The Refrain Within

The Refrain Within by Liz Tolsma is the third book in her Music of Hope series. Hungarian clarinetist Eva Bognar is engaged to conductor and composer Patrik Kedves. With the wedding fast approaching Eva isn’t paying much attention to the plight of others around her. Until the Nazi’s threaten her family. In a very trying time in the world’s history Eva’s bravery in the story was just a sample of how so many ordinary people became heroes. She might have lost her faith in humanity for a while, and her faith in God was sorely tested but she never gave up. The plight of the Hungarian Jews is something you don’t hear much about, especially in stories. Ms. Tolsma kept the history alive without being overbearing. I really enjoyed following along with Eva and Patrik as they discovered who they really were in a difficult time. I received this book from Celebrate-Lit for my honest review.

"The cost of action was high. The cost of inaction was higher." I've read quite a few WWII books but this is the first I've read from the viewpoint of Hungary in 1944. Liz Tolsma, as always, paints the setting vividly as resistance swirls around the city of Budapest and engages the reader with her complex plot, beautiful characters, and raw emotions. I loved how music is seamlessly incorporated into the plot and into the characters' lives. Music brings the main characters together initially but love and faith hold them together even as the world around them falls apart. The events are heart-breaking and the atrocities incomprehensible; yet Eva, Patrik, Eva's brother Erno and his wife Zofia must leave their grief, anguish, and anger behind to forge a way out of Hungary. There are plenty of intense moments as they dodge those hunting them and great moments of revelation as faith guides and leads them. Despite it being a thoroughly heart-stirring and soul-searching book, the ending felt a little rushed and somewhat incomplete. But I am sure anyone who loves historical fiction, specifically WWII fiction, will absolutely adore this book. It's not an easy or light-hearted read, but you'll be glad to have read it. I received a copy of the book from Kregel Publications via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

Having read and enjoyed several books written by Liz Tolsma, I was looking forward to reading The Refrain Within and was not disappointed. Stories of WWII and the Holocaust always tug at my heartstrings and this story of a family in 1944 Hungary did just that. The author brings a turbulent and terrible time in history to life with finesse as she portrays the terror that families must have felt as their lives were disrupted, the horror they felt as their friends and neighbors disappeared, the desperation and determination to find a place of safety. The characters are realistic and relatable as they journey through the horrors of war, not knowing who they could trust. I loved how the musicians in the book were portrayed as turning to the comfort of music, whether it be the actual physical playing or hearing music or finding that music that dwells within. The dialogue flows seamlessly without sounding forced. I had a hard time putting the book down and pretty much read it in one sitting. The story pulls on the reader’s emotions, shock and horror, sorrow and compassion. It is a thought-provoking book and readers who love historical fiction will not want to miss this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book via CelebrateLit. A favorable review was not required and opinions are my own. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour.