This is not your typical WW2 story. It tells the story of two Indian women, one a volunteer air raid warden and the other a frustrated lawyer, both campaigning for Indian Independence. An interesting topic, however I found the story very slow going, slightly disjointed and quite dull. Maybe because I was not familiar with the topic.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the advance copy of this book.

I love the WWII era so as soon as I saw this book was set then, I knew I needed to read it. It turned out to be a big surprise, set within the era but covered events and topics which I am not familiar with. I do not know how accurate it is but what I can say is that it was wholly enjoyable to read. The book was well written with some likeable characters to add to the mix. It’s definitely one I’d recommend.

First book I’ve read by @neemashahauthor and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A story of sacrifice, betrayal, belonging, love and loss. I was immersed from the beginning right to the end.
Set in London during WW2 and the blitz. The story is told through the POV’s of Ruby, an air raid warden and kitty, a lawyer both with connections to India.
It’s beautifully written, informative and detailed with interesting characters. I couldn’t put it down.
This book is an enjoyable and thought provoking historical read. I liked learning about a part of history I didn’t know anything about.
Definitely recommend this one. It’s well worth the read.
With thanks to #NetGallery #PanMacmillan for an arc of #AThreadOfLight in exchange for a honest review.
Book publishes 10 July 2025

There is so much to enjoy in this novel. A highlight is definitely an insight into Indian perspectives during world war 2. I was incredibly interested to find out out about some of the events that were running concurrently with this war.

I found so much of the British political rhetoric interesting, because we've heard it all before and in Scotland how our best chance is being 'stronger together ' has been used against those seeking independence throughout the Empire.

I sometimes found it hard to follow the time of events as it often had to jump forward to cover time passing. I actually really liked Ruby and Kitty for such different reasons, but it felt like I was reading at a distance and I wasnt connecting as well as I would have liked.

However, I was intrigued by the plot and characters and thought the atmosphere of the book was really well drawn. I'd say this will appeal to those who enjoy Historical Fiction to bring a new take on British history.

A Thread of Light by Neema Shah is not your typical World War 2 set historical fiction, instead it looks at that era from the perspective of two women involved in the struggle for Indian independence from British colonisation. The book is set in London in 1941, and centres on the stories of two women, Ruby and Kitty. Ruby is an air raid warden who spends her nights looking for survivors (and occasionally anything worth stealing ) in the bombed out city while Kitty is a frustrated lawyer who longs to be able to work more and is desperate to help Indian citizens fight forced conscription into the British army, a fight that becomes even more personal when her own husband is called up for service. At first it seems the two women have little in common and in fact Kitty is surprised and suspicious about Ruby's attendance at the India forum. Ruby is hiding a secret however and between that and her growing attraction to the mysterious and dangerous Satyajit, she finds herself drawn into the fight.
I enjoyed the fresh perspective on this time period and reading this book has inspired me to seek out more information about the struggle for Indian Independence but I cannot help but feel like there was something lacking in the book overall. I think the characters, particularly Kitty needed more development, there was a stronger focus on educating the reader about the history than having them be compelled by the characters or the storytelling. The historical detail is interesting and I thought the depiction of the racism experienced by the characters was really well done, using the different backgrounds of the characters very cleverly.
Overall I found the book interesting and would recommend it to those looking for something a little different in the genre.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own .

Thought-provoking .. I love it when I learn something from a novel!

Whilst London is in the throes of the Blitz, there are a group of people who get together on a regular basis with freedom for India as their purpose. Kitty is a lawyer who is involved helping young Indian men resist conscription while her husband fights for this new country, having left their own behind along with parents who disapprove of their marriage. Ruby has only just begun attending meetings. She has reasons of her own for being there, but that's where she meets Satyajit who is both attractive and dangerous. As Kitty and Ruby's lives collide, the threat of danger closes in - how far will things go?

I am very fond of reading about domestic life during WWII but, I feel quite ashamed to admit, knew nothing about the fight for India's freedom which took place in this country at the same time. There was so much detail in this novel that it took me longer to read that normal as I absorbed everything that was going on and the implications. Having read and enjoyed Neema Shah's Kololo Hill, I was eager to read her latest and it did not disappoint. While a more serious topic, it was beautifully written and very informative all wrapped in a very readable story.. This is a subject I will, perhaps, pursue in future reading. For me, 4* and my recommendation.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley

I always enjoy books which shine a light on less familiar aspects of history, and this one succeeds in that respect. It focuses on the end of the British Imperial rule in India and the lives of Indian and biracial people living in London. I found it interesting to consider the differing political viewpoints, and the author skilfully shows that there were many ways to see the problem of how to peacefully end the British administration and give India its rightful independence.
The opening chapter was gripping, and I found the central characters interesting, if sometimes hard to like. I never felt that Ruby’s actions at the start were fully explained or justified, and although she grew as a character I never quite managed to fully sympathise with her.
Overall, I felt this was very well written but I didn’t feel along with the main characters as much as I’d have liked to.

This book is set in London during World War Two and the Blitz. It’s told from the POV (point of view) of two strong women Ruby and Kitty. Ruby is an air raid warden and spends her nights on duty. She has Indian roots which she keeps hidden for some time, even as she gets involved with the India Forum. Kitty was a lawyer in India, but is not recognised in London. She does clerical work for the India Forum which is campaigning for Independence for India from British Rule. This is a new and interesting storyline during World War Two about a different people group.

A Thread Of Light by Newman Shah was a good read.
We follow two women Kitty, a married Indian woman who followed her husband to war torn Britain, trying to help Indian people within the law courts, while also fighting for independence from Britain. They have meetings to discuss the way forward in that regard.
Then we have Ruby, a warden who helps evacuate residents from their obliterated houses. She’s a little naughty, but I’ll let you find that one out!
She starts attending the Indian meetings with another agenda that is not supporting the crowd’s needs. As she keeps going, she notices a man who stands out to her. She develops a little crush…
The trouble is that this is all happening with the war in full effect, bombing Britain most days, driving them below ground with the slightest notice. Making life like a knife’s edge. …
I enjoyed the story, it flitted between the two women and what they were doing. Easy to follow and steady, this would be an enjoyable story for all.
Many thanks to Pan MacMillan for the opportunity to read this arc copy via Netgalley. My opinion is my own.
#Netgalley, #PanMacmillan, #NeemaShahAuthor.

I was immediately drawn in at the beginning of the book with Ruby entering the Richardsons bombed house. Unfortunately I gradually lost interest in both Ruby and Kitty even though I found the different perspectives interesting.

The interesting story about two women caught up in WW2, one an ARP warden, the other a barrister not allowed to practise fighting for Indian independence. Unfortunately I had to skim quite a bit of Ruby's story - sometimes WW2 stories don't have graphic detail about the aftermath of bombs etc but this one did and it was a bit much for me.

A very different vantage point to bring to a World War 2 story from the viewpoint of Indian people who , as a nation, were seeking independence from UK. This story however takes place in UK and introduces us to the India forum that also has tensions amongst it’s followers..
An intense and interesting read

London 1941. As the city thrums with Blitz bombers, lonely air raid warden Ruby is drawn into the unfamiliar world of the India Forum, where a group of Londoners are working tirelessly to free India from British rule. Ruby has her own secret motives for joining the fight, but when she meets Satyajit, charming, aloof, and potentially dangerous, she finds herself torn between head and heart. Lawyer Kitty is helping Indian men in Britain challenge conscription. Having left Bombay to marry the man she loves, now she risks losing him as well. As Kitty and Ruby's lives collide, the threat of violence closes in. Just how far is are they willing to go for the people they love.

Set in London during WWII. Ruby is an air raid warden, Kitty works for the India forum. This is an interesting and informative read. I haven't read about India's fight for independence before. The story is told from Ruby and Kitty's perspectives. The women come from different backgrounds. The pace is steady.

Published 10th July 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #PanMacmillian #Picador and the author #NeenaShah for my ARC of #AThreadOfLight in exchange for an honest review.

An emotional and engaging read set in the Indian community in London with WW2 and Indian independence as a backdrop, told through the eyes of Kitty who is an Indian living in London and Ruby who is English with an Indian father. An interesting read, I cannot comment on the historical accuracy as it's not an area I know much of. Some interesting thoughts on identity.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Neema Shah's second book after the fabulous ‘Kololo Hill’ is set during a part of World War II history that is new to me. Once again it's an exploration of an Indian experience in a foreign, and perhaps unsupportive culture. It’s 1941 and London is being bombed. There’s two intwined stories – of Kitty and Ruby – as they navigate their war duties in London while also being involved in action to free India from the British. I learnt a lot and enjoyed the setting and the action, but I normally read more romance-driven plots and I felt the absence here. This is nuanced historical fiction more than romance with plenty of action, drama, risk and angst for both Kitty and Ruby and their loved ones.

Thank you Neema Shah and Pan Macmillan for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

I was pleased to have read this book as I am interested in Indian independence and connecting it with World War II was new to me. However, I would have like more interaction between the two main female characters. I feel more couldn’t have been made of their characters. However, I don’t want to give this a poor review as it’s historically interesting and therefore worth reading. Thank you Netgalley.

This is a book on an important overlooked aspect of British colonial history. It looks at the Indian community in the UK during WW2 and their attitudes towards the independence movement ranging from indifference to a call for direct violent action. The book underlines that British colonial rule could be oppressive and exploitative, a fact conveniently forgotten by many today. At a time when opposition to immigration can be vitriolic in intensity, it is also worth remembering that Britain has always had an immigrant population who have contributed enormously to the culture, security and economy in this country. Again, this book is a cogent reminder of this fact. There are some weighty themes here, wrapped up in a readable, well worked story.

I was disappointed with this book, having said that, I learnt about India’s fight for independence, which was interesting.
My main issue is that not a lot happened in the first 70% of the story.
For me it was too slow, also I didn’t understand Ruby’s character.

Sadly I had to stop reading this one. I really wanted to like it, but it just didn’t click for me. The story started off interesting, but as I kept going, it felt a bit slow and hard to get into. The writing style didn’t grab me, and I couldn’t connect with the characters at all.
Maybe this will work for others, but I just couldn’t get through it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC.

This book is set in WW2 England and the main characters are Indians trying to keep the fight for Indian Independence alive despite the war. It's something I knew very little about and I enjoyed the learning process. In places it read more like a guide to independance rather than a novel but the actual story was interesting. Good characters, well developed; and a great sense of time and place. I loved the mention of 'court shoes'. I hadn't heard that phrase in a long time. A good ending too. Neema Shah writes well and insightfully. With thanks for the e-ARC to read and review.