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skynet666's review against another edition
3.0
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this story, but the idea that the guy in the first book and now the woman in the third book both refuse to tell the main character anything other than the entire story of their lives from start-to-finish, doesn't seem very realistic. I just ignored it and enjoyed the actual story, but it too much like the first book and not as good.
kimreadz's review against another edition
5.0
I have been reading a lot of fiction set during WWII in the past year, and Karolina’s Twins has been compared favorably to many of the books I’ve enjoyed, so when the publisher offered advance copies, it was a no-brainer for me to request it. To be honest, though I wanted to read it and expected to like it, I also expected that because I’ve loved so many of the WWII novels I’ve read, this one would be good, but nothing special. I was wrong — this one is among the best I’ve read! It is not only a WWII story, but also has an element of mystery and romance!
Lena Woodward is a Polish Jew, and survivor of the holocaust, now living in Chicago. Karolina was her best friend from pre-war Poland, and Lena is convinced she needs to fulfill a promise she made to Karolina over 70 years ago — to find the twins that were lost to her during the war. To this end she engages a private investigator -attorney team; Liam Taggert and Catherine Lockhart, who also happen to be a husband-wife team. There is a complication however; Lena is now a wealthy widow with a son, Arthur, who is seeking guardianship over Lena’s financial matters, claiming she is senile and delusional, and in need of protection from those who would exploit her (Catherine and Liam).
As Catherine and Liam gather information in an effort to learn the fate of the twins and defend Lena from her son’s lawsuit, Lena must revisit her wartime experiences and reveal secrets she’s suppressed for 70 years. This is not always easy to read — we are dealing with the Nazis! — but knowing that Lena survived to tell her story made it a little easier to read through the hard parts. This is going to make a GREAT book club selection with discussions not only about WWII and the Nazi cruelties, but also about choices made by Lena and those around her. This story is going to stick with me for a long time!
And in case you have concerns about this being the third book of a series, I want you to know that I have read neither of the previous books and this one works very well as a stand alone, so enjoy!
I received an Advanced Reader’s Edition of this book from St. Martin’s Press through Reading Group Gold.
Lena Woodward is a Polish Jew, and survivor of the holocaust, now living in Chicago. Karolina was her best friend from pre-war Poland, and Lena is convinced she needs to fulfill a promise she made to Karolina over 70 years ago — to find the twins that were lost to her during the war. To this end she engages a private investigator -attorney team; Liam Taggert and Catherine Lockhart, who also happen to be a husband-wife team. There is a complication however; Lena is now a wealthy widow with a son, Arthur, who is seeking guardianship over Lena’s financial matters, claiming she is senile and delusional, and in need of protection from those who would exploit her (Catherine and Liam).
As Catherine and Liam gather information in an effort to learn the fate of the twins and defend Lena from her son’s lawsuit, Lena must revisit her wartime experiences and reveal secrets she’s suppressed for 70 years. This is not always easy to read — we are dealing with the Nazis! — but knowing that Lena survived to tell her story made it a little easier to read through the hard parts. This is going to make a GREAT book club selection with discussions not only about WWII and the Nazi cruelties, but also about choices made by Lena and those around her. This story is going to stick with me for a long time!
And in case you have concerns about this being the third book of a series, I want you to know that I have read neither of the previous books and this one works very well as a stand alone, so enjoy!
I received an Advanced Reader’s Edition of this book from St. Martin’s Press through Reading Group Gold.
bsmith27's review against another edition
5.0
Great novel about the Holocaust. Told in flashbacks by an old woman who is looking for her friend's Twin girls and a lawyer/ investigator team. Inspiring and hopeful.
kolson687's review against another edition
5.0
I have read a lot of historical fiction set in this time period and this one is up there as one of the best. Based on actual events this novel is well researched and hard to put down. Although it’s part of a series I would say it can definitely be read as a stand alone. My favorite quote from this book comes when the main character asks where is God in Auschwitz. Chaya answers: He’s right here. You just have to bring Him in. I bring Him in right into these barracks into the face of every Nazi. She goes on to say they can take everything from her but her Jewishness and that’s how to defeat them (pg 242). Highly recommend.
ilenely's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lauradist's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
leach2225's review against another edition
5.0
Right up there with Once We Were Brothers this books was excellent. A lot of drama, hardship, tragedy and love . Well wrote about the hardships of WWII and the Jewish people the book kept me glued to everypage. Going back and forth between past and present was done very well. Near the ending I had to slow down since I did not want the book to end. Another great read by Ronald H. Balson.
robhood's review against another edition
5.0
It's such a pleasure to read such a richly talented author!
rgyger's review against another edition
3.0
This story is told in two intersecting narratives, one being Lena's current search for Karolina's twins and the other being where she tells Catherine about her life during WWII. As such, most of the book is told in a first person dialogue from the perspective of Lena. These portions of the book were by far the strongest, capturing the day to day struggle of Jews under Nazi Germany while also showing instances of true courage on all sides.
Yet the modern day portion of the story fell flat. I constantly found myself questioning why I needed Catherine and Liam's input, as most of what they say in regard to WWII is commonly held knowledge. As well, the dialogue in their scenes was often stilted and centered around comic relief pertaining to pregnancy and feminism. Instead of reading like actual people, both seemed more like projections of modern society.
The shift back and forth between the two narratives can be frustrating. To go from intense scenes from the Holocaust to those of courtroom drama creates moments in which the temptation to put the book down is strong. For the historical aspect of Karolina's Twins alone, I would suggest reading this book, as it is the majority of the story. However, be prepared for some scenes that will most likely slow the story down.
Also, as a note for those who prefer to read books without it, there is a fair bit of language, some of which felt unnecessary.
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Yet the modern day portion of the story fell flat. I constantly found myself questioning why I needed Catherine and Liam's input, as most of what they say in regard to WWII is commonly held knowledge. As well, the dialogue in their scenes was often stilted and centered around comic relief pertaining to pregnancy and feminism. Instead of reading like actual people, both seemed more like projections of modern society.
The shift back and forth between the two narratives can be frustrating. To go from intense scenes from the Holocaust to those of courtroom drama creates moments in which the temptation to put the book down is strong. For the historical aspect of Karolina's Twins alone, I would suggest reading this book, as it is the majority of the story. However, be prepared for some scenes that will most likely slow the story down.
Also, as a note for those who prefer to read books without it, there is a fair bit of language, some of which felt unnecessary.
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.