A Sparrow in Terezin

A Sparrow in Terezin by Kristy Cambron (A Hidden Masterpiece Novel) is an interesting and confusing book.  I kept reading the book hoping things would be explained and start to make sense, but halfway through the book, I was still confused (and still no explanations).  I looked up A Sparrow in Terezin and discovered it is the second book in the series.  Before reading A Sparrow in Terezin, you must read The Butterfly and theViolin. 

Sera and William have moved up their wedding.  No one knows why and they are assuming it is because they just do not want to wait any longer be together.  However, the ceremony is barely over the police show up and arrest William.  The police state that William committed fraud.  Evidently he sold artwork that belonged to Hanover Corporation and not to William.  William states he is innocent.  Sera sets out to prove her new groom innocent and find out what he is not telling her.

The book alternates between present time and World War II.  It is 1939 and Kaja Makovsky is fleeing Poland with her sister, Hannah, and brother-in-law, Jakob.  The Germans have invaded Poland and their parents want the girls to get to safety.  Kaja spends time in Palestine, but then ends up in London.  Kaja ends up working for The Daily Telegraph as a secretary and copy editor (she wants to write).  Kaja meets Liam Marshall who is a reporter.  Kaja slowly discovers that there is more to Liam than meets the eye.  When Kaja finds out what is happening to Jews in Poland, she insists on going back to help her parents. 

Kaja finds her parents and is unable to get them out.  The three of them end up in a Theresienstadt Concentration Camp (also known as a ghetto or Camp Terezin).  Kaja is put in charge of children that are too young to work.  She is too teach them art.    Kaja meets Sophie and becomes her guardian.  Housing is deplorable and the food is sparse.  Will Kaja get out (escape) or get sent to the ovens?

To find out the connection between Sophie and Sera, if Kaja survives, and what happens with William, please read A Sparrow in Terezin.  It is nicely written, but a little complicated.  I give A Sparrow in Terezin 3.5 out of 5 stars.  I think if I had read The Butterfly and the Violin first, I would have understood and enjoyed A Sparrow in Terezin.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley (and the publisher) in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for reading my review!  I am currently reading The Wedding Cake Tree by Melanie Hudson.  Have a lovely evening and Happy Reading!

Kris