I absolutely loved this book. The story was so original, the characters were loveable. I'm so glad I read this book, I flew through it in a day!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. Natasha and Lisa are in their late teens when the Germans invaded Kiev. Natasha's secret leads to the killing of Lisa's fiance. Lisa in turn does something that devastates Natasha. Can their family survive this betrayal and the war? I thought this book was a little slow and to be honest, I don't know why the title is Sisters of War. The relationship between Natasha and Lisa was only 15% of the story. The rest was how Natasha navigated the war. This book was pretty good. #sistersofwar #lanakortchik #Sept2020

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion

I am a WWII historical fiction crazy fan and this book definitely gave me my fill! Sisters of War was a beautiful story about the Smirnoff family. This story has everything you would want. It told their story of love, heartache, perseverance, tragedy and more. It drag on a touch for me, but a solid 4 star review! I can’t wait to try other books from this author. If you enjoy historical fiction, don’t miss out on this beautiful story!

Thank you to netgalley.com for the opportunity to read this ARC. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres although it is a little harder to read during the Pandemic. I was looking forward to reading the story which is set in the Soviet Union during WWII. I know only the broadest facts about the Germans invading the country after their alliance with Russia was broken. The sisters are estranged for most of the story. We see their bond mostly from flashbacks. The sisters are living in the middle of a 2 year occupation and they act like aside from a shortage (severe shortage) of food, everything else is just an inconvenience. They are young to be fair.

From there we devolve into a love story with a few facts thrown in. The Jews of Kiev are marched by the Germans to Babi Yar to horrific deaths, but Natasha only wants to snuggle with Mark. BTW the March to Babi Yar took place over just 2 days, but the author writes as if it is an ongoing event. I was deeply disappointed in the total disconnect to the massacre of the Jewish population.
The author’s grandparents lived through the Russian occupation and shared their experiences with her, but she emphasizes the love story between Natasha and Mark over the history. Stretch your imagination to its very limits to accept which characters make it through the war. And there’s an epilogue. I view most epilogues as an easy way out. And this one is just more sap.

For 778 days, they city of Kiev was occupied by the Nazis. It’s population dwindled and faced starvation, torture and death every day. Some kept believing that the Red Army would turn up any day and liberate them from this nightmare. The Smirnova family struggles during this time but they do so together though it still manages to tear them apart anyway. Their home taken over by German soldiers, they’re forced to find other accommodations. Natasha, the main character, is nearly assaulted on the first night of the occupation. On that night she is saved by a man in the enemies uniform but one who is there not by choice but because Germany forced Hungarian men to fight for their cause. Little did she know that on that night, he would not only save her life but give her a future to dream about and a reason to keep fighting for one more day.

I can’t say enough about this book. First of all, I’m grateful for the history lesson. This is the first WWII historical fiction that I have read from a Ukrainian stand point. The occupation of Kiev was something I knew very little about. The author has created such multi dimensional characters that you can feel their feelings and see things through their eyes in a way that grabs you from the very first page. You become invested in the Smirnova family and want to see them safely through the war but know that at some point, you’re going to come across tragedy as so many people did during WWII. Secondly, I love that this is a multigenerational family and it’s very interesting to see things from each of their points of view.

I devoured this book in just a few days time. I read at work, at home and in my car. It’s a gripping tale with a little bit of romance, jealousy, worry and determination all in the mix. If you’re looking for a WWII novel from a different perspective, this is the book for you! Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for access to this treasure! Two thumbs up!

Wow! This book was unlike any other WW2 book I have read. To be honest, I wasn’t aware of the part the Soviet Union played in this war. Sisters Of War Brought all the emotions while reading and after. I loved the different story lines and seeing how the changed as people throughout the war. I know this book will stay with me for a long time.

Sisters of War by Lana Kortchik is an excellent historical fiction that focuses on the German occupied Kiev from approximately 1941-1943. What the reader gets to experience is the unstable, frightening, and harrowing experiences of the citizens, and one family in particular, during this time. This novel centers mainly on a younger woman, Natasha, and all that she is caught up in, and experiences during this moment in history.

This book has something for everyone: historical fiction, romance, suspense, mystery, heroism, loss, and hope. I liked Natasha and feel that she is a realistic and like able character. I enjoyed reading events from the “Russian side”, despite the dark and haunting backdrop that is rightfully presented. It kept me interested the whole time.

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and HQ Digital/HarperCollins Publishers for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.

Sisters of War by Lana Kortchik is the heartbreaking story of a family who lived in Kiev, Ukraine during WWII. Natasha and Lisa were only a year apart and had always been close, but when Lisa's fiancé was arrested and executed because Natasha sis not turn in Mark, a Hungarian soldier who had rescued Natasha and her grandmother, their relationship soured. In the book, you will learn of the near starvation rations, the brutal murder of thousands of people, and the imprisonment of others. Lisa's anger at her sister leads to revenge that hayers everyone. This is contrasted with love and hope that kept this family going.

Kortchik grew up in Russia and Ukraine before immigrating to Australia. The writing does not flow smoothly making the story somewhat stilted at times.

Sisters of War is set in Ukraine during World War II. Natasha and her sister, Lisa, are two sisters whose lives are irrevocably changed by events beyond their control.

The story quickly becomes more of Natasha’s story. She falls in love with a Hungarian soldier who is part of the Nazi occupation force in Kiev. Their relationship effects Natasha’s entire family. Tension between the two sisters builds with devastating consequences.

The deprivation and hardship as a result of the war is vividly depicted.

Parts of the story, at least for me, required a stretch of the imagination. Everything seemed to lead to a tidy conclusion. It was a good story, but a little too long as well.

Thank you to Harper Collins publishers and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this novel.