REVIEW TO FOLLOW ( )

This is a story about a family who walks through the shadows of unimaginable darkness—sometimes running with wolves, sometimes hiding from bears—but always moving forward toward the miraculous sunrise. This is the kind of story that is necessary, and it nestles into the deepest parts of your soul, reminding you of “the power of dreams and the magic of life” (409). This is a hard read, but an important read. And in the words of the author: “This is an American story, an immigrant story, a spiritual and universal story. May we all dare to chase such dreams, experience such grace, and lead such miraculous lives” (435). ( )

This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk. I would also like to say that I won this book via a giveaway on Goodreads (my first and only winner so far lol). I'm not sure if they are different, but this book is the advanced reader's copy.

The first thing I want to say about this book is that the cover is gorgeous and I'm not sure what they used to make it, but it doesn't feel like a normal book cover. It feels really cool and I like to touch it, which sounds weird but that's how it is lol

The first scene I want to talk about is the scene with them running away from the tanks. It was so damn intense, I swore for a moment I was watching an action scene playing out in a movie. I almost started crying when the horses got hurt, but I can't be mad at Emil. He was scared and trying to save his family! He even felt guilty about it and did his best to help mend their wounds, bless him.

One of the first things I thought about when I was a few chapters in was about how people always write about these supernatural creatures as these evil hellbent beings, but the real monsters, the real demons, are human beings. That's not to say this book talks about supernatural beings, it doesn't, but that's just what I thought about when they were describing the cruelty that was happening around them. This book just reinforces the fact that I would take a demon or a supernatural creature any day over a human being.

I think the scene that left me the most speechless was when Haussman shot at Emil. The way it was written, I was sure he had shot him dead and my mouth hung open in shock. I stopped and stared at that paragraph for a solid minute or so before I moved on. I was ready to cry, too, because I really love Emil. Such a good man and father!

"We come in with nothing, and we go out with nothing." - Emil Martel.

Now, let me say this - I am an atheist. I don't believe in god or religion at all. Not to say that's bad. If someone wants to believe or needs to believe in order to get through the hell that is life, then that's on them, I won't tell them otherwise unless they try to force it on me. Honestly, I just try to avoid it and I felt uncomfortable every time it was mentioned, but I understand. With everything the Martel clan went through, all the horrors they faced and saw, they needed something to believe in. I did find myself getting a bit annoyed at Adeline when she would get upset at Emil when he stopped believing. But as the book went on, she got better about it, which I'm thankful for because I really like Adeline. She's a damn good mother and a strong woman. I don't think I could have survived what she went through, she's a good role model.

Another part that was unbelievable was what happened to Rese. I was in shock at what had happened to her. No one deserves that mess, but Rese of all people? She was such a free spirit, so much fun and full of life. To go through something so traumatic and life-changing... I felt so sorry for her.

Karoline, on the other hand, is a character I'm perfectly satisfied with hating. She's such a bitch. Manipulative and self-centered. She doesn't care about anyone but herself and her own beliefs. What she said about Rese... I get being in shock but goddamn. That was too far. I really fucking hate her, even thinking about her pisses me off. How someone like her can raise such an amazing son such as Emil, I will never understand.

And Marie! Poor Marie, losing both of her babies in such a short time. I'm still shocked that she jumped into that truck and I hope whatever life that led her to, she was able to find some peace within herself.

I feel like the Martel clan splitting up was a bad idea. It's the first rule of any horror movie, you know? Never split up because you're much stronger together. It broke my heart when they separated, I really liked Adeline's side of the family. Though I felt betrayed on Adeline's part when her mother said those things about Emil.

I never went to school, so the things most human beings learned about history, I never did, so the things I read about in this book were... appalling. To think that the women had to hide out in a fucking church with the doors barred just to avoid being raped as a fucking reward of war... I mean, I know women weren't equal back then but that's just ridiculous. I would have flipped my shit if Adeline didn't talk her way out of being raped by that douchebag.

"When you suffer and curse your life, the Almighty listens closely. When you have no goodness in your heart or your prayers. No love. No calm. No desire to help others. No thankfulness for the miracle of your life. When you hold things like hatred or anger in your heart or envy or comparison, when life is all about how everything is unfair to me, me, me, the Divine understands those ancient languages of self-destruction, too. The thing is, the Universal Intelligence will help you even if your dreams come from a dark place, but the dreams will end up destroying you in the process. If you don't believe me, think of Hitler or any other tyrant. So live here, Martel. Love life like it is a miracle every day, every moment, and dream in a way that helps others." - Colonel Gheorghe

Colonel Gheorghe was a weird one when he first appeared, but my god is he one of the very best characters in this book. A wonderful and wise man and I'm so fucking happy he reached his dreams.

Finally, I was surprised when I heard that Emil was only getting .50𝇍 an hour. I guess things really were different back then. I mean, I knew that already, but hearing how little he got paid when he put in so much work. Though I imagine things weren't nearly as expensive back then as they are today.

I feel like Adeline and Emil are the true couple goals. They love each other so damn much that they risked life and limb to be together again. To be a family again. Their story is inspiring and unbelievable. The things they witnessed, the things they went through, the hardships they suffered... they are so damn strong and brave and, in my opinion, they are heroes. I'm so fucking thankful they made it to their beautiful valley where they were able to raise their children and see their grandchildren.

"Don't chew on the bad things that happen to you, dear. Try to see the beauty in every cruelty. It sets you free. Forgive hurt if you want to heal a broken heart. Try to be grateful for every setback or tragedy, because by living through them, you become strong." - Adeline Martel.

Rest in peace, guys. You were all so strong and beautiful and thank you for sharing your story and for sharing you life lessons. Many people can learn for their story if given the chance. ( )

This is a fictional retelling of a true story of how a family escaped the horrors of the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany and eventually emmigrated to the United States after the war. It was well written and hard to put down. My only problem was with the strange mix of the family's Christian faith mixed with the father who depended on a faith in animism to help him escape the prison camp. ( )

tale of the Martel family who were German residents of the Ukraine, which was being invaded by the Nazis. They had a choice to make: wait for Stalin to liberate them or follow the Nazis to a resettlement camp----they could do this as they were Germans. The Martel's had been persecuted for being Kulaks by the Communist Party and the father had been sent to Siberia never to be seen again. They decided to follow the Germans, who also treated them terribly. This book is based on a true story. 457 pages ( )

One of my favorite books ever! I loved Adeline and want to be more like her. Also loved the enthusiasm and optimism of Corporal Gheorghe. I could not put this book down! ( )

It isn't easy to describe how much this book has touched me. It tells the story of the Martel family, their heartbreak, their terror, their escape, and how they felt the hand of God helping them all the way. Probably all the immigrants from the founding of this magnificent country to the present day have a story about having a dream and having it come true in America. Despite our flaws, we are still the "land of opportunity" and the "city on a hill" that God has charged us to be. A must-read for students of history and life. As Adeline says, life didn't happen to her, it happened for her. ( )

Loved this book, even better than Beneath a Scarlet Sky. Great perspective from a refugee point of view and the determination to be free and safe. ( )

An amazing story

An amazing story of human perseverance and determination and Divine guidance and protection. The lessons learned through their extreme hardships gave them greater awareness and appreciation of life. ( )

This is the incredible (and apparently mostly true) story of the Martel family and their flight from Eastern Europe during and after the Second World War. The book is classified “historical fiction” and it is that, but the Martel family was very read and most of what they endured was real. It is difficult to read in parts because of what they family went through, but Sullivan is a masterful story teller. If you normally skip the Acknowledgements section of books, don’t with this one. That short section will give you an appreciation of the leg work Sullivan put in to research the book. My only criticism is that parts of the book spend more time on religious issues that I would have liked. That said, it was a major part of the Martel family story, even for Emil, the father who was a card carrying atheist and became a devout believer. I recommend this book to everyone. ( )

I thoroughly enjoyed Beneath The Scarlet Sky, and knew I would read this The Last Green Valley, and it sure didn’t disappoint!
At this point with the world focus on the Ukraine, with this read we return there, and begin our journey with the Martel family, and a journey that hold you spell bound, none we would ever want to make!
Emil and Adeline and their young sons journey from one tyranny to another, and we follow their path to survival.
This is a fictional account of actual events, and it is a story about a real family, and I loved the updates at the end, so that all of my lingering questions were answered, and yes, I had many!
You don’t want to miss this one, and we need to learn from it! ( )

This WW2 historical fiction was incredibly well written. It chronicled the journey of the Martel family, Emil, Adeline, and their two young sons as they escaped Ukraine in the last days of WW2, forced to choose between accepting Nazi protecting or falling into the hands of the Russians. I’ve read lots of WW2 stories and all tell a different, terrible perspective of those days. This was a perspective I hadn’t yet heard and the author did a wonderful job showing the journey of the family, as well as the connection they shared. ( )

Where do I begin? How do I begin to capture the experience of reading this extraordinary novel? 5 Stars simply are not enough.

The historical fiction novel is beautifully and eloquently written sharing a phenomenal story of one family's journey to freedom. It is a testament to the human will to survive. I also believe it is a moving testament to God's grace in the midst of the violence of war, the evil that man can inflict upon man, the heartbreak of loss, fear of the unknown and yet an incredible resilience to move forward knowing each step is one step closer to the west, one step closer to freedom. The author's writing poignantly creates the atmospheric setting of the long trek of the Martel family to freedom. With each step on the family's journey, the reader is riveted with eagerness of hope when steps succeed, the breath of fresh air in the moments of shared kindnesses, and feels the excruciating heartbreak in their times of loss and their anguish in times of adversities particularly when subjected to evil and during times of separation.

It was especially captivating to read thought-provoking questions that Adeline Martel (daughter, sister, wife, mother) asked herself as she found joy in watching her sister have a short time of pleasure during a segment of their trip, "Can happiness be that easy? Finding little joys in the worst moments?"

I highly recommend that each reader continues reading after the last chapter turning pages to the "Afterword" and then to the "Acknowledgments" to then become absorbed in the author's journey of storytelling from the moment he heard the Martel's family story.

I will remember the Martel's story each time I see another photograph in the news about refugees. Viewing the faces and knowing that each face is part of a family, knowing that each family holds dreams of a better tomorrow and with hopes and prayers that their journey will one day lead them to the freedom they seek. I will remember. ( )

Very interesting story about an event during WWII. Who knew so many Germans were living in Russia. What a choice Stalin or Hitler. Good characters. Liked the ending and the acknowledgment ( )

This is a novelization based on a family history. The Martels were part of a German community that had lived in the Ukraine for more than a century in order to obtain better farmland.

When Stalin had taken over the Ukraine, the German families starved and family members disappeared into concentration camps. When Hitler then took over the same territory, the Martels were given certification as “pure blood” Germans based on their family records and given preferential treatment.

But then the war turned again and in March 1944 Stalin’s troops were pushing into the Ukraine. The Martels knew that if they were captured by the Russians they would be condemned as Germans and sent to concentration camps. Their only option was to join the fleeing Nazis, whom they not only hated, but to do so would be brand them as Nazis and end their dream of someday emigrating to Western freedom.

This is a vividly written story of very hard choices. It is a part of WWII history that I did not know and found fascinating.

It was page turning until the last few chapters; then we see how the surviving family became a prominent family in Bozeman, Montana. But somehow, the immediacy is lost in these chapters as the author tells us what happened instead of keeping us within the story. ( )

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, but the things you do to survive will live with you forever. A side of WWII not often heard is the plight of the Ukrainian people under Stalin’s treatment and with the Holodore, and of people risking their lives to flee Communism. This historical fiction which is steeped in one family’s facts won’t leave you for some time. The atrocities, manipulations and strong holds the refugees faced is unimaginable, yet occurred and were survived by some. You will be rooting for these people and hoping they all find their Green Valley in the end.
*I received an arc from the publisher through NetGalley for an honest review ( )

Based on a true story of a family that ended up in Bozeman, MT where I live, so I was interested to learn about them. The Martel's story is amazing and compelling. It also enlightens most Americans to the continued poverty, brutality, and starvation that many Europeans endured in the years after the war ended that we often overlook or don't realize existed. I was not impressed with the writing by Mr. Sullivan. The book needed lots of editing as it drug on going over and over the deprevation they endured to the point where I was often skimming ahead to see what would happen. This was definitely a story that needed telling and memorializes not only an unbelieavable family, but the lives and deaths of millions of people caught between warring armies. ( )

The Last Green Valley is an amazing story of courage, family hope and survival. Just as with Sullivan’s earlier novel Beneath a Scarlet Sky, this book is based on the true story of the Martel family and how they escaped the advancing Russian army with nothing but the few possessions they could pack into a single wagon.
The war is in full force in Europe. The Germany army is retreating on both fronts and the Martel family must decide if they want to stay in the Ukraine and again be under Stalin’s rule or as “pure” Germans be relocated to Germany. For Emil, the decision is easy. He knows what it is to live under Russian rule and he wants to be free and dreams of a better life in the West. He even dares to dream about immigrating to the United States.
However, to make his dream come true he will have to move his wife and two young sons through the war ridden countryside. The family, along with other refugees, follow the Germany army as they retreat before the oncoming Russians. While the Germans have offered to resettle them, their help will come at a price. The Martels will face many trials in their journey to freedom in the West.
This is such a moving story. I can’t begin to imagine how hard it was to survive during WWII. The tenacity of Emil and Adeline was incredible. Most would have given up their dreams and just lived under Stalin’s rule when faced with the hardships and unknown.
The story is well researched and told with beauty and compassion. The prose was descriptive and I felt he did justice to the characters. In short, it was outstanding and it is books like this that fuel my passion for historical fiction.
A must read for all lovers of history and historical fiction. In addition, this is a great book club pick because the topics this book covers a vast array of topics of the time that are still relevant today.
For more of my reviews, and author interviews, see my blog at www.thespineview.com. ( )

Excellent, suspenseful historical novel about the "Long Trek" that took place towards the end of World War II. Based on a true story, the novel tells the tale of the Martels and their quest for freedom, or for that mythical, lush valley in which to live out their dream lives. The obstacles to that life of freedom and bounty include Nazi SS officers, privation and hunger, Soviet prison camps, extremes of cold, heat and everything in between, separation and loss, and death everywhere. The story was suspenseful, a nail-biter of a read, great moments of exhilaration and depths of despair. The author has done tremendous research and it pays off. Great read. ( )

Maybe my expectations were too high. Or maybe I'm tired of reading the overabundance of World War II novels. But THE LAST GREEN VALLEY bored me for the most part.

This is historical fiction about the experiences of an ethnic German family in 1944 as German soldiers led them, along with many other ethnic Germans, westward from their homes in Ukraine. What a predicament they faced: were they running from Stalin just to be "protected" by Nazi wolves?

I'll say this for the book: it is interesting. And that's a good reason to read it. But I want historical fiction to be more than that. A history book is interesting.

I won THE LAST GREEN VALLEY through goodreads.com. ( )