Such a heartwarming story of a group of girlfriend as they navigate such major life events. I loved the story, the narrator, and each and every conflict that developed between the characters. I loved the story from the beginning, as this group of girls became blood sister and navigated separation between class, religion, and culture. This book was so well written that if kept you engaged and wanting more at each page. I look forward to reading more of Roberta Kagan's work, as she is a brilliant storyteller. I loved watching the ups and downs as these girls navigated friendship, jealousy, love, and compassion throughout Kegan's work.
So thankful for being given the opportunity to read The Pact and sending a special thanks to Roberta Kagan, NetGalley, and The Book Whisper publishing for allowing me to read this copy.

If you’re drawn to those breathtaking moments in a story, then ‘The Pact’ is a must-read, serving as the captivating opening act of a thrilling trilogy. Having just completed ‘The Pact’ and eagerly embarking on ‘My Sister’s Betrayal,’ I can confirm the series’ gripping nature. The prologue of ‘The Pact’ immediately hooked me, offering a rare perspective on pre-World War II experiences through the lens of teenage girls. What makes this story stand out is its adept blend of personal drama with the historical backdrop, subtly incorporating the era’s context without overwhelming the narrative. Roberta Kagan’s skillful storytelling kept me glued to the pages, evoking audible reactions to the twists of drama and betrayal. As a history enthusiast, I appreciated how the focus remained on the protagonists while seamlessly integrating historical nuances to enrich the storyline. With its potential to spark engaging discussions, ‘The Pact’ is poised to become a favored selection for book clubs. Kagan’s ability to captivate readers is evident, making her novels essential additions to any bookshelf. Highly recommended for readers of all ages, ‘The Pact’ promises an unforgettable journey through history and intrigue.

The Pact, by Roberta Kagan, follows three girls as they navigate the challenges of growing up in 1930s Austria. Anna, a young well-to-doo Jewish girl, befriends Elica and Bernie, two non-Jewish girls in this captivating coming of age story. Their pact, as blood sisters, becomes a symbol of their unbreakable bond as they face the challenges of growing up in a changing world. The girls' friendship is tested by religious differences and the rising tensions of the time. The story is beautifully written and explores the complexities of love, friendship, and loyalty.

While the narrator may not have been the strongest, the captivating storytelling makes up for it and keeps readers engaged until the very end.

Thank you NetGalley.

The Pact is written by Roberta Kagan about three girls, Anna, Bernie and Elicia that grew up in Vienna during WW2. I was drawn in by this emotional story as they had vowed to be blood sisters, and the challenges they must face as grow older.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for allowing me to listen to this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

The Pact is the story of four friends set in Vienna from 1929-1940. I felt this book's content and writing style was geared more toward middle grade than adult. This was one of the least realistic historical fiction WW2 books I've read, particularly Anna's relationship and naivety with Ulf. However, I enjoy the girls' relationships with each other - watching their friendships grow and change and drift, the jealously, the forgiveness - was relatable. This was a perfectly fine story that ended with a pretty big cliffhanger, and I will likely read the next book to see what happens with these characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for an audio copy in exchange for my honest review.

I did not finish this book because the narrator was hard to listen to. It was just too dramatized for my liking and felt juvenile. I was interested in the story but couldn’t get into it because of the narrator.

I enjoyed this book, although it did take me a little bit to get into. The beginning was super intense, but then the story dragged a little bit, which made it hard to stay engaged. I did enjoy it though. The audio version really added to the story.

The novel is well written and the narrator was really good as well. However the novel was quite slow at times and the dialogue seemed to repeat during some of the conversations.

This is a really good listen- I enjoyed the narrator. If you are a fan of historical fiction, coming of age, WWII era- you will enjoy this story!

Thank you for the ALC for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for allowing me to review this book!

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It immediately pulled you into the story. It lost a little momentum (for me) midway but picked back up towards the end, ending in a cliffhanger.

I enjoyed this perspective as well. Having read numerous WWII era books, I liked hearing more from the growing child’s perspective. The 4 girls with different backgrounds and upbringings made for an interesting combination and I enjoyed how their characters interacted. I am interested to see how the threads of this book continue in book 2!

The Pact writtten by Roberta Kagan and narrated by Imogen Church is a highly compelling novel about three friends in WW2 Vienna; The book-loving Anna, from a rich, Jewish family. Bernie, a girl struggling with her sexuality, Elica, the daughter of Anna's family's maid and also Dagna, from a poor family and the antagonist of the group.

A key point, is when Anna gets a doll for her birthday that Anna had been dreaming of owning, but could never afford, looking in the shop window every day after school. Anna is conflicted, but has a very kind heart, so when Elica runs away from Anna's birthday partty after the doll was given, Anna chooses to find her friend a few days later and give he doll to her. The conversations between Anna and her parents after this are very insightful and reflect the best of the empathetic and thoughtful nature of the interpersonal relationships

The story begins in 1929, when resentment against Jewish people was building in Germany due to extensive propoganda. Anna, Bernie and Elica want to cement their bond and so, they choose to make a blood pact, however, after they have cemented their friendship, Dagnar overhears them talking about it, and under the threat of her telling Berie and Elica's parents about them mixing their blood with a jew, they allow her into the group, despite their ardent dislike of her. This theme follows throughout, Dagnar being so desperate for friends, that she is manipulative, in the worst ways possible. Her intolerance of anybody different is sadly the thoughts of the majority at the time, instead of the few

As the girls get older and start mixing with boys and different friends, more complications infiltrate the friendship dynamic; Dagnar begins to steal nice things for the very pretty Elica, both of them being the poorest but both materilaistic. She fans the flames of resentment between Elica and Anna, fracturing the bonds, when beforehand, they were the closest of the whole group, also driving a wedge between Bernie and the others

(Bernie is one of my favourite characters, the defender, the brave friend who does not tolerate Dagna's bigotry and spite)

Each one of the girls can be seen as a representative of each side involved in the holocaust and as such, this book is essential reading/ listening in respect of historical fiction that tells of a time between wars when soceity began to change in Germany and Austria in the worst way posssible.

I am looking forwrd to reading more from Roberta Kagan, the dialogue is perfect, the historical research is on point and the narrative is 100% compelling.

Thank you to Netgalley, Dreamscape Select I Storm Publishing, the author Roberta Kagan and narrator Imogen Church for this stunning ALC. My review is left voluntarily and the opinions within are my own

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱?
Austria 1929

When three little girls—Anna, Bernie, and Elica—make a pact to be blood sisters for life, they believe nothing can come between them.

Anna is of the Jewish faith. Her father owns a factory, and her family wants for nothing. But of all her riches, none are more valuable than her friends.

Elica and Bernie are Christians, both from poor families and living within scant conditions in the poor sector of town.Though this never affected the three girls' love for one another. Their blood bond made at the tender age of eight made them sisters for life.

With the Jewish hate seeping into Austria and the Holocaust brewing in the background, will these life-long friendships be tested?

Love , jealousy, bitterness, and forgiveness all play a part in the Sisterhood's lives. Not only religion but social standards can destroy relationships

♥︎ The author's writing style was immediately engaging, and I instantly had a connection with the characters. She painted such a realistic picture of the political climate in Austria, I felt I was there in the midst of the caous.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by #imogenchurch, who is brilliantly talented and brought the characters in this book to life.

I can't wait to read/listen to the next installment, especially with that cliffhanger we were left with!
This is definitely a promising start to the new series.

If you are a fan of historical fiction or anyone who believes in the bonds of sisterhood- this book is for you.

Thank you to netgally and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC.

The Pact is an emotional tale of three friends who vow to be blood sisters. We follow their lives from childhood to adulthood. Through racism and prejudice of many levels the women struggle to find peace and love. This book was very emotionally charged demonstrating the love of friendship. There is a lot of discrimination towards Jews in this book as it takes place around WW2. It is also a secular read so there is some language and closed door bedroom scenes. I really enjoyed reading this book and look forward to book 2. It ended in quite the cliff hanger.

YouTube Review: 04/24/24
YouTube Handle: KeenCat

I was captivated with just the opening sentences! Imogen Church is one of my favorite narrators and this was the best of the best with her character voices. I loved this book- so many different storylines for the characters and they all came together to show who the children became as adults. I cannot wait to read the next books in this series, it was so good!

The Pact is the first book in a series and I look forward to the following novels. This historical fiction details the stories of 3 girls who become blood sisters when they are young and how this group grows together during up to the beginning of WW2. Roberta included a LGBTQ themes in this book which was interesting to me set during this time in history. Loved the cliffhanger ending…

As always I enjoyed Imogen Church's narration of this novel. She always has great pacing and the variety of voices to enhance the telling of the story.

Thank you Net Galley, Roberta Kagan and Dreamscape Select for the opportunity to preview this audiobook. It is now available.

This was a beautiful told story of childhood friendships and the effect of external factors, tainting the innocence of these relationships as the girls grow older, set with a background of the Holocaust brewing in Germany and Austria. Set in 1929, Austria, when Nazi, Germany is spreading it's hate and cruelty against Jews. Three little eight year old girls, Anna, Bernie and Elicia made a blood pact to support each other always and became blood sisters. Anna, a sweet and kind girl, is from a rich Jew family and Elicia is their maid's daughter. Anna loved her friends deeply. Elicia and Bernie are from poor non Jews families. As they grew older their social differences challenges their bond several times. It's their story of survival amid heartbreaks, prejudice, discrimination and finding freedom and happiness. A superbly written book with intense emotions and painful experiences. Characters are defined thoroughly. Story of finding happiness and love in hatred filled surroundings.


Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher

Another terrific Historical Fiction that revolves around Hitler, this one taking place in Vienna, Austria. This is based on 4 little girls who are all friends (well, at least most of them are...) and they make a Blood Pact when they are very young...stating that they will always be Blood Sisters.

Anna is from a Jewish family and they have money and means.
Bernie is from a Catholic/Protestant family, and they are not rich by any means.
Elica has the same circumstances, but, her mother works for Anna's family, since she was just a baby.
Zagda...She is a mean girl...always was, and probably always will be.

As they grow up they share their thoughts, experiences, loves, families, etc...but through it all, they mostly stick together.

And then Hitler's regime comes into play...and their lives will never be the same.

This one really drew me in and grabbed on to my heart!
I was literally heartbroken on several different occasions in this book...but I loved it!
And once again, I would've liked to reach through the book and given a couple of smacks in the head to some of these girls!!

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!!

#ThePact by #RobertaKagan and narrated nicely by #ImogenChurch.
OF NOTE: Apparently this is book #1....which I did NOT know, and was blindsided by the ending...

Thoughts???

⭐️ Beautifully written and portrayed.
⭐️ Strong emotions throughout.
⭐️ Turmoil on many occasions.
⭐️ Love, family and religion, strong through it all...(for the most part)
⭐️ The amazing bonds of friendship (and family) never cease to amaze me!!!

Thanks so much to #NetGalley, #DreamscapeSelect and #StormPublishing for an ARC of the audiobook which was released on 4/12/24.
Strange thing though…I see the release date as 2023 in Goodreads…maybe the audiobook was just released… ??

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IG @ #BookReviews_with_emsr or
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Thanks so much for reading! And if you 'liked' my review, please share with your friends!! 📚⭐️

The Pact (The Blood Sisters #1)
by Roberta Kagan, narrated by Imogen Church

In Austria, 1929, three eight year old girls make a blood pact to be sisters for life, to be there for each other for life. Little did they know that Dagna, hater of just about everything and everyone, was watching and she threatened the girls unless she could join the blood pact. That is, she wanted to have a blood pact with poor Austrians Bernie and Elica but she refused to have a blood pact with Anna, who is from a rich Jewish family.

Through the years the girls deal with the jealousies of Elica and Dagna. Their selfishness and focus on what they didn't/couldn't have leads them down dangerous and dishonorable paths although they see what they do as getting what they deserve and what others don't deserve. Bernie and Anna are such good and compassionate characters and I could not help wishing they had the maturity and wisdom to separate themselves from Elica and Dagna.

This book is the first in a series of three books, with this one following the girls from eight years old to seventeen years old. Life is very dangerous for Jewish Anna and is made even more dangerous by her "friendship" with brutal and bitter Dagna and selfish and jealous Elica. Bernie has her own secret she must hide and Dagna knows her secret, making her at as much risk as Anna.

This story feels very much like a coming of age story since we spend so much time in the heads of these girls. Mostly we get the POV of Anna as her thoughts run in circles, trying to figure out, justify, and defend the actions of her friends and herself. Negotiating preteen and teen years is hard enough for any child but at this time Anna is facing the fact not only would Dagna like for her and her family to be dead but many more would do anything to destroy her family and those like them.

Imogen Church does a wonderful job with the narration. You will want to continue with the series since this book ends on a big cliffhanger. I'm hoping at least a few of the girls gain some emotional and mental maturity because I'd like to see them get past the unwise decision making of their teen years. Sweet Anna is so naive and I'm afraid that might be her nature going forward. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, because book #1 ended with someone in very dire straits.

Thank you to Dreamscape Select | Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

The Pact is a beautiful story about three friends and the trials of being a teenager, as well as the horror of what might happen during the Holocaust/WWII. Two friends are not Jewish, one is. This the story of them.

Netgalley provided this ARC audiobook to me for a fair and accurate review.

What a cliffhanger! I'll definitely check for the next release. This was a thrilling read!
3 girls signed a blood pact to become friends forever. As they grown up in Austria, WW2 on the horizon, their friendship gets tested.

I absolutely loved this book!!!

Many thanks to Net Galley and Dreamscape Select for an audio ARC of this book for an honest review.