This historical novel begins in 2005, when 85 year old famous Hollywood actress Lena Browning is approached by a young actress who wants to direct and star in a biopic about Lena’s life. Lena agrees, but on one condition - she’s going to finally reveal the real truth about her past. The book then goes back to the Warsaw Ghetto in 1943, when Lena was a young Jewish woman named Bina Blonsky who gets involved with the resistance movement, doing things she never thought she was capable of.

This was such a great book, I totally could not put it down! With its mix of wartime sadness and strength, and the. Hollywood glamour, it’s like a cross between a WWII book by Martha Hall Kelly/Kate Quinn/Pam Jenoff/name your favorite WWII author here with The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I enjoyed author Lisa Barr’s last book, Woman on Fire, but this book was just on a whole other level! Highly recommend.

4.5 stars

wow what a book!!! from first chapter it will have you hooked. the characters are competing. won't be able to put it down. had to find out the outcome. doesn't disappoint at all. great discussion book for any age group or venue.

The Goddess of Warsaw
A Novel
by Lisa Barr
Pub Date May 28 2024
Harper Perennial and Paperbacks |Harper Paperbacks
General Fiction \(Adult\)| Mystery & Thrillers| Women's Fiction


Harper Perenial and Paperbacks and Netgalley provided me with a copy of The Goddess Of Warsaw for review:


An enthralling tale about a legendary Hollywood screen goddess with a dark secret about her life in the Warsaw Ghetto. When the famous actress is threatened by someone from her past, she must put her skills into play to protect herself, her illustrious career, and those she loves, then and now.  The famous actress must utilize her skills to protect herself, her illustrious career, and those she loves when she is threatened by someone from her past.  


The year is 2005, in Los Angeles. Hollywood's latest It Girl, Sienna Hayes, aspires to work behind the camera. When Sienna meets Lena Browning, the incredibly mysterious and famous Golden Age movie star, she sees her big break. Lena's murky past turns out to be even darker than Sienna imagined when she wants to direct a movie about her life. Lena Brow was Bina Blonski a Polish Jew whose family and life were destroyed by the Nazis before she became a Living Legend.


1943, Warsaw. With the rest of Warsaw's surviving Jews, Bina Blonski and her husband Jakub are imprisoned in the ghastly, cramped ghetto. Bina, a beautiful blonde Aryan-looking Jew determined to fight back against the Nazis, becomes a spy. She gathers information outside the ghetto and steals weapons. She is placed in an even more dangerous situation when she falls in love with Aleksander, a resistance ally and Jakub's brother. Lena sacrifices much in order to accomplish amazing feats of bravery.


A decade after escaping the ghetto, Bina, now known as Lena, rises to fame in Hollywood. Although she longs for revenge against the Nazis who escaped justice after the war, she cannot help but be reminded of her old life. Lena's power and fame as a movie star can help her put right the past's wrongs and perhaps even bring her a happy ending.


I give The Goddess Of Warsaw five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

I LOVED this book so much. I loved it so much, I bought it when it was published after I read my ARC. The rave reviews across the board are not an exaggeration, this book is exceptional. I don't think I will ever forget Bina Blonski and her fight to escape the Warsaw ghetto during WWII, and the heartbreaks she endured. I speak as if she were a real person, and that is how this book made me feel. I felt as though I was reading a true story, due to the meticulous research Barr obviously did in the writing of this book. And what an ending!

Goddess of Warsaw presents an ambitious and sweeping narrative set against the tumultuous backdrop of World War II. The story follows its strong female protagonist as she navigates the chaos and devastation of her city, grappling with loss and resilience. The author’s vivid descriptions bring the historical setting to life, creating an immersive experience that captures the urgency and despair of wartime Poland. The themes of love, sacrifice, and survival are compelling, making for an engaging premise that draws readers in.

However, while the story is rich in potential, it sometimes struggles with pacing and character development. Certain plot points feel rushed, leaving little time for deeper emotional connections to form. Additionally, some secondary characters lack the depth needed to make their arcs impactful. Overall, Goddess of Warsaw offers an intriguing glimpse into a pivotal time in history, but it ultimately leaves readers wanting a more nuanced exploration of its themes and characters.

Another very well done WWII story. Not typical but very good and insightful into the hardships faced during the war, and after.

An incredible story of life in the Jewish ghetto during World War II. I loved how bad ass Bins Blonski was. She knew no fear and stood up for the Jewish people as best she could. She fought with no regard for herself for her fellow man. Her one flaw? She was in love with her husbands brother. This would be her downfall.
Lisa Barr writes the most beautiful stories and every one of them have made me cry. She knows how to pull on your heart strings but you'll also learn so much from the time period she showcases. This one taught me so much about the conditions of the ghetto and how they fought for food and life every day. Such a poignant read, worth every bit of your time.

This book starts in the present then quickly steps back to Warsaw during WWII. The first chapter really grabbed me and I was anxious to read it. The writing was great and flowed well, the story line was intriguing. However...I just really did not like the main character as she was in the WWII timeframe. I kept trying to finish the book, but only read a few pages at a time - just didn't jive with her. Perhaps it just wasn't the right time for me to read this one. I have requested it on audio from my library and will give it another try.

I have not published a public review yet since I didn't finish the book. If I finish it and my opinion changes, I will update this feedback and write a public review. I would prefer not to give it a star rating until I finish it, but NetGalley requires one.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

Review will be posted on 9/20/24

It's 2005 and Lena Browning is a Hollywood star. But Lena wasn't always the version of herself that everyone has come to know and love. In the 1940s she lived in the Warsaw Ghetto and saw horrific things that people can only imagine. She and husband lived in squalor while the Germans controlled everything. Lena, who was known as Bina then, once lived a beautiful life as an actress and she was the daughter of a prominent architect, but due to her Jewish background that all fell apart thanks to the German invasion. Bina, determined to help her people, joins Aleksander, her brother-in-law, in the resistance. She somehow survives the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, which is a moment that changed her life forever. As the years go by, she remakes her life in Hollywood, all while trying to conceal the secrets of her past. Maybe Lena shares more in common with the femme fatales she plays on the screen than viewers originally thought. Lisa Barr's The Goddess of Warsaw is a memorable historical tale that fans of WWII fiction will appreciate.

I really loved the character of Lena/Bina in The Goddess of Warsaw. She was such a strong woman and has endured so much, how could you not root for her? While she isn't perfect (she was in love with her brother-in-law!), she still had to endure so much and make so many difficult choices. Nonetheless, she survived and made it to Hollywood, but you can run from your past. Lena will be faced with more difficult decisions and the prospect of her past coming to center stage despite the many years that have gone by.

Barr covers so many upsetting moments in history, such as the mistreatment of Jewish people, the Warsaw Ghetto, the limited food rations, the rounding up of individuals being forced to go to concentration camps, the abuse of Jewish children and women, and so much more. Still, she does it all with much sensitivity. I knew a fair amount about the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, but seeing it through Bina's lens really brought it to life and made it very emotional. It's upsetting to think of the Jewish people of Poland endured and how many Jewish lives were lost, which is why The Goddess of Warsaw is such a powerful novel.

This is my first novel I've read by Lisa Barr, but it certainly won't be the last. If you enjoy Kate Quinn's novels, The Goddess of Warsaw would be a good fit. Let me know in the comments if you've read this book and if you are a fan of WWII fiction.

I loved Woman on Fire and was expecting the same kind of storytelling.
The overall plot was okay but there were a few things that made this a tough one to get through. One being that there were too many over the top moments with overly dramatic dialogue. This is a WWII historical fiction novel that felt more like a general fiction drama. Also, a major part of the story is the main character’s love interest which I know many other reviewers, including myself, were not a fan of. It seemed like unnecessary messiness added to the plot. I liked the idea of the book based on the description and I will keep reading this author’s books because I really enjoyed her previous one.

Review: The Goddess of Warsaw by Lisa Barr 5⭐️

The harrowing and ultimately triumphant tale of a Jewish WWII assassin turned Hollywood starlet.

Historical Fiction is my most read genre and because of that I’m very discerning with my WWII picks. I cannot rave about how fresh and unique The Goddess of Warsaw is for this oversaturated genre. It’s best to go into this blind but this story takes you on a wild ride through a Jewish woman’s life who is willing to do anything to survive - making impossible decisions that will shape her life forever. The Goddess of Warsaw is full of secrets, lies, suspense, and twists that kept me guessing until the very end.

Such a good story that propels you along to the sad conclusion. The descriptions of the Nazis in the Warsaw ghetto were terrifying. The torn feelings that Bina had for both her brother in law and her husband left me on pins and needles.

The Goddess of Warsaw by Lisa Barr. Pub Date: May 28, 2024. Rating: 5 stars. All of the stars for this novel. Honestly, this story was beyond anything I have ever read in the WWII historical fiction genre and it pulled at my heartstrings and did not let go until the very end. I read this novel within 24 hours, was engrossed in the main character's story and the absolute devastation she had to go through to make it out alive. Her determination, grit and perseverance led this book and I was constantly amazed by her character. I think the WWII historical fiction can be oversaturated at times, but this definitely was a story that has been positively added to the genre. I highly recommend this novel. I think it will be one of my favorite novels of 2024. Thanks to #netgalley and #harperperennial for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

You know it is a good book when as reading the book, you are sure that the story must be based on a real life story.

While the ending of the story got a little farfetched for me, it was still a great book that I found I could not put down. This would make a fantastic movie.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I have read many books about WWII regarding the role that women played covertly or directly. They have all stayed with me like few books I have read. The story of the Goddess of Warsaw is one of those that I will never forget. The sacrifices that were made, the risks were taken, and the pain that was suffered by all who went through this hellish experience are unimaginable. Through reading their story, their experiences become real and raw. These are atrocities that we must never forget. As hard has they are to read and even harder they must be to research and write, we owe it to the people who suffered at the hands of immense evil.

While this book felt a little over the top and made for TV, it was still entertaining. It had more energy and excitement than a typical WWII book which felt fresh and I appreciated. Lena was a fun and inspiring character.

I LOVED this book!!! An awesome historical fiction, femme fatale story. A story of resilience, heartbreak, redemption, and revenge. The characters were believable, I loved the writing. The suspense and build up were chef’s kiss! Definitely add this one to your list!

My review will be no lower than 4.5 stars, but I am reading in progress. Apologize for lateness of review. Will edit this as soon as possible.

This is riveting and compelling historical fiction that made this reader think about the rise in antisemitism in our present day world and how we can’t allow anything like the horror of the Warsaw Ghetto, Holocaust or antisemitic laws to ever happen again. I loved this femme fatale story of a woman who persists in surviving against all odds to live and avenge the deaths of her loved ones and many others by becoming a Hollywood starlet and assassin. It was an excellent novel and I recommend.

Lisa Barr does it again with her newest novel! I am always enthralled by her writing and this book is no exception.

Dual timelines, some Hollywood glam and a side of WWII that isn’t overly written about in the HF genre.

I loved the main characters, Bina - a total badass that stands up for herself and her people and despite going through hell and back - continues to be strong and resiliant.

This book was engaging, shocking, eye opening and fascinating.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for providing this book, with my honest review below.

The Goddess of Warsaw has earned all its buzz, it’s a beautiful story that goes deep and leaves the reader with all kinds of emotions.

Taking place in World War 2, I’ve read books in similar veins that feel manipulative of the reader, expanding on horrific events but seemingly to elicit a reaction. Not this one. It reads genuinely and despite being fiction felt like a true (if crazy) story. Bina/Lena was a main character like no other and the writing is perfect given the events of the story which would have been made less by another author.

Whether you’re a fan of historical fiction or not the story here is engrossing and this book is heartfelt and a standout - it must be read.