If you are passionate about the WWII/Holocaust subgenre of historical fiction, this is definitely a book for you. In ‘The Sound of Light’ Ms. Sundin has superbly detailed life in 1943 Denmark during the German occupation, the resistance movement and the safeguarding of the Jewish population, subjects about which little has been written.
The Sound of Light is tagged as a Christian novel. There are minimal references to faith which are totally consistent with historical context. Denmark was an overwhelmingly Christian country. Jews accounted for only 0.2% of the population, somewhere between 7500-8000 individuals, a combination of native Danes and refugees from Germany and Eastern Europe. When the Nazis decided to remove the Jews in the early fall of 1943, the Danes, with short notice, organized a massive campaign to hide them and subsequently boatlift them to Sweden. The Nazis arrested only 470 Jews, all but 120 of which survived.
This was my second novel by Ms. Sundin, the first being ‘Until Leaves Fall in Paris’. This book is significantly better in terms of writing style, pacing and character development. I found myself ‘into’ the book early on, strongly invested in the very well developed main characters and attentive to all the storylines.
Thank you to the author, the publisher Revell, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an ARC.

A fascinating WWII story! Readers will learn how differently Denmark was treated after it was invaded by Germany. Based on true events, people and places, this proves to be an interesting story. Both Elise and Henrik were courageous. The people involved in the resistance were brave and loyal to their cause. Very realistic story. Readers will want to read the author's note for added history. Highly recommended!

This was a great Christian book it keros you thinking about the nazis and a war. I love the characters and the storyline and it has great faith content. This book was approved for me to read and review by netgalley and the publisher.

The Sound of Light
by Sarah Sundin
Publisher: Revell
Series: None
Rated: 5
Obtain: Borrow
Back of the Book: “When the Germans march into Denmark, Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt exchanges his nobility for anonymity, assuming a new identity so he can secretly row messages for the Danish Resistance across the waters to Sweden.
American physicist Dr. Else Jensen refuses to leave Copenhagen and abandon her research--her life's dream. While printing resistance newspapers, she hears stories of the movement's legendary Havmand--the merman--and wonders if the mysterious and silent shipyard worker living in the same boardinghouse has something to hide.
When the Occupation cracks down on the Danes, these two passionate people will discover if there is more power in speech . . . or in silence. Bestselling author of more than a dozen WWII novels, Sarah Sundin offers pens another story of ordinary people responding to extraordinary circumstances with faith, fortitude, and hope for a brighter future.”

Impressions: This was a well-balanced and diverting story. I enjoyed the characters' growth as they were faced with life-changing decisions. From radical action to discreet steps, the efforts of the characters to fight back were inspiring. Else was faced with a fearful proposition while Henrik was attempting to run from his past. Together both characters created a suspenseful, and romantic story.

Quotes: “’Being courageous doesn’t have to mean being foolish.’” -It is sometimes this gut reaction to feel that if it’s not big enough it is not good enough, but I appreciated this quote because it encourages the small steps of faith it takes to be courageous. Being thoughtful is needed to be brave and effective at times.

“’Entropy is a measure of disorder or randomness.’” -I just enjoyed learning a new word.

“’By not opposing the Germans, we’re effectively allying with them. Isn’t that a greater evil? Isn’t that worth risking our comfort and safety?’” -Yikes! In all my foot-in-mouth moments I’ve never stopped to think how my opposition or lack of allows for evil to continue in my world. Do my words and actions support my beliefs or are they full of excuses like, “I can’t change anything so” or “I don’t want to rock the boat.”

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

“’Sometimes telling someone a harsh truth is the kindest thing you can do.’”

“’Leadership was like fire. In the right hands, it warmed all in range. In the wrong hands, it destroyed everything.’”

“...he told himself they were not interrogating him. He was interrogating them. Their questions revealed what they knew, what they suspected, and what they wanted to know.” -Just another interesting reminder to be slow to speak and quick to listen. You never know what you’ll discover.

I received an ARC of this book via the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here. For more book reviews go to: https://thebluestockingbooknook.wordpress.com

A history lesson and a tale of resistance, compassion and love all rolled into one is what you with Sarah Sundin’s newest novel, The Sound of Light.

When the Germans occupy Denmark during WWII, they treat the country as a “model protectorate”. They didn’t enforce the same antisemitic laws as they did throughout Europe. For a while, things remained very much the same. That didn’t stop a Danish resistance from forming and for Baron Henrick Ahlefeldt, the desire to resist was very strong. He gave up his nobility for a life of anonymity and became a courier, rowing message across the sound to neutral Sweden. Dr Else Jensen, an American physicist, put up with a lot of animosity in a male dominated field in order to print illegal resistance newspapers in the basement of the science institute where she worked. Henrick and Else’s paths cross when they both moved into the same boarding house.

In the beginning they were unaware of each others resistance activities but when the Nazi’s decide to round up the Jewish population, they become a team. Together along with most of Denmark, they hide and then transport the majority of the Jews to safety in Sweden. Along the way, a friendship turns into something more and when their landlady betrays them to the Gestapo…their world turns upside down.

What I love about Sarah Sundin is that she is a true fan of history. While fictional and with the use of her vast research, she’s able to bring a story to life that humanizes what happened during WWII. You not only get an amazing story with strong, compassionate characters who want to do what’s right for fellow man but you get a history lesson too. I always finish one of her books with more knowledge than I had before and a desire to know more.

Thanks so much to Sarah, Revell and NetGalley for an early copy of this uplifting story and for sharing a little bit of history that is often overlooked.

There are so many books about WWII right now. I enjoyed this one and am definitely excited about the next in the series. There were some surprises of who was involved in the Resistace Everytime Hemming rowed that boat I was afraid it would be his last.
There were a few of the physics parts I didn’t care for but I know they were needed. For that reason I give this 4 stars.

Sundin is an autobuy for ne. An utterly immersive read that engages the reader from page one. Not to be missed! I.mpeccable historical detail.

I admit this wasn't my favorite of the Sarah Sundin books I have read, but it was still an entertaining read with themes and characters that I really enjoyed. On this one, I really enjoyed the historical information about the Dutch in WWII. I found it utterly fascinating, and it really made me proud to have the slightest bit of Dutch blood. (It's not much, but I still do have some!)

Else and Hemming (Henning? Henrik? What do we call this man!?) weren't my favorites, as I said before (I mean, who can compete with Lucie and Josie and Paul? And Evelyn and Peter, too. <3), but I still liked them. I think there was just something missing for me in the story, and I can't put my finger on it. Personal preference is all. Plus I did feel like the ending was a little rushing, but maybe that's because I truly didn't want it to end.

I'd recommend this to any lovers of WWII fiction! It's a perfectly clean, amazing romance with sacrificial love, amazing characters, and a beautiful historical background. It's full of heroism, standing up for what is right, and lots of fun sciencey stuff which was a blast to read.

This was my first Sarah Sundin read and it didn’t disappoint! I loved reading of the tale of The Havmund and how he rose above his father’s disappointments. I gave it a 4 star simply because I had a hard time getting past the foreign language references at first but once I got past the first couple of chapters I couldn’t put it down!

If you are intrigued by the WWII era at all, you absolutely have to read Sarah Sundin’s novels! In The Sound of Light, Sundin gives readers a look at Denmark in 1943, a country whose history relating to the war I previously knew little about. What a fascinating story the Danes have! About halfway through the book, I was so entranced by the storyline I couldn’t put the book down. I was glad to see some familiar faces from When Twilight Breaks and Until Leaves Fall in Paris, but each novel is absolutely a stand alone story. I’m so excited for Sundin’s next series—the teaser alone had me on the edge of my seat. Don’t miss her books! 4.5/5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

If this book represents the quality of books being released in 2023, we are in for a really good year! I enjoyed this book because of it's strong characterizations and for the period it was written in. I liked that briefly brought in some previous characters too.

When you've finished this book, go back and read Sarah Sundin's other series. I find her books very readable, strong females and romances that are a clean read. They are well researched and will teach most readers something in every book.

I receive complimentary books for various sources including, Netgalley, Authors, and other such sources. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received compensation.

I think I have figured out how to write a best-selling novel. It's much like giving birth to a baby. The beginning pangs are enough to catch the mom's attention, and then it builds until the final transition where the baby is finally born and the moments of high intensity elation are calmed into a satisfying end. I imagine authors go through the same kind of emotions where the idea is conceived, mulled over for a time, built up, pushed through to the plot climax, and then the loose ends of the book are brought together in fulfillment of the whole story. These are the emotions I felt as I read Sarah Sundin's latest World War II novel. Many of her early WWII novels had decidedly American characters, whereas her later stand-alone novels have quite a few European characters. Not a criticism, just an observation. The great romance story formula was an undercurrent in this novel, but it comes across in an organic way that does not hinge on conflict between the characters. Instead the part where boy loses girl was a matter of Hemming being arrested and Else having to leave Denmark without knowing where he was, how he was being treated, or even if he still lived.

Beyond the conflict that is part of every war--the ideologies, the posturing and maneuvering--one conflict among characters was relegated to that of Hemming and his father, who was part of the Danish Aristocracy. In fact, Hemming was titled in his own right. But father and son had their own difficulties that played out in ways that were resolved unexpectedly and all of the resolution hinged on each of their faiths. Another conflict was between Else and one of the professors at the Physics Institute, who didn't believe a woman was smart enough to be a physicist, much less one who could hold a PhD in physics.

Else and Hemming met in the boarding house where they both stayed during the week. Hemming was working at the shipyard and Else was working at the Institute. When Else went to her grandparents' home for the weekend, she was surprised to find Hemming attending the same church. Both held secrets and when those secrets were revealed, it became a greater concern for both of them. They both worked for the Danish resistance and once Germany declared martial law, both were compelled to flee the country. The only fly in the ointment is that Hemming was arrested before he could leave.

As I read this book, I felt like the beginning of the plot moved too slowly, but this is novel is based on actual people and actual events, and it can't be pushed faster than history dictates. Once the events start piling one on top of the other, the book becomes one that is extremely hard to put down. The reader comes to respect the amount of time, effort, and research that has gone into bringing this part of history to the fore in such a readable and relatable fashion. This book is less about the romance of Hemming and Else and more about the things people had to do in desperate times. Their romance provides a sweetness to a sour time in history.

Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a carving of a merman for your mantel.

Revell Publishing provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

The Sound of Light
by Sarah Sundin
Pub Date: February 7, 2023
Revell
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
This will definitely be at the top of my 2023 Recommendations List!
Sundin is remarkable! Our readers at our library anticipate her new books greatly.
This is the third book in the series, so if possible read the other two first. From the first three chapters, you're rooting for the characters, you're hoping they have a happy ending, and you're definitely not ready for the emotional rollercoaster Sundin will bring you on. There are super impactful themes of forgiveness, the heartbreak and horror of what happened in WWII, the resilience of a people trying to stay free from a war they didn't want involved in, and the brilliantly overwhelming response of the Danish people when the Germans announced their plans to round up Jews in their land. It's based on a real evacuation, which was even more compelling for me to read, personally. The characters are easy to empathize with, the story is gutwrenching and hope-filled, and it's an absolute masterpiece. A very quick read if you're sucked into the story.
5 stars

When the Germans march into Denmark, Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt exchanges his nobility for anonymity, assuming a new identity so he can secretly row messages for the Danish Resistance across the waters to Sweden.

American physicist Dr. Else Jensen refuses to leave Copenhagen and abandon her research--her life's dream. While printing resistance newspapers, she hears stories of the movement's legendary Havmand--the merman--and wonders if the mysterious and silent shipyard worker living in the same boardinghouse has something to hide.

When the Occupation cracks down on the Danes, these two passionate people will discover if there is more power in speech . . . or in silence. Bestselling author of more than a dozen WWII novels, Sarah Sundin offers pens another story of ordinary people responding to extraordinary circumstances with faith, fortitude, and hope for a brighter future.

I loved this book, the way Denmark was portrayed during WWII, the romance between the characters, the great risk people took in order to do what was right, I just loved it.

I was wiping away tears toward the end of this one. What a beautiful story of redemption and sacrifice and living for a greater good! While this book is the third in a series, it definitely stands alone as a unique tale of occupied Denmark during WWII, and the entire cast of characters was quite vivid and relatable. Even the minor characters leapt from the pages with their distinct personalities and loyalties. Henrik, in particular, was quite the attractive hero, shedding his noble rank even as his journey -- and his relationship with Else -- leads him to discover the true meaning of nobility. While war stories tend to be epic in scale and scope, this story felt quite intimate and isolated from the grand world stage... which I suppose is a perfect reflection of the Danish experience for most of the war. But in true Sundin fashion, and true to actual historical events, the evils of German occupation can't be held at bay forever, and the result is a conclusion that is both heart-wrenching and heart-pounding.

This is the first book that I have read by this author I believe and what a book to start on, I couldn't put it down. The writing was engaging and kept me hooked, the story was gripping and I fell in love with the characters. I cannot wait to read more by this author.

Sarah Sundin continues to astound me with her astonishing fiction. I always eagerly anticipate her new releases and this one definitely lived up to my rather high expectations! I love how history always finds a home in Sundin's deft hand, but the setting in this story almost outshone everything else! Still, the plot kept me up late at night as I tried to figure out what would happen next. A sweet romance wrapped in a suspenseful war story, this novel is top of my 2023 recommended list!

I will first say that I missed the "Christian" category tag when I first requested this book and just picked up on the "Historical Fiction" tag, which made me hesitate to start the book once I discovered my mistake. However, I was pleased that beyond a few references and a few scenes happening at a church, it was fairly non-intrusive and most importantly, fitting with the time period.

That being said, while I liked this book, I absolutely did not buy the sudden transformation of the Baron. I felt like more backstory would have made his whole story line more real and believable, because the initial transformation was so glossed over.

Unbelievable Baron aside, this was an overall enjoyable read and a good addition to historical fiction covering the time period, especially since the events in Denmark are not nearly as written about as those in other countries.

Oh, I enjoyed these characters. Else, the meek physicist who learns to have courage, and Henrik, the aristocrat hiding as a common laborer to cover his resistance work. I learned so much about Denmark during WWII and sympathized with their plight as they stood up to the Nazis, knowing the great personal cost it would incur. I really loved a lot of things about this story, including the respectful romance and Henrik's relationship with his father. There was some torture in the story, which is hard for me to read, but it wasn't very graphic or drawn out. Although this book has references to prayer, faith, and church attendance, it read more as an inspirational story as the reader isn't really taken inside the characters' inner faith walk, we're just told they have one. The Sound of Light is a standalone but fits beautifully with Sundin's series about different Harvard classmates.

I read a copy of this book provided through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review and all opinions are my own.

Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin invites readers into a physicists world during World War II. The plot features rescue attempts and bravery from the heroine and hero. At the beginning of the novel, the story does lay the background to Else and Henrik's character. A little boring and repetitive at times. But once you pass the first twenty percent of the novel, then it becomes the Sundin story I was expecting. Characters full of heart. Brave. Resilient. Willing to risk their own lives to save Jews and stop the injustice by the German soldiers. A delightful story. The writing style is wonderful, and Sundin delivers just exactly what she promises. A World War II novel to inform the readers and allow them to see a good ending to a story. Sundin does a wonderful job at crafting a realistic setting full of time period pieces that keeps the readers in the 1940's mindset in Denmark. Overall, Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin takes a little time to lift off, but once she does, it becomes a unique and powerful story that should be read by all.

I received a complimentary copy of Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.