This book was hard to get into at first, but the story was great. It was back and forth with ups and downs of this family in the middle of WW2. There is romance, war, triumph, and defeat. A perfect ending to a wonderful series!

Heartbreaking story of 3 sisters in Poland during WW2. Inspiring story of love, hope, resilience, determination and bravery. Slow burn that took a while to kick in, but still good and worth the wait. If you love story’s of the war then this book is definitely for you.

As always, Anna Stuart does not disappoint with her historical fiction books. I’m so glad to have gotten the opportunity to arc read two of them!

A powerful and emotional read. The courage of the 3 Polish sisters was amazing. Many heart in mouth moments as they face danger at every turn.

In this powerful World War II historical fiction novel, Anna Stuart brings life in occupied Poland to the forefront of the narrative. Focusing on sisters Hana, Zuzi, and Orla (as well as their grandmother, brother, mother, and loved ones) in the chaos of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising, Stuart brings the terror, exhilaration, and grief of the period to life in vivid detail. As all of them struggle with the death and destruction in the city, Hana must accept that Zuzi and Orla play their own roles in the resistance as part of a secret combat unit and a nurse respectively. In their desperation to reclaim the city and receive Allied aid, the women of Warsaw must continue the fight. Full of complex and powerful emotions like love, hope, and bravery in the face of true evil, Hana, Orla, and Zuzi’s alternating perspectives really add to the complexity and depth of this World War II novel. The character development in this novel is incredibly well done, as all three sisters are complex, powerful characters with unique backstories, yet their alternating perspectives do not overpower the other two storylines. A fascinating insight into the Warsaw Uprising, fans of historical fiction will definitely enjoy Stuart’s powerful and moving novel.

I love this series with “The War Orphan” being my favorite book!! This story is about a family trying to survive during WW2 in Warsaw. I’ve read many books taking place in Warsaw during WW2 and the Polish people have a special place in my heart. They endured such tragedy yet this story tells of the fierce determination to survive and endure. This book in particular had a lot of action so if you like that this book will be for you!

A part of history that I have never read or heard about, just an awful time for Poland. Hana, Zuzi, and Orla are such amazing women with Magda guiding them through life. The three sisters did amazing things throughout their lives. Their brother Jakob also was a fighter, his heroic deeds during this awful time in history.

I was immediately drawn into this story, the character and scene development was so great. I enjoyed this entire book.

I want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for this advanced copy. This is my honest review.

Enjoyed it, but not my favorite. "The Midwife of Auschwitz" (Book 1) was probably my favorite in the Women of War Series. I still need to read book 2. You do not need to read the previous books to enjoy the current one. This book centers around the Dąbrowska family. I'm not sure how the sisters were able to travel all over the city so safely? They would be off helping the resistance all day and return home without any problems. Traveling through the sewers had to be awful on so many levels. Babcia Kamilla was the most lively character, between throwing bombs and giving her granddaughters advice on men. She definitely didn't shy away from any subject. At times the story felt slow and a bit boring. I enjoyed seeing a continuation of Ana Kaminski's story through her husband and son.

Definitely recommend the book. I mostly enjoyed the story, writing style and characters. I liked how the book alternated Hana, Orla and Zuzi. The Armia Krajowa (AK) put up a great fight, but no one else showed up to help the uprising. (Stalin) I had no idea the devastation that Poland faced during WWII. Many of the cities were completely destroyed. I don't know how anyone survived. Then to survive the Nazis and have the Russians move in to take control. Look forward to reading more books by the author. Loved the cover of the book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bookouture through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is an action packed, busy book, and one which keeps you eagerly anticipating the next chapter. Its written brilliantly, and having read Anna's previous books, I would expect nothing less.
This is an amazing book, heart wrenching in parts, but definitely one to read!

I didn't realise how let down the people of Warsaw were in the Summer of 1944. What a powerful and troubling story. Really strong female characters and a story of hope and then the loss of hope.

Anna Stuart’s The Resistance Sisters offers a compelling and heartfelt exploration of resilience and love amidst the harrowing backdrop of Nazi-occupied Warsaw during World War II. This novel is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of familial bonds in the face of unimaginable adversity.

The Dabrowska family, central to the narrative, embodies a profound sense of unity and determination as they navigate the trials of wartime life. Each sister in the family is portrayed with distinct, vibrant qualities—ranging from hope to spunkiness—bringing depth and dynamism to the story. Their individual strengths and collective endurance provide a captivating lens through which the reader can engage with the historical and emotional realities of the period.

Stuart’s depiction of the Polish Resistance is both educational and evocative. Through her characters, readers gain insight into the complexities of resistance efforts and the personal sacrifices made by those who fought against the oppressors. The author’s meticulous attention to historical detail enriches the narrative, making it an enlightening read about a pivotal chapter in history.

As with many novels set during WWII, The Resistance Sisters tugs at the heartstrings, particularly because the historical context provides a constant reminder of the peril and tragedy that lie ahead. The emotional investment in the characters is intense, and the desire for a hopeful resolution is palpable. Stuart does deliver moments of respite and resolution, though the degree of "happily ever after" can feel somewhat incongruous with the gravity of the historical setting. This blend of hope and harsh reality might strike some readers as too optimistic given the dark times depicted.

Overall, The Resistance Sisters is a poignant and insightful read that successfully brings to light the stories of bravery and sacrifice during a dark period in history. It’s an important contribution to WWII literature, reminding us of the enduring human capacity for courage and love. I rate this book 4 stars, as the somewhat idealistic resolution felt slightly out of sync with the otherwise somber tone of the era.

Thank you to NetGalley and Anna Stuart for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

A superb book set in 1944 Poland, tells of a set of women who try to save and help the war effort.. Full of emotion and sometimes heart wrenching.
But it keeps your turning pages. Really enjoyed a different view of what these ladies did for their country and families.

Overall I found The Resistance Sisters to be …. Average. I thought the setting was fascinating - I don’t think I’ve ever read a book on the Warsaw Uprising. But I felt like the story really dragged, like not much was happening. It took me over a month to read this because I just couldn’t get into it.

I really liked Orla’s story of nursing and falling for a German fellow. How sweet it was to see Bronisław, one of Esther’s sons from The Midwife of Auschwitz!

Hannah’s story of passing notes across the city was wonderful too! I thought she was sweet, and I felt her heartache and fear so deeply.

Zuzi’s story should have been enthralling, but it was so boring. I mean come on, lady bombers?? Girl yes! But no. It was deeply boring. I ended up skimming most of her chapters because there just wasn’t much there.

Not my favorite of the Women of War series of standalones, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Mostly I just liked seeing characters from the Midwife books popping up.

A gripping World War Two novel following three Polish sisters who are each playing their part in the Polish resistance looking to recapture Warsaw.

The story is told from each of the three sisters points of view. You get an insight into their characters, the reasons they chose their roles, how they are each feeling and how close they are as a family.

Great for any historical fiction lover.

Interesting story behind a period of history I’m not too familiar with. I enjoyed reading about these women, their relationships and the courage to get through this period.

The Resistance Sisters by Anna Stuart

Anna Stuart is always a must-read author for me. Her writing impressed me by how she carefully sculptured all her characters. It's surprising the story and characters are kind of connected between her books. It's a pleasure to read the series or even as a stand alone.

The Resistance Sisters is a story about how the three sisters Hana, Zuzi, and Orla worked together to fight against the Nazi desperately during WW2. The story was too emotional and heart-broken. It was not easy to read if you were not ready. The author did a perfect job to bring you in the story by her writing.

This deserves a five stars rating and I highly recommend to you all.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for my copy.

Pub date: Aug 19, 2024

Every time I start a new Anna Stuart book, I prepare myself for the intense emotions that go along with it. This time was no different. The Resistance Sisters is about the heartbreaking experience the people of Warsaw went through during WW2. It's also a story of hope—that one day they will be free and they will be their own people.

The sisters in this book, Hana, Zuzi, and Orla, along with their mother, brother, and grandmother, were all written so well. This is one of my favourite things about Anna Stuart's writing: her characters. They are always written with so much care and depth; even characters who don't have a main role are so carefully written. I also love her inclusion of characters from other books in her books, even if only in a small way. For example, in this book, the son of Ana from The Midwife of Auschwitz has a prominent role in the book.

This book is full of absolutely heartbreaking moments followed by some lighter moments of joy. I loved that she was able to showcase that even through what they went through, they were still able to find some joy in some things, even as hard as it was.

My favourite character in this book, I think, was Babcia Kamilla, the girl's grandmother. She had been through so much in her life, and she always powered through as strongly as she could. She was also very feisty and quite funny at times too. Especially her little talk with Zuzi when they were trapped together.

If you haven't read Anna Stuart's books yet, I highly recommend you do! She has so many incredible stories she shares of the amazing women during the war. I always learn something new when I read her books. I haven't read a book of hers that I haven't loved yet!

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Thank you Bookouture for inviting me to be part of the Books on Tour for “The Resistance Sisters” by Anna Stuart. This story follows three sisters in Poland during WWII. After the Nazis murder their father, the sisters join the Resistance to avenge his death and set their country free.
I loved these sisters! They were devoted to their family and country. I did not know anything about the Warsaw Uprising so it was good to learn about another part of history. This is a wonderful book that I couldn’t put down.
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
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Hana, Zuzi and Orla loose their beloved father when he is murdered by the Nazis. And then when she lost her fiancé she knew that her life would never be the same. But as she and her sisters watch her beloved town be slowly taken over by the Nazis, she knows that she is the only one that can keep her family safe. Hana and her two younger sisters join the resistance each having their own mission. Zuzi is part of a secret female combat unit and Orla is a nurse in an underground hospital. Hana risks her life in the war ravaged streets to save her family. But as the war rages on more and more lives are taken and the devastation is unbearable. Hana and her sisters are running out of time to save those they love.

The Resistance Sisters, written by author Anna Stuart is an amazing story of incredible people that risked their own lives to save others. Stuart always pulls the reader into the story and makes them feel like they are walking the war torn streets. I loved this story of resilience, sacrifice and heart wrenching that moved me to tears. This gripping heart warming story had me desperate to read through to the very end, in one sitting. I was completely overwhelmed by the characters and they left me gasping for breath as they carried out the missions of the resistance. This wonderful historical fiction will definitely stay with me for a very long time. I loved it and I highly recommend it.

Books set in Poland during WWII seem to be the newest thing. I’m glad I chose this one. I’ve liked Anna’s books in the past and knew I wouldn’t be disappointed with this one. Hana, Zuzi and Orla are determined to help Poland be free of Germany. They each do their own part in the resistance. Their Babcia was my favorite character. Such a strong willed woman, she doesn’t care how old she is, she wants to do her part. And she has a frank conversations with Zuzi that had me laughing out loud while I read. This book is definitely worth picking up.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC of this book.