This is a 5 star true story in a 3 start format. I would have enjoyed it even more as a non fiction narrative. The fictionalization of it made it seem less believable even though the author claims that everything is substantially true except for the dialogue. Despite some awkward execution, I loved the story and got a great deal out of it. 
 I'm always thinking that I'll be bored with another WWII story but I'm usually wrong. This war effected so many people in so many different ways and authors are always finding something we hadn't really thought about before. This book was excellent in that regard. I had never read anything from the perspective of the Italians in WWII. They seem to be largely forgotten victims with Mussolini, their fascist dictator, having been reinstated upon German occupation as a puppet of Hitler. Italy being referred to as part of the Axis powers doesn't account for it's unique circumstances. Though this was the story of Pino Lella and his extraordinary bravery, it was clear that there was much suffering and heroism abound in Italy. 
 Besides the suffering and heroism, another thing this book made me think on was how many heroes were likely killed by those they help save. in the wrath of vengeance. It's common knowledge how innocent civilians on the losing side of war often become victims, but imagine being one of the brave people who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to stop the monsters only to be labeled the same after their fall. It's tragic. Vengeance breeds atrocities for sure. The more stories we read about war the better so that we will try our best to stay out of war and when forced into it, avoid past injustices. 
 The story touched me in many ways, but again, it would have been better as non fiction due to the higher bar for fiction in terms of language and style. All historical fiction is based on real people and events, but following it too closely without attention to style can make it seem less believable. However, even with its flaws, this book is still very much worth reading.