This is another powerful book written by Christoph Fischer. It takes place in Vienna during the horrid days of WWII and the despicable atrocities that were thrust upon the Jewish people by the German Empire.

The main character of the book is a Sebastian, a young man just sixteen who had part of his leg amputated. He is a very strong individual filled with determination at such a young age that it leaves you utterly stunned. He is dealing with many complications from that amputation, but he does not let any of that become an abstraction to his goal. He suffers set-backs and wretched poignant incidents, but he does goes on. He is a very likable character and one of my favorites in this book.

He lives with his father Franz, who runs a grocery store under the same dueling they occupy, and his mother Vera who is quite ill. His best friend Oscar and his wife Rebecca live with them as well. The plot becomes very complicated when several other characters inter the seen. I found all the characters to be fascinating as they are so different and yet so involved in every aspect of the story. First is the young beautiful Ingeborg, then Eva, Sebastian’s first crush, Margit and her mother, Peroska.

Fischer introduces very cleverly amazing twists and turns to the plot blended with the right amount of transcendent facets, and séances. All that creates a large amount of chaos in characters’ lives, while the war is blasting in full force. I was absolutely glued to the pages. I could not put the book down. This is exactly what happened to me with the other two books in the trilogy “The Luck of the Weissensteiners” and “The Black Eagle Inn”.

Christoph Fischer has done a lot of research and provides a rich understanding of the events in Eastern Europe during that era.
This is again an amazing book that is brilliantly written and I am a fan.

I wish there was another book that I could pick up and continue this amazing journey. I will recommend this book to everyone I know. These books are filled with information, that has been greatly researched, memorable characters that we will love, and it will provide a blend of emotions that will leave you astonished.
Sebastian is a book that has to be read, but so are the other two books in the trilogy. I love them all and could not tell you which one is better than the other because they are equally great!!!!
Christoph Fischer is a wonderful gifted writer and one of my most favorite authors.

* I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sebastian is Christoph Fischer's second novel in his 'The Three Nations Trilogy', thematically connected to his first book, but can, without a doubt, stand on it's own. It depicts a powerful historical image of Vienna, during and after WW1 and the pain and suffering of the people living during that difficult era. Within this harsh and cruel reality blossoms a touching love story of the crippled, self-conscious young student, Sebastian. Conditioned at a young age not to expect to experience true love because of his condition, he muffles his emotions and sensuality behind his persona of dedicated student and teacher. Rejected and betrayed by his lovers, he turns all his passion into the success of his students.
The characters in this story are naturally shaped by the turbulent times; and take on such a hold on the reader that they seem real enough to be our neighbours and family. It is a coming of age for many of them, especially for Sebastian and Margit who eventually must come to terms with their own expectations of love. A book to be reckoned with, and to be placed on the required reading list of all teachers of young adults.

Can you see those pictures on the cover? Don't think you can do them? Oh I think you can! Just follow the directions given by the author and it would be easy.

Her ideas are so well put together. Plus everything is laid out well so you can attempt them yourself. Don't believe me? Check out this video: (Youtube link) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0yKu2iRDCA&noredirect=1

One of these days I'm going to try out the little furry dog she has on one of her pages for my vet. They do so much for my furry spoiled babies that I thought those would be cute. They even have kitties, but since I have puppers... :) If you want to see more of what you can make check out her website on the Gallery page (HERE). That little puppy is on that page.

I give this book 4 stars. It's something different and fun and I think the instructions are extremely easy to follow.

Magic realism :)