Reviews

This book is a heart wrenching tale of war and the atrocities of the Nazis. This alone would create an absorbing story, however the book goes further and provides a back story that leads the reader through the pre-War start of the Ukraine story. The narrative goes back to the latter part of the 19th Century through the revolution of Russia and its efforts to establish its position as a leading nation in Europe. This book follows three young women who are offspring of people who suffered through the Holodomor (Terror Famine) a man made famine, a part of the Soviet Union. The horrors inflicted by the Nazis on the region were no surprise to the people who had lived through the precursor of the Holocaust.

The three women in this book follows Halya, Liliya and Vika, beginning in the Summer of 1941. As others decide to flee from the Nazis, many of the Ukraine populace chose to say, believing they have lived through the worse man can do. Living through occupation, imprisonment, resistance and survival, The Daughters of Ukraine tells the story of the remarkable women who fight to survive and protect the ones they love. This story was inspired by the author’s family history. Litteken has carefully researched the scholarship surrounding her family’s chronicles. The combination of the facts and the emotional climate create a touching, compelling tale of the worst man can inflict on others. But it also features courage, bravery and the good that could be between people. I loved this book and will be thinking of it frequently. I suspect that I will re-read it in the future. Recommend to readers who enjoy historical fiction, WWII, family sagas, adult fiction, and Ukraine.

taniyi2000's review against another edition

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emotional informative inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

chelshudsonreads's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional informative inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

michedea_books_'s review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The lost Daughters of Ukraine is second book from the author I have read. Her previous novel ‘The Memory Keeper of Kyiv’ is an amazing retelling of the horrors at Holodomor. So, I was intrigued to see what this book was all about.

This is a powerful story is based on the authors family history about three women from different walks of life and the tragedies and the horrors they endured and the determination to get through the war and be re united with their families.

This is greatly researched, and the author is an avid storyteller. The author tells the story as it is and not frightened to show what really happened in them times. It is eye opening and emotional account and I recommend to anyone who wants to find out more about not Ukraine. I really enjoyed this second book from the author. I highly recommend. 5 stars from me.

booksofjj's review against another edition

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5.0

Another amazing book by Erin Litteken! Definitely worth reading for those interested in the history of Ukraine and how history looks like it is repeating itself now. I loved The Memory Keeper of Kyiv so much that I recommend it whenever I can, and now The Lost Daughters of Ukraine will be joining it in my common recommendations.

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