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

From a concentration camp to a prison camp...from one horror to the next.

Even though she had no choice but to do what she was told, Cilka was charged by the Russian government with collaborating with the Nazis and given a sentence of 15 years of hard labor in a prison in Vorkuta Gulag in Siberia.

The conditions and treatment in the prison were no better than in the concentration camp, but Cilka knew how to stay alive since she had learned what you needed to do and that was to just do what you are told.

We follow Cilka as she remembers her lovely childhood and the horrors in the concentration camp as well as learn of her current, unbearable situation in the prison. We also get to re-visit Lale and Gita as Cilka’s memories revert to the time in the concentration camp.

The reader sees the atrocities women were subjected to in the concentration camp and the prison.

There are some good people that Cilka meets in the prison hospital where she works which is a blessing to be out of the brutal temperatures loading coal into buckets day in and day out.

You will cringe and be horrified at what goes on as Ms. Morris again minces no words and keeps your interest with her marvelous writing style and research.

Historical fiction fans and those who have read THE TATTOOIST OF AUSCHWITZ will not want to miss this book. 5/5

This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, this was an incredible story of bravery, friendship and strength. I truly enjoyed Cilka's Journey and flew through the book. I would highly recommend this to any of my friends and family.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

Wow. This book was so powerful. It was beautiful and so very sad. I wasn't even aware of these prisons after World War II and had no idea that people who survived the Holocaust continued to be tortured this way. It broke my heart, yet the author managed to put some hope into Cilka's story. What a brave, big-hearted, selfless woman. I highly recommend this novel to everyone!

I never wanted this book to end, the entire time I was reading it. It was very hard to put down. The story was so compelling and awe-inspiring.

This is bound to be another best-seller from Heather Morris, after her highly successful The Tattooist of Auschwitz. Profound, heart breaking, gut wrenching. Cilka broke my heart but also made me proud of her incredible strength.

16 year old Cilka Klein was taken to Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp, close to death for 3 years. Commander Schwarzhuber decides to take her as his mistress, and this is a way for her to survive. Call it what you will, rape is rape. After she is released by the Russians, she is charged with colluding with the enemy.. Despite everything she has already been through, she is sent to the Gulag for 15 years! But she finds love and friendship there in the hospital ward.

Fantastic historical fiction story, Heather Morris explains In a note at the end, what is fact and what is fiction. Powerful read! I had a friend visit Germany with her family recently. They had stopped at the Auschwitz camp and were moved beyond words. I can't imagine the strength, courage and bravery of all those in the concentration camps. God forgive us for letting it happen.

This was a heart wrenching and highly emotional read. At the age of 16 Cilka is taken to Auschwitz and because of her beauty she survived for 3 years as "mistress" to a German officer. Actually, rape is more like it, but her very survival depended on being the commandant's "sex slave." At age 19, when the camp is liberated, Cilka is interrogated by the Russians and sent to a gulag for colluding with the enemy. Her sentence fifteen years where once again she will be available sexually to the prisoner trustees. I cannot imagine, in my wildest nightmares, what strength it took to survive, As difficult as it was to read this novel, it is important to never forget, to never minimize the strength it took for these holocaust victims to survive their most horrendous challenges.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz is one of my favorite books EVER so I was excited to see the follow up novel Cilka’s Journey. Cilka’s journey through hell starts when she is taken from her home at 16 and sent to a concentration camp. She is later turned into a sex slave for the Nazi officers. My heart broke for this young, beautiful girl and all the horrible things that were done to her. I wept as I read. Then my heart broke even more when Cilka saw a glimmer of hope when the war was over and that glimmer was blown out and she is sent to another hell whole. As much as Cilka endured at the hands of others this book echoed her strength and how she became a survivor.

Cilka’s Journey is an amazing book that should be read by all! This story will stick with me for the rest of my life. Heather Morris has touched my heart again!

Loved this book! Heartbreaking and inspiring. A test of human endurance and will to live. Don't miss this one!

An excellent follow up to The Tattooist of Auschwitz! Cilka Klein, the friend of Lale and Gita from the Tattooist of Auschwitz, is sent to Auschwitz-Berkinau at the age of sixteen. There, her beauty catches the attention of the Commandant. She is forced to make choices for survival. When the war is over and the camp liberated in 1945, she is then charged as a collaborator for sleeping with the enemy and sent to Siberia to serve a 15 year sentence at the prison camp. Faced with harsh weather conditions, she must once again learn to survive new and horribly familiar challenges. Despite everything that has happened to her, Cilka finds that there is room in her heart for love.

Another great novel from Heather Morris based on a true story of resilience, courage and love. Cilka is a great example of someone who is able to find compassion and strength even in dark times. The story contains a lot of flashbacks to her days in Auschwitz so it can actually be read as a standalone novel. This is an easy read - the writing is simple and easy to follow so if you are looking for a literary masterpiece then perhaps this is not for you. However, I thought Heather Morris did a great job bringing to light the struggles women prisoners had to face at such a horrific time in history. Please read her note at the end of the book!

Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review.