Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Land of Hidden Fires by Kirk Kjeldsen


A motherless child who disliked her father, a downed airplane during WWII, an escape, and a German officer searching for the downed pilot.

Kari did not get along with her father and simply just made it through each day. Her father was not like her.  Kari was always curious about things.  Her father just wanted to go on with his farming and take no interest in what was going on around him.

The day Kari saw a plane crash was the day she realized she had to do something for the pilot and the day she saw her chance to leave. She decided she would take Lance, the American soldier, to Sweden.

LAND OF HIDDEN FIRES allows the reader to experience the dangerous trip Kari and Lance took in the freezing weather while they feared being caught by the Germans and as Kari felt remorse about leaving her father and taking his horse and carriage. 

We continue as three characters pursue three different journeys but for connected reasons.

We follow Kari and Lance as they head to freedom for Lance in Sweden.

We follow Kari's father, Erling, as he searches for his young daughter.

We follow the German officer as he searches for Lance.

Mr. Kjeldsen has wonderful descriptions of the landscape, the characters, and the thoughts and feelings of the characters.

I liked the thought at the end of the book that said:  “People seemed to be full of hidden fires, invisible to one another and often even invisible to oneself.”  If you have the pleasure of reading this book, you will understand the quote.

I enjoyed LAND OF HIDDEN FIRES.  The book was sensitive, thoughtful, but definitely tense. 

I think readers will enjoy the hidden, emotional messages as well as Mr. Kjeldsen’s marvelous writing style and story line that kept me turning the pages and wanting to get back to the characters' journeys.  4/5

This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by the author in return for an  honest review.


10 comments:

  1. Hi Elizabeth,

    Great review, you obviously really enjoyed this book, so I am definitely looking forward to reading it for myself now.

    After having visited Switzerland on several occasions, I have always wanted to check out the Norwegian fjords and mountains, but maybe the descriptive writing in 'Lands Of Hidden Fire' will be the closest I shall get now!!

    I love the true story behind the fictional storyline too, it adds so much to the interest and intrigue.

    Thanks for sharing :)

    Yvonne

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did enjoy the book. I know you will too, Yvonne.

      Thanks for stopping.

      Delete
  2. Sounds wonderful, Elizabeth. It's going on my TBR list. Thanks for your review.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Terrific review, as usual, Elizabeth! I enjoyed reading the thought at the the end of the book--thank you for sharing that. This sounds like an engaging story.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Suko. You are always so sweet with your compliments.

      It was a good thought...I liked it too.

      Thanks for stopping.

      Delete
  4. This sounds really good, and I especially like that it's set in Northern Europe during WWII.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes...very good book, and not too many books set in Northern Europe.

      Very interesting.

      Thanks for stopping, Laura.

      Delete
  5. I am very likely going to try to pick this up at NetGalley. It caught my eye and your review helps cinch the idea. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a good book.

      ENJOY, Martha, and thanks for stopping.

      Delete