For the first half of the book, I felt somewhat captivated. The Zabinski household gave a fresh take and perspective of what was going on during the war and how it affected them. Their deep caring of the animals they house there and the bonds forged are amazing. And also heartbreaking with what they have to endure. 
 The German military was less than kind to the animals as one can imagine. But the Zabinski family is a steady one and what they do is amazing. They take in a protect their Jewish friends and neighbors. The mannerisms and codes they use are smart moves that through the military off their train. The risks taken are huge! 
 My problem is the way is which the story is shared. It seems scattered. One minute the writing would be glossing over something, the next I am getting minute details. Some parts seemed important and at other times I wondered why it was there. In the end, I felt both under and yet over-whelmed by the consistency. It left me overall bored with the book. With a feeling of relief when I was done. And that is not a feeling I want to feel after a book is finished.