Thursday, April 7, 2022

Before the Fortress Falls by A.L. Sowards-Blog Tour Review and Giveaway

Book Info

Title: Before the Fortress Falls

Author: A. L. Sowards

Release Day: April 1, 2022

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Formats: Print, ebook, audio

Genres: Christian Historical Fiction, Historical Fiction, War Fiction

***I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own***

Book Summary

When rumors reach Vienna that an attack by the Ottoman army is imminent, Wilhelm von Schor, one of the emperor’s courtiers, prepares to evacuate his family—including his sister, Katja. But Katja’s reluctance to leave the city and the people she loves so well grows the farther the family carriage gets from her childhood home. When she learns that another brother, Xavier, is returning to Vienna with his musketeers, she decides to remain behind and face the shadow of war.

Katja soon reunites with Xavier and also with Toby, a dear friend from childhood. As Katja and Toby renew their friendship, an element of attraction builds on the comradery of their youth, and they quickly realize they have found something worth fighting for: love. But all too soon, the Ottomans encircle the city, blanketing its inhabitants in fear. Katja, Toby, and Xavier must each fulfill their new roles if they are to survive. In the overcrowded hospitals, below ground in the countermines, and on the ramparts defending the city walls, the three must fight for love, family, faith, and the survival of their city and everyone inside.

My Review

If you ever want to read fantastic historical fiction, A.L. Sowards is your go-to author. She does her research so well and a lot of it. Before The Fortress Falls is a splendid combination of war and military strategizing, a budding romance, family relationships, forgiveness, and sacrifice for religion and country.

The story is told from five different perspectives: Turkish soldier Ahmed, three siblings, Katja, Xavier, and Wilhelm, and old family friend and woodworker, Toby. This novel showcases the siege of Vienna by the Ottoman Empire in 1683. The people of Vienna held off 300,000 Turkish soldiers for two months until other countries came to help them. I knew very little of this time period or this military siege. It was fascinating to read about the strategies that went into the fighting between the two sides.

This novel is very inspiring. The Viennese people had such strength and love for their people, country, and God. There are so many tragic moments that show what these brave people went through. The characters are written so well and all so unique. There was some violence in the battle scenes but nothing overly graphic. This novel is about war. So you should expect this. I also was enamored by the love story. There was typical angst but also love and devotion. If you like Historical Fiction or Historical Romance. I highly recommend Before the Fortress Falls as your next read.

Meet Author A.L. Sowards

A. L. Sowards is the author of multiple historical fiction novels, with settings spanning the globe from the fourteenth to twentieth centuries. Her stories have earned a Whitney Award, several Whitney Finalists positions, and a Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal. She enjoys hiking and swimming, usually manages to keep up with the laundry, and loves it when someone else cooks dinner. She currently lives in the beautiful state of Alaska with her husband, three children, and an ever-growing library.