Daughters of the Fatherland

by Jericho J Johnson

Daughters of the Fatherland highlights the plight of the children during World War 2 with a special focus on the Romani Holocaust, Porajmos (devouring or destruction). Wars tear families apart, with children being left to fend for and raise themselves amidst a chaotic world. In a time of brutal upheaval, the conflict between and within nations can result in the loss of humanity; however, love and peace can ultimately restore community and thus allow personal redemption for Rosa.

Genres: Audiobook

Kindle Edition

Published September 21, 2024

Reviews

[Marilyn (not getting notifications) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daughters of The Fatherland by Jericho J Johnson was an historical fiction book that took a close examination of the fate of the Romani or Gypsy families during World War II and the Holocaust. It captured the strong ties these people had with one another and how they traveled and lived together. Daughters of The Fatherland paid close attention to the fate of the children during this horrific period in history. I listened to the audiobook that was well narrated by Alyona Popova.

During the dire economic crisis in Germany that followed World War I and just prior to the start of World War II, a Gypsy caravan was traveling through Berlin seeking a safer place to settle when an older couple noticed something along the road they were traveling on. After stopping to retrieve it, they discovered a tiny baby girl that wrapped in a thick blanket that a mother had abandoned. The gypsy couple decided to keep the girl and raise her as their own. They named the baby Rosa. She grew up to be a very inquisitive child who loved to read. Her grandmother had gifted her a book of fairytale stories. Her favorite was Little Red Riding Hood. Rosa often chose to read instead of doing her chores. She was constantly getting into trouble for her outbursts and lashing out at others. When Rosa was about ten years old, the Gypsies in the caravan voted to separate themselves from Rosa and her family because of Rosa’s defiant behavior. It was because of this that Rosa and her parents were arrested by the Nazis. Rosa and her mother were sent to the Women’s Gypsy Concentration Camp in Austria and her father was sent to the Men’s Gypsy Camp in Berlin.

Life at the Women’s Gypsy Concentration Camp was hard. It was lucky that Rosa’s mother was skilled at tailoring. Unfortunately, Rosa’s behavior had not changed and it continued to get her in trouble more often than not. Rosa was determined to find a way to escape from the camp. Then one day Leni Riefenstahl, the photographer and movie producer, visited the camp. Leni was working on directing and starring in a film called Gypsy Queen, Tiefland. She needed gypsy children for the movie. What better place to find the children she required than at the Women’s Gypsy Concentration Camp. Without any regard of separating the children she chose from their mothers, Leni Riefenstahl took about thirty gypsy children in all. Rosa was one of them. She did not want to be separated from her mother. Rosa had promised her father that she would take care of her mother. She was breaking her promise to her father. Leni ended up keeping the gypsy children for about six months before she sent them back to the camp. When the gypsy children returned, it wasn’t long before the camp was dissolved and all the remaining gypsy prisoners were sent to Auschwitz where they were killed. Leni knew that this would happen but she sent those innocent children back regardless. Rosa remained with Leni as her assistant until she was able to escape. She was determined to get to Berlin to find her father. Would Rosa be able to reach Berlin? How would she get there? What dangers would she encounter along the way?

Daughters of the Fatherland by Jericho J Johnson was inspired by real events and some real people. So many children were robbed of their parent’s care and had to learn to fend for themselves during the war. What the Nazis did to the Romani people was horrific and tragic. This is a side of the Holocaust that needs to be recognized as another atrocity committed by the Nazis. I found Daughters of The Fatherland interesting and informative. I recommend this book to those of you who gravitate towards historical fiction about World War II.

Thank you to Interactive Publications Pty Ltd. for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Daughters of The Fatherland by Jericho J Johnson through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Interactive Publications Pty Ltd | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have listened to/ read many books set during WWII time period, I have to say this may be one that I remember for awhile. I thought the story line was well thought out and you really got to know the characters. The book is based from a different point of view than I've read from again. I believe this would kind of be considered a coming of age story, which I don't normally care for, but I just couldn't put this audio book away, I needed to know what happened next. I do believe the story line slowed down about 3/4th of the way through, but the ending made it worth is.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story focuses on a Romani girl and her family during WWII. That’s was what drew me in; I have not read many books fact or fiction, that detail the horrible acts against the Romani people during WWII. I found myself very interested in hearing what would happen to Rosa next and if she and her family would reunite. Oftentimes I found myself feeling so upset for Rosa and what she was going through and also so frustrated with her when she got herself into trouble by not listening to her parents. I did admire the strength she showed in doing what was necessary to stay alive and then carry on as best as possible after losing basically everything. Overall, I would recommend this to others.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book very interesting and in it straddles the line between fiction and fact and i love that. Also have always loved learning about that time period

[Sarah Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: Daughters of the Fatherland by Jericho J. Johnson

Jericho J. Johnson’s Daughters of the Fatherland is a sweeping historical novel that immerses readers in the tumultuous world of 19th-century Russia, weaving together themes of nationalism, gender, and revolution. Through the intertwined lives of its protagonists—aristocratic sisters navigating love, loyalty, and political upheaval—Johnson crafts a vivid tapestry of a society on the brink of transformation. The novel stands as both an intimate family saga and a grand historical narrative, offering a fresh perspective on Russia’s complex identity during a time of profound change.

Content and Themes
Set against the backdrop of imperial Russia’s decline and the rise of revolutionary fervor, Daughters of the Fatherland explores:

Nationalism and Identity: The tension between loyalty to the tsarist regime and burgeoning revolutionary ideals, particularly through the lens of women’s roles in society.
Sisterhood and Rivalry: The dynamic between the sisters—one a traditionalist, the other a radical—serves as a microcosm of Russia’s ideological divides.
Gender and Power: Johnson scrutinizes the constraints placed on women in aristocratic and revolutionary circles, highlighting their often-overlooked contributions to history.
Historical Authenticity: The novel is richly detailed, drawing on real events and figures to ground its fictional narrative in historical reality.

Strengths
Immersive World-Building: Johnson’s prose transports readers to imperial ballrooms, peasant revolts, and clandestine revolutionary meetings with equal skill.
Complex Characters: The sisters are fully realized, their conflicting worldviews lending emotional depth to the broader historical drama.
Nuanced Politics: The novel avoids simplistic moralizing, presenting both tsarist and revolutionary perspectives with empathy and critique.
Feminist Undercurrents: By centering female experiences, Johnson challenges traditional historical narratives dominated by male figures.

Areas for Improvement
Pacing: At times, the novel’s expansive scope leads to uneven pacing, with certain sections feeling rushed while others linger in detail.
Dialogue: Occasionally, the dialogue leans toward exposition, particularly in scenes heavy with historical or political context.
Secondary Characters: While the sisters are compelling, some supporting figures lack depth, serving more as plot devices than fully fleshed-out individuals.

Score Breakdown (Out of 5)
Historical Accuracy & Detail: 4.7/5 (Meticulously researched, though creative liberties are evident)
Character Development: 4.3/5 (Protagonists shine; secondary roles could be stronger)
Narrative Cohesion: 4.0/5 (Epic scope occasionally disrupts flow)
Thematic Depth: 4.8/5 (Layered exploration of nationalism, gender, and revolution)
Emotional Resonance: 4.5/5 (Powerful, but some moments feel underexplored)
Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Daughters of the Fatherland is a triumph of historical fiction, balancing grand-scale drama with intimate personal struggles. Johnson’s ability to humanize the ideological clashes of 19th-century Russia makes this novel both intellectually stimulating and emotionally gripping. While its pacing and secondary characters could be refined, the book’s ambition and feminist reframing of history earn it a place among standout works in the genre. Fans of War and Peace or The Revolution of Marina M. will find much to admire here.

Acknowledgments
Thank you to NetGalley and Jericho J. Johnson for providing a review copy of Daughters of the Fatherland. This review reflects my genuine appreciation for the novel’s rich historical vision and its compelling portrayal of women’s resilience in the face of upheaval.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

World War II provides such a rich backdrop for historical fiction. Every year, at least one title tends to make it onto my reading list. However, I am getting more and more selective in which ones I choose to read. I want something that has ties to history rather than the war as a backdrop.

I wasn't entirely sure what to expect with Daughters of the Fatherland. The idea of looking at the gypsy population who was targeted by the Nazis was something a little different from other titles I've read. I also like to have an audiobook accompany me on daily walks.

At the start, you meet the young Gypsy girl, Rosa. She seems to have a knack for getting in trouble and her mother does her best to squish her outspoken nature. You also learn that Rosa doesn't look like the other Romani children. She has the blond hair of the 'ideal German', something her mother continually hides with dye. Rosa is told of how she was an orphan found on the streets of Berlin and taken in by the older Romani family.

The caravan has heard rumblings of increased hostility and decide to leave for potentially safer ground. They have to cross a bridge in Cologne to do so. Unfortunately, they do not make it. Rosa and her mother are shipped off to the Women’s Gypsy Concentration Camp in Austria, while her father is sent to the Men’s Gypsy Camp in Berlin. After a while (and a very awful consequence to Rosa's nature of bucking authority), Rosa finds herself with Nazi Director Leni Riefenstahl who needs Romani children to film Tiefland.

Without giving away much, I'll say that Rosa's story does not end with the filming of Tiefland. She ends up making her way to Berlin in search of her beloved father. Along the way, she learns a lot about herself and her place in the world.

The story does have a bit of after the war written into it.

Like other historical fiction novels I've enjoyed, this one had me searching for more information about the real-life people in the book. Rosa may be fictional, but the author did pull the name from one of the Romani children used by Leni. This and more is explained in the author's note at the end. (I didn't wait for that, though, and started my research after Leni was introduced.)

Alyona Popova did a good job narrating the story. It felt like the young Rosa was speaking to me instead of an adult Rosa reflecting back a decade or more after the war.

The title gives readers a different perspective of the period and is one that young adults could easily enjoy.

Thanks to NetGalley, Interactive Publications Pty Ltd, and Jericho J Johnson for the advance audiobook copy to review. All opinions are my own.

[Lindsey Barger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Interactive Publications Pty Ltd for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Rosa always loved to read. It was a hobby her mother loathed, but her father loved. Living in a traveling Gypsy caravan meant needing to travel light – Rosa’s books were sparse but treasured because of the limitations, but reading keeps her out of trouble. Her father and the leaders know they are being watched and other Gypsy groups have been arrested by German officials. Any trouble the children raised with the Hitler Youth would only mean their group would be imprisoned, too. Will the caravan make it to safety across the border, or will they end up in the concentration camps, too?

Jericho J. Johnson’s Daughters of the Fatherland juxtaposes the Romani Holocaust against the Hitler-backed film industry, focusing on the plight of the children on both sides of the war. Johnson delivers an almost hard to believe tale showcasing how one German orphan girl, taken in by a Gypsy caravan ends up in a concentration camp before becoming the closest assistant and confidant to one of German’s leading film stars. With lots of name dropping and drama, this tale is not for the faint of heart.

I give Daughters of the Fatherland 3 out of 5 stars. To be clear, this is an era I have read about extensively, both in fiction and nonfiction. The amount of literature written from the perspective of the German citizens is low, and from the Romani viewpoint even lower. I was interested in this book mostly because of this perspective. However, there were moments of cruelty and abuse in this book that were difficult to read – almost to the point of me setting this book aside and not finishing. The violence against the children was just too much. As mentioned above, this book also felt like too many varied plots shoehorned together to make a narrative that isn’t natural. The starving mother whose daughter is adopted by the Gypsies, the family being abandoned by their caravan, their capture and imprisonment in the camps, the guards didn’t kill Rosa for her disobedience, Rosa’s “hiring” to work on the film set, Rosa becoming an important part of the director’s life, the director having a past with an actress who has a big name in American film, Rosa and the children employing a tactic to blow up a tank that felt ripped out of the Wonder Woman movie, etc. It’s just too much to believe and felt too manufactured.

Given the themes of child abuse and general violence, this book should be directed to more mature audiences over 16. I would recommend this book to readers looking to learn more about the role cinema played in both propaganda and concentration camps, or about the Hitler Youth’s role in the war – I would use it as a jumping off point for further reading or research. However, I cannot recommend this as a general read given the passages I found too disturbing and the near unbelievability of the plot.

I was initially drawn to this book because of the unique viewpoint and also the cover art. The description gave the impression this was going to be a tame historical fiction read, but what the author delivered was a disturbing thriller with some childhood romance thrown in for good measure. I chose the audiobook version and really loved the narrator. I would definitely choose more audiobooks featuring Alyona Popova!

Daughters of the Fatherland released December 1st, 2024 and is available from your favorite retailer, including Bookshop.org!

[Sandra Vdplaats · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, let me stress that I enjoyed listening to the audiobook.
I chose the title as I am a Germanist and enjoy listening/reading books about this period.
My family played an active role in the resistance during the war, offering shelter to those in need, and my grandfather was a political prisoner in Camp Westerbork. He managed to escape from there, and survived the war, though other family members did not have the same fortune and lost their lives in the war.

In retrospect, I find the blurb a little misleading: at first I assumed that Rosa, as an 'eyewitness' to the Porajmos/Antiziganism, was telling the story of 'her' people during the Second World War. I soon found out that this production took many liberties with historical events and some conventional characters who appear in the novel.

I find the narrator a little too young to be telling 'her' story here, Rosa grew up in Germany and therefore speaks fluent German, the narrator trying to imitate a German accent (sometimes to the point of overdoing it) is therefore a little strange.
I think the story would have worked better for me if an adult Rosa - and another narrator - had told her story and her experiences as a child in Nazi Germany. In other words, two narrators. In that case the audio book would definitely have gained in strength.

Via Tiefland (a film by Leni Riefenstahl, eventually completed in 1954), Der Blaue Engel, Metropolis, Josef von Sternberg, Billy Wilder, and Fritz Lang, we are travelling with Rosa to Nibelungen (a parable about power!) and encounter Theo Morell (Hitler’s physician) to later encounter Kurt Vonnegut in the slaughterhouse during the Dresden bombing, after which she travels to Berlin via 'Mittelwerk' dressed as a Wehrmacht soldier to find her father.

Riefenstahl is given a role in this work that, in my opinion, she does not deserve. She remained controversial until her death. Also, the fact that Hitler and Goebbels come out of the bunker after the fall of Berlin…. oh well. Like I said, the audiobook does take a lot of liberties to make it work, but bearing that in mind, it’s still an o.k listen, albeit with some reservations.

3*** - I received an audiobook via Netgalley in return for an honest review -

[Regina C · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book in audio format and was thoroughly impressed by the performance and production quality.

I picked this book out because I have for a while been curious about the less discussed victims of the holocaust, such as the Romani, and wondered about that experience. Drawing on real life events, the narrative has lead me to research things like the production of Tiefland, which was interesting and not something I would have known about otherwise.

From a narrative sense I found this story somewhat ridiculous; the number of wildly improbable events - particularly in coming across people the protagonist had met previously or people with close connections to one another randomly during her travels across war torn Germany - which were necessary to move the plot forward really took me out of the story at times. I would not object to individual occurrences of this but when it happens over and over again I struggle to take the story seriously.

The way the story treated the American soldiers in contrast to the Russians also felt somewhat propagandistic to me; particular attention was focused on the barbarity of the Russians in their treatment of German women, contrasted with the American liberators. I don’t personally know about raw numbers but not long ago I watched a DW documentary which interviewed both women who had been attacked by Americans and women who had been attacked by Russians. This isn’t to cast aspersions on the American GI’s at large, but bending the truth to draw a clear evil vs saintly distinction between the groups makes me a little uncomfortable. It seems disrespectful to the victims of the crimes it ignores. I guess I just didn’t expect a book so clearly informed by detailed historical research to be so uninterested in critically examining its assumptions about some of the history.

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

To say this book is timely may be the understatement of the century.

With the ongoing rise of fascism around the world, and the upcoming documentary on the woman responsible for 1940s Germany’s most effective propaganda films, this book gives us a look back in a relatable narrative way to the life that exists under authoritarian rule. Persecution to those perceived to be different, even if they are all too familiar.

I listened to this as an audiobook, and inasmuch, the narration was stellar, well paced, and well edited. I did not have to, but could easily run this at 2x if desired.

As for educational content, if using this novel in schooling, it’s always nice to be able to look up the reality of the characters fictionalized in a book, and this particular book names and notes who the characters were, and what actually became of them, where applicable.

On a personal note, the use of the word “gypsy” was a bit jarring, so keep that in mind when listening. I have always known it as a slur, but I understand that there are those who do not. Historical context being what it is, and cultural differences involved around the world, I can understand its use, but it does detract a bit from the story. I suppose it is a chance, when introducing the book to younger readers, to advocate for the idea of referring to people as they would like to be referred, a common theme throughout the book.

I obtained this novel as a time limited digital audio advance reading copy, with a request for an honest review. No money has been exchanged.

[Ariel · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75*

I wish I had known before starting this book that the main "inspired by true events" aspect of this story was the main character. This explains the strong degree of "she's not a chosen one, but things just constantly fall into place around her", "this narcissist should be her idol, but she's actually thought something through (for once) and hates her" also "somehow she has -5 impulse control but she's a clever planner?" discrepancies I kept finding with the character and the book. At the end, where the author explains what is fact and what is fiction, it made me realize why she'd bothered me so much through the reading of it. All that being said, Rosa is a toxic force for chaos that I didn't enjoy, even knowing she was entirely fictional in her choices.

This is a very dark book about a young girl's stubborn refusal to let anything change her mind leading her through war-torn Germany. You get to hear and 'see' about a lot of awful war-related things, though miraculously almost none of them happen to the FMC. You get to watch her make a lot of really smart and really dumb decisions, but in the end, you do get to see her mature.

TLDR: Period accurate, if not historically accurate, child-in-war story without much to recommend it. If you like WW2 dramas, recommended.

[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a different read for me, its a time in story that I don’t know much about, and to be honest, everyone heard about the genocide against Jews, but we don’t know much about the one against romani, I was enthralled in the story from the beginning and even knowing some decisions sounded bad for Rose, I still sympathised with her… so brave and honest, and this was a story how a 10 years old had to grow up and learn to live with loss…

I got to listen to the audiobook, and I must say I did enjoy the woman reading the book Alyona Popova, she did a terrific job, she tried to pass to the listener the different characters and feels of the situations, while the story is so sad, it was a very enjoyable audiobook. And I must say, if I find another book read by Alyona I will definitely check it out.

I really recommend this book for people who like to learn more about story and about things we don’t usually learn about in school, while it is fiction, many of the character really did exist and that gives to us an honest feeling…

Thank you Netgalley and Interactive Publications Pty Ltd | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks, for the free AAC and this is my honest opinion.

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: Daughters of the Fatherland
Author: Jericho J Johnson
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Alyona Popova
Publisher: Interactive Publications Pty Ltd. (Independent Book Publishers Association IBPA), Members' Audiobooks
Genre: Historical Fiction
Audiobook Pub Date was: December 1, 2024
My Rating: 3.3 Stars
Pages: 292

This is a historical fiction story regarding the fate of the Romani - Gypsy families during World War II and the Holocaust – informs us of the bond people had with one another as well as the fate of the children.

I am not a big fan of WWII however there are Historical Fiction stories surrounding that time period I do enjoy.
Audiobook narrator Alyona Popova was great at performing the characters-additionally has a beautiful singing voice!

Thank you NetGalley and Interactive Publications Pty Ltd. (Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks for this audiobook. Audiobook Publishing Date was December 1, 2024.

[Maria-Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the Audio version of this book. The Narrator did an excellent job, and I listened nonstop till the end.
This book dealt with Romani families during World II. Rosa was a headstrong 11-year-old who kept getting herself and family in trouble. Ending in the arrest of everybody. At the separation, the father made one last request to Rosa to take care of her mother. Been in a concentration with her mother, Rosa cannot stop her rebellious self, causing a disaster for her mother when the German youth is taking revenge on the mother instead of Rosa. This certainly does not enhance the mother daughter relationship.
Her life changes when a film crew buys the Romani children to be part of a propaganda film.
Rosa is an adaptive learner and manages to survive but not without leaving permanent marks on her life.
This gripping true-to-to life historical novel will have you in tears.

[Vicki (MayhemBoundBookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Interactive Publications Pty Ltd | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.

I read and listen to a ton of WWII historical fiction as well as WWII nonfiction. It’s a time period I cannot get out of my head and I’ve been interested since I was a child. I however, have rarely found anything that focuses so much on the Romani people so this was something I found myself not wanting to press pause on and I’m inspired to learn more about the Romani experience during this time.

I thought this was well written, I felt invested in Rosa’s experience and I was HEARTBROKEN when Peter died just as Rosa learned about their impact on each other’s lives long before they ever “met”.

All in all, I thought this was a great book.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of the Roma people's experience in World War II is one that is not very well known. The Holocaust literature mostly focuses on the plight and destruction of the Jewish communities of Europe, but the narrative misses the story of the gypsies who were rounded up and killed by the Nazis.
This story give a look at the experience of one of these Roma girls, who luckily escapes the fate of her fellow Romani, but who is forced to use her street smarts and cunning to survive the war. Through a series of fortuitous events she is an extra on a German film, a fighter, and eventually a survivor.
I highly recommend this book for those who are interested in the Roma experience as well as the dark underbelly of the German propaganda machine during World War II.
I listened to this as an audio book and found the narrator compelling and engaging.

[Ashley’s Bookrack · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I like reading about WWII, and I wanted to read it from a different perspective than I normally do. I feel like this is a story that needed to be told, but it fell a little flat for me. Rosa being our disobedient child main character making it out alive seems so unrealistic for this time period. Although it seem unrealistic to me I did enjoy learning about the film propaganda from that time period. That’s something I haven’t read or explored in other books. While this wasn’t my favorite WWII book, it was good and interesting especially because it was about a different group of people and The Women’s Gypsy Concentration Camp. I would recommend this book to others who enjoy Historical Fiction and/or the WWII time period.

[Hazel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read quite a lot of fiction and non-fiction books that are set and about this era of history but very few focus on the Romani and their experiences so felt this would provide some information given it is billed as "true-to-life" and whilst I'm sure there are aspects that are just that, it just left me feeling a bit like the author was trying to put too much into it to cover all bases which resulted in it becoming OTT.

It's not a bad book but it's not the best I've ever read or listened to. The narrator was good and I think she managed all the characters well.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of this book.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Going to be blunt and a little harsh here- this was a story that needed to told, but it was very… dry. Everything felt like it was only half done, but the first half was enough to make me finish the book. I wish the characters, their dialogue, the imagery, and a lot of other things had just gone deeper.

On the other hand, I did enjoy Rosa’s character and watching her grow up. It just all felt like it was missing something.

[Deb Stern · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Interactive Publications Pty Ltd. for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Daughters of The Fatherland by Jericho J Johnson through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Once again, a "listen now" available on NetGalley, did not disappoint. This historical fiction was average for me but because the narration was great and it contained several lesser known aspects of the Holocaust, I feel it is worthy of 4 stars.

#DaughtersoftheFatherland #NetGalley

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly the right amount of history in this historical fiction. I learned more about the Roma people and their holocaust experience but also about the making of propaganda films, Marlena Dietrich and her tours to encourage the troops. Daughters of the Fatherland has a compelling character in Rosa who carries you through a rough patch of history while maintaining a hopeful perspective. Highly recommend.

[Lisa A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up

I loved this book! This is a very thought-provoking story about the life of a young Romani girl in WWII. It's a perspective I haven't read about before and to know that this is based on real life events breaks my heart even more. I was hooked from the very beginning - there are so many historical references throughout the story, so I was often googling events along the way.

I listened to the audiobook and mostly enjoyed the narration. I did find that the narrator sounded too young, and the characters didn't really come to life for me. It came across more as if my teenage daughter was reading a story to me, which wasn't unpleasant, but also wasn't to the standard I'm used to. I soon got over this and allowed myself to enjoy the story; it's just a personal preference as opposed to bad narration. The narrator spoke clearly, and I certainly didn't consider not finishing the story because of the delivery.

The author's notes at the end are very informative, and I'm always eager to separate fact from fiction, so I was very happy that the notes were included in the audiobook edition. I'll be looking for more books by this author in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for an ARC for review. All opinions are my own and my review is voluntary.

[Nora · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite parts of historical fiction is learning new aspects of history as told through a narrative. I loved this novel because it was an intriguing narrative on a lesser known and explored aspect of WW2, the Romani holocaust.

[Katie Harder-schauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

We don’t get many WWII novels from an almost German standpoint, so this was unique. It also tells the story of the Romani during WWII. I’ll have a more in depth review posted here after it goes live on my blog.

[LadyO_ Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

What. A. Ride. 😮‍💨
**LOVED LOVED LOVED Alyona Popova's performance!

#DaughtersoftheFatherland #NetGalley

This historical fiction gem gave me a full-circle experience that kept me plugged in to the very last page! Rosa—a blue-eyed, blonde-haired girl adopted by a Romani couple—goes on 20+ wild, gut-wrenching, and courageous adventures during WWII, all with one goal in mind: finding her father. 🧭👣

From the very beginning, I was drawn in by the promise of a Romani perspective, a lesser-seen lens in WWII narratives. While I wish we had spent more time immersed in Romani culture before Rosa and her family were tragically torn apart and imprisoned in concentration camps, the emotional weight still hit hard. 😢🎻

But WAIT! This book isn't just tears and tragedy; many laugh-out-loud, action-packed scenes (naked soldiers, a gun fight, and a tank..not what you think)

Rosa escapes from the infamous Tiefland film set (yes, that one directed by Leni Riefenstahl🎥🧟‍♀️...HONEY, this side story is a good HOT MESS..LOVED IT), and things get next-level intense from there. Disguised as a Nazi boy soldier (yes, you read that right 😳), Rosa does what she does best—survive, adapt, and lead. 🥷🏽💼👦🏽

She becomes the unexpected leader of a ragtag squad of young soldiers, and what starts as a disguise transforms into a found-family story that hits you right in the feels. 💔➡️❤️ The bonds Rosa forms, the courage she shows, and the choices she makes under extreme pressure make this a rollercoaster of heart, grit, and survival. 🎢🔥

Yes, the book is dense at times and some readers may be tempted to check out before the halfway mark... DON’T. I repeat—DO. NOT. DROP. OFF. The second half brings all the payoff, and then some! 🙌🏾✨

If you’re into:

Hidden pieces of WWII history 🕵🏽‍♀️

Fierce female leads 💪🏼

High-stakes plot twists 🔄

And tearful-but-triumphant endings 😭➡️🏆

...this one’s for you.

Final thought: Rosa may have been born into chaos, but she chooses courage again and again. A worthy 4⭐️ read that shines a light on a shadowed chapter of history. 👏🏽📚🕯️

Thank you NetGalley for making the audiobook available for review.