This was a series that I knew I was going to love from the beginning, and it captivated me. So needless to say, I was very excited when I saw that Crossroads of Granite was ready to be released! Historical fiction, especially related to WWII has been a favorite genre of mine, and this one did not disappoint! This is the kind of book that will stick with you long after you've finished reading it.

Crossroads of Granite is the third book of a trilogy by Michael Reit. I have read the first two books and recommend everyone do so as well. This provides both an introduction to the characters and gives the full context of the story.
The books are very well written. They are descriptive of the horrors of the time and the characters are well fleshed out. The narrative gives one the feeling of actually being right the scene with these folks.. Their heroism and bravery is remarkable at a time when unspeakable horrors surround them and death or torture (or both) could be their fate at any time. It was a time of intense cruelty and uncertainty, so well described by the author with his excellent use of language.
The plot focuses on four characters; Christian, Nora, Lisa and Floris. Ordinary people living in Amsterdam who are caught up in the Nazi occupation of their once peaceful City. The story follows their individual tales during this time. There is a lot of action in the books and the lives of these characters are radically altered, all in different ways,
The Trilogy is fast paced and while it provides intricate detail about the time, it never bogs down nor is boring. The story is exciting and captures the reader's interest.
I highly recommend this Trilogy to anyone interested in World War II and its impact on the people of the occupied countries in Europe.

The horrors of World War Two come to life in Crossroads of Granite. I could have never imagined, with what I had learned in school, the atrocities committed by members of the Nazi party, the Third Reich. Honestly, it doesn't matter what name they acted under, their actions were intolerable.

The words of Michael Reit gave an understanding that we should all have been taught. Details within the pages of how prisoners were treated created more of a reality for me than any news film I had seen. What they all endured left me in tears.

The author gives the reader a look into the war through the main characters as they experienced life during the war. Christiaan was sent to the Netherlands to assist the resistance never to be heard from again. His experiences as a prison-of-war were eye opening and heart shattering. His experience wasn't a quick glance but a prolonged period of time in the camps. I saw the suffering through his eyes as he himself suffered.

After not hearing from Christiaan; Nora heads out to take his place. Activating the resistance in the Netherlands is crucial to the war effort. She is quickly picked up after climbing the bank after being dropped off. The treatment of suspected spies is soon revealed. The torture, the suffering, what they endured has gutted me and reminded, yet again, that this must never happen again. Months after her capture, I soon learned how the female prisoners-of-war were treated. I couldn't help but be in awe of those that did survive. Their strength and determination should be an inspiration to us all.

While Christiaan and Nora attempted to help the resistance, Lisa wanted to do more than watch radar blips. She took her talent for languages and headed to war with soldiers wearing a Red Cross uniform knowing her talents would be put to use questioning prisoners and talking to those that had lived under Nazi rule. Lisa faced many challenges as bullets few and tanks rolled toward them. I felt her fear. More importantly I felt her determination to do whatever was necessary to aid in winning the war.

Crossroads of Granite was an extremely emotional read. It is one I cannot stop thinking about. I honestly don't know what it was about this book, but I felt as if I had been transported back in time and witnessed the horrors. I didn't just reading about them. Thankfully there is good within the story to lighten the read just a little. As we all know the war ended, but I have to marvel over how they will all pick up the pieces and try to live.

Crossroads of Granite was a very difficult book to read. Although historically accurate, it was almost too raw and powerful in the descriptions of the life in concentration camps and prisons throughout the novel. The fears of the characters transferred to me as a reader. Even knowing what happened in the camps and having heard first-hand accounts from camp survivors and being aware of the lack of humanity possessed by the Nazi killing machine, didn’t prepare me for the unrelenting torture and derivation the prisoners endured. The chapters written during the battles were very exciting and I couldn’t help cheering the American soldiers forward.
Obviously the novel is well written or I wouldn’t have had such a strong reaction, but I can mention it to my students, but not include it as a required reading. It’s much too intense.

This is another stellar 5-Star book by Michael Reit! Based on many true-to-life events, this work of historical fiction had me holding my breath in horror and suspense. It's hard to believe there was no much evil happening in 'hidden' places during WWII but I do believe it. Yes, I knew of the infamous concentration camps but not this one, Mauthausen, in Austria. I feel like some of that granite has hit me on the head as the story unfolds its tragic tale.

This third book of the Orphans of War trilogy will keep the reader up at night, not doubt, wondering what will happen next to Christiaan, Nora and Lisa. Would they survive? Reit doesn't let many secrets out of the bag and 'tortures' the reader to the very end.

~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~

August 2023

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publishers.

Orphans of War book #3

“Crossroads of Granite” continues where “They Bled Orange”, left and is the final chapter in the trilogy. In alternate chapters and from the point of view of Christiaan, Lisa and Nora narrate their life during the last years of the war.

In a few words:

Christiaan was in the resistance till he was captured and sent to Mauthausen, a concentration camp, where he struggled to survive. While, Lisa at the front with General Patton’s army is caring for the wounded, Nora is interned in a concentration camp hoping to stay alive while helping those around her. As the noose begins to close around the Germans, life became dangerous for all. The physical and emotional stresses took a toll.... Too much horror and too much uncertainty....Quite a venture into a tapestry of courage, sacrifice and love...

My thoughts:

The events are based on true accounts from prisoners and survivors. The author does honors in representing them. The well-crafted chapters paint a vivid and poignant picture of what life was during the war. The dialogue is authentic and active. Mr. Reit doesn’t shy away from telling us the horrors the prisoners suffered at the hands of their captors but does this with tact. This story has a lot going on that is captivating to no end so much so I read it in two settings so eager to see what will come next and if the three heroes would manage to survive. The energy in this historical fiction is far more that I had expected. So well- said, so well- researched. Michael Reit is a powerful story teller and one of my preferred in historical fiction.

A terrific ending to this trilogy. I really loved how this book told of lesser known heroes and departments in World War two. The authors note at the end to explain how some of the happenings were based off of true stories, which makes it extra interesting. The reality of war and what many of these freedom fighters and prosoners faced will keep readers of World War 2 history interested in the storyline. Highly recommended to fictional history fans.

“Crossroads of Granite” is the third book in the “Orphans of War” trilogy, a WWII historical fiction book, by Michael Reit. My strong recommendation is to, at minimum, read the first book in this series - while this book can be read as a stand-alone, I believe that a new reader to this series would have a number of questions, especially at the beginning of the book. This book follows four people - husband and wife Floris and Nora Brouwer, their brother/brother in law Christiann, and his companion, Lisa. At the beginning of the book, they are in different locations, doing different jobs - though all of their jobs are military ones. I really liked reconnecting with these four people and seeing how the war unfolded for them, between undercover work, changing attitudes toward the war, and basic survival. Mr. Reit doesn’t shy away from the horrors at two of the concentration camps - Mauthausen and Ravensbruck, though they’re factual, they’re not gory. I enjoyed reading the Author’s Note regarding the story and delving into the history he researched for this book.

Crossroads of Granite, by Michael Reil, is the third in the Orphans of War series. It is best of the three. Follow Lisa, Nora, and Christian help with Operation Overlord and with the Dutch resistance. This time Nora and Christian are caught and sent to concentration camps. The horrors of those camps are described. There are still good people who help. Christian after his escape. Lisa travels eith Pattinson army as the liberate Austria and see the end of the war. I was able to read an ARC on #Netgalley.

CROSSROADS OF GRANITE
This book leapt right to the top of Mt. TBR; I was that eager to rejoin Nora, Lisa, and Christiaan, and I was completely caught up in their ongoing struggle against the Nazis. Fiction based so accurately on real events is powerful, in some parts horrifying, but not half as horrible as the reality. Life may have had no value in the eyes of those who ran Mauthausen and other camps, but the courage and care shown by prisoners is inspiring, as is the kindness and courage of strangers. Ignaz and Barbara Friedmann were real! There should be statues and memorial tributes to them and others like them.
The insights into support and organizing behind the lines is fascinating also. Preceding D-Day, false information sent out regarding a planned landing at Calais helped deflect Germans from the Normandy landing. Unsung heroes.

In this third and final installment of the Orphans of war series, alternate chapters describe life for Christiaan, Lisa and Nora after we left them in “They bled orange.”

Once Christiaan returned to the Netherlands to restart the Resistance he was captured. Since he refused to reveal he was a spy he was taken to Mauthausen, a camp where prisoners were worked to death, murdered, and tortured. There he meets Floris, now an SS guard. Floris believes Christiaan is the ticket he needs to return to his former life of power and will make sure Christiaan reveals the secrets he didn’t reveal when he was first captured.

As Christiaan struggles to survive the mental, physical, and emotional stresses of Mauthausen he believes Lisa and Nora are safe. He doesn’t know Lisa is headed to the front lines with General Patton’s army, nor that Nora was captured when she returned to the Netherlands. With both Christiaan and Nora in concentration camps, and Lisa on the front lines, life becomes even more dangerous for them as the noose begins to close around the German army.

I read the book in one sitting, as the action had me eagerly turning pages to find out what would happen next to Lisa, Christiaan, and Nora. The Author’s notes explain how the events in Mauthausen were based on true accounts from prisoners and from the story of David Hersch, a Hungarian Jew imprisoned there who escaped two death marches.

Recommended for Adults.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

An amazing and harrowing look at the 2nd world war through four Dutch people, two women and two men. While the two women fight in England and with the American Army, Christiaan is a prisoner at Mathausen, his brother Floris learns what it truly meant to support the Nazi Reign of terror. I’m glad the author decided to use a concentration camp in this story other than Auschwitz.

It was slow but nevertheless captivating. It was hard to piece together the stories, as it centers on four POVs, but otherwise, it was a nice read.