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Uwe Litten is a German linguist who can speak several languages, so the Nazis hire him to help interrogate Polish partisans they have captured in an attempt to find the rest of those hiding.

Uriel is a 10-yr-old mute Jewish boy in a tiny town that has been wiped out by the Polish thus doing the job for the Nazis. Archangels have come in search of Michael who has been angelnapped and they entrust Uriel to find him.

Uwe and Uriel prove that an individual can bring about a turning point to any situation, including war.

Holy shit. This book. This book will lift and inspire. It will also horrify. How could people do this shit to others? Hate is a powerful tool that needs to be removed from the toolbox. No one needs it.

Uwe is in an impossible situation, balancing his beliefs and morals with safety. Not just his safety. His family's. All while he does a job he doesn't want to do for the Nazis. In the end he does the only thing he can and it turns out to be plenty.

Uriel could be a bitter little boy, but he's not. He's full of hope and optimism and courage. Maybe that's why the Archangels picked him for the mission of finding Michael. Despite the scariness of confronting Samael, the Angel of Death, Uriel fulfills his duty to the best of his ability.

Is this Historical? Mythological? Fantasy? Paranormal? It's all of those things and more. This is the type of book that will stick with a person long after the last page is turned. ( )

Uriel's small town of Zingdorf, Poland has been attacked; the buildings have all been burned to the ground and the people have been killed. Ten year old, mute Uriel survives, clutching his small golden book of stories that he has written. As Major Brandt, commander of the local Nazi Police and his new linguist, Uwe, drives through Zingdorf they stop to inspect the damage. Uwe notices the small, seemingly lifeless boy and is disgusted by what his countrymen have done. As he recovers, Uriel is visited by the Angels and is given a gift to protect him, keeping Uriel unseen by anyone wishing to harm him. Uriel hurries to follow the car with Major Brandt and Uwe. To Uriel's surprise, Uwe can see him and promises to harbor Uriel in his room within the Major's house. As Uriel explores, he finds Samael, the Angel of Death and is given a series of tasks by Samael in order to save his people. With the help of Uwe and his gift from the Angels, Uriel sets off to complete his tasks. Meanwhile, Uwe, inspired by Uriel's courage, finds his own ways to thwart Major Brandt and help the Jewish people who have survived.

The Book of Uriel is a unique story combining historical fiction and Jewish mysticism into an engrossing novel about courage and hope during World War II. From the very beginning, Uriel's character grabbed me. Since he is mute, all of the story from Uriel's point of view is his inner monologue which is a wonderful look into Uriel's childlike innocence as well as overwhelming maturity in all of his actions. From meeting Angels to interacting with Uwe, outsmarting Brandt and completing Samael's mission, Uriel acts with conviction, single-mindedness and acceptance of what he needs to do. The writing incorporated the mystical elements seamlessly, especially during World War II, where unbelievable atrocities are happening, Angels waging a war of their own does not seem far-fetched. The missions that Uriel was sent on by Samael were exciting and unexpected. I loved Uriel's stories as a way to share more about the Jewish religion as well as bond Uriel and Uwe. I enjoyed watching Uwe transform as he gained courage to fight back against Brandt as well. Uwe's care for Uriel was heartfelt and authentic, creating just as amazing story as Uriel's quest. With an unexpected ending and a different viewpoint of World War II, The Book of Uriel is a beautiful story of hope and courage in a time of hate.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. ( )

I have deeply mixed feelings about The Book of Uriel. The premise has a great deal of promise: Uriel, a young, mute boy, the only survivor of a pogrom in Nazi-occupied Poland, is charged by angels with the task of finding Michael, the guardian angel of the Jewish people, who has been kidnapped by the fallen angel Samael. Uwe, and unwillingly conscripted translator for Nazi forces manages to provide shelter for Uriel and develops his own means of resistance, unaware of Uriel's mission.

With a deft hand, this kind of magical realism could lead to a genuinely profound exploration of the struggle between good and evil—on a cosmic level and a mortal one. The problem is that Hoffman creates too many unlikely coincidences even for the world of magical realism. Samael sets Uriel a set of tasks that will free Michael. Capture a mythical, rock-eating beast that Solomon purportedly employed when building temples and palaces? OK, maybe. But then realizing that capturing this creature will require the recovery of the cloak of Elijah the Prophet? And finding that cloak in a pile of remnants from a genocidal Nazi attack on a local Jewish community? The number of sacred relics Uriel hunts down—and finds—in one small corner of Poland is just too unbelievable, even for magical realism.

The book offers an engaging read, but I was aware again and again of opportunities missed and credibility strained as I worked my way through it.

I received a free electronic ARC of this title from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions are my own. ( )

This book grabs you from the start. What starts as a heartbreaking opening quickly turns to a ray of hope. Angels, both good and bad, the Nazis, a reluctant linguist, and one unlikely hero populate this story. Honestly after meeting the angels, I wasn't sure how much I would enjoy the story, but I absolutely loved it. The pacing is perfect, and you get so wrapped up in the story once you start. The descriptions make you feel like you're in the story itself, and I definitely recommend this! ( )