Sarah Sundin knows how to write emotionally intense historical fiction.  Her World War II stories always give readers a glimpse of what war times must have been like.  Her latest novel, The Sky Above Us, is the second in the Sunrise of Normandy Trilogy and chronicles the story of Adler Paxton. The first book of the series really should be read first, but readers could follow the story without it.

Adler Paxton has experienced a great deal of tragedy in his life and as this story progresses, readers come to recognize that much of it is of his own making.  Adler’s self-imposed exile from his family only adds to his hurt.  As the story progresses, Adler comes to realize he can find redemption in the Savior Jesus Christ and he begins to change himself.  This is a beautiful aspect of this story.  The healing of past hurts is touching.  Helping Adler along the way is Violet Lindstrom.

Violet is serving in the American Red Cross and she has her own set of challenges.  She also must develop her relationship with the Lord in order to overcome emotional obstacles.  She also finds herself needing help from Adler to progress. 

There is a lot about this historic era that in interesting and Sarah Sundin does a great job of helping readers to feel as though they are part of the story.  The reader will develop a connection to at least one character in the story.  Enjoy this look at the time leading up to and during D-Day.

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Revell

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  None 

Violence/Gore:  Many references to a person trying to kill his brother; a man slams into another man who is giving unwanted advances to a woman; several aerial combat scenes, some of which result in fatalities. 

Sex/Nudity:  Non-married man forces kisses on women; men briefly discuss prostitutes and venereal diseases; multiple times a character refers to when he slept with a woman, no detail except to say her skirt inched higher and higher; non-married characters kiss and embrace; illegitimate child discussed.

Mature Subject Matter:

Death, death of family member, estrangement, war, WWII, illegitimate child.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

Several mentions of soldiers consuming alcohol; man recalls getting drunk on whiskey.