Anna’s War

By D J Taylor

Reviewed by Jenny Ruge

Anna’s War is a compelling YA historical fiction novel by debut author, DJ Taylor. Set in German-occupied Holland in the later stages of World War II, the story was inspired by the childhood memories of Taylor’s parents-in-law and seamlessly combines actual events with fictional elements.

Fourteen-year-old Anna Jansen lives with her family in a town not far from the front line. German soldiers and Nazi officers guard the townspeople, ever on the lookout for traitors or dissenters. Desperate to help the resistance in any way she can, Anna is prepared to take risks but is weighed down by the secrets she must keep to protect her family. She meets Karl, a young man acting as interpreter for Horst, the Nazi officer who controls the town with a cruel hand. But is Karl all he seems?

Taylor’s carefully crafted prose perfectly captures the fear and uncertainty faced by civilians in occupied territories. With themes of loyalty, trust, and the over-arching love of family, the story gently exposes readers to the realities of war. The voice of Anna is strong throughout, but the meticulously researched details and well-written dialogue allow readers into the hearts and minds of other characters as well. Anna’s much-loved Oma Smeets, in particular, is an endearing character whose influence on Anna is profound.

This impressive debut novel can stand proudly next to other recent WWII stories such as Suzanne Leal’s The Year We Escaped, and Katrina Nannestad’s All the Beautiful Things. However, Taylor’s apparent determination not to shy away from the harsher aspects of war places Anna’s War firmly in the Young Adult category, recommended for readers 12+.

Riveted Press July 2025

D J Taylor