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Three Reasons You Should Read This Dual Timeline WWII Historical Fiction:
- Beyond This Broken Sky by Siobhan Curham presents a non-traditional war hero that I absolutely fell in love with.
- As an ambulance team, Ruby and Joseph make an interesting pair, and it really allows them to get to know each other under some very trying circumstances, and they build a bond that may be hard to break.
- The story of London being bombed (repeatedly) was vivid and there were times I could almost feel the ground shake, feel the heat of the flames, and hear the crack of impact.
About Beyond This Broken Sky by Siobhan Curham
Title: Beyond This Broken Sky
Author: Siobhan Curham
Genre: WWII Historical Fiction
1940, London: An unforgettable novel about the strength of the human spirit in the face of war and the remarkable women who put themselves in danger on the front lines during the Battle of Britain.
As a volunteer for the ambulance service, Ruby has the dangerous task of driving along pitch-dark roads during the blackout. With each survivor she pulls from the rubble, she is helping to fight back against the enemy bombers, who leave nothing but destruction in their wake.
Assigned to her crew is Joseph, who is unable to fight but will stop at nothing to save innocent lives. Because he is not in uniform, people treat him with suspicion and Ruby becomes determined to protect this brave, compassionate man who has rescued so many, and captured her heart. Even if it means making an unthinkable choice between saving her own life and risking everything for his…
2019: Recently divorced Edi feels lost and alone when she moves to London to start a new life. Until she makes a discovery, hidden beneath a loose floorboard in her attic, that reveals a secret about the people who lived there in the 1940s. As she gradually uncovers a wartime love story full of danger and betrayal, Edi becomes inspired by the heroism of one incredible woman and the legacy that can be left behind by a single act of courage…
A sweeping tale of bravery and self-sacrifice that shows that even in the midst of war, hope and love can bloom. Perfect for fans of The Alice Network, The Secret Messenger and The Lost Girls of Paris.
My review of Beyond This Broken Sky:
The main story in Beyond This Broken Sky takes place in London during the WWII air raids. Ruby seems to be a carefree, nothing can go wrong, sort of gal. But when she is teamed up on an ambulance team with the Joseph, a conscienscious objector and the man who lives in the upstairs apartment, we see a much different side to her.
Joseph is not the standard hero of a story. Instead of the brave soldier, we have a pacifist. As a conscienscious objector, he is subjected to a lot of derision from the peopl of London. They don’t understand why he can’t join the fight alongside their husbands, brothers, sons, fathers. But Joseph is a hero in another way. His is kind and compassionate, thoughtful, and pretty selfless. And I loved when Ruby decides that he’s an ok guy and starts to stand up for him a little.
But there’s a lot more to this story than Ruby and Joseph – although they do the place as our mains. Kitty is the sweetest, most vulnerable person I’ve seen on a page in a long time. And if there’s a heartbreaking romance in this book, it’s going to be her. But romance isn’t the main theme. The main theme is overcoming, moving forward, and living life to your fullest with no regrets.
And this theme carries over into the present dya side of the story. I felt like this didn’t fit quite as well as some of the dual timelines I’ve read recently. It almost felt unnecessary and unconnected. I enjoyed Edi, and Pearl was a hoot, but most of their story just left me confused. In the end, it all comes together in an interesting way – but I’m not sure if it was really needed.
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
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About Siobhan Curham
Siobhan Curham is an award-winning author, ghost writer, editor and writing coach. She has also written for many newspapers, magazines and websites, including The Guardian, Breathe magazine, Cosmopolitan, Writers’ Forum, DatingAdvice.com, and Spirit & Destiny. Siobhan has been a guest on various radio and TV shows, including Woman’s Hour, BBC News, GMTV and BBC Breakfast. And she has spoken at businesses, schools, universities and literary festivals around the world, including the BBC, Hay Festival, Cheltenham Festival, Bath Festival, Ilkley Festival, London Book Fair and Sharjah Reading Festival.
