Irena’s War by James D. Shipman is an excellent WWII historical fiction novel that is actually based on the heroics of Irena Sendler, a Polish woman who refused to give up and give in to the Germans that invaded and murdered her fellow Polish citizens after the occupation of Warsaw and Poland. Irena chose to work undercover with the Polish resistance to help bring food and supplies to starving citizens and eventually help rescue and smuggle approximately 2500 Jewish children to safety instead of a certain death. The fascinating aspect is that she did all of this while under the guise of working her “usual job” in social services.

This book was unique, fascinating, suspenseful, and awe-inspiring. Irena may have been an imperfect, flawed, and challenging woman, but she was strong, intelligent, fiery, brave, and wonderful in the way that she selflessly risked all to save and care for others. I loved learning more about her in the author’s afterward that described which characters in the book were real, and which were created in a way to aid to the storyline.

I did enjoy how alternating points of view between Irene and an SS officer was presented. While he did not actually exist, the author did a great job creating an authenticity that made this book so harrowing and sometimes sinister. Being able to be placed into the mind of someone so evil, yet human, was striking and unforgettable.

This book will stick with me long after, as it really brings home another story of one of the many wonderful souls that risked it all to help others and to help right the wrongs during these atrocities.

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington 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.