Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.
Cilka's Journey gave me the opportunity to learn about a topic I've never really learned about, or even heard about before: the Gulags (prison camps) that thousands and thousands of people in and around the Soviet Union were forced to attend. Some of these prisoners were criminals; some, like Cilka, were undeserving of their sentence and were subjected to it even after surviving the horrors of the Holocaust camps. I can't imagine how awful it would be to finally think I was free, and then be sentenced to years in prison. However, this is what Cilka endured. The best thing about this story was hearing how she managed to stay hopeful and find a way to help others despite the terrible circumstances. All of the words and adjectives I write could never even begin to describe the things that she and so many others went through. This book is the best type; it does more than just tell a story. It teaches about things that happened in our past so that people like me, who haven't learned as much about the world, have the opportunity to know what happened and be a part of resisting these terrible things from ever happening again.
This all being said, I can honestly say I didn't enjoy Cilka's Journey as much as the Tattooist of Auschwitz. There were parts of Cilka's Journey that were so, so touching, but it didn't have the same hopeful feel as Lale's character brought. I found some of the characters annoying and there were times where I was frustrated by the petty drama. I'm sure the drama existed, I just think it would've been cool to hear more about Cilka's time working in her different professions that she worked at in the camp. However, this is probably a personal preference and doesn't reflect on Heather Morris. Again, I'm in awe of the time she must have spent and the research she completed in order to write this book.

I received the ARC of this book from St. Martin's Press. I wanted to fully appreciate the story, so I read The Tattooist of Auschwitz before I began this book. I would recommend that for others also. While Cilka's Journey can be read independently, I think the reader would gain much knowledge and background if read after The Tattooist of Auschwitz.

This book is based on true events, but the writer has taken the facts and created a fiction story. I think Heather Morris did an amazing job of creating this emotional journey. Honestly this book is totally out of my comfort zone. I try to keep my reading choices light, but when this book came across my path, I felt compelled to read it. I am glad that I did.

This is a powerfully emotional story of how so much strength is needed to survive, how cruel people can be, that friendships can carried you through the worse situations that joy can be found in the simplest things when you have nothing. The story was heartbreaking but also uplifting, since Cilka persevered.

I want to thank St. Martin's press for giving me a nudge to read this book (and also The Tattooist of Auschwitz). My review is my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC of this book.

I tend to gravitate towards this time period. Although it hurts my heart to read what these people had to endure by the cruelest of people. I love Cilka but who wouldn't? She is selfless time and time again. She holds no grudges with bunkmates or other prisoners that may have done wrong to her. She has a human understand beyond her years. Forced to gown up at such a young age and to face so much more then the average person would ever have. Heather Morris depicts the Holocaust better then other authors. If she continues writing books about that horrible time I will continue to read them.

Thank You NetGalley and St. Martins Press for giving me this ARC in return for my honest review. It was a pleasure reading this book.

In 1942 at age sixteen, Cilka Klein was taken to The Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp where she suffered for years at the hands of the SS. When the camp was liberated by the Soviets in 1945, Cilka is accused of sleeping with the enemy and sentenced to fifteen years of labor at the Siberian Vorkuta Gulag. Upon arrival, Cilka must endure the horrors of a new camp as she survives the harsh climate and brutal guards. Cilka’s story is one of resilience, heart, and courage.

I was so excited to read Cilka’s Journey when I learned that Heather Morris was releasing a follow up to her first novel, The Tattooist of Auschwitz. Cilka is a strong, compassionate protagonist who endured unthinkable circumstances. This book is written on the third person so I found it difficult to connect with Cilka on an emotional level. Additionally, the writing lacked atmospheric description and became repetitive around the half way point. While I did like this book, I was hoping for something similar to The Tattooist of Auschwitz but the writing was more like a YA novel. I would recommend Cilka’s Journey to readers who are just getting into WWII historical fiction.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

A totally emotional follow up to The Tattooist of Auschwitz- following "Cikla's Journey" and what happened to her "after". Although a sequel to Tattooist, it reads well as a stand-alone novel..

Heather Morris, author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, has written another remarkable and important book titled Cilka’s Journey. While it is a follow-up to The Tattooist of Auschwitz, it is a completely standalone novel. Once again, Ms. Morris has done an incredible amount of research to tell this amazing story of one young girl’s harrowing journey, which began in a concentration camp and continued in the Siberian Gulag, 50 miles from the Arctic Circle. Cilka’s Journey is an inspiring testament to one women’s generosity, courage and determination to survive. While it is a novel, it is based on true events and a real person named Cilka Klein.

At the young age of 16, Cilka is taken to Auschwitz and is forced to become a Nazi officer’s sex slave. When the Russians liberate the concentration camp, they sentence her to 15 years in the Gulag for sleeping with the enemy, like she ever had a choice in the matter.

This book serves a very important purpose in that it exposes the horrors of the Gulag and the oppression and inhumanity that many dealt with at the hands of the Russians. There are many reasons that individuals were imprisoned in the Gulag, such as marrying a foreigner, making garments for a Nazi General’s wife, etc.

Cilka is haunted by her time in Auschwitz-Birkenau and feels cursed. Death is her constant companion and is always around her. She fears she will bring it to those she befriends. Cilka also feels she loses people from her life, not necessarily by death, all too often. Eventually, her fellow prisoners in her hut become her family and help her to survive.

She has lost everything — her childhood, family, dignity, hope, and a future. Yet in the face of all this atrocity , she strives to make a difference at the Gulag and yearns to help those around her. Cilka easily overcomes any fear in order to save others. She will walk into a collapsing mine to look for survivors.

Cilka’s Journey is sad and heartbreaking yet compelling and triumphant. Cilka is a strong character that you will admire, care about and hope for during the telling of her story.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.

When I finished "The Tattooist of Auschwitz" I wondered what happened to Cilka, a young girl whose beauty condemned her to being charged with collaboration with the Nazis. This book continues Cilka's story as she is sent to a Russian Gulag in Siberia for a sentence of fifteen years. "Cilka's Journey" is an amazing testament to resilience and courage in the face of unspeakable brutality and horror. The bravery and selflessness Cilka showed throughout her life was inspiring and wondrous. Heather Morris does a brilliant job of bringing Cilka and her brutal environment to life. I highly recommend this extraordinary book!

I recently finished The Tattooist of Auschwitz and fell in love with the two main characters, Lale and Gita. But there was another character in that book that left an impression on me as well, Cilka Klein. When I heard Heather Morris was releasing a sequel, Cilka's Journey I was thrilled. And I was super excited when Netgalley and St. Martin's Press offered me an ARC to read and review "the rest of the story". I loved this story, maybe even more than the first one. Cilka endured so much in Auschwitz, then was sent to Vorkuta gulag in Siberia after the war. She spent 10 years there. While the other Auschwitz survivors were trying to heal and get on with life, she was living another hell in prison. I've been reading a lot of historic fiction lately, and Cilka's Journey is one of my favorites.

Confession: I haven't read The Tatooist of Auschwitz yet but I really enjoyed this book. The author obviously did a good deal of research for this story. It was interesting to learn about the Gulags and the horrific conditions in them. It's gut wrenching to think that people were forced to live in such conditions.

I was provided a copy of this book by NetGalley.. All opinions in this review are my own.

In her follow-up to The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Heather Morris freely admits that she has taken considerable literary license “filling in the blanks” as she tells the story of a woman who survives Auschwitz, only to find herself locked away again. Cilka Klein, Morris’s inspiration for his narrative is 16 years old when she enters Auschwitz-Birkenau and 18 years old when the camp is liberated by Soviet soldiers. Much to her surprise she is accused of collaboration with the Germans and sentenced to fifteen years of hard labor in a Russian Gulag.

While portions of the story are the work of the author’s imagination those who know some of the history of WWII are aware that Russia had been invaded by the Nazis in 1941 and that 3.3 million Soviet prisoners of war as well as civilians were deliberately starved to death, or otherwise killed via the Hunger Plan, which aimed at replacing Russia’s Slavic population with German settlers as well as gaining the Russian oil reserves..
After the war Russian “liberators” were out to rebuild their country as well as to mete out some vengeance against the Germans who had treated them so brutally in the past as well as anyone who was thought to have aided in the German cause.

I was surprised to learn that the Russians took captives, who had already suffered untold horrors at the hands of their German captors and miraculously managed to stay alive, sending them to Siberian gulags as slave labor as punishment for perceived collaboration with the enemy. (A sort of out of the frying pan and into the fire situation for these unfortunates).

The historical detail in Morris’s sharply written, well researched and compelling narrative are illustrative of Stalin’s actions at the end of the war and the brutal and inhumane conditions under which these holocaust survivors existed in the Soviet Gulags. Joseph Stalin was a tyrant whose philosophy and policies lasted well into the late 1950’s and almost make Adolph Hitler look benevolent by comparison.

The follow up novel to The Tattooist of Auschwitz is a fictionalized account of a real women, Cilka, who survived Auschwitz only to be sent to a Soviet Gulag. After three years of receiving "preferential treatment" as a victim of Nazi sexual abuse, Cilka is convicted by the Soviet Army as a a Nazi collaborator and put on a train to Siberia. The irony of a forced migration to a concentration camp at the hands of the liberators is not lost on Cilka, or the reader. This adult-for-YA novel shines light on the horrors of the Russian gulag system, the how unspeakable horror can either break or strengthen a person. For fans of Ruta Sepetys.

Cilka's Journey is told in the present, of her time in the Gulag, to the past of her time in Birkenau. After being set free at the end of WW2, poor Cilka is sent to the Gulag for 15 years as punishment for perceived crimes of colluding with the Nazis. She did what she needed to, to survive her time in Birkenau, as anyone would have done and it certainly didn't warrant being sent to hell on earth for 15 years.

Yet Cilka found a way to survive, she made herself useful and spent so much time helping others. When she had a chance to free herself, she often gave that opportunity to others. She had lost so many people she felt cursed, I imagine that being quite an unnecessary weight around her shoulders. This happened to her at such a young age, she hadn't even had time to grow up before being sent to Auschwitz.

Her journey is one that we can learn from as it was obvious she suffered from bouts of depression and how she found the strength to not only keep going but doing so in service of others, speaks to her strength. I requested to read this from St. Martin's because I especially enjoy reading WW2 Historical Fiction, and it never does get easier to read. I hope that everyone will see the benefit in reading such a story, she was an absolute inspiration.

WOW! Heather Morris has written a second novel to follow "The Tattooist of Auschwitz", called "Cilka's Journey". Cilka is one of the characters in the first book, and Heather Morris, the author writes about Cilka as the main character in "Cilka's Journey".  The novel can be read as a stand-alone. The Genres for this Novel are Historical Fiction and Fiction.  The time period for this novel is World War Two and After. Please be aware that this is a powerful, heartbreaking, emotional, devastating, and traumatic story during evil times. There are many Kleenex moments. The author describes her characters as good and evil. Cilka is described as complex and complicated, strong, courageous, kind, and does many things to survive.

At sixteen years of age, Cilka is sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp. The Commander in charge of the camp notices Cilka and sets her aside. Cilka does what she has to do in order to survive. Some of the things, she is forced to do, seem to deeply affect her, long after she is released.

When the Russians come to free the camp, Cilka is taken as a prisoner for "sleeping" and aiding the enemy. This time she is sent to a Siberian Prison Camp. This is what makes this story so unique. Not only is Cilka a Jewish girl that was in a Concentration camp, she now is a prisoner in a Russian prison camp for many years.

Cilka fears danger and death every day. The conditions are deplorable. A young physician notices a caring side of Cilka and tries to help her. Will Cilka ever be free? Will she ever be able to forgive? Will Cilka ever be able to find the ability to love? I would highly recommend this vividly descriptive well-written story.

As I sit here trying to find the words to describe my awe for a new author to me and this wonderful book “Cilka’s Journey” that I was privileged enough to receive before its publication date of October 1, 2019 from Netgalley, I know that I will be purchasing the author’s debut novel “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” when I am done with this review. WWII novels have always been an interest to me, and I have read many but have until now never been as captivated by a book that described the horrors of a young woman/girl and how she survives Auschwitz starting at the age of 16 only to be sent to Siberia as a political prisoner at the end of the war by the Russians and still remaining a warm and caring human being. This book is based on a true story and was well researched by the author. The story is mostly based in a prison in Siberia, but relates what happens to Cilka in memories at Auschwitz and how that experience defines her life and attitudes going forward....the hopelessness of ever having a normal life if she survives her stay in the Siberian prison. The prisoners in the Gulag as in Auschwitz were varied being sent there for many different reasons to work in the mines providing coal for Russia. If one could survive the deplorable conditions of basically no food of any substance and the bone chilling cold without the proper clothing to remain warm and still have love and heart for fellow humans is amazing. Cilka was one of these people. She cared. All I can say is you need to read her story....this is a book you cannot miss.

Where do I begin? Cilka Klein was only 16 years old when she was taken to Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp. Since she was so beautiful she caught the eye of the senior officer, Commander Schwarzhuber. She survived the camp by being repeatedly raped the whole time she is there. After the camp is liberated she is charged as a collaborator, loaded on a train with other women, and taken to the now-notorious Vorkuta Gulag. This story is about how the human spirit can survive almost anything and that in the end love does conquer all.

What an amazing story of courage and strength under unimaginably brutal conditions. After surviving 3 years in Auschwitz-Birkenau, Cilka is sentenced to 15 years in a gulag for collaborating with the enemy by the Russians who "liberated" the camp. Never mind that she was forced into sleeping with enemy, never mind that she had on choice, or that she was 16 years old, Cilka ended up in a frozen wasteland that was so remote the guards didn't even electrify the fence...where could an escaped prisoner go outside the gates and survive? Now 19, Cilka faces a bleak future where trustees and guards force their way into the women's quarters to choose their victim for regular rape. There's not enough food, there is no warm clothing for the brutal winters, nothing to protect from the terrible summers. And Cilka is terrified that some of her fellow prisoners will find out about her past. Over time Cilka takes opportunities to help others and she gains the skills to work as a nurse. She does what she can to help her fellow prisoners, and life gets a little bit better.

Cilka's Journey is the amazing story of a woman who not only survived, but made her small corner of the world a better place for those she came in contact with. Sentenced for surviving a concentration camp, Cilka's is an amazing woman in a terrible time, and her story is an inspiration to us all.

Cecilia Klein "Cilka" was 16 years old when she was sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau where she spent 3 years. One of the officers picked her for his "wife" and she was given a protected status. She was in charge of a building that housed the sick/dying women who were going to the gas chamber very soon. After the liberation, she was charged with collaboration for sleeping with the enemy and sentenced to 15 years in a Siberian prison. This is the story of Cilka's life in the Siberian prison with flashbacks to when she was in Auschwitz-Birkenau. It is truly a heart-wrenching story of survival, first in the concentrations camps and then trying to survive in horrible conditions in the Siberian prison. This is an extension of The Tattooist of Auschwitz but this book is fine as a stand alone. I loved this book and I would give it more than 5 stars if I could. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this fantastic book that is a real page-turner in exchange for an honest review. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of World War II Historical fiction.

The horrific conditions people underwent at both the concentration camps and gulags has me feeling overwhelmed and sad. Those that survived are heroes in my eyes. To find ways to survive by finding jobs that keeps them one step away from dying makes them courageous and strong in my opinion. I thought the author did a great job at giving us a look at life in the camps or gulags. It's definitely an emotional read. This book is based on a true story and the information about some of the individuals in the back of the book gave me more appreciation for their life.

Loved the book but at times it was extremely difficult to read. The part that horrified me the most is that these atrocities actually happened to people. It's scary and unbelievable how people treated other people. I haven't read "The Tattooist of Auschwitz" yet, but I definitely need to. Cilka was extremely brave and strong, I'm not sure how she survived the Camp or Gulag. I'm guessing on sheer will power. She continued to want to help people. She was truly amazing. Cilka went from being controlled by the Nazis straight to the Russians. How did anyone survive in Siberia? The women in Hut 29 formed a friendship during the worst of times and always looked out for each other. This book hit me harder than most of the other historical fiction books that I have read. I just can't stop thinking about Cilka and all that she went through. My next book definitely needs to be something light and fluffy, preferably with cuddly kittens.

The author's note is an added bonus. The real Cilka should be proud her story is being told. She must have been an amazing person if Lale Sokolov calls her the bravest person he ever met.

Definitely recommend the book. I didn't know much about the Gulags until reading this book. I haven't been able to stop thinking about the story since I finished it. I look forward to reading more books by he author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Cilka is mentioned in the first book and now we have facts of her life blended with some fiction to fill in the question of Who was Cilka Klein?

She was only sixteen when she and her mother and sisters were taken. In 1942, she arrives at Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp. Already a beautiful young woman, her looks do not go unnoticed by the Commandant, Schwarzhuber, who separates her from the other women. Her job is to look after the sick and dying women who will be taken to the gas chamber. She knows these women hate her. She hates herself. In this place, in order to survive, you had to use whatever power you had. And hers was her beauty and ability to compartmentalize everything she had to do.

When the camp is liberated Cilka is sentenced to prison for sleeping with the enemy. Literally. This did not sit well with me. How unfair was that? At 16 you do what you need to do to stay alive. After all of the suffering and now she is being sent to Siberia for 15 years.

Once there, a young, female doctor takes her under her as an apprentice nurse. Cilka is good at this work and forms bonds with the doctor and the nurses. Using her privileged position to help the other women in her hut. She is especially taken with one man in the ward. But will she ever be free? Will she ever know the love she deserves?

This story is part true, part fictional. But the facts are there. It was difficult to read and the images in my head will always be there. The brutality of the enemy along with the equal brutality of fellow prisoners. It was heartbreaking and beautifully written and I will never forget Cilka's Journey!

NetGalley/ October 1st, 2019 by St. Martin's Press