The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron

Reviewed by Martha Artyomenko

Book Description: (From Publisher):

And then came war . . .

Today. Sera James spends most of her time arranging auctions for the art world’s elite clientele. When her search to uncover an original portrait of an unknown Holocaust victim leads her to William Hanover III, they learn that this painting is much more than it seems.

Vienna, 1942. Adele Von Bron has always known what was expected of her. As a prodigy of Vienna’s vast musical heritage, this concert violinist intends to carry on her family’s tradition and play with the Vienna Philharmonic. But when the Nazis learn that she helped smuggle Jews out of the city, Adele is taken from her promising future and thrust into the horrifying world of Auschwitz.

The veil of innocence is lifted to expose a shuddering presence of evil, and Adele realizes that her God-given gift is her only advantage; she must play. Becoming a member of the Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz, she fights for survival. Adele’s barbed-wire walls begin to kill her hope as the months drag into nearly two years in the camp. With surprising courage against the backdrop of murder and despair, Adele finally confronts a question that has been tugging at her heart: Even in the midst of evil, can she find hope in worshiping God with her gift?

As Sera and William learn more about the subject of the mysterious portrait—Adele—they are reminded that whatever horrors one might face, God’s faithfulness never falters.

My Review:

Once in awhile, you just see the cover of a book and you know you have to read it even if the author is unfamiliar to you. This book was one of those books. I pre-ordered this one in print as well as receiving an eBook for review before I had even read it, simply based on the description and the cover. I was not disappointed. This book has for certain, stood out to me as an spectacular read. The story is woven in detail, so that you will not feel you are reading, yet again, the same story of a concentration camp victim, but an amazing tale of courage and faith in the time of great horror.

I know many people shy away from books about the holocaust, claiming they are too sad, too depressing, and they read for joy and laughter often. I would not call this book depressing. It does have sad parts, I will not deny that, but throughout the pages, there is a hope that should burn within the heart of any believer that will cause you to be grateful and thankful for those that walked before us in this past time.  You will love the light romantic thread woven throughout a story where you did not think love could exist. Most of all, you will be kept up reading, abandoning all chores, schoolwork, and other responsibilities to finish this book. It is that good! This is the book you have to buy this year! Find a copy and share one with a high school student today. This book is one that will be enjoyed by teens as well as adults, as it brings a story to mind that many are forgetting today.

This book was provided for me by BookLook Bloggers. The opinions expressed herein are my own.