A review by readwithev
The Lost Daughters of Ukraine by Erin Litteken

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 ⚠️

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and War

Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicide, Torture, and Vomit