Today, I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the THE BOOK OF URIEL by Elyse Hoffman Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my review and make sure to enter the giveaway!
Author: Elyse Hoffman
Pub. Date: January 26, 2021
Publisher: Project 613 Publishing
Formats: Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
Pages: 373
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“An otherworldly tale with indelible characters in a realistic wartime setting. Hoffman’s novel sublimely fuses world history and Jewish folklore.”---Kirkus Reviews
In the fires of World War II, a child must save his people from darkness...
Ten-year-old Uriel has always been an outcast. Born mute in a Jewish village known for its choir, he escapes into old stories of his people, stories of angels and monsters. But when the fires of the Holocaust consume his village, he learns that the stories he writes in his golden notebook are terrifyingly real.
In the aftermath of the attack, Uriel is taken in by Uwe, a kind-hearted linguist forced to work for the commander of the local Nazi Police, the affably brutal Major Brandt. Uwe wants to keep Uriel safe, but Uriel can't stay hidden. The angels of his tales have come to him with a dire message: Michael, guardian angel of the Jewish people, is missing. Without their angel, the Jewish people are doomed, and Michael's angelic brethren cannot search for him in the lands corrupted by Nazi evil.
With the lives of millions at stake, Uriel must find Michael and free him from the clutches of the Angel of Death...even if that means putting Uwe in mortal danger.
The Book of Uriel is a heartbreaking blend of historical fiction and Jewish folklore that will enthrall fans of The Book Thief and The World That We Knew.
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Praise for THE BOOK OF URIEL:
"A dark book that shows WWII in all its harsh truth, but
tucks in beacons of hope and a little boy with a beautiful soul who can see
angels."--C.G. Drews, author of A THOUSAND PERFECT NOTES and THE BOY WHO
STEALS HOUSES.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "A mesmerizing work of historical fiction. The author has magically combined history with fantasy, resulting in an irresistibly engrossing story. Hoffman is a born storyteller, and she executes her ideas in a sound, beautiful way." --Readers' Favorite
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "'The Book of Uriel' is a story that could become a cult classic! It has all the imaginings of 'Pans Labyrinth' and all the emotions of 'The Book Thief'...If you like historical fiction mixed with fantasy, this one may be for you."--Devoured Pages
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This book was thrilling and downright addictive. Setting it down was not an option after I picked it up. Uriel's story is absolutely gripping. A story of bravery and sacrifice, that takes the reader on an emotional journey."--Jessica Belmont
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This is an intricately woven tale that shows the cruelty of the Nazis and the horrors of the holocaust while at the same time portraying the spiritual war that is being fought alongside the physical war. Hoffman weaves together historical facts, the Bible, and Jewish folklore to create a written tapestry that you won't want to put down. Her ability to combine historical fiction with a rich spiritual world is awe-inspiring...Fans of the Book Thief will love The Book of Uriel."--Bonnie Reads and Writes
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This book grabs you from the start. What starts as a heartbreaking opening quickly turns to a ray of hope. Angels, both good and bad, the Nazis, a reluctant linguist, and one unlikely hero populate this story...the pacing is perfect, and you get so wrapped up in the story once you start. The descriptions make you feel like you're in the story itself, and I definitely recommend this!"--The Faerie Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Hoffman's 'The Book of Uriel' combines history and Jewish mysticism in a fantasy tale about the Holocaust, the best and worst of the Angels, and the indomitable strength and resiliency of the human spirit...The concept in less able hands would have been sure to fail, but Hoffman brings a ring of absolute authenticity to every page...This is a beautifully-written story, well-balanced, and heartfelt."--NetGalley Reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Read it in one whole day and was hooked from the very beginning that is how good this book is. This is one of those books that you just go into without knowing very much but come out of it having had an experience."--Goodreads Reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "The text grabbed me from the first paragraph and although this was shocking, the power of the images and writing made it impossible to stop reading. I cannot recommend this book highly enough."--NetGalley Reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "If you are reading the reviews to try and see if you should read it, yes, yes you should. Especially would recommend to lovers of The Book Thief."--Goodreads Reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Hoffman creates an incredibly thrilling and addictive read that is impossible to put down...'The Book of Uriel' shows how faith, hope, determination, and setting aside one's hate can change the world for the better. This is a story that is worth every word, every page, and every second spent reading."--Goodreads Reviewer
The Book of Uriel is a powerful story that takes place in a dark part of history. When some men decided they were above everyone else, and only they could determine who was worthy of not simply notice and care, but LIVING and DYING. They played god when no human has ever been given that power, and in those roles laid to waste entire nations. Here, we meet a young boy left to perish with his village, but he's not just any boy...and his future is not like anything you could imagine. He's to become a great helper to his people, a savior of them in a sense, but trials and tribulations aplenty litter the way to that great end. He'll face utter darkness, evil in many forms, and loss time after time, but he'll also have unexpected help, successes to stack against the hate, and discover that there is good in all people...it just takes the right light, the right faith to grow.
Honestly, I wasn't sure where this one was going when I first started it. Strange names, strange times, and an abundance of biblical stories that I wasn't expecting, all added up to a what did I get myself into moment...but I kept reading, and following in Uriel's footsteps and discovered a hero no one saw coming, including the Dark Angel himself. He's a remarkable character, and with nary a word to leave his lips, he leaves his mark on the hearts of all those he encounters. His hopeful nature, his childlike determination, his indominable spirit all lend him strength that he'll need not only to face the events coming, but meet the challenges set before him. Uwe was only half aware of all that was transpiring, but he, himself, makes it easy to see that one cannot condemn a people as a whole for the actions of some within. He showed time and time again just how human he was as his sympathy grew for those being persecuted, as he spoke out against Major Brandt even when he would be on the receiving end of his wrath, and in the end, made sure to the best of his ability that Uriel's unspoken mission would succeed.
A definite recommendation for Historical Fiction fans on the older end of the Young Adult spectrum and beyond. Be warned of some content, but it's nothing short of the atrocities man committed against man not so long ago.
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About Elyse:
Elyse Hoffman strives to tell historical tales with new
twists: she loves to meld WWII and Jewish history with fantasy, folklore, and
the paranormal. She has written six works of Holocaust historical fiction: the
five books of The Barracks of the Holocaust and The Book of Uriel.
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~~~ GIVEAWAY ~~~
1 winner will receive a $10 Amazon GC, International.
Tour Schedule:
Week One:
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7/5/2021 |
Excerpt |
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7/6/2021 |
Excerpt |
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7/7/2021 |
Review |
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7/8/2021 |
Review |
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7/9/2021 |
Review |
Week Two:
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7/12/2021 |
Review |
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7/13/2021 |
Review |
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7/14/2021 |
Review |
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7/15/2021 |
Review |
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7/16/2021 |
Review |
Fascinating and unique. Being Jewish and reading hundreds of World War 11 novels this book would be a real treasure to enjoy. A very talented author.
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