From the Ashes: An Alternate History Novel by Sandra Saidak

From the Ashes: An Alternate History Novel Reviews

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  Alison Blasdell

  An interesting view of what would have happened if Nazi Germany had won WWII. We all can imagine what the world would look like: a privileged Aryan race; Hitler’s “final solution” of eradicating all Jews and other “undesirables;” total subjugation to the Nazi rule; and expansion of German intellect and science (Einstein, von Braun, etc.) to benefit the elite. All of this comes to fruition in Sandra Saidak’s alternative history novel except for the continued advancement of science. Even German efficiency is absent in this new world. In fact, in From the Ashes, Germany and most of the world have fallen into a state of hunger, disease, pollution, and destruction of Earth’s resources.
  
  Saidak has created two interesting protagonists who are not characters that one suspects to emerge as leaders in a revolt against the Nazi world. There is violence, betrayal, and a love story in From the Ashes. The book is an easy read that does prompt thought regarding possible parallels in today’s turbulent world.
  
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  Phil

  Really not a terribly good counterfactual history novel. I'm afraid the old 'What if Nazi Germany had won the Second World War ?' conceit has been overdone, and done over by many better writers with more to say about the idea than this author. Admittedly, the notion of a group of disaffected university students studying and gradually absorbing the scriptures and principles of Judaism as an act of rebellion against the society which had murdered the Jews is an original one, but motive and background are weak, characterisation hangs on a number of stereotypes, and there is zero atmosphere created - of place, of social environment, nor of emotion.
• 
  Jennifer Shepard

  This is the first book I read from this author and let me tell you that I loved it! Such a good book with great characters that keeps you obsessed with every page since the first one. The ending of this book.. come on! I just didn´t expect it! Can´t wait to read other books from this great writer! Amazing job! a must-read! A fantastic book that has it all! I happily endorse this book to any and all who are looking for history & fantasy enjoyable read and a completely different experience than anyone could imagine on their own. ¡Great book!
• 
  Rebecca Willson

  Look, I was all for this book. I love alternate history and as a Jew I find the idea in this book really interesting. And I’m all about finishing what I start.
  
  But, y’all. Just.... no. I made it to page 65 and so many random things were just thrown around that I was already confused and annoyed.
  
  Can I give it 0 stars?
• 
  Dan Case

  I really found the idea of this book appealing. However, as I progressed further through the book, the harder it was for me to keep interested. As the story progressed, it became less of a what-if story and more about what it is to be Jewish.
  
• 
  Pedro Miguel de André Gaspar

  What-if novel about if the nazis had won the WWII, aside some spiritual episodes described in the book the events seems realistic and make us wonder.
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  Melinda

  Good read
  
  This book was good to read, it gave an explanation of how the world would have turned out if the Nazis won the war.
• 
  Donald Luther

  I'm always interested in novels based in alternate history. Maybe the best of the lot for World War II is 'Fatherland' by Robert Harris. This was no 'Fatherland.'
  
  It started off promising enough. But I don't know whether it was me or the author, but it seemed uncertain about what it wanted to do. About a quarter of the way through, I thought it might be heading toward a variation of 'Candide' (without the humor), telling the story of a young man pursuing his Cunegonde (in this case, Ilsa) and, all the while, learning the truth about the world he lives in. But then it switches gears, and heads off in the direction of giving us a new set of gospels, examining the life of the new messiah.
  
  But it wraps up with nothing more than a forced irony. I'm reminded of a comment John Simon made in his review of '2001: A Space Odyssey'. He called it 'a shaggy god story.' So is this.
  
  Just as a final note. Many will say, well, if you didn't like this alternative history, why don't you write your own? I have. It's been published online. I prefer it to this.
• 
  George Richard

  Wonderful alternate history!
  
  This is one of the best ideas for an alternate history ever written. The author has built a world of horror and redeemed its inhabitants in a unique and forceful way. I've read hundreds of alternate histories and this one is stirring and insightful with well thought out characters and a beautiful undertone.
  The past is never dead, it lives in the future.
• 
  creig speed

  A very imaginative alternate history
  
  This book is a well written story about the nightmare of a world after a German victory in WW2. It's a good illustration of how any totalitarian government doesn't progress very fast except in its ability to kill and torture people.
• 
  Michael FitzGerald

  A wonderful, imaginative and heart-rending story about how the world might have been if the Nazis had won and the Jews had been exterminated completely.
  The author draws you in to her imagined world and makes you share it completely.
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  Joe V Gossman

  First, huh?
  
  You did a fantastic job. I'm sure you have more books and I will be sure to add them to my want to read list.