Deus ex MachinaThis story plunges you into the Nazi occupation of Rome during World War II.The author unflinchingly portrays the brutal occupation and the controversial actions of Pope Pius XII. The tension gripping the city under Nazi rule, and the suffering endured by Roman citizens, are vividly depicted. Marquis captures the atmosphere of fear and desperation effectively. My issue lies with the author's choice to weave in the fictional struggles of one family as a central narrative thread. Th...

Whose side are they on?When a brother and sister witness their parents arguing, shots are fired, and, obviously, nothing is ever the same again. They all end up in Rome, having been in Innsbruck, Austria. Now, with the Second World War raging, the Germans have taken control of Rome, as well as the rest of Italy. Our family is there, and Pope Pius XII remains in the Vatican, a virtual prisoner in the city within a city. This is, obviously, a historical novel set around the events of this time, ba...

Getting Rid of the Main Family Would Make This Book Better... Samuel Marquis seems stubbornly DETERMINED to include a central, fictional family in at least the first two books of his trilogy—and trying to focus on these family members actually hurts otherwise decent stories. The details and lives of these family members feel incredibly contrived—they play huge, intertwined, and frankly ridiculous roles. What's more, there's ABSOLUTELY NO NEED for these family members. The author could easily cre...

Samuel Marquis is the new Ken Follett when it comes to World War II thrillers—but honestly, he might be even better. I devoured *Bodyguard of Deception* and *Altar of Resistance*, Books 1 and 2 of his WWII Trilogy, and both are absolute thrill rides. They plunge you right into the heart of the Second World War, delivering spellbinding suspense and incredibly detailed research. It makes the books a joy to read, and you learn a ton along the way. In *Altar of Resistance*, Marquis vividly portrays ...

A family curse, a hidden secret, a papal plan to assassinate Hitler, and a LOT of Nazis!World War Two Rome like you've never seen it. In *Altar of Resistance*, Samuel Marquis masterfully blends meticulously researched facts with fiction in this harrowing tale of a family torn apart by tragic events and cursed to fight on opposite sides during the battle for Italy. The sheer brutality of the Nazi occupation of Rome is witnessed through the eyes of an American soldier, a Nazi commander, an Italian...

Altar of Resistance offered fascinating perspectives and insights into World War II. Samuel Marquis's choice of German-occupied Rome, and a plotline involving the Vatican and the Pope, provides a compelling behind-the-scenes look at the war. The thorough historical research allows Marquis to layer in a truly enjoyable story. The character development and high-stakes moments drew me right into the heart of the action. I'm eager to read more of Samuel Marquis's books. If you're looking for captiva...

Wow! While Altar of Resistance is the second book in Samuel Marquis's WWII trilogy, it easily stands alone. I've been following Marquis's work from The Coalition through the Higheagle Geopolitical thrillers and Bodyguard of Deception. I naturally gravitated toward the Higheagle series because I had the pleasure of knowing the author back in our undergrad days at Denison, where we both majored in Geology. With each of his books, I hear "his voice" and can usually identify a main character who rem...

So far, I've had the pleasure of reviewing two previous novels by Samuel Marquis: *The Coalition*, a political assassination thriller, and *Bodyguard of Deception*: Volume One of his World War II Trilogy. Now, I’ve read *Altar of Resistance*, the second book in that trilogy. Without a doubt, Marquis has really stepped up his game with this one. In *Bodyguard of Deception*, much of the setting was in the Rocky Mountains, where two escaped Nazi POW brothers with very different attitudes try to se...

This is the second Samuel Marquis book I've read. The first was decent, but *Altar of Resistance*? This book is fantastic! Honestly, more than that – it's spectacular. Even though it's the second in the series, I jumped right in with no problem. It honestly feels like it could stand alone. I was immediately hooked by the story and the characters in *Altar of Resistance*. And the historical setting? That was the cherry on top. If Colonel Wilhelm and his children, John and Teresa, were in modern ...

In the tradition of Ken Follett, Leon Uris, and Tom Clancy, Altar of Resistance is a captivating World War II thriller. Sam Marquis masterfully recounts the story of Rome's liberation in 1944. Brimming with historical accuracy and unforgettable characters, Marquis offers fresh perspectives on one of history's most expansive and brutal armed conflicts, and the human stories of those caught within it. It sets a new standard for blending historical events, military strategy, and the ethical complex...