Beneath a Scarlet Sky tells a never before heard story of an unsung World War II hero… a teenage boy who joined the underground railroad to help Jews escape to the Swiss Alps. A boy who was later forced to enlist in the German army and recruited to be the driver of one of the most powerful commanders in Italy. A boy who used this opportunity to gather intel and detail for the resistance based in Milan, Italy.

At what point does a boy become a young man? Is it at a certain age or once he reaches a certain level of mental maturity through knowledge, experience and intelligence?

Pino Lella did not have the opportunity to gradually advance into manhood. The war threw Pino into a world that would not coddle an 18 year old boy. This world would either destroy him or turn him into a man overnight. Pino stepped into adulthood during his first hike through the Swiss Alps, leading an escape route for a small group of Jews escaping the capture of the German army.

We follow along as Pino takes group after group over the border, risking his life for the protection of those who need it most. After several months involved in the underground railroad in northern Italy, Pino’s parents make the decision to force him to enlist in the German army. The alternative is to be drafted into the Italian forces, and sent to the eastern front for a most assured quick death.

Pino is in disagreement, but does not have room to argue. Instead, he does enlist and gains the position of a driver to one of the most powerful commanders stationed in Italy. Pino learns he can see and learn much of the German strategy in his new position. Soon, Pino and his uncle begin to smuggle bits of information and intel to the resistance, despite the immense danger involved. We watch Pino’s heart break at the sight of the atrocities occurring in his own country. He builds a deep and resentful hate of General Leyers (his passenger and commander), who single handedly leads countless men, women and children to their death. Sometimes, there seems to be more to Leyers than meets the eye, but Pino can’t put his finger on it. Nor does he feel Leyers deserves the benefit of any doubt.

Pino’s character is depicted beautifully from start to finish. His heart is so pure at the start of the novel that it is gut-wrenching to watch his innocence slowly fade away. One thing that remains the same is his love for Anna, a widow six years older than him that captured his heart just before he was pulled into the war. His love for Anna is so pure that we know immediately something absolutely tragic will happen before the end of the war. And grab your tissues because it is a tear jerker!

I loved this book from start to finish. It moved forward at a good pace, the characters developed nicely throughout the entire novel and it ended with a good amount of closure. I especially enjoyed the relationship between Pino and his younger brother Mimo. Mimo also grows into a respectful, high spirited man who is dedicated to restoring Italy to its rightful state.

I also enjoyed the positive light this novel put on the Catholic church. It is nice to hear some positives coming from Catholic priests and cardinals to offset the immense amount of negativity surrounding some of their more recently disclosed scandals and cover-ups. Father Re was a delight and added a good amount of spiritual support and lightness through the novel.

This was a top-notch historical fiction for me. Right up there with The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah, one of my favorites.

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