The Lost Daughters of Ukraine

by Erin Litteken

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 Nightingale and The Rose Code "A beautiful, hard-hitting tribute to her own family's history and to the people of unbowed, unbroken Ukraine" Amanda McCrina , author of Traitor and The Silent Unseen "Litteken’s compelling, well-researched and moving storytelling soars as it brings to life a harrowing slice of history while intricately highlighting the past that echoes to the present day" Marina Scott, author of The Hunger Between Us "A multi-layered saga woven with history and heart... An unforgettable gem of historical fiction" Paulette Kennedy, bestselling author of The Witch of Tin Mountain "Erin Litteken gives voice to WWII Ukraine with gritty authenticity... The Lost Daughters of Ukraine is a broom to sweep out Putin's propaganda" Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch, author of Making Bombs for Hitler and Winterkill Praise for The Memory Keeper of Kyiv : "A compelling and intimate story of love and survival. Harrowing and haunting . . . yet, at the same time, it is sensitive, beautiful and inspiring. Everybody should read this story, especially now. I cannot recommend it highly enough." Christy Lefteri, author of The Beekeeper of Aleppo "A powerfully moving debut... Ukraine's tragic history painfully echoes its current crisis, and on every page the Ukrainian spirit shines out, unbowed, unbent and unbroken." **Kate Quinn, author of The Rose Code and The Alice Network "A stunning portrait of Ukraine and its people, of strength, of endurance, of the fight for survival during the forced famine, the Holodomor, but also a tender story of Katya, a grandmother whose hidden history holds the power to guide her granddaughter through the darkness of loss and grief, toward life and a limitless future. A remarkable read not to be missed." Lisa Wingate, author of Before We Were Yours

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Ukraine, World War II, Historical, Family, Audiobook

420 pages, Paperback

First published April 24, 2023

About the author

Erin Litteken is an international bestselling author of historical fiction. Her debut, THE MEMORY KEEPER OF KYIV, has been translated into eighteen languages and was the 2022 winner of the She Reads Best Historical Fiction Award and the 2023 Women's Fiction Writers Association Star Award. With a degree in history and a passion for research, Erin draws inspiration from her family roots, and in particular, her great-grandmother’s stories about life in Ukraine before, after, and during WWII. She lives outside of St. Louis with her husband and two children. For more information about Erin and her books, visit www.erinlitteken.com

Reviews

[Marilyn (not getting notifications) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lost Daughters of Ukraine by Erin Litteken was a very moving and compelling book. Erin Litteken masterfully told the story of Ukraine’s turbulent history through the eyes and experiences of three strong female characters. Although Ukraine is presently in the midst of defending itself against the atrocities Russia has inflicted upon its people and their land, I had little knowledge about all the upheaval this country was made to endure over the years by both the Soviet Union and Poland. The Ukrainian people were caught right in the middle of these two countries. Through the lives and voices of the three female protagonists in The Lost Daughters of Ukraine, the brutalities Stalin inflicted upon the people of Ukraine were realized and felt as was the constant struggle the Ukrainian people endured with the people of Poland. If oppression from the Soviets and Poland was not enough, the Germans added to their suffering during World War II. The people of Ukraine wanted to live in peaceful harmony but Stalin, Poland and the Nazis were not compliant in their desires. Matters got even worse when the Nazis invaded Ukraine during World War II.

By 1941, the Nazis had infiltrated Ukraine and the lives of the Ukrainian people went from dire to even worse. The Nazi presence was felt by all. Food became even scarcer, farm animals were stolen by the Nazis and homes and even whole villages were burnt if the Nazis suspected insubordination against them. Children as young as ten years old were snatched from the streets and taken away from their families against their will to serve the Germans as slave laborers. These children were ripped from their parent’s arms and transported to Germany to work in munition factories. Often times, families were not privy to the locations their children had been taken to or what they would be doing.

Vika had escaped the famine imposed by Stalin during the Holodomor of 1920-1930. She and her husband and only one of her sisters escaped and made their way to Ukraine. Vika was forced to leave the rest of her family behind. She was now living in Volhynia. Vika and her husband had four children and they were Vika’s dominant concern. Her main objective was to keep them safe at any cost. Liliya was Vika’s niece. During her mere existence of seventeen years, Liliya had already experienced so much sorrow. After losing both her parents and her brother to the brutalities of both Stalin and the Nazis, Liliya decided that she would go back to Volhynia and live with her aunt and uncle. She was a talented artist and found solace in her sketching. Liliya vowed to never love anyone again because all the people she had ever loved had died. She was a grieving and troubled adolescent. Halya was a twelve year old young girl who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Her mother, Katya, tried to keep Halya safe from the German soldiers who were taking innocent children for slave labor but when they became separated, Halya was snatched up by the Nazis. She became another victim of Nazi oppression.

The lives of these three characters would be woven together through their grief, love, resilience, hope, courage, despair, and compassion for each other and for those they felt so passionate about. Through their eyes, we were able to witness the hardships they were made to endure, the cruelty they were made to witness and the losses they suffered. At times, unexpected glimpses of humanity and kindness shown through and gave these three incredible women the courage to hope and find the courage to not give up.

The Lost Daughters of Ukraine was inspired by the author’s own family’s history. This was the first book that I had the pleasure of reading by Erin Litteken. At some point, I hope to go back and read her previous book, The Memory Keeper of Kyiv. The Lost Daughters of Ukraine was very well written and researched. I really enjoy books that were inspired by actual family history and this one was very convincing. It only made me even more aware of all the atrocities the people of Ukraine are going through right now. The Lost Daughters of Ukraine was about family, unbelievable devastation, loss, survival, grief, resilience and love. I really enjoyed reading The Lost Daughters of Ukraine by Erin Litteken and highly recommend it.

Thank you to Boldwood Books for allowing me to read The Lost Daughters of Ukraine by Erin Litteken through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Erin Litteken]

It’s been over one year since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In that time, countless war crimes have been committed. Thousands of Ukrainian children have been kidnapped. Tens of thousands of soldiers and innocent civilians have died. Millions of families have been displaced.

Throughout it all, the world has witnessed the strength and tenacity of Ukrainians battling for their right to exist, but Ukraine’s black earth is soaked in the blood of generations of its brave defenders. How many people realize that this war actually started nine years ago, in 2014, when Russia invaded and illegally annexed parts of Ukraine? How many know about the millions killed in the Holodomor, Stalin’s terror famine? How many remember that the Soviet Union was allied with Nazi Germany and collectively started World War II by invading and occupying Poland (and what is now western Ukraine) in 1939? How many realize that one of Hitler’s main goals was to eradicate Ukrainians and colonize their land with Germans?

For many people, the past feels far away. Historic events are brought to life on TV or in novels. They aren’t a part of our everyday lives. But in Ukraine, the death and destruction of Russia’s invasion eerily echoes the tragedies their ancestors endured—trench warfare, attacks on civilians, genocide, and Europe’s largest refugee crisis since World War II.

I explore many of these themes in my book, THE LOST DAUGHTERS OF UKRAINE—combining history, fiction, and my own family’s experiences in Ukraine and as refugees to create the story of a family ripped apart by World War II. I’m honored to share this deeply personal novel with you, but just as when THE MEMORY KEEPER OF KYIV published last year, I am, sadly, once again releasing a book about a past assault on Ukraine during the current invasion.

Keep Ukraine in your hearts. Listen to and elevate the voices of people living through this horror. Learn about their vibrant culture and both the tragic and beautiful parts of their history to understand why they fight so valiantly for their country. And, most importantly, please continue to support Ukraine in every way you can.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The lost Daughters of Ukraine is second book from the author I have read. Her previous novel ‘The Memory Keeper of Kyiv’ is an amazing retelling of the horrors at Holodomor. So, I was intrigued to see what this book was all about.
This is a powerful story is based on the authors family history about three women from different walks of life and the tragedies and the horrors they endured and the determination to get through the war and be re united with their families.
This is greatly researched, and the author is an avid storyteller. The author tells the story as it is and not frightened to show what really happened in them times. It is eye opening and emotional account and I recommend to anyone who wants to find out more about not Ukraine. I really enjoyed this second book from the author. I highly recommend. 5 stars from me.

[Taury · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Lost Daughter’s of Ukraine by Erin Litteken. After surviving the Holodomor of the 1920 -1930, Ukraine was once again in battle against Germany and the Nazi’s in 1941. Story tells of three strong ladies. But I found it confusing keeping the story lines straight. This book was inspired by the authors family. Due to the current turmoil in the Ukraine I enjoy learning more about Ukraine’s history. My heart hurts for the people of this beautiful country for so much heartache and war. May they find peace soon!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this if you

📌Want to learn more about Ukrainian history in the 1930's-40's
📌Want to learn about forced labor camps during WWII
📌 how refugees reunited after the war and life in the DP camps
📌Attitudes that both the Soviets and the Nazis held about the Ukrainian people.
📌The involvement of partisan and resistance groups in this region of the war
📌Allied bombings of Dresden Germany in 1945
📌The geography of the region that was disputed by Ukraine, Soviets, and the Polish people.
📌The involvement of the Polish Arabian stable
📌Stories where characters face many trials.
📌Multiple characters tell the story(all in 3rd person perspective)


Even when the odds are stacked against us, we fight for our land, for our families, for our way of life, because if we don’t, we will always lose.

Erin Litteken is fast becoming a favorite author and for the second time, I am crowning her book with a five star. This is a novel about family, wartime, resistance, the struggle to survive and the spirit of the people of Ukraine.

Ukrainians had always had to fight for the right to exist—against Russians, Poles, Germans, the list went on. Resistance flowed through Ukrainians’ veins like blood

The story is told through the eyes of Vika,Liliya, and Hayla. At the beginning, Hayla's story runs parallel but it is later in the novel when all three women's lives collide. It is a very realistic novel with lots of descriptive writing. Sometimes it was hard to read such heartbreaking stories. But I found myself unable to stop reading. The book does end on a hopeful note as several characters begin life after the war.

The author's personal family history inspired this novel. New readers will find a helpful glossary of terms at the back of the book as well as a historical note, author's note, bookclub questions and a suggested reading list.


At its height, the forced labor program employed over 7.6 million workers, roughly 2.2 million of which were Ukrainians. Near the end of the war, Ostarbeiters were marched to other camps and factories, forced to dig trenches, and sometimes killed in mass executions when camps and factories closed, as Liliya experienced.


As the war ended, Ukraine was left in shambles. Roughly 7 million Ukrainians had died, and 2.2 million had been shipped off as forced laborers. Of the 36 million remaining Ukrainians, 10 million were homeless. Nearly 29,000 villages and cities, including the village where my great-grandfather was born, were decimated.


If you enjoyed this novel, I highly recommend the author's The Memory Keeper of Kyviv


Goodreads review published 26/08/23

[Shereadbookblog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspired by the author’s family history, this book follows the lives of three women of Ukraine during World War II: Vika, Lilya, and Halya, along with a number of supporting characters. It is an excellent companion piece to Litteken’s The Memory Keeper of Kyiv which was about the Holodomor (“death by hunger”) in the late 1920s-30s when Stalin and the Soviets stripped the country of its food and terrorized its residents.

First the Soviets demanded their food, executed people at will and conscripted men into the Red Army. As the Nazi’s invaded, the Soviets followed a scorched earth policy, destroying all in their path. It is now the 1941 and the people of Ukraine are at the mercy of the Nazis. Thought at first to be liberators, freeing them from the Soviets, they brought more horror, taking the Ukrainian’s food, stealing their children and young adults to work in factories, sending some younger Aryan looking children to Germany to be adopted, burning their villages, slaughtering innocents.

Litteken is a good story teller and she portrays the horrors without being overly graphic. Despite all the terror, there is hope and resilience. A repeating and somewhat uplifting theme is the legend and importance of the kalyna bush, a symbol of Ukraine - with white representing hope, red, the bloodshed of Ukrainians defending their homeland and green for continual renewal and new generations.

One indication of a good book is that it makes you feel something. Reading this book made me feel anger about what has happened in the past and what is going on in Ukraine now. How can one country have been subject to so much terror over such a long period of time and still exhibit resilience? Man’s inhumanity to man never ceases to astonish me.

This was a tough, but very important read.

Thanks to #netgalley and #boldwoodbooks for the ARC.

[Susan Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lost Daughters of Ukraine took my breath away. This heart-wrenching novel is the story of three women whose lives are forever changed by the terrors their families and their homeland endured during WWII. There are passages and scenes in this book that are very hard to read—honest and raw accounts of the horrors of war, and especially the suffering and brutality that were unique to Ukraine. But through all the hardships, there is beauty woven throughout this book: the love of parents for their children; the hopes and dreams of the innocent; and the resilience, strength, and courage that kept these amazing characters going through the worst kind of heartache, cruelty, and despair. There are also moments of great humanity, a reminder that even in the worst of times, strangers will come to the aid of those who need it. This book is inspired by their author’s own family’s experiences during the war, and you can feel the love for her ascendants and their country on every page.

[Teresa “Teri” · Rating 5 out of 5]

Painful book to read, especially in light of what The Ukraine 🇺🇦 is having to endure right now.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oy u luzi chervona kalyna pokhylylasia
Chohos' nasha slavna Ukraina zazhurylasya
A my tuyu chervonu kalynu pidiymemo
A my nashu Slavnu Ukraynu, hei-hei, rozveselymo!

"The Lost Daughters of Ukraine" is a moving and beautifully written book that delves into the depths of the human experience, leaving an indelible mark on the reader's soul. From the moment I turned the first page, I was captivated by the raw emotions, the vivid imagery, and the poignant storytelling.

Sadly more than relevant in times like these, this gripping tale transports you to the heart of Ukraine, revealing the hidden stories and forgotten lives of those affected by one of the darkest chapters in human history. The author's meticulous research and sensitive portrayal of the characters immerse you in their struggles, hopes, and triumphs, evoking a rollercoaster of emotions that resonate long after you've finished reading.

What truly sets this book apart is its ability to capture the essence of loss, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds of family. The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, each unique voice offering a window into the lives of women whose stories have often been overlooked or silenced. With every page, I felt an intense connection to these brave souls, as if their pain, their joys, and their yearnings were my own.

The author's prose is breathtakingly lyrical, painting a vivid tapestry of Ukraine's landscapes, its culture, and its tumultuous history. Despite the harrowing themes, there is a delicate balance of hope and despair, reminding us of the resilience of the human spirit even in the face of unimaginable adversity.

"The Lost Daughters of Ukraine" is more than just a book; it is a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the darkest corners of our world and to inspire empathy and understanding. It serves as a reminder that history's forgotten voices deserve to be heard, and that by acknowledging and learning from the past, we can shape a brighter future.

I cannot recommend this book enough. It moved me to tears (which hardly ever happens), challenged my perceptions, and ultimately left me with a renewed appreciation for the strength and resilience of the human spirit and especially the people of Ukraine.

[Martina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mooiii!! Meer kan ik er eigenlijk niet over zeggen.

[Mateusz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erin Litteken's second novel, focalized by three young Ukrainian women, is a beautifully written story about little-known aspects of the Second World War, including the complex Ukrainian-Polish relations and the experiences of Slavic Ostarbeiters (Eastern slave workers). Litteken does not avoid nuances and challenging themes, unlike many other Anglophone authors of popular WWII-themed books. Moreover, she demonstrates the importance of intercultural solidarity and the power of little acts of resistance. Readers familiar with Litteken's bestselling The Memory Keeper of Kyiv will be pleased to learn more about the relationship between Halya and Katya after the Holodomor. Although it is not marketed as a young adult novel, The Lost Daughters of Ukraine has crossover potential and will appeal to fans of Amanda McCrina's The Silent Unseen, as well as older teenagers who grew up reading Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch's Making Bombs for Hitler. I highly recommend it.

[Nora]

You must read this book

Thus is such a well written book. I was sorry to reach the end . the characters were so well written and I really wished I could follow their lives further. In light if the current tastes in the Ukraine it helps to see historically accurate information woven in the characters person lives. It really is worthwhile.

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halya, Vika, and Liliya are Ukrainian. I enjoyed the way their backstories were the focus of the plot and the alternating chapters made the already excellent story even better. I love novels with alternating chapters as it allows me to get into the characters’ lives. I especially liked Vika’s horse scenes because I love horses. Emotions and scenes depicting difficult moments surrounding the war were dealt with in a way that was sensitive to the reader but did not hide the reality or sugar coat what was happening.

The attention to detail was top notch. I felt like I was in the Ukraine.

The pace is great given the complexity of the subject matter. This really helped me follow the story.

The Lost Daughters of Ukraine is as beautiful as it is harrowng. Halya, Vika, and Liliya each have their personal battles and lives, and it was humbling to witness their lives by their side. Halya, being the youngest at 12, has extra battles as she's discovering what the world is like with a war around her. It's a learning curve for all the characters whatever their age and circumstances really.

Though war is a huge backdrop, there's also love, loss and friendship and courage as themes. Resilience is a trait all the characters share as they fight for a sense of normality despite the terrible affects of war.

I felt so many emotions: fear, a sense of foreboding, and some parts moved me almost to tears while others were happier moments. Whatever I was feeling, I was compelled to continue the story as it was just so immersive. What makes things more raw and real is the plot is based on the author's own experiences. That makes the novel more special and poignant.

One thing I do wish ever more after having reviewed The Lost Daughters of Ukraine is that Ukraine will have peace from the current war situation soon.

Thanks to Erin Litteken, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

5 stars. I'd give it more if I could.

[Ann]

It sounded so good (and received high star ratings), but I found it to be too YA for me. Perhaps I didn't give it enough time.....

[Marjolein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking, horrific and filled with hope at the same time

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whatever your expectations, this book will surpass them. No matter how many books you may have read about World War II as it raged in Ukraine, Poland, and Germany, this one will enrich you. You will experience despair, rage, pain, fear, and joy, though not in equal measures and you will need a box of Kleenex by your side.

How can anyone witness such brutal atrocities enacted on the innocent and retain a fragment of humanity? How does one recover their own soul after being the recipient of such abject cruelty? The author is living proof that it's possible because she drew from her own family's experiences in Ukraine. This book is a testament to their will not only to survive but to thrive. It was a privilege to view World War II through the eyes of Vika, Liliyana, and Halya. I couldn't look away no matter how much I wanted to.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Christymlutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tugs at all the emotions. Litteken does a great job of portraying the thoughts and emotions of all the characters. The story is a sad one that spans over one of the most difficult times in world history. The relevance and similarities between Ukraine from the 1940’s and the struggle of today are uncanny. This book is a must read!

[Marg · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are a lot of WWII books out now, with many more being released each month and it is easy to find some of the books repetitious. There are a lot of similarities in these books, but every now and again you get the opportunity to read one that is different, and you realise that this is why you continue to read books set in this period. The Lost Daughters of Ukraine is one of those books! I started learning new things even in the prologue!

Firstly, the book is set predominantly in an area of the Ukraine that I previously had little to no knowledge of. It is an area of the world with a very volatile history and, as we know from the very recent news headlines, this continues to today. This is an area that has been fought over for years, at times being invaded by the Russians, at other times by the Polish, and of course the Germans in WWII.

At first the residents of the town where this novel is set are relieved that the Russians are driven out of their country as the Germans approach, but it doesn't take long for them to realise that this change of regime does not mean that their life is going to get any easier. The Ukrainian people don't like the Polish people because of the crimes committed against them and vice versa. Both The Polish and the Ukrainians have set up resistance organisations trying to oust first the Russians and then the Germans, but there are times when they are too busy fighting each other. It's a messy world where it is difficult to know who you can and cannot trust.

To read more head to

http://www.theintrepidreader.com/2023...

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kinderen van Oekraïne is een verhaal dat zich afspeelt vanaf de zomer van 1941 in Oekraïne. Op dat moment gaat Oekraïne gebukt onder het regime van Stalin. In 1921 werd Oekraïne verdeeld tussen Polen en de Sovjet-Unie en Oekraïne verloor hiermee de strijd om een onafhankelijk land te worden. Het gebied waarin het verhaal zich grotendeels afspeelt, Volhynië, kwam onder het Poolse bestuur terecht. Toen in 1939 Polen werd binnengevallen door de Sovjet-Unie en nazi-Duitsland, werd ook Polen verdeeld. Het Poolse deel van Oekraïne werd bezet door de Sovjet-Unie. Totdat ook nazi-Duitsland dit gedeelte aanvalt en bezet.

Het verhaal wisselt tussen drie vrouwelijke perspectieven die al jaren geleden familieleden en hun land zijn verloren onder het regime van Stalin en Polen. Wanneer Duitsland Oekraïne binnenvalt, juicht de bevolking dit eerst toe. Totdat ze erachter komen dat de nazi’s nog erger zijn dan het Rode leger van de Sovjet-Unie. De levens van de zeventienjarige Liliya, de volwassen Vika en de twaalfjarige Halya worden wederom op de proef gesteld. Vika doet er alles aan om haar kinderen te beschermen, maar dat gaat niet zo gemakkelijk wanneer zowel de Sovjets als de Duitsers de bevolking van Oekraïne als minderwaardig ziet. Liliya wil vechten voor haar familie, voor haar vrienden en voor haar land. Maar hoe kan ze dit doen, wanneer ze al zoveel is verloren? Voor Halya dreigt terwerkstelling in Duitsland. Zal zij haar familie ooit nog terugzien? Zal het leven dat ze kennen, het Oekraïne dat ze kennen, ooit nog zo zijn als ze zich herinneren? Zullen ze ooit leven in een onafhankelijk land?

Het verhaal begint met een hoofdstuk met historische achtergrond en dit is erg prettig voor de lezer die weinig kennis heeft over de geschiedenis van Oekraïne. Alleen al dit hoofdstuk is schrijnend om te lezen, wat Oekraïne en haar bevolking allemaal al heeft moeten doorstaan als land. Hierna start het verhaal met proloog dat meteen de toon van het verhaal neerzet. Het verhaal wisselt per hoofdstuk van perspectief en het maakt sprongen in de tijd. Op deze manier ervaar je vanuit drie perspectieven de oorlog en de onderdrukking.

Ondanks dat het een heftig onderwerp is en Erin Litteken de gruwelen niet schuwt in dit boek, is ze erin geslaagd het boek luchtig te houden. De dosis informatie die gegeven wordt zorgt ervoor dat je als lezer het verhaal voor je kan zien. De personages worden realistisch neergezet en ondanks hun verschillende afkomst, zullen ze elkaar ontmoeten en elkaar nodig hebben. Alle drie de vrouwen maken een karakterontwikkeling door. Het ene verhaal is hoopvoller dan het andere, de een heeft meer kracht dan de ander, maar alledrie zijn het sterke, strijdvaardige vrouwen.

Het verhaal speelt zich af in een tijdsbestek van 1941 tot en met 1949, maar het had net zo goed in deze tijd kunnen afspelen. Helaas door de oorlog die nu is, de beelden die we daarvan zien, de verhalen die we horen, komt dit boek nog harder binnen dan dat het al deed.

Erin Litteken sluit haar boek af met een nawoord waarin ze een inkijkje geeft in het leven van haar Oekrainse familie en wat de nasleep van de Tweede Oorlog hierop heeft gehad. Dit boek is absoluut een aanrader om te lezen als je meer wilt lezen over de geschiedenis van Oekraïne tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog.

[Fabienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 ⭐️

[Paulette Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A multi-layered saga woven with history and heart. Litteken captivates with her cast of extraordinary, resilient characters. The Lost Daughters of Ukraine is an unforgettable gem of historical fiction.

While the plot of this novel is riveting, it’s the characters that drive the story, which is something I love about Erin Litteken’s writing.

Halya, Vika, and Liliya are all equally strong characters, realistically written, and their perspectives twine together seamlessly.

I also love that the author included some of her own family history in this novel. It added so much depth and emotion to the narrative. While Litteken doesn’t shy away from showing the horrors of war, there is always a thread of hope and inspiration present, even in the darkest moments. A fantastic, well-researched novel centering the Ukrainian experience during WWII.

Highly recommend!

Thanks to the author and publisher for the Advance Review Copy of this book.

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Друга книга Ерін дала мені трохи більше надії, хоча, вона не менш важка аніж перша. Дуже чуттєві описи, майже всі залізли мені під шкіру і я ще довго не зможу нормально спати, колупаючи сцени з книги у своїй голові. Для мене це показник хорошої книги!

[Amanda McCrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erin Litteken has a gift for prose that is both no-nonsense and tenderly emotional—much like her strong, stubborn characters who hold on dearly to their humanity and to each other through years of trauma and tragedy. A beautiful, hard-hitting tribute to her own family's history and to the people of unbowed, unbroken Ukraine.

[pamela hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

List daughters of Ukraine

I started this book knowing nothing of Ukraine history. I fell in love with the people and the country while reading this moving, terrifying and incredible book..and I'll be recommending it to others.

[Jurga · Rating 5 out of 5]

This very strong book, which touches the real historical events so well, it might leave you in tears. As the author mentions herself, that‘s the story where her family history intertwines with fiction (there are pointers at the end of the book about what is what).
I‘m glad that this book touches not only one side of WWII. A huge amount historical fiction books are purely based on German Nazis as the only bad guys in history. Now, every educated person should know that it was more nuanced than that and I hate to see how hugely other parties involved and the damage done is being overlooked, especially Soviets. The damage that haunts generations brought by war, greed, inhumanity, separated and lost families. How even after the end of the war, millions of people had to flee and couldn‘t come back home because occupying forces (yes, Soviet Russia), would get them sent to gulags – to another never-ending nightmare, where their homes were destroyed or given away to occupants. I bow my head that not everybody has forgotten this, and it is worth reminding the others, as history seemingly repeats itself – as heartbreaking as it is to realise that.
On a more personal side of the story – the characters described are quite nuanced as well, there are no just bad or just good ones – it all depends on how you look and perceive things, especially in such a dire situation there were all put to. Self-guilt, fierceness, depression, faith, empathy, fear, love – all of this and more, what makes humans humane, can be found in the story.
The language used in this book is beautiful, yet very realistic, making it even more so believable, as history shows – we know that there were a lot of people with similar stories. But it doesn‘t make them just a number in statistics. They all had lives, families, personalities, hobbies and passions, and various goals in life. Reading about individuals like these helps to maintain empathy and hope for the future. We all need a lot of this.

[Jennifer Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Erin Litteken’s newest novel, The Lost Daughters of Ukraine, we are introduced to Halya, Liliya, and Vika- three females living in German and Soviet occupied Ukraine during WWII. Halya is a younger girl being raised by her dad and stepmother, while wondering why her birth mother would leave her. Vika is Liliya’s aunt, trying to raise and keep safe her three children while putting on a brave face for her family to hide how terrified she is. Liliya has lost her parents and brother to the war and finds herself questioning “Why me?” when she survives various events while others she knows are killed.

Liliya and Halya’s lives intersect in a train bound for Germany as they are taken as German labor. There, Liliya’s cousin, Slavko, convinces Liliya that they should treat Halya as family. Liliya, afraid to become attached to anyone because those close to her die, is hesitant, but Halya reminds them both of Slavko’s younger sister, so she relents. Meanwhile, Vika tries to hold her family and sanity together when her husband decides for their own safety and survival that they should leave their home and head to get Liliya and Slavko back from the labor camp they were taken to. Litteken eaves together a beautiful tribute to what her family experienced during the war. Well researched. Well written. You hope against hope that they will be reunited as the story flows. Make sure to read the author’s notes after the story ends. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advanced copy. Opinions expressed are my own. This book is set for publication on April 23, 2023.

#netgalley #arc #bookstagram #erinlitteken #thelostdaughtersofukraine #boldwoodbooks

[Sharon Rimmelzwaan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Erin Litteken's second book that I have read. It's a historical fiction novel that I just knew would be an excellent read immediately. I couldn't wait to turn my Kindle on and start the book.

The story centres upon Vika, Liliya, and Halya. Set during World War Two and up to 1947. We witness the devastation to them and their families, initially by the Soviets then the Germans, and again the Soviets. This was such a powerful and emotional story. Especially as I read it in relation to the fact that the Ukrainians have been invaded by Russia...yet again and have been fighting for over a year now.

Erin Litteken's characters are again created to such a high standard that I felt like they were real people. I cried with them and felt everything they were going through. The bravery and tenacity of these people is the only thing that keeps them going. Even to this day, I see the brutality of the regimes that have invaded Ukraine over the years, and they never give in. This is so clear as events unfold.

Again, this has been written so skillfully that you can't tell where the fiction ends and the facts begin. Erin Litteken is a master storyteller, and I was spellbound by The Lost Daughters of Ukraine. Emotional, powerful, and hard hitting. It's a book I would recommend to anyone and everyone. Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for the gifted book to write my unbiased review.

[Ira Kolomiets · Rating 5 out of 5]

That’s an amazing book written about the family history during the WW2 and after. The story about 3 “sisters” who went through Holodomor, switching of countries, ostarbaiters’ camp in Germany, then loosing everyone and finding everyone at the end. The loses that they went through, the responsibility and heavy guilt.
I’m happy that I purchased those books, I most likely will Listen to them again in the future.

[Emilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[Dianne McMahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book,on Ukraine history written by the great granddaughter of a man who lived thru this life.
This is fictional account,but many of the characters are based on real persons.
Ukrainian people suffered greatly before & after WWII for many,many yrs. & are still suffering.
This book should be on many peoples lists of books to good to be missed.
There are many,many pages that are very hard to read & believe that they really happened,but they did.
In all honesty,when you are finished,you will appreciate greatly that you never lived thru anything like this or be related to anyone who did.