I did not read the first book in the Orphans of War series. But I don’t think it would have helped my opinion after reading They Bled Orange. I found myself finding it hard to become engaged in the story and the characters. It felt more like I was just being told a story rather than pulling me in and having me invested in the situations and the lives of the characters. I am typically a huge fan of historical fiction books that take place during the WWII time period. However, I don’t know if I need to take a break from books in that genre or I have read so many books that I find myself being more critical. I appreciate the stories that are shared by authors about the atrocities that occurred during Hitler’s reign of terror. I will say that there are plenty of 4 and 5 star reviews. So I would encourage you to read the book to see if it appeals to you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

This story follows three family members as they face the difficulties of war. A knowledgeable account of the times and I became invested in the outcome of the story.

I learned so much about The Dutch Resistance from this story. The writing is superb and it was very hard to put down.
Many thanks to The Book Whisperer and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I thought this book was a very interesting story about WW2 in WW2 and the resistence.

The story mainly revovles around 2 brothers, Christiaan and Floris, and the two women in their lives, and tells the story of two people who although related, took too different paths during WW2.

I read this book not realizing it was book 2 in a series, and while I was still able to follow the story, I wish I would have read book 1 first.

If you are interested in reading about the Dutch during WW2, this is a good series. There is a third book coming out later in 2023.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.

They Bled Orange by Michael Reit is the second book of this series. Although I did not read the first book, (and I am going to read it soon) I feel that this book can be read as a stand-alone. It does leave you wanting to read the third book that has not been published yet, so there's that.

The characters and the plot are well developed and facts are well researched. The book is mainly set in Amsterdam - hence the title including "orange", the national color of the Netherlands. It is a story about the resistance during WWII. It tells about the atrocities that the Nazis did to the Jewish people living in Amsterdam and also describes the horrors that happened to them on the Russian front by the Nazis.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book that I received as an advance reader copy on NetGalley. I highly recommend that everyone read this book, especially those who do not know the history and horror of Nazi persecution of the Jewish people.

In the thick of World War II, Nora Brouwer is the Resistance's most valuable asset. But she must leave Amsterdam immediately when her cover is blown. Meanwhile, her husband and cop Floris finds himself pursuing revenge, facing deportation and confronting his nazi beliefs. His brother Christiaan, also a member of the resistance, puts himself in danger as a way to give back. Girlfriend Lisa uses her skills to help the resistance, too.
From page one, I was sucked into this story. The author has done his research and it shows. I highlighted several words and phrases to research later. The book is also well-written and engaging. It flows well and kept my attention.
I didn't realize, though, that this book is the second installment in a trilogy. For that reason, I gave the novel only three stars. Too many of the story lines are left unfinished, and that is frustrating.

Not my favorite. While the storyline was ok, the book was overly graphic and not my style. If you like very graphic murder scenes, this one is for you.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book. Bok two of a trilogy. Reading in order would be useful. I didn't and had some trouble piecing out connections. It does work as a standalone and provides another piece of WWII history. Gripping, it keeps one's interest.

This book just broke my heart, i knew that is was WW2 and books about WW2 tend to break my heart, but it beautifully written. It is also highly historically accurate. I do recommend this to anyone who enjoys WW2 books.

As I began this book, I realized it was number two of a trilogy and I hadn't read the first book. That wasn't a drawback for me, and I will be getting the first book. This book is a page-turner! The author focuses on lesser-known events and people in WWII Europe. This book focuses on the journey and influence of the Dutch refugees and resistance fighters that made the trek to England. The characters are strong and well developed. At the end, the author includes historical information that compliments what was written. This extra material is one of the features I really enjoy in historical fiction. I read an electronic version courtesy of Net Galley.

For several years, despite what my friends read and continue suggesting, I have tried not to read any WWII historical fiction.

I've found there are so many areas of history that have not been explored. And certainly not as tired and overdone as WWII.

But I saw this book and took a chance. After all, it's been some time, and I was not familiar with this author. I think, perhaps, I might have enjoyed his book Orphans of War more than this one. I see it's a series, and that does explain this story's abrupt ending. And, though the author acknowledged this at the end, the graphic nature of some of the scenes were a bit gauche. I do appreciate his research and effort to stay true to both his roots and the historical time period.

'They Bled Orange' is an excellent peek into the European Underground during WWII. We follow Nora Brouwer and her fellow resistance fighters, as well as the life-line of Nora's dastardly husband Floris, Amsterdam's top Nazi Jew-hunter, as the war circles through Europe, from Switzerland to Amsterdam to France and Spain and Portugal, and thus to England. This is a story you will not be able to set aside so plan to serve delivered pizza for supper and read on. It's a story to keep you riveted until the final chapter and leaves you wanting more. Michael Reit is an author I will avidly follow.

Reviewed on April 16, 2023, at Goodreads, and AmazonSmile. NOt available for review on B&N, BookBub, Kobo, or GooglePlay.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for an impartial review. This is a very interesting story based on many true events and people. This book is one of three in the trilogy “Orphans of War” that deals with Dutch refugees and resistance fighters during WWII and the Nazi reign of terror. The story follows Christiaan Brouwer and his Jewish girlfriend, Lisa, ; Nora Brouwer, Christiaan ‘s sister-in-law; and Floris Brouwer, Christiaan’s Nazi brother. The story takes the reader to Amsterdam, France, Geneva, London, Barcelona and Portugal. There is an interesting part about Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands and her involvement with the resistance. The final book in this series will tie up any loose ends and tell what happened to the main characters. I learned a lot about the resistance fighters .

An emotional story of the Nazi occupation and rounding up of the Jews. The Dutch resistance to which the main characters belonged are Nora, Christian and Lisa. When Nora’s brother Floris joined the Saffen SS he was determined to round up and kill as many Jews as possible. When he is captured by the Dutch Resistance his sister Nora kept him locked up for 4 months, on minimal rations. He was out for revenge when he escaped. So Nora and some of her counterparts needed help to escape the country. A harrowing journey across the mountains.
It may be fiction, but it is well researched and I am sure during the war many people were willing to risk their lives to save others. Very well written.

THEY BLED ORANGE by Micheal Reit

Courage in the face of danger, fear, cold and hunger, loyalty to others, and the senseless horror of war and hate were all demonstrated in this second book of the ORPHANS OF WAR trilogy. Keeping their wits about them, seeking unique solutions and caring for others, the undercover agents and resistance fighters faced much in their efforts to stop the Nazis. The hardships felt real and reminded me of the current courageous actions of the Ukrainian people. War, what is it good for?
One touching note of grace was Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands personally serving tea to newly arrived refugees and working to establish the resistance network to aid English forces in retaking her country, a gracious leader setting an example to help others take heart.
The third book is promised for September. I’m not sure I can stand to wait that long, worrying about Christiaan. I’ll have to have the patience of Nora . . .

Nora's husband, a police officer, has been held by the Dutch Resistance in a hidden cell. When Floris is about to be executed for turning against the cities Jewish population, he escapes. With Nora's life in danger, she goes into hiding, and begins the journey out of the country. Christiaan, Nora's brother-in-law previously fled the country and made his way to England. When offered the chance to return to Amsterdam as a spy and resistance fighter, he jumps at the chance.

I did not realize this was book two in a trilogy when I picked it up. It was able to stand on it's own, without be reading the first book. The characters were well developed and the plot was nicely paced. The story lines were woven nicely together and worked well with the story. I can't wait to read the first and third book!

I loved this second book in this series. Nora's character has such a journey and the cross country travel is fascinating

Just finished this exciting book They Bled Orange by Michael Reit. This story continues the series which started with Orphans of War. Nora, Christiaan, Lisa all separate and continue their fight with the Dutch resistance during WWII, and end up in other countries. Floris escapes, and ultimately is sent to a holding cell where he is given choices......

This was a page turner and I thank NetGalley for an ARC of this book. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

I was ready to give this book a so-so review, until I realized it was book 2 in a trilogy. I have not read book 1, and it was not a necessity since the characters and events are clearly introduced and explained, but clearly I would have been more committed had I read book 1 first. They Bled Orange suffers from "book 2" problems -- although it CAN stand alone, everything seems unfinished and unsettled. I cannot recommend reading this as a standalone book.

Having said all that, I did enjoy the storylines presented here. The four main characters are well drawn, the tension builds throughout, and I was completely drawn into the story of Dutch resistance fighters and Nazis. I was disappointed that none of the stories seemed to come to a real conclusion -- BUT that's because it's book 2. There have been so many books set in Europe during WWII, that it becomes almost boring to read the same story over and over. Reit has written a book (a trilogy) that focuses on the impact Nazi occupation had on the Dutch people, a setting that has not received much attention. This is most likely a worthwhile trilogy, but reading just this one left me with a hollow feeling, wanting more.

Having my husband's Great Aunt, her husband, and their two children perish during Hitler's Final Solution, this book was a hard read, I can't accept the Police Floris self -preservation attitude, and it's difficult not feeling guilty because you survived when so many did not, yet we who are alive must do all that we can to prevent anything this horrid from happening again. My firm belief is if we don't learn from History then we are doomed to repeat it. A traumatizing story on so many levels, yet the capacity of the human heart gives one courage to face the ugliest evils one human can do to another, yet retain the tenderness of the human heart that surely beats in the majority of mankind.
I recommend. Thank you #Netgalley
carolintallahassee