Member Reviews

WWII is one of my favorite genres to read. I became invested in the characters of the book; their lives were messy, convoluted, and much love was shared. The characters were flawed and easy to relate to.

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Thanks net galley for the second boom in this series, I read the first one and hope I get the opportunity to read the third book.
It’s Berlin 1938 the Nazis are in control of the country, and all Jews were in danger of their lives.
Michal and Tavvi after a separation were back together with their two daughters, but life was changing in Berlin.
Tavvi had been arrested after the night of the Kristallnacht, and Michal left her daughters to find out where he was.
Not knowing what was going to happen to her and her family.
Life from then on was horrendous for Michal her husband and her two daughters, and for every Jew living in Berlin.

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I will preface this by saying that WW2 historical fiction is one of my favourite genres and I’ve read many books that I’ve loved. Unfortunately, this was not one of them.

The story itself had potential. It really did show the terrible struggles faced by people, particularly Jewish people, during WW2. However, I felt the ending of the book was a bit abrupt and we never got to know the outcome for a few of the characters in the book.

I did not enjoy the writing style at all. The sentences felt choppy. There was also too much repetition for me. For example, you’d learn something about a character in one chapter and then in the next chapter about that same character that same fact would be said again. It felt redundant to me and took away from the experience. I much prefer a show don’t tell type of reading experience.

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Reading a novel written by Roberta Kagan is akin to experiencing yourself in the situations. The gritty reality is astounding in this novel - particularly the depiction of the brutality of the female guards in the all female concentration camp at Ravensbruck. This novel is the continuation of the story that began with Michal’s Destiny and is overwhelming in its depiction of families being separated without any reason other than their religion.. The book is a part of our history and should be read by all and I thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

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Kristallnacht

Taavi and Michal finally found their way back together, and they now have a good life. Taavi and Lev own a furniture shop and have a good business. Michal and Taavi now have two daughters, Alina and Gilda. Everything is going good for them until the fatal night of Kristallnacht when all their lives were changed forever.

During Kristallnacht Taavi was arrested for trying to help Alina’s boyfriend when he was attacked by Hitler youth. Michal went to the police station to find out where Taavi was and try to get him home. Neither of them returned home.

Alina and Gilda went to live with Lev and Lotti until their parents returned. No one knew what had happened to Michal and Taavi.

This is book two in the series. It tells the story of Taavi, Michal, Alina and Gilda after Kristallnacht. It is a sad story. It also tells the story of Lev and Lotti and her brother Johan.

The story brings to life how horribly the Nazi’s treated the Jewish people. It tells of the horrors of the concentration camps and of the treatment of those gentiles that were married to Jewish people.

It is a story of courage and of survival. A story of mistakes, and of redemption for the mistakes. A story of life during one of the most difficult times in history and how two families worked to survive, although some did not.

You will need a few tissues to read this one, tears will fall as you read of the horrors inflicted on a group of people for no reason other than their religion, or their perceived differences to the Nazi’s.

It is a good story and you will be glad you read it. I recommend this story and I can’t wait for book 3 in the series.

I received a copy for free. The review and the words are my own.

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An intense and riveting sequel to Michal’s Destiny that no one will want to put down. I don’t see that Alina did anything shameful in doing what she could to give her son a good life with women who consented and were well treated and well paid.

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