As part of Netgalley November, I’ve been digging in my archives and reading books long ago approved so that I can recommend ones you might have missed. (There are many that go into the I read so you don’t have to category!).

One standout is Heather Morris’ 2019 release Cilka’s Journey. Two things: 1. Historical Fiction is not my go-to genre. 2. I did not read The Tattooist of Auschwitz, which is Book 1 in this series. Regardless, Cilka’s Journey was a standout and can be read as a standalone in my opinion. It is a powerful book with strong characters about a slice of WW II history that we do not hear enough about.

Cilka is rescued from the concentration camp only to be sent by the Russians to a Siberian work camp from 15 years because Cilka purportedly helped the enemy. This fate is outrageous, but not made out of whole cloth. I have never read about the Siberian work camps and this novel was eye opening. Heather Morris in her author’s note tells us about the real Cilka who was an inspiration for this story.

From start to finish, this novel had me, and I was not letting go. Cilka was such a strong female lead. She was brilliant, kind, determined, and fearless. This story had moments where I could not believe how people were being treated and the horrors they experienced. Yet, from somewhere deep inside, women found the courage to continue to live and persevere. Cilka's Journey was beautifully written.

Gave this book a try but overall didn’t enjoy it. Wasn’t able to get into the story as much as I wanted to. Think it was the writing style for me that didn’t work

This is a very well written book but it is heartbreaking at times. I did enjoy it and would definitely recommend it to others.

Highly enjoyed this one! It kept me engaged throughout and was a joy to read, would certainly recommend!

A beautiful and compelling story that follows one of the side characters in the Tatooist of Auschwitz. Horrible to know it’s based on a true story, but a story that needed to be told.

Heartbreakingly beautiful. I first picked this up because I loved the Tattoist of Auschwitz. You never know how sequels are going to go but I have to admit I liked this even more that the first story. The author writes in a way that paints the perfect picture that makes you feel like you are in the story and you can't help but feel devastated throughout the story.

A Painful Story That Needs to Be Told

After reading The Tattooist of Auschwitz I immediately started reading Cilka’s Journey as I had to see how this story would continue. This novel felt more sinister to me than The Tattooist of Auschwitz for some reason. Maybe because in the first book you had this blossoming love story to keep your spirits buoyed but in Cilka’s Journey it feels like as soon as you are gifted a small sliver of hope it gets taken away from you, leaving you with this heavy foreboding feeling the entire time you’re reading. Those slivers of hope do shine so bright in the mire, especially when the baby joins the mix. The joy of new life, even in such horrendous situations, is still a bright light in the darkness. This was such a sweet moment and showed just how close the women had grown in the few years that they’ve lived and worked together. How could you not grow closer to those who share in your misery?

Sharing memories and twisted dreams along with what is going on in the present keeps this story interesting. We learn more about what Cilka has to go through at Auschwitz, as well as how she deals with her new reality, a different kind of nightmare. I felt like this novel is somehow more violent than The Tattooist of Auschwitz and this invisible pressure weighed heavy on me the whole time I was reading. The ending was as satisfying as it could possibly be and as soon as I was done, I immediately started reading the final book in the trilogy.

Even though this is such a hard series to read it is also a story that must be told, lest we are doomed to repeat the unimaginable horrors of the Holocaust.

This was a fabulous book. It was funny and had wonderful pacing. I would read this author again. I would recommend this book to others.

This is such a moving and emotional story that shows the ultimate resilience and strength of one woman who endures two concentration camps.

An emotional rollercoaster, it almost feels wrong to say I enjoyed this book. Maybe because it wasn't so much as enjoyable but all encompassing. I loved this as a follow up to Tattooist of Aushwitz and my heart broke into tiny pieces for Cilka as she told her story. i wouldn't want to say too much about this one as it definitely needs to be experienced, bravo Heather Morris.

Continuing the story of Cilka, whom we met in the Tattooist of Auschwitz, this time transferred to a camp in Siberia for 15 years. She becomes a nurse in the camp and helps with the babies. She’s such a smart, cleaver and caring individual that had endured and survived so much at such a young age. I had to keep reminding myself that she is a real person, I’m just in awe of her.

I just couldn't get into "Cilka's Journey" though I did try. It just didn't hold my attention overall and I found it wasn't that interesting for me.

I really enjoyed this book and it made me feel so many things, I was angry that Cilka was released from Auschwitz only to be revictimized by the Russians and sent to the Gulag. I loved the relationships she built with everyone around her and how she put others ahead of herself. Josie and her daughter definitely benefitted. The reality of depression and mental health issues in Cilka’s situation showed how it could overtake a person & how they can overcome. The rallying theme of maintaining hope was heartening and the ending was so amazing!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the chance to read this beautiful story.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this book. This was a beautifully written book that showed some strong hard emotions in a way that made them easy to digest, but left you feeling for the characters of the story. It was a good example of emotions during this time in history, things that everyone should be aware of.

This was a solid follow up to the Tattooist of Auschwitz. I really enjoyed getting to read more about Cilla's story. I remember a lot coming out about the Tattooist of Aushwitz and how much of it couldn't be stated as fact, so with that said, I read this one more as a fictional tale. No matter what, it was still really powerful and enjoyed reading it.

The story fell flat for me on this one. I think I have read too many historical fiction back to back and this one just doesn't stand out.

Amazing the strength of some women that were in the concentration camps during World War II. Cilka is no exception. What she had to endure to survive is beyond comprehension. Taken as a child and having to live the way she had to live was horrific. But her strength and resilience helped her get through it. Highly recommend this book.

It feels strange to say that I loved this book, but I did. Equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful....this book tells the story of a brave woman that was forced to make hard decisions over and over.

Review coming soon. Fell behind due to illness, amd working on all of the old ones now.

This one will not be forgotten. Heather Morris brings us into the Holocaust and makes me feel very emotional about it, with that level of anger I would expect to have. So moving. Makes me wish I was there to do something to help.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC; opinions are mine.


Pub Date was October 1st, 2019
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