jasminegalsreadinglog's review
4.0
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel.
This novel is set during World War II in parts of Czech Republic and is the story of Magda. Its a story of her life as she is confronted with the challenges of humanity. She learns through her blunders though her blunders come at huge cost. This novel though is not true some of the places mentioned do exist. A very good historical fiction read set during the period.
This novel is set during World War II in parts of Czech Republic and is the story of Magda. Its a story of her life as she is confronted with the challenges of humanity. She learns through her blunders though her blunders come at huge cost. This novel though is not true some of the places mentioned do exist. A very good historical fiction read set during the period.
katejeminhizer's review
5.0
This book is a spectacular reminder that there are multiple perspectives from which to tell the history of WWII. Magda exemplifies so many women whose lives were altered by the circumstances of the war. Lucyk-Berger made an excellent choice in expanding Magda's tale into a full length book. In Magda we see a woman who evolves from being insecure and self-conscious to a woman who realizes and embraces her strengths as she struggles to survive and set right the wrongs caused by the Nazis. The author writes with such aplomb when relating the horrors inflicted on the people living in the area of what is now the Czech Republic. Readers experience the war through Magda's eyes and with that telling, the reader is given the opportunity to see more than just the Germany versus the world perspective. A quick read that is extremely enlightening.
I received a copy of this title via NetGalley.
I received a copy of this title via NetGalley.
speedy2022's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
krissimh's review
5.0
**a huge thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with an ARC!**
At the dawn of the Second World War, Magda must find a way to survive as the horrors of Nazi Germany make their way through her beloved Czechoslovakia. This book tells the story of loss, and the story of learning how to fight back.
This book was absolutely beautiful. I’ve read several books in this genre—World War II fiction with strong heroines—and while I usually enjoy them, it’s difficult to make one stand out. The Girl from the Mountains stands out. From the very first page, I was drawn in; Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger has an absolutely beautiful writing style that makes her characters come to life.
If there is anything I am an absolute sucker for, it is how the author set up the prologue, It is set a few years into the war, and thus a few years into the story; this is one of my absolute favorite tropes, when properly executed. This book properly executed it, and then some. I was kept on the edge, anxious to see how the story unfolded to get to where the prologue introduced you. When characters mentioned appeared in the book, I was excited and engaged. With such a strong start, there was no way this book wouldn’t be amazing.
More than anything else, I adored how Magda changed throughout this book. Trauma shaped her, and her changes throughout the book were not always for the better. There were times when she was scared or cold or cruel, even as she grew into her role as a resistance fighter. Something about seeing the worst parts of Magda amplified against the backdrop of her circumstances made her feel so achingly human. Early on, she endures some very traumatic events that seemed a bit too glossed over at the time, but as the book progressed, this decision made more sense. The poignancy of this book blew me away and is sure to stick with me. And, of course, the ending made me cry—but I’ll leave it at that, because this isn’t something that should be spoiled.
I keep trying and trying to come up with some meaningful criticism, but I can’t. If you’re interested in historical fiction at all, please read this.
At the dawn of the Second World War, Magda must find a way to survive as the horrors of Nazi Germany make their way through her beloved Czechoslovakia. This book tells the story of loss, and the story of learning how to fight back.
This book was absolutely beautiful. I’ve read several books in this genre—World War II fiction with strong heroines—and while I usually enjoy them, it’s difficult to make one stand out. The Girl from the Mountains stands out. From the very first page, I was drawn in; Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger has an absolutely beautiful writing style that makes her characters come to life.
If there is anything I am an absolute sucker for, it is how the author set up the prologue, It is set a few years into the war, and thus a few years into the story; this is one of my absolute favorite tropes, when properly executed. This book properly executed it, and then some. I was kept on the edge, anxious to see how the story unfolded to get to where the prologue introduced you. When characters mentioned appeared in the book, I was excited and engaged. With such a strong start, there was no way this book wouldn’t be amazing.
More than anything else, I adored how Magda changed throughout this book. Trauma shaped her, and her changes throughout the book were not always for the better. There were times when she was scared or cold or cruel, even as she grew into her role as a resistance fighter. Something about seeing the worst parts of Magda amplified against the backdrop of her circumstances made her feel so achingly human. Early on, she endures some very traumatic events that seemed a bit too glossed over at the time, but as the book progressed, this decision made more sense. The poignancy of this book blew me away and is sure to stick with me. And, of course, the ending made me cry—but I’ll leave it at that, because this isn’t something that should be spoiled.
I keep trying and trying to come up with some meaningful criticism, but I can’t. If you’re interested in historical fiction at all, please read this.
zzoyalais's review
5.0
**a huge thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with an ARC!**
At the dawn of the Second World War, Magda must find a way to survive as the horrors of Nazi Germany make their way through her beloved Czechoslovakia. This book tells the story of loss, and the story of learning how to fight back.
This book was absolutely beautiful. I’ve read several books in this genre—World War II fiction with strong heroines—and while I usually enjoy them, it’s difficult to make one stand out. The Girl from the Mountains stands out. From the very first page, I was drawn in; Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger has an absolutely beautiful writing style that makes her characters come to life.
If there is anything I am an absolute sucker for, it is how the author set up the prologue, It is set a few years into the war, and thus a few years into the story; this is one of my absolute favorite tropes, when properly executed. This book properly executed it, and then some. I was kept on the edge, anxious to see how the story unfolded to get to where the prologue introduced you. When characters mentioned appeared in the book, I was excited and engaged. With such a strong start, there was no way this book wouldn’t be amazing.
More than anything else, I adored how Magda changed throughout this book. Trauma shaped her, and her changes throughout the book were not always for the better. There were times when she was scared or cold or cruel, even as she grew into her role as a resistance fighter. Something about seeing the worst parts of Magda amplified against the backdrop of her circumstances made her feel so achingly human. Early on, she endures some very traumatic events that seemed a bit too glossed over at the time, but as the book progressed, this decision made more sense. The poignancy of this book blew me away and is sure to stick with me. And, of course, the ending made me cry—but I’ll leave it at that, because this isn’t something that should be spoiled.
I keep trying and trying to come up with some meaningful criticism, but I can’t. If you’re interested in historical fiction at all, please read this.
At the dawn of the Second World War, Magda must find a way to survive as the horrors of Nazi Germany make their way through her beloved Czechoslovakia. This book tells the story of loss, and the story of learning how to fight back.
This book was absolutely beautiful. I’ve read several books in this genre—World War II fiction with strong heroines—and while I usually enjoy them, it’s difficult to make one stand out. The Girl from the Mountains stands out. From the very first page, I was drawn in; Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger has an absolutely beautiful writing style that makes her characters come to life.
If there is anything I am an absolute sucker for, it is how the author set up the prologue, It is set a few years into the war, and thus a few years into the story; this is one of my absolute favorite tropes, when properly executed. This book properly executed it, and then some. I was kept on the edge, anxious to see how the story unfolded to get to where the prologue introduced you. When characters mentioned appeared in the book, I was excited and engaged. With such a strong start, there was no way this book wouldn’t be amazing.
More than anything else, I adored how Magda changed throughout this book. Trauma shaped her, and her changes throughout the book were not always for the better. There were times when she was scared or cold or cruel, even as she grew into her role as a resistance fighter. Something about seeing the worst parts of Magda amplified against the backdrop of her circumstances made her feel so achingly human. Early on, she endures some very traumatic events that seemed a bit too glossed over at the time, but as the book progressed, this decision made more sense. The poignancy of this book blew me away and is sure to stick with me. And, of course, the ending made me cry—but I’ll leave it at that, because this isn’t something that should be spoiled.
I keep trying and trying to come up with some meaningful criticism, but I can’t. If you’re interested in historical fiction at all, please read this.
eweidl's review
emotional
tense
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
3.75
We all understand the difference between right and wrong. But what if wrong is the law?
This quote probably seems really profound to a lot of people, but as a law student all I can think of is Hart rolling in his grave. Jokes aside, I loved this book.
In WWII Czechoslovakia, Magda leaves her home to go live in a small village, where she begins working in the house of a respected Jewish oncologist and his wife and daughter. When the Taubers are arrested by the Nazis, she decides that she must avenge them and keep their infant son safe, whose existence has been kept hidden from the Nazi regime.
But when the Germans charged into the camp’s parameters, Magda clambered over the rim of the crater, raised her rifle and felt a force so strong behind her, and beneath her, that she knew she would not be another casualty in this war.
Originally, Magda continues working for the Nazi general who takes over the Tauber’s house, hoping to gain information to help the resistance. However, when she goes one step too far, she has to go on the run. What follows is Magda’s experience fighting for the Resistance against the Nazis while battling her own insecurities. Her internal and external journeys are equally riveting.
While reading this book, I did feel like some points of the plot were convoluted or riddled with holes. However, when I read the author’s note it definitely improved my opinion of the book. The author was inspired by a real life story of a Nazi officer’s son born in the Czech Republic, who was circumcised by the locals who assisted with the birth.
I recommend this to historical fiction readers who love strong female protagonists. Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
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