Out of the countless historical fiction books and World War II novels I have read and loved, there is one that crowns them all as the best among all my beloved favorites - Enemy Brothers by Constance Savery. But it is more than just a fabulous tale of World War II. At its heart, Enemy Brothers is a story of two brothers and the love and loyalty between them that transcends the evil and hate of war. It is a story of the fight to preserve all that is light and good when destruction, darkness, and evil threaten to destroy it. It is a story of a choice - a choice of which side to serve - the light or the dark - a choice that each individual or nation must make for themselves. Each level of this conflict and battle between good and evil - between nations at war and between individuals in a personal conflict - is played out against the backdrop of World War II in this novel that is by turns heartwarming, humorous, and rivetingly intense.

When Max Eckermann, a young German boy raised in the Nazi ideology, is caught up in a whirlwind and deposited against his will in the home of a large and boisterous English family, he stubbornly fights to serve his German homeland and to escape at all costs. Dym Ingleford, a young Royal Air Force officer, believes that Max is his lost brother Tony - stolen as a baby and found again by chance or fate. But Max - or Tony - defies Dym's resolve and hates his English captors - and hates Dym most of all the Ingleford siblings.

Tony is faced with a choice, and everything depends on what he will choose. If Tony is to be won back to the light - if his Nazi training is to be defeated - then Dym must tread carefully. One false move, one harsh word, could destroy all hope of Tony's being saved.

The tumultuous story that follows is one of loyalty and betrayal; home and family; truth and lies; redemption against all odds; and sacrificial love that will go to the ends of the earth to find the lost soul and bring it back to the light.

Written in the midst of World War II, before America joined the Allies, when Britain still stood alone against the forces of darkness, this book is a bright and powerful picture of what it was like on the home front during the war, of the people and ideologies of Germany and England, and of the courageous, strong, determined people who held on to hope and fought against all odds for the side of the light.

Then he made another survey of his captor. His eyes rested first on Dym's hands, slender but with a look of strength in repose about them. A feeling of respect crept into his heart as he remembered the iron grasp in which he had found himself for the second time imprisoned. "He held me as if he would never let me go," said Tony to himself. . . . But his eyes, drawn unwillingly again and again . . . could not help seeing that there were other marks on the airman's hands--jagged scars of shrapnel wounds.

As with most books, especially favorites, the characters are the best part of the book for me. But every other part of the book is shining and wonderful as well. However, I have loved these characters for almost exactly a decade, and my love for them only grows with each read-through.

Dym, first of all - he is grave and steady, wise and intelligent, self-disciplined and patient, kind and compassionate and caring. He is incredibly humble, incredibly selfless. He is a loving and devoted brother who helps and cares for his family, his friends, and people in need. When he is not grave and serious, he is cheerful and bright, full of merriment and laughter, twinkling blue-gray eyes and a ready smile. He is smart and sharp and observant, missing nothing, and he loves books and learning and knowledge. He loves children and knows exactly how to handle them - and he always notices them and cares for them instead of discounting them like many adults. He understands so well - understands Tony, people, and the world, with incredible perception and insight. It is Dym's quiet influence that brings hope for change in Tony's life, his steady presence in the storm that makes a difference - his unconditional, sacrificial, fierce, redeeming love that chases and finds Tony in the darkest, most fearful, most destructive places - and sacrifices to bring him back. Even when Dym has been deeply hurt himself, he never becomes bitter or fails to love Tony and to choose to forgive those who have wronged him so grievously. In addition to all this, he is a Flying Officer in the English RAF who fought in the Battle of Britain, which makes him about as cool and courageous as it is possible to be. He continues to fight for what is right, to fight for his country against the forces of evil, and to fight for Tony - and to hold on to hope, truth, and faith in God and in the coming victory, even when the odds are grim. At times in my life, I have wished for a big brother, and if I had one, I would want him to be a lot like Dym. For all these reasons, Dym might possibly be the number one contender for the high honor of being my favorite male character of all time ...although he might also be tied with Faramir from the Lord of the Rings books for the top spot - they are definitely the top two, I've realized.

It was only Dym who was resolved to keep him at any cost . . . Dym whose steely hands would never let go.

And I love Tony just as much as Dym. He is a wonderful protagonist. I can't say as much about him without major spoilers, but his struggle between good and evil is so powerful. He is an intelligent, inquisitive, mischievous, clever young boy with a biting wit - and an incredible sweetness. He is a fighter, incredibly stubborn and determined, and he refuses to be defeated without a cataclysmic struggle. I love him dearly, and I love his journey over the course of the book.

The relationship between Tony and Dym is so powerful. It is the heart of the book. I love each of them, and I love their relationship - and the way it gradually grows and changes over the course of the book, and Tony's beliefs along with it. I love the way Dym loves Tony unconditionally and fiercely when every sign and person tells him he shouldn't. And I love the way Tony's regard for Dym evolves over the course of the book.

Tony flung himself into his brother's arms and felt them close round him tight. "Hold me tight so I can't get away!" he said, and found himself queerly rejoicing in the steely strength of those scarred wrists.

I first read this book almost exactly decade ago when I was a little younger than Tony. Many re-reads later, I'm very close to the age of his older brother, Dym, minus a mere few months. And I have a younger sister who is about a decade younger than me, give or take a year, the same as these two brothers. During this re-read, I've been contemplating what Dym must be feeling after losing a baby sibling in the way that Dym lost his - and possibly finding them again in such a way. It is fascinating to contemplate what emotions and thoughts Dym must have over the course of the story, behind the steady control that is hardly ever broken - except to give glimpses that reveal what he's going through, deep down. And now that I am his age and an older sister, I notice and understand his struggle better, when I didn't focus on it as a preteen or teen. I felt his emotion while reading the book.

And I also felt everything Tony goes through, as I always have - more intensely than ever, if anything. I often came close to crying as I read due to the depths of my feeling about what Dym and Tony go through separately and together, and at the beautiful themes and truths expressed in their relationship.

There are so many other things I love about this book besides Dym and Tony, but the two of them are the most wonderful part. This review only scratches the surface of the treasure that this book contains, but here are a few other favorite aspects:

-I adore the Ingleford family. They are wonderful. A gigantic, boisterous, uproarious family of siblings, with a loving and happy home, full of laughter and humor and kindness and cheer. I love how loyal they are to their country's fight and the war effort, from big, kind Thomas to the youngest and smallest. I would love to be a part of their family, or be a guest in their house - I would love to experience it just for a short while, cause it's wonderful!!! They fight and bicker and lose their tempers - they all have a spark - but above all, they love each other dearly and are devoted to each other, and I love that.

-I love all the other characters. Even the random strangers the characters meet, and the supporting characters from sweet to annoying, are so vivid and well-developed and unique and full of life - not to mention the large cast of main characters. And I realized to my great amazement and admiration that even though there are more than a dozen main characters of varying prominence - closer to two dozen - every single one is incredibly vivid and well-developed, with unique personality, mannerisms, way of speaking, motivations, disposition, and humanity. I see each one so clearly in my mind, vivid in detail of appearance and movement, which only happens with characters that are well-rounded and developed. The fact that each of a family of eleven or twelve siblings is deeply developed and unique, with not a single one falling by the wayside, speaks of the masterful greatness of this author's craft and writing.

-The prose and descriptions of this book are delightful and glorious. The beautiful and deep descriptions are used sparingly, but they are tantalizing, and I can't get enough. I love seeing Tony's world through his eyes and perspective - observant, perceptive eyes and a deep, thoughtful mind that appreciate rich or delicate beauty; fairy-like landscapes and objects; pulsing color and soft grayness; the delight of nature and life; and little, fascinating aspects of people.

-In other parts of my review, I have already touched on many of the themes of this book. They are utterly gorgeous and incredibly profound. Yet they are subtle and natural, unobtrusive, never forced or preachy. The book is full the deepest truth - the only kind that is truly life-giving.

-The plot and pacing are just as fabulous. Although it is a book that primarily focuses on characters and relationships, it also contains an intricate, complex plot and plenty of moments of excitement. Intense moments and sections of action are interspersed with calm, quietness, and peace. The book moves forward, building steadily, like the rhythm of the train the characters travel on. Fascinating questions are raised and threads of plot are perfectly woven together from beginning to end. The book culminates in a climax that more than does justice to such a wonderful story - and is more intense than all the rest.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys wonderful and quality fiction. It can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of whether someone typically reads historical fiction, the World War II era, or stories about powerful family relationships. However, it is a must-read for those who enjoy those types of stories. This fabulous book should not be missed. ( )

*happy sigh* Well, that was lovely! Everything from the beautiful English dialogue, to the heartwarming story, to the adorable characters. This is a book that makes me wish Goodreads had a 10 star button . . . or 10 trillion stars.

I love this book! I wish I had known of this amazing author when I was younger. (Although they're just as amazing reading them now.)

Highly recommended for all ages, and all peoples! ( )