Book Review: No Man's Land
Despite being an area of historical interest to me, I haven’t read many books set during the Great War. Much of my previous historical fiction experiences have involved World War II, so when I stumbled upon No Man’s Land by Sally Malcolm, I was intrigued by the premise and setting and eager to dive into this story.
Official Summary
There are worse things than death…
It’s 1917, the height of the Great War, and Josef Shapel has one objective: tell the people at home the truth about the slaughter. That’s why he’s smuggled a camera to the front line, risking charges of treason to photograph the carnage.
But everything changes when he meets handsome and charismatic Captain Winchester.
Although the charming officer isn’t his usual type, Josef finds Winchester impossible to resist. But the captain is not what he seems, and after spending one glorious night together Josef discovers he’s been betrayed...
Months later, back in London, their paths cross again and Josef finds himself pulled into a dark and secret world. A world he can scarcely believe is real; a world that’s bringing the horrors of no man’s land into the streets of London.
With both his life and heart at risk, Josef must rethink everything he knows to fight for his home—and for a future with the man who blew his world apart.
Quick Information
Author: Sally Malcolm
Published: November 21, 2024
Genre: M/M Romance, Historical Romance, Paranormal, Horror
Tropes: Forced Proximity, Protective MMCs, Class Difference, Caretaking
Review
Josef Shepel is a conscientious objector who serves as an ambulance driver for the Red Cross during The Great War. Secretly, he photographs the violence to one day share the truth with the world. One evening, he meets Captain Alex Winchester, and his life is never the same.
The World War I setting is so immersive, with each of the five senses used to establish the time frame and locations of the story. Details from the thick fog surrounding London to the smog, the dirt and grime, and the gore of the front lines. Every element of this book was well-crafted with intention, with no little detail being overlooked.
Both Josef and Alex are well-rounded characters who grow over the course of the story. Their dynamic has realistic, natural bumps and disagreements along the way. These are characters who share mutual attraction but also need to navigate the limitations of the time period, their social/economic class, political beliefs, and the war itself. Even the side characters are three-dimensional, motivated by their own belief systems and ideologies.
Josef and Alex’s relationship is a slow burn. Their intimacy is not solely centered around the bedroom. The connection they share shows in the ways they comfort and support one another. They are vulnerable in private with small, tender displays of affection. However, make no mistake, their passions do flare in proximity to each other. Even though there are no grand proclamations or gestures of their love, you can sense how much they care about one another. These are two protective characters who only want to keep the other safe.
The paranormal elements are well-thought out and blend the historical with the mythical. As the mystery unfolds through the perspective of Josef, a skeptic, the atmosphere, tension, and suspense grows. The author did their research on an appropriate type of monster for this setting and time period. However, the horror isn’t exclusive to the paranormal; the backdrop of World War I and the horrors of trench warfare are also on full display. The cruelty and indiscriminate carnage of the war and its politics is as much the enemy to these characters as the monster itself.
If I had to pinpoint a negative for a book, it would be that I came away from No Man’s Land hungry for more. I would love to read a series featuring these characters fighting monsters, going on more adventures as the 20th century unfolds, and navigating the trials of their relationship. The worldbuilding alone is captivating, and the romantic relationship between Josef and Alex will not be one I soon forget.
If you’re searching for your next book and want to read a riveting story filled with witty dialogue, fully fleshed out characters, and a believable, well-thought out romance you won’t want to part with, pick up No Man’s Land.
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