kittyp3777's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
pawstoodream's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
bookworm_43's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
nopersonalityjustbooks's review
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
llopez13's review
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
thebashfulbookworm's review
5.0
Beneath a Starless Sky by Tessa Harris is a gripping, exciting, and very emotional story set in Europe before, during, and after World War II. It follows the story of Jewish ballet dancer Lilli Sternberg as she rises to stardom in Hollywood and after an injury, she becomes a spy.
Lilli works hard at the ballet school in dreams of making it out of her home in Germany and becoming a star in Hollywood. On her way, she meets and falls for German soldier Captain Marco Zeiller. After a short romance, her heart is broken, but she finally finds her way to Vaudeville in New York City and eventually to Hollywood and becomes a dancer in the movies.
Her life in America is what she’s always dreamed of and she meets and dances with Fred Astaire and other famous actors, actresses, and dancers. She also meets Prince Edward and his Americal mistress Wallis Simpson.
I was swept away by this historical story that brought real-life history to life for me. The prologue had me flying through the pages of this superbly written saga to learn the fate of Lilli and her loves and family. Lilli is a remarkable woman whose courage, strength, and resiliency are perfectly balanced with her vulnerability and love for her family and country. I loved how the author weaved in the very real historical figures into this work of fiction, making the story believable and very realistic. As if this story really happened.
I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction and anyone who loves a good story. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Lilli works hard at the ballet school in dreams of making it out of her home in Germany and becoming a star in Hollywood. On her way, she meets and falls for German soldier Captain Marco Zeiller. After a short romance, her heart is broken, but she finally finds her way to Vaudeville in New York City and eventually to Hollywood and becomes a dancer in the movies.
Her life in America is what she’s always dreamed of and she meets and dances with Fred Astaire and other famous actors, actresses, and dancers. She also meets Prince Edward and his Americal mistress Wallis Simpson.
I was swept away by this historical story that brought real-life history to life for me. The prologue had me flying through the pages of this superbly written saga to learn the fate of Lilli and her loves and family. Lilli is a remarkable woman whose courage, strength, and resiliency are perfectly balanced with her vulnerability and love for her family and country. I loved how the author weaved in the very real historical figures into this work of fiction, making the story believable and very realistic. As if this story really happened.
I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction and anyone who loves a good story. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
natalier3's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book, the life of Lilli was cleverly designed and woven with threads of history through it.
At times, I did get a little confused with the names of the historical characters and I feel I would have benefitted from a cast list at the start of the book for reference.
The characters of Lilli and Marco were likeable (on the whole!) and I cared about their story.
The prologue was not resolved until the final chapters and I think parts of this could have been linked together as I had forgotten about some of the scene by that point.
At times, I did get a little confused with the names of the historical characters and I feel I would have benefitted from a cast list at the start of the book for reference.
The characters of Lilli and Marco were likeable (on the whole!) and I cared about their story.
The prologue was not resolved until the final chapters and I think parts of this could have been linked together as I had forgotten about some of the scene by that point.
joanne_f77's review
4.0
The ending :(
I read this book pretty quickly,great story. The ending had me tearing up. Well written story.would recommend to people :)
I read this book pretty quickly,great story. The ending had me tearing up. Well written story.would recommend to people :)
dwkiley's review
5.0
Thank you to Goodreads and HQDigital for the ARC of Beneath a Starless Sky by Tessa Harris. What a twisting and turning story of spies, intrigue mixed with some Hollywood back in the WW2 era. Lilian Sternberg’s journey from dancer to film star to survivor hit all the right emotional notes. As a spy for both British secret service and then being forced to spy for Germany as well to save her family was fascinating. The author kept returning to characters to swing the story and move it forward. Having Lilli be a friend to the Duke of England and Wallis Simpson was an interesting storyline. If you like historical fiction and mysteries, this book has them both. Enjoy the journey this story will take you on.
booksaprilreads's review
4.0
Beneath a Starless Sky by Tessa Harris was quite a surprise. I love WWII historical fiction so expected to at least like this story. I did not expect to get completely wrapped up in a story of love, fame, espionage, and sacrifice.
Lilli Sternberg is a talented ballet dancer who finds fame and fortune in Hollywood. She leaves her family behind to pursue her dream. After an injury sidelines her career, she decides to move to England. It is while here that she learns what she had been mostly ignorant of, how bad things were getting for her family in France because of their being Jewish.
After a chance encounter with someone she loved and thought was gone from her life Lilli learns she can be of help to those opposing Hitler and the Nazi regime. The resulting story is suspenseful and at times heartbreaking.
I had previously vaguely heard of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor’s fascist sympathies. This book was enlightening regarding that part of history. I learned things I did not previously know, all wrapped up in an amazing story.
I really enjoyed this story and recommend it to anyone who enjoys WWII historical fiction. Thank you to NetGalley, Tessa Harris, and Harper 360 for the copy of this book in exchange for a review. All opinions are entirely my own.
Lilli Sternberg is a talented ballet dancer who finds fame and fortune in Hollywood. She leaves her family behind to pursue her dream. After an injury sidelines her career, she decides to move to England. It is while here that she learns what she had been mostly ignorant of, how bad things were getting for her family in France because of their being Jewish.
After a chance encounter with someone she loved and thought was gone from her life Lilli learns she can be of help to those opposing Hitler and the Nazi regime. The resulting story is suspenseful and at times heartbreaking.
I had previously vaguely heard of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor’s fascist sympathies. This book was enlightening regarding that part of history. I learned things I did not previously know, all wrapped up in an amazing story.
I really enjoyed this story and recommend it to anyone who enjoys WWII historical fiction. Thank you to NetGalley, Tessa Harris, and Harper 360 for the copy of this book in exchange for a review. All opinions are entirely my own.