*AD-gifted: I received a copy of The Woman at the Gates in exchange for this post. Affiliate links are marked with a *
It’s my stop on the tour today for this beautiful read. *The Woman at the Gates by Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger is a heartbreaking, inspiring, and totally unforgettable story of the unbelievable courage and determination of extraordinary people during World War II. Read on for my review.
Book Description
1944, Germany: Gazing through the barbed wire fence, up to the pale blue sky, Antonia dreams of home: cherry orchards, golden fields, and the man she loves, who she may never see again…
Resistance fighter Antonia is out in the forest behind her family’s beloved farm when the Nazi soldiers arrive. As she sees her sister Lena and her young nephews herded towards the trucks, guns pointed at their heads, she faces a split-second, heart-wrenching decision: to stay hidden, stay free and continue the fight. Or to give herself up and go with her family to protect them—no matter what lies ahead.
As she clutches her nephew’s little hand in hers, her other arm tight around Lena, she knows she has made the right choice. And as the truck rattles towards a brutal labor camp, and they start to wonder what fate has in store for them, Antonia’s only thought is of how to escape.
Because before they were captured, Antonia worked tirelessly to free her country from those who had turned her homeland into a bloody battleground. By her side had been clever, handsome Viktor. The man she was to marry, whose love shone like a light in the darkness of war surrounding them.
Antonia does not know if Viktor has been caught or executed. But she knows she must try to find a way back to him and she cannot wait any longer to be saved. Her precious nephews will die without proper food and they could all be killed at any moment.
The world outside the camp gates is full of danger, but they have to find a way through them first. And that is their only hope, even if it costs Antonia her life. The Nazis have taken everything from her, but they can never take away her courage…
What I Thought
I absolutely loved The Woman at the Gates. I have a huge fascination with anything World War II related and this novel really shows us the brutal truth of what these extraordinary people had to endure during this time.
The setting for the book is the Ukraine, and you read all about the Ukrainian resistance fighters and their tug of war battle between the Russians and Germans. It wasn’t the easiest of books to read, but it is very rewarding. The author provides notes at the back to help you translate some of the words in the text. This was very helpful.
The main character Antonia is a fantastic character, she is strong, selfless, and resilient. She is a university professor by day and a militant underground activist by night. Her family and country mean everything to her. You will love to read and follow her journey throughout the book. There are elements of love, friendship and of course the extreme fear of discovery. I can’t wait to read more books from this author in the future.
A highly recommended read if you are looking for a book to get stuck into.
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the read.
Author Bio
Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger was born in Minnesota in 1969. A first-generation American of Ukrainian immigrants, she grew up in the culture-rich neighborhood of “Nordeast” Minneapolis. Inspired by her second-grade teacher, her writing career began with short stories, then morphed into travel narratives, and eventually novels. She has worked as a journalist and as a managing editor for a magazine publisher before jumping the editor’s desk and pursuing her dreams of writing and traveling. In 2000, she moved to western Austria and established her own communications training company. She has won several awards for her short stories and novels and now primarily writes historical fiction.
Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inktreks
Twitter: twitter.com/ckalyna
Website: https://www.inktreks.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ckalyna
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/56890.Chrystyna_Lucyk_Berger
Where To Buy
Books on Tour
Here is a list of the other bloggers on The Woman at the Gates tour. Why not head over and check out their reviews!
Thanks for stopping by today, I hope you’ve enjoyed this review. You can check out my bookcase of past reviews here.
Thank you for your review. This is exactly the type of book I enjoy reading. World War 11 stories are particularly riveting. The last book I read was The Nine by Gwen Strauss, which isabout nine brave resistance women. It was quite harrowing, knowing that it was a true story
Thank you so much. Absolutely thankful for your time and consideration!