Last spring I read and really enjoyed The Memory Keeper of Kyiv by Erin Litteken. So, when Boldwood reached out asking if I was interested in reading this one too, I definitely hopped on board this blogtour!
The Lost Daughters of Ukraine
A story of the strength of the human spirit, the personal cost of conflict and how love can be found even in the darkest times.
Summer 1941. War rages in Europe. The Germans march towards Ukraine. Halya, Liliya and Vika are no strangers to sorrow. They lost family during the Holodomor, loved ones in Stalin's purges, and war looms once more on the horizon.
Vika lives in fear for her children. She and her sister survived the terror famine by leaving their whole family behind. Now, years later, many believe the Germans will free them from the Soviets, but she’s not so sure. Should they stay in Volhynia or flee the approaching Eastern front?
Liliya has lost too much in her 17 years. As those around her join the resistance, Liliya wonders how she can fight for her friends, family, and country. When the choice is made for her, can she find the will to survive and protect those still with her?
Twelve-year-old Halya is struggling to discover who she is. But as the war escalates, can her mother Katya’s tactics keep her safe from the Nazi soldiers rounding up slave laborers? How can a child survive the horrors of war on her own?
These daughters of Ukraine will face devastation and loss as they fight to survive and protect the ones they love. A gripping page-turner of love, loss and resilience for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz.
My thoughts:
This was such a great historical fiction! I loved how carefully and well planned the story was, especially in how the author connected the experiences of the women and their families during the Holodomor and how these two atrocities were committed against one group of people in little more than a decade. Teaching (and writing) History is so contextual and for one to fully understand the timeline, cause and effect and other important historical data from this period, it is essential that these events be shared in context and that is exactly what Litteken was able to do with both this book and her other novel, The Memory Keeper of Kyiv. While the two stories can be read as standalones, they also weave together a story that creates meaning for the reader in the greater span of the historical and geographical context of this setting.
I also really loved that the timeline was linear and chronological, I find that HistFics of recent years time hop way too much! This way, readers can follow the story without constant interruptions. I also liked that there were three female main characters, all connected in some way, but also each unique and with their own aspirations and unique characteristics. Each of the women are resilient, intelligent and independent while also being caring towards others, experiencing great loss, and being bound by the constrictions of their time period.
Thanks so much to Rachel and Boldwood for giving me the chance to be part of this blogtour and to read this fantastic book! Grab your copy today! Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3w1lXnT
Once you've got your copy, make sure to check out the other blogs on this tour! It has been so fun to kick things off, but I can't wait to see what everyone else things!
Author Bio:
Erin Litteken is a debut novelist with a degree in history and a passion for research. At a young age, she was enthralled by stories of her family’s harrowing experiences in Ukraine before, during and after World War II. She lives in Illinois, USA with her husband and children.
Social Media Links –
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Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/ErinLittekenNews
Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/erin-litteken
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