Historical Fiction at Its Best
If you like historical fiction, and the World War II era, you'll probably enjoy King's Ransom. It is based on the true and often overlooked story of Bulgaria's King Boris and how he tried to save his country from Nazi rule.
The authors did an excellent job of showing the heart wrenching struggles that each character faces. King Boris is a good man who sees no choice but to align his country with Germany, and yet he desparately tries to save the Jews from their cruelty. Daria, the queen's personal servant and a Jew, struggles with her feelings for a Sergeant and with revealing her heritage. The church leaders, the politicians, the simple workers, and the Nazi sympathizers all play a part in Bulgaria's fate. Told from the various characters' perspectives, the transitions are not always as smooth as they might have been, but overall I enjoyed the book and learned a good deal in the process.
