THIS is forbidden love done right. You knew it was going to happen, but it was gradual not some 'love at first sight' kind of thing. I'm not a huge historical YA fan but i'm pretty sure Prisoner of Night and Fog just became my favourite read of 2013. It was incredibly well-written and well researched. I just know Blankman put her blood, sweat and tears into this novel.

While reading this there was one scene in particular that I had such a shocking response to, I actually feared for her! I felt literal fear while reading this book, my stomach dropped and I don't think my eyes could have gotten any wider. Blankman's Hitler was terrifying and Gretchen was incredibly real, I felt a depth to her that was beautiful.

I am very glad I decided to give this one a chance because it blew my expectations out of the water and I will definitely be buying a copy when it comes out.
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Actual Rating: 4.5 stars

I surprisingly enjoyed Prisoner of Night and Fog. I don't read many historical fiction novels but the synopsis and cover of this one drew me in. I honestly only know the basics of Hitler and the people involved with him in National Socialist Party, but from what I remember, many characters are indeed based off of real people. Anne Blankman obviously did a lot of research for this book, and it paid off.

The Plot: Prisoner of Night and Fog was extremely well thought out in its plot with amazing characters and details. Set in 1930's Munich, Adolf Hitler is making his rise with his growing National Socialist Party. Gretchen Müller is Hitler's niece and one of his favorite people, or so she thinks. Her opinions begin to change when realize that her uncle may be covering up important facts about her father's death. After meeting a Jewish reporter, Daniel, she starts to question the prejudice against them. Gretchen eventually faces the reality of the world around her when the uncle she always idolized, denies her and her mother help after an incident with her brother. Together, she and Daniel must form an unlucky ally to solve the mystery and unravel the plans of her enigmatic uncle.
While the plot of Prisoner of Night and Fog had a slow burn, it kept me hooked the whole time with its mystery and forbidden romance.

The Characters: Gretchen adores her uncle and treats him like her father but doesn't really understand their hatred against the Jews. After seeing her brother attack one in an alley, she steps in without thinking of the consequences. Angering her brother is the last thing she wants to do. Reinhard is much like Hitler in his ruthless and unrelenting manner. Through her time with Daniel, she learns the truth and develops into a strong young women. Daniel is one of my favorite characters in the novel. He unabashedly? seeks out Gretchen and together they learn Hitler's true plans to exterminate the Jews. I loved the romance between Daniel and Gretchen. The two of them are super cute together and although they seem like an unlikely couple to begin with, Anne Blankman made it work with the developments in the novel.

Overall The Prisoner of Night and Fog is one of my favorite historical fiction novels I've read this year. However, I feel like it doesn't really need to be a series. I'm not tired of books being series, but this one definitely could've been a standalone. I do look forward to reading more about Daniel and Gretchen though.
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From the very beginning of the book, you’re pulled into the story and it never lets you go! Gretchen is a young lady who’s family is very close to Adolf Hitler. Her father served with him in the war and was killed protecting Adolf. Or so that’s the story she’s been told. When she meets Daniel, a Jew and a reporter, he has information that that may not be true. The entire story is Gretchen trying to figure out what is the truth. I admire Gretchen for trying to figure out what’s happening and who she can trust. Highly recommend as this isn’t your typical 1930’s on the brink of WWII story. ( )

Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman is a young adult historical fiction novel that burrows into the heart of Nazi-occupied Germany. It's a story filled with lies, deceit, and love, set during mankind's darkest hour. Prisoner of Night and Fog could have easily failed, considering its difficult subject matter and especially seeing as the protagonist - Gretchen - was often referred to as being 'Hitler's Favourite'. However, Anne Blankman succeeded in telling a tale that not only highlights the horrors that befell the Jewish population during Hitler's reign, but also shows the manipulation and brainwashing that occurred in order to sway people to his side.

I loved the character growth of Gretchen. She wasn't your typical whiny teenage girl, even though she had her moments. I loved the way Blankman changed her from a follower to a leader. Most of all, though, I enjoyed her coming to the bottom of things. What's more, I liked how Blankman portrayed Hitler - a charismatic leader when an audience is near, but a complete psychopath in his personal capacity.

In general, I'm not one for World War II tales. I mean, I know what happened. I've seen the photographs and I've watched enough Holocaust films to give me an understanding of how dreadful the circumstances were. But even I have my limits in how horrific I like my horror. That being said, I have recently realised that I have an incredible gap in my reading list that revolves around World War II (books like The Book Thief and Anne Frank's Diary just never appealed to me), and thanks to Prisoner of Night and Fog I feel it's time to rectify it.
Basically, this is a must-read book and I cannot wait to get my hands on the sequel - Conspiracy of Blood and Smoke. Be advised, though, no matter how many years have passed since Adolf Hitler's reign of terror, it never becomes easier to see, hear, read, or know about the things that happened. ( )

I must admit that I wanted to read Prisoner of Night and Fog the instant I saw that it revolved around Adolf Hitler. I have this fascination with people like him. People who can manipulate, who can sway the masses so perfectly that he can cause them to turn against one another. There's something both terrifying and intriguing about a man like that. I was also very interested to see how Anne Blankman would weave her story around Gretchen. What would it be like to be part of the Nazi party? To be that close to someone so influential? I went into this book with high hopes my friends, and I wasn't disappointed.

Gretchen's character is perfection. Who better to show how easy it was to be caught under the spell of "Uncle Dolf" than a young girl? What's special about Gretchen is that she has a big heart. Even when the Nazi slogans and beliefs were rattling around in her head, even when she tried to steel her heart against violence towards the Jews, I couldn't hate her for it. This is how Gretchen was raised. Raised to accept what was around her, and quietly go about her business. I won't deny that I silently cheered her on as she slowly started to break out of her shell. I wanted this girl to overcome. I wanted her to see the dark, bloody truth. I liked Gretchen, and that made this book so easy to read.

Even more interesting is that you'll see key players from Adolf Hitler's life peppered into this tale. Even Ms. Eva Braun is a pivotal person in this quick moving story. I loved seeing deeper into his whole persona. Into the sad, lost man who was behind it all. I'll grant you the fact that Prisoner of Night and Fog is historical fiction, but it feels real. It's easy to get lost in, and that's what I'm always looking for in a new read.

Add in a forbidden romance, some intrigue, and the type of secrets that should stay hidden, and you have quite the book. While I wasn't in love with all the aspects of it, I can't give Anne Blakeman's book anything less than a huge round of applause. If you're a fan of this time period, or a fan of historical fiction in general, this will be a book you'll want to check out. Well-written and moving. I loved it. ( )