I just wrapped up Dark Shadows Looming Ahead by Marion Kummerow, and I’ve got a lot of mixed feelings about it. As the second book in the Escaping the Reich series, it really dives into the dangers of Nazi Germany and the internal resistance against the regime, which I thought was an interesting perspective, most WWII novels focus on resistance in places like France, so it was refreshing to see Germany itself as the battleground.
The plot centers on Koloss, Judith, and a few others, each trying to escape the Gestapo’s grip in their own way. Koloss stands out to me—he’s a big guy who dodges the Nazi draft, knowing it could get him killed. There’s something so raw and brave about his decision, and I found myself rooting for him the whole time. Judith, along with other characters, does whatever she can to help Jews escape, and the tension of watching them dodge the Gestapo made for a gripping read. I liked how Kummerow brought in the role of Sweden, showing how they helped in ways other neutral countries didn’t. I didn’t know much about that before, so it was definitely a new angle.
The pacing of the book was great and there was always something happening, and I felt like the stakes were sky-high the entire time. But here’s where I start to feel torn: the ending just… wasn’t satisfying. There’s a real sense of “What happens next?” and it left me wondering if Kummerow will address the characters’ fates in the next book. The loose ends left me feeling frustrated. I don’t mind a little suspense, but this was more of a hanging feeling, and it made me question whether I want to dive into the next installment if it doesn’t pick up with these same characters.
On top of that, while the book’s still super well-written, it didn’t feel as enlightening as the first book in the series. In Escaping the Reich, I learned a lot about things like Operation Swedish Furniture which is a piece of history that completely blew my mind. Here, the Swedish resistance angle was cool, but I didn’t feel like I learned as much new information. I guess I was expecting that same sense of discovery that made the first book so impactful.
That said, Kummerow’s writing still drew me in. She’s really good at creating tension and making you care about characters without relying on unnecessary romance, which I appreciate. This is a story of survival and real-world consequences, not about some love affair amid the chaos.
In the end, I’m giving this one a solid 4 stars. It’s an engaging read, but the unresolved ending and lack of new historical depth left me wanting a little more. If you’ve enjoyed the first book, you’ll likely enjoy this one too, but be prepared to feel a bit let down by the open-ended conclusion.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
About the Author
Marion Kummerow was born and raised in Germany, before she set out to “discover the world” and lived in various countries. In 1999 she returned to Germany and settled down in Munich where she’s now living with her family.
After dipping her toes with non-fiction books, she finally tackled the project dear to her heart. UNRELENTING is the story about her grandparents, who belonged to the German resistance and fought against the Nazi regime. It’s a book about resilience, love and the courage to stand up and do the right thing.
PADDYLAST INC. 