Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read When the World Goes Quiet by Gian Sardar. It was a fabulous historical fiction story about World War I set in Bruges, Belgium.

I personally am drawn to historical fiction and I was pleasantly surprised to find out this was a story about WWI. I often come across historical fiction novels about WWII, so it was a welcomed surprise. I also loved how it focused on the few people who were left to struggle and live in the small town of Bruges, Belgium. I think the author's choice to focus on these characters was brilliant. I was truly able to shut out the rest of the world and empathize with the way these particular characters fought to make it until the end of the war.

The story revolved around a Flemish young woman who lived with her in-laws while her husband was off fighting in the war. She had no idea if he was alive or not, but she continued to go to work and do everything she could to help the rest of her family survive.

She was asked by a soldier on her side to go against her employer and try to steal some information to help with the war effort. In turn she would be given information about her husband. Up until this time, she had stayed true to her employer, even though he was German. She chose to befriend her boss, because he was connected to a couple she had previously worked for and they had promised her a piece of art once the war was over. All she had planned on doing was staying out of harm's way and doing her job efficiently. She never wanted to draw attention to herself. Unfortunately, she ended up in a frightening game of espionage.

When the war is almost over she also finds herself becoming friends with a German soldier who she thinks shares a love of art with her. She soon finds out he holds many secrets that have a direct connection to her husband's whereabouts.

This book had me captivated from the very start and I loved the historical facts woven throughout the story. Sardar has a beautiful style of writing and I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves an exciting war story involving friendship, love, secrets, and espionage.

#NetGalley #WhentheWorldGoesQuiet

This was a beautifully written, character driven, historical fiction novel set in World War II. I really enjoyed the aspects about art and thought that it provided a unique twist to a story from that time period. However, despite trying for over a month, I was not able to finish it. I found myself getting confused with the many characters and didn't find the plot compelling enough to finish. With that being said, I can still tell that this was a well written book and have rated it accordingly. I think this was a case of me not being the right reader, rather than any fault of the author and I would still recommend it if someone is looking for a character driven WWII novel.

This is my first book by Gian Sardar and I have now added her other books to my TBR because WOW! What a powerful read, this is one of the best historical fiction books I’ve read.
It had me feeling all of the emotions! Just brilliant, I am already planning a reread on audiobook because I loved it so much!
———————
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to review this book.

First, thank you to Net Galley and the publisher, Lake Union Publishing, for the eARC. Set in German-occupied Belgium during World War I, this book pulled me into the chaos of wartime. It follows Evelien, a young woman whose husband is off fighting in the war. The pace is hectic, reflecting the uncertainty and upheaval of war. Evelien's journey of self-discovery was compelling, as she navigates the complexities of morality and resilience in the face of adversity. Through her eyes, I saw the blurred lines between right and wrong. The writing is evocative and immersive, painting vivid portraits of the Belgian landscape and the resilience of its people. From the quiet moments of beauty to the heart-wrenching realities of war, every scene is painted with detail and nuance. This book is a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit, even in the darkest of times. It left me itching for another trip to Europe to appreciate the art and landscapes we still have. I’m looking forward to checking out more from this author, and certainly recommend this one.

A good tale about strength, family and loss! I enjoyed the characters and the drama in this novel. This is a good read to get lost in!

I really enjoyed this historical fiction novel and I love that the author used her family's real life experiences as a guide. I haven't read as much about WW1 so it was interesting to learn more about that time frame. Evelien is an intriguing character faced with heartache and devastation, but her courage and desire to know what happened to her husband Emiel keep her going even as she crosses a line for information. There is a bit romance and the ending is perfect for the story.

Thank you NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Gian Sardar for the e-book in exchange for an honest review.

Evelien lives in German-occupied Bruges. She attempts to make it out of the war alive with the painting she was promised. She is approached by a member of the resistance asking for her assistance in exchange for letters from her husband. As the war is coming to an end and her timeline to help the resistance fast approaches, she makes an unlikely friend.

Historical fiction is not my go to genre, a book has to really catch my attention and hold me for me to be this invested. Gian wrote this in such a way it did just that. I wanted to know what happened to Emiel. I wanted to know more about Jospeh and how this town makes it during war times.

I immediately connected with Evelien as a military spouse myself. I’m the wife waiting at home. I think her character was so beautifully written.

I was so intrigued by Joseph. I wanted to know so much more about it than we got. I did not expect things to play out the way they had for him on any level. I do wish we go more of him.

I wasn’t completely sold on Emiels parents. I loved his father however his mom, Colette was probably my least favorite character. I understand her but it was very pushy.

I enjoyed the Vizadmeral and the dynamic he brought to the book. I loved the tension he caused but also those unexpected soft moments.

The book was a little bit slower paced but it was easy to look paced that with the character development and focus on the one small town.

4/5 stars for me!

This book!! I would have told you I was getting a little tired of historical fiction about the wars but I loved this book.

The setting and the characters are perfect. I was drawn in and didn’t want to leave. The idea of being stuck and sick of the war.

The writing is beautiful and the characters struck a chord with me. The main character’s guilt and obligation and the despair the war brought.

The half of the book is very character driven and then the action picks up. I didn’t see some of that coming.

Historical fiction fans will love this one.

When the World Goes Quiet by Gian Sardar is an intriguing story of the final days of World War I.
I thought this was such a captivating story.
Rich in detail, wonderfully written and hugely absorbing for those who enjoy good historical fiction.

Thank You NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I genuinely loved this book! The writing style flowed so well and read almost like poetry. The story line was very detailed, had a good pace, and kept me turning pages to see what happened next. Highly recommend, great read!

This was a book that came out of nowhere for me and it turned out to be a lovely read. The author captured the entire atmosphere of the war vividly and especially the experiences of the civilians in the occupied cities.
The only flaw I could find in the book, was that while the protagonist was a very well written character, the secondary characters felt a little bit one-dimensional sometimes, making their actions sometimes to not make a lot of sense...
All in all, it was a good read and I enjoyed it very much!

Gian Sardar's "When the World Goes Quiet" is a captivating tale set in the final days of World War I, weaving together themes of love, danger, and survival. In occupied Bruges, Belgium, Evelien, an aspiring artist, finds herself drawn into the Resistance's dangerous world. Tasked with retrieving a crucial list of names, she forges an unlikely bond with a soldier amidst the chaos of war. Sardar's prose is both evocative and gripping, transporting readers to a world where danger lurks at every turn. With its compelling narrative and richly drawn characters, "When the World Goes Quiet" is a must-read for fans of historical fiction.

excellent histfic read!!!! very well written and great historical research was done by this author. highly recommend!!!