The End of Innocence by Allegra Jordan is the heart-wrenching story of Wils Brandl and Helen Brooks, two star-crossed students of Harvard during the beginnings of WWI. This story tore at my heart unlike anything I've read before. Wils, in his last year at Harvard, is a German student and is summoned home by his mother to fight for the kaiser. Unwilling and hoping the war will pass, he stays, but only to see his childhood friend die and German racism and hatred on the rise with his fellow classmates. Helen is seventeen and starting college for the first time. Bright-eyed and following only what she knows, she instantly dislikes the bitter Wils when they first meet at a dance. Forced together during an advanced course, Helen and Wils begin an unlikely friendship that eventually leads to much more.

I instantly fell in love with Wils. He is a bright, young man with his whole future ahead of him. The bitterness he feels at the beginning of the story doesn't last and he becomes this selfless character that puts others before himself. He's caring and kind, a true gentleman. Then there's Helen. At first, I really disliked her (and that's putting it mildly). She's from the upper-class, in other words very rich and it shows. She's spoiled, selfish, and blames her mother (who is like the black sheep of the family) for all her social problems. Then Helen meets Wils, who drunk and mourning his friend, puts her in her place. I totally cheered for Wils on this account. Yes he was a bit callous, but Helen was just so unlikeable at that point. Reading the progression of the characters, you get a feel for how much Helen matures and I really loved this!

Though Helen and Wils are the main characters, there are some great secondary characters. Riley is Wils's cousin and the smooth talker. He brings levity to the otherwise seriousness of the novel and also a great competitor for Helen's affections. Dr. Copeland is the professor of the class that Wils and Helen share, and he reminds me a lot of my own literature professor! Very dry personality, but truly cares for his students.

All gone, he thought. Builders, farmers, teachers, students. Is this how we end? Jumbled parts in a mass grave, swept under a clean white carpet?

The plot deals with the war in Europe but also with the prejudice occurring at Harvard to its German students, and of course a bit of romance with the relationship between Helen and Wils. The war has just begun and the book takes you through the first Christmas and the events after the war. The author does a wonderful job of describing the horrible scenes of the war and one of the most popular references from WWI (the Christmas truce that began with the singing of Silent Night :cry: ). I have to admit that I sobbed during parts and laughed during others. Jordan really captures the essence of the time period.

Overall, I felt this novel was by far one of the best I've read this year. And hands down, the best historical fiction I've ever read! The author drew me in with her characters, their emotions and relationships, and I just couldn't set it down. If you enjoy historical fiction, romance, or just a really good book I highly recommend you check this one out. You will not be disappointed!

I received a copy of this book from Sourcebooks in exchange for an honest review.