By Tessa Pulyer Posted on

The Book of Uriel by Elyse Hoffman #BlogTour #BookReview #HistoricalFantasy #YoungAdult

No Book Blogger Hop today. Instead, I will include it in my Sunday Post and bring you a post on this wonderfully inspiring book…

Thank you to The Write Reads for my spot on this blog tour.
Length: 373 Pages
Publishing: 26th January 2021

In the fires of World War II, a child must save his people from darkness…

Ten-year-old Uriel has always been an outcast. Born mute in a Jewish village known for its choir, he escapes into old stories of his people, stories of angels and monsters. But when the fires of the Holocaust consume his village, he learns that the stories he writes in his golden notebook are terrifyingly real.

In the aftermath of the attack, Uriel is taken in by Uwe, a kind-hearted linguist forced to work for the commander of the local Nazi Police, the affably brutal Major Brandt. Uwe wants to keep Uriel safe, but Uriel can’t stay hidden. The angels of his tales have come to him with a dire message: Michael, guardian angel of the Jewish people, is missing. Without their angel, the Jewish people are doomed, and Michael’s angelic brethren cannot search for him in the lands corrupted by Nazi evil.

With the lives of millions at stake, Uriel must find Michael and free him from the clutches of the Angel of Death…even if that means putting Uwe in mortal danger.

The Book of Uriel is a heartbreaking blend of historical fiction and Jewish folklore that will enthrall fans of The Book Thief and The World That We Knew.

Amazon | Goodreads

What I Enjoyed

The Book of Uriel is a beautifully heartbreaking tale of redemption that warmed my heart even through tears.  I loved that it grabbed my heart so fully and completely.  I can’t imagine anyone not being moved by Uriel, his bright spirit, and his notebook full of beautiful stories.  He and his story are impactful and inspiring.

I loved how the tragedy of the holocaust was interspersed with bits of the foundational stories of the Jewish religion.  I learned so much about history and culture, and it helped me relate to the story in unexpected ways.  I also like how The Book of Uriel examines the realities of that period in a manner that allowed me to feel the horrors and celebrate the strengths of so many people when it all looked so bleak. That balance enabled me to process the story positively without diminishing the realities.

I especially loved Uriel’s relationship with Uwe Litten.  Uriel’s unconditional love and trust in Uwe is heartwarming and inspiring, as is Uriel’s perseverance in completing the trials that the angel of death sends him on to save his people.  Even under impossible odds, Uriel finds a way to reach his heroic goal.

Reminds Me Of

Interestingly, the writing style is similar to Christian fiction stories, if you have ever read one. It reminds me of Bible stories written for children in the technical aspects of the story – pace, language, tone, etc.

Characters

Uriel is a seven-year-old Jewish boy whose village was destroyed by either his Polish neighbors or by German invaders.  When he arises to find the destruction wrought, he is met by angels who he alone can see.  They send him on a journey after giving him a magic necklace to keep him invisible to those with evil hearts.  After he finds Uwe, who has his special notebook, the journey begins, and no one – reader or characters – is immune to his life-affirming light that shines from the inside out.

To Read or Not to Read

 If you are looking for an inspiring tale to share with loved ones of all ages, The Book of Uriel is a perfect choice for you.

Rating: 5 out of 5.
(from https://project613publishing.com/)

Elyse Hoffman strives to tell historical tales with new twists: she loves to meld WWII and Jewish history with fantasy, folklore, and the paranormal. She has written six works of Holocaust historical fiction: the five books of The Barracks of the Holocaust and The Book of Uriel. Stay up to date with: Facebook, Twitter, BookBub, and Goodreads

21 Replies to “The Book of Uriel by Elyse Hoffman #BlogTour #BookReview #HistoricalFantasy #YoungAdult”

    1. Lady Tessa says:

      That time was unbelievably horrible but this story turns that darkness into an inspirational story of perseverance and community. ❤️ I really like that perspective.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sheri Dye says:

        You make it sound beautiful.. it’s hard to imagine beauty in the midst of so much pain and darkness. But I’ve grown to trust your recommendations so I’ll be keeping my eye out for it, thank you!

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Teri Polen says:

    I’m not sure I could have read this one, but your review is wonderful. I learned a lot about the Jewish religion and traditions in another book recently – beautiful and fascinating. Have a great weekend, Tessa!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lady Tessa says:

      Thank you’ It’s definitely a tough setting. But, the story is just so positive and beautiful ❤️ I love learning about different religions and cultures too.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. WendyW says:

    I love books where I can learn about history and culture. I think I would like this one.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Carla says:

    Excellent review Tessa. I’m not sure if I could read this one or not. It sounds emotional and poignant.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lady Tessa says:

      It wasn’t too harsh. I saw a movie once set during this time that still haunts me today. But, this story focuses on the positive, so it leaves positive thoughts rather than horrific ones.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Carla says:

        There is always hope. I don’t know if I could keep my hope in some of these situations like the people involved in some of these stories.

        Liked by 1 person

  7. D. Wallace Peach says:

    This sounds like a wonderful story, Tessa. The emotion comes through in your review. I’m hopping over to Amazon to wishlist it. Thanks for the recommendation. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Grab the Lapels says:

    That’s interesting that it reminds you of Christian fiction. I wonder if the author wrote it in such a way that she kept the reality but wanted young readers to learn something, which could sound like a parable.

    Liked by 1 person

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