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Ava and Shalom
WINNER OF THE KINDLE BOOK AWARD (LITERARY FICTION)
SHORTLISTED FOR THE HEMINGWAY BOOK AWARD (WARTIME FICTION)
“A deeply moving and truly unforgettable story of love and survival. A must-read that celebrates family, resilience, and the enduring power of hope!” – The International Review
THEIR ENTIRE LIVES, TWINS AVA AND SHALOM ARE LED TO BELIEVE THEY ARE GERMAN . . . UNTIL ONE NIGHT THEY FIND OUT THE TRUTH . . .
In the summer of 1921, outside the medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Hanz Wolff finds twin baby girls in a wicker basket in his barn. Wrapped in woolen blankets embroidered with the Star of David, a note begs the German farmer and his barren wife to love and raise them as their own. Believing it to be a gift from God, the ecstatic couple keep the newborns’ Semitic heritage a secret, claiming that Maria had birthed them at home.
The Wolffs live in familial bliss as the girls grow into lovely, intelligent young women, shielded from the smoldering hatred and discrimination toward the Jews and others in Nazi Germany. But when the outbreak of the Second World War plunges Europe into chaos and terror, that which is hidden is threatened to be exposed.
One night a desperate Jewish woman comes to the farm, banging on the door, pleading for help to hide from the Schutzstaffel (SS) who have just slaughtered her entire family . . . It’s the girls’ birth mother! Soon secrets that have been long held for twenty years are revealed, profoundly altering everyone’s lives forever . . .
From the award-winning authors of The Consequence of Anna comes a new, riveting story about life before and during the Holocaust for Jewish twins, Ava and Shalom, raised as Germans. A heartbreaking yet triumphant tale of tragedy, bigotry, and hatred, superseded by love, art, and music, with many twists and turns leaving the reader breathless. A story that ultimately celebrates the true power of love, family, and the human spirit.
Reader praise for Kate Birkin and her books . . .
"Remarkable! An extraordinary writer tells an extraordinary story!"
– ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon
"This is why I read, to find the exceptional. A classic in waiting!"
– ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon
"Some writers have a special gift. This writer has it!"
– ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon
"Absolutely brilliant. Never have I been so emotionally moved by words!"
– ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads
"The characters come to life. Brilliant, beautiful, and poignantly written!"
– ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ BookBub
SHORTLISTED FOR THE HEMINGWAY BOOK AWARD (WARTIME FICTION)
“A deeply moving and truly unforgettable story of love and survival. A must-read that celebrates family, resilience, and the enduring power of hope!” – The International Review
THEIR ENTIRE LIVES, TWINS AVA AND SHALOM ARE LED TO BELIEVE THEY ARE GERMAN . . . UNTIL ONE NIGHT THEY FIND OUT THE TRUTH . . .
In the summer of 1921, outside the medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Hanz Wolff finds twin baby girls in a wicker basket in his barn. Wrapped in woolen blankets embroidered with the Star of David, a note begs the German farmer and his barren wife to love and raise them as their own. Believing it to be a gift from God, the ecstatic couple keep the newborns’ Semitic heritage a secret, claiming that Maria had birthed them at home.
The Wolffs live in familial bliss as the girls grow into lovely, intelligent young women, shielded from the smoldering hatred and discrimination toward the Jews and others in Nazi Germany. But when the outbreak of the Second World War plunges Europe into chaos and terror, that which is hidden is threatened to be exposed.
One night a desperate Jewish woman comes to the farm, banging on the door, pleading for help to hide from the Schutzstaffel (SS) who have just slaughtered her entire family . . . It’s the girls’ birth mother! Soon secrets that have been long held for twenty years are revealed, profoundly altering everyone’s lives forever . . .
From the award-winning authors of The Consequence of Anna comes a new, riveting story about life before and during the Holocaust for Jewish twins, Ava and Shalom, raised as Germans. A heartbreaking yet triumphant tale of tragedy, bigotry, and hatred, superseded by love, art, and music, with many twists and turns leaving the reader breathless. A story that ultimately celebrates the true power of love, family, and the human spirit.
Reader praise for Kate Birkin and her books . . .
"Remarkable! An extraordinary writer tells an extraordinary story!"
– ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon
"This is why I read, to find the exceptional. A classic in waiting!"
– ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon
"Some writers have a special gift. This writer has it!"
– ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon
"Absolutely brilliant. Never have I been so emotionally moved by words!"
– ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads
"The characters come to life. Brilliant, beautiful, and poignantly written!"
– ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ BookBub
484 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 14, 2024
675 people are currently reading
705 people want to read
About the author
Kate Birkin
2 books101 followersKate Birkin is the award-winning and bestselling author of The Consequence of Anna, and Ava and Shalom. Both novels became instant #1 bestsellers, reaching international acclaim. Hailed as one of the top new historical fiction writers, her newest novel will be released in early 2026.
With degrees in English Literature and History, Kate is an accomplished author and ghostwriter of a dozen other novels and two original screenplays. She lives and writes in a refurbished Victorian home overlooking the sea, where vintage oil painting portraits adorn the walls and their eyes seemingly follow you, stairs creak and doors mysteriously open by themselves, a fire is always crackling in her stone fireplace, and her two Siamese cats, Matilda and Carmichael, sit by her side while she creates.
As a lover of the arts, Kate also enjoys the opera, ballet, and playing her violin and piano. A passionate advocate for human and animal rights, she supports multiple charities that champion their cause.
“When I was a child, I knew that books were pure magic. Portals into another realm where the book cover itself is the enchanted key to enter. To be able to time travel and experience life through someone else’s eyes is something I have always cherished. And now, as I create these stories and characters myself, I fall in love with them. It’s not just the reader who embarks on a journey as they begin one of my novels. Like Bastian in The Neverending Story, I too venture on that same journey when I write, loving every minute of it!”
Visit https://katebirkinbooks.com to learn more about Kate and her books.
With degrees in English Literature and History, Kate is an accomplished author and ghostwriter of a dozen other novels and two original screenplays. She lives and writes in a refurbished Victorian home overlooking the sea, where vintage oil painting portraits adorn the walls and their eyes seemingly follow you, stairs creak and doors mysteriously open by themselves, a fire is always crackling in her stone fireplace, and her two Siamese cats, Matilda and Carmichael, sit by her side while she creates.
As a lover of the arts, Kate also enjoys the opera, ballet, and playing her violin and piano. A passionate advocate for human and animal rights, she supports multiple charities that champion their cause.
“When I was a child, I knew that books were pure magic. Portals into another realm where the book cover itself is the enchanted key to enter. To be able to time travel and experience life through someone else’s eyes is something I have always cherished. And now, as I create these stories and characters myself, I fall in love with them. It’s not just the reader who embarks on a journey as they begin one of my novels. Like Bastian in The Neverending Story, I too venture on that same journey when I write, loving every minute of it!”
Visit https://katebirkinbooks.com to learn more about Kate and her books.
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December 19, 2024Should you choose to read this deeply moving and truly unforgettable story, you’ll meet twins Ava and Shalom who navigate the highs and lows of life after it changed in an instant.
Raised thinking they were of German heritage, they are shocked one day to discover that they are Jewish. Once this secret is revealed, it doesn’t take long before they’re arrested and the scramble to save them begins.
I appreciated a glimpse into the girls’ lives prior to it being stolen by tragedy as it made the harrowing events more impactful. Suddenly, the holocaust didn’t just happen to a group of people in a faraway country long ago. It happened to people I’d just met and felt connected to. For days after reading this book, I kept wondering how resentful I’d be if something was kept from me and later revealed, with devastating repercussions, by the one person who had my best interests at heart. How could I forgive them? What if this stranger had never arrived at the farm that night? The paradoxical pull fascinated me.
I’d never heard about the British Schindler, Sir Nicholas George Winton, and the hundreds he saved who later became known as Nicky’s children, so I appreciated the lessons.
By giving Ava and Shalom a voice, the authors reminded me of the danger of keeping secrets, the resilience and hope that can be found amid the devastation, and the lengths we’ll go for loved ones.
This isn’t an easy read. It’s uncomfortable in parts. We should never forget what happened during WWII.
Raised thinking they were of German heritage, they are shocked one day to discover that they are Jewish. Once this secret is revealed, it doesn’t take long before they’re arrested and the scramble to save them begins.
I appreciated a glimpse into the girls’ lives prior to it being stolen by tragedy as it made the harrowing events more impactful. Suddenly, the holocaust didn’t just happen to a group of people in a faraway country long ago. It happened to people I’d just met and felt connected to. For days after reading this book, I kept wondering how resentful I’d be if something was kept from me and later revealed, with devastating repercussions, by the one person who had my best interests at heart. How could I forgive them? What if this stranger had never arrived at the farm that night? The paradoxical pull fascinated me.
I’d never heard about the British Schindler, Sir Nicholas George Winton, and the hundreds he saved who later became known as Nicky’s children, so I appreciated the lessons.
By giving Ava and Shalom a voice, the authors reminded me of the danger of keeping secrets, the resilience and hope that can be found amid the devastation, and the lengths we’ll go for loved ones.
This isn’t an easy read. It’s uncomfortable in parts. We should never forget what happened during WWII.
January 17, 2025
Ava and Shalom: A Sensational WWII Story About Jewish Twins Who Believe Thay Are German Until Sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau by Kate Birkin and Mark Bornz was one of the most moving Holocaust books I have read in a long time. It was written in a dual time line of 1997 and then from 1920 through World War II and the Holocaust. Kate Birkin and Mark Bornz wrote their story from the perspective of ordinary German citizens that lived in Germany during the years that Hitler and the SS were in power. They were able to demonstrate how the brutality the Nazis inflicted upon neighbors and friends impacted the lives and feelings of those who lived amongst them. The characters were so strong and likable with the exemption of a select few. Both authors were able to portray the kindness and compassion of some despite what was being dictated by the Nazis at the time. The setting took place on a grain farm located right outside of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Hanz Wolff and his wife Maria owned the farm. They also raised animals there as well. The farm had been in Hanz Wolff’s family for generations. Even though Hanz had aspired to become an artist he settled on the farm after serving in the military and marrying Maria. Hanz was very talented. He painted, made violins and played them with percission and feeling and had reluctantly learned burial preparation from his father as a young boy and now served the people in his town in that capacity. Hanz and Maria were well liked and were happy and very much in love until a tragedy occurred in their lives. Maria had been pregnant with their first child, a boy. She lost the baby and was told that she could never have any more children.
In 1997, a twenty-five year old man left behind his very promising career in journalism and traveled to Berlin. The man had always dreamed of becoming an author. He aspired to write a book that would touch the lives and hearts of those that read his book. He himself was half Jewish and had grown up listening to his grandfather’s stories about the Holocaust. Berlin was the perfect place to make his desires become a reality. Shortly after he arrived in Berlin, he befriended a woman named Gretchen. The two grew very close and eventually the man moved in with her in her two bedroom flat in an old Victorian home. When Gretchen learned that she was pregnant with the man’s baby they decided that they would get married. Gretchen and the man wanted to get the second bedroom ready for their baby so they asked Gretchen’s landlady, Mrs. Kuchen, if they could remove the wallpaper in the room so that they could paint it. After the wallpaper was stripped from the wall the man noticed that four names and the date 1939 were carved into the wall. This discovery intrigued the man immensely. He questioned Mrs. Kuchen about it. Mrs. Kuchen invited the man to dinner that night in her apartment. She proceeded to tell the man the story about the people’s lives whose names were carved on that wall. That was how the man learned about Ava, Shalom, Luke and Christian- BestFriends Forever, 1939. Mrs. Kuchen began her tale and the man knew he was listening to the inspiration that would shape his book.
Not long after Maria and Hanz had buried their infant son and had learned that Maria could not have any more children, a miraculous thing occurred. One morning, nine months after their infant son had died, Hanz entered the barn to feed his animals and milk the cow, when he discovered a wicker basket sitting on the floor of the barn. Inside the basket were two infant twin girls, each covered with blankets that were adorned with matching Jewish stars. Inside the basket was a note from the young Jewish mother who had been forced to give them up. The young mother had known that Maria was barren and could never have any more babies. She implored the farmer and his wife to raise her daughters as their own and to love them with all their heart. The young mother knew in her heart that her daughters would be safe and loved by the farmer and his wife. When Hanz went to Maria with the babies, he hid the note and incriminating blankets from her. Maria was overjoyed and persuaded Hanz that they would tell everyone that she had birthed the twins herself. After all, she had not seen anyone for more than nine months. It was feasible. They could convince their neighbors that Maria had given birth to the twin girls. Their neighbors and friends were skeptical of Maria’s tale. In their mind they did not believe that she had given birth to these beautiful babies but no one had the nerve to disagree with her. Hanz and Maria raised Ava and Shalom as their own. They changed Shalom’s name to Shaylee so no one would ever suspect that the twin’s biological mother had been Jewish. Hanz and Maria loved the girls unconditionally and brought them up as good German Catholic girls. Ava and Shaylee grew up to be beautiful, striking and intelligent young women. Even though they were identical twins, they were as different as could be in their interests and personalities. Ava was outgoing where Shaylee was quieter and more reserved. Shaylee always had her head in a book or was busy sketching in a notebook whereas Ava wanted to be an actress and go to America to make her dreams come true. Ava had also always been taller than Shaylee. Life was good for the Wolff’s until Hitler orchestrated the beginning of World War II and the decree to annihilate all Jews. Ava and Shaylee had nothing to fear. The only people who knew their true origins were Hanz and Abigail, the twin’s biological mother. Ava and Shaylee were safe from any repercussions from Hitler and the SS, or were they?
The research that went into writing Ava and Shalom was extensive and impeccable. Authors Kate Birkin and Mark Bornz based the story of Ava and Shalom on the true story of a young fourteen year old Polish girl who was sent to Auschwitz with her mother and were murdered by the Nazis just three months apart from one another. The atrocities that both Ava and Shaylee experienced were horrific and heartbreaking. Hanz witnessed too many heartless and cruel acts that were committed against his neighbors by the Nazis. The writing in Ava and Shalom was exquisite. It portrayed the themes of family, hope, survival, resilience, antisemitism, love and sisterly love. Many lessons were learned, as hard as they were. This was a hard book to read at times. One must never forget all that perished as a result of the Holocaust. I recommend Ava and Shalom very highly.
Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read Ava and Shalom by Kate Birkin and Mark Bornz through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
In 1997, a twenty-five year old man left behind his very promising career in journalism and traveled to Berlin. The man had always dreamed of becoming an author. He aspired to write a book that would touch the lives and hearts of those that read his book. He himself was half Jewish and had grown up listening to his grandfather’s stories about the Holocaust. Berlin was the perfect place to make his desires become a reality. Shortly after he arrived in Berlin, he befriended a woman named Gretchen. The two grew very close and eventually the man moved in with her in her two bedroom flat in an old Victorian home. When Gretchen learned that she was pregnant with the man’s baby they decided that they would get married. Gretchen and the man wanted to get the second bedroom ready for their baby so they asked Gretchen’s landlady, Mrs. Kuchen, if they could remove the wallpaper in the room so that they could paint it. After the wallpaper was stripped from the wall the man noticed that four names and the date 1939 were carved into the wall. This discovery intrigued the man immensely. He questioned Mrs. Kuchen about it. Mrs. Kuchen invited the man to dinner that night in her apartment. She proceeded to tell the man the story about the people’s lives whose names were carved on that wall. That was how the man learned about Ava, Shalom, Luke and Christian- BestFriends Forever, 1939. Mrs. Kuchen began her tale and the man knew he was listening to the inspiration that would shape his book.
Not long after Maria and Hanz had buried their infant son and had learned that Maria could not have any more children, a miraculous thing occurred. One morning, nine months after their infant son had died, Hanz entered the barn to feed his animals and milk the cow, when he discovered a wicker basket sitting on the floor of the barn. Inside the basket were two infant twin girls, each covered with blankets that were adorned with matching Jewish stars. Inside the basket was a note from the young Jewish mother who had been forced to give them up. The young mother had known that Maria was barren and could never have any more babies. She implored the farmer and his wife to raise her daughters as their own and to love them with all their heart. The young mother knew in her heart that her daughters would be safe and loved by the farmer and his wife. When Hanz went to Maria with the babies, he hid the note and incriminating blankets from her. Maria was overjoyed and persuaded Hanz that they would tell everyone that she had birthed the twins herself. After all, she had not seen anyone for more than nine months. It was feasible. They could convince their neighbors that Maria had given birth to the twin girls. Their neighbors and friends were skeptical of Maria’s tale. In their mind they did not believe that she had given birth to these beautiful babies but no one had the nerve to disagree with her. Hanz and Maria raised Ava and Shalom as their own. They changed Shalom’s name to Shaylee so no one would ever suspect that the twin’s biological mother had been Jewish. Hanz and Maria loved the girls unconditionally and brought them up as good German Catholic girls. Ava and Shaylee grew up to be beautiful, striking and intelligent young women. Even though they were identical twins, they were as different as could be in their interests and personalities. Ava was outgoing where Shaylee was quieter and more reserved. Shaylee always had her head in a book or was busy sketching in a notebook whereas Ava wanted to be an actress and go to America to make her dreams come true. Ava had also always been taller than Shaylee. Life was good for the Wolff’s until Hitler orchestrated the beginning of World War II and the decree to annihilate all Jews. Ava and Shaylee had nothing to fear. The only people who knew their true origins were Hanz and Abigail, the twin’s biological mother. Ava and Shaylee were safe from any repercussions from Hitler and the SS, or were they?
The research that went into writing Ava and Shalom was extensive and impeccable. Authors Kate Birkin and Mark Bornz based the story of Ava and Shalom on the true story of a young fourteen year old Polish girl who was sent to Auschwitz with her mother and were murdered by the Nazis just three months apart from one another. The atrocities that both Ava and Shaylee experienced were horrific and heartbreaking. Hanz witnessed too many heartless and cruel acts that were committed against his neighbors by the Nazis. The writing in Ava and Shalom was exquisite. It portrayed the themes of family, hope, survival, resilience, antisemitism, love and sisterly love. Many lessons were learned, as hard as they were. This was a hard book to read at times. One must never forget all that perished as a result of the Holocaust. I recommend Ava and Shalom very highly.
Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read Ava and Shalom by Kate Birkin and Mark Bornz through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
March 1, 2025
TL;DR: Ava and Shalom is a poorly researched, executed, and bumbling book that pays little heed to historicity, character development, or conflict resolution. Cliched and overindulgent, it is comparable to a lengthy thesaurus with a few boring characters and derivative hyperbolic scenarios thrown in before culminating in 30-pages of titular Auschwitz and a grand finale that is anything but. 0/5
It is incredible how many people have given this poorly written book five stars across multiple platforms. The editing is shoddy, the tropes are predictable, the descriptions wax so poetic that the original details and imagery no longer matter, the characters never suffer any lasting consequences, the danger is nonexistent, the history is maligned, and the details are consistently inconsistent. Imagine the Holocaust trend of TikTok a few years ago, take that dumpster fire of misguided emotions and intent, squeeze all that drivel into a 500-page book, self-publish it without any proper editing, and let ‘er rip: Birken has scribbled a blueprint for ratings success, but ultimately a forgettable yarn.
In short, this book suffers from so many errors in logic and reasoning, editing and proofing, and simple oversights that it ceases to be a gripping story about the harrowing horrors of the Holocaust, and becomes a slog from page to page. If one can survive the ubiquitous translations, the overindulgent descriptions that leave little to the imagination, or the constant use of the ellipsis (…) to foreshadow what immediately happens in the next sentence, then congratulations: you might just suffer as much as Ava and Shalom (which is, not that much because it always works out for them…).
Rather than bore you with a lengthy essay, please indulge my devotion to sparing you from this poorly executed nonsense:
- Despite being “identical twins,” the main characters – Ava and Shaylee – are routinely described as unique and different from one another to the point that other characters remark oft about their dissimilarities. Other characters do little more than lazily and annoyingly drop exigence and exposition in conversation, all without any subtlety, sense of urgency, mystery, or anything that makes genuine literary conversation worth reading. There is nothing of substance to be carefully discovered or unearthed; the writing and character development are purely surface.
- Hanz is a farmer who never farms – what exactly does he grow on his farm? He has all the time in the world to make homemade violins and his skills of a painter are compared to Michaelangelo. He is also incredibly kind, owns a car (an expensive commodity), has dozens of large animals, and spends most of his days drinking and schmoozing with his friends. But he never farms. One can assume that Berkin has never visited a farm nor spent a day laboring on one to make such an egregious oversight.
- The Deutsch (German) translations are painful and insulting. Berkin assumes her English-speaking audience needs reminding that ja means yes every page and that they cannot understand simple context clues to determine cognates. Furthermore, the novel is (mostly) set in Bavaria, where they speak dialects of Low German, but all the German in the book is academic – High German. A historical novelist should have known better.
- The historical accuracies are shameful and lazy. Shaylee isn’t a German name. Bavarians don’t drink vodka – they drink schnapps. Germans don’t eat bacon and eggs for breakfast, nor hot dogs, burgers, or blueberry pie – these are all American foods that would be unthinkable for your average German citizen to consume during the time period. Dumpsters and parking lots outside small village cafes? Oy vey. This is Berkin’s laziness shining through, a death-by-a-thousand-cuts attempt at historicity that reads little more than a high schooler’s attempt at writing a German-style fanfiction.
- Berkin routinely uses Nazi to be synonymous with German, which is not only insulting to Germans, but lazy writing and poor form. It is the equivalent of claiming that Savage is synonymous with Native, or Slave with Black. Somehow it is excused in this rubbish of a book, but it remains incredibly insulting to anyone who has bothered to learn anything about history beyond TikTok or Wikipedia.
- Anything good that happens to our characters is immediately upturned on the next page: safehouses are invaded, getaway vehicles are overturned, lovers and new friends are slain, innocence snuffed out, and fortunes lost. By the adverse, anything awful is immediately rectified: we always narrowly escape the SS or Gestapo, the death of a loved one is replaced by a new facsimile, a new random child takes the place of the one lost, and sexual violence is turned into a learning experience about hardship and discipline.
- Despite being on the front cover of the book, our boring and interchangeable heroes spend a whopping 30 pages in Auschwitz where most of their time is jump skipped and the horrors of the Holocaust overshadowed by some poor philosophical and religious soul-searching that ultimately mean nothing when they, inevitably, escape without any consequences. No Red Army, no mass executions, no true despair about the death marches: they show up, they reunite with literally every other character persecuted by the Nazi regime, then they all escape. Yawn.
- Berkin sets the stage with a thousand different symbols and characters, all potentially hinting or foreshadowing at something greater. In the end, Berkin has armed the book with a thousand different Chekov’s guns loaded with blanks. Albino buck? Trivial and unimportant. Maria’s deafness? Forgettable. Severin’s fathering of the twins and service in the Wehrmacht? Unmentioned. The Bull’s golden tooth? Lost in the symbolism of forgettable footnotes. A 25-year-old crow that defies aging and Nature? Meh.
- Finally, the final chapter secures the legacy of rubbish. In order to break his loved ones out of Auschwitz, one of the main characters (Hanz) paints a portrait for Adolf (or Adolph – the book’s spelling is inconsistent) Hitler. He gets to meet Hitler because his brother saved him from an assassination attempt off-screen. As a boon of thanks, Hanz requests to be sent to Auschwitz as a guard. Meaning he joined the SS… Then he gets a truck, bribes his way into getting the appropriate papers, and simply plucks all his family and friends from Auschwitz without incident. He is able to afford the bribe because his death-defying crow showed him a treasure horde in the forest. Then they all go to Switzerland – no one questioning the clearly emaciated death camp victims and all – where they all get jobs in the French-speaking part of Switzerland despite no one speaking French at all.
Lazy. Trite. Berkin is clapping herself on the back for publishing such a piece. Kudos to her for publishing a book, indeed, no mean feat, but how trivial and derivative of a piece to begin with. High school students are on par with Berkin’s skills at storytelling. Show, girl, don’t tell. And this book is nothing but telling.
It is incredible how many people have given this poorly written book five stars across multiple platforms. The editing is shoddy, the tropes are predictable, the descriptions wax so poetic that the original details and imagery no longer matter, the characters never suffer any lasting consequences, the danger is nonexistent, the history is maligned, and the details are consistently inconsistent. Imagine the Holocaust trend of TikTok a few years ago, take that dumpster fire of misguided emotions and intent, squeeze all that drivel into a 500-page book, self-publish it without any proper editing, and let ‘er rip: Birken has scribbled a blueprint for ratings success, but ultimately a forgettable yarn.
In short, this book suffers from so many errors in logic and reasoning, editing and proofing, and simple oversights that it ceases to be a gripping story about the harrowing horrors of the Holocaust, and becomes a slog from page to page. If one can survive the ubiquitous translations, the overindulgent descriptions that leave little to the imagination, or the constant use of the ellipsis (…) to foreshadow what immediately happens in the next sentence, then congratulations: you might just suffer as much as Ava and Shalom (which is, not that much because it always works out for them…).
Rather than bore you with a lengthy essay, please indulge my devotion to sparing you from this poorly executed nonsense:
- Despite being “identical twins,” the main characters – Ava and Shaylee – are routinely described as unique and different from one another to the point that other characters remark oft about their dissimilarities. Other characters do little more than lazily and annoyingly drop exigence and exposition in conversation, all without any subtlety, sense of urgency, mystery, or anything that makes genuine literary conversation worth reading. There is nothing of substance to be carefully discovered or unearthed; the writing and character development are purely surface.
- Hanz is a farmer who never farms – what exactly does he grow on his farm? He has all the time in the world to make homemade violins and his skills of a painter are compared to Michaelangelo. He is also incredibly kind, owns a car (an expensive commodity), has dozens of large animals, and spends most of his days drinking and schmoozing with his friends. But he never farms. One can assume that Berkin has never visited a farm nor spent a day laboring on one to make such an egregious oversight.
- The Deutsch (German) translations are painful and insulting. Berkin assumes her English-speaking audience needs reminding that ja means yes every page and that they cannot understand simple context clues to determine cognates. Furthermore, the novel is (mostly) set in Bavaria, where they speak dialects of Low German, but all the German in the book is academic – High German. A historical novelist should have known better.
- The historical accuracies are shameful and lazy. Shaylee isn’t a German name. Bavarians don’t drink vodka – they drink schnapps. Germans don’t eat bacon and eggs for breakfast, nor hot dogs, burgers, or blueberry pie – these are all American foods that would be unthinkable for your average German citizen to consume during the time period. Dumpsters and parking lots outside small village cafes? Oy vey. This is Berkin’s laziness shining through, a death-by-a-thousand-cuts attempt at historicity that reads little more than a high schooler’s attempt at writing a German-style fanfiction.
- Berkin routinely uses Nazi to be synonymous with German, which is not only insulting to Germans, but lazy writing and poor form. It is the equivalent of claiming that Savage is synonymous with Native, or Slave with Black. Somehow it is excused in this rubbish of a book, but it remains incredibly insulting to anyone who has bothered to learn anything about history beyond TikTok or Wikipedia.
- Anything good that happens to our characters is immediately upturned on the next page: safehouses are invaded, getaway vehicles are overturned, lovers and new friends are slain, innocence snuffed out, and fortunes lost. By the adverse, anything awful is immediately rectified: we always narrowly escape the SS or Gestapo, the death of a loved one is replaced by a new facsimile, a new random child takes the place of the one lost, and sexual violence is turned into a learning experience about hardship and discipline.
- Despite being on the front cover of the book, our boring and interchangeable heroes spend a whopping 30 pages in Auschwitz where most of their time is jump skipped and the horrors of the Holocaust overshadowed by some poor philosophical and religious soul-searching that ultimately mean nothing when they, inevitably, escape without any consequences. No Red Army, no mass executions, no true despair about the death marches: they show up, they reunite with literally every other character persecuted by the Nazi regime, then they all escape. Yawn.
- Berkin sets the stage with a thousand different symbols and characters, all potentially hinting or foreshadowing at something greater. In the end, Berkin has armed the book with a thousand different Chekov’s guns loaded with blanks. Albino buck? Trivial and unimportant. Maria’s deafness? Forgettable. Severin’s fathering of the twins and service in the Wehrmacht? Unmentioned. The Bull’s golden tooth? Lost in the symbolism of forgettable footnotes. A 25-year-old crow that defies aging and Nature? Meh.
- Finally, the final chapter secures the legacy of rubbish. In order to break his loved ones out of Auschwitz, one of the main characters (Hanz) paints a portrait for Adolf (or Adolph – the book’s spelling is inconsistent) Hitler. He gets to meet Hitler because his brother saved him from an assassination attempt off-screen. As a boon of thanks, Hanz requests to be sent to Auschwitz as a guard. Meaning he joined the SS… Then he gets a truck, bribes his way into getting the appropriate papers, and simply plucks all his family and friends from Auschwitz without incident. He is able to afford the bribe because his death-defying crow showed him a treasure horde in the forest. Then they all go to Switzerland – no one questioning the clearly emaciated death camp victims and all – where they all get jobs in the French-speaking part of Switzerland despite no one speaking French at all.
Lazy. Trite. Berkin is clapping herself on the back for publishing such a piece. Kudos to her for publishing a book, indeed, no mean feat, but how trivial and derivative of a piece to begin with. High school students are on par with Berkin’s skills at storytelling. Show, girl, don’t tell. And this book is nothing but telling.
December 17, 2024
Ava and Shalom wrapped around my heart while breaking it at the same time. My mind engaged with unique storytelling, copious historical details and intricate characterization. The book took me to places of disquiet, anguish, disgust, sorrow, anger, joy and hope. Though difficult to read at times due to the Holocaust subject matter, I am so very glad I did. Sometimes we need sobering reality to gain perspective. The thing is, what happened in the story happened to many, many real people. Millions of innocents were persecuted, humiliated, tortured, demoralized, dehumanized and slaughtered by evil. The authors did not gloss over the cruelty of the Nazis, especially the SS, but also included many sweet moments of happiness.
Set near the enchanting Bavarian town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber from 1921 to after World War II, artist Hanz met his lovely wife Maria, married and settled on a grain farm with animals and garden. Hanz was also a caretaker. After experiencing the heartache of childlessness, it was serendipitous that newborn twin girls were left in their barn with a note from their Jewish mother who couldn't care for them. The couple told everyone they were their biological children, including the girls, which worked at first. A German boy was also adopted into their loving household. But the Nazis later came. Families were ripped apart. Betrayals occurred. Many were killed outright, others were taken to concentration camps where they experienced the terror that was Dr. Josef Mengele. Ava and Shalom's birth mother sought Hanz for help in desperation, placing many in danger. But danger came from all over, causing widespread pain and fear.
The significance of the deer and tree was touching. The nature writing was poetic and gentle. Characters ranged from kind and caring to horrifying and despicable. Plots and subplots flowed seamlessly and engaged me from beginning to end. Those who read World War II Historical Fiction ought to priorize this one. You won't regret it.
My sincere thank you to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this achingly beautiful and memorable novel.
Set near the enchanting Bavarian town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber from 1921 to after World War II, artist Hanz met his lovely wife Maria, married and settled on a grain farm with animals and garden. Hanz was also a caretaker. After experiencing the heartache of childlessness, it was serendipitous that newborn twin girls were left in their barn with a note from their Jewish mother who couldn't care for them. The couple told everyone they were their biological children, including the girls, which worked at first. A German boy was also adopted into their loving household. But the Nazis later came. Families were ripped apart. Betrayals occurred. Many were killed outright, others were taken to concentration camps where they experienced the terror that was Dr. Josef Mengele. Ava and Shalom's birth mother sought Hanz for help in desperation, placing many in danger. But danger came from all over, causing widespread pain and fear.
The significance of the deer and tree was touching. The nature writing was poetic and gentle. Characters ranged from kind and caring to horrifying and despicable. Plots and subplots flowed seamlessly and engaged me from beginning to end. Those who read World War II Historical Fiction ought to priorize this one. You won't regret it.
My sincere thank you to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this achingly beautiful and memorable novel.
January 27, 2025
All the twists and coincidences and subplots-too much happened to the extended family, crises after crises, to many escapes It just wasn't believable.
March 23, 2025
WOW!!!! All I can say is WOW! This book captivated from the first page. I felt like I was watching a movie as I was reading. The authors did an absolutely wonderful job pulling me into the book. The imagery through words and the feeling’s that they gave me…. indescribable!! I have not read a book this good in a long time. I loved THE CONSEQUENCE OF ANNA, by the authors, and it too was an outstanding book, however, this book really captivated me!
December 14, 2024
Wow this was such a beautiful, emotional read!
I was going through so many emotions while reading, form sad, to hopeful, and angry too, but mostly gratefulness.
Such great writing style and the story is so addictive I really wanted to know what happens next!
Highly recommend!
I was going through so many emotions while reading, form sad, to hopeful, and angry too, but mostly gratefulness.
Such great writing style and the story is so addictive I really wanted to know what happens next!
Highly recommend!
October 19, 2025
Of the best books I have read, by far. complex and intimate weaving of characters, relationships, morae, and history.
October 13, 2025
I absolutely loved this book. The writing made the characters come to life. I tried to find other books published by Kate Birkin besides the Consequence of Anna (which also loved), found the titles of several but could not figure out a way of purchasing them. Thank you so much for writing this book. Very timely.
August 27, 2025
A Must-Read!!!
I have read so many historical fiction books about WWII. None compares to this amazing story. I was so emotionally invested in this book, that time and the pages flew by. I knew--really knew--each character and rejoiced with them and wept with them. This book is incredibly important for people of all religions, races, ethnicities, etc., to read; so much research went into this book, and it is definitely a history lesson. There are people today who believe the Holocaust was a conspiracy theory and didn't actually happen. How can they account for the 12 MILLION innocent lives lost? If we don't learn about history, we're doomed to repeat it. So many demons walk among us, looking for reasons to fuel hate; we must always be on guard. I truly respect Kate and Mark for weaving God throughout the story because I look at everything with God in mind. Christ's account is the ultimate story of good decimating evil, but our lives on this earth reflect that struggle every day. I read Kate's other book, The Consequence of Anna, and I believe Kate Birkin will be revered for years to come as a "classic" writer from today. Her words create life and art while illuminating human conditions. God gave her an amazing gift that she is using for good.
I have read so many historical fiction books about WWII. None compares to this amazing story. I was so emotionally invested in this book, that time and the pages flew by. I knew--really knew--each character and rejoiced with them and wept with them. This book is incredibly important for people of all religions, races, ethnicities, etc., to read; so much research went into this book, and it is definitely a history lesson. There are people today who believe the Holocaust was a conspiracy theory and didn't actually happen. How can they account for the 12 MILLION innocent lives lost? If we don't learn about history, we're doomed to repeat it. So many demons walk among us, looking for reasons to fuel hate; we must always be on guard. I truly respect Kate and Mark for weaving God throughout the story because I look at everything with God in mind. Christ's account is the ultimate story of good decimating evil, but our lives on this earth reflect that struggle every day. I read Kate's other book, The Consequence of Anna, and I believe Kate Birkin will be revered for years to come as a "classic" writer from today. Her words create life and art while illuminating human conditions. God gave her an amazing gift that she is using for good.
December 26, 2024
What a spectacular book, I was very intrigued when reading the premise of it and the book delivered an amazing story and then some. Even though I have read many many books about WWII and the Holocaust, and the majority from the point of view of the Jewish people, this book tells the story more from the point of view of a German family the point of view of their adoptive twin girls.
Born from a Jewish mother, Ava and Shalom are abandoned by their mother in the farm of a German couple who by painful circumstances cannot have children. Raised as Catholics, and never knowing their origin, Ava and Shalom are thrown into the horrific consequences of their birth religion when the Nazis are implementing their reign of terror.
The book is written with sensibility in a way that details the horrific acts committed against the Jewish people but without shying away from telling the whole story as it really happened. This shows the amount of research that the author undertook to be able to write the book.
Even though the book veers on the long side it doesn’t feel that way because it grabs you from beginning to end.
Born from a Jewish mother, Ava and Shalom are abandoned by their mother in the farm of a German couple who by painful circumstances cannot have children. Raised as Catholics, and never knowing their origin, Ava and Shalom are thrown into the horrific consequences of their birth religion when the Nazis are implementing their reign of terror.
The book is written with sensibility in a way that details the horrific acts committed against the Jewish people but without shying away from telling the whole story as it really happened. This shows the amount of research that the author undertook to be able to write the book.
Even though the book veers on the long side it doesn’t feel that way because it grabs you from beginning to end.
March 9, 2025
It’s hard to even find the right words for this book. I finished it feeling like I had lived through a horrific nightmare full of demons. But it is also beautiful and poetic and romantic. It has twists and turns and secrets you didn’t see coming. Escapes and near escapes from the Nazis who dehumanized 12 million people to death. I am glad these authors gave these people a voice. I am willing to read these books and feel their pain. I loved it that there was no foul language and that God is still given His place as the giver of good things despite the tragedy of the holocaust. But it is not for the faint of heart and reading it just before bed was too distressing to sleep. My hats off to the authors and the suffering they too endured as they researched for years and wrote with great skill and mastery of vocabulary and prose. I will definitely be reading their first book “The Consequences of Anna” which noted in the authors note is being considered for a major motion picture .
October 4, 2025
Never again, never to be forgotten
I recommend this book for all ,for young and old this book you just have to finish and won't want to put it down. Its still outrageous the amount of people that witnessed and went in to there rolls acting out against others they knew how wrong it was but,what could they do?to openly stand between or against the laws of the land or that power that had hold would likely have caused them to be put to death.as evidence in this story,it made me so mad so sad and I am so aware that to forget history can start the insanity all over again. Peaceful existence, is such a beautiful blessing this book is just another one that will keep the real important facts on your mind. You will definatly feel this one from head to heart powerful, prayer invoking.
I recommend this book for all ,for young and old this book you just have to finish and won't want to put it down. Its still outrageous the amount of people that witnessed and went in to there rolls acting out against others they knew how wrong it was but,what could they do?to openly stand between or against the laws of the land or that power that had hold would likely have caused them to be put to death.as evidence in this story,it made me so mad so sad and I am so aware that to forget history can start the insanity all over again. Peaceful existence, is such a beautiful blessing this book is just another one that will keep the real important facts on your mind. You will definatly feel this one from head to heart powerful, prayer invoking.
January 22, 2025
Excellent WW2 Historical Novel
This book drew me in from the start. I was captivated as the tale followed a family from before the Nazi scourge to the fall of the reich. The characters seemed quite real and the story was, for the most part, quite believable. Stories of this era would be incomplete without capturing the horrors of war and the authors did this tastefully so as not to upset the reader. My only criticism was the interspersing of German, and a little French, followed by a translation in parentheses. I assume this sprinkling of German was to create an ambiance but I found it somewhat annoying, especially with the gratuitous translation.
I am extremely glad I found this book.
This book drew me in from the start. I was captivated as the tale followed a family from before the Nazi scourge to the fall of the reich. The characters seemed quite real and the story was, for the most part, quite believable. Stories of this era would be incomplete without capturing the horrors of war and the authors did this tastefully so as not to upset the reader. My only criticism was the interspersing of German, and a little French, followed by a translation in parentheses. I assume this sprinkling of German was to create an ambiance but I found it somewhat annoying, especially with the gratuitous translation.
I am extremely glad I found this book.
September 30, 2025
You are not going to want to put this book down
I was a little confused when I started the book And I started getting worried that it was going to be what I wanted but it turned in to be 1 of the best books I've ever read The story of how they were saved the twins at birth how he saved the girl the girl's mother and how they met up later on in The story of how they were saved at birth how he saved the girl the girl's mother and how they met up later on in life is also fascinating it's amazing how this whole story came to be and I truly believed it was Stories that were Stories that were told over the years that this was written
I was a little confused when I started the book And I started getting worried that it was going to be what I wanted but it turned in to be 1 of the best books I've ever read The story of how they were saved the twins at birth how he saved the girl the girl's mother and how they met up later on in The story of how they were saved at birth how he saved the girl the girl's mother and how they met up later on in life is also fascinating it's amazing how this whole story came to be and I truly believed it was Stories that were Stories that were told over the years that this was written
December 26, 2024
A moment of Silence.... for best book OF EVER!
Mans I want to tell all the other authors they might aswelgive IT up AND STOP WRITING. This was The best book I ever read! Oh, my gosh! So Many twisted turns that I never seen coming! I honestly haven’t Tslept cause I couldn’t put the book down.. wow…. Wow……. It’s tragic, and happy at times, but damn…. These amazing people in this book, I DONt want to spoil it. I just know that this book was AMAZING! DOWN TO THE LAST PAGE… WOW…. THIS LITERALLY DESERVES 200 stars..
Mans I want to tell all the other authors they might aswelgive IT up AND STOP WRITING. This was The best book I ever read! Oh, my gosh! So Many twisted turns that I never seen coming! I honestly haven’t Tslept cause I couldn’t put the book down.. wow…. Wow……. It’s tragic, and happy at times, but damn…. These amazing people in this book, I DONt want to spoil it. I just know that this book was AMAZING! DOWN TO THE LAST PAGE… WOW…. THIS LITERALLY DESERVES 200 stars..
January 12, 2025
This Holocaust novel is absolutely one of the greats with a detailed, emotional, good times, bad times, and everything in between. It was well thought out with tons of research to create a believable storyline and characters that touched the reader and will keep one turning the pages. There are heroes, villains, and everything in between.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a realistic fictional account of the Holocaust.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a realistic fictional account of the Holocaust.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 14, 2025
A tragic love story that cannot be put down.
I rarely write a review of the many books I’ve read. “Ava and Shalom” demands comment. Brilliantly written story everyone must read at some time in their lives. The horrors of the Hitler/German WW II death camps and that of genuine family strength and love combined leading readers on a story all mankind need to read, understand and and live according to foremost principles: love of your God, your neighbors and then yourself. Tears will be shed as you read this book.
I rarely write a review of the many books I’ve read. “Ava and Shalom” demands comment. Brilliantly written story everyone must read at some time in their lives. The horrors of the Hitler/German WW II death camps and that of genuine family strength and love combined leading readers on a story all mankind need to read, understand and and live according to foremost principles: love of your God, your neighbors and then yourself. Tears will be shed as you read this book.
December 6, 2025
Only God made this story possible!
This story is so deserving of the Hemingway Book Award, It took my breath away at times and tears flowed at times. The strength of Abigale, Ava and Shalom and perhaps every family member was amazingly impressive. After the Ww2, you’d think Ukraine would get more support from the European and British market as well as the USA. This story should be read by the head of these countries.
This story is so deserving of the Hemingway Book Award, It took my breath away at times and tears flowed at times. The strength of Abigale, Ava and Shalom and perhaps every family member was amazingly impressive. After the Ww2, you’d think Ukraine would get more support from the European and British market as well as the USA. This story should be read by the head of these countries.
January 22, 2025
Great read, but so disturbing!
I didn’t want to put this book down! I wanted to know how this ended! I also learned more about how the Holocaust happened. It’s so much easier to turn our eyes and deny that what’s happening has anything to do with us, than it is to recognize our the part we’re playing in what’s taking place.
I didn’t want to put this book down! I wanted to know how this ended! I also learned more about how the Holocaust happened. It’s so much easier to turn our eyes and deny that what’s happening has anything to do with us, than it is to recognize our the part we’re playing in what’s taking place.
February 5, 2025
A heartbreaking story of love, loss and survival
Ava and Shalom is the story of twin girls who are Jewish but raised as true Germans by a couple who were unable to have children of their own. When the Nazis begin rounding up and slaughtering Jews, their father decides to harbor a Jewish woman whose family was slaughtered. He knows that she is their birth mother but his wife and daughters do not know the truth. What follows is the story of what happens when the truth is foreclosed and the girls are their biological mother are sent to a concentration camp. The story of their experiences and finally their salvation is very remarkable. This is an amazing story of the love of a father for his daughters. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes stories of WWII and the demise of the Reich under Hitler’s horrific reign of terror.
Ava and Shalom is the story of twin girls who are Jewish but raised as true Germans by a couple who were unable to have children of their own. When the Nazis begin rounding up and slaughtering Jews, their father decides to harbor a Jewish woman whose family was slaughtered. He knows that she is their birth mother but his wife and daughters do not know the truth. What follows is the story of what happens when the truth is foreclosed and the girls are their biological mother are sent to a concentration camp. The story of their experiences and finally their salvation is very remarkable. This is an amazing story of the love of a father for his daughters. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes stories of WWII and the demise of the Reich under Hitler’s horrific reign of terror.
March 4, 2025
Love and courage versus hate and prejudice
Not many families who lived through the holocaust survived. Many were separated and never saw each other again. If one or two family members survived, it was truly a miracle. This is a story about an exceptional family and their miraculous and courageous survival.
Not many families who lived through the holocaust survived. Many were separated and never saw each other again. If one or two family members survived, it was truly a miracle. This is a story about an exceptional family and their miraculous and courageous survival.
March 7, 2025
So very powerful! The authors carefully and respectfully crafted the heartbreaking true events of the lives of Ava and Shaylee (Shalom) Wolff, paying homage to their bravery, while, at the same time, tearing back the veil of the worst of the Holocaust. It’s astounding that some would tout that macabre period of HISTORY ever existed!
May 7, 2025
This book will forever be in my heart. It definitely makes you take a look at how people were treated during that time and how you can keep from acting the same. The hatred and venom passed around was atrocious just as those who helped and tried to save were angels. I am so glad the story has been written to give a voice for those who don't have one anymore. Well done!
June 28, 2025
More than 5 stars
I do not give away the story of the books I read and rate but this novel was written very thoughtfully and carefully. The history and background are so skillfully detailed. Much research was done and yet a beautiful story has been written along with the history and background. I couldn’t put this one down.
I do not give away the story of the books I read and rate but this novel was written very thoughtfully and carefully. The history and background are so skillfully detailed. Much research was done and yet a beautiful story has been written along with the history and background. I couldn’t put this one down.
January 5, 2025
Stunning and heartwarming story written with much compassion and insight!
I am both inspired and mesmerized by this book. Although it's content is heart wrenching, it is delivered through the eyes of compassion, grace and the human spirit that is universal.
I am both inspired and mesmerized by this book. Although it's content is heart wrenching, it is delivered through the eyes of compassion, grace and the human spirit that is universal.
February 24, 2025
very touching story
This will keep your interest to the very end. If you have read many books about this horrible time, some of it may be repetitive, but the characters keep you involved, and at times, in tears.
This will keep your interest to the very end. If you have read many books about this horrible time, some of it may be repetitive, but the characters keep you involved, and at times, in tears.
March 1, 2025
not to be missed
This is a stunning, if not sometimes difficult read. The author has you so invested in the characters that even when you don’t think you can read the atrocities, you have to for them.
This is a stunning, if not sometimes difficult read. The author has you so invested in the characters that even when you don’t think you can read the atrocities, you have to for them.
March 7, 2025
Wonderful story
I loves all the characters..the author built up all the characters so that you were such good friends with them!! Never forget the Holocaust and what happened and never say it was a lie! Beautiful story..thank you
I loves all the characters..the author built up all the characters so that you were such good friends with them!! Never forget the Holocaust and what happened and never say it was a lie! Beautiful story..thank you
March 25, 2025
Excellent book
This book was fast paced and lovely written. The authors made you feel as if you were right in the story. I highly recommend this nove for those interested in WW 2 and the holicaust.
This book was fast paced and lovely written. The authors made you feel as if you were right in the story. I highly recommend this nove for those interested in WW 2 and the holicaust.
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