Shadows of the White City

Shadows of the White City is the second installment from Jocelyn Green’s The Windy City Saga. I had the pleasure of reading the first book, Veiled in Smoke, and was excited to have the opportunity to read this one, too. It does not disappoint. It was so very good. I enjoyed getting to know Kristof and Sylvie. The mystery, suspense, danger and adventure had me intrigued all throughout the book. So very good. I am giving Shadows of the White City a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading clean historical fiction. I will try to be patient as I wait for the third book from The Windy City Saga. I can not wait to find out what happens next. I received Shadows of the White City from the author, but was not required to write a review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Shadows of the White City is the second book in Jocelyn Green's new series, The Windy City Saga. Having read Veiled in Smoke, set during the Great Fire of Chicago, I was excited to read this new book. I was not disappointed. Green does an extraordinary job with the historical details about the 1893 World's Fair. Twenty-two years after the fire readers are reunited with Sylvie and Meg and see how their lives have evolved. The book is rich in period details and historical flavor and is filled with well-rounded, vivid characters. Characters who are believable as all their flaws and foibles are portrayed, along with their strengths and humanity. Emotions and reactions are realistically portrayed through the characters as they search for a missing teenager. One quote from the book, "Sometimes you just have to let a man live with his decisions. This is not your burden to bear." resonated well with me. Sometimes as one deals with loved ones who make poor choices, it is hard to give that burden to God and know that He is in control. Shadows of the White City is a complex and multifaceted story that reminds readers that God is in the business of restoring lives and families, of healing the brokenness that is within each of us. With vivid characters, an action-packed storyline, strong spiritual truths, and a sweet romance, the author has penned an amazing story. Readers who enjoy historical fiction will not want to miss Shadows of the White City. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishing and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

"Healing doesn't mean forgetting the loss, nor does it mean enshrining it. Healing, at least for me, has meant holding both the blessings I once had and the blessings I still do, but holding them loosely in open hands." This is book 2 in the Windy City Saga and it continues the journey of the Townsend sisters in 1893 Chicago, some twenty-two years after the Great Fire and the first book. Because of the gap in time, this book can be read as a stand-alone, but reading the books in order will allow for better appreciation of who Sylvie is and what shaped her young adulthood. Jocelyn Green has a way of drawing her readers into her incredibly detailed and delightful world; this time she takes us into the heart of the Chicago World Fair and the music that surrounds the White City. The writing is beautiful as always. The characters are flawed, raw, down-to-earth and the plot is intriguing, engaging, and oftentimes heart-wrenching. The faith journey is rocky yet rewarding and fulfilling. It's another winner from Jocelyn Green! Sylvie is now a woman in her forties raising a seventeen year old Polish orphan as her own. Sylvie is independent, practical, hard-working, and satisfied with her life until her Rose leaves their home under strange and mysterious circumstances. Sylvie's anxiety and fear as a mother frantically searching for her child is heart-breaking and totally relatable. Kristof, a Hungarian violinist who rents his apartment from Sylvie, is a gentle, compassionate, tender soul who strives for perfection. When he runs into trouble with his brother Gregor, Kristof and Sylvie both realize their similar struggle for control and for finding a place to belong. The disparity between Chicago's immigrant poor and its middle class is astounding and eye-opening, especially surrounded by the glitz and opulence of the World Fair. The intrigue following Rose's disappearance offers gasp-worthy twists and turns to the plot as Sylvie and Kristof unravel clues to find her. As they work together, their long-standing friendship blossoms into a sweet, steadfast, and patient kind of romance that is sigh-inducing. I also enjoyed reconnecting with Meg and Nate, whom we met during the first book. This historical fiction has it all - captivating writing, great plot, enchanting setting, lovely characters, and themes of grace, acceptance, and freedom. If you're a historical fiction fan, you will absolutely love this book. I received the book from Bethany House Publishers and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are solely my own.