Amazing book! I've read quite a bit of books related to World War II and the Holocaust and am always fascinated at the uniqueness of them.
The plot moves between CA 2005 and the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II. It is suspenseful, gripping and, as always, disturbing.
Yet, the tale that Barr has spun stayed with me long after I finished the book.
She is an adept writer and the book is great!

This was an easy 5 star for me. One of the best WWII fiction books I have ever read. I bought my best friend a copy for Christmas because I loved it so much. It was a different perspective than your typical WWII fiction.

Lisa Barr one of my favorite authors has done it again. The Goddess of Warsaw does not disappoint even though you may feel you have read too many Holocaust and WWII books. Ok that was what I was feeling and I should not project that on you. I was going to take a quick flip through this book and return it to the library when I got totally sucked right in.

This is the story of Bina Blonoski is a conglomeration of te women who lived through the Warsaw Ghetto and the Holocaust. She is the fictional character who represents the powerful woman who wanted to fight back and not sit by while the Nazis were killing the Jews of Poland.

Bina, her husband Jakub and his brother Alexander are living in the Ghetto and become involved with a group that is planning the uprising. Jakub is a writer and wants to record the story of their lives in the Ghetto for future generations to see what happened in Poland in 1943. Bina and Alexander follow the leader of the resistance, Zelda to fight back wen the Nazis enter the Ghetto to kill or take the remaining people to concentration camps.

We follow lives of the people in the Ghetto, learn about where they came from and background of their lives before the war. Then we follow Bina as she survives the war and becomes the famous Hollywood actress, Lena Browning. Author Barr gives the reader a picture of how the years of living through hell can affect a person for life. When she learns about Operation Paperclip, her past comes back to haunt her and the assassin, spy that is locked deep inside comes back to her as she deals out a justice of her own.

So well written and engaging you will not want to put it down.

This was the second book I've read by Lisa Barr after Woman on Fire and definitely an interesting take on wartime in Warsaw. However, I found Bina/Lina's obsession with her brother-in-law quite annoying which distracted overall from the book. Thanks to NetGalley and Harper for an advance copy.

I've loved the author's previous books, so was very excited to get an early copy of The Goddess of Warsaw! Unfortunately, this one fell a little flat for me, but I'm definitely in the minority. I liked this book, but it felt pretty disjointed at times and there was a bit too much going on. I never felt fully immersed in the book or its story, which might be due to the characters not really feeling fleshed out. We kind of got thrown right in without any back stories or context, which was a bit frustrating. I loved all the parts about the resistance and old Hollywood, and it had an absolutely wild ending that I did not see coming at all! Overall, a solid book but something was definitely missing for me. Looking forward to see what Lisa Barr does next! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The Goddess of Warsaw stands out as one of the most compelling historical fiction releases of 2024, offering a fresh perspective on World War II through the remarkable story of Bina Blonski. From the Warsaw Ghetto, this gripping narrative follows a wealthy Polish Jewish woman who transforms herself into a spy and assassin, fighting against Nazi occupation from within.
What sets this novel apart is its unique framing device: an aging Bina, now living as the celebrated Hollywood actress Lena Browning, reveals her extraordinary past to an unsuspecting reporter. The dual timeline masterfully weaves together the horrors of the Warsaw Ghetto with the glittering facade of post-war Hollywood, creating a poignant exploration of identity, survival, and reinvention. As Bina/Lena shares her story, we witness how a privileged young woman became both a resistance fighter and, later, one of cinema's most beloved stars—all while keeping her true identity hidden from the world.
The Goddess of Warsaw reminds us that behind every assumed identity lies a story waiting to be told, and some of the greatest heroes of history may be hidden in plain sight.
I believe this book could be transformed to a movie or series. I am recommending to all ages who enjoy historical fiction and women's fiction. I am also recommending to Book Clubs as a top choice for historical fiction.

I loved the dual timeline of this book. Seeing two different generations of Hollywood starlets come to understand each other was really enjoyable. Sienna idolized Lena, but Lena had no desire to get to know the girl that was supposed to be the next her.

In Lena’s POV we learn about her experiences during WWII, always a favorite timeframe for me. It was fascinating to see how a Polish Jewish woman was able to survive the horrors of the ghetto and war and remake herself into a Hollywood star.

I read this one with a book club and we all agreed that this book was wonderful. I’ll definitely be reading more of Lisa Barr’s books.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Perennial for my ARC of this book.

This book is a historical -fiction and dual timeline, and it is well-written. Lots of suspense and times where I felt very on edge reading it. It didn't grab me as much as Barr's previous book Woman on Fire did, though. Overall a solid read, but I wanted more from the dual timeline perspective. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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.