Caffeinated Reviewer

Sophia Rose is here today sharing her thoughts on Beneath the Sicilian Stars by Lindsay Marie Morris. Come, read the review of this historical fiction set at the onset of the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

A family divided by war… a promise forged beneath the Sicilian stars.

1941, Pittsburg, California. Sixteen-year-old Annalisa Aiello huddles around the radio with her family when a special announcement shatters her Pearl Harbor has been bombed – where her brother is stationed on the USS Arizona. After the United States declares war, Annalisa watches in horror as her father, a Sicilian fisherman, is arrested as an "enemy alien". Grappling with grief and harsh wartime restrictions, Annalisa is forced to undertake an unexpected journey across the country to find her father and uncover the sacrifices of the past.

Meanwhile, in war-torn Sicily, her cousin Alberto navigates bombing raids as ancient fishing traditions crumble around him. But the forces tearing this family apart began decades earlier with a desperate choice made on a Sicilian shore – a secret pact sealed beneath the stars that promised a brighter future across the sea.

As Annalisa searches for her father and Alberto seeks his place in a changing world, they both discover that even in the darkest times, hope for a better future can endure.

From an American internment camp to Sicily's bombed villages, Beneath the Sicilian Stars follows one family's fight for survival, identity, and hope during World War II. Perfect for readers of Kelly Rimmer, Rhys Bowen and Angela Petch.

Sophia Rose’s Review

Like Lindsay Marie Morris, my family heritage is Sicilian, so it was a given that I was going to pick up a book with such a title and such a premise. Based on true events, a new-to-me author, and an era in American (and World) History, I appreciate in historical fiction, Beneath the Sicilian Stars tempted me greatly even before I cracked open the book.

Told in three voices, Beneath the Sicilian Stars opens about the time the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and sixteen-year-old teen, Annalisa, is given a two-punch shock. Her brother, Mario, was stationed aboard the USS Arizona (queue ominous music) and then her dad, Vincenzo, gets picked up and put in an internment camp as an enemy to America simply for being first generation Italian. 

Meanwhile, across the world in Sicily with the half of the family that stayed behind, Annalisa’s never-before-met cousin, Alberto moved to Palermo taking a job in the naval yard to earn his keep and help take care of the family back in his small fishing village while doing his part to support his hero Mussolini was a heroic thing- then the bombings from the Allies happen.

While I entered Beneath the Sicilian Stars really wanting the story of Vincenzo in the internment camp, but it turned out that Annalisa’s situation was the most compelling to me. First, her brother is gone after Pearl Harbor, then her dad- the parent she is closest to and relies on- is taken away, but her remaining parent, Maria, is the bitter mother who doesn’t even speak English after years immigrated to the States, nothing makes her happy, and her strict religious morals make Annalisa chaff living with her.  Her father is more worried about her than about himself because of Maria. At the camp, he’s safe, though helpless to be there for his remaining child and support the family. Annalisa cracks a bit under the pressure and makes some poor decisions about a guy she starts seeing.

Alberto’s story wasn’t as compelling as hers, but I did find it an interesting juxtaposition to have members of the same family divided in their loyalties during the war and getting their different perspectives.  The details like the family coming from a small fishing village and part of it immigrating was the same as my own family who came from a Sicilian fishing village, came to America, and settled on the Northern California coast, part fought in the war like Mario and part were interned like Vincenzo.  

In the end, Annalisa and her family get a shocking surprise to wrap things up.  I found Beneath the Sicilian Stars a well-researched, fascinating slice of America at War on the home front from an ‘enemy aliens’ perspective and an Italian living in Mussolini’s fascist Italy. Definitely recommend to WWII Fiction lovers and those who like lesser-known historical fiction stories.

Amazon** | Audible | Libro.fm

** KindleUnlimited

About Lindsay Marie Morris

A graduate of Marquette University with a B.A. in Communications, Lindsay began her editorial career in magazine publishing as travel editor at Shape before expanding into digital media, nonprofit communications, and health and wellness journalism. Her work has appeared in Forks Over Knives and other national outlets. When she's not writing, Lindsay leads author talks and workshops on personal storytelling and historical fiction, visits book clubs, and interviews Italian culture and history ambassadors for her blog. She also connects with readers through her newsletter, sharing behind-the-scenes insights, upcoming events, and travel notes from the road.

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About Sophia Rose

Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.

Goodreads

About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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