Today I'm very pleased to be taking part in the blog tour for The Lost Daughters of Ukraine by Erin Litteken.
Here's the blurb.
A story of the strength of the human spirit, the personal cost of conflict and how love can be found even in the darkest times.
Summer 1941. War rages in Europe. The Germans march towards Ukraine. Halya, Liliya and Vika are no strangers to sorrow. They lost family during the Holodomor, loved ones in Stalin's purges, and war looms once more on the horizon.
Vika lives in fear for her children. She and her sister survived the terror famine by leaving their whole family behind. Now, years later, many believe the Germans will free them from the Soviets, but she's not so sure. Should they stay in Volhynia or flee the approaching Eastern front?
Liliya has lost too much in her 17 years. As those around her join the resistance, Liliya wonders how she can fight for her friends, family, and country. When the choice is made for her, can she find the will to survive and protect those still with her?
Twelve-year-old Halya is struggling to discover who she is. But as the war escalates, can her mother Katya's tactics keep her safe from the Nazi soldiers rounding up slave laborers? How can a child survive the horrors of war on her own?
These daughters of Ukraine will face devastation and loss as they fight to survive and protect the ones they love.
A gripping page-turner of love, loss and resilience for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz.
Review
Everything about the book screamed I'd enjoy this one, the cover, the blurb, the genre.. the question is did the emotion jump off the page for me?
Oh yes..my personal opinion is that for a topic like this emotion is the key, without it the book just won't hit home, but I need not have worried.
I'll try to keep the review spoiler free as possible but Liliya's tale was the strongest for me, the most heart wrenching.. the most emotive.. my heart broke for her as one slave master is replaced with another… the German's were meant to be liberators.. but the truth is they are far worse than the Russians.
I think the key message from the book is hope.. strength..and with current events in Ukraine I just felt this was a positive message within a hard hitting emotive story.. the pure will the survive.. to keeping moving..to fight.. the cruelty of war but the good that can shine through the dark.
Even throughout the turmoil Liliya still manages to live some form of a life, the day to day jobs to survive and for all the characters I felt this is what hits home the most, the people stuck where they are.. trying to live while under threat each and every day.
The pace of the story flowed well. There's a changing perspective throughout the tale as the focus shifts from character to character so I do advise you take your time to really feel the characters' lives develop, but overall the change in perspective helped me as it just kept me gripped.
The author showed real skill with emotions and descriptive scenes, the detail added really helped you imagine the events in real time.. the running.. the burning in the cheat to out run the German draft for example. Just simply beautifully written.
A 5/5 stars from David's Book Blurg!
To find out more head to Amazon or Goodreads.
My thanks go to Erin Litteken, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I only accept ARCs to aid timely reviews and I'll certainly be adding this one to my purchased collection.
Why not follow the tour?
Author Bio –
Erin Litteken is a debut novelist with a degree in history and a passion for research. At a young age, she was enthralled by stories of her family's harrowing experiences in Ukraine before, during and after World War II. She lives in Illinois, USA with her husband and children.
Social Media Links –
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Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/erin-litteken
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