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trudyd's review against another edition
5.0
The more books on World War Two that I read, the more I realize that I know nothing. High school and university classes glossed over the horrors. I can't remember one lesson detailing the suffering of the people of Ukraine. I might as well toss my AA in History in the trash. It no longer means anything. It is obvious after reading this story that I was taught very little detail. We need to be taught the details. We need to be taught the horrors. We can't let it happen again. I can't thank Erin Litteken enough for opening my eyes. You have encouraged me to learn more and remember.
My heart is breaking for those that suffered and struggled to survive in World War Two. I must admit that when I have thought of the war in the past I thought of France, Italy, Poland and England. There were so many more countries involved.
The Lost Daughters of Ukraine gives quite a detailed description of what it must have been like for those in Ukraine. I got a bird's eye view of the lives of children taken from their families and taken to forced labor camps. The atrocities that these innocents suffered have left me shocked. I was left speechless by their desire to survive, to gain freedom.
The children left parents behind when they were tossed onto the trucks and driven away. This book tells of the struggles of the parents left wondering where their child was and if the child was still alive. I honestly never thought about the turmoil the parents went through when they had to flee. How would their children know where they went? How would the parents survive the elements and lack of food and shelter.
The author didn't just give me knowledge about the people during the war. I had never realized how complicated it was for the workers in the Displacement Camps. They had to try and keep track of those that arrived and family members they were looking for. They were tasked with feeding more and more people every day. They gave them shelter. They gave them medical care. The strength that these works must have had while dealing with the survivors of the war must have awe inspiring.
The Lost Daughters of Ukraine deserves the reader's full attention. It is not a book to just gloss over or read with distractions. I honored those of Ukraine by giving the book my full attention. The tears fell. My stomach churned. The sadness grew and grew. Now feel an all encompassing sorrow for what was done to so many because some people thought they were better than others.
My heart is breaking for those that suffered and struggled to survive in World War Two. I must admit that when I have thought of the war in the past I thought of France, Italy, Poland and England. There were so many more countries involved.
The Lost Daughters of Ukraine gives quite a detailed description of what it must have been like for those in Ukraine. I got a bird's eye view of the lives of children taken from their families and taken to forced labor camps. The atrocities that these innocents suffered have left me shocked. I was left speechless by their desire to survive, to gain freedom.
The children left parents behind when they were tossed onto the trucks and driven away. This book tells of the struggles of the parents left wondering where their child was and if the child was still alive. I honestly never thought about the turmoil the parents went through when they had to flee. How would their children know where they went? How would the parents survive the elements and lack of food and shelter.
The author didn't just give me knowledge about the people during the war. I had never realized how complicated it was for the workers in the Displacement Camps. They had to try and keep track of those that arrived and family members they were looking for. They were tasked with feeding more and more people every day. They gave them shelter. They gave them medical care. The strength that these works must have had while dealing with the survivors of the war must have awe inspiring.
The Lost Daughters of Ukraine deserves the reader's full attention. It is not a book to just gloss over or read with distractions. I honored those of Ukraine by giving the book my full attention. The tears fell. My stomach churned. The sadness grew and grew. Now feel an all encompassing sorrow for what was done to so many because some people thought they were better than others.
c_wong's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
susanjanette's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
booknerd315's review
5.0
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for my honest review.
Publication: April 24, 2023
I had a chance to read Litteken's first book and I realized that she was an author to watch out for. I saw on her IG that her second book was coming out in April. I ran to request it on Netgalley and I was out of this world when I got the approval.
This book continues following the historical lines of Ukraine amidst WW2 while weaving in the fictional aspects of the characters. This book gripped me right away and I knew it was going to be an amazing read. What I look for with historical fiction books involve compelling characters, historical pieces, and a balance of truth and hope. This book delivers so much!
The only reason it was a 4.5 star read for me is that I felt it moved a bit slower than her previous book. This book is also heavy to read. I found that I had to take breaks from it even though I was dying to know what happens to characters but as with anything regarding war, there are triggers one should look out for.
Perfect for fans: historical fiction, family saga, Kristin Hannah, Lisa See, Ruta Septys
Publication: April 24, 2023
I had a chance to read Litteken's first book and I realized that she was an author to watch out for. I saw on her IG that her second book was coming out in April. I ran to request it on Netgalley and I was out of this world when I got the approval.
This book continues following the historical lines of Ukraine amidst WW2 while weaving in the fictional aspects of the characters. This book gripped me right away and I knew it was going to be an amazing read. What I look for with historical fiction books involve compelling characters, historical pieces, and a balance of truth and hope. This book delivers so much!
The only reason it was a 4.5 star read for me is that I felt it moved a bit slower than her previous book. This book is also heavy to read. I found that I had to take breaks from it even though I was dying to know what happens to characters but as with anything regarding war, there are triggers one should look out for.
Perfect for fans: historical fiction, family saga, Kristin Hannah, Lisa See, Ruta Septys
emeryclarke's review
5.0
4.7 out of 5 stars. If you are considering adding this to your TBR, do it. The first few chapters are a struggle, not from the plot but from the author's liberal 'telling' instead of 'showing.' Once you make it past the cusp of the book, you are lost in the story, hoping everyone survives, writhing in disgust as history plays out. This story is especially powerful as the tales are based on the author's own family. Even the author admits that it is difficult for her to recall when her family tales and her novel begins.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for letting me read this arc copy for an honest review!
Thank you so much to NetGalley for letting me read this arc copy for an honest review!
angiew23's review
5.0
This was such a great historical fiction! I loved how carefully and well planned the story was, especially in how the author connected the experiences of the women and their families during the Holodomor and how these two atrocities were committed against one group of people in little more than a decade. Teaching (and writing) History is so contextual and for one to fully understand the timeline, cause and effect and other important historical data from this period, it is essential that these events be shared in context and that is exactly what Litteken was able to do with both this book and her other novel, The Memory Keeper of Kyiv. While the two stories can be read as standalones, they also weave together a story that creates meaning for the reader in the greater span of the historical and geographical context of this setting.
I also really loved that the timeline was linear and chronological, I find that HistFics of recent years time hop way too much! This way, readers can follow the story without constant interruptions. I also liked that there were three female main characters, all connected in some way, but also each unique and with their own aspirations and unique characteristics. Each of the women are resilient, intelligent and independent while also being caring towards others, experiencing great loss, and being bound by the constrictions of their time period.
Thanks so much to Rachel and Boldwood for giving me the chance to be part of this blogtour and to read this fantastic book! Grab your copy today!
I also really loved that the timeline was linear and chronological, I find that HistFics of recent years time hop way too much! This way, readers can follow the story without constant interruptions. I also liked that there were three female main characters, all connected in some way, but also each unique and with their own aspirations and unique characteristics. Each of the women are resilient, intelligent and independent while also being caring towards others, experiencing great loss, and being bound by the constrictions of their time period.
Thanks so much to Rachel and Boldwood for giving me the chance to be part of this blogtour and to read this fantastic book! Grab your copy today!
marshaskrypuch's review
5.0
Erin Litteken gives voice to WWII Ukraine with gritty authenticity and while she takes the reader into some very dark places, she is never gratuitous. I love that she's brought this history to a whole new group of avid readers and anticipate that kids who grew up reading my six WWII novels (Making Bombs for Hitler etc) will gobble up this novel. It is so good that there is finally beginning to be a critical mass of nuanced yet approachable literature written on WWII Ukraine. The Lost Daughters of Ukraine is a broom to sweep out Putin's propaganda.
readwithev's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
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
4.75
Loved each characters’ development — learning to carry on throughimpossible situations, loving each other through frustration and hopelessness. Just like the memory keeper of Kyiv, I’m left inspired and emotional. I almost wish I knew more about some of the side characters. Like Olensky and what his life was like fighting in the UPA. What happened to all the people who helped Vika and Maxym escape? (I guess that is proof a story is powerful. I feel so connected).
I wish the story had gone into more detail about Vika’s youngest daughter getting sick multiple times. What illness did she have?
This book can get pretty graphic. There is strong description of starving people, sexual assault, torture, burning, hypothermia, etc please be warned ⚠️
This book can get pretty graphic. There is strong description of starving people, sexual assault, torture, burning, hypothermia, etc please be warned ⚠️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and War
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicide, Torture, and Vomit