Review Rating:

5 Stars

Reviewed By Divine Zape for Readers’ Favorite

Save Me Twice: Based on a True Story by E.A. Dustin is an interesting novel set against the backdrop of Hitler’s Germany towards the end of WWII. Hitler is on the brink of losing the war and is doing everything to rally any remaining strength behind him. One fateful night, the SS knocks on the door of Karl, a sixteen-year-old boy, and forces him and his older brother, Hans, to join the German army. From then on, everything changes as the two brothers begin the most painful and gritty journey of their life at war, digging trenches to deter the Russian tanks. The two brothers are captured by the Russians, but Karl escapes the Russians and surrenders to the Americans as a prisoner of war. Will he be released to the Russians and will he live to see his older brother again?

E.A. Dustin’s novel offers readers a fresh look at some of the events of World War II and what many Germans felt like going to war or just merely being German. It wasn’t patriotism that drove the young Germans to join the army. They were forced by the SS. The author captures the general atmosphere of fear and the perils of being German during Hitler’s reign with vivid and compelling images. It is interesting to notice the historical references in the narrative, the lively dialogues, and the political setting, beautifully painted in simple and clear prose. Although this isn’t usually my kind of book, I found it intriguing because it explores an aspect of the war that is not much discussed in our history books. Save Me Twice: Based on a True Story is a gritty tale of war that explores the bonds of brotherhood, the tragedy of war, and resilience in the face of impossible odds.