The Stars Are Our Witness

by Siobhan Curham

Auschwitz, 1943. Adela stuffs small cloth pouches containing the stolen gunpowder into the folds of her dress. As she joins the column of exhausted women heading back to the barracks, the guard shouts ‘Inspection!’ and her blood turns to ice…

Working in the camp’s munitions factory, Adela Rubenstein discovers the underground network fighting against the devastating cruelty all around them. Imprisoned for teaching Jewish orphans in secret for the resistance, she doesn’t hesitate to join the rebellion. Every night on the way back to her hut, she looks up at the stars, the only witness to their plan to blow up the crematoria buildings.

The women can only smuggle a teaspoonful of the gunpowder at a time. But Adela knows from her time in the Warsaw ghetto what incredible feats can be achieved with courage and patience. Thinking of home reminds her of her darling brother, Azriel, and Izabel, who was like a sister to her. She has no idea what happened to them when she was caught, if they are even still alive. But she must keep doing whatever she can to resist. She has to make them proud.

As the day of the attack draws near, Adela is utterly stunned when she comes face to face with her beloved brother. Pale and hunched, but alive. Her heart soars as she hugs him tightly. Maybe it’s a sign, and there is hope for them after all. But not if he is working in the very building they will soon destroy…

Fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Nightingale and A Fire Sparkling will be swept away by this beautiful, heartbreaking read about unimaginable bravery, family ties and the power of hope when everything seems lost.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, World War II, Holocaust

432 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 26, 2024

About the author

Hi, I’m Siobhan - which for those of you not familiar with the wonder of Irish names, is actually pronounced, Shiv-on!

I’m an award-winning author of over 50 books, fiction and non-fiction, for adults, young adults and children, and my first book was published back in 2000, so I’ve been at this writing game for almost a quarter of a century now.

I’m also a former council estate kid and a university drop-out - I dropped out because I didn’t think I had what it took to make it in the middle class world of publishing. Thankfully I managed to overcome my self doubt and fear and achieve my writing dreams, and now I love helping others do the same through my mentoring, courses and talks.

I don’t know about you, but during the pandemic I felt as if my life had collapsed in on itself and I’d had to shrink myself to fit this strange new world of lockdowns and zoom calls (oh, so many Zoom calls!) and working from home and working alone. Even when things returned to some semblance of normal back in 2022, I felt that I’d lost sight of who I was and I’d definitely lost my joy for living.

Then, an unexpected trip to Jamaica changed everything, jolting me back to life and reminding me of who I truly am. In a bid to never lose sight of myself and my sense of wonder and purpose again, I started travelling more and writing a weekly Substack letter called Wonderstruck. And in September 2023 I gave up my home in the UK and pretty much all of my worldly goods to solo travel the world while I write my books and mentor other writers.

I send Wonderstruck out to my subscribers every Sunday morning, writing about the places I visit and the lessons I learn there. My sole aim for writing this letter is to inspire others to rediscover their own sense of purpose, wonder and adventure.

If you've enjoyed reading any of my books I'd love it if you joined the Wonderstruck community over on Substack.

Thanks so much for reading and reviewing my books, I really appreciate it!

Siobhan

Substack: siobhancurham.substack.com
Facebook: Siobhan Curham Author
Instagram: @SiobhanCurhamAuthor
Twitter: @SiobhanCurham

For more information about my books, mentoring and courses, please visit: http://www.siobhancurham.com

Reviews

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

★ 4.5 stars

"You are made of water and stardust. You're proof that magic exists."

This was one of my top 20 reads of 2024 and was utterly heartbreaking and moving. As someone that has an interest in modern history and has read quite a few fiction books on WWII, this topic is overdone at times, however this is definitely one you should add to your list.

The Star Are Our Witness is set in Warsaw, Poland following the German occupation in 1940's. The story follows Izabel, a young Catholic/Polish girl, her Jewish best friend, Adela and Adela's brother, Azriel. The story is told through each of their perspectives which adds to the suspense and heartbreak.

Prior to the occupation, Adela was halfway through her degree in literature at University but was forced to stop as she was prevented from having an education. Adela still finds a way to educate young Jewish children while facing daily horrific events. During this time, she meets Jaski - an insightful man that helps her learn how to hope again. I loved them endlessly.

In many ways, Izabel lived a privileged life, however the division is further exacerbated following the occupation and segregation. She is a naive, aspiring actress and always tried to advocate for her Jewish friends despite the consequences. Her love for her friends sets off a dangerous chain of events as she grows closer with a Nazi soldier to gain information for the resistance.

Azriel previously lived away from home for 4 years to study medicine, however, he returned home early to actively assist the resistance. I loved Azriel's character and the courageousness he demonstrated. His romance with Izabel was beautiful and was the beacon of light in the story for me.

I was deeply connected to the characters and everything they endured. There's something incredibly strong about personalising such large scale horrific events through the lens of individual characters to tell their stories. The writing was direct and jarring - it did not shy away from the ugliness of this story. While this was written very well, it did not attempt to soften the blows the words were landing. You could tell this novel is well researched and was executed well.

I cried my eyes out like a baby reading this! I personally found this more confronting than the Nightingale. This is an incredible story of human resilience, friendship and courage that has stayed with me. I encourage everyone to read it. It's criminally underrated.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for sending me an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. Available now on KU.

[Meagan✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

RTC





Pre-read✨
Paige said she was sobbing uncontrollably with this book and that’s all I needed to know 😭💔

[Emma Crowley · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a stunning cover and a captivating title the new book from Siobhan Curham has. The Stars Are Our Witness stood out to me as soon as I saw the cover reveal and with that haunting picture of a camp on the cover I knew I would be in for a heart rending and powerful read. It is predominantly set in Warsaw during the war years starting in January 1940 and subsequently split into three distinct parts. The story focuses on a Jewish family named the Rubinsteins. Adela lives with her mother and father Estera and Leopold and her brother Aziel has left the family home after a disagreement with his father over leaving his studies to be a doctor. The whereabouts of Azriel are unknown. The family run a store but can’t sell much due to the new laws imposed upon Jews since the Germans invaded Warsaw. Theirs’s is a life is full of danger and anxiety as more and more laws are introduced as the Germans are determined to snuff out the Jews existence.

Adela’s best friend since childhood is Izabel but she is Catholic and not under the same restrictions as the Rubinstein’s and this will stand to her at times of extreme danger. But yet in the end no one is safe from the clutches of a force that is hell bent on taking over the world. Azriel makes a surprise reappearance at the family home and he is a man filled with courage, grit and determination which never wavers throughout the book. He sees the bigger picture and through his resistance work he knows what is coming down the line. Whilst others are prepared to bury their head in the sand he joins the Bund, a secret group set up in Warsaw, to engage in resistance activities. The relationship between Azriel and his father is a tentative one and it seems as if they are on opposing sides as he has become a member of the Judenrat. The Judenrat was a Jewish council set up and controlled by the Nazi’s. But the war is far from over and Adela and Azriel know that they must do anything within their power to contribute to the downfall of Hitler.

The chapters are told from several viewpoints, that of Adela, Azriel and Izabel and I found there to be a frantic pace switching back and forth between the various characters. I did find this difficult to get used to but once I did I found myself settling into the story. Given the blurb mentioned Auschwitz I presumed this would be where the majority of the story would be set but this wasn’t the case. With every new chapter I expected the plot to move to this location but it only occurs in part three. It was only as I reached this part that I realised the rest of the story provided the foundations and background to what would form a story of loyalty, bravery, family and friendship in the most difficult of times.

Adela works in an orphanage secretly given lessons to the children there and as rumours grow that the Nazi’s plan to build a ghetto in Warsaw and imprison the Jewish population within the walls her fears grow that her family will be torn apart. Jaksi runs the orphanage and always gives Adela the best of advice. They become more than friends and the magical motto he provides her with will carry her through turmoil, torture and terror. ’I am made of water and stardust. My very existence is proof of magic.’ As the chapters pass by detailing the changes to the Rubinstein’s lives the sense of rage and hopelessness grows. Such hatred, barbarity and oppression is inflicted by the Germans and Adela knows she needs to do more. That she can’t sit by and let her world splinter into fragments that will be impossible to piece together. She helps Azriel with his resistance work and I admired the guts she had to place herself in danger. More wise words from Jaksi are what Adela clings to as the family become trapped behind the ghettos walls. ’If you’re ever feeling sad, scared, or alone, use the magic of your imagination and pretend to be something or somewhere else’. Soon everyone’s worst fears are realised as Jews are rounded up in the ghetto and deported to labour camps with the final destination beyond their wildest imagination. Here the strength of the human spirit and the resilience and fortitude of Azriel and Adela come to the fore.

As there were three main characters it was inevitable I was going to be drawn to one over the others and I was quite surprised to find that it was Izabel who was the stand out character for me. She was brilliantly written and given she was of a different religion to Adela and her family you would have thought that she wouldn’t have suffered as much so to speak. Hers was a different story which interlinked with Adela’s and I found her to be such a fabulous character. She was fiery, feisty and a flirt. This last characteristic would stand her in good stead when she decides that she too will do her bit to help the family that have meant so much to her. She would never lay down and accept the fate that was steamrolling towards the Rubinstein’s and so many others. I thought she used her talents and means very well and placed herself in compromising and dangerous situations when she needn’t have. Which only served to show how loyal and devoted she was to Adela and her family and someone special in particular. I found the turn of events quite surprising for Izabel and it was brave of the author to do this as she could have left her in comfort and her character could have been put to the side in part three of the story. Instead, she was utilised very well and I thought it connected brilliantly to what Azriel and Adela were going through.

Part three was the standout section of the book as things took on a menacing and sinister tone and the setting mentioned in the blurb came to the fore. It was haunting and some of the scenes described no matter how many times I have read a book based on the topic of World War Two well it all hit home even more here. It served as a stark reminder to never forget what countless men, women and children went through and it should never be allowed to happen again. Adela, Azriel and Izabel show their true strength and incredible courage and demonstrated how love and hope are the two emotions that would serve them well in the darkest of hours. Everything built to an unbelievable climax and I found my heart was in my mouth as I rapidly turned the pages to discover what would happen next. I had my fingers crossed for a certain outcome, knowing really that everything couldn’t have turned out the way I wanted it to. The story needed to stay true to its roots and I think Siobhan Curham did this with the ending she provided.

The Stars Are Our Witness was a powerful story packed full of emotion and characters that you really come to care for. You place your trust in them and root for them all the way with their acts of resistance. The love, hope steadfastness, devotion and fearlessness shines through from every page. The fact that vast elements of the story were based on true events made me appreciate everything all the more and by the end I felt as if I had been on a roller-coaster and I wasn’t particularly willing to get off and leave the characters behind.

[Cindy Spear · Rating 5 out of 5]

This heart breaking novel The Stars are our Witness by Siobhan Curham left me devastated. I felt so much compassion for the characters. The horrors they went through ripped me to shreds. We all have read how horrible the Jewish people were treated, suffered and died under the hands of the Nazis regime but Siobhan somehow makes it even more real in the way she writes. My heart bled for these people. The innocent children, the everyday person just trying to live their life stopped by the iron fist of prejudice and hatred. I don’t know if there are any words I can say to express the anguish I felt in reading this historical fiction novel, knowing this sort of activity really happened.

The story is told from three perspectives: Jewish Adela and Azriel (sister and brother) and their Polish friend Izabel. Together these three along with others become part of the Resistance.

The setting starts in Warsaw 1940. Adela was midway through her degree in literature at Warsaw University when the Germans took over occupation of Poland. At this point they forbid Jewish people from having an education. But she finds a way to help in teaching children, working with Jaski, a lovely character who inspires her greatly (and whose courage made me cry). He has a saying that becomes her mantra. Words that give her courage about remembering she is made of stardust and that she is proof that magic exists.

Azriel moved away four years earlier to Krakau to study medicine but dropped out part way through. He had a conflict with his father and nobody has seen him since. But one day he returns and reunites with his family and friends. He becomes heavily involved in the Resistance and his courage is tested and demonstrated over and over. I really liked Azriel and his care for his sister, plus his budding romance with Izabel. I could feel the tender love between them carrying them through some rough times.

Izabel is Polish – best friend of Adela. They are in many ways kindred spirits. Izabel will do anything to save her Jewish friends. Her courage and acting skills come into play as she gleans secret information from a Nazis soldier who takes interest in her. This leads her down some dangerous paths—even to Auschwitz where her Jewish friends also end up. She will do whatever it takes to protect those she loves. It will cause division between her and her family.

The descriptions and activities at Auschwitz made me shudder and weep. The scattered clothing, the naked bodies, sent icy chills not only through Azriel but me, too. I was uttering the same thoughts, Please let this horror be over. The tortures these people faced were beyond our worst imaginings. There is an interesting comparison made by Azriel of his trials. He thought what he experienced in the Warsaw Ghetto was awful and that ‘life couldn’t get any worse’ but Auschwitz was ‘without a shadow of doubt, the worst place on earth.’ The words: Welcome to hell, as one woman said, were so true.

There are so many touching scenes in this novel and one between Azriel and his father Leopold at Auschwitz, I don’t think I will ever forget. As they made peace with each other, the demonstration and brilliance of love, forgiveness and sacrifice made me weep.

Over and over Siobhan shows us through her beloved characters, the courage with which many of these women and men fought back. It gave them hope, strength and purpose being part of something organised to battle against the Germans. There were also physical reminders like Izabel’s pendant of Saint Bridget that kept her believing she could survive and reunite with her friends.

There were those who were forced to fight against the Jews who did not want to. One soldier in the story was quite horrified by all that was happening. This helps us remember there were people caught in the middle between duty and conscience and the desire to flee and not get blood on their hands. Some of these people tried to make amends and sought forgiveness by helping those who were persecuted.

Adela keeps the words “Be strong and have courage’ foremost in her heart when faced with some awful scenes. ‘There, glimmering in the dark, was the most incredible array of stars, also bearing witness to the breathtaking resilience of the human spirit.’ This is the theme of the story and obviously the inspiration for the book’s title. A message that sings of the determination for human survival. And that love is greater than hate. Although the Nazis tried to destroy the Jews, their actions actually ‘intensified’ the Jewish people’s love for family and friends.

Although this is historical fiction, it is an incredible tribute to the lives of those who endured and those who perished. One of the beautiful aspects of this story is how it shines with the resilience and power of the human spirit. But the main reason this story exists is to remind us of the past horrors so as not to repeat such history. The author has successfully done this and her powerful delivery has changed my heart forever. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my review copy.

[Wendy Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well written,highly emotional novel. But there is nothing that sets it aside from the many other books written about the holocost.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Stars Are Our Witness is a heartbreaking and harrowing story of the human spirit. Before the Nazi invasion of Poland, Adela dreamed of becoming a teacher - a path no longer available to her due to the imposition of strict anti-Jewish laws. As the situation around her worsens in Warsaw, she is forced to find new ways to survive. The book covers a lot of time from quite shortly after the first anti-Jewish laws are introduced in Warsaw to the creation of the Warsaw Ghetto to the Warsaw uprising and its eventual destruction. The story then continues with Adela in Auschwitz.

The pacing in this book is good and the chapters relatively short making it a read that immediately draws you in and makes it easy to continue. It wasn’t clear to me from the description but this book is a multi POV. Adela is the focus, but we also experience the POV of Azriel (her brother and a former medical student) and Izabel (her best friend and a Catholic). Through the three of them we also meet a wide representation of people from fervent resistant fighters to reluctant heroes to collaborators.

This book is fiction but it is inspired by the true actions of thousands of people who were forced to endure the unimaginable. There are no winners in war, only survivors and this book does a beautiful job of telling the story of those survivors and the people who lost their lives in order for others to survive.

4.5 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Siobhan Curham for a digital ARC of this book!

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this awesome book

oh man where to start with this book......

i could talk about the childhood friendship that lasted through the generations but it goes beyond that
i could say about the family dynamics that occur but they happen everyday....

but what doesnt is war and the behaviours that occur

but first we meet adela and her friend izabel one if jewish and the other is polish, that friendship is tested many times during the nazi regime

when the ghetto goes up izabel is smuggling in food for them and anything else they may need but for me its when Auschwitz appears that this story really hits you hard and what happens there

i admit there is a scene that brought tears to my eyes and as i dont want to spoil the story to much with spoilers here i just recommend that you read it yourself

this book will haunt you but its the friendships that shine in this book for me, such heartbreak in this book... but friends are friends forever

i look forward to reading another book by this author

[Nichole Lemons · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up.

The Stars Are Our Witness is a novel about the resilience, bravery and enduring love of those imprisoned in Auschwitz and their supporters. I have to admit this book had a slow start for me but by the time I got a third of the way through I was fully invested in the storyline and characters.

This story is full of heart and soul. Despite being heartbreaking at times the underlying takeaway for me was that even a small bit of progress is still progress. Have courage and be strong in the face of adversity and we are all indeed proof that magic exists.

[Zoë Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

heartbreaking, beautiful, gut wrenching, and bursting with hope. this book was incredible. its a perfect read in todays climate to remind us what it was like during WWII for the jewish population. this book is in 3 parts, life before the ghetto, during the ghetto, and in the labor camp. the characters are all incredibly easy to root for and love. it is so heartbreaking yet hopeful at the same time. “There, glimmering in the dark, was the most incredible array of stars, also bearing witness to the breathtaking resilience of the human spirit.”

[Ashlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just so heartbreakingly beautiful 😭 even more so starting it the evening I got back from visiting Auschwitz 💔

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 🌟

[Carolyn Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

It really is totally gripping!

There was so much depth to this story that I can't believe it wasn't hundreds of pages longer. I savored every word.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Stars Are Our Witness by Siobhan Curham is an inspiring, heartbreaking historical read that consumed me for a few hours.
The novel opens in Warsaw in 1940. It is an occupied city where the Nazis are gradually exterminating the Jewish population. Those who were previously counted as friends are shunning their Jewish neighbours – except for one brave sibling pairing. Kindred spirits cannot be torn apart.
We witness the bravery and daring of even the very young in the fight back against the Nazi occupation. As the grip tightens and the violence escalates, so does the bravery.
The fight back and the resistance looks very different for different characters. They all have very different skill sets – some are called to fight, some to smuggle, and yet some use their feminine wiles to extract information and weapons. Codes of morality blur in times of war.
In contrast, we see the greed and the selfishness of those who collude with the Nazis. Even within families, there are those who are on the side of ‘right’ and those who are out for themselves.
It is heartbreaking to witness a character who thought he was helping as part of the juden rat, but finally realizes he is, in fact, powerless.
We see the Warsaw uprising and witness the aftermath.
As we travel to Auschwitz, we see hell on earth. Characters refuse to roll over and submit, fighting back where they can, in ways that they can. We see sacrifices being made as mouths are kept shut and bodies endure the unthinkable.
There are those who hold on to hope. The stars are the witness to their lives. The stars will forever remain.
Not all Germans are Nazis. Wearing the uniform has broken a soul who does what he can to atone.
All the characters were well drawn and realistic. I was totally engrossed in the book. This is a book that must be read in memory of the six million innocents who perished, and of those who survived.
I received a free copy from the publishers for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

[Ink · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Stars Are Our Witness by Siobhan Curham is a story of friendship, love, strength and fortitude that will shred your heart as much as it inspires it. I have read many novels detailing the atrocities of the Holocaust of WW2 and every time, my heart and soul are wrenched and torn, but this book does not sugar-coat the raw truth of the human experience and environment, reminiscent of John Boyne (The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas). I am not comparing the two books, I am comparing the exceptional skill of both writers to place you right in the environment in which they are writing about, vivd, emotive, like you are there

I have not read any Siobhan Curham books before and I can say after this book, I will be searching out more books. Am I a sucker for punishment? No, I adore historical fiction for its role in keeping history alive through human experience and human voices, reminding us of what has gone before

Told from multiple pov's, the story tells of prisoners in Auschwitz, one Polish, two Jewish, smuggling a teaspoon of gunpowder each time they came back from working in the munitions factory, in the hope they can destroy the crematoria where so many souls had been lost. However, the plan has a major dilemma, one which is almost impossible to overcome

This book is absolutely brilliant, it left me absolutely bebreft, my heart cracked and my eyes red raw. A tragic tale with a seam of glittering hope, a book that deserves to be a bestseller

Thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture and the incredible Siobhan Curham for this stunning ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

[Ike Levick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 18: The Stars are our Witness

This was my first @bookouture book ever and first @amazonkindle book in over ten years, and I loved it!

@siobhancurhamauthor was inspired by people’s real lives to create a story of her own, in this case following two families’ lives in Warsaw during WWII; one Jewish, one Catholic. The main characters were directly affected by the creation of the Jewish Ghetto, and some of them ended up dying, or surviving, in Treblinka and Auschwitz. Not knowing who survives adds to the tension.

There’s no doubt that this is a heart-breaking story: but it is also one of human courage, hope and love. Endurance and resilience. Forgiveness, friendship and loss. And so much unbridled bravery against evil, no matter how high the stakes were if you were caught.

Also, so much sadness. Reading once again about so many thousands, millions of people who were taken from their homes, gassed, starved, worked, marched or shot to death. Then the warm balm of camp friendships, resistance and a sheer bloody determination to live, to let the world know what happened, which kept the lucky ones alive.

My favourite line was the orphan master’s motto: “You are made of water and stardust, proof that magic really does exist.”

Thank you again Bookouture for inviting me to be part of your Books on Tour. I loved this book and will think about it for some time to come.

9/10
#bookreview #wwii #auschwitz #siobhancurham #amreading #historicalfiction #amwriting #lovestory #booknerd #bookstagram

[DianeLikesToRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Many thanks to Bookouture for inviting me to be part of the Books on Tour for The Stars Are Our Witness by Siobhan Curham. This book is gut wrenching and it will leave you breathless and sobbing.
This book is told from the point of view of three characters- Adela, her brother Azriel and Izabel, Adela’s best friend. Adela is sent to Auschwitz, and becomes part of the underground movement there. I don’t want to give too much away, but you will not put this book down.
I was reading this while my husband had the television on. I was watching the students at Columbia University, which I have taken many training classes at, violently protesting and hurling Anti Semitic slurs. My heart was breaking and I wanted to scream at the tv. How can we allow this to occur again? This book showed the true utter horror of hate. Why are we allowing this to go on? Many of the students don’t even know why they are protesting. Maybe they should read books like this one to know what really happened.
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#TheStarsAreOurWitness #NetGalley #Bookouture #BookLove #BooksSetDuringWWII #Bookstagram #NewBook #ILoveBooks

[Samadhee Ismail · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heartbreaking and emotional stories of three brave young people Adela, Azriel and Isabel during the German occupation in Poland during World War II.

The story is told in their POVs. All three are involved in the resistance movement and Isabels loyalty towards her Jewish friends make her a very likable character as she risked her own life helping them.

The descriptions used in the book are all too real the description of Warsaw Ghetto, the dire conditions at both the Ghetto and Auschwitz the brutal treatment by the Nazis is general were at times too heartbreaking and emotional to read. Despite being a historical fiction we know that these events did occur in real life. Holocaust is something that we should never forget.

All in all, the whole story was beautifully written engaging and shows the true meaning of friendship and loyalty. Worth five stars

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only

[Miranda YEUNG · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Stars Are Our Witness by Siobhan Curham

One of the best WW2 historical fiction I have ever read.

The story had three POVs, two Jewish kids and one non-Jewish kid. From various POV, it let you had an all-rounded idea of the story. I was hooked from the beginning of the story and it made me desperate to know what's going next. The story setting was heart-breaking and emotional. Some parts were disturbing, but these all made the story fuller. The characters are smartly created by the author. They were likeable.

The story also described the events happened in Auschwitz which were unforgettable. Even this is a page-turner book, but is was quite hard for me when it came to the Auschwitz's part - too hard to imagine the life at that time.

If you can only read one WW2 related book, this is the one I highly recommend!

Many thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for my copy.

Pub date: April 26, 2024

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

We follow the lives of a brother and sister Adela and Azriel and their friend Izabel during WW2 Poland. Siobhan Curham writes wonderful books that reminds you of the resilience of many during dark times and the spirit of love and hope, The Stars Are Our Witness continues that, with its characters courage and bravery from Warsaw through to the ghetto and to Auschwitz. You are swept into a heartfelt, heartwarming story of family, love, loss, forgiveness and sacrifice. A highly recommended emotional historical fiction WW2 read. 4 ½ stars.

I would like to thank Bookouture, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this complimentary copy for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Publisher Details | NetGalley
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[Ronald · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly heartbreaking story

The Stars are Our Witness is a story everyone should read. It is not a happy story, although it does have its moments of happiness and fun. The story follows three friends as the Nazis come to power in Poland and start their oppression and violence on the Jews and other non-Aryan groups. It is a story of bravery in spite of the odds, of friendship and courage, of fear and loss. It is a story of what people can and will do to survive, and the importance of words and feelings and hope, when there is nothing else to cling to. It is a story of survival even when it seems there is no longer any reason to want to go on, to survive. I recommend this story so readers can get a better understanding of what World War II was like on a very personal level.

[Jeanette Durkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book! It has heartbreaking moments and moments of joy! The absolute heroism displayed by many of the characters completely astounded me! There are a few love stories too that balance out the heaviness of the issues that took place in the book.

The characters' personalities and lives are written brilliantly! So many of them touched my heart. I mourned with them and celebrated their victories! I love that the author portrayed real people and events.

This is a must-read! This book and the characters will stay with me for a while. I look forward to reading more books by this author!

I was provided a copy of the book from Bookouture via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Siobhan Curham, and Bookouture for the opportunity to review this ARC of The Stars Are Our Witness. All opinions are my own.

What an excellent read! Fans of The Nightingale will love this tale of love, hope, and the indomitable human spirit. The three main characters are impossible to not love and root for. The heaviness of the subject is well balanced with the hope needed to survive such atrocities. There’s a little romance in here too. Beautifully written! I will definitely be recommending this to anyone who loves historical fictions and I will be reading more of Siobhan Curham’s work!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible! This will certainly be a top book for 2024. This is the first book by Siobhan Curham that I've read, and I can't wait to read the rest of her books.
The story is incredibly heartbreaking - love, loss, the strong bonds of family and friends, and fighting for what is right. The story is told with incredible detail that really makes you feel what the main characters are living through and trying to survive through.
I can't recommend this book enough and is one of the best WWII historical fiction books I've read (and I read a lot of them!).
Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for access to this book.

[Linda Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is based on the true stories of the Jews in Warsaw during WW2. It is a harrowing tale, deeply disturbing as so vividly portrayed. It’s told from three POV, mainly Adela, & also her brother Azriel, both Polish Jews. They have their lives turned upside down by the Nazi repression. Then there’s their Catholic best friend Izabel. She’s a fierce supporter of the Jews & suffers terribly for her boldness. The Nazis stupidly told people that the Jews spread diseases. It’s gutsy & raw, telling in detail how people survived these awful times. Short punchy chapters keep pages turning.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley & Bookouture. I am writing a voluntary honest review

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking

True love is really rare. Soul mates rarely live long enough. Finding both is a gift rarer than anything I can imagine.

True love soul mates can be sisters, friends, brothers, or lovers.

Knowing of them is enough to give the darkest moments in our lives reason to hope.

This group of characters seem so unlikely and so different but their bond is unbreakable even by death. Their love for life and for living is so strong that it brings them together through physical separation and even death.

Let the power of love and the bravery it creates spark some hope into your life and truly inspire you to dare to believe.

[Kat · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Stars are Our Witness had the makings of a powerful story. Told from the POVs of Jewish siblings Azrirl and Adela, along with Adela’s Catholic best friend, Izabel, the novel moves from the beginning of Nazi occupation of Poland through the liberation of Auschwitz.

Unfortunately, the novel tries to hard to incorporate too much history. The characters are conveniently placed for every significant moment. You can accurately portray the horrors of this experience without your characters being at the forefront of every major event.

The dialogue is weak and the characters struggle to find unique voices.

[Kathy Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like historical fiction especially the WWII era, then this is a good read for you. The author has a way of weaving a story that even though tragic will make you believe in the human spirit. How people can survive and rebuild their lives after going through the atrocities of WWII is amazing. This is a very good author, the characters come to life on the page and I found myself staying up way to late to finish another part of the book. I highly recommend this read.

[rhonda granquist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of Adela Rubinstein, her brother and her best friend, Izabella, who is Christian. Adelas father is part of the Judenrat, thinking he could protect his family. Azriel, the brother, is part of the Resistance. This is Adela, Azriel, and Isabel's story of their being 'caught' by the Nazis and their fight for freedom.
It's a pretty heart wrenching story

[Virginia]

Excellent book. Very detailed and sometimes graphic, but you feel you are in the story with the characters. You find out what courage and heroics really means.

I found myself amazed at the bravery of these people who faced unimaginable fears . I couldn’t have done it. But the more you read, the more inspiration you feel.

It’s really good, highly recommend.