Thank you for the chance to read this ARC in return for my honest opinion

I knew nothing about the historical events that underpinned this book, it was obviously well researched and dealt with the Halifax explosion in depth and with sympathy and empathy.

As I began to read I found the way the book was written very odd and was glad that each chapter was headed with the character's name. As the book is almost entirely written from a first person perspective. Personally I felt I would have enjoyed the book more if one character had been portrayed in the first person and perhaps the other in the third? I did eventually get used to the authors style and found myself picking up the e-reader wherever I had a couple of minutes spare.

The story centred round Nora - a nurse - and Charlotte - a mother. The explosion impacted both women in that they lost family members with tragic consequences. I did feel that the way Charlotte and Nora met was slightly contrived in the end. but was inevitable. This part was very obvious as the story unfolded and to say more would provide spoilers.

This was well written and very thought provoking. It is ultimately a story of love over tragedy and family always.

A great read - thank you

This is such an amazing book that is based on history, a story which is heartbreaking and poignant , Both characters Nora and Charlotte are amazing and both have so much courage. This book is a brilliant read, so well written about a disaster in December 1917 Halifax Harbor, Nova Scotia.
I really cannot recommend this book enough.
My thanks as always to NetGalley and the Publisher HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter | One More Chapter for the early read

When the world fell silent, a great historical read, great story line and great characters. Very interesting to read about the Canadian army and the Halifax disaster

Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC. When The World Fell Silent by Donna Jones Alward is a novel based on the lives of the people who survived the explosion on December 6 in Halifax. Nora, a young nurse, had everything going for her. She was having the time of her life with Allie, a young man who had enlisted in the military in the throes of the First World War. One night, Nora acted with a complete lack of judgment, and her life would never be the same. A few short months later, the explosion at the docs in Halifax changed her world and she was left orphaned. She was also left with the choice to either give up or give her niece the life she deserved. The stories surrounding the survivors of the Halifax explosion were nothing but tragic. However, many of the people who survived found new ways to live life to the fullest and move on from the tragedy they had all endured. The people of Halifax were able to overcome tragedy with strength and determination. They were able to rebuild what they had lost and move on to create a bigger and better city than they had before the unthinkable. The love story embedded in the novel portrayed real love. True love is not a passing, mad fall but rather a feeling which blossoms from patience, understanding, compassion and life experiences. With Neil’s help Nora learns what real love is all about . Having visited the Maritime Museum in Halifax, which sparked my interest in the explosion on December 6, 1917, I was very much looking forward to reading this novel . In reading this, I was able to have a better understanding of what the people who survived the tragedy overcame. Overall, I would recommend this novel to others..

On Dec. 6, 1917, two ships collided in Halifax Harbor, Nova Scotia, Canada. One of these ships carried explosives bound for WWI battlefields. The collision was one of the largest man-made explosions before the atomic bomb in 1945. Nearly 2000 people were killed and 9000 were injured as almost all structures one-half mile away, including the community of Richmond were completely destroyed.

This historical fiction novel follows the lives of two women, Nora, an army nurse and Charlotte, a war widow, in the hours and days after the explosion. Donna Jones Alward created two strong and believable characters. I was caught up in their struggles and could not put this book down.

Thank you, Harper Collins UK One More Chapter and Net Galley for the advanced copy of this heartfelt book.

On the sixth day of December in 1917, three years after the First World War had been underway, Halifax a busy wartime port, witnessed a major catastrophe that changed countless lives forever. The French cargo ship SS Mont-Blanc carrying explosives (which many were not aware of) collided with the Norwegian vessel SS Imo carrying emergency supplies in the Halifax harbour. The Mont-Blanc, a munitions ship caught fire, and then drifted towards a busy residential area and near the sugar refinery where many worked. The devastation it caused when it blew up was monumental. There were those close to the edges who died instantly. But there were people in their homes looking out on the scene that were blasted with glass from their windows. Close to 2000 people died and at least 9000 were injured when it flattened 2.5 square miles of the city. The blast created a tsunami so great it flooded three blocks of the city. Soon, the hospitals and morgues were flooded with the severely injured and dead. It was a shocking event that shook the city and world and one that inspired Author Donna Jones Alward to write this heart-wrenching story.

Donna has given us a front row seat by creating detailed descriptions, a riveting plot and memorable characters who could have worked at the hospital, at the refinery or lived near the harbour. It started as just another normal day with some people out for a stroll (as in Nora’s family’s case).

When the World Fell Silent is a magnificent tribute to the lives of those who were part of this horrific event in 1917 that occurred in Halifax harbour. Even though I know the modern day version of this landscape quite well, I truly felt transported back in time to this location by the atmospheric descriptions. Ms Alward paints a vivid picture of what it must have been like to have experienced the explosion and for those who worked tirelessly to save, search for and treat the wounded and to collect the dead. This was such a heartbreaking event and the author covers it with such sensitivity and insight. I could not put this story down, even to eat, as I was mesmerised and wondered what was going to happen to the characters that I came to admire and appreciate. The scenes flowed flawlessly from one to the next without missing a heartbeat. I was also effortlessly moved back and forth from two main character viewpoints of Nora and Charlotte. The pacing was perfect, the scenery and dialogue spot on. The experience was like watching a movie.

It is appropriate that our main character Nora is a Lieutenant who works as a nurse out of Halifax, Nova Scotia. She truly loves her job working in the Canadian Nursing Corp and feels most at home tending to the sick and injured. She does not want to settle down or get married like her sister, for it means she will have to give up what she loves (for in those days women were not ‘allowed’ to work when married). But the war has a way of forcing individuals, cultural beliefs and systems to change and pushes them into directions that were never planned. And when the effects of the explosion are felt so close to home and by all who Nora loved, she is challenged like never before.

But Nora is not alone in this battle. She is joined by a handsome doctor— Captain Neil McLeod who takes great interest in her professional abilities and in the determined independent person she has become. He offers his assistance during the terrible disaster that occurs and becomes a pillar of strength, a great source of encouragement and a gentle abiding friend for Nora who sees very quickly he is a caring and kind gentleman who respects her. But does he want more than just friendship? And if he does, will Nora surrender her heart to him? She has been badly burned in a relationship that has left her in a difficult position. Can she trust another with her heart? When he guesses her secret and is not phased by what he learns, she cannot believe it. So she continues to put up walls and refuses to see certain things. He seems too good to be true: a non-judgemental, extremely understanding, patient man! But the author lets us know he is human with his own secrets and foibles. But those moments when we see his weaknesses are rare. He is a man any woman would want by her side. He is genuine, generous and long suffering. When the explosion occurs that sends shockwaves across the city and upends countless lives, Neil helps Nora, her friends and family and all those who come through the hospital doors. He selflessly and tirelessly works hard to make a difference. I adore Captain Dr Neil McLeod and think of him as a perfect hero match for our heroine Nora. Will she overcome her fears and see the great love she has is in front of her?

We also meet another woman Charlotte who tells her story as well. She is affected tragically by the blast. Her loss and grief are soul shattering. Her husband first dies in combat in the war. Her situation is dire from the start for she is living with her not so nice in-laws with her baby daughter and planning an escape. It is very difficult to talk about her part in the story without giving away the plot so I won’t say anymore. Except her path crosses with Nora's and these scenes are incredibly powerful. It drew out of me a lot of compassion at this woman’s plight. By the end, I cheered her courage.

This is a richly textured novel at all levels. Emotionally charged from page one. My heart became heavily invested in the characters and the tragedies they faced. There are so many wonderful aspects to this story that I could rave on forever. But space does not allow so do yourselves a favour and get this masterpiece. I say this with a sincere heart, this is possibly the most impressive war story I have read this year, and that says a lot as I have read some amazing ones. I would give this more than 5 stars if the system allowed as it is out-of-this world exceptional. Unforgettable profound historical fiction. 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+

Thanks to the author, publisher One More Chapter and Netgalley for the ARC.

When the World Fell Silent by Donna Jones Alward is based upon the 1917 tragedy in Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada. During this time, WWI was raging. Nearly 2000 were killed in the explosion in the harbor with over 9000 injured. Soldiers were also being killed in the war. Many families were devastated by the number of deaths in their own families as well as the town.

Alward writes a heart-wrenching work of fiction with realistic characters and events. Prepare for an emotional roller coaster of ups and downs in this historical fiction.

Releases July 19th. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Loved this one! Great and fun read. Highly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for my ARC.

Loss and Love

The first world war is raging. Nora is working as a Nurse in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. She loves her job as a nurse, but events soon take place that will destroy her career as a nurse. She makes one fatal error and her life is changed forever.

Charlotte lost her husband in the war, and now she is living with her husband Frank’s family with her daughter Eileen. She doesn’t get along with them, but Eileen is what keeps her going. One day a walk with her daughter in town changes everything.

These two women have to learn to live with grief and loss each in her own way. They will meet in an unforeseen way which brings the two together in the story.

The war changes everyone, no one escapes. It seems at times too much to bear, but when others depend on you, then you must keep going and deal with what comes.

It’s a wartime story which is sad, heartbreaking, and has a bit of romance and a lot of courage. I loved Nora’s character and felt very sad for Charlotte. The courage of both was an inspiration.

I enjoyed reading the book and I would recommend it.

Thanks to Donna James Alwood for writing the story, to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for publishing it and to NetGalley for providing me with a copy to read and review.

When the World Fell Silent takes place at the time of the 1917 Halifax (Canada) explosion, when two ships collided in the river and one was carrying explosives which ignited and leveled sections of the city while at the same time killing thousands and injuring and maiming many others. This compelling story is told in two distinct voices: Nora Crowell, a nurse working to save lives at the hospital while worrying about her own missing family members, and Charlotte Campbell, a widow whose husband had died at the Somme, raising their baby daughter in her in-law's miserable home. There is so much going on here - Nora struggles to juggle her job, raising her niece, and keeping her sister's boarding house open, while Charlotte is grief stricken to wake up in the hospital with her beloved daughter missing. The story was heart-wrenching at times but such an amazing tale about an historical event that I had never learned about in all the history classes I had taken. I was very surprised to learn that this was the author's debut novel. I am certainly looking forward to reading more by this writer.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

When The World Fell Silent by Donna Jones Alward is an emotional historical fiction about sacrifice, pain and redemption. The story is set during WWI, and during the explosion that happened in Halifax, NS. This book is well written and does not shy away from the horrors and life altering events that happened that day on December 6, 1917. A lot of families were torn apart and lost love ones in a blink of an eye.

The story follows two women, Nora and Charlotte through their devastating losses in the hours and days following the explosion. Nora is a very strong woman, whereas I found Charlotte to be a bit weaker. The twists and turns of their lives keep the reader turning pages to find out what happens next. Both women experience unspeakable heartache making the story at times tender and also crushing. It also showed what true sacrifices and love are.

I really liked this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good read. Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for an advanced copy of this book.

During a spring of extensive projects at work this year, I needed to find a few new authors to help me escape at night and on weekends. I was ecstatic when Net Galley approved me for this Advanced Copy of Donna Jones Alward’s When the World Fell Silent. I love historical fiction, especially from eras and places I know little about. This book really captured my attention and pulled me all the way in. I have been to both eastern and western Canada, but I have never been to Nova Scotia, nor have I known anything about its harbors or history. I fell instantly in love with the terrain, the historical research, and the story of an explosion that affected the lives of so many in Nova Scotia in 1917.

Told from the perspectives of two different women, Nora, an officer in the Canadian Nursing Corp, and Charlotte, a mother living with difficult inlaws after the death of her husband in the trenches, the author manages to bring the two together in a story brimming with misery but tied together with hope—a feeling woven inside every scene in the story.

With the German scare a reality along the shores of North America, I had some idea of the fear we felt from Canada to Florida, but I had never read much about Canada’s involvement in The Great War, nor did I know anything about a massive explosion in Halifax, despite an undergraduate degree in History. As I read late one Friday night, finishing the book in the wee hours of Saturday morning, I could see myself in both Nora and Charlotte, feeling their pain and agony. The more I read, the more I became immersed in the horrors Nora faced as she had to identify her family members after an explosion that annihilated entire sections of Halifax. The author brings Charlotte to life through her agony and need to find her daughter alive amid the ruins.

As the story progressed and I got to know both main characters, I could sense the author’s buildup of something tragic about to happen, but knowing nothing about Halifax history, I was shocked and pleasantly surprised at the author’s incredible ability to draw me deeper into Canadian maritime history. Chocked with mystery, terror, romance, and the importance of being true to oneself and family, Donna Jones Alward has easily become one of my favorite authors. The depth of her character arcs, the horrors of her settings, the desperation of motherhood, and the terror of the unknown held me spellbound deep into the night.

Having recently researched an explosion in New York Harbor during WWI for one of my own books, I was instantly walking the streets and shores of Halifax, sifting through bodies, blocks of cement, and buildings for survivors. The book was poignant and immersive. It was everything I was looking for to take me away from my long days reading and analyzing curriculum for fourth graders.

Beautifully written and well-researched, Donna Jones Alward has a permanent place on my bookshelf. I highly recommend When the World Falls Silent to any lover of historical fiction who seeks to learn about the world through the world of good fiction. Thank you, Net Galley, Harper Collins UK, and Donna Jones Alward, for the opportunity to read this free Advanced Copy. This review is voluntary and is mine and mine alone.

When the World Fell Silent by Donna Jones Alward is a heart crushing Historical Fiction story based on WWI and the 1917 Halifax, Nova Scotia, explosion. It is written with so much heart I could easily envision the events and feel desperation, sorrow, redemption and hope.

Unlike many of her contemporaries who married and had families, Nora became a lieutenant. She chose a career in nursing and provided care and emotional support to injured soldiers. WWI raged overseas but its fingers reached Canadian soil. Nothing could prepare her for what she experienced at work and in her personal life. Nora's beau left to fight and she faced pregnancy with the support of her sister, Jane, who didn't condone her actions but showed great kindness.

Meanwhile, Charlotte lost her husband in the war and was financially dependent on her in-laws. She was treated like a servant in their home but her little daughter was her universe which made her life more tolerable. However, her world shattered when the explosion left her utterly alone and she made desperate choices she otherwise wouldn't have.

The two women experienced unspeakable heartache in different ways but their lives intertwined seamlessly and realistically. My heart broke for both Nora and Charlotte, but Charlotte's story was particularly tender and crushing.

What struck me most was the dreadful multi-layered grief so many endured. Not only were there world war repercussions with countless women living in constant worry about their beloved male family members overseas but the Halifax explosion killed and injured many thousands of people, the most devastating explosion disaster until Hiroshima. Homes were decimated and people were left with nothing. Finally, the Spanish Flu struck and spread like wildfire.

The author writes with great care and sensitivity yet does not gloss over horrendous injuries soldiers and other survivors sustained. There is so much power in her words. Do be sure to read the author's notes, too. She clearly did her research and generously provides further reading sources.

My sincere thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this achingly beautiful novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Historical Fiction is one of my all time favorite genres and this book was a great look into a tragedy that I knew very little about.

Halifax, Nova Scotia during WWI is the setting for this book. It follows the lives of Nora and Charlotte, two women who are following two different paths to learn and grow into the people they are going to become. Nora is a Bluebird, caring for men injured in battle. She is very independent and wants to work at a time where that was not popular or the norm. Charlotte is a widow living with her in-laws and they are not very kind.

This author is very good at weaving history into the fiction making this a very interesting read. The emotion and depth of her characters made you want to learn more about them and see how the story ends. I felt like Alward did a wonderful job of dealing with some difficult topics of the time. If you love the genre, you will love this book.

Thank you to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel.

I really enjoyed this historical fiction novel! It takes place in Halifax, Nova Scotia during WWI. It centers around the Halifax Explosion and its effect on the people in this area. I had never heard of this event, which I learned was the largest explosion before the the time of the atomic bomb being dropped during WWII. Like any good historical fiction book, it made me research this event and I feel that the author did a fantastic job of researching this occurrence and making the characters seem believable . The reader quickly connects to the two main characters, Nora and Charlotte who deal with the aftermath of this terrible tragedy. The characters were both very likable, strong women who I found myself rooting for. I found this book hard to put down as I wanted to learn the fate of these two women and their families. I would highly recommend this book to historical fiction lovers and will look forward to more books from this author.

As a west coast girl with deep roots in Eastern Canada, and a father who was in the navy, I have always always known about the Halifax Explosion. However this is the first novel I have read covering the topic. If you are not familiar with it, on December 6 1917 a ship carrying munitions caught on fire after a collision in the Halifax harbour. It exploded causing the biggest man made explosion at the time, and it held the record until Hiroshima. Parts of Halifax were completely destroyed 1782 people were killed and around 9000 were injured.
This book follows two women who’s lives are changed forever by the explosion. Nora, a nurse in the Canadian Military, serving at a Halifax military hospital who has fought hard to be a nurse and doesn’t want to settle down. And Charlotte, a war widow living with in-laws who view her more as a servant, but she tolerates it because her and her baby have nowhere else to go. When the Mont-Blanc explodes it will devastate a city and set both these woman on a new path.
I really loved this book. There was clearly a lot of research and effort given to include a lot of small details that are important and that give the story life. @donnaalward has written an amazing piece of Canadian historical fiction and I definitely recommend When The World Fell Silent. Look for it July 19 2024.
Thank you to @netgalley and @onemorechapterhc for letting me have an advanced copy in exchange for a review.
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Note: Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins Publishers, and Donna Jones Alward for the advanced reader copy of the book. What follows is my unbiased review of the book.

I first heard about the 1917 explosion in Halifax, Nova Scotia when I was on a transatlantic cruise that stopped in Halifax. I'd never heard about it before then, which surprised me. When I saw this historical fiction book based on that incident, I was very eager to read it.

Nora Crowell is a nurse living in Halifax with her sister Jane. Jane is a married mother of two young girls whose husband is fighting in World War I. She has three male boarders at her home to look out for her in addition to Nora. Nora loves her sister, but not her life. Nora is centered on being a career woman and loves being a nurse as she tends to men who were sent home from the war. It's not always easy, but Nora likes the work.

In another part of Halifax, Charlotte Campbell is a young war widow with a child to care for. She lives in the home of her late husband's family, who treats her more like a servant than a member of the family. Charlotte's own family was killed in a house fire, and she has nowhere else to go, although she longs to get away from them.

One day the city is in an uproar as two ships collide in the Narrows and one is on fire. This brings the crowds to the docks to see the sights. Nora is working at the hospital while her sister entertains their parents who have come for a visit. Charlotte needs to get out of the house and goes for a walk with her baby. Unknown to all of them due to security reasons, the ship on fire is carrying munitions for the war. It explodes, flattening a good part of the city.

Life changes drastically for both of these women. Both experience a great deal of loss, and their lives intersect in a way I didn't expect (although I figured it out fairly quickly once certain events took place). Nora is challenged to change how she views the life of a mother and homemaker. Charlotte must find a place in a world in which it seems there is nothing for her.

When the World Fell Silent is well written, creating suspense even knowing that so many people were killed and wounded in this historic event. It's emphasized over and over how few options women had at this time, especially if she wasn't married. In addition, women who were married but their husbands were away fighting still had a hard time taking care of a home and family without him there.

The characters were great. I loved following Nora's growth and change as she stayed strong throughout what life threw at her. Charlotte, too, is a bit of a wilting violet under her in-laws' roof, yet eventually, she finds strength as well. It's the people who surround Nora, though, that really enrich the story. From her family to the men residing at the boarding house, she has an amazing support team behind her, which Charlotte lacks.

I read through When the World Fell Silent in about a day. It was that good. I couldn't put it down. I wanted to see how everything turned out, and I was satisfied with the ending. The history was very educational about a tragic incident I don't think many Americans know much about. I think this will be in the top 10 books I've read this year.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins Canada, and Donna Jones Alward for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest review.


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐





When the World Fell Silent by Donna Jones Alward is one of the best historical fiction novels I've read this year. It's a beautifully written and heart-wrenching story about sisterhood, the importance of family, and community. Set against the backdrop of the Halifax explosion during World War I, the book had me deeply invested, often leaving me breathless with its vivid portrayal of the events and its characters' emotional journeys.

The book, based on true events, piqued my curiosity and sent me searching for more information about the catastrophic explosion. Alward's writing style is truly captivating, drawing you in and transporting you to Halifax. There were moments when I couldn’t breathe because I was so caught up in Nora’s work as a nurse or Charlotte’s desperate search for Aileen. The importance of family—whether found or born into—is a central theme, and it is depicted with such clarity and emotion that it resonates deeply.

As a Canadian, I have a particular fondness for books set in Canada, and this one did not disappoint. I learned so much about our history through the meticulously researched narrative. The explosion was catastrophic, claiming many lives, and its impact, both in human and monetary terms, was immeasurable.

The story introduces us to two remarkable women, Nora and Charlotte, each facing devastating life changes and personal crises in the wake of the explosion. I found myself crying for both, cheering for both, and admiring their strength and resilience. Their journeys are a testament to the human spirit's capacity to endure and overcome unimaginable tragedy.

Donna Jones Alward has crafted a novel that will linger in my mind for a long time. When the World Fell Silent is a powerful and unforgettable read, one that I believe will become a favourite for book clubs everywhere. It's a journey you won’t soon forget, and I, for one, will be thinking about Nora and Charlotte for a long time to come.

**Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for a fair and honest review**

A really enjoyable piece of historical fiction with some creative plot twists along the way.

I emphasised with the characters and really rooted for Nora and Neil to work things out. My heart broke along with Charlotte as her world fell apart and the "eyeballs in a bucket" scene made me feel nauseous.

I didn't know about the real history behind the story so I had to stop part way through and do some research - what an awful tragedy.

What a page turner read! A world at war, a major disaster, and then a pandemic. Actually this part of the book is true, and the author weaves a great story that made me feel I was there!
We are in Nova Scotia, Halifax, and men are heading off to the war in Europe, and the year is 1917. A different world, and we meet a young woman living here, working as a nurse and living with her sister. The story does revolve around her, and the gifts she shares with others, life is not easy for her, and they are about to get worse, and we are here as she stumbles, and continues on.
I loved this read, and it kept my attention from beginning to end.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and was not required to give a positive review.