A fantasy novel with strong historical connections

(5 star review)

(Review originally posted by Norbert W. on amazon.ca)

The Art of Being Another is an exceptional book. Though It was obviously written in the genre of 'Fantasy', it could easily be rated as historical novel. That is mainly due to the thorough research of the author and contributor to the novel, research that can easily be utilized by historians who are interested in history of the two world wars. Writing from perspectives of various (fictional) characters in the story who interact with historical figures and experience historical events, the author paints a very realistic picture of the times the plot is set in, successfully making the reader slip into the role of observer who actually sees and feels the events described, giving the reader the opportunity to analyse holistically how the historical tragedy of the rise of Nazis in Germany unfolds and plays out. This is all packed into a very thrilling story of origins and the lives of "The Guardians" (the fantasy part of the plot) as a follow-up and explanation to the previous book "The Conduit". I can recommend this book for everybody who likes well written fantasy coupled with realism that makes the reader able to identify with the characters and the whole plot of the story.