novel and her experience, and historical knowledge is abundantly evident in this tale, one that highlights how love can give us the courage to shine in even the darkest times.

The night the Germans arrive in Denmark, Henrik Ahlefeldt is celebrating his birthday with friends. Once a champion rower and Olympic hopeful, he has fallen into the rather dissolute playboy lifestyle so common among wealthy young men of his time. The sound of the Nazis’ marching boots proves to be his wake-up call. That very night he sheds his previous identity to become shipyard worker Hemming Andersen. In this guise, he rows intelligence and messages from occupied Copenhagen to his contacts across the water in Sweden.

Dr. Else Jensen is an American physicist with Danish roots. She refuses to leave Copenhagen when the Nazis arrive, determined not to abandon either her research or her grandparents. She enjoys what she does, even if she doesn’t love the sexism she faces from the men she works for, and she loves hanging out with her friend Laila at their boarding house. Mostly a place for students and researchers, their after-work conversations during dinner and later, in the parlor sitting near the fireplace, are lively and educated.

It surprises everyone when their landlady allows shipyard worker Hemming Andersen to move into the attic room. A quiet man with gentle manners that belie his huge, gruff exterior, he blends surprisingly well into the tenant's little clique, silently whittling during the others’ animated discussions about science. It isn’t long before Else comes to consider him a friend, albeit one very different from the others in her circle.

As the days of occupation turn into months and then years, Else notices a growing frustration in Laila. It doesn’t surprise Else when that frustration turns to action, and Laila starts to distribute resistance newspapers, and Else surprises herself by becoming involved in the project. Using the mimeograph machine at the lab, Else does the printing for one of the periodicals, reveling in this chance to strike back against the oppressive forces sweeping across Europe. Her own clandestine behaviors lead her to see Hemming in a new light. Is his silence actually a cover? And could his burly physique and ease on the water mean he is, in fact, the heroic operative known as Havmand, the legendary link between the freedom fighters in Denmark and the allies in Sweden?

One of the major themes of this novel is courage, and I like how the author works that through in her characters. Else is initially a very timid young lady who accepts the abuse heaped on her by the senior physicist she serves as an assistant for. Hemming encourages her to speak out and make allies in confronting the man’s sexism, and Else does. Ms. Sundin uses this initial moment beautifully, showcasing both how it fits into Else’s growth into someone who will eventually be a resistance fighter and how it impacts Else’s relationship with Hemming. I also appreciated that Else has other traits needed by a physicist: patience, a willingness to think through and around problems, and an open mind toward new ideas.

Henrik/Hemming has never lacked courage, but he doesn’t have much faith in his ability to be a team player. Living with a demanding, verbally abusive father has left him reluctant to trust himself around others, fearing those same traits lurk within him. The Havmand has been the perfect role, allowing him to serve his country in an independent manner. Part of his journey is learning to forgive the past, and another part is gaining the courage to believe he is capable of interacting with loved ones without hurting them. Both his faith and Else play a large role in his ability to do this.

So as a couple, Henrik and Else bring out the best in each other. Theirs is a friends-to-lovers story, with a lot of necessary secrets keeping them from achieving real intimacy for the first half of the tale - Hemming understandably can’t explain any portion of who he is to Else. The Germans are looking for a champion rower who could be serving as the conduit between Denmark and Sweden and in his identity as Henrik, he fits that bill. They are also looking for someone who has the contacts within the Danish government and Sweden to pass the kind of information the Havmand is famous for, and again, as Henrik, he fits that bill. Being Hemming, a seemingly slow-witted, low-born factory worker has kept the Germans from even considering him as a suspect, and it is vital the situation stays that way. For a good chunk of the story, he has to deceive Else, which is naturally detrimental to their relationship when she finds out.

This means that Else is initially drawn to a very different person than the one she winds up with. The physical attraction remains the same but a lot of who Henrik/Hemming is changes between hix personas. Hemming is a quiet man, Henrik is quite sociable and friendly. Hemming is poor, Henrik wealthy. Hemming is subservient, Henrik is the heir to considerable power. Most importantly, Hemming presents as virtually illiterate. Many who work with him consider him simple. This is something Else really grapples with when she first finds him attractive. I liked the way the story challenges whether Else needs to find her mental equal to be happy or if the fact that Hemming is a kind, sweet-tempered man who is always considerate of her as well as supportive of her career is more important than any of his mental deficits. In the end, it doesn’t matter because Henrik is very bright and well-educated. As Hemming, Else loved him but feared there would be an awkwardness in trying to fit into each other’s worlds. That’s not a problem with Henrik.

For the bulk of the novel, the author does a fabulous job with the tale's pacing, giving us plenty to be interested in without resorting to non-stop action that would keep our characters from having time to develop the relationship.

My only major quibble is that at about the eighty percent mark, Hemming makes some choices in the name of love, which are eye-roll-inducing and rather TSTL. It is a mercifully brief, if incredibly annoying, section.

This is an inspirational romance with faith playing a role in both how Else finds her courage and how Hemming learns to control his temper, forgive his father and move forward as a leader. I would rate the religious level at moderate, with the author doing a lovely job of presenting her characters' beliefs organically.

While this is listed as a standalone novel, the couples from Ms. Sundin’s two most recent books make an appearance in the epilogue. However, you don’t need to have read their tales to enjoy this one.

Fans of the author will be pleased with The Sound of Light as will any reader of Inspirational romances who likes this time period or books with sweet, character-driven love stories. I am happy to recommend it to that audience.

“I think light sounds like silence. The silence of someone concealing his nobility and sacrificing everything so he can quietly do great deeds.”

Wow! This is my first Sarah Sundin novel and now I can’t wait to read her other books. This book blew me away with the beautiful prose, engaging story, endearing characters, edge of your seat suspense, and heartfelt romance. I also loved the messages of reconciliation, faith, forgiveness, and second chances. Set in Denmark during WWII, the story begins with the Nazi occupation and how one brave, reformed playboy baron and a female physicist work to save the most vulnerable, and sabotage Germany’s efforts.

Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt, a former Olympic rower and playboy, wants to do more for his beloved country after the Nazi invasion. He also has something to prove to his father who never thought he measured up. He’s reformed his playboy ways and adopts an alias, allowing his father and everyone else to believe he’s fled to Sweden. He becomes a humble worker during the day while secretly rowing messages from the Danish Resistance across the waters to Sweden at night. While living in a modest boarding house with several scientists, he meets beautiful American physicist Dr. Else Jensen. Henrik aka Hemming is supposedly illiterate and a man of few words. Yet, the two strike up an unlikely friendship which over time blossoms into love. What happens when she learns his true identity?

Dr. Else Jensen is a brilliant physicist, but proving this to her colleagues proves challenging. She’s often given menial tasks instead of valued for her intellect. But, being asked to make copies on the mimeograph machine gives her the opportunity to copy the dangerous underground newspaper of the Danish Resistance. Hemming/Henrik gives her the courage to not only stand up for herself, but continue performing courageous acts for others.

I loved the romance between Else & Henrik. I fell in love with the humble, kind Hemming and then again with the courageous, brave, repentant Henrik right along with Else. Henrik doesn’t feel worthy of Else’s love and I enjoyed the way Else helped him recognize how much he’d changed. I loved the way these two used whatever means they were given to fight against the Nazis. Not many books I’ve read focus on the Danish Resistance and I loved learning more about this aspect of WWII.

The story was filled with many suspenseful moments. Each time Henrik rows those messages across to Sweden or is involved with acts of sabotage, I held my breath wondering if he would get caught. The same with Else and her brave acts. The ending is powerful and inspiring. I admit to shedding a few tears. I also loved the references to the Little Mermaid and other works by Danish writers.

I highly recommend this book to historical fiction and romance fans. It was definitely a favorite read and I look forward to reading more books by this author. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.

The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin is her newest World War II novel and it is lovely. I absolutely adored it. It follows two people who live in a boarding house and, while fighting in the resistance in separate ways, discover a relationship that is stronger even then war. I love her books because they not only take you to wartime in a very real way, but they also show you the grace and love of God in word and in actions. I am grateful that I got to read it and am so thankful for NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to do so.

Abeautiful conclusion to this series. Though each book could be read as a stand alone.
This book had so much to offer I particularly loved the "hidden identities " and the way the momentum built and grew in tension until that last part where you were racing to find out what was going to happen to the characters!
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I loved the setting and as always Sarah Sundin transports her readers to the times and locations of all her books. I felt like l learned about what the occupation was like in ww2 Denmark while experiencing it through the eyes of the characters.

The characters really grabed me. I loved seeing the hero grow into his strengths and overcoming his struggles through the book.
The heroine was well crafted and I thought she was an exceptionally well written woman in the scientific field. I feel like her type of character can too often becomes it's own stereotype that turns me off. But Elsa breaks that mold.
I identified with her, not just because I was told to, but because the author SHOWED rather then told how her character needed to grow and carried you through that experience.
The romance was a bit of a slow burn, yet it fit the characters and where they were in time.
I loved seeing their care and consideration for each other and was completely satisfied by the ending.
The stakes were high in the beginning and raised over the course of the story. This book takes you to this time in history but it never was overwhelming or too sad, despite having some scenes that are a bit different for this author.
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I don't read much Ww2 but I highly recommend starting with a Sarah Sundin book.
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I recieved a complementary copy of this book from the publisher through Netgally. All opinions are honest and completely my own.
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When we meet Henrik on page one, he's on the cusp of greatness or despair. With the German occupation of Denmark he had a choice to make. Did he continue to live his life only for himself? Or did he choose to put others first?

Dr. Else Jensen is a physicist in a male-dominated environment. Some of them are not as willing to work with her as others. She must learn to fight for herself...on the verge of learning to fight for others.

I enjoyed how Ms. Sundin spun this story out one thread at a time creating characters who were endearing and who you wanted to triumph.

She blended in the love story so smoothly it was possible to see how love shines brightly even in the darkest of times.

I could truly see how the selfish baron had evolved into a man who cared deeply about others. I also enjoyed how Else learned how to be brave--for herself first, and then for others.

The Sound of Light will remind readers that if the laws of man violate God's laws then we must choose. We must choose to obey our Heavenly Father rather than earthly authorities.

I received an advanced reader's copy from the publisher through NetGalley and the Revell Reads program; a positive review was not required.

I already knew a bit about the heroic actions from the Danes to save almost all Jewish people living in Denmark. I read the book ‘The Helsingør Sewing Club’ by Ella Gyland and while reading that book I started googling and was amazed by what I read.
In this book we follow Else, she is American but has Danish grandparents, and works in Dr. Bohr’s Institute of Theoretical Physics in Copenhagen. She is a strong willed woman but has a hard time standing up against one of her seniors. She is being treated as a secretary while she is in fact a Dr. in physics.
In her boardinghouse she meets Hemming, a quiet manual laborer who, together with her friend Laila, give her some tips to stand up for herself. Hemming and Else slowly become friends, but in Else’s mind it cannot be, a manual laborer worker and an Dr., that is not how it should be. I can see that in those days it was not easy for a woman who had studied to find a partner she was equal too.
Hemming who is full into the resistance tries to stay low-profile, but he cannot help that he befriends Else and is more involved with her than he should be for his own sake. When Else is drawn into the resistance by her friend Laila she starts printing resistance newspapers in the basement of her office, she learned using the mimeograph machine when her senior asked her to duplicate his reports for him, so now her knowledge of the machine comes in very handy.
A historical fact, which took place in October 1943, the leaking of the imminent Nazi raid. Rabbi Melchior, a rabbi at Copenhagen's main synagogue, who interrupted a service celebrating Jewish New Year to urge the congregation to go into hiding and to spread the word to other Jews. This historical fact combined with the story of Else, Laila and Hemming is very well done.
If you want to know more about the Danes during the WW2 I can recommend this information on Wikipedia.
The book is filled with Danish words, as a person understanding Norwegian I did not have a problem with understanding this, in the back of the book a syllabus can be found with the translation and pronunciation of these Danish words.
I have enjoyed this book by Sarah Sundin very much and I am curious to see any future books by her.
Characters = 9 | Atmosphere = 9 | Writing style = 9 | Plot = 9 | Intrigue = 9 | Logic = 9 | Enjoyment = 9 | Score 9.00 = 5 stars

Sarah Sundin is one of my favorite authors of historical fiction. This was a five-star read for me! WOW!

I did not know anything about Denmark in WWII. The invasion of the Nazis, the way the Danish resistance worked or how the Danish people stood up for their people.

Else and Henning were fast favorites in this story. Henning giving up everything to fight back. What started as a way to get back at his father became a life-changing path for him that was suspenseful and beautiful in all the ways.

Else’s determination to fight back, to protect those who had no voice helped her find her own and I loved it. As a woman with a background in the sciences I loved the incorporation of women in science.

Sarah Sundin crafts a powerful story full of lessons, love, and faith. I have yet to read a book by her I didn’t love. This one though is at the top of that list. I won’t forget it for some time.

Thank you to Revell for the copy of this book. All views are my honest opinion.

Sundin is outstanding at her craft. The attention to the historical detail, much of it factual, and the weaving of such strong themes of self-discovery, self-sacrifice and forgiveness through the lives of two tremendous characters was excellent. I looked forward to picking this story up each time and really didn't want it to end.

Henrik (or Henning or Hemming) and Else are wonderfully crafted. Henrik, the rich playboy, who is challenged by his best friend to be more than he's been and realise his potential, is developed brilliantly through the story. He joins the resistance using his rowing talent to transfer secrets across countries. This forces him to go undercover, so to speak, and assume a different persona which makes his transformation through the story even more significant.

Else is a Doctor of Physics and suffers from misogyny in her laboratory. To her immense credit she courageously challenges it and fortunately, we see some men who acknowledge her scientific talents irrespective of her gender.

The love story between these is beautiful to read. Full of tension and longing, our two lovers are drawn to each, even though Henrik carries a huge secret.

I loved the fact this story was set in Denmark. A first for me. Sundin demonstrates her significant research in sharing details of the German occupation and Danish resistance. I am now a little wiser on the impact WWII had on the Danish. We also get to see the uniqueness of the Danish coast and Copenhagen through the eyes of Sundin's characters.

I feel very blessed having received an early ebook copy from Revell via NetGalley with no expectation of a favourable review.

The Sound of Light by astounding storyteller Sarah Sundin is a poignant WWII saga that is definitely award worthy. It is a Christian historical wartime, intrigue, romance, suspense that is nothing less than exceptional. This book was a riveting page turner.

Set in 1943 Denmark and Sweden, this is the story of Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt. When the Germans invade, he takes on the identity of a shipyard worker at his family’s business so that he can secretly carry messages to the Danish Resistance in Sweden. He wants to aid in the war efforts and has taken on the persona of a laborer to escape suspicion.

It is also the tale of Dr. Else Jensen, American physicist, who works at the Institute for Theoretical Physics in Copenhagen. She and Henrik stay at the same boarding house and an attraction begins. Else’s best friend Laila, is Jewish. She works for the resistance and asks Else to print flyers at the Institute’s mimeograph to help.

The characters were so expertly composed that they seemed real. They were brave, caring, and heroic. They joined together to help get people to safety. It was easy to become invested in their story. Their growth as the story progressed was touching to read. The chemistry that Else and Henrik had sizzled.

I love the author’s style of writing. It is easy to follow and keeps me interested. From the details in the book, it is evident that much research was done for this project. The author even intermingled some Danish words throughout the story. She also included a glossary at the back with pronunciation guide. I learned a few things, which is always a bonus when reading a fiction book. Another thing I loved was the inspirational message and element.

My emotions ran the gamut as I read this story of hidden identities, escaping from the Gestapo, and rescuing innocent people. It has some complex plots with twists and turns, and is absolutely captivating. I found it to be thought provoking and pondered it many days after finishing the book.

This would make a great book club selection. There are discussion questions as well as author notes after this based on actual events story ends. I highly recommend this breathtaking book. It gets a 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided via Net Galley but these are my honest words.

Author Sarah Sundin always puts a unique spin on her WWII historical romance novels. In The Sound of Light she explores what life would have been like in Copenhagen during the war for an American physicist and a reforming playboy aristocrat. Due to the false persona devised to hide his involvement in the Resistance, Else is able to fall in love with the man Henrik is becoming. Although their lives are on completely different trajectories, the circumstances of war will thrust them together for a common purpose.

Faith, resilience, and the fight against tyranny are what drive these characters and the plot forward.

I've both read and listened to Sarah Sundin's new release, The Sound of Light, and can heartily commend it to historical fiction and historical romance readers.

In my opinion, Sarah Sundin is one of the greatest novelists of WWII fiction. Her newest novel, The Sound of Light just released on 02/07/2023 and it is a sure winner!
Set in Denmark in the early 1940s, we follow the lives of Dr. Elsebeth Jensen (Else for short) an American physicist working in Copenhagen, and Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt an aristocrat who has taken on an alias of Hemming Andersen so he can aid in the Danish resistance against the Germans. Both end up working for the resistance.

I found the book a little slow for me in the beginning but it picked up its pace and I found I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I think part of the reason I found it slow is that Ms. Sundin used Danish words throughout and in the beginning, I flipped to the back of the book to find the pronunciation and meaning of the foreign words. In time I didn't need to do that so the journey through the pages picked up. I do appreciate the glossary and pronunciation guides Ms. Sundin included. I have read some books where a glossary wasn't provided and I had to look up the words for their meanings on the internet.

Ms. Sundin's characters were well-developed and multi-layered which brought them true to life on the page. I found myself glued to the edge of my seat at times and I loved watching the relationship between Else and Hemming grow.

If you are a fan of historical fiction and especially books set during the WWII period I would highly recommend picking up a copy of The Sound of Light.

I give this book 5 Stars!

I would like to thank Revell Books, for my copy of The Sound of Light. I received my copy for free with no expectation of a positive or negative review. The opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR. Part 255.

4.5 brilliant stars for this newest book by Sarah Sundin. The Sound of Light took place during World War II in Denmark. Although Denmark had declared itself a neutral country, Hitler and the Nazis saw Denmark’s strategic location as a potential stepping stone to help them invade Norway so in 1940, Germany invaded Denmark. In sharp contrast to other European countries, life in Denmark hardly changed, though, under German occupation. The Danes were allowed to continue governing themselves, there were no shortages of food supplies and no anti-Semitic laws were imposed. Except for the presence of Nazi soldiers on the streets, life continued on as usual for the Danes. Many Danes believed that they should be doing something to show the rest of the world that they were not compliant with the Nazis being in their country. Resistance groups and newspapers that reported the truth began to form and spread. When the Nazis invaded Denmark, some citizens became afraid that their outspoken views against the Nazis would be used against them and would place them in prison or worse. Those citizens and others were desperate to escape to Sweden, still a neutral country, and quite close to Denmark. One such person was Svend Ostergaard. Svend convinced his close friend, Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt, to row him to Sweden. That dangerous and courageous act changed Henrik’s life for the remainder of the war.

Henrik had grown up with every privilege imaginable. He was smart, athletic and well liked. His father was never satisfied with any of Henrik’s accomplishments, though. Henrik’s father always made Henrik feel as if he wasn’t good enough for him and that his father was always disappointed in him. When Henrik’s mother died, Henrik blamed his father for her death and stopped speaking to him. Henrik went out of his way to disgust his father. He became a glorified playboy and showed no interest in working. Over the years, Henrik had become a skilled rower. He was so good that he had even competed in the Olympics. The night Henrik rowed his friend Svend to Sweden, Henrik ceased to exist. Rumors were spread that Henrik went to live in Sweden as well. Henrik or Henning as his closest friends called him, became Hemming. He metamorphosed into a common laborer. Hemming secured a job at a shipyard, but not just any shipyard. His job was at Ahlefeldt shipyard that was owned by his father. Hemming was working as a common laborer right under his father’s nose. He wanted those around him to believe that he was simple minded and illiterate. Hemming learned to stay silent and only offered one word answers when spoken to. Henrik also agreed to become the Havmand (the merman). As the Havmand, Hemming would transport intelligence between Denmark and Sweden. Once a week or when it was deemed safe, Hemming would leave the intelligence he had gathered from Sweden in a church in Denmark. Before placing the new intelligence at the church, Hemming emptied the existing intelligence that was placed there by someone in the resistance and the Havmand delivered it to Sweden. Hemming was living a life of great risks but he was proud to be helping his country.

Hemming found lodging at a boardinghouse. Most of the lodgers were students. It was at the boardinghouse that Hemming met Dr. Else Jensen and her friend Laila. Else was American and had secured a position at the Institute for Theoretical Physics in Copenhagen as an assistant. She hoped to have a lab of her own someday. Women scientists were not always shown the respect they deserved, though. She had to work even harder to prove her worth. Else and Hemming became friends. Over time, their attraction to each other grew. They both held secrets that they could not share. Else admired Hemming’s kindness and thoughtfulness. She knew he did not share her intellect but it did not seem to matter to Else. He was attractive and she enjoyed talking with him. Then Else’s friend Laila who was a brilliant mathematician and Jewish asked Else to do something that possibly could have endangered Else’s life. Laila was working to help distribute an illegal newspaper for the resistance. Laila wanted Else to mimeograph stencils the resistance provided to make copies and bring them to the designated drop off location. Else felt good about doing her part but it also made her quite nervous. Hemming and Else each had their secrets. Would their feelings for each other be enough to allow them to divulge their hidden secrets and open their hearts to one another?

Then in 1943, the Nazis declared that Denmark was under martial law. A roundup of all the Jews in Denmark was scheduled to happen in two days time. The Danish people rallied together. Many non-Jewish families hid their Jewish countrymen in their homes. Others arranged for fishing boats and other small boats to take as many Jewish families and individuals across the water to Sweden. Sweden had declared that all Jews would be welcomed. No one would be turned away. Over 7,000 Jews found safety in Sweden. Only 474 Jews were sent to a concentration camp and only 58 died. The citizens of Denmark were truly inspirational. Almost all the Jews that resided in Denmark were saved because of their courage and humanity.

The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin combined rich historical facts with romance. Many of the people mentioned in the book actually existed as did many of the places. The Sound of Light was powerful, inspiring and captivating. I enjoyed the characters and admired all the research Sarah Sundin did in order to write this book. Else’s and Henrik’s romance was believable, beautiful and honest. Henrik’s character was based on an actual Olympic rower who resided in Denmark during World War II. Just as Henrik did in The Sound of Light, this courageous man hid many Jews in the home he owned on the sea and got them to Sweden in his boat. For all this, he was remembered at YadVashem. The Sound of Light captured the bravery, humility, hope, resilience and trust of the citizens of Denmark. I had not been aware of the courage and determination the Danes displayed during World War II. I did not want this book to end. If you enjoy reading historical fiction, I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Revell Publishers for allowing me to read The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin through Netgalley in exchange for a voluntary and unbiased review.

“I think light sounds like silence. The silence of someone concealing his nobility and sacrificing everything so he can quietly do great deeds,”

Set in Denmark against the backdrop of WWII, The Sound of Light is another masterpiece by talented author Sarah Sundin. Rich in historical detail and filled with colorful, courageous characters, it’s the story of men and women of the Danish Resistance who risk their lives to help others. Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt hides his identity to take messages for the Resistance in his rowboat across to Sweden. American physicist Else Jensen is living in Denmark and doing research. Sundin made these characters come alive on the page, and I enjoyed seeing their relationship grow and change.

“Sometimes silence takes much courage. . . Sometimes silence is nothing but cowardice.”

Filled with suspense, danger, and romance, this story was a treat to read. Themes of redemption, forgiveness, and courage add depth to it. I enjoyed reading the author’s notes which gave a little added history about the Danish resistance efforts. With the help of the pronunciation guide and glossary in the back of the book, which was a fun and useful addition, I even learned a little Danish. I recommend this book to those who enjoy well-researched and beautifully-written historical fiction. 4.5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Revell. All opinions are my own.

Once again Sarah Sundin has penned a World War II novel that takes a peek into a not so well known part of the war. Set in Denmark, a country that intended to remain neutral until Germany took it over in 1939. Most of the Danish people were against the Nazis and friends with the many Jewish people that had escaped to or were living in their country. The resistance effort was strong and thanks to their resistance people some 7200 Jews were ferried across the sea to Sweden.

Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt gave up his identity and became a ship builder in order to help the Danish resistance. He became the epitome of a man of everyday work and little knowledge. He lived in a boarding house and became friends with Dr. Else Jensen, a physicist, who also boarded there. Both are passionate about helping the Jews. Will the roles they play in the resistance lead them to trouble, a heartwarming ending, or both?

Sundin does an amazing job of creating wonderfully believable characters, an interwoven plot that pulls every character into a special part be it either hero or villain, and a christian thread that can't help but inspire the reader. Built on a foundation of incredible research, she brought this particular segment of the war and placed me right there in its midst. If you love World War II historical fiction, this is a definite do not miss!

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

Denmark is being taken over by the Germans, and American physicist Dr. Else Jensen refuses to abandon her research in Copenhagen. Henrik Ahlefeldt, is a Baron and wants anonymity and chooses a new identity. He wants to aid in the effort of the war by rowing messages across the waters to Sweden.

Both of these characters were very brave and I loved learning another facet of Historical Fiction that I was unaware of. The ingenuity of people during such horrific times, amazes me. Who knew physics could play such an important part in war. This book is truly fascinating.
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