A Surprise Gift

The Home For War Orphans by Jenna Ness is a powerful historical debut. It is the first book in The Orphans Of St Agnes series which promises to be fabulous. The ending is perfectly poised for the next book to begin.

The book opens in Paris in 1940 as the Nazis begin to take power. The leader of the orphanage and the remaining orphans flee South in the hope of getting a ship and visas for America. As the reader joins them on their perilous journey, we witness the very best and worst of humanity along the way.

Jenna Ness has perfectly captured the atmosphere as we sense both the bravery and the desperation of all those travelling South.

Within the group there is ‘sibling’ rivalry as well as much love for each other.

The mannerisms of the young girls have been perfectly drawn by the author. We ‘feel’ their conflicting emotions and their bravery.

We witness sacrificial love in action. This is a love that puts others above self.