The Last Checkmate is one of my all time favorite reads so I was super eager to get my hands on Daughter's of Victory. I am thrilled to say this book lived up to my expectations and then some. I absolutely loved this book! It is set in both 1917 Russia and 1941 USSR, alternating between both timelines. It was so refreshing that this story took place as it did and the perspective it offered from the Russian side of the war. I was intrigued from the start and enjoyed the clear historical detail that was written within the story's pages. It made for such an atmospheric read! The story was powerful, impactful, and beautiful as well as filled with action and suspenseful moments. It had so much to offer! Perhaps my favorite part of the book were the strong and fierce women characters we came to know. This story read quickly and was hard to put down. I cannot recommend it highly enough!

Many thanks to William Morrow and Netgalley for the gifted e-copy!

This book takes place during two harrowing times in history; Russia, 1917 during the Revolution, and USSR, 1941 right around the time of the Nazi invasion. 

I think I felt this novel more due to the fact that it was based on real people and real circumstances. The characters were written very well. I found myself easily falling into the story and becoming invested. The only thing that kept this one from a four-star for me, was the fact that there were some slow times in the story that would keep me from ploughing through the story. It did get better in the last 30% or so. 

All-in-all a fine read about two very interesting time periods.

As a lover of historical fiction it was wonderful and refreshing to see a novel focused more on Russia than the Western front during WWII. Saab did a beautiful job with this novel and made it an entertaining and fascinating read. The research and detail put into this was perfection!

Russia 1917: Svetlana went against her aristocratic family to join the revolution and has recently been released from her imprisonment. She is determined to get revenge for her uncle’s death by defeating Orlova, the woman who killed him.

USSR 1941: Svetlana takes in her 18 year old granddaughter, Mila, who she has never met. The goal is to protect Mila from the Nazi invasion, however, Mila has other plans and wants to join the resistance.

This book was filled with rich history and settings, suspense, action, emotion and so much more. Mila and Svetlana were both incredible main characters - they were fiery, strong, fierce, and so passionate. I loved how the alternating timelines were so connected and I learned a lot about Russian History through this book. This was the type of fast-paced story that keeps you invested, and I couldn’t put it down. Plus the twists at the end! I don’t want to give them away but wow.

Thank you to William Morrow Books and NetGalley for the advance copy.

I really wanted to love this book because I am fascinated with Russian history. However, I could not connect with the main characters. This book was also drawn out and could have been much shorter. Still, the writing was very beautiful! I recommend this for fans of Russian Doll!

Powerful dual timeline addressing a lesser known aspect of Russian history surrounding the revolution and resistance. Compelling storytelling filled with intrigue and surprising plot twists make for an engaging read. Definitely recommend!

In her latest book, Gabrielle Saab brings the Russian Revolution, the struggle between the Bolsheviks and Socialists, and the Eastern front of World War II to life through Mila, Vera, Fanya, Tatiana, Orlova, and Svetlana’s intertwining stories. The novel jumps between the perspectives of Mila, a girl in Ukraine in 1943 with her grandparents, and Svetlana, the daughter of aristocrats and a Socialist Revolutionary fighter in 1917. Saab brings these passionate, impulsive, brave, flawed women to life, and their struggles feel tangible. The friendships and relationships depicted in the book are also imperfect, and Svetlana and Mila’s perspectives further immerse the reader in the narrative. The emotions and stakes are so high in the book, which help Saab successfully tell these stories and bring the political complications of Russian politics and revolutionary movements to life. Saab’s vivid language and world-building are historically inspired, which enhance her characters and the setting of the book, and she does a masterful job of capturing the essence of the twentieth century political climate in Russia. The book is a compelling read because of Saab’s characters, language, world-building, and the stakes she puts into play.

I really enjoyed the dual timelines in this story, alternating between the Russian Revolution and WWII. The strength of both Svetlana and Mila was quite impressive, given the horrifying and difficult times they both grew up during. You can tell this book was very well researched and detailed and overall I enjoyed it, even though a lot of the subject matter was heavy. It was unfortunately accurate for the times. Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for the ARC.

This dual-timeline story of Russia in 1917 and the USSR in 1941 was captivating.

I knew so little about Russia in 1917 and reading about Svetlana and the bourgeoisie was so fascinating to me. To go to such extremes to fight for what you believe in is not an old story. Put in this time in history, it took on a whole new meaning. The hunt for Orlova was so well done with a twist that made my jaw drop.

Seeing Svetlana and her granddaughter in 1941 not only shed light on events in 1917, but the way the two worked to protect the other while seeming from the outside to be working against each other was a unique part of this story. The chain of events that ultimately brought them together left me surprised in a good way and my head spinning as the pieces from both timelines fell into place.

Once again, Gabriella Saab has crafted a fantastic historical fiction story that not only had me captivated but also learning about things I didn’t know much about.

Thank you to William Morrow for the copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

I appreciate that this book is different from other historical fiction I have read. I do have to say, it’s a complex read and forced me to slow down. It probably will you too. Especially with the politics of war. Based on dual timelines: the Russian revolution and WWII, the story follows two women involved in resistance groups. This book is powerful and moving, yet sad, and dark. The writing was beautiful and by the end, you appreciate all of the research that went into the story. The authors notes are necessary to read as they fill in gaps for you. Did not see the plot twist and this is one of those books that everything in the end really does tie in so perfectly.

Thank you to netgalley, the publishers and the author for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and William Morrow for my copy of Daughters of Victory by Gabriella Saab in exchange for an honest review. It published January 24, 2023.
This was a very interesting dual timeline historical fiction. I've never read a Russian account of someone who was part of the other Russian revolution that wasn't a Soviet. I did have a hard time getting into this book, but toward the middle I became engaged. I learned a lot from this book about life was in Russian during these turbulent times!

I am a huge fan of historical fiction, especially stories relating to WWII. So needless to say, I was extremely excited to read Daughters of Victory. The thing that impressed me the most was how Gabriella Saab took two different women/characters and two totally different time periods and seamlessly brought them together in a way that completely made sense. The story is heavy, I mean, it is about war. So if you're wanting a light and fluffy read, this isn't the book for you. But if you are a lover of historical fiction, Daughters of Victory is a story that you don't want to miss out on.

I really enjoyed this one. Interesting story about 3 generations of women and the effects that the Russian revolution and WWII have on their lives. I found myself invested in both main characters, but especially Sveta's story line. Her time in a prison camp, her struggles to fight for what she feels is a better society and her past life as the daughter of an aristocrat, and then the force exile from her daughter.

While there are parts that seem historically far fetched, I remind myself that this is fiction and is such an enjoyable read and escape into a time period that I always find interesting.

Daughters of Victory is a gritty and compelling read about revenge, obsession, and the consequences one must pay when wholly dedicated to a cause.

Svetlana is a former aristocrat who abandons her family in favor of the Russian revolution, a choice that lands her in prison. Upon release, she finds herself thrust into a new Russia, one where Svetlana's socialist party is battling against Lenin's Bolsheviks for political control and where she is under continual suspicion for her noble blood. She longs for the day when Russia is free and she can reunite with the daughter s. The key, she believes, lies in killing the mysterious Belshevik assassin known as Orlova.

Fast forward to World War 2. Svetlana is blind and permanently estranged from her daughter for reasons no one knows. When her granddaughter Mila arrives and becomes involved with the Russian resistance, Svetlana is forced to confront her past actions and the secrets she's kept for decades.

This is not a light and fluffy read. Expect a violet and honest portrayal of war. The Bolsheviks - and later the Germans -- showed the Russian people no mercy. Svetlana and Mila do the same to their enemies. Saab does a great job of showing how the environment turns them from idealists to harden women willing to kill for a cause. In the end, you might not like either of them, but you will understand them.

The book is impeccably researched and the tight plot has plenty of twists and unexpected reveals to keep you on your toes. A strong read.

I love historical fiction books that are set in Russia— particularly anything in the 20th century. Although I loved the way the setting drove the story, I found the characters a bit flat.

An incredibly heavy read. Told in two brutal time frames: the Russian Revolution and WWII, Daughters of Victory is based on real people.
A young Svetlana feels the fire of revolution but it exacts a hefty toll of her. Mila has that same fiery spirit as her grandmother but knows almost nothing of her family history.
The writing is stark, graphic, and realistic; it’s as if the events are unfolding in real time.
It’s a great read, if not sad because of all the loss and pain the characters suffer.

This page-turner is unique and heart-tugging for its grandmother/granddaughter dual timelines, one set during the Russian Revolution and one set mostly in a rural area during the Nazi siege of Leningrad. I had questions but trusted the author to answer them, having previously read and enjoyed THE LAST CHECKMATE.

Svetlana has secrets and they haunt her, both as a youth and later in life. But the good thing for Svetlana is that she still has choices, even as an older woman when the Nazis come to town and they (as well as the resistance) threaten her granddaughter. She's tough and can, mostly, handle things on her own, though she must learn—before it's too late—to let others in/let them help.

Mila is ablaze with anger, and has so many questions. And when she arrives at her grandmother's for supposed safety from the Nazis. the anger boils over into action—action Mila thinks is for the best, until she realizes how short sighted she's been.

Both women resemble each other in that they aren't afraid to trust themselves and act, and they sacrifice much for love of ideals. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, even in fiction! I loved that Svetlana was finally able to confront choices she made years ago, and perhaps set some things right, with her granddaughter watching.

I enjoyed this come-of-age dual timeline, seeing another world of Nazi resistance that I haven't exactly seen, and the author's note—which filled in some pieces and held some aha moments for me.

This is an epic story that follows Svetlana during the Soviet Revolution in 1917, and her granddaughter, Mika in 1943. They are both fighting for their country and for their lives. Based on a actual Russian women and events.

Daughters of Victory by Gabriella Saab~
I ‘ve only read a few historical fiction novels about Russia/Eastern Europe, so I found this story very fascinating.
The dual timeline follows the two main characters, Svetlana and Mila, who fought for their beliefs and causes despite all the obstacles. Their stories were intricately woven with the 1917 Russian Revolution and the 1941 Nazi occupation in the Soviet Union during WWII. Svetlana and Mila are both such strong and courageous women. What they endure is heartbreaking and devastating. But reading how they overcame so much truly showed their determination to protect their family.

The research that Gabriella Saab has put into her book is incredible. A Masterpiece of storytelling.
The Author’s historical note at the end is very compelling. This is the part I really look forward to when finishing a historical fiction novel. I will definitely be recommending this book!
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a wonderful historical fiction. I love reading about different periods of time and different areas.

I don’t often read about Russia/Eastern Europe, so this story focusing there was very interesting.

I enjoyed following Svetlana and Mila’s stories - how they mirrored each other in many ways. I liked seeing how they fought for their beliefs and their causes despite all obstacles.

There were moments when I felt the story was too long and I got a bit tired, but overall I was engaged and entertained.

Would recommend to any historical fiction fan (3.75)