Beneath a Scarlet Sky A Novel

This was my March (I think??) Kindle First book and it was the best I stayed up past one reading

Picked this book thinking it would be a captivating spy / historical fiction but conversations are cold. Story keeps losing the track intermittently. Plus being a true story writer tried to make it dramatic by adding fictional things which was completely not required. And it's slow paced.

I was introduced to this book as a history book to find out it is a fiction book that is based on true story (similar to how Annabelle is a fiction work based on a true story)!!! There is no way to call this a non-fiction work at all as there is zero way to prove most of the parts of the story. So my review here is for the fiction story as a pure fiction one that just happened during the last period of the WWII. The book is focused on a single character (Pino Lella) that happens to have amazing skills in everything he tries. In less than couple of years and during a WW Pino has moved from wanting to learn how to drive to the dedicated driver of one of the war generals, knowing about car mechanics, and driving through an active gun fire road. He moved from fear of climbing into the guide that helps refugees to escape a war zone through the Alps that happen to include a pregnant woman at one point of time even! Pino is a super hero according to the story that I couldn't relate to at all and I don't think I read or heard about any similar non-fiction character to ever exist! The rest of the characters in the book are just shallow side characters that have 0 depth and even though I read the full book I cannot tell that I know anything about them except for they are on the good side or the evil side! A love story that I can't tell how it started or what made it that deep except for the fact that Pino was 17 when he saw her for the first time so maybe it is just teenagers hormones! Overall I have only felt that I need to finish the book because I like to judge the full piece of work instead of throwing prejudicial reviews, and also the story was full of tragic events that would make you continue reading to see the bright side if possible, but I wouldn't recommend this to a friend to read!

I really enjoyed the story but I thought the writing was ok. It almost reads like a YA book. Anyway, great story, good choice for a beach read.

“But after everything, and even when the skies turn scarlet and threatening, I still believe that if we are lucky enough to be alive, we must give thanks for the miracle of every moment of every day, no matter how flawed.” This book was SO GOOD!!!! Took me long enough to finish it… There we’re certain parts that dragged on, but the story was very captivating and I really enjoyed it. Sullivan ensured that, as a reader, you developed an emotional connection to the characters (especially Pino), and the graphic scenes of destruction were heart wrenching. 12/10 I loved it.

An absolutely insane story, full of twists and turns and near misses. It’s MESSY… because it’s all true. The writing in the beginning was a little lacking but other than that, I loved it.

I haven't had a book hit me this hard since The Book Thief or Bel Canto. This is the kind of absolutely batshit crazy story that only could have happened during a world war. The absolute depravity of mankind is on full display, but serves as a foil for the good in humanity at the same time. Despite the tragedy involved, nothing is forced, this book simply.... Tells a story, and is compelling and thought provoking. The events in this book, as a mostly true story, are important to remember today. "Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it". And let's not repeat that shit.

Loved this book a lot. Had me hooked! Not a difficult read. Emotional.

If you are not a fan of war stories and the gruesomeness involved, then maybe skip this book. I am not a professional critic or reviewer, that being said, this book caused me to cry in laughter, get teary-eyed with sadness and rage in frustration. We are introduced to an Italian chap named Pino, who like all teenagers is eager to be "grown-up", not realizing of course (as none of us ever do), that being an adult is definitely not something to rush toward as it comes all too quickly. In this instance, Pino's idyllic childhood comes to a swift end via the Nazi presence increasing in his home country. We follow Pino's harrowing and quite dangerous evolution from child to man as only war can accomplish. This book is fairly fast paced but there were times it lagged. Pushing through those times however leads to a somewhat satisfying conclusion. There were some questions left unanswered but that is reasonable considering the circumstances. Pino's story is very character driven but still has enough plot and atmosphere to keep things interesting and although events may seem unbelievable or contrived, I'm afraid WWII revolved in such an uncanny way. As this is based on a true story, you'll question your morals and be outraged at the inhumanity of both sides not to mention feel the burn of vengeance spread throughout Pino's journey.

It was a good book, but it was very descriptive at times in a gorey type of way. I enjoyed it, but I definitely had to recover after finishing it.