Sworn Enemy (Espionage #2)
Author: A.L. Sowards
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Published Date: April 2013
Softcover: 281 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
ISBN# 978-1-62108-476-1
Reviewed by: Shanda
FTC FYI: free temporary digital copy in exchange for an honest review
Summary
June 1944. As World War II rages, the people of Eastern Europe are hopelessly trapped between two formidable forces: Hitler’s Germany and Stalin’s Soviet Union. In their midst, a band of heroes works to defend against the inevitable Communist takeover.
After narrowly escaping her Nazi captors, French Resistance worker Genevieve Olivier has fled to Allied territory with the help of American Lieutenant Peter Eddy. Their connection is undeniable, forged in the crucible of danger. But despite their blossoming feelings for each other, they must both finish the work they began . . .
In the safety of England, Genevieve hopes to find purpose as a nurse—all the while unaware that the Gestapo still seeks the woman who slipped through their grasp. When she is called upon to resume a life of danger as a French spy, will her desire to prove herself be her downfall?
Recruited by an elite special-ops team intent on thwarting the Nazis, Peter finds himself engaged in a personal battle as well—there is a traitor among his comrades. Deep in the Carpathian Mountains, Peter combats an unknown foe. The stakes are high as he fights to save the lives of his teammates.
They are miles apart, yet as Genevieve and Peter fight for their own survival, they find a common well of strength in their faith—and their determination to be reunited.
Review
Sworn Enemy begins as Peter and Genevieve (introduced in Espionage) are trying to stay ahead of the Gestapo, making their way out of occupied France. While Sworn Enemy can be read alone, reading Espionage provides a richer history of the characters and makes reading Sworn Enemy an even better experience.
Peter and Genevieve are great characters. While Espionage focuses mainly on the beginning of their story and the events leading up to their escape from occupied France, Sworn Enemy finds them facing separation as Genevieve goes to nursing school and Peter leaves as part of team assembled for a specific mission in Romania. There are several other characters I enjoyed as well, especially a certain Polish soldier who I liked just as much as Peter. (Maybe a tiny bit more after that one scene in Bucharest, but you’ll have to read the book to see if you agree with me.)
Peter and Genevieve’s romantic relationship is not at the forefront of the novel. There is plenty of spying, captures, escapes, as well as a battle. Those who enjoy a little romance will like the side story of two other characters in the novel. For those of you who aren’t big romance fans, don’t worry. It’s a nice addition to the story but it is not the focus.
There was a stretch of chapters that focused on Peter and the events he was involved in and the reader doesn’t know what is happening with Genevieve for quite sometime. I would have liked a chapter somewhere in there to update me with Genevieve’s activities, because I was in suspense wondering about that for what felt like a long time. The nature of Peter’s mission (13 team members and some civilians, plus the German & Romanian soldiers and officials, along with occasional use of both first and last names) made for a lot of characters to remember at first, but as I read, it became easier.
What I like about A.L. Sowards’ writing is that the reader can tell that she has done her research and knows a lot about the events and time period, but not because she beats the reader over the head with facts. They are woven into the story and dialogue and it never feels stilted or like a history lecture.
Sworn Enemy is well-written, full of action and suspense, and an enjoyable follow up to Espionage. A.L. Sowards is one of my new favorite historical authors and I definitely look forward to reading more from her in the future.
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