Cilka’s Journey is a strong follow-up novel to her immensely popular The Tattooist of Auschwitz. This book follows Cilka’s journey in a Siberian prison camp following her time at Auschwitz-Birkenau. For readers put off by some of the criticism surrounding Morris’ first book, this one is framed as historical fiction, with the elements derived from source material being outlined at the end. I appreciated this.

This being the second book in the series, and the things people had to endure durning these times to survive.
The author wrote well not hard to follow story.

Great novel based on Cilka’s time after the WWII. Well developed characters and excellent details that being the reader back in time and into the life of Cilka and her difficult journey post war. This is a heartfelt read that I highly recommend to lovers of historical fiction.

This was an emotional book about a very important part of our world's history. Cilka's stories were overpowering and show what it really means to fight to survive. It was heartbreaking to hear the shame that was felt, especially when this young woman did what she had to do to survive. I am glad that the author made note that this is a work of fiction based on true life events. I know there was some controversy around the fact that it wasn't all completely true, so I think it was important that the author made note of this.

Unfortunately, I had no idea this was book 2 of the Tattooist of Auschwitz. I apologize for not realizing that before requesting this book. Thank you for the opportunity. I still plan to read Book 1 and come back to Book 2. Thank you.

I'm done! I was destroyed by this story written by Ms. Morris! The same author that wrote Tattooist of Auschwitz - shame on me, I still have it on TBR.
But back to Cilka's story. This is a story of growing up in the camp and gulag, how to survive in those forgotten by the God places where you have to do everything to stay alive, even the most disgusting things. Those are the one that is following Cilka even after years of being in Auschwitz. But what had she done there? Will it be a grave sentence for her in the gulag?
I won't write more to make sure this review will stay spoiler-free.
This story can be read as standalone, I didn't have any problems with following the plot and characters.
Morris's story is a deal for people that are interested in this topic.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

4.5 stars.

This is yet another emotional historical read from Heather Morris. It explores the world of the Gulag in post-WWII Russia, an area of history that I was highly unfamiliar with.

Having read The Tattooist of Auschwitz prior to this one, I was familiar with Cilka as a person and a character and this was a very good follow up. It was not as involved as Lale's story, but Morris does admit that she had much less information to utilize on this novel and so a good portion of the story comes from the melding of the histories of multiple people or solely from her imagination. That didn't take away from the power of this narrative. The writing remains intriguing and the topic remains gut-wrenching. This wasn't as emotional a read for me as Tattooist, but this may have been due to a few possible things, including the fact I was already emotionally drained from reading The Tattooist of Auschwitz JUST prior to this one.

Overall, I very much enjoyed the story and thought it was well done. The narrative is solid, the character development is well done, and the historical portrayal seems to be realistic and well-rounded. However, the ending just didn't feel complete to me. It felt like too quick of a wrap up and didn't give me any sense of closure or transition. That may just be my own personal experience, as I tend to be rather picky about my endings. Regardless, this is still a very good read and a solid follow up novel.

St. Martin's Press and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Cilka's Journey. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

Cilka's Journey is a follow up to The Tattooist of Auschwitz, focused solely on a lesser character from that novel. Cilka was an unwilling participant to the SS officers' whims, but she is charged with collaboration by the Russian liberators. Sent to a Soviet gulag in the desolate region of Siberia, Cilka must again do whatever it takes to survive. As she tries to form connections with others in the camp, will Cilka gain the courage to make it through her new reality?

As the novel is based loosely on living people, the classification of historical fiction is accurate for Cilka's Journey. Considering the emotionally charged situations in which Cilka finds herself, I never quite felt that connection. Cilka's horror, her terror at being restrained once again, never really comes through in the dialogue. The repetitive nature of the plot also worked against this novel, taking away from what could have been a compelling story of a young woman fighting to survive. The author takes liberties with Cilka, getting only the broadest of information about her from real life, credible sources. The Siberian camp was treated with quick brushstrokes, which was a big misstep in my opinion. The desolation, the harsh conditions, and the brutality of daily life do not come across as realistic, although these camps did exist. Readers who like World War II historical fiction may like Cilka's Journey for its attempt to tell a different type of story than the norm.

I am probably the last person alive who hasn’t read The Tattooist of Auschwitz! And to think, I call myself a historical fiction fan.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz was on my radar months before its release but I worried it would be a heavy read and at that time, I was reading a lot of heavy books and I just wasn’t ready for another one.

After that, I sort of forgot about it in favor of other new releases. Then this book showed up on my desk for review, the second in this series. I knew there wasn’t time for me to read The Tattooist of Auschwitz before reading this one but I was willing to at least try this one, as it sounded exceptional and all the people who have read The Tattooist of Auschwitz rave about the author’s writing—I didn’t feel like I could pass on it!

Summary
In this follow-up to The Tattooist of Auschwitz, the author tells the story, based on a true one, of a woman who survives Auschwitz, only to find herself locked away again. Cilka Klein is 18 years old when Auschwitz-Birkenau is liberated by Soviet soldiers.

But Cilka is one of the many women who is sentenced to a labor camp on charges of having helped the Nazis–with no consideration of the circumstances Cilka and women like her found themselves in as they struggled to survive. Once at the Vorkuta gulag in Sibera, where she is to serve her 15-year sentence, Cilka uses her wits, charm, and beauty to survive. (summary from Goodreads)

Review
This book. Wow. It was intense and it gave me all the feels. So first of all, after about three chapters, I immediately ordered The Tattooist on Audible so I can listen to it in the car once I am done with my current listen. Morris does have a wonderful talent and her writing is honest, emotional, and precise. I loved it!

I was a little worried about this book being second in a series, but I had no trouble reading it and never felt lost or like I needed to read The Tattooist first. From what I understand there are characters from the previous novel in this one, but for me it didn’t ruin anything or give anything away as to the other book.

This book was definitely an emotional read so be prepared! While it might have been hard to read at times, the story and details were wonderful and I couldn’t put it down. I think one of the things that really hits home is this book is based on a real person and their experiences in the war. It doesn’t get any more personal, honest, and compelling than that. I was so hooked on this book knowing that it was based on a real person.

I know that some people preferred the first book by Morris, but having not read it, I can’t tell you how it compares, all I know was within the first few chapters I already knew this book was going to be a special 5 star review. It was so well written and researched, and I couldn’t get enough of Cilka’s story! Also as a side note, I don’t often read too many author notes at the end of a book, but this one was fascinating, take the time to read it!

Book Info and Rating
Hardcover, 352 pages
Published October 1st 2019 by St. Martin’s Press
ISBN 1250265703 (ISBN13: 9781250265708)
Free review copy provided by publisher, St Martin’s Press, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.
Rating: 5 stars
Genre: historical fiction

Cilka's Journey is the follow up to The Tattooist of Aushwitz by Heather Morris. This book tells Cilka Klein's story after she was liberated from Auschwitz-Birkenau she is sentenced to 15 years hard labor for "sleeping with the enemy" although she was only doing what she needed to survive in Auschwitz-Birkenau. It is a heartbreaking story of survival, friendship, forgiveness and love during one of the most horrific times of our era. This book was excellent and it was hard for me to put down once I started reading. I give the book 5 stars. I enjoyed it every bit as much as her previous novel. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for and advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in return of my honest review. I think this was a moving and inspiring historical fiction novel.

This is my first novel by Heather Morris. I have had the author's previous novel, The Tattooist of Auschwitz on my to be read list for a very long time. I would have liked to have read it before starting Cilka’s Journey, but that was not to be. This story was fine as a stand-alone novel but if I were to be honest a part of me wished I had read it because I wanted to know more about some of the characters mentioned by Cilka.

A deeply compelling and extremely thought provoking read with complex and well-developed characters. A very emotional story about survival, resilience, hope, and the human spirit. This story was heartbreaking, sad, infuriating, gripping, and horrific. While this is a work of historical fiction it is based on real events. The author has obviously done extensive research in order to bring Cilka’s Journey to life. One of the author’s main messages I believe is the importance of never forgetting that these horrific things happened. I am always in awe of the resilience of those who have endured so much. Although there was so much cruelty there was also compassion and bravery. How does someone survive such brutal conditions? The brutality, the injustice, the cold, the hunger, the abuse, and terror. I am not sure you can possibly grasp the enormity of it all. There is nothing in that we can compare it to. One couldn’t possibly know how one would react because the actuality is unfathomable.

Most of the story is about Cilka’s time in the prison camp in Siberia but also includes flashbacks to her time at Auschwitz.

Cilka’s Journey will stay with me for a very long time.

I'd like to thank St. Martin’s Press, the author and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A wonderful moving historical fiction. It explores the life of one of the young girls who was a friend of the tattooist of Auschwitz. Cilka died before Heather Morris could meet her so her journey is told through the eyes of the Tatooist and solid research. I had read the Tattoos of Auschwitz shortly before I read Cilka's Journey and found it to be a perfect 'sequel' to that book. However, it is also a book that stands perfectly on its own. It is a book I couldn't put down.

The was such a gripping book. I really enjoy the author's prior book, The Tattooist of Auschwitz, so when I saw that she was going to publish another book about that delved into the life of one of the side characters after they left Auschwitz I knew it was a must read.

I am really thankful that the author decided to write this book because I feel that this portion of post Auschwitz is not talked about. I want to know more about how they transitioned back into "normal life" after spending so much time in such a horrible place.

I enjoyed the writing style and how the character development progressed through out the story. I was really attached to Cilka and would gasp out loud when shocking things would happen. It was very easy to get lost in the story and forget that I was reading a book. It played out like a movie in my head.

I would definitely recommend this book to those that enjoy books about the Holocaust and life after it.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins for an advanced copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Cilka's Journey
By: Heather Morris

*REVIEW* 💖💖💖💖
I'll admit I was not a huge fan of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, and I was hesitant to read Cilka's Journey. This story, however, was better in my opinion than its predecessor. Cilka's Journey felt more authentic, and the characters were better developed and realistic. Cilka, plus some secondary characters, were genuine, complex and heartbreaking. The entire story is a huge mixed bag of emotions about the horrors Cilka and others experienced daily in work camps, but it's also a touching tribute to the power of human connection and love, even in an inescapable hell. I've read extensively about WWII, and Cilka's Journey is one of the best fiction based on fact accounts of work camps that I have read. I'm interested to see what Heather Morris writes next.

This book was absolutely amazing. Even better than the Tattooist of Auschwitz. I felt a connection with Cilka from the get to and she is one strong female.

We first met Cilka in The Tattooist of Auschwitz. When we met her she was a teenager in Auschwitz-Birkenau. She was sent to the camp as a 16 year old girl and was 18 when the camp was liberated. Cilka suffered through and survived Birkenau only to be sent to a Siberian prison-work camp for having "collaborated" with (aka been raped by) the enemy.

Cilka was an interesting side character in The Tattooist of Auschwitz and I'm so glad Heather Morris chose to tell us more of her story in Cilka's Journey. The author makes it clear that this is a story of fiction that is based off of a real person. It is not meant to be taken as a nonfiction account, but as fiction with real life basis. It is written in the spirit of remembrance of what some women suffered through during the Holocaust and beyond. It is a reminder that women had very gender specific issues that they had to deal with and that the liberation did not always end their suffering.

This book can be read as a standalone, as there are flashbacks to her time in Birkenau. I think I enjoyed this book even more than the first, but ToA is worth a read as well and I would start with that one. These books are very well-written and engaging.

This book has many potential triggers. It includes a variety of abuses inflicted upon people. However, it is also a beautiful story of how people can survive against all odds and build relationships and care for each other in the worst of times.

Definitely worth a read. 4.5★

This book had me captivated from the beginning. Cilka's Journey is not just another concentration camp book that you've read before. You get invested in her story; I wanted to learn more about her and everyone she encountered.

I enjoyed the "Tattooist of Auschwitz" so this follow up with Cilka's story did not disappoint. It is hard to believe that after living through the hell of Aushwitz Cilka had to endure more years of her life in a Siberian labor camp. Again, the women made some beautiful friendships even though their lives were so terribly difficult. I especially enjoyed Cilks's time nursing in the hospital and the skills she learned while contributing so much. Thank you for letting enjoy this story.

In the sequel to her highly successful novel The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Heather Morris takes on another remarkable true story. After surviving Auschwitz, sixteen year old Cilka finds herself convicted for collaborating with the enemy. Consequently, she is sentenced to a Siberian gulag where the horrors start all over again. Yet there she meets a doctor who helps her find a purpose in her suffering by caring for the injured of the camp. A tale of love and hope even in the most desperate of circumstances, Cilka's Journey is a fictional work based on a true story.

Although technically a sequel, Cilka's Journey can easily be read as a standalone novel. Well the details of Cilka's story are more fictional, since Heather Morris wasn't able to ever meet her, the story itself is inspiring. At first I struggled with the story, since it's awfully depressing to think of someone surviving the Holocaust just to be thrown into a Siberian labor camp. But the story perfectly hits all the correct emotional notes - not overly depressing or emotional, but still conveying the remarkable nature of Cilka's life. A great story that makes me desperate to read The Tattooist of Auschwitz.