I very much appreciated the offer to download this particular book. I really enjoyed the premise as I love reading historical fiction especially stories taking place during World War II when possible. I appreciate the opportunity from NetGalley to have an early look at stories such as this thank you so much.

I found this quite slow to start, but I flew through the second half of the book.

It was informative and heart breaking. I really enjoyed the characters & the resistance. I didn't know much about the Theresienstadt ghetto before reading this and it was certainly eye opening.

I would have liked some more closure on what happened with Hilde at the end.

Huge thanks to NetGalley & Sourcebooks Landmark for an advance copy!

This story presents the contrasting viewpoints of two German women living through World War Two and the Holocaust.

Twenty-year-old Hilde Kramer, naive and desperate after her husband's death, strives to serve the Reich. She believes Germany is winning the war and that a bright future awaits.

Hannah, a young Jewish girl in Prague, faces a harsh reality. Her family secures travel papers to Palestine, but when Hannah gets sick, her grandmother takes her place. Later,
Hannah and her grandfather find themselves prisoners in a labour camp. The emotional burden and constant fear take a toll on Hannah, who tries to convince herself the war will soon end. Her maturity develops as she confronts the brutal truth.

The story is emotionally heavy, exposing the horrors endured by Jewish people and many others during the Holocaust. The initial naivity of the characters is frustrating as they don’t understand the depth of the severity of the situation. I was impressed by the author’s writing. The story reflects the immense amount of time and effort invested into thorough research and writing vivid historical details.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmarks. I recommend this book to anyone who might be interested in the events surrounding World War Two, as it offers an emotionally-charged fictional perspective through the eyes of young women.

I had previously read the Cradles of the Reich by this author and decided to give this book a read. We first met Hilda in the Cradles of the Reich, this is a continuation of her story as a Nazi enthusiast. The other main character is Hannah whose family was torn apart trying to escape the occupied territory of Prague.
With any story, you have an introduction to characters and the author did a good job of setting up the story. I skimmed through most of the mid section as there was nothing that held my attention nor sparked my interest.. 3/4 of the way into the book it began to become more interesting and I am glad I persevered. The story really came together, and I became more invested in the characters. Unfortunately, it sped up so quickly that I felt the end was very rushed. I am happy there was an epilogue, but still a lot of questions unanswered I appreciate the author’s notes and her research.
If you are a person who enjoys historical fiction and stories about WW II. I think you would enjoy this book. I seem to always learn something new about that time I never knew before. 3.5 stars
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Both a sad but yet interesting heart felt story of the Nazi created Theresienstadt, which was used basically as their ghetto for creating propaganda films and Red Cross Inspections.

I loved that the story was so descriptive and that the author actually set foot on the grounds of the former ghetto and explored the different scenes, the artwork that was mentioned and the town of Terezin.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jennifer Coburn and Sourcebooks Landmark publishing for this e-arc book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the author’s second historical novel, following Cradles of the Reich, which was just as deeply moving and grounded in historical fact. Like its predecessor, this novel offers an intensely emotional and thoroughly researched portrayal of life in a Jewish ghetto camp during World War II.

The book immerses readers in the harrowing reality of life in the Theresienstadt ghetto, where Jews were dehumanized, starved, and subjected to unspeakable horrors. It’s difficult to come to terms with the fact that such atrocities occurred—and that they could very well happen again if we forget the lessons of history.

At the heart of the story are two childhood friends, Hannah and Hilde. Hannah, a Jewish girl, and Hilde, a German, had once been inseparable. But as the war escalated, their lives took starkly different paths. After Hannah and her grandfather (Opa) were sent to Theresienstadt, her grandfather, believing they had moved to a peaceful lakeside cottage, realized far too late the horrifying truth. Unable to join them, Hannah's parents and other family members managed to escape, leaving her and her grandfather to endure the camp’s horrors.

Meanwhile, Hilde, a German girl steeped in Nazi ideology, believed the propaganda that Jews were the source of all Germany's ills. She was cold-hearted and self-serving, willing to do anything to get ahead, and her lack of empathy for those suffering was chilling.

Within Theresienstadt, many Jewish prisoners were forced to work in the glimmer factory, just to survive. Despite the horrific conditions, the ghetto became home to a community of talented individuals—musicians, teachers, artists—who continued to create, entertain, and educate the children who still had hope.

The author’s meticulous research is evident throughout the book, and at the end, there’s a section detailing the sources and interviews that shaped the story. I appreciate how thoroughly the author has woven historical facts into this narrative, making it an incredibly immersive and thought-provoking read.

For more reviews and bookish posts visit: https://www.ManOfLaBook.com


The Girls of the Glimmer Factory by Jennifer Coburn is a historical fiction book, taking place in Theresienstadt during World War II. Ms. Coburn is a published author and writer of historical fiction and non-fiction books and articles

Hannah Kaufman is a Jewish prisoner in Theresienstadt, a model ghetto used for propaganda purposes. The plan is to make a movie, showing the world how great the Jewish people are living in the camps.

Hilde Kramer is an aspiring filmmaker and a true believer in the Nazi movement. She joins the Reich Ministry of Enlightenment and Propaganda to make a name for herself by creating a documentary in Theresienstadt.

One of the more disturbing aspects of The Girls of the Glimmer Factory by Jennifer Coburn is how the German Jews, a patriotic bunch, refused to believe that their country had left them. Contrary to reality they truly believed that the Nazi Party is simply resettling them.

Theresienstadt was supposed to be a model camp and managed to pull the wool over the eyes of the world, which wanted to believe their lies. The residents of the camp, still being worked to death, were famous musicians, artists, and members of academia who managed to bring to life a vibrant cultural scene.
regardless of its status as a “model camp”, life there was still hellish.

While the book started slowly, I thought the insight into the life at Theresienstadt were well written. And while I certainly didn’t connect with Hilde, her character study is very interesting, while Hannah’s character seemed more distant. I just wish there was more about the effects of misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda on the German people and the world at large, Hilde’s story was the perfect vehicle for that.

The book is told through the alternating point of view of Hannah and Hilde. Hannah stuck in the camp, is only there because her grandfather refused to leave while they had the chance. Hilde is a fanatic which will stop at nothing until she succeeds.

I still have only a vague idea of what the “glimmer factory” really is. It’s not very important to the story, but it’s in the title. As with many other historical fiction books, I enjoyed the author’s notes of what was history, and what was fiction.

The Girls of Glimmer Factory
Author Jennifer Coburn

Thank you, @suzyapprovedbooktours, @jennifercoburnbooks, @bookmarked, and @netgalley, for my #gifted copy of this phenomenal historical fiction read. I read and learned so much from Jennifer's historical fiction novel, Cradles of the Reich, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read another novel based on a true story during WWII.

Two different women leading wildly different lives are brought together during a time in WWII that many have never even learned about. Beautifully researched and inspired by the Nazi "show camp," this heartbreaking but compelling novel begins with Hannah, a young woman who becomes imprisoned with her grandfather at Theresienstadt, a "model camp" set up by the Nazis to film propaganda films to convince the world that the Jewish people were being treated well. Hilde, a childhood friend of Hannah's, has her own motives and wants to film a documentary about the model camp and will do anything in her power to become acquainted with those who can help her along the way. But when the two collide at Theresienstadt, their motives do not follow the same path.

The Girls of Glimmer Factory refers to the mica that the young women in the "model camp" "mined" with their bare hands, is a truly unique story of friendship and the dangers of propaganda as well as an eye- opening dive into yet another one of WWII"s lesser known evils. The Associated Press is quotes saying that Jennifer Coburn sets "a high bar for historical fiction," and I could not agree more!

This is the second historical by this author. Cradles of the Reich was a heartbreaking story based on facts as is this book.

This book was so well researched and takes you inside a Jewish ghetto camp where humans were treated like animals. Starved and many horrors facing them daily. It's heartbreaking to know these things happened and very possibly could happen again.

Hannah and Hilde had been best friends in younger years. Hannah was Jewish and Hilde a German.

Hannah and her grandfather/Opa were sent to Theresienstadt. Her grandpa thought they bought a cottage by the lake. It was a ghetto camp for the Jews. Hannah's parents, brother, and grandmother, had fled before they could be taken from their home. Hannah was sick with smallpox and could not go so her grandpa took care of her.

Hilde was a German who thought the Jews were awful and dirty. The soul reason for all that was wrong with Germany. That was what she had been taught and she believed it. She had no empathy for the Jewish people. She was a very smug young lady. She didn't have high standards or morals either. She did whatever it took to get what she wanted.

Hannah and many Jews were in the Theresienstadt ghetto. Many worked in the glimmer factory. Everyone had a job. They had to have to survive. This place was horrible but the prisoners did the best with what they had. Many very smart and talented people were here. From musicians to teachers. They entertained and did what they could to teach the younger children.

Not many of the hundreds of thousands sent to this camp lived. Some did though and went on to tell the world what really happened here. Despite the propaganda film made the truth would be told.

This book is so well researched and at the end you can read exactly what the author did to gain the information used in this novel. The people she spoke with. The places she visited. I love a well researched novel and this one is exceptionally done.

This book is so heartbreaking and open. It made me shed many many tears. It is very hard to believe that not that long ago these things happened. Let us please remember and not let it happen again.

Thank you #NetGalley, #SourcebooksLandmark, for this ARC.

Five big stars.

A WWII story told from two very different POVs. Hilde is a 20 year old widow that supports the Reich while trying to be a filmmaker. Her childhood friend, Hannah, is taken to a Jewish Ghetto named Theresienstadth which the nazis have created as an illusion to pass inspectionst from the Red Cross and to use to make propaganda films showing how well the Jews are treated at Hitlers Gift for the Jews. The camp was hell with little food, bed bugs and disease. The Jews found beauty in the arts, using plays and music to survive.

This was a well researched book and I learned more about the events of WWII. I can never fully imagine how terrible life was in the camps. The girls in the glimmer factory were the girls who got assigned to work splitting mica by hand. Hilde was an unlikable character but I was surprised by her in the end. It was a little slow moving but it’s definitely worth a read if you enjoy historical fiction.

The Girls of the Glimmer Factory tells the story of Theresienstadt, the Nazis “model” ghetto used during World War II to prevent the world from discovering the true horrors of the Holocaust. It was this encampment that Red Cross workers were shown, and even then, everything was a farce.

Told in two different points of view, we get a real picture of Jewish and gentile life in both the Czech Republic and Germany during the war. Jennifer Coburn holds nothing back with her two protagonists who show us life inside a Nazi concentration camp and life working for the Reich.

Hannah Kaufman’s family saw the writing on the wall and fled Berlin for Prague; only their troubles followed them. Seeing Nazi propaganda machine take root in Prague, the family made plans to flee again, this time to Palestine. Only not everything goes to plan, and Hannah and her grandfather Oskar end up as prisoners in Theresienstadt. Though considered a transit camp, make no mistake the Jews suffered here as well, living in fear of being sent east. Like many Jews, Hannah rebelled and did what she could to save lives and share the truth of what was really happening in these “work camps”.

Hilde has always wanted to be a star, since performing in plays at school as a child. When her husband is killed in action, she flees her mother in laws home to head back to the city to make her dreams come true. Working for the Reich is not exactly what she expected and there are certain “tradeoffs” expected of her to advance, but Hilde is willing to do it to get what she wants. When she finally has a chance to help make a documentary at Theresienstadt, this Nazi sympathizer is ready to show the world how generous Hitler is to the Jew’s with this camp---only when she arrives and discovers her childhood friend, she is surprised to understand what “the final solution” actually entails.

Coburn’s newest novel doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable and ugly truths of antisemitism and war. This is both a story of perseverance and evil and at times is hard to read but should be told. If you are a fan of historical fiction, add this one to your list.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and of course the author Jennifer Coburn for the advanced copy of the book. The Girls of Glimmer Factory is out on now. All opinions are my own.

The Girls of the Glimmer Factory by Jennifer Coburn is a sad tale that reflects on friendship and the dangers of propaganda through the eyes of two very different young women, Hannah and Hilde.
Hannah is a young Jewish woman who moved to Czechoslovakia with her family as they feared for their future in a Germany under Nazi policy, Unfortunately the danger followed them with the occupation of ther new home and while several family members were able to flee to Palestine Hannah and her Grandfather were forced to stay behind, a twist of fate that would see them both ending up at Theresienstadt, a model ghetto camp used by the Nazis for propaganda purposes and to distract inspectors from organisations like the Red Cross, Depicted as a relatively luxurious place where the Jewish inmates were free to work in the arts and had plenty to eat and comfortable lodgings, the reality was somewhat different and far less pleasant. Survival was no mean feat and a determined Resistance within the camp sought to not only help the people trapped inside but also to alert the outside world about what was really going on within camp walls. Hannah, against her better judgement finds herself working with this resistance when a chance encounter with an almost forgotten childhood friend gives her an opportunity she never dreamed of
Hilde is a proud German woman, vocal in her support of the Reich and now working in the Ministry of Enlightenment and Propaganda. She dreams of making a name for herself and being allowed to create films of her own and is willing to do almost anything it takes to get what she wants When she is given the job of assisting on a film being shot in Theresienstadt she sees it as her big break, especially when she realises that her childhood friend Hannah is an inmate.
This is a powerful story of two very different but equally determined women. The characterisation is top notch, and I was impressed that even with such a fundamentally unlikeable character as Hilde there were moments where the author had me feeling sorry for her. I was fascinated by how differently the two women viewed their friendship and how similar they were in many ways despite their very different experiences. The depiction of life inside the camp is unflinching and the vivid descriptions really made the book an immersive experience. I did feel like the pacing was a little off, especially when it came to the ending of the book, it almost felt like there was a chapter missing between the final chapter and the epilogue but that being said the overall storytelling absolutely kept me engaged.
There is an excellent Author's notes section at the end of the book which I highly recommend reading, not just because she clarifies where details have been amended for dramatic effect but because it gives an insight into the amount of work and research that went into creating this book, and just why it means so much to the author.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

On the eve of her family's departure from Czechoslovakia to escape the Nazi's, Hannah Kauffman develops smallpox and must stay behind with her grandfather until she recovers. Before they can leave to reunite with their family, they are arrested and taken to Theresienstadt ghetto. This ghetto is considered to be a "model" ghetto fo the Nazis to prove to the world that the Jewish people are not mistreated. When the Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations will be viewing the camp, the ghetto is transformed into a city with parks, a theater, food carts and nicely dressed prisoners. A contingent of Nazi officers and filmmakers will be coming there to film a propaganda video to show the world that the Jews in the Theresienstadt ghetto are just fine.

There are many artists, musicians and educated people imprisoned there and they try to do what they can to make their lives as bearable as possible by playing music, putting on plays, holding readings but despite this, conditions in the camp are brutal. Hannah, her grandfather and the others are barely holding on but the Nazis are losing the war so there is hope that they will be liberated soon.

When the Nazis arrive to film their propaganda film. Hannah spots Hilde her friend from school. At one time the girls were the best of friends but now Hannah is a prisoner and Hilde is a die hard Nazi. As filming progresses, Hilde begins to see that the film will be different than she was led to believe. She tries to befriends Hannah but is still devoted to the Nazi cause.

The Girls of the Glimmer Factory is a companion piece to Cradles of the Reich. Hilde is a character in so it would be helpful to read Cradles of the Reich first. Both books are very well written and researched. There is a twist at the end of this that I didn't expect. The Girls of the Glimmer Factory was published on January 28, 2025.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy.

80 years ago, this week, the Nazi concentration camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau was liberated by Allied Forces. These men would see things that would haunt their memories for the rest of their lives. The Jewish people who had been relocated were not living in comfortable circumstances as the Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda would have the world believe. They were trying to survive or were being slaughtered by their tormentors. -January 18, 2025

Jennifer Coburn offers readers her second deeply researched work of fiction that is based on the truth of the Nazi ghetto located in Terezin, Czechoslovakia. Theresienstadt was touted as a resort like area for the wealthy and artistic Jewish citizens to live in a pleasant environment, a "gift" from Hitler and community all their own. It was a setting for propaganda films to show to the world to ensure that this was a safe place, nothing like the lies that were being spread by enemies of the Reich.
The author tells the story in the two voices of childhood friends who were separated when anti-Semitic nastiness was growing in Europe. Hannah, a young Jewish woman is about to relocate with her entire family. Hilde, a young German widow has a dream to be a filmmaker and will do anything to reach her goal.
I want to thank @JenniferCoburn for my advanced reader's copy of the book from the Landmark Sourcebooks and NetGalley. This is my own unsolicited opinion about the book. It brings me to tears just thinking about it, to be honest. Although a fictionalized account of these two characters they both represent the best and worst of those who lived during this time, and in this horrendous place. Hannah and her Opa Oskar are transported to Theresienstadt after he is convinced that he has a piece of land and cabin there. The everyday survival story is gripping and heartbreaking for those who live in the ghetto. To work through various positions to get to be a "glimmer girl" and spend hours a day breaking up pieces of mica was to insure a longer chance at survival. Her grandfather maintains a positive demeanor and is such a strong character in the story. Hannah changes as time passes. Eventually Hilde comes into the area, having 'worked' her way into a film production team. There are many intense scenes reflective of true events and people of the ghetto. This to me, is a novel written with bits and pieces of historical value.
It's an intense read. It is hard to put down. It is heartbreaking too, as it should be. It was such a horrendous place.
Triggers: death, starvation, sexual content/rape

From the author of Cradles of the Reich, once again Jennifer Coburn exposes us to WW II atrocities that I never heard about in history class.

The Nazis created propaganda films of a Jewish settlement showcasing to the world lives of comfort, arts and leisure in the Jewish settlements. Meanwhile they were hiding the atrocities being committed, the real purpose of the ghetto was a prisoner holding place on the way to extermination camps.

This story introduces a young Jewish prisoner named Hannah, her Jewish friends from home, and other prisoners she befriends in the camp. It also brings back from Cradles of the Reich her childhood friend Hilde. They were close during their school days, until Hilde’s family separated the friends because Hannah was Jewish.

Despite Hilde’s strong ambitions in the Nazi Party, and her desire to make a name for herself as a film maker, she is aghast to discover that Theresienstadt is not the paradise its portrayed to be. Her party loyalty is tested when she realizes the danger Hannah faces.

A compelling story about resilience, fortitude, friendship, heartbreak and hope in the face of imprisonment at Theresienstadt during WW II.

Thank you for my Advanced Reader Copy @jennifercoburnbooks
@bookmarked @sourcebooks

#JenniferCoburn #arc #advancedreadercopy #historicalfiction #netgalley

This book is very interesting because it talks about Hannah who was taken to this camp Called TH ERE SH. IEN s TAC. T. This was a concentration camp but they tried to portray it as a happy place for these jewish people. Hannah and her grandfather ended up there because they were taken from P r a n g and her family left to go to palestine. Hannah came down with smallpox so her grandmother went in her place instead. Hannah really grew up in the concentration.Camp because she had to learn to survive. This was A.
Rough place and she met her friend.H I l l d e. Who was working with the nazis on a film to portray?Is a big happy family. She also lost her husband and married.Another man from this division. All were trying to survive but was very hard for them.And a lot of them were shipped east. The Red Cross also came but they did nothing because they put. Show For them. These people had a lot of gumption and willing to survive this horrible conditions. I like how they smuggled.The babies out so they could have a life and we're not dead there. The end of the book has a lot of twists and turns.It shows how people can survive and go on with their lives.

Thank you NetGalley!
I go through these periods when I love reading WWII stories & this one came at the exact right time.
Told through alternating points of view we hear from Hilde who works for the Nazi's and Hannah who knows what the camps are really doing.
Enter some 'fake-news' and we have the filming of what the Nazi's would like the world to see of their 'new world'.
We see all the horror & all the lies played out between these 2 ladies.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes WWII novels.

Another highly emotional, well researched historical fiction book by this author. I loved her first book, Cradles of the Reich and I love this one too! 2 childhood friends are the main characters, Hilde and Hannah. Hannah is a quiet Jewish child/young woman, Hilde becomes a power seeking Nazi. The setting of the story is Theresienstadt, a model ghetto. Hilde is trying to make a film that paints Theresienstadt in a good light, Hannah trys to stop the production. You have to read it to see what happens!

This is an entertaining, well-written, informative, WWII historical fiction novel which takes place in Theresienstadt, and includes depictions of actual persons and events. It is fast paced, with a likable female protagonist, heartbreak, sorrow, hope, strength, resilience, the comfort and healing power of music, and a satisfying conclusion. The author's notes are interesting and enlightening, and are truly appreciated. I especially liked this novel's inspiring message that friendship gives us the power to discover who we really are, and to find strength when we need it the most. Many thanks to Ms. Coburn, Sourcebooks, and NetGalley, from whom I received an advanced reader copy of this outstanding novel. This is my honest opinion.

Hilde and Hannah started out as best friends with they were little girls. Then the Nazis took over. Hilde became a true Nazi and swallowed their beliefs with gusto. Hannah was sent off to be Jewish prisoner at Theresienstadt, a model ghetto. It took years, but their paths cross again.

The difference between these two young women is night and day. Hannah is a sweet young, Jewish lady and Hilde is a true Nazi to her core. Hilde and Hannah become reacquainted when Hilde heads to the ghetto to do a film about how great the Jews have it under the Nazi regime. But, it doesn’t go quite as planned. And you need to read this to find out!

As with most WWII novels, the emotions run high. I just wanted to slap Hilde. But, she is a product of her environment. The author does a great job with these two and their differences.

This is very well researched and an emotional read.

Need a tale you will be thinking about for days…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel for a honest review.