Publishers Weekly
06/13/2022
A few crucial choices change the fate of two people in this entrancing speculative love story from Adlakha (She Wouldn’t Change a Thing). In the summer of 1918, WWI rages through France and Marcelle Marchand, both a nurse and a spy for British Intelligence, crosses paths with American soldier George Mountcastle, who is immediately captivated by her beauty. When Marcelle’s assignment goes wrong, history is rewritten, and Germany succeeds in conquering France. George rescues Marcelle with the help of Marcelle’s twin sister, Rosalie, and they escape to Soissons. The price for hiding American soldiers is death, but Marcelle risks it. She and George have fallen in love, and she’ll do anything to protect their life together. But as the war threatens everything they hold dear, George wonders what might have happened if, at various points in their relationship, they had made different choices, and contemplates altering history to end their suffering. Adlakha expertly lays the foundation for this sweeping, tragic romance while never shying away from the merciless bloodshed of war. The mystical element of George playing with time arrives late and a bit abruptly, but this does not detract from its powerful emotional impact. This wistful tale is a winner. (Aug.)
From the Publisher
" Entrancing...Adlakha expertly lays the foundation for this sweeping, tragic romance...This wistful tale is a winner." —Publishers Weekly
“Midnight on the Marne is a well-written and well-researched story centered around one of the most crucial battles of the Great War. I thoroughly enjoyed Sarah's novel and highly recommend it, especially to those who like history with a twist.” —Stephen L. Harris, author of Rock of the Marne: The American Soldiers Who Turned the Tide Against the Kaiser in World War I
"Midnight on the Marne is an extraordinary tale of “what if,” which cleverly explores how both fate and personal choice can change the course of the world. One of the most unique and beautiful pieces of historical fiction I’ve ever read. An emotional, breathtaking, deftly plotted masterpiece." —Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Forest of Vanishing Stars
“A richly imagined journey into the realm of what if, Midnight on the Marne delves into an alternate world of supreme cruelty and loss, yet where love still endures and fate still entwines souls, and courage can conquer all.” —Shana Abe, New York Times bestselling author of The Second Mrs. Astor
"A moving and thought-provoking story of love and loss, highlighting how a single, pivotal moment in time can affect history on a personal and a global level. Midnight on the Marne paints a searing picture of World War 1 that doesn’t shy away from the brutal reality, yet overlays the grimness of war with a beautifully written love story." —Fiona Valpy, bestselling author of The Dressmaker’s Gift
