Carole's Monday. Paris in Ruins by MK Tod

Author: M.K. Tod

Title: Paris in Ruins

Genre: Historical Fiction

Format: ebook

Pages: March 30th 2021

Published: March 30th 2021

Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Summary: 

Paris 1870. Raised for a life of parties and servants, Camille and Mariele have much in common, but it takes the horrors of war to bring them together to fight for the city and people they love.

A few weeks after the abdication of Napoleon III, the Prussian army lays siege to Paris. Camille Noisette, the daughter of a wealthy family, volunteers to nurse wounded soldiers and agrees to spy on a group of radicals plotting to overthrow the French government. Her future sister-in-law, Mariele de Crécy, is appalled by the gaps between rich and poor. She volunteers to look after destitute children whose families can barely afford to eat.

Somehow, Camille and Mariele must find the courage and strength to endure months of devastating siege, bloody civil war, and great personal risk. Through it all, an unexpected friendship grows between the two women, as they face the destruction of Paris and discover that in war women have as much to fight for as men.

War has a way of teaching lessons—if only Camille and Mariele can survive long enough to learn them.

Review:

I read a book by this author a while back and I had really liked it so I was excited to get my hands on this one!

We follow Camille and Mariele who were raised for a life of parties and servants. They have a lot in common, but it takes the horrors of war to bring them together to fight for the city and the people they love. A few weeks after the abdication of Napoleon III, the Prussian army lays siege to Paris. Camille volunteers to nurse the wounded soldiers and agrees to spy on a group of radicals plotting to overthrow the French government. Mariele is Camille's future sister-in-law and finds that she is appalled by the gaps between the rich and poor. She volunteers to look after destitute children. Together they must find the courage and strength to endure the months of hardships.

This author really knows how to suck a reader into the story. I could not put this down! I finished it in just a couple of sittings. I had to know what was going to happen next! It totally captivated me from page one. Soooooooo good!

I think I liked Mariele's story more. I found myself more interested in what she was up to. Don't get me wrong, I liked Camille too and I worried for her as well, but I feel like I connected with Mariele more so. Mariele starts off so docile, but she really finds her strength and you can even argue finds herself in this world of chaos. You can say the same thing for Camille and you would be right. However, there is something about Mariele that I really leaned into.

What a scary thing to have to go through. I was so worried for our characters. War is bloody and terrible and even though I know the general history....I was still on the edge of my seat and was worried for our girls and the others. Such a scary thing to have to go through. I can't even imagine *shudders* The author really does a wonderful job bringing this world and our characters alive. 

Overall, I was captivated by this story and our heroines. I could not put this down! I highly recommend it for historical fiction lovers. It is really good. I would even say it is a contender for the Best of the year ;) 5 stars from me.