12 books about loyalties tested in war

War is a crucible where loyalty is stretched to its limits, tested by the chaos of battle, the weight of personal beliefs, and the conflict between duty and survival. In these harrowing novels, characters face impossible choices as the bonds of loyalty are pushed to the edge, torn between comrades, country, and their own moral compass. These stories delve into the complexities of allegiance, betrayal, and the personal costs of war. If you’re drawn to intense, thought-provoking narratives about the human spirit under siege, these 12 books will take you to the very heart of loyalty—tested and broken, but, at times, also forged anew.

1. All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

Regarded as one of the most powerful anti-war novels ever written, All Quiet on the Western Front follows Paul Bäumer, a young German soldier in World War I, who grapples with the brutal realities of war. The loyalty to his comrades is his only solace as he faces the horrors of trench warfare. But as the war drags on, the deep sense of patriotism that once united them begins to crumble under the weight of endless loss and trauma. Remarque’s vivid portrayal of the soldiers’ internal struggles captures the deep conflict between loyalty to country and the horrifying personal toll of warfare.

2. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

In The Nightingale, two sisters in Nazi-occupied France navigate their loyalty to each other and their country during World War II. Vianne, the older sister, chooses to endure the oppression in silence, while Isabelle, the younger one, becomes a fierce resistance fighter. As their paths diverge, both women are forced to confront the complexities of loyalty in the face of unimaginable choices. Hannah’s novel is an emotional testament to the different ways loyalty can manifest in times of war—and the sacrifices it demands.

3. Atonement by Ian McEwan

Atonement* is a tale of love, betrayal, and the far-reaching effects of a lie that shatters not only personal relationships but also lives in the context of war. The novel begins with Briony Tallis making a fateful decision that leads to the wrongful conviction of Robbie Turner, the man her sister Cecilia loves. Set against the backdrop of World War II, Briony must confront the consequences of her betrayal as Robbie is sent to fight overseas. McEwan masterfully explores the themes of guilt, atonement, and the enduring cost of broken loyalties in the fog of war.

4. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

In Joseph Heller’s Catch-22, the concept of loyalty is turned on its head. Yossarian, a World War II bombardier, is trapped in a paradoxical military system where loyalty to one’s comrades, country, and superiors is constantly undermined by the absurd rules of war. The novel’s darkly satirical tone highlights how war corrupts not only soldiers’ bodies but their sense of loyalty, forcing them into impossible situations. It’s a chaotic, existential journey that shows the futility of blind allegiance in the face of irrational bureaucracy and the fragility of trust in a world governed by madness.

5. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Set during Nazi Germany, The Book Thief follows Liesel Meminger, a young girl who is taken in by a foster family. As war ravages the country, Liesel and her family become entangled in the underground resistance, fighting for survival in a world where loyalty to the regime means life, but loyalty to one another could mean death. Told from the perspective of Death, Zusak’s novel powerfully explores the themes of loyalty, courage, and defiance in the face of a monstrous war.

6. The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara

The Killer Angels is a gripping account of the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War. Told from the perspectives of both Union and Confederate soldiers, Shaara delves into the loyalties of the men who fought in one of the most pivotal battles in American history. The novel captures the emotional and psychological complexity of war, exploring how loyalty to comrades, ideals, and personal beliefs are tested on the battlefield. Shaara’s brilliant storytelling brings history to life while reminding us of the sacrifices made in the name of loyalty and duty.

7. The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien

In The Things They Carried, Tim O’Brien captures the lives of soldiers in the Vietnam War, exploring the weight of both the physical and emotional burdens they carry. The book is a profound meditation on the toll of war on friendships and loyalties, as soldiers struggle to maintain bonds amidst the chaos and horrors of battle. O’Brien’s portrayal of camaraderie, betrayal, and the complexities of loyalty in war is both poignant and haunting, showing that sometimes, the heaviest burdens are the ones that can’t be seen.

8. The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

While not strictly a war novel, The Light Between Oceans deals with themes of loyalty, deception, and moral compromise in the aftermath of World War I. Tom Sherbourne, a lighthouse keeper, and his wife Isabel discover a baby washed ashore and decide to raise the child as their own. However, their decision to keep the child is tested when they learn of the devastating consequences of their actions. Stedman’s exploration of loyalty, love, and the moral consequences of war offers a poignant look at how the bonds of loyalty can be both fragile and powerful.

9. The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje

Set against the backdrop of World War II, The English Patient explores the lives of four people whose fates are bound together in a remote Italian villa. Each character is struggling with their own version of loyalty—loyalty to love, to duty, and to personal identity. The English patient, a man badly burned in a plane crash, becomes a symbol of both loyalty and betrayal as his past comes to light, revealing the complexities of relationships forged and tested in the heat of war. Ondaatje’s lyrical prose and layered storytelling invite readers to ponder the price of loyalty and its ability to withstand the ravages of war.

10. The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith

In The Cuckoo’s Calling, Cormoran Strike, a private detective and war veteran, is hired to investigate the death of a supermodel. As Strike delves into the case, he must grapple with the ghosts of his past and the loyalty he once felt toward those he fought beside in war. The novel weaves together threads of trust, betrayal, and the search for truth, exploring how loyalties can shift and fracture in the face of personal and professional crises. Galbraith (a pen name for J.K. Rowling) crafts a compelling, suspenseful mystery that delves into the dark corners of the human heart.

11. For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls is a powerful exploration of loyalty, love, and the harsh realities of war during the Spanish Civil War. Robert Jordan, an American dynamiter working with the guerilla forces, is torn between his loyalty to the cause and his deepening affection for a woman named Maria. Hemingway’s sparse, direct prose brings to life the psychological toll of war and the emotional conflicts that arise as loyalty is tested in the face of violence and sacrifice.

12. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

A sweeping epic set against the Napoleonic Wars, War and Peace examines the lives of several Russian aristocratic families as they navigate the horrors of war and the shifting sands of loyalty. Prince Andrei Bolkonsky and Pierre Bezukhov, among others, are swept up in the tides of history, struggling to find their place in a world where loyalty to family, country, and ideals often clash. Tolstoy’s masterpiece is a meditation on the human cost of war, the complexities of loyalty, and the ways in which people adapt to survive in times of uncertainty and chaos.

Final Thoughts

The bonds of loyalty are not always as steadfast as we hope, and in times of war, they are often put to the ultimate test. These 12 books explore the depths of loyalty—how it can be strained, broken, and, in some cases, even rediscovered. Through the lens of war, these stories reveal the profound emotional and psychological impact of conflict on relationships, honor, and personal identity. If you’re captivated by tales of loyalty tested in the crucible of war, these novels will take you on unforgettable journeys through the complexities of duty, betrayal, and redemption.