5 stars and more I wish I could give 10 stars to this book I'm In love with this story!!!!

This book was such an amazing story, I've read many WW2 books but this one has everything the suspense, the action, the intrigue, the love, the happiness, the sadness, and mystery that every single story at that times involved and The girl from the mountains wasn't the exception... I'm still in awe of this story I'm so happy.

The story of Magda starts when she was very young her family was taken away leaving her all alone and searching for a new place to live and hide from the atrocities the Nazis were doing all around, she finds a nice family that loves her and cares for but the enemy still out there and soon the new peaceful heaven will start to turn into hell again and once more she will have to move on and find her path in this life...

The things Magda went through were terrible she lost many people that she loved and she saw all that with her own eyes. it was heartbreaking, I cried so many times especially with Samuels, Eliska, and Robert story but at the same time I love how the author shows us the evolution of Magda is like we were growing with her, mentally and physically after all what she went through Magda is another person like we get to meet a new character bolder, stronger, and determine to save her life and the people she loves.

When Magda embarks on a search to find The Taubers, her life becomes a battlefield, she has to keep covering herself and protecting herself even hiding from the world to be able to accomplish what she needed.

When Magda was living with Koening's family was another low blow to Magda, I totally thought it was the last breath she will take, imagine returning to the place you love only to find yourself working for the devil himself. this is one of the most important parts of the book because I felt like this is what made Magda even stronger and more ready to find what she was looking for.

The secondary characters were amazing Karol, Renata, Robert, Ales, Natalia, Ula, The Tauber's,
Dr. Taubers and His wife, Eliska, and many more. They gave so much depth to the story, they made us cry and laugh.

Magdalena Novak from Vostiny is one of the best characters I've ever read, I cannot empathize enough that the author did a great job writing the evolution of Magdalena that was a huge key to the success of this story

I really recommend this book to all the WW2 lovers and fans this book will really keep you on the edge but mostly when you get to the end you will feel like justice was made and believe me you are going to fall in love with Magda, Robert, and Samuel.

Thank you Chrystyna for writing this book, for taking the time to really investigate, and for bringing us an amazing character, a heroine, a warrior queen. definitely one of the best books of this year so far.

This book whilst moving and powerful was also heart breaking in equal measure. I do enjoy a well written story set during the 2nd world war but this one was just a bit different from the others that I have come across. For a start this book was set in Czechoslovakia ( I have problems even spelling that word!) and I really didn't know much about how badle this country was affected. The brutality was quite eye opening to be honest - not sugar coated in any way. The author certainly seems to know her subject matter.
A quick look on Amazon and I realise I now have quite a few more of her titles to add to my wish list - something to look forward to.

I don’t know about you but every now and then I like to read a book outside my comfort range, for me I forgo the blood and gore of crime thrillers and turn to historical fiction. The Girl From The Mountains immediately caught my eye, as it’s set in the mountains of Czechoslovakia during the Second World War. The novel follows the journey of Magda Novak, who is forced to leave her family following the German invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1938. Readers will be enchanted by Magda’s story and her exceptional courage in the darkest of times. The author transports you to war torn Czechoslovakia amid despair, courage, and heartbreak, it’s a beautifully told “human” story that will consume your every waking moment.

When we first meet Marta she’s led a sheltered life, she’s naive, innocent, and timid but like millions of people the war changes her, faced with adversity she grows as a person. As the war continues, Magda firstly becomes involved with local Resistance, and later she joins partisan fighters. Her new found circumstances mean she has to grow up fast, at times she appears cold and heartless, but it’s understandable considering she is fighting for her survival. Magda is also brave, courageous and dedicated to her personal fight against the Germans. At times my heart was in my mouth as Magda put herself at risk helping the resistance and later the Partisan’s, knowing that her punishment would be torture and death if she got caught by the Nazi’s or gestapo.

What made this story unique from other historical WW2 fiction, is the fact I can’t think of one book that is set in Sudetenland. The author paints a vivid portrait of Magda’s life, a life that’s lived in fear, despair, and conflict, where loved ones are but a distant memory, where even a glimmer of happiness can be snatched away in a blink of an eye. The author has clearly researched her subject, The Girl From The Mountains is rich in detail and authentic, Magda’s story feels all to true in it’s telling. It has all the elements needed for an enjoyable read, deeply rich characters, engaging dialogue and a compelling story line. A poignant, heart-rending story about bravery, love, and survival in the worst times. Highly recommend to those who love historical fiction.

The Girl from the Mountains is the first book I have read by Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger and it proved to be a fascinating insight into Czechoslovakia during World War Two as we follow Magda as her life is torn in two. When we first meet Magda, in the brief prologue, she is secretive and trying to go somewhere that no one must find. The reasons for this are explained later but you sense that what she is doing is dangerous. Villa Liska where for four years she found safety, friendship and security is no longer that place and now she hides many secrets. The birthmark on her cheek, she attributes this to her loneliness. She feels marked and that this blemish could lead to her ultimate downfall. The added scars she has received make her a marked woman and a suspect. Caution, secrecy and being careful are key now but what happens when an event occurs that changes her security and she becomes a wanted woman.

The story begins in 1938 and moves all the way through the war years. The earlier sections give us a background to Magda and how she came to live and work for the Taubers in Villa Liska. The village where Magda and her family lived in the Sudentenland was been taken over by the Germans. Their land, livestock and home is no longer theirs and the family move to live with a Great Aunt further away. Magda separates from them and has to go out into the world and she finds employment as a governess to the Tauber family. She soon discovers they are Jewish but they have been afforded a reprieve due to the man of the house being a doctor and therefore carrying out important work.

Magda knows, despite the security offered by the Taubers, that the situation she is in is balanced on a knife edge. The Germans are extending their power, committing awful atrocities and the ravages of war grow by the day. She knows she just needs to survive. Do what they want and at some point all this will be over. She needs to get through it and live but this is easier said then done. Magda desperately wants her family back together and she is innocent enough to believe that this can all happen without much bloodshed and sacrifice. Who knew what was going to happen as the war intensified and the Germans increased their levels of capture and deportation?

Magda feels safe, warm and well and the villa and she strikes up a special relationship with her charge Eliska but also the Tubers themselves. Jana, the cook, and Renata, the housemaid, become firm friends but still I thought Magda at this point wasn’t truly aware of what was literally knocking at the doors of the villa. The villa becomes like a crew of lost souls as different people are taken in. Walter, being one of these, and in turn Magda develops feelings for him. But people are not all as they seem as indoctrination and propaganda rear their ugly heads. People’s opinions, viewpoints and stances change as they become brainwashed and one does not know whom one can trust. An event towards the end of the first section sees the story turn entirely on its head and it’s where for quite some time I lost respect for Magda.

I thought she was foolish, reckless, naïve and put people in unnecessary danger leading to disastrous and irreparable consequences. How could she not see what she did changed everything for so many people? From this point this is where we see a much needed change in the psyche of Magda. The warrior queen over time slowly starts to emerge as she knows she needs to avenge the wrong she did. Although later on, as she is in the heart of the Germans lair so to speak, she again does something so careless and stupid that she has no choice but to go on the run. You would have thought she would have had more sense, knowing danger, terror, fear, pain and humiliation were literally at her door. But I think she was so caught up in remembering people that were forcefully taken that at the time she believed she was doing the right thing.

Magda is definitely a divisive character for a good half of the book. It’s only in the later half that she shows her true colours, that were perhaps buried there underneath all along. She just needed a wake up call even though this came in the most terrible of circumstances. As a character she does a complete 360, gone is the weak, indecisive, innocent, gullible and guileless young woman and a new Magda emerges. She becomes brave, courageous and really grows up. The hate emanates from her and she has a new resolve that is hard to put into words. But she has a mission and will not rest until she has succeeded.

Magda knows she is in danger and that one false move could see her imprisoned and the worst fate befall her. She keeps ploughing on and is a totally different woman from when we first meet her. Here is where the Czech resistance starts to feature in the story and it was fascinating what a small band of people did putting their lives on the line trying to bring about the downfall of evil. I had read many times about the French resistance so it was brilliant to read how this occurred in a different country too and through excellent writing you could see that the author had carried out such detailed and interesting research.

The book started off very strong as we are introduced to the main character and the background as to the situation, she finds herself in is explained and developed. The book continued at a steady pace and again to use the same words remained strong, focused, interesting and edge of your seat stuff. But I found towards the end of the book, perhaps the last 20 or 25% that things were just happening too fast that I couldn’t keep up with what was going on. There was a lot of information regarding different groups, locations, movements and fighting and it felt like so many details were just rushed on to the page. That the reader had no chance to absorb what was happening before we were onto the next event. It was as if everything needed to be written down on paper as the author knew the end was drawing near and there was still lots to cover. I understand things were really coming to a head at the period in question as the Germans downfall was just around the corner. But for me it felt too rushed.

Honestly though that was the only issue I had with this book, and it did come towards the end so overall it didn’t detract too much from the fact that really was a very well written story with a convincing, detailed and absorbing plot with a female heroine who initially you finding exasperating in terms of her naivety and the totally reckless, dangerous and unnecessary things that she does but she goes through a transformation. You become completely involved in her story and see how her personality changes and she really does wise up as she knows she needs to make amends for her foolishness in putting people in danger. She wants vengeance but will she get it? To find out you will have to read this book to see how far will the Warrior Queen go in her quest to right a wrong? It’s definitely a very good book that will open your eyes to a new aspect of the war you may not have read about before.

Don't pass up this fantastic story of love,war,crimes and the love of a child! The Girl From The Mountains is a WWII story of a girl who has to run and his with someone else's baby. Hiding in the mountains from the Nazis,the resistance takes her in and she fights to not only save the country she loves but for all the Jews that Hitler and his high racking men want to in camp and execute! Follow Magda and her quest to reunite her friends baby if they can find them and get them out of that horrible camp! Grab tissue because your going to need them. The characters in this tremendous story they just out at you as you get to know them and some become your friends! Magda helps out by dangerously spying and passing messages to help the resistance and it's really dangerous! Follow Magda's life as she knows it now,her family is gone her friends who tried to protect her so by keeping their baby and doing her part just maybe she will make a difference! Just a warm and heartbreaking story that will stay with you even after you have finished reading you become involved in the story!! Never meant a book by Chrystyna I didn't enjoy !! You Will see what I mean when you read this and want to read more of her work! Received from Net Gallery,thanks so much!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel.
This novel is set during World War II in parts of Czech Republic and is the story of Magda. Its a story of her life as she is confronted with the challenges of humanity. She learns through her blunders though her blunders come at a huge cost. This novel though is not true some of the places mentioned do exist. A very good historical fiction read set during the period.

As an avid fan of fiction set in World War 2, I was delighted to be able to read an advance reader’s copy of this novel. Many of the books that I have read recently have a strong focus on the Holocaust (which I believe is very important as time goes by and there are fewer survivors to tell the stories). This book had a slightly different focus though as the main character was a young woman who lived with her family in what was called the Sudetenland part of Czechoslovakia. I was thrilled to see that the author had included maps in the book as it helps me as a reader have a better understanding of where the story is set. I’m lucky enough to have visited the area several years ago and have seen some of the locations referred to in the book so that helped make it even more interesting for me.

Once the Germans arrived in her locale, it did not take long for them to come and evict Magda and her family from their home. Her brothers were sent to fight for the Germans and the rest of the family with nowhere else to go descended upon a relative in another town. Having so many new family members arrive and with food being so scarce, Magda had to go out and find a way to support herself. Magda had grown up being very self conscious about a large birthmark on one side of her face which had caused her much grief through the years. It had truly affected her confidence and how she carried herself when around others. As she left to find work, her mother advised her to “Survive, That’s all – just survive. Do what they want, and at some point this will be over. But live, Daughter.”

I can only imagine how overwhelming it must have been to suddenly find herself on her own not even knowing where she would be spending the night. Magda chose to head to Litoměřice, an area familiar to her, and through what we in modern day might call “networking” she found herself at the Villa Liška which was owned by the Tauber family. Over time her connection to the family grows deep but the fact that the Tauber’s are Jewish means that there is always a cloud of fear hanging over the Villa as all wonder when the German hatred of the Jews will catch up to them. When it finally tragically happens right after the completion of a bris for the Tauber’s newborn son it brings back memories of when Magda’s own family was evicted. It also brings a strong sense of betrayal as someone close to the family and to Magda plays a part in their expulsion..

The Villa is taken over by a German officer and his wife and young son. Most of the staff are able to stay on and continue working, but the atmosphere is not the same and as I read, I felt myself almost holding my breath in fear for what would happen next. It is in times like this that people either step up or step out and each one in their own small ways took action to help slow down the progress of the Germans. Ultimately, they were forced to eave the Villa and began to work as part of the local resistance. It was not an easy life and Magda’s lack of confidence and easy to recognize appearance put her at additional risk.

The author focused quite a bit on the role of the partisans in the local area. This isn’t something that is covered in many novels, but I have read a non-fiction book or two about what it was like and it felt real in this story. It is remarkable how people came to the partisans with the goal of defeating the Germans, but each group had their own agenda and reason for being there. It often led to conflict along the way.

Magda’s character really grew as the story continued. It had to, or she would have had no chance of survival. Partisans were not interested in carrying a person who would be a dead weight. She came to know herself and recognize her own strength, and this is just as important for young men and women of today. When Magda was young, her mother told her, “Everything about showing love requires an act of courage. Absolutely everything. But loving yourself is perhaps the most heroic act a person can perform.”

At the war's end, the author chose to include how the local people and partisans treated those that they viewed as collaborators. This was a painful scene to read, and clearly a painful scene for Magda to experience. I think it would make a great topic of discussion for any book club reading this novel.

The author includes a section of historical notes at the end of the book that help fill in some of the background behind the story and the research that has gone into it. I really appreciated that. This is the kind of book that makes me want to learn more. I would highly recommend it to others who have an interest in this time period.

Many thanks to #NetGalley, #Bookouture and author Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.. The opinions expressed are my own unbiased ones.

This was an emotional world war 2 novel.

You get to see how Magdas life was changed during this period. You also get to see how humans survived this hard time.

It had me from the start and read this in one sitting.

If you like emotional world war 2 novels then please read this.

In 1938 Magda is forced from her home and family during the Second World War. She finds shelter and work at a remote villa in the mountains of Czechoslovakia. There she quickly becomes close with the Jewish Tauber family. When the Taubers are arrested by the Gestapo, Magda saves newborn Samuel from being taken and keeps him safe by hiding him with friends who are part of the Resistance. Soon after, Magda must leave the villa and hide in the mountains so she isn’t arrested for collaborating. As the war continues, Magda joins partisan fighters while also hoping to find the Taubers and Samuel.
I really enjoyed the first part of the novel but the last third of the book (when Magda joined the group of partisans as a nurse and then a fighter) felt rushed, confusing and somewhat unorganized to me. However, I did find myself rooting for Magda and her survival and happiness. I have read many WW2 novels over the years, yet this one was not one of my favorites.

1938, Czechoslovakia.
Magda Novak lives peacefully on her family’s farm in Czechoslovakia, until the German army arrives, the Novak’s are ordered to leave and the farm is given to a German family. Her family’s fractured, scattered in all different directions and what will happen to them all now? Magda’s offered a place to stay with Dr Tauber, his wife Ruth and their daughter Eliska at their beautiful alpine villa.

The Tauber’s are Jewish, they have been given protection and it’s only a matter of time until it ends. Magda enjoys living with the Tauber’s they treat her well, like one of the family, unfortunately the Germans arrest the Tauber’s and she manages to help save their newborn son Samuel. Magda is badly beaten by the Germans; she’s forced to work for the hated German officer Koenig and his nasty wife who now reside in the Tauber’s villa. She determined to help the resistance, she passes on messages, medical supplies and when she’s caught she flees into the mountains.

Magda becomes more involved in the fight to free Czechoslovakia; wearing a disguise, she works as an army nurse and eventually trains to be a freedom fighter with the partisans. Magda was born with a birthmark on one side of her face; add a badly broken nose, she stands out and she ends up with a bounty on her head. Magda loved her country, her family, the Tauber’s, baby Samuel, her boyfriend Karol and she never gave up trying to find them! The Girl From The Mountains is a story about Magda’s incredible bravery, courage, dedication and her personal fight against the Germans during WW II. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, the story at times was too over the top for me and I gave the book three stars.

If you are a fan of Historical fiction, set during WW2 then you will love this book. Magda will surely capture your heart. She was surviving and that was enough.

**a huge thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with an ARC!**

At the dawn of the Second World War, Magda must find a way to survive as the horrors of Nazi Germany make their way through her beloved Czechoslovakia. This book tells the story of loss, and the story of learning how to fight back.

This book was absolutely beautiful. I’ve read several books in this genre—World War II fiction with strong heroines—and while I usually enjoy them, it’s difficult to make one stand out. The Girl from the Mountains stands out. From the very first page, I was drawn in; Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger has an absolutely beautiful writing style that makes her characters come to life.

If there is anything I am an absolute sucker for, it is how the author set up the prologue, It is set a few years into the war, and thus a few years into the story; this is one of my absolute favorite tropes, when properly executed. This book properly executed it, and then some. I was kept on the edge, anxious to see how the story unfolded to get to where the prologue introduced you. When characters mentioned appeared in the book, I was excited and engaged. With such a strong start, there was no way this book wouldn’t be amazing.

More than anything else, I adored how Magda changed throughout this book. Trauma shaped her, and her changes throughout the book were not always for the better. There were times when she was scared or cold or cruel, even as she grew into her role as a resistance fighter. Something about seeing the worst parts of Magda amplified against the backdrop of her circumstances made her feel so achingly human. Early on, she endures some very traumatic events that seemed a bit too glossed over at the time, but as the book progressed, this decision made more sense. The poignancy of this book blew me away and is sure to stick with me. And, of course, the ending made me cry—but I’ll leave it at that, because this isn’t something that should be spoiled.

I keep trying and trying to come up with some meaningful criticism, but I can’t. If you’re interested in historical fiction at all, please read this.

This is the first time that I have read a book by Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger. On the strength of this powerful and disturbing historical novel, it won't be the last.

Right from the start I was drawn into, what becomes an informative fiction which is based on real locations and a frighteningly real period of world history.

I have given this book five stars because I really like the quality of the narrative and the way in which the characters are developed as the story unfolds.

The novel follows the experiences of Magda Novak, who is forced to leave her family in order to survive, following the German invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1938. Her story is one of needing to adapt to stay ahead of those hunting for her, as the full reality of the Holocaust unfolds.

I won't go into detail about the plot out of fear of spoiling the story. Suffice to say that I found the book opened my eyes aspects of life in an occupied country, during this catastrophic conflict.

There are some touching scenes within a story which resoundingly extremely sad.

I will look forward to reading future and past books by This author.

I give my thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book in exchange for this review.

In 1938, when Magda found a position with Dr Tauber and his wife Ruth, as governess to their daughter, her thoughts strayed often to her family who’d been ousted from their home by the Nazis, as they invaded Czechoslovakia. She hoped her brothers, who’d been forced to join the Wehrmacht, would stay alive; that her parents, the rest of her family, would survive. Magda was happy with the Taubers, but they were Jewish and gradually things changed. The day the Gestapo arrived to remove them from their home, Magda was entrusted with Samuel, the Tauber’s newborn son.

Magda found help and solace with the Resistance and as she continued to work in the Tauber’s home, now with the Nazi family, she risked herself over and over. Again, circumstances changed when she was caught, and her life on the run from the Gestapo began. Joining the locals who were with the underground, Magda’s life in the next few years was unfathomable. She was determined to survive – but would she? Could she? She felt the war would never end…

The Girl From the Mountains by Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger was an intriguing and fascinating read. Told from Magda’s point of view, she went from being a naïve young woman who had never been away from her family, to a strong, determined and influential woman. The Resistance and the part they played in the war was the same everywhere – French Resistance is who I’ve mostly read about in the past; set in the mountains and forests of Czechoslovakia, The Girl From the Mountains kept me captivated from beginning to end. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

This story is based on during WWII but instead, it talks about the courageous and brave partisans who fought against the Nazis. Based in Czechoslovakia between 1938 to 1945, Magdalene who is known as Magda goes to work as a sort of governess to a rich Jewish family, the Taubers. However with the Nazis taking over Europe, Taubers due to their Jewish background were sent off to the ghettos. But not before Frau Tauber entrusts their baby son, Samuel into Magda's care. Magda then soon becomes a part of partisans group, rebelling against the Nazis while at the same time her heart aching for Samuel.

This is actually really a powerful and emotional story. What makes this story more special to me was, we know these events did take part in real life--the Nazi brutality, the treatment towards Jews and Partisans and the members of the Partisans willingly sacrifice their own lives to fight against the Nazis. To me, Magda is such a truly inspirational, courageous and brave girl, who is willing to risk her own life to protect her loved ones. This book actually kept me all night and I finished this book with tears in my eyes after I read the ending! It was really good and emotional as well!

This book is a powerful, gripping story and unputdownable that will make you cry and support all those brave and courageous men and women who fought against the Nazis and defeated them. Worth five stars!

Thank You Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC! The review is based on my honest opinion.

This is a book that you will not want to put down, fast paced, intense, and adventures filled with twist and turns. Well written and researched that it captivates you from the beginning, showing that not only were strong women important in this war but what they were able to accomplish with determination and grit. The author Chrystyna Berger does a remarkable job portraying so many emotions and the depth of what these people truly went through, that your heart aches.

From the beginning this book has you drawn in and invested in the main characters. Amidst the chaos, heartbreak, and despair there is hope and bravery in all forms. Set in WWII Czechoslovakia (Sudetenland) Magda and her family have to give up their family farm to the Germans and relocate. Everything they have ever known is taken away, as they now must fend for themselves. Magda is hired as a nanny to a Jewish family the Taubers. Dr. Tauber and his family although being Jewish, believe that they are an asset to the community and will be safe from the Nazis, as they have been given protection. One day the Gestapo come and arrest the family, Magda manages to save their newborn son but is forced to work for the new German family of the house, Officer Koenig and his nasty wife. She formulates a plan and is determined to help the resistance, she passes on messages, and medical supplies. She is soon caught, she flees into the mountains and escapes the bounty on her head.

Born with a birthmark on one side of her face that resembles a map of Siberia has always affected her self worth making her insecure and self conscious. Magda finds and embraces herself through every obstacle and hardship she goes through. Finding a new self confidence as she realizes she is capable of more and that she can make a difference as the Nazis move in closer.

Overall I loved the book but I did want more of an ending. I was so invested in the characters that I wanted to know what happened to Walter, her brothers and an epilogue dedicated to Magda living in postwar. I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves historical fiction, strong women or who loves a good story. You will not be disappointed.

Fabulous! I was excited to read this and it didn’t disappoint. The characters are wonderfully written and engage the reader, as does the descriptive writing. I feel like I expanded what I know about the resistance movement in Eastern Europe. I’m grateful to Bookoutre, the author whom I follow on Facebook and Netgalley for a digital copy in exchange for my review. I’ll be sure to share this one with my friends who have similar reading interests.

This is a World War II story about a young girl with no confidence in herself who becomes strong and learns to love herself and others during the tumultuous years of the war.

Magda lives on her family farm with her parents and brothers. She was born with a large birth mark on her cheek and had been made fun of for her entire life so she was shy and reclusive. In 1938, the family's main concern was on the work involved in the farm. As the German army moved closer to Czechoslovakia, the mood darkens for the family. The Germans take their farm and send the two boys to the German Army and Magda is forced from the family home She is hired as a nanny by the Tauber family. Dr Tauber and his family are Jewish but believe that he is an asset to the community and that they will be safe from the Nazis. When the Gestapo arrests them, Magda is able to hide their new born baby who is rescued by the local resistance. After working with the German family who took over the house and being treated poorly, she makes a major mistake and manages to escape before she is arrested. She has a price on her head and spends time moving to new safe houses. With nothing left in her life, she begins to go on missions with the resistance and puts her life on the line. The longer the war goes on, the more reckless she becomes and is totally changed from the shy young woman she was.

This is an excellent book about how important strong women were during the war and what they accomplished. The author did a lot of work on her research and it shows and helps make the story more believable. This is an excellent read for people who enjoy historical fiction about strong women.

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for access to The Girl From the Mountains. I really enjoyed this book. I liked that the characters had strengths and flaws, which I felt made them more relatable. This is one of the few books I have read that took place in the Sudetenland/Czechoslovakia and it was nice to read a story that takes place outside of Poland or France.
I highly recommend this book to all fans of historical fiction!

Magda’s tenderly told journey captivates from start to finish. Her ability to remain loyal and form strong new relationships despite the trials and tribulations in 1938 in a war-torn village makes for a fast and compelling read. Her strength, bravery, and above all, adaptability in the face of danger and loss makes this a must-read novel. Her story lingers.