This is perfect for fans of WWII fiction looking for something a bit different. Lark has, as usual, written a big emotional story, this time featuring sisters, in great settings.

An interesting historical fiction novel, about Helena, a young woman from Poland, who was sent to Siberia with her family, then to a refugee camp in Iran, travelling to New Zealand under disguised identity. I did not know much about people with this path, following and during WWII. The book had a good flow, though some parts were a little less convincing, but still a good read. Thank you NetGalley for the e-reader copy, all opinions are my own.

A very interesting novel! I must admit to knowing nothing about children who had sadly found themselves as War orphans and selected to go to New Zealand. So much detail was packed into this touching story. It is the first time that I have read any novels by this author and based on this novel alone, I hope to read more by Sarah Lark.

My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers. This is my honest review.

My reviews can be seen on Goodreads and Amazon.

In 1944, with WWII raging, two Polish orphans, 16-year-old Luzyna and 19-year-old Helena, are surviving in the relative safety of a refugee camp in Allied-occupied Iran. Thousands of Polish children had been transported there after the Soviets aligned with the Allies. New Zealand’s offer to accept 700 teenagers exhilarates the sisters; however, only Luzyna is selected. After a complex set of events, Helena finds herself in the transport, impersonating her sister. On the ship to Wellington, Helena’s disguise is discovered, and she is taken advantage of by a man she knows. In New Zealand, Helena finds comfort and love with an airman, but her traumatic experiences haunt her; in particular, she must deal with the remorse of having betrayed her sister.

Basing her novel on records and diaries of refugees, Sarah Lark has penned this extraordinary WWII story of Polish civilians first exiled to Siberia, transported to Iran, and then disbursed to other countries. Her narrative is so authentic that even her editor inquired if it was true. The plight of the migrants during their travels, the meager living conditions, and the stress of life in the Iranian camp are evocatively presented. We can feel their elation as they reach New Zealand and relish its charm and beauty. With them, we learn about their new country’s history and culture, its generous Kiwis, and the indigenous Maoris. The introduction of love and conflict in the plot keeps us focused on the story. This is a thrilling read, particularly for this reviewer, who has seen, in Karachi’s European Cemetery, the graves of some of the Polish children who didn’t complete their journey.

This review first appeared in the Historical Novels Review Issue 79 (February 2017)

A WWII story set in New Zealand - how fun! I love historical fiction and this one is tops. Such a great book!!

Casualties of WWII, Helena and Luzyna, Polish teenagers are sent to a Persian refugee camp. Due to a mixup of identities, one girl is offered a chance at a new life in New Zealand. It is still a struggle, but the wish for a new life is strong. Recommended reading.

What drew me to this book was the settings. Most books pertaining to World War II involves a European setting and it's a very rare thing to reach Iran or New Zealand. It's a world war so it only stands to reason that the effects reach the farthermost corner of the globe.

Beginning at an orphanage in Iran we meet two sisters separated from their parents. Even though I struggled to connect with these girls it wasn't hard to see the raw deal life threw at them. From Poland to Siberia and now in Iran their lives have been one terrible thing after another. The Iran setting is just a small part of this story as it the journey to New Zealand, but it is an important one that propels this book.

One of the things I love about historical fiction is learning new things, with A Hope at the End of the World I was not aware that the actual events took place. The author notes do a great job of explaining the things and I found that very interesting and a great way to end the book.

There were times I found the story predictable and to me it had more of a young adult feel. The conflict with the Maori people was interesting. The story had a good premise and will appeal to those that like lighter historical fiction and young adult books.

Thanks to AmazonCrossing for an advanced copy (via Netgalley).

*I received this book as a Read Now through NetGalley from AmazonCrossing*

Full disclosure I only made it through 50% of this book so please take this review for what it is considering I did not finish the book.

I will admit, this book did not pull me in at all. I kept going hoping that it would pick up at some point but it just didn't.

The main character Helena felt too one sided and boring to me, she betrays her sister, horrible things happen to her and then all she thinks about is these horrible things and ending her own life. Now don't get me wrong, I get why she would be a somber character, but I've read about somber characters before without them making me feel miserable as well and all Helena makes you feel when you read this book is misery.

Even when she meets James I don't even really feel a pull to his character at all. Most of the characters are just too one-note.

I was looking forward to this book as I really like WWII books and with the romance plot it seemed like a good mix, but I couldn't get past the dreary first half. Even if the book picked up later there really wouldn't be much of it left when the first half drags it down so far.

I will say that this could be a good read for someone interested in New Zealand life or culture back around that time period because while I was utterly confused I'm sure there are some people who would enjoy the cultural context in which the book is set.

So overall I thought the book had a good premise and had lots of potential, but in the end I just didn't feel like it was the right choice for me to continue reading.

Lovely Heart warning story of Helena and james. Loved the détail of the maouri traditions

I just finished reading Hope at the End of the World by Susan Lark an advanced copy from Net Galley. With the cover and description I thought this would be a great WWII novel. I was surprised to find that it really was a romance novel. I felt I needed to read it through since I did request it from Net Galley.
The novel has some WWII references but it about a girl coming to New Zealand as a refugee from Poland The novel is a fast read and it did hold my interest. I would give a 3 and a 1/2 star rating because I really am not a romance reader. If you like a good romance and a feel good ending this book is for you.