For a book that takes place decades away, it felt so real and present to me. More than a love story, this is a tale of resilience and determination. I usually don't fall in love with historical fiction, but I think I may have fallen in love a bit with this one.

'Uncovering the leaflet once again, Sophie reread it, deliberately this time, soaking up every word, every emotion, feeling them in her own soul as though the words belonged to her, as though someone had expressed precisely what had been brewing inside her this entire time - this desire for revolt, this resistant to the present-day order, this loathing of the war and everything that came with it: violence, death, devastation.'

The White Rose Network is a well-researched, fictional account of Sophie Scholl and her brother Hans Scholl as founders of the White Rose Society, initially a student group, but a group that quickly turned into a large resistance network in Nazi Germany. I appreciated how steadfast and determined Sophie and Hans were portrayed by Ellie Midwood, as this is, I think, quite close to the reality I learned about in school. Knowing the history of the White Rose, I was a bit reluctant to fully give into the narrative, but the author managed to pull me in completely with her beautiful, almost lyrical prose.

This book is a great example of how historical fiction can bring both a great story, and some real lessons about humanity, resilience, hope and brotherhood. I'd recommend this book to those who appreciate historical fiction based on real stories. Whether you are familiar with the White Rose or not, this is an emotional ride that paints a vivid picture of Munich in 1942-1943.

Get ready to feel your heart break with this one , its based on actual events and people that lived and died for what they believed in doing WW 2. Who belied that what the Germans was doing was wrong and they fright back by making the White Rose Society ,who was against Hitler and what he stood for. This is the story of 2 of the members and what they went though up until the very end , they showed that no matter how afraid you are , you can still be strong to fight for what you believe in even though it could mean your death. Its a story that needs to be told so that the White Rose Society will never be forgotten and their lives even though their gone will be remembered as as well.

Wow! Tear jerker for sure. This book kept me intrigued the entire time and was heart breaking. Beautifully written, what a tribute to those who stand up for what is right; even when that's not the popular thing to do. Awesome book.

Summary: Sophie Scholl is a rebel and as such she ignores Hitler’s degree and heads to University where she reunites with her like-minded brother Hans and his friend Alexander to undermind Hitler’s regime by creating a pamphlet to spread the word about Hitler’s evil deeds and plans. However, her plans cross into the extreme and deadly when she and her brother get captured.

Thoughts: Sophie is a BA and a savage and I am annoyed I have never heard of. her or her brother. Sophie’s entire nuclear family are rebels and I love them for it I also love that she abandons her fiance for a fellow rebel. It was also interesting to see things from the Mohr, guard’s point of view it was interesting and sad to see how the world plays out sadly it was too late for him to do the right thing by the time he finally does, however, curiously, his daughter holds a different opinion than him. Historial fiction always makes me sad and that is true for this book as well. It never ceases to amaze me how brave these people who rebel are and how resilient they head to the deaths. Hans gets a 10/10 but his outburst in the court outing the judge pushes him to an 11, and I hope his prediction came to pass. It is heartbreaking to see people who are just doing the right this suffer and be punished so viciously I cannot imagine living like this and it makes me question what I would do in their place. Sophie and Hans are amazing people and they didn't deserve their ending. Sophie and Alexander were so cute and deserved to have a happily ever after as did Hans and the rest of the White Rose Network.

When I open an Ellie Midwood book, I know I’ll be reading a book with a high level of writing. Midwood reads extensively and meticulously researches and it shows in her writing. I always increase my vocabulary and marvel at the variety of her sentence structure. I know I’ll become immersed in a historically correct timeline and connect with authentic feeling characters. Midwood has the ability to intertwine real events and people with fictional characters in a seamless narrative; they almost appear real, they are so well-drawn. Even more than this, Midwood’s characters are in keeping with the timeframe they inhabit. I know I’ll be prompted to do some research on my own. Midwood always piques my curiosity and has me reaching to find out more. I know I’ll be reading about an uncomfortable aspect of war and Midwood will bring the events and the setting to life. She continues to put the horrible events and the brave actions of a few from the past in front of us to ensure that we learn from them and prevent the atrocities from repeating.

I was intrigued with Mohr and the motivation behind his actions, but it was the siblings’ refusal to shift the blame, knowing what lay ahead for them, that moved me the most. Their bravery and willingness to sacrifice for their ideals left me in awe.

Highlighting courage, conviction, and resilience, Midwood brings to light the Scholl siblings’ story and their role in the White Rose network. Readers will appreciate the unique history that Midwood unfolds for them; German citizens who opposed Hitler and took a courageous stand against him. By resisting Hitler and being willing to face the consequences, Sophie Scholl, the icon of resistance, inspires the German nation.

If you are looking for a book to take your breath away and leave you with tears in your eyes, this is it. Thank you for your dedication to preserving history for your readers and your commitment to leave us with a lesson, Ms. Midwood. I always eagerly anticipate your newest release.

I was gifted this advance copy by Ellie Midwood, Bookouture, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Being familiar with the history of the German resistance, I had high expectations for this novel that unfortunately weren't met. I didn't find that the real people were depicted as they truly were, important aspects of their lives were changed or omitted, and the story didn't flow compellingly for me. And this is a pity for me personally, because the White Rose is such a fascinating group to me, and their story would've benefited from a longer book, with more thorough storytelling to get at the heart of what impelled the young founders and associates to risk so much for their principles.

4.5 stars
Sophie and Hans Scholl are known in WWII history as the founders of the White Rose Network - a Munich University based resistance group that challenged the Nazi status quo. I was hesitant to request this title as I am familiar with the story and was afraid of the heart rending, gut wrenching ending. ElliE Midwood drew me in despite my attempts to keep myself apart. I am impressed by her determination to stay as close to the truth as possible, as stated in her author’s note. I appreciated her mentioning her sources and would have loved a more extensive bibliography.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Bookouture for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Even before reading this book, I have heard of The White Rose Network, which comprises of young Germans, run by brother and sister, Hans and Sophie. This network is a resistance group against the Nazis who opposed Nazis' brutality against the Jews and other minorities and did not agree with its principles. This book is of such story.

The author has done tremendous research on this story and I have to give kudos to the author for writing this story, making the story realistic as possible. The parts about the interrogation was the ones that interested me most along with how Sophie, who came to study at the University of Munich became involved with the resistance movement by printing and distributing the pamphlets around the university. As a person who did German history, I know how the Nazis tried everything to stop resistance as much as possible, even though the young, brave and courageous men and women like Sophie did not stop their work and continued with their resistance. The story is told mainly from Sophie's point of view as a third person as she is the central character in the book.

This was also an emotional and heartbreaking read as well, as this is based on the true story. I just simply couldn't even believe that despite their youth, the way they fell in love and romance blossoming, they would not sop fighting against the Nazis and Hitler and so this was a page turning book as well. Really amazing and this will make you cry particularly the ending.

Worth five stars!

Many thanks to Netgaley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

A new standalone novel WWII novel by Ellie Midwood about the White Rose network. I heard about this network from another book by this author so it was very interesting to read more about the courageous young people who were behind it and how they inspired so many people.

The characters really come alive and the story is written with so many wonderful details it s easy to picture.. I loved Sophie, her quick wit and feisty nature made me laugh. The ending off course is so very sad, but their words were not forgotten.

I really enjoyed this book, I loved the writing, I loved the charcaters, I loved the dual timeline, I loved the setting andf I loved the storyline. A really great read.

Sophie and her brother were courageous and young because they fought against the Nazi's, It is a very inspiring and true story. Their willingness to sacrifice themselves, I was in total awe. A beautifully written story. I am a fan of historical fiction I am lucky to have read it.

Thank you Bookoutoure for the Advanced Reader Copy of this book. This is a honest review.

A love story, and a tale of resistance. This was amazing and very real.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my feedback.

Based on a true story The White Rose Network is about a brother and sister during the Second World War who are working for the resistance against the Nazi regime.
A story of courage and resilience from young people who believe in freedom.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

It was an ok book for me. But a little too deepnand political for me. Maybe i got to caught UP in that, and did not see the lovestory i heard several People enjoyed. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

Bring familiar with the story of Sophie and the White Rose Network I was expecting this book to rip my heart out…..but it didn’t. I’m not even sure why, but I never felt I got a chance to get tot know the characters. The tense/horrific aspects of the narrative were created well and the writer had clearly done a huge amount of research but for me the story lacked emotional impact.
Sorry.

THE WHITE ROSE NETWORK by ELLIE MIDWOOD is the inspiring and heart wrenching story of students at the Munich university who bravely spoke out against Hitler and his regime, forming the White Rose group, writing and distrubuting pamphlets. Based on a true story, we see their incredible courage in standing against a mad man’s atrocities.
When Sophie Scholl joins her brother Hans in Berlin to study philosophy at the university, she meets his friends and immediately gets drawni into White Rose activities. I like the author’s portrayal of these idealistic young people who long for a new Germany where justice reigns.
This book will open your eyes to what was going on in Germany in 1942 and 1943 under the Nazi regime. I see it as a must read for anyone who wants to understand what went on at that horrific time in history. It is also important to see that there were many German citizens who were not only opposed to Hitler but were prepared to take a courageous stand against him.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bookouture. The opinions in this review are cmpletely my own.

Absolutely amazing and true to the spirit of Sophie and Hans Scholl. The best book by Ellie Midwood I’ve read.

4.5 stars

Kriminalkommissar Robert Mohr of the Munich Gestapo is dispatched to investigate pacifist leaflets being distributed at the university. There he finds Hans and Sophia (she prefers Sophie) Scholl who are members of White Rose, a resistance movement growing in numbers in Nazi Germany. The novel backtracks 2 May 1942 with Sophie heading to Munich university to study philosophy in defiance of expectation to breed future Nazis. The Scholl family are benevolent and kind and the siblings humanitarian views emanate there. Sophie joins Hans who is a medic and his friend Alexander Schmorrel with the narrative follows Sophie‘s wholehearted immersion into White Rose.

This is a very inspiring and true story of ‘Die Geschwister Scholl’ and others like Alexander (Shivik) Schmorell and the characterisation is excellent. The author seems to manage to get into their heads and this allows the reader to do so too and she brings them to life before your eyes. The book is very well written with skill and understanding of this inglorious period in German history and storytelling flows. Some of the best scenes in the book of the interrogations between Mohr and Sophie and these are mesmerising as he presents his ‘truth’ versus hers. He emerges as an enigmatic contradiction and I like what the author does with his character. You become completely caught up in it, you pray for the best but know it’ll be the worst. It’s a very moving novel, it breaks your heart that ones so young are so prepared to heroically and nobly sacrifice themselves for the greater good. Their bravery and courage is a beacon in dark times.

I leave the final words to Sophie who utters them in her cell before she dies:-
”Such a beautiful, sunny day and I have to go… But what difference does my death make if our actions arouse thousands of people”

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bookouture for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

The White Rose Network by Ellie Midwood

A brilliant book of a true experience of a brother and sister during WW11.
The White Rose Network was something I had never heard of before and I thank the author for writing about it .
I am in awe of people who have the strength to stand up and fight for the human rights of others , even if it means their own life is put in jeopardy .
Ellie Midwood wove a great story around the facts to make this terrible time an enjoyable read.