Tami's Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Based on a true story, Shadow on the Mountain is the exciting chronicle of a teenager named Espen who quickly gets swept into the Norwegian resistance movement after Nazi Germany invades in April 1940, overthrowing the neutral king and occupying the country. Preus masterfully crafts the character of Espen and his friends, drawing comparisons between the boys while later showing how they could be so different. Espen begins his adventure delivering underground newspapers but soon begins to gain prominence in the resistance movement while his best friend Kjell and soccer captain Aksel rise in the ranks of the Nazi Gestapo. During the five years of German occupation, Espen matures and soon realizes the great responsibility he bears in the resistance movement until he must forgo his old life to save those he loves. This book is an excellent read, even for those who would not typically read historical fiction, and the book progresses at a lightning pace. It's very easy to get engrossed in this book due to the ease of relating with the characters and the intriguing story line. Definitely worth a shot!