Set in 1933 Berlin, My Son's Duty explores the conflict between family loyalty and moral conscience. As the son of a high-ranking Nazi SS officer, Ziggy is expected to follow the party line—but what happens when he cannot reconcile himself with its hatred and violence? This is the second book in the three part series of Duty and Betrayal however can be read as a standalone without any issues (I haven't read the first instalment, A Daughter's Duty, but will be reading it ASAP). Roberta Kagan has crafted a historical fiction novel that draws you into the life of the Lang family. Ludwig Lang comes from old money and is power hungry. When Hitler comes to power, Ludwig wants to rise as far as possible in the party to exert his control and influence over as many people as possible. He hates his farmer heritage wife, Greta, and is horrified by his soft natured son, Ziggy. He is a man easy to hate. Ziggy is the dutiful son, who only wants to make his Vater proud. He attended the Hitler Youth, joined the party, and now wears an SS uniform but unlike his father he does not crave power or influence. He wants to be forgotten. Forced to marry, the only light in Ziggy's life is his son Auggie. Greta has never loved her husband. She married to appease her parents and finds herself at odds to her husband's brutish and demanding nature. Her childhood best friend is Jewish, she knows her husband is wrong! They are not evil; they do not deserve to die. But how can she save her friend and keep her family safe at the same time? Roberta Kagan has crafted a WWII era drama that transports you back in time. You can feel the angst and uncertainty of the times in her writing. Her characters are so well developed that you want to know everything about them but at the same time feel like you have lived alongside of them for many years. This is unlike any other historical fiction novel I've read. Most WWII novels focus on the Allied Forces or those under persecution, this is the first that I have read from a German POV. The moral and ethical issues covered in this book are so well written. And the cliff hanger at the end?! Roberta, what are you doing to us?! You can't leave us in suspense like that!! If you enjoy historical fiction, you will enjoy this book! Thank you to NetGalley for the gifted eARC - I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
