The threat is not new. The aliens have been here before.
The German war machine has woken an ancient threat - the alien Vril and their Ubermensch have returned. With this new power, ultimate Victory in the war for Europe is now within the Nazis' grasp.Obsessed with the Occult, Hitler and other senior Nazis believed they were destined to inherit the Earth. To this end, they are determined to recover 'their' ancient artifacts -- the Ark of the Covenant, the Holy Grail, the Spear of Destiny. When Dunkirk veteran and Foreign Office trouble-shooter Major Guy Pentecross stumbles across a seemingly unbelievable conspiracy, he, together with pilot and American spy Sarah Diamond and SOE operative Leo Davenport, enter the shadow world of Section Z. All three have major roles to play as they uncover the Nazis' insidious plot to use the Vril's technology to win the war... at any cost.
Justin Richards has an extremely credible grasp of WWII history and has transformed it into a groundbreaking alternate reality thriller in The Suicide Exhibition.
Review:
I got this ebook from Netgalley in return of an honest review.
Even after reading the synopsis several times, I still couldn't completely picture what this book could have within its pages. As I started reading, I got more confused than before. From the first introductory page, the whole concept and story is incredibly intriguing and the fact that it's hard to wrap our minds around it contributes to its brilliance.
Firstly, the writing pulls you right in, as if you were caught up in a vortex that spits you out at the end questioning everything you thought was true. It was fabulously engaging, absorbing and provocative, in a way that you, deep down, know that what you're reading is practically impossible, but, in that moment, Justin Richards is telling it to you with such certainty and persuasion that you can't help but wonder.
The story itself was fantastically built. If it had been executed any other way it could have gone completely wrong. However, the author turned it around and created one of the most original and uncommon plot lines I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Like I mentioned, in the beginning I was rather confused as to what was exactly happening, but in a way that I just wanted to keep on reading to find out exactly what was behind all those crazy events. Richards was, basically, able to join two of my favourite things: World War II and aliens, and do it in a genuine, riveting and thought-provoking way.
As for the characters, I found each and every one of them to be realistically represented, amazingly likable and altogether peculiar. The manner in wich we got their perspectives, alternating during the course of a chapter was so gripping, leaving us in the edge of our seats, biting our nails in anticipation. There wasn't one character that I couldn't love, even if they were absolutely detestable people.
The ending was entirely satisfactory, although it was also a huge cliff-hanger. All the little story threads were tied and resolved, but with that came new questions, opening way for a promising, action-packed sequel.
The best word I can find to describe this book is 'exciting'. A recommendation that I can't express enough times.
