Review: For Such a Time by Kate Breslin

For Such a Time

by Kate Breslin

Publisher: Bethany House

Pages: 432

Format: ARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  In 1944, blonde and blue-eyed Jewess Hadassah Benjamin feels abandoned by God when she is saved from a firing squad only to be handed over to a new enemy. Pressed into service by SS-Kommandant Colonel Aric von Schmidt at the transit camp of Theresienstadt in Czechoslovakia, she is able to hide behind the false identity of Stella Muller. However, in order to survive and maintain her cover as Aric's secretary, she is forced to stand by as her own people are sent to Auschwitz. Suspecting her employer is a man of hidden depths and sympathies, Stella cautiously appeals to him on behalf of those in the camp. Aric's compassion gives her hope, and she finds herself battling a growing attraction for this man she knows she should despise as an enemy. Stella pours herself into her efforts to keep even some of the camp's prisoners safe, but she risks the revelation of her true identity with every attempt. When her bravery brings her to the point of the ultimate sacrifice, she has only her faith to lean upon. Perhaps God has placed her there for such a time as this, but how can she save her people when she is unable to save herself?


Kritters Thoughts:  An interesting and different take on the typical Holocaust story with an inside look into the German side of a Kommandant and his office and life.  A Jewish woman is mistaken and the Kommandant takes her into his home as his secretary and through her influence he finds compassion for the people he has been taught to persecute. 

From the beginning this book read quickly and I had the hardest time putting it down because I wanted to just know what was going to happen next between the Kommandant, his secretary and the Jewish people in the camp.  Although a hefty book in pages, I didn't even realize how long it was until the very end!  The twists and turns were throughout and nothing was too far out that felt weird or awkward.  I may admit to a few tears at the end!

The extra addition of a Bible verse from Esther starting each chapter was captivating.  It was so great to see how the Bible story went along with this fictional plot.  As a previous religious studies major and a fan of historical fiction, I loved the similarities in the stories and how Hadassah/Stella and Esther's stories paralleled.

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from TLC Book Tours.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.