This was a really interesting historical novel as always very well written and the tension re the stories was there. I cant imagine what it was like to live like that.

I was given a free copy by netgalley and Bookouture but the review is entirely my own.

Beautifully written, gripping and emotional historical fiction, based on real events and real Ukrainian families engulfed by both Soviet and German forces during World War II.

The ideas come from the author's research into her own family, with some characters amalgamated and events edited, and represent a true sense of the hardships they endured and the battles they fought, featuring incredibly brave characters at the heart of the story.

I hadn't read about WWII from the Ukrainian perspective before and the characters and events are particularly poignant in light of the current Russian invasion.

Further information from the author's fascinating and detailed research is also available in the author's blog.

Oh this book! It absolutely tore me apart from the beginning. Antonia is the character that all girls should strive to be. A huge heart and a determined fighter, those are 2 things that the nazi’s should have been more worried about. The writing in this book is very very good. If you love historical fiction then definitely add this to your list!

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley

The Woman at the Gates by Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger was a very emotional book that just beautifully written throughout. This book is set in Ukraine and Ukrainians set against the backdrop of WW2. You will need tissues for this book and I am so glad I got a chance to read this book especially what is going on in Ukraine at the moment. My heart goes out to everyone that is there and involved.

This book should be a must read and it is an eye opener from the very beginning till the end.

Thanks to the publisher Bookouture and NetGalley for a ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Woman at the Gates by Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger is a historical novel set in the Ukraine during World War 2 and their subsequent resettlement in their country after the war ended. The storyline is based upon diaries and recollections collected from Chrystyna’s relatives.
The novel follows the life of Antonia Kozak, formerly a University lecturer turned resistance fighter and her extended family, the Mazur as she is taken into a concentration camp by the Gestapo, not knowing whether Victor, her fiancé, is alive or dead to their ultimate relocation to the US after the War had ended.

The book has so many themes and the reader can imagine through the retelling of the memories the horrors that the Mazur family and other Ukrainian families went through. Antonia isn’t always a likeable character but she is a strong character, determined to fight for her family. I won’t say it’s an enjoyable read because it’s about a family’s suffering but it is an interesting read that I would recommend.

I received this book via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley #gifted

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the arc of The Woman at the Gate by Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger.

5 stars- This follows Antonia who ends up having a Nazi soldier's gun in between her shoulder blades, her and her family got captured by the Nazi's and into the Labor camp. Before they got captured she was a fighter she was part of the resistance which were trying to free her country which has become a bloodshed.. with the man she was going to marry by her side he was called Viktor.. she does not know if he is alive, captured or executed..

The Woman at the Gates by Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger
Source: NetGalley and Bookoutre
Rating: DNF

The Bottom Line: The stories and tales related to the Holocaust are historically among my top reads each year. This is a time in history I both abhor and find endlessly fascinating. I gave this book multiple tries and never could get anything, characters, or plot, to resonate with me. I understand the need to lay some groundwork/provide some world building, but the bit I made it through, was repetitive and, truthfully uninteresting. At some point, one just has to call it a day and I did so with this book.

1940s Ukraine is battle torn with partisans attempting to protect their nation against both the Soviets and Nazis. Antonia is a university lecturer who is in love with Viktor, fiercely loyal to her family and country. She endures both physical and mental pain through heartache and torture as the personal and political weave together.
The Woman at the Gates is an historical novel set in Ukraine during WW2. There are strong themes of patriotism, courage and love. Danger never lurks far from the main characters and the writing style conveys the tension of their situation.
I struggled to like Antonia although I respected her greatly, and I felt the same about the other partisans. Their struggle against invading forces is brave and even heroic. However, in order to survive they shut off as much emotion as possible so I found it difficult to feel a bond with them as people. Antonia has a thyroid condition which allows us to remember her vulnerability and humanity.
This book provides a new perspective on the Second World War as it is a cultural and national identity that has not been covered in any book I have read previously. The pace is quite slow as the political machinations of the period are played out.
The Woman at the Gates is an interesting story about survival and intense bravery.

Loved this one! While it felt like a pretty typical historical fiction, I really enjoyed my time reading it. I will definitely pick up more books from this author in the future.

What a wonderfully written, heartbreaking story. Every emotion you can imagine you feel while reading this. I loved reading this, and can't wait to read more from this author.

Torn from her home in the Ukraine, Antonia is forced into a concentration camp by the Gestapo. A fighter, Antonia must find out if her fiancé Viktor is still alive and if they will be able to escape the madness of the Nazis. Well written historical fiction.

I received a free electronic copy of this exciting WWII historical from Netgalley, Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger, and publisher Bookouture. This is a very detailed description of the Ukrainian aspect of WWII from the beginning, 1944, through the end of the war and the resettlement of those citizens without a country. We follow Antonina Kozak and the extended Mazur family as they flee prosecution in Ukraine and as aliens seeking relocation in the US. This story is based on stories and diaries of relatives of Ms. Lucyk-Berger, with a great deal of research and storytelling skill added to the mix. It is a story that I thoroughly appreciated, imparting facts and memories shared by many immigrants across our world in this age of trouble we are living in today. It shines a bright light on the plight of the world's homeless, hopefully, one that will enable us to do better by them.

Another amazing story by Chrystyna Lucyk Berger, my first book by her really blew me away and The woman at the gates was not the exception. I must admit I had a little hard time getting into the story because I felt like the first chapters were very detailed, with too much information and that made me feel like the story was not developing as fast as I wish but a few chapters later I felt comfortable already with what was happening, the characters and the story.. that's the only part that kept me holding back a little.

One of the things that I really love about the way the author writes is her strong female leads and that you never know where the story is heading you see many characters and situations and you really don't know what will happen that keeps me always intrigue and wanting to dig even deeper into the story.

Antonia, it's a fear-strong character, she is determined to continue fighting for her family, her love, and her country no matter what this entitles, she will not hold back and fight fiercely for what she believes. definitely, there was always that feeling of tension of being capture or identify by the Nazis and the Red Army but Antonia was not an easy character to deter from her intentions and motives.

Clueless about where her husband was as if he was still alive Antonia had a huge motivation to keep fighting and surviving this terrible war.

without giving too much away this is a story of survival, resistance, and fighting. your heart will break many times, you will definitely feel sad, anger and desperate for what Antonia and the others are going through but it will also make you feel satisfied that Antonia never backed down, and helped as many as she could even if that meant putting herself at ricks.. definitely an amazing character to remember.

This only reminds me of the many great female leaders during WWll that hasn't been recognized for their true strength and effort to help end this terrible war.

Overall it was a great book and story something that will keep you interested and intrigued

If you enjoy historical fiction, then you may enjoy The Woman at the Gates. It is well researched and highly informative. I found it hard to get into with so many characters to keep track of. The story is based around the struggle of a Ukrainian family during WW2 and, in particular, Antonia. I have to confess to having no knowledge of Ukraine, which I felt may have put me at a disadvantage. Overall, it is a well-written story with rounded characters set against some major conflicts. While I couldn’t say I enjoyed it, I think it will appeal to lovers of gritty, historical fiction.
Thank you to Bookoutre and NetGalley for an advance copy in return for my honest review.

A difficult story to assimilate as no holds barred in the telling of it. But this is how a story should be told especially one
like this.

It is also difficult if one has not lived through oppression of been under government control to understand living conditions like this. You can never under estimate the power of neighbours or relations who may not like you and who may "dob" you to the authorities. Compromise which may seem the cowards way out on reading it, may be the only way to survive and the human spirit does need to survive, come what may.

The story set in 1944 embodies the spirit of survival, of family ties, of love and the heartbreak behind it all. Of personal
sacrifice for the better of the common good. The characters in this story are doing the best they can not just for their country but for their own survival. I followed the maps which were interspersed with the chapters and saw how the borders of Ukraine, Lithuania, Slovekia, Yugoslavia, and even Russia changed every few years with wars and greed of one power taking over another.

The story is full of historical detail (in great depth) which may not appeal to anyone other than those who like history because though the personal story is very powerful, the historical story is the one which is uppermost.

It was my first read of a story set in 1944 Ukraine.

The Woman at the Gates by Chrystyna Lucyk Berger
World War II. Ukraine. Antonia, a university professor and member of the Resistance just wants to protect Ukraine from the Soviets and the Nazis. This is the story of the choices she was forced to make for herself and her family, the aid she was able to give the refugees and her struggle to survive.
Chrystyna Lucyk Berger writes an intense story. The story is well written and the characters are believable. The trials and tribulations of the characters make you feel such emotion. This is a great story. I recommend this book.

The Woman at The Gates by Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger

I can not stress enough how much I enjoyed reading The Woman at The Gates. I was born in Kiev, Ukraine in the 70’s while it was under the Soviet Rule (U.S.S.R) and we immigrated in 1979 but I had no idea how much the Ukrainian people have suffered from the very beginning. How much the Soviets/Russians oppressed them and bullied them to reform and live by rules that are not their own. This book is full of historical background that made me understand how much the Ukrainians have suffered as well as why the relationship between Ukraine and Russia is so strained to this day.

I enjoyed reading the story of Antonia, her sister Lena and others in the resistance, Ivan and Victor, fighting for the good of Ukraine and saving the lives of civilians.

This story had me on an emotional roller-coaster and I did not want to put the book down until I got to the end.

I would like to thank Net Galley and Bookouture for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Just beautiful. Poignant. Heart breaking. Very well researched. Bringing home so very vividly the stark reality of war. Just lovely. Do read this one.

The Woman at the Gates tells the story of Antonia, a Ukrainian woman caught up in World War II, and caught up between two lovers. Antonia was a Resistance fighter, in love with Viktor, another professor at the university where Antonia also teaches. Together, they write an underground informational content, and work/live closely together. Ivan, childhood friend of Antonia and fellow Resistance fighter, also helps organize and carry out missions. Ivan, also, happens to be in love (quietly) with Antonia.

There comes a time when their cell is caught, and all three are cast into the wind. Ivan finds out that Viktor is dead, and Ivan and Antonia forage ahead, Antonia protects her family, even going into a "work" camp to be with them (her sister, nephews and brother in law). The story really revolves around Antonia and Ivan, and their fight both personally and for the war effort as a whole.

The story really gave me a different perspective of World War II, since this story mainly took place in Ukraine and the other Eastern countries. So much of this story is unknown to me, since this focused on the war to the East with the Soviets, and what happened on that front of the war. This is all history that not many of this historical fiction books touch on, so this was a new topic for me. I really enjoyed the characters of Antonia, Viktor and Ivan, and even the accessory characters, such as Lena, (Antonia's sister) and Nadia (wife of Ivan's best friend).

My one and only complaint is that I felt like the title and the description of the story was not accurate. This book gives the impression that it will mainly take place in/around a concentration or work camp. The Woman at the Gates title implies that, and even the graphic on the cover alludes to that fact. Very little of the story actually did. Antonia, Lena, her husband and children ARE sent to a work camp about 50% of the way through the book, and events take place there. However, the bulk of the book is not spent there. It just seemed like it was a story that was a little misrepresented by the title, cover art and the description of the book.

Overall, while I did enjoy the book, it just wasn't the book I was expecting to read, based on the above mentioned items. I thought I was going to read one thing, and my expectations were not lived up to. That's not to say that the story that was told was not a good one. It certainly will appeal to those who love historical fiction, especially about World War II.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

Antonia was deeply involved in the resistance in 1944, in her home in Ukraine and by her side were Ivan, his sister Oksana and Viktor. Dr Viktor Guber helped Antonia with the newspaper the resistance put out, the meetings they held undercover and away from prying eyes. But someone wasn’t to be trusted and even with Antonia’s instincts, hers and Viktor’s arrests and incarceration changed their lives. When Antonia was rescued, she joined forces with her sister Lena and Lena’s husband Roman, along with their two young sons. Antonia was determined to get her family to safety – she didn’t know if Viktor or Ivan were alive or safe, but she knew they would find each other after the war…

The horrors at the hands of the Red Army, the Ukrainians and the Germans dogged at their heels as they fled, and they wondered if they’d ever be safe. Antonia’s wiles kept them safe, her ability to think on her feet when they were captured and thrown into a concentration camp, and her determination saw them eventually in relative peace once the war ended. But there was still more to be overcome. Were they alive - would Ivan the Cossack, Pavlo the Half Cassock and Viktor manage to find them?

The Woman at the Gates is another exceptional historical novel by Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger which I thoroughly enjoyed. Innocent civilians and children went through dreadful times during the war and this was unfortunately the same all over, but this is the first book set in war time Ukraine which I have read. Heartbreaking, filled with courage and faith, The Woman at the Gates is to be highly recommended.

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