Hey everyone! I’m so happy to say I’m part of the book tour for The Lost Daughters Of Ukraine by Erin Litteken. My apologies for my late post, but I’m here now! Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for the ARC to write my honest review.
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.
This is Erin Litteken’s second book that I have read. It’s a historical fiction novel that I just knew would be an excellent read immediately. I couldn’t wait to turn my Kindle on and start the book.
The story centres upon Vika, Liliya, and Halya. Set during World War Two and up to 1947. We witness the devastation to them and their families, initially by the Soviets then the Germans, and again the Soviets. This was such a powerful and emotional story. Especially as I read it in relation to the fact that the Ukrainians have been invaded by Russia…yet again and have been fighting for over a year now.
Erin Litteken’s characters are again created to such a high standard that I felt like they were real people. I cried with them and felt everything they were going through. The bravery and tenacity of these people is the only thing that keeps them going. Even to this day, I see the brutality of the regimes that have invaded Ukraine over the years, and they never give in. This is so clear as events unfold.
Again, this has been written so skillfully that you can’t tell where the fiction ends and the facts begin. Erin Litteken is a master storyteller, and I was spellbound by The Lost Daughters of Ukraine. Emotional, powerful, and hard hitting. It’s a book I would recommend to anyone and everyone.
Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/3w1lXnT
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.
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