This is a very good, very interesting and very heartfelt read. Two children who loose there mother during war and then are separated brings this heart-stopping story right off the page. This is such an emotional book and one I just couldn't put down. This book is filled with grief, trauma but also love and kindness.

The characters and the story have been well thought out abd the book is well written making it easy to read even though it is a rather sad book. It is intense, emotional, strong, and has characters that will get into your heart and your head. I loved it.

Thank you NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I did enjoy this story about 2 sibling and the trauma they went through as thet were separated on a train in Russia in the war..
It was a good read although it was a touch confusing in parts ..

What a powerful addictive read. Gigi and Otto are trying to escape from the train taking them to the Soviet Union, when suddenly they are separated, here the story really begins as it follows each of their journeys, scary though they are. They take in the Partisans who go by code names to save them from identification, this adds excitement to the story. One line is where Giti finds herself under the unlikely care of Thomas , who himself is rather trusting. Otto wasn’t quite so fortunate being subjected to brutality in the camps.
In the present, Otto’s daughter Brigit is trying to trace her Aunt Giti which takes her on an amazing journey.
One thing that struck was the amazing kindness of strangers during the most dangerous times.
Favourite character was Giti, least favourite was Bruno and the saddest was Domus.

Firstly I would like to thank netgalley and Bloodhound books and the author Carolyn Newton for an early copy of her book to read.

My rating is 3.5
A wartime story.The red army is coming to prussia.A family story of survival. A young girl Gita and her younger brother Otto live with there mum and grandmother. The soldiers attack the family killing the grandmother and the mother is wounded badly.they rounded the mum and kids in a truck then transport them to a train to the soviet union...the mother will she survive? The kids ends up separated will they ever see each other again? a good read some parts was a bit slow...

I was somewhat disappointed in this one.
The cover description was intriguing; a young sister and brother separated by circumstances of war, determined to one day reunite.
The story was interesting until about halfway through, then everything seemed to bog down in the many, many different characters that begin to appear, and very frequently. The plot became too difficult to follow, and I had to really push myself to finish.

*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

This had that historical drama element that I wanted and enjoyed the overall feel of this. It had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed the story going on. The characters were everything that I wanted and enjoyed the overall way the characters were realistic and was invested in what was happening to them. Carolyn Newton has a strong writing style and glad I got to read this.

This was a haunting but hopeful story about resilience and survival.

Set in the brutal final months of World War II, it followed thirteen-year-old Giti, whose life was shattered when the Soviet army invaded East Prussia.

Even as her world fell apart around her, Giti held on to a glimmer of hope in the face of violence, the death of her family, and the constant threat of death.

The book depicted the horrors and heartbreaks of war through the eyes of Giti, who had to deal with loss and trauma in unimaginable ways.

Giti's separation from her younger brother, Otto, is particularly moving, fueling her determination to survive against all odds and find him.

As Giti and her companions struggle for survival, the story becomes one of resilience, loyalty, and the enduring hope of reunion.

This was an intense read that brought to light the horrors of history while also revealing beauty, strength, and bonds that emerge from the darkness.

Did enjoy this book. However I did get a bit lost a few times. A bit jumping all over for me! Thanks for early read

The heart rendering story of two siblings separated by the Russians after WWII. It took me a while to understand why the flash forward story of Otto’s granddaughter was important, it would have been better, if that story had to be in the story of Otto and Gita to put that part at the end. It would have been also better to call this book the Captive Children.

The prices of war. Separated families, children finding ways to survive on their own. Changing names to try to blend in. Starting over in new countries. Trying to forget the past and live in the present because the past is too painful. Can families be reunited fifty-sixty years later?

Very strong characters. Wonderful plot. Painful, tragic events.

Releases Nov. 21st. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.