I really enjoy historical fiction novels. They bring history to life, which previously I found boring, but now I'm intrigued and want to know more. I love the way the author makes you feel like you're there and experiencing what Helena and Antonina are. It was a really well written story and I'm interested to read more from the author.

Many thanks to Revell and Netgalley for an advanced review copy of this book.

The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barrett is a moving saga of two young women, barely at the cusp of womanhood when the Germans invade Poland. The terror and havoc that takes over their world is page-turning as the sisters are pushed to their limits. With only God to lean on in the end, their faith carries them through some of the most challenging moments to…well, I won’t spoil it for you. You will have to find out for yourself. But you won’t want to miss it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions expressed are completely my own.

Amanda’s writing expertly evokes wartime Europe. She handles the depravity of wartime so carefully that her descriptions are deep but never gratuitous. Her books are ultimately uplifting. Except in order to experience that ultimate hope, a reader has to visit some very dark places. This story continues her pattern of impeccable historical research and deep insight into “the courage of the commonplace” (her words, note mine).

We meet twin sisters Helena and Antonina in 1939, as Warsaw teeters on the cusp of war, and fall headlong with them into the barbarism wrought on their city. Estranged from each other through misunderstanding, the sisters pursue resistance in their own ways––one is a people smuggler and one is a soldier––and through them we witness some of the most brutal parts of the German occupation. Sieges. Bombings. Doomed uprisings. Mass slaughters.

Amanda’s skill is taking devastating details from historical accounts, and reweaving them into her narrative so that it feels like a first hand account. (Amanda’s historical notes at the end of the book highlight where and how she has done this.)

This is not a light story (even the ending is tainted by the knowledge that Poland ultimately swapped a Nazi occupation for a Soviet one) but it pays great honour to the people of Poland. You will be thinking about it long after you have put it down.

This is a powerful story of WWII set in Warsaw that saw much devastation at the hands of Germany. It is from the view of two sisters, who each had a different experience, even in their shared experiences.

This book was raw and insightful. It was emotional. There were moments of triumph and moments when my heart was crushed. There were moments of hope in the great darkness. Even having the perspective of knowing these things actually happened to people while not necessarily to these characters brought this story to life. It felt real. I felt all that these sisters were experiencing.

This book needed to be written. This book needs to be read. We cannot forget the atrocities that happened to Poland and in Poland as well as other parts of Europe. There is a need to fight evil and sometimes we just need to remember. This book brings that remembrance.

The book is well-written from the perspective of these twin sisters and the secrets they keep from each other in the name of protecting each other in a time when knowledge could be dangerous.

I highly recommend this book and recommend a box of tissues be kept near.

I received an early copy through the publisher and NetGalley and this is my honest review.

I really liked this thrilling novel about Warsaw, Poland and what happened to the residents during WWll. I loved reading about these two very different sisters, Antonina and Helena, as they try to live their lives in occupied Warsaw. I cried a lot as I read the horrors that all of the people suffered during this time. I could not put this book down. I received a copy of the book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

This was a hard and somber story to read. It tells the tale of twin sisters who have lived in Warsaw their entire lives with their Papa. Their mother died when they were young, and their father protected them as much as possible from the world. Till one day the world came to them in the form of a war. First it took their father as a soldier, even though he had already served in a previous war. Then it took their home and their beautiful city. However, it did not stop there. The war continued to take and abuse and hurt these women, everyone they loved, and was breaking their people.

Unfortunately, their fight was more than just for survival, but to keep their humanity intact as well. For years these two sisters lived in a world that was so foreign and changed then what they once used to live. As their country was overtaken by the enemy and even some of their countrymen turned against those whom they blamed everything else on.

This was a deep and heavy story that shows how ugly the world can get. Again, this was a hard story to read. The author did a really great job of pulling the reader into the sisters' grim reality, and the atmosphere of Warsaw was quite haunting.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

For fans of The Nightingale and Book of Lost Names. A book that should come with a warning label: *may cause tearing and snot, make sure to have tissues handy.

Amanda Barratt did an incredible job with telling the story of two sisters torn apart by war and finding their way back through trials and loss.

This book grabbed me right from the beginning and wouldn't let me go, it was heart pounding, emotional and full of historical raw emotions and setting. I didn't think that the author was going to go as far as she did, but her attention to detail and the characters had me feeling every emotion possible. Feeling the loss, hope, love and strength of these characters as I turned every page was a truly life altering experience to feel along with these characters. This book is now forever at the top of my ww2 favorites.

When twin sisters Antonina and Helena said goodbye to their father as he left to fight the oncoming Nazi army, they had no idea how their lives were about to change. Under German occupation, they see Jewish friends removed to the ghetto and their own lives dictated by the war. Where they work, what hours they can be on the streets, even where they themselves live as bombing changes the face of the city.

That was only the beginning.

This book spans the entirety of the German occupation of Warsaw, from 1939 until 1945. Along the way, Antonina and Helena both join the resistance in their own ways, one by helping smuggle Jewish children out of the city and the other by becoming a courier for the underground Polish army as they plan an uprising against their captors.

I had expected this book would be intense and grueling, and the last 30% definitely was. You could tell the author had done much research to bring to life the horrifying stages of Warsaw's occupation. Some passages were absolutely heartbreaking.

I was disappointed that this story was not the sisters facing the war together, but rather how the war took them apart. The double first person narrative is not my favorite, and it sometimes felt like we went too long without checking in on the other sister. Part of that was the actual war timeline, with such a long span of time covered in one novel.

Overall, I would recommend this book for those who enjoy historical novels with much detail given to real life history, but do be aware that the tragedies of war are very realistically spelled out on the page.

I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All thoughts in this review are my own.

An interesting story following two sisters during World War 2. This was well researched and the characters well developed. Not my usual read but I was quickly caught up in the story and so read it quickly.

Definitely recommend, will look out for more from this author.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for a free ebook in exchange of an honest review.

Without graphic depictions of battle, the sixty-three day Nazi siege of Warsaw, Poland is eloquently told through the eyes of an exceptional writer.

Rot with examples of hardship, separation and grief, this story places two sisters amongst the antisemitism that caused the death of thousands of Jewish citizens and the eventual mass executions of both military and civilian Poles. This book’s exploration into the occupation of Poland establishes a portrait of the lowest of human qualities meshed with the desire to fight for something in the midst of war.

Barratt’s characters within this novel tend to be as complex as their setting. I felt like a spectator watching Antonina and Helena grow in emotionally distinct ways when met with the circumstances brought upon by war. These women were resilient. Bearing strength and determination they didn’t realize they had.

The audiobook version of this novel is captivating. Narrators, Rachel Botchan and Leah Horowitz, bring to life the surroundings that effect the worlds these characters live in. Both narrators were distinct, easy to understand and maintained vocal inflections that differentiated characters. The emotion displayed throughout the storyline shone through in this audiobook. I highly recommend this format for this story.

This book is suitable for teens and older with no inappropriate intimate scenes and no bad language. However, without descriptive details, two unmarried characters do spend the night together and conceive a child.

I received this book from the author/publisher free of charge, with no expectation of a positive review. I also purchased the audiobook and print versions of this title.

The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barratt was a wonderful book about the siege of Warsaw by the German army. Two sisters, Helena and Antonina are caught in the middle.

Antonina has been in love with Marek for a long time. He is an outstanding violinist, but he is of the Jewish faith. He is eventually imprisoned in the Warsaw Jewish ghetto where starvation and constant German atrocities occur daily. Antonina tries to help them by sending food, but eventually, the ghetto is sealed off and no one can exit or enter.

Helena works for a German officer. She is a shy person and usually follows the lead of Antonina. She feels that she can help the cause by trying to learn of anything that would help the resistance. She finally joins the resistance effort.

In the meantime, Antonina is recruited to help shelter and find homes for those Jewish children who are left behind. To be able to help without causing her sister to be involved. She is eventually caught by the Nazis and is transported to a camp.

The end of the war comes almost too late for the Dąbrowska sisters. Their role in the resistance efforts almost cost them their lives.

This is a book that is hard to put down. I read it in a day and a half and would highly recommend it to all interested in the time of W.W.II.

I received a print copy of this novel by Revell and was not required to give a review, however, I wish to promote this book as one of my favorites.

It takes only a few chapters of Amanda Barratt’s latest release, The Warsaw Sisters, to see how last year’s release earned Christy Book of The Year. Barratt’s research is remarkable, her world building impeccable with the help of details one might never stop to consider otherwise. The Warsaw Sisters is a particularly visceral experience; you will feel the pull of the heart as Tata leaves his twin girls to go fight for Poland against the incoming Nazi invaders and break for the sisters as war tears them apart. Barratt writes a beautiful tribute to the determination of the citizens of Warsaw.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions expressed here are my own and are completely genuine.

Even though they were twins, Antonina and Helena looked nothing alike, but they had always been close. But, in 1939 their beloved city of Warsaw, Poland came under attack from the Germans and their lives changed forever. For very different reasons, their once solid relationship shattered. Neither was willing to sit back and do nothing and each found their own way to join the Resistance movement.

In this absorbing, thoroughly researched and riveting story, the horrors endured by the Polish people is brought forth in graphic language. Antonina and Helena are characters who exhibit courage and strength during the worst of times. Just when it seems things can't get worse for the characters, they do. Even so, the desire for survival and freedom remains paramount.

Expertly crafted, The Warsaw Sisters is a profound and moving story. Packed with emotion, resilience and memorable characters, this book is well worth reading. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Warsaw Sisters is a historical novel set during World War II. Twin sisters Antonina and Helena Dąbrowska see their father off to war, and then endure the bombing of their beloved city. Antonina's love Marek is sent to the Warsaw ghetto because he is Jewish. Both women get involved in the Resistance movement as a way of fighting back.

I wanted to read The Warsaw Sisters because I love historical fiction, and am especially interested in the World War II time period. I had never read a book set in Poland during the war, so this was particularly interesting to me.

This is a sprawling novel that spans the time period of 1939 - 1945. The author delves into historical detail to depict the war in Poland. This was a time of great brutality and cruelty (especially toward the Jewish people) and some of the descriptions are hard to read.

The author does a great job at delineating the two very different personalities of Antonina and Helena, and we see both their perspectives. Descriptions of Antonina's work to save Jewish children was especially compelling.

The historical detail and descriptions in the book are vivid and the author's writing style is fluid.

Fans of historical fiction who want to read about the years of World War II in Poland will find The Warsaw Sisters of interest.

I've read every book Barratt has written, and I've always enjoyed one. Though I liked this one, it wasn't my favorite. As expected, The Warsaw Sisters is an emotional read and somewhat graphic in its descriptions of the horrors of war. The story follows two sisters (Helena and Antonina) in Poland. As with other books, Barratt has clearly done her research. However, at times, the details create a bit of a lull in the pacing. I was surprised that the religious element wasn't stronger, as it has been in prior books, and I was also surprised to find fornication included, though it was handled in a tactful way. At times, it was hard to tell which sister was which, as their personalities weren't very distinct, especially for the first half of the story. The Historical Note is informative, and I appreciated Barratt adding this to the book.

This was my first book by this author and I was blown away with this story! Differently hard to read at times but yet couldn’t put it down! Have tissues handy. Highly highly recommend

Title: The Warsaw Sisters

Author: Amanda Barratt

Ch: 37

Pg: 384


Genre: Historical fiction WWII fiction


Rating: 4.5 stars

Publisher: Revell


I’m not going to lie The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barratt is one of the most emotional WWII fiction novels I’ve read. And it’s the first one I’ve read set in Poland. As well as the first one that touches on the polish resistance and smuggling Jewish children out of the ghetto.


The book is told from the points of view of sisters Antonina and Helena. It’s emotional as the war does it’s best to tear them apart. But even apart the reader can tell the bond of sisterhood is still there.


While I don’t agree with choices both sisters made in their personal lives. I love the choices they make in regards to helping the Jews Antonina and Poland Helena. This one is worth reading. But have your tissues handy. Even though the sister’s faith isn’t on every page you can see God working throughout the story.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher as part of a blog tour I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Amanda Barrett. She is one of my favorites and writes stories about bravery and courage during one of the darkest times in our history. Now, more than ever, these books need to be read and her words need to be heard. They encourage love instead of hate, action instead of indifference, kindness instead of cruelty. Amanda's newest novel, The Warsaw Sisters is a must read.

During the darkest days of war, the bond of twin sisters Antonina and Helena are tested. Separated and faced with the horrors of Nazi occupation in their beloved Warsaw, the sisters heroically fight against the injustice that was the Holocaust. 

Although Amanda's stories are filled with moments raw and heartbreaking, never shying away from the atrocities and cruelty that was inflicted, her words filled my heart with sorrow and yet faith in the goodness and beauty that was found in the people who sacrificed their lives and had the courage to stand against such a great evil. The Warsaw Sisters is brilliantly written, vivid and powerful. She beautifully captures the strength of the bond between sisters, the courage to resist and the compassion to help one's fellow human beings. In a world filled with darkness, this book could not be more timely and if you will allow, it will inspire, and ignite a light that cannot be put out.

The Dabrowska sisters, Antonia and Helena never imagined that their fight with the Germans would drive them apart. However, difficult decisions that were painful on many levels had to be. It was astounding to read about Antonina's actions to support the war effort, followed by the next chapter or so describing Helena, the other sister, and heroic journey throughout the German occupation of Poland. Each chapter was carefully labeled by the author so you could tell which sister's journey you were on.

This is not an easy story to read because of the awful situations the sisters ended up in. Furthermore, because this was based on true events. I liked reading the author's statement to the reader about her research and the historical events she incorporated into the novel. You shouldn't miss this compelling tale. Put this book on your TBR list if you haven't read anything by the author; it would also be a great choice for a book group. It’s a powerful and moving story you won’t soon forget.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

Antonina and Helena Dabrowska's father leaves for war in 1939, as the Germans are set to invade. Their city is destroyed, and things are changing in their city.

Marek, Antonina's boyfriend, must move into the ghetto. Antonina helps to shelter Jewish children. Helena joins the resistance. Both sisters must keep secrets.

This story is based on true stories of ordinary individuals who persevered.