If you've always wanted to know more about the Children's Overseas Reception Board program where British children were sent to Canada during the Second World War, the Even If series by Terrie Todd is an excellent introduction.
Even If We Cry was primarily set in Canada; however, Even If I Perish is mostly set at sea and touches on one of the passenger ships that was referenced in the previous book. Drawing on the book of Esther, this book releases on November 5, 2025.
Many thanks to Mountain Brook Ink for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Book Synopsis
Based on a miraculous true story of courage in the face of impossible odds.
"If I perish, I perish." A sermon based on Queen Esther's famous words spurs music teacher Mary Cornish to action. She volunteers to escort a group of 15 girls from England to Canada as part of Britain's World War II child evacuation program.
All is well aboard the SS City of Benares until September 17, 1940. With a storm brewing in the North Atlantic, a German U-boat releases its torpedo and breaches the ship's hull. Do the Nazis know ninety children are on board?
In the scramble to save as many lives as possible, Mary lands in a crowded lifeboat as the only female among crew members, passengers, and six young boys. In the storm's aftermath, two things soon become crystal clear: that Lifeboat 12 has become separated from all the others, and that Mary has been placed here for such a time as this—even if she perishes.
Source: Amazon
Book Thoughts
After reading the first book in the Even If series, I knew I would be in for a historical retelling that would tug at my heart and make me feel as if I was onboard the SS City of Benares. Basing children's escort Mary Cornish's thoughts and mission off of the book of Esther, this is a poignant story about what it means to be faithful in everyday responsibilities while acknowledging that God's hand can bring us to some very unique places and situations. While readers may already be aware of the fate of this particular ocean liner, this book offers an intricate plot that engages the imagination through detailed correspondence and emotional experiences that lead to a suspenseful adventure. There is no shortage of heart-stopping moments, especially when considering the lives of the children who were sent aboard Benares to flee for safety to Canada from the United Kingdom.
This book marvelously speaks to how God can accomplish His purposes through us when we step out in obedience, even when facing an unknown future. Terrie Todd's account of Mary Cornish reveals a woman who encounters doubts and fears in the midst of war, but who longs to make a difference for His kingdom. As a result, Even If I Perish delivers in bringing Mary as a person to life and in creating a setting that is positively gripping and unforgettable. If you have a penchant for history and for stories that whisk you away to peril and danger while crying out to God, reading this book will bring the meaning of "for such a time as this" to heart in a profound way.
Book Summary
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- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Recommendation: š
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