On a golden August morning in 1939, sisters Antonina and Helena Dąbrowska send their father off to defend Poland against the looming threat of German invasion. The next day, the first bombs fall on Warsaw, decimating their beloved city and shattering the world of their youth.
When Antonina’s beloved Marek is forced behind ghetto walls along with the rest of Warsaw’s Jewish population, Antonina turns her worry into action and becomes a key figure in a daring network of women risking their lives to shelter Jewish children. Helena finds herself drawn into the ranks of Poland’s secret army, joining the fight to free her homeland from occupation. But the secrets both are forced to keep threaten to tear the sisters apart–and the cost of resistance proves greater than either ever imagined.
Shining a light on the oft-forgotten history of Poland during WWII and inspired by true stories of ordinary individuals who fought to preserve freedom and humanity in the darkest of times, The Warsaw Sisters is a richly rendered portrait of courage, sacrifice, and the resilience of our deepest ties.
I have mixed emotions about this book. The storyline is good and if this were a secular book, I’d give it 5 stars for the tale of Warsaw during WWII. But the book has very little faith element other than the occasional mention of a priest who gives comfort and maybe a mention of God. There is also premarital sex, which although is not described, is not something I expected in a Christian fiction novel. Instead of finding hope in Christ (who is never mentioned in the book), the characters find hope in things that disappoint, like family relationships, doing good for others, fighting the Germans, and etc. So, although I learned a lot about Warsaw and all it went through during WWII, I found myself disappointed that with such a potential for great faith lessons, there were none. I recommend this book if you are looking for a book without foul language or bedroom scenes, but don’t mind lots of blood and gore, dealing with Nazi occupied Warsaw. It is a hard read. Ultimately, this book was not my cup of tea. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I am freely writing a review – all thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Author: Amanda Barratt is the bestselling author of numerous historical novels and novellas including THE WARSAW SISTERS, WITHIN THESE WALLS OF SORROW, and THE WHITE ROSE RESISTS. Her work has been the recipient of the Christy Award and the Carol Award, as well as an Honorable Mention in the Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards. Amanda is passionate about illuminating oft-forgotten facets of history through a fictional narrative. She lives in Michigan and can often be found researching her next novel, catching up on her to-be-read stack, or savoring a slice of her favorite lemon cake. To connect with Amanda, visit: www.amandabarratt.net
The Warsaw Sisters was published on November 7, 2023 by Revell.
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