What do you think?
Rate this book
The Woman at the Gates
Lover, spy, patriot: They took her country, but they will never take her courage.
1944, Germany. Gazing through the barbed wire, Antonia makes a vow: she will not let her family die in this camp. She will find a way for them to escape, to return to Ukraine, even if it costs her own life. The Nazis have taken everything from her, but they can never take away her courage…
Would you go into a prison camp if there was a chance to save your family? When resistance fighter Antonia’s beloved sister and her children are taken by the Nazis, she knows what she must do. Only she is strong enough to save the family. But she must leave behind the man she has always loved, and the country she has always fought for.
As Antonia clutches her nephew’s little hand in hers, her other arm tight around her sister Lena, she knows she has made the right choice. And as the truck rattles towards a brutal labor camp, Antonia’s only thought is of how to stay alive, so she can escape and rejoin the fight to free Ukraine. But with the war reaching a violent climax, Antonia knows the dangers of desperation.
As the freezing winter sets in, her older nephew falls ill, and Lena starves to give her children what she can. For Antonia, the only thing worse than watching her nephews suffer is seeing Lena realise that her child will die without help. She cannot let that happen.
With the risk of betrayal always present, she must rely entirely on her own courage and ingenuity to plan their escape. Out of the gates. Away from the Nazis. To safety. To freedom. And perhaps even back to the man she has always loved…
A heartbreaking, inspiring and totally unforgettable story of the unbelievable courage and determination of extraordinary people in the darkest days of war. Fans of Kristin Hannah’s THE NIGHTINGALE, Fiona Valpy, and THE TATOOIST OF AUSCHWITZ will be gripped from the very first page until the final, heart-stopping conclusion. Based on true stories.
1944, Germany. Gazing through the barbed wire, Antonia makes a vow: she will not let her family die in this camp. She will find a way for them to escape, to return to Ukraine, even if it costs her own life. The Nazis have taken everything from her, but they can never take away her courage…
Would you go into a prison camp if there was a chance to save your family? When resistance fighter Antonia’s beloved sister and her children are taken by the Nazis, she knows what she must do. Only she is strong enough to save the family. But she must leave behind the man she has always loved, and the country she has always fought for.
As Antonia clutches her nephew’s little hand in hers, her other arm tight around her sister Lena, she knows she has made the right choice. And as the truck rattles towards a brutal labor camp, Antonia’s only thought is of how to stay alive, so she can escape and rejoin the fight to free Ukraine. But with the war reaching a violent climax, Antonia knows the dangers of desperation.
As the freezing winter sets in, her older nephew falls ill, and Lena starves to give her children what she can. For Antonia, the only thing worse than watching her nephews suffer is seeing Lena realise that her child will die without help. She cannot let that happen.
With the risk of betrayal always present, she must rely entirely on her own courage and ingenuity to plan their escape. Out of the gates. Away from the Nazis. To safety. To freedom. And perhaps even back to the man she has always loved…
A heartbreaking, inspiring and totally unforgettable story of the unbelievable courage and determination of extraordinary people in the darkest days of war. Fans of Kristin Hannah’s THE NIGHTINGALE, Fiona Valpy, and THE TATOOIST OF AUSCHWITZ will be gripped from the very first page until the final, heart-stopping conclusion. Based on true stories.
343 pages, ebook
Published September 2, 2021
540 people are currently reading
917 people want to read
About the author
Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger
17 books250 followersAward-winning historical fiction!
Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger is a Ukrainian-American who transplanted to Austria.
Born in 1969, she grew up in the culture-rich neighborhood of "Nordeast" Minneapolis and started her writing career with short stories, travel narratives, and worked as a journalist and managing magazine editor, before jumping the desk and pursuing her own writing and traveling.
Her books tackle David-vs.-Goliath themes with strong women battling for the Underdogs against a system, be it political, geographical, or industrial. Sometimes all three. "I enjoy discovering the good, the bad, and the ugly in my characters when they come into conflict," she says. "And all of my stories have been inspired by injustices I've discovered along my travels."
The RESCHEN VALLEY series is based on the South Tyrolean-Italian conflict during the interwar period and was inspired by her travels to the Reschen Lake reservoir.
Her collection of short stories, which "reads like a novel", SOUVENIRS FROM KYIV won the silver medal in the IPPY Book Awards 2020 and features six stories inspired by true accounts from WW2 Ukraine. THE WOMAN AT THE GATES is what she identifies as her magnum opus and is based on her family in WW2 Ukraine.
THE GIRL FROM THE MOUNTAINS was inspired by an anecdote about a Nazi family from Austria.
The DIPLOMAT'S WIFE trilogy (released in 2023) follows Kitty Larsson, a U.S. senator's daughter who marries an Austrian diplomat before the Anschluss, only to discover that his family is not what she thought they were. Part spy-thriller, part political-thriller, the series promises a wild romp as Kitty navigates the events of WW2 with her moral compass in hand.
And in 2024, Chrystyna's first middle-grade historical fiction novel will be published by Scholastic USA. Set in 2014 Sevastopol, SWIMMING WITH SPIES is about 12-year-old Sofiya who is forced to wrestle with her Ukrainian identity as Russians swarm her peninsula and annex it. When they threaten to seize the dolphins in her father's care, she races against time to save them from a brutal fate.
Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger is a Ukrainian-American who transplanted to Austria.
Born in 1969, she grew up in the culture-rich neighborhood of "Nordeast" Minneapolis and started her writing career with short stories, travel narratives, and worked as a journalist and managing magazine editor, before jumping the desk and pursuing her own writing and traveling.
Her books tackle David-vs.-Goliath themes with strong women battling for the Underdogs against a system, be it political, geographical, or industrial. Sometimes all three. "I enjoy discovering the good, the bad, and the ugly in my characters when they come into conflict," she says. "And all of my stories have been inspired by injustices I've discovered along my travels."
The RESCHEN VALLEY series is based on the South Tyrolean-Italian conflict during the interwar period and was inspired by her travels to the Reschen Lake reservoir.
Her collection of short stories, which "reads like a novel", SOUVENIRS FROM KYIV won the silver medal in the IPPY Book Awards 2020 and features six stories inspired by true accounts from WW2 Ukraine. THE WOMAN AT THE GATES is what she identifies as her magnum opus and is based on her family in WW2 Ukraine.
THE GIRL FROM THE MOUNTAINS was inspired by an anecdote about a Nazi family from Austria.
The DIPLOMAT'S WIFE trilogy (released in 2023) follows Kitty Larsson, a U.S. senator's daughter who marries an Austrian diplomat before the Anschluss, only to discover that his family is not what she thought they were. Part spy-thriller, part political-thriller, the series promises a wild romp as Kitty navigates the events of WW2 with her moral compass in hand.
And in 2024, Chrystyna's first middle-grade historical fiction novel will be published by Scholastic USA. Set in 2014 Sevastopol, SWIMMING WITH SPIES is about 12-year-old Sofiya who is forced to wrestle with her Ukrainian identity as Russians swarm her peninsula and annex it. When they threaten to seize the dolphins in her father's care, she races against time to save them from a brutal fate.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
July 29, 2021
4-5 stars.
In the summer of 1945 in Castle Neubeuern in Bavaria, Antonia Kozak and her nephews Konstantin and Nestor recall the taste of apricots and cherries from their homeland. They, along with many others including Lena, Antonia's sister, are now Displaced Persons, a cacophony of different accents buzzing around them in this British camp. The novel then backtracks to Lviv, Ukraine in 1942 where Antonia is a University Professor. She, along with some university students, Ivan and Oksana Kovalenko and Viktor Gruber are members of a clandestine organisation of Ukrainian nationalists. Their one desire is to free their country from its never ending rule by a series of foreign invaders. This amazing saga is based on fact and the characters are composites of real ones which makes the narrative resonate even more.
First of all, I have never had to live under a foreign yoke and you can only offer sympathy and empathy to those who have or are. Right from the start the writing captures the never ending tensions, the ever present danger of the Soviet Union, secret police everywhere and the constant vigilance required as you don’t always know who your enemies are. The courage and bravery of these patriots is depicted very clearly and they are caught between a rock and a hard place once the Nazi invasion occurs from June of 1941. Antonia and many others have to survive and endure so much, torture by the SS for example, as well as deep personal losses. Your heart sinks on several occasions as this band of Ukrainians move around the fighting with one enemy against another. It becomes gripping, a story of such tragedy, a life of the uncertainty of exchanging one master for another equally ruthless one and moving to avoid the wrong groups. It’s the death of dreams, it shows all the political machinations, the deprivation and tragedy of war, the heartbreaking cruelty and fear. You become completely invested in the characters and hope against hope for their survival. The post war difficulties are clearly depicted with the changing political landscape as the threat of Stalin is perceived, the lines drawn on maps and resulting displaced people.
Overall, it’s an emotional, powerful, heart rending story of love and loss, a quest for freedom which demonstrates enormous courage, resilience and resistance. It’s well written and very detailed which helps with the historical context and the bigger picture. If you like historical fiction and especially those set in the Second World War then this is well worth reading.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bookouture for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
In the summer of 1945 in Castle Neubeuern in Bavaria, Antonia Kozak and her nephews Konstantin and Nestor recall the taste of apricots and cherries from their homeland. They, along with many others including Lena, Antonia's sister, are now Displaced Persons, a cacophony of different accents buzzing around them in this British camp. The novel then backtracks to Lviv, Ukraine in 1942 where Antonia is a University Professor. She, along with some university students, Ivan and Oksana Kovalenko and Viktor Gruber are members of a clandestine organisation of Ukrainian nationalists. Their one desire is to free their country from its never ending rule by a series of foreign invaders. This amazing saga is based on fact and the characters are composites of real ones which makes the narrative resonate even more.
First of all, I have never had to live under a foreign yoke and you can only offer sympathy and empathy to those who have or are. Right from the start the writing captures the never ending tensions, the ever present danger of the Soviet Union, secret police everywhere and the constant vigilance required as you don’t always know who your enemies are. The courage and bravery of these patriots is depicted very clearly and they are caught between a rock and a hard place once the Nazi invasion occurs from June of 1941. Antonia and many others have to survive and endure so much, torture by the SS for example, as well as deep personal losses. Your heart sinks on several occasions as this band of Ukrainians move around the fighting with one enemy against another. It becomes gripping, a story of such tragedy, a life of the uncertainty of exchanging one master for another equally ruthless one and moving to avoid the wrong groups. It’s the death of dreams, it shows all the political machinations, the deprivation and tragedy of war, the heartbreaking cruelty and fear. You become completely invested in the characters and hope against hope for their survival. The post war difficulties are clearly depicted with the changing political landscape as the threat of Stalin is perceived, the lines drawn on maps and resulting displaced people.
Overall, it’s an emotional, powerful, heart rending story of love and loss, a quest for freedom which demonstrates enormous courage, resilience and resistance. It’s well written and very detailed which helps with the historical context and the bigger picture. If you like historical fiction and especially those set in the Second World War then this is well worth reading.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bookouture for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
September 6, 2021
Antonia was deeply involved in the resistance in 1944, in her home in Ukraine and by her side were Ivan, his sister Oksana and Viktor. Dr Viktor Guber helped Antonia with the newspaper the resistance put out, the meetings they held undercover and away from prying eyes. But someone wasn’t to be trusted and even with Antonia’s instincts, hers and Viktor’s arrests and incarceration changed their lives. When Antonia was rescued, she joined forces with her sister Lena and Lena’s husband Roman, along with their two young sons. Antonia was determined to get her family to safety – she didn’t know if Viktor or Ivan were alive or safe, but she knew they would find each other after the war…
The horrors at the hands of the Red Army, the Ukrainians and the Germans dogged at their heels as they fled, and they wondered if they’d ever be safe. Antonia’s wiles kept them safe, her ability to think on her feet when they were captured and thrown into a concentration camp, and her determination saw them eventually in relative peace once the war ended. But there was still more to be overcome. Were they alive - would Ivan the Cossack, Pavlo the Half Cassock and Viktor manage to find them?
The Woman at the Gates is another exceptional historical novel by Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger which I thoroughly enjoyed. Innocent civilians and children went through dreadful times during the war and this was unfortunately the same all over, but this is the first book set in war time Ukraine which I have read. Heartbreaking, filled with courage and faith, The Woman at the Gates is to be highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
The horrors at the hands of the Red Army, the Ukrainians and the Germans dogged at their heels as they fled, and they wondered if they’d ever be safe. Antonia’s wiles kept them safe, her ability to think on her feet when they were captured and thrown into a concentration camp, and her determination saw them eventually in relative peace once the war ended. But there was still more to be overcome. Were they alive - would Ivan the Cossack, Pavlo the Half Cassock and Viktor manage to find them?
The Woman at the Gates is another exceptional historical novel by Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger which I thoroughly enjoyed. Innocent civilians and children went through dreadful times during the war and this was unfortunately the same all over, but this is the first book set in war time Ukraine which I have read. Heartbreaking, filled with courage and faith, The Woman at the Gates is to be highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
September 3, 2021
Reality morphed into brutality as Antonia and her family are forced out of their home in the Ukraine. In this heartbreaking story, Antonia did not go down without a fight, instead she became a resistance fighter. Nonetheless, she just about lost everything. When her sister and nephews had guns pointed at them, Antonia was far enough away that she could have stayed back and continued her fight against the Nazis. Instead, her heart was with her family and she let herself be herded away without knowing her fate.
When captured, she lost Viktor, someone very dear to her. Struggling inside of a concentration camp among countless others, Antonia continued her fight. Her fight was not just for her people, but a means to work her way back to him. What a tragic, often horrifying story. However, the story slowly became one of hope, with courage proving to be the guiding force.
Antonia was a remarkably strong woman to say the least. Her strength shone through time and again, no matter the danger. No matter the challenge. Her love for her family was remarkable, even if it allowed her heart to be broken in the process. This story wrung me out to dry. The fact that it was based on a true story (see Author's note) nearly floored me. The characters that Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger used in the story each had a model and a background that readers just have to know about. So please, read her note at the end of the book. When a talented author can take the devastating experiences of others and create an affecting story that mixes fact and fiction it truly demonstrates amazing talent.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
When captured, she lost Viktor, someone very dear to her. Struggling inside of a concentration camp among countless others, Antonia continued her fight. Her fight was not just for her people, but a means to work her way back to him. What a tragic, often horrifying story. However, the story slowly became one of hope, with courage proving to be the guiding force.
Antonia was a remarkably strong woman to say the least. Her strength shone through time and again, no matter the danger. No matter the challenge. Her love for her family was remarkable, even if it allowed her heart to be broken in the process. This story wrung me out to dry. The fact that it was based on a true story (see Author's note) nearly floored me. The characters that Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger used in the story each had a model and a background that readers just have to know about. So please, read her note at the end of the book. When a talented author can take the devastating experiences of others and create an affecting story that mixes fact and fiction it truly demonstrates amazing talent.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
January 31, 2022
Fantastically original and deeply full of feelings this left me thinking about it days after I was done. Being as the author based this off her family’s history and diaries it made it even more interesting and I couldn’t put it down. Antonia is a University teacher turned resistance fighter who was separated from her family and put into a labor camp by the Nazis. Her story was heartbreaking and powerful. I have read many books in WW2 but none as detailed in the Ukraine. A beautifully written novel about bravery, loss and love. Very well researched and moving. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves history!
August 5, 2021
This novel opens in summer 1945 at Castle Neubeuern, Bavaria where Antonia Kozak, her sister, Lena, and her two nephews, Konstantin and Nestor, are living in a displaced persons camp set up by the British after the war.
Then it flashes back to Lviv, Ukraine in 1942, where Antonia is a university professor. Ivan and Oksana Kovalenko, students of hers, and Viktor Gruber form a resistance group to save their country from the pull of the Red Army and Nazi Germany. As circumstances would have it, Antonia is forced to transition from fighter to survivor when she and her family are caught and sent to a labour camp.
Based on true stories, inspired by real events and real people, this is a unique look at WW2 from a Ukrainian family’s perspective. This epic journey chronicles the author’s family as they leave their homeland in 1942 and ends with their arrival in New Jersey in the 1950s as Ukrainian refugees from Germany. Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger recorded her oral family history more than 25 years ago and was encouraged to pen their journey. Her paternal grandparents are represented as Roman and Lena Mazur, and her great aunt, Antonina Remenet’ska, is the woman at the gate. Castle Neubeuern is where the author’s father (Konstantin in this story) and his family spent the first years of post WW2 in a Displaced Persons camp.
Because these characters are based on real people, it was easy to become fully invested in them. The author’s personal connection gave them life on the page. I really longed for their safety and ached at the torture and hardship they endured. The author successfully makes readers aware of the dangers of living in Ukraine at this time. I felt the tension of lives lived in constant fear of the secret police, of being caught, or of simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
You’ll need to read this story to find out how the author’s grandfather’s artistic talents helped to save his family in 1944.
Publishes September 2, 2021.
I was gifted this advance copy by Chrystyne Lucyk-Berger, Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Then it flashes back to Lviv, Ukraine in 1942, where Antonia is a university professor. Ivan and Oksana Kovalenko, students of hers, and Viktor Gruber form a resistance group to save their country from the pull of the Red Army and Nazi Germany. As circumstances would have it, Antonia is forced to transition from fighter to survivor when she and her family are caught and sent to a labour camp.
Based on true stories, inspired by real events and real people, this is a unique look at WW2 from a Ukrainian family’s perspective. This epic journey chronicles the author’s family as they leave their homeland in 1942 and ends with their arrival in New Jersey in the 1950s as Ukrainian refugees from Germany. Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger recorded her oral family history more than 25 years ago and was encouraged to pen their journey. Her paternal grandparents are represented as Roman and Lena Mazur, and her great aunt, Antonina Remenet’ska, is the woman at the gate. Castle Neubeuern is where the author’s father (Konstantin in this story) and his family spent the first years of post WW2 in a Displaced Persons camp.
Because these characters are based on real people, it was easy to become fully invested in them. The author’s personal connection gave them life on the page. I really longed for their safety and ached at the torture and hardship they endured. The author successfully makes readers aware of the dangers of living in Ukraine at this time. I felt the tension of lives lived in constant fear of the secret police, of being caught, or of simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
You’ll need to read this story to find out how the author’s grandfather’s artistic talents helped to save his family in 1944.
Publishes September 2, 2021.
I was gifted this advance copy by Chrystyne Lucyk-Berger, Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
September 10, 2021
Just beautiful. Poignant. Heart breaking. Very well researched. Bringing home so very vividly the stark reality of war. Just lovely. Do read this one.
July 28, 2021
Sadly after 10 days if trying I can't get into The Woman At The Gates and have had to admit defeat.
It is well enough written and the characters are likeable, I just can't get hooked into the story.
It is well enough written and the characters are likeable, I just can't get hooked into the story.
September 4, 2021
Antonia risks her life every day sneaking messages and refugees across the border to safety. But when she is hiding in the forest behind her house, she witnesses her sister Lena and her nephews being taken at gunpoint by the Nazi’s. She has to make the impossible decision, does she come out of hiding and go with her family to keep them safe or does she stay hidden and continue to fight. Antonia comes out of hiding and goes with her sister and nephews. When they arrive at the labor camp, the conditions are horrible and Lena’s son becomes very ill. Antonia must devise a plan for escape, to save her sister Lena and her two nephews. She spent so many years helping others and now, she is their only hope for their escape and survival. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, I cried and found myself cheering them on. I was so enthralled by this gripping and powerful novel, I didn’t want it to end, yet at the same time I could wait to see how it was going to end.
Thank you Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger for such a riveting and intense story. I felt as if it was happening right in front of me. The hope, triumphs and tribulations that the people went through, was so descriptive, it made me feel such compassion for them. This phenomenal story is a must read and I highly recommend this book.
Thank you Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger for such a riveting and intense story. I felt as if it was happening right in front of me. The hope, triumphs and tribulations that the people went through, was so descriptive, it made me feel such compassion for them. This phenomenal story is a must read and I highly recommend this book.
November 21, 2021
This was a compelling read, especially because the author based the story on her own family history. I loved knowing her main characters were mashed up from grandparents, great aunts and uncles, among others—it made me feel so connected to the characters early on—although the characters themselves held their own even if I had not had that knowledge. Although I’ve read quite a few WW2 stories, I enjoyed reading about it from the Ukranian perspective. It was new and fresh to me. The parts of this novel that may have seen implausible were actually based on facts, fitting the old adage that truth is stranger than fiction. I recommend this read, especially the audio book, which was beautifully read and added such life to the story.
August 14, 2021
Having just spent a few days in Lviv Ukraine it was very interesting reading this story about Antonia a resistance fighter who had awful decisions to make during WW2 when her sister was captured. Does she give herself up so her sister is not alone or does she carry on her fight to free her beloved Ukraine I enjoy reading stories such as these and this one did not disappoint. Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review
July 26, 2021
The Woman at the Gate, by Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger, is a gripping WWII story of Ukrainian resistance fighters’ brave efforts to save the soul of their homeland when they are caught up in a deadly tug-of-war between Russia and Germany. Exhaustively researched, beautifully written, and filled with a cast of memorable characters, Lucyk-Berger’s novel delivers a heart-wrenching tale of sacrifice, courage, and the unbreakable bonds of friendship and love in the face of unimaginable danger. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of The Woman at the Gate in exchange for my honest review. I will be thinking about this book for a long time to come.
May 5, 2022
Informative, poignant, and emotional, The Woman At The Gates did not disappoint. One of the benefits of historical fiction is the immense learning that takes place while immersed in a story. I won’t lie, this was a hard one to read. Due to current world events, this novel felt very close to real life which makes me more than a little sad. On a positive note, when we know better we have the opportunity to do better and that is why I think The Woman At The Gates is an important read.
July 16, 2021
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley.
1944, Germany: Gazing through the barbed wire fence, up at the pale blue sky, Antonia dreams of her home in Ukraine: cherry orchards, golden fields, and the man she loves, whom she may never see again…
The Nazi soldier thrust the barrel of his gun between Antonia’s shoulder blades and she stumbled, still clutching the hand of her youngest nephew. Her sister lifted her other little boy into the back of the truck. Under the threatening gaze of the Germans, Antonia looked back at the village one last time before the flap dropped and locked them all in total darkness.
Before Antonia and her sister's family were surrounded by the Gestapo and sent to a concentration camp, she was a fighter rather than a victim. Her resistance group - made up of the young men and women she’d grown up with - risked everything to free their country from those who had turned it into a bloody battleground. By her side was the brilliant Dr. Viktor Gruber - the man she was to have married and help start an independent government with. His love and his intellect shone like a light even when dark and violent conflicts engulfed them.
Antonia does not know whether Viktor or the others have been caught or executed. Inside the camp, rumors are that the war is coming to an end. But she cannot wait to be saved. Her precious nephews will die without proper food. Her sister is ill. And her brother-in-law is somewhere out of reach. The Nazis need every able slave to push back the Red Tide, but Antonia also knows she and the others could be killed for any reason, at any moment.
Outside the gates lies salvation and promises she must fulfill - for her country and the people she has loved. But Antonia's first priority is to find a way to get her family to safety, even if means putting her own life at risk. The Nazis may have taken nearly everything from her - her country, her dreams, her passions - but they will never take away her fierce courage…
Overall the story was pretty slow to get through. The characters were well developed though and I did connect with a lot of them. The story itself was not exactly what I was imagining from the description but the reader did get a lot of background and history surrounding Antonia and her cause.
1944, Germany: Gazing through the barbed wire fence, up at the pale blue sky, Antonia dreams of her home in Ukraine: cherry orchards, golden fields, and the man she loves, whom she may never see again…
The Nazi soldier thrust the barrel of his gun between Antonia’s shoulder blades and she stumbled, still clutching the hand of her youngest nephew. Her sister lifted her other little boy into the back of the truck. Under the threatening gaze of the Germans, Antonia looked back at the village one last time before the flap dropped and locked them all in total darkness.
Before Antonia and her sister's family were surrounded by the Gestapo and sent to a concentration camp, she was a fighter rather than a victim. Her resistance group - made up of the young men and women she’d grown up with - risked everything to free their country from those who had turned it into a bloody battleground. By her side was the brilliant Dr. Viktor Gruber - the man she was to have married and help start an independent government with. His love and his intellect shone like a light even when dark and violent conflicts engulfed them.
Antonia does not know whether Viktor or the others have been caught or executed. Inside the camp, rumors are that the war is coming to an end. But she cannot wait to be saved. Her precious nephews will die without proper food. Her sister is ill. And her brother-in-law is somewhere out of reach. The Nazis need every able slave to push back the Red Tide, but Antonia also knows she and the others could be killed for any reason, at any moment.
Outside the gates lies salvation and promises she must fulfill - for her country and the people she has loved. But Antonia's first priority is to find a way to get her family to safety, even if means putting her own life at risk. The Nazis may have taken nearly everything from her - her country, her dreams, her passions - but they will never take away her fierce courage…
Overall the story was pretty slow to get through. The characters were well developed though and I did connect with a lot of them. The story itself was not exactly what I was imagining from the description but the reader did get a lot of background and history surrounding Antonia and her cause.
January 18, 2022
The Woman at the Gates by Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger is a historical novel set in the Ukraine during World War 2 and their subsequent resettlement in their country after the war ended. The storyline is based upon diaries and recollections collected from Chrystyna’s relatives.
The novel follows the life of Antonia Kozak, formerly a University lecturer turned resistance fighter and her extended family, the Mazur as she is taken into a concentration camp by the Gestapo, not knowing whether Victor, her fiancé, is alive or dead to their ultimate relocation to the US after the War had ended.
The book has so many themes and the reader can imagine through the retelling of the memories the horrors that the Mazur family and other Ukrainian families went through. Antonia isn’t always a likeable character but she is a strong character, determined to fight for her family. I won’t say it’s an enjoyable read because it’s about a family’s suffering but it is an interesting read that I would recommend.
I received this book via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley #gifted
The novel follows the life of Antonia Kozak, formerly a University lecturer turned resistance fighter and her extended family, the Mazur as she is taken into a concentration camp by the Gestapo, not knowing whether Victor, her fiancé, is alive or dead to their ultimate relocation to the US after the War had ended.
The book has so many themes and the reader can imagine through the retelling of the memories the horrors that the Mazur family and other Ukrainian families went through. Antonia isn’t always a likeable character but she is a strong character, determined to fight for her family. I won’t say it’s an enjoyable read because it’s about a family’s suffering but it is an interesting read that I would recommend.
I received this book via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley #gifted
September 3, 2021
I'd been looking forward to reading The Woman at the Gates, and it did not disappoint! The struggle of the characters, working to protect their loved ones and to establish their own free country while caught between the German and Soviet armies, was compelling enough. Finding out that the story has its roots in the author's own family history made it even more incredible. While it dealt with the heart-breaking, harsh realities of the war, I still felt like it was a book that offered hope, and I found the ending very satisfying.
September 2, 2021
Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger’s “The Woman at the Gates: Epic, heart-wrenching and gripping World War 2 historical fiction” is truly a story that lays hold on your heart, gripping so tightly as it struggles to beat.
The Ukraine 1944, during WW2 this is the story of Ukrainian resistance fighters, caught in an uncertain world where are the choices between the evils fall on blurred lines, where a people fight for their homeland and unspeakable evils reign, yet they fight on. Antonia is independent, intelligent, and a young woman willing to do whatever it takes for those she loves and to fight for her country’s freedom. She is a professor by day and a resistance fighter by night, intent on saving those she loves and preserving her precious country and the life she has known and loved there.
The authors research is impeccable. She pens well-rounded, believable, and very alive characters in this story. Her rich, visual and sensory prose crafts with immense skill a story that holds you in its grip from beginning to end. I have great respect for Antonia, her courage and her extraordinary strength. The plot is strong, compelling and the ending wasn’t exactly what I suspected.
Based on a true story of the authors own family, this is an unforgettable, poignant story of love, hope, courage, betrayal, and of the power of human endurance during history’s darkest days. The story of extraordinary people whose courage and conviction saw them through the horrific horrors of war. I was reduced to tears more than once throughout the story. It was clear to see that it was written with the heart and soul of the author.
Thank you so much Ms. Lucyk-Berger for this beautifully written, wonderfully told, unforgettable story.
Thank you Net Galley for the chance to review an early release of this book
The Ukraine 1944, during WW2 this is the story of Ukrainian resistance fighters, caught in an uncertain world where are the choices between the evils fall on blurred lines, where a people fight for their homeland and unspeakable evils reign, yet they fight on. Antonia is independent, intelligent, and a young woman willing to do whatever it takes for those she loves and to fight for her country’s freedom. She is a professor by day and a resistance fighter by night, intent on saving those she loves and preserving her precious country and the life she has known and loved there.
The authors research is impeccable. She pens well-rounded, believable, and very alive characters in this story. Her rich, visual and sensory prose crafts with immense skill a story that holds you in its grip from beginning to end. I have great respect for Antonia, her courage and her extraordinary strength. The plot is strong, compelling and the ending wasn’t exactly what I suspected.
Based on a true story of the authors own family, this is an unforgettable, poignant story of love, hope, courage, betrayal, and of the power of human endurance during history’s darkest days. The story of extraordinary people whose courage and conviction saw them through the horrific horrors of war. I was reduced to tears more than once throughout the story. It was clear to see that it was written with the heart and soul of the author.
Thank you so much Ms. Lucyk-Berger for this beautifully written, wonderfully told, unforgettable story.
Thank you Net Galley for the chance to review an early release of this book
August 21, 2021
After reading The Girl from the Mountains, I was super excited to read her next novel, The Woman at the Gates this time, based in Ukraine about resistance movement.
Antonia is a professor at the university and she secretly is involved in freeing her country from the warshed. She works with a handsome man named Viktor. However, when Nazis take over the country, Viktor disappeared and Antonia assumed he is dead. She along with her sister, Lena and her nephews were taken to a labor camp and Antonia hacks up a plan to escape from the brutal camp.
The fact that this story was written based on true events fascinated me as many of you know, I am a sucker for WWII and Holocaust stories (be it fiction or non fiction). The first part of the story was a bit boring but nonetheless, I got hooked into the story, wanting to know what's going to happen to Antonia, what really happened to Viktor and if Antonia and her lover Ivan would end up marrying together. The author seemed to have done tremendous research about the events that happened during the WWII in Ukraine, how these courageous men and women fought for freedom seemed all too realistic that there were parts in the book where it was emotional and heartbreaking. Though I would say, I liked The Girl from the Mountains more than this book, I actually enjoyed reading this book.
Thank you Chrystyna for inviting me to review this book and thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.
Antonia is a professor at the university and she secretly is involved in freeing her country from the warshed. She works with a handsome man named Viktor. However, when Nazis take over the country, Viktor disappeared and Antonia assumed he is dead. She along with her sister, Lena and her nephews were taken to a labor camp and Antonia hacks up a plan to escape from the brutal camp.
The fact that this story was written based on true events fascinated me as many of you know, I am a sucker for WWII and Holocaust stories (be it fiction or non fiction). The first part of the story was a bit boring but nonetheless, I got hooked into the story, wanting to know what's going to happen to Antonia, what really happened to Viktor and if Antonia and her lover Ivan would end up marrying together. The author seemed to have done tremendous research about the events that happened during the WWII in Ukraine, how these courageous men and women fought for freedom seemed all too realistic that there were parts in the book where it was emotional and heartbreaking. Though I would say, I liked The Girl from the Mountains more than this book, I actually enjoyed reading this book.
Thank you Chrystyna for inviting me to review this book and thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.
August 8, 2021
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for sharing the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In 1941, Antonia a university professor in Lviv in Western Ukraine was also a part of the clandestine Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, fighting to preserve her country's culture and traditions. She along with other members published a newspaper called Our Nation's Voice in defiance of the Soviet regime. When Germany invaded Ukraine, they collaborated with the Nazis against the Soviets. But instead, they fell right into the hands of an enemy from another's. After hiding and running from the Nazis and Soviets for a long time Antonia and her sister's family were eventually captured by Nazis and thrown into the labour camp.
The Woman at the Gates would resonate with the reader as Chrystyna has borrowed from her own family history and experiences to weave a story of struggle, hardships and loss. Real-life events add authenticity to her narrative. Antonia's character is of a strong-minded woman who wants to have an independent identity for her country. She endured everything thrown at her but stood strong in her beliefs and came out as resilient as ever and a survivor. This book gave me an insight into Ukraine's struggle for independence and a new perspective about World War II. My concern with the book is that it was extremely slow and there are a plethora of characters whom you can easily lose track of. It took a lot of time to build up the story. All in all an informative read.
For detailed review read my blog
https://nextonreadinglist.blogspot.co...
In 1941, Antonia a university professor in Lviv in Western Ukraine was also a part of the clandestine Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, fighting to preserve her country's culture and traditions. She along with other members published a newspaper called Our Nation's Voice in defiance of the Soviet regime. When Germany invaded Ukraine, they collaborated with the Nazis against the Soviets. But instead, they fell right into the hands of an enemy from another's. After hiding and running from the Nazis and Soviets for a long time Antonia and her sister's family were eventually captured by Nazis and thrown into the labour camp.
The Woman at the Gates would resonate with the reader as Chrystyna has borrowed from her own family history and experiences to weave a story of struggle, hardships and loss. Real-life events add authenticity to her narrative. Antonia's character is of a strong-minded woman who wants to have an independent identity for her country. She endured everything thrown at her but stood strong in her beliefs and came out as resilient as ever and a survivor. This book gave me an insight into Ukraine's struggle for independence and a new perspective about World War II. My concern with the book is that it was extremely slow and there are a plethora of characters whom you can easily lose track of. It took a lot of time to build up the story. All in all an informative read.
For detailed review read my blog
https://nextonreadinglist.blogspot.co...
September 3, 2021
I absolutely loved The Woman at the Gates. I have a huge fascination with anything World War II related and this novel really shows us the brutal truth of what these extraordinary people had to endure during this time.
The setting for the book is the Ukraine, and you read all about the Ukrainian resistance fighters and their tug of war battle between the Russians and Germans. It wasn’t the easiest of books to read, but it is very rewarding. The author provides notes at the back to help you translate some of the words in the text. This was very helpful.
The main character Antonia is a fantastic character, she is strong, selfless, and resilient. She is a university professor by day and a militant underground activist by night. Her family and country mean everything to her. You will love to read and follow her journey throughout the book. There are elements of love, friendship and of course the extreme fear of discovery. I can’t wait to read more books from this author in the future.
A highly recommended read if you are looking for a book to get stuck into.
Read my full review here https://rachelbustin.com/books/the-wo...
The setting for the book is the Ukraine, and you read all about the Ukrainian resistance fighters and their tug of war battle between the Russians and Germans. It wasn’t the easiest of books to read, but it is very rewarding. The author provides notes at the back to help you translate some of the words in the text. This was very helpful.
The main character Antonia is a fantastic character, she is strong, selfless, and resilient. She is a university professor by day and a militant underground activist by night. Her family and country mean everything to her. You will love to read and follow her journey throughout the book. There are elements of love, friendship and of course the extreme fear of discovery. I can’t wait to read more books from this author in the future.
A highly recommended read if you are looking for a book to get stuck into.
Read my full review here https://rachelbustin.com/books/the-wo...
September 13, 2021
A difficult story to assimilate as no holds barred in the telling of it. But this is how a story should be told especially one like this.
It is also difficult if one has not lived through oppression of been under government control to understand living conditions like this. You can never under estimate the power of neighbours or relations who may not like you and who may "dob" you to the authorities. Compromise which may seem the cowards way out on reading it, may be the only way to survive and the human spirit does
need to survive, come what may.
The story set in 1944 embodies the spirit of survival, of family ties, of love and the heartbreak behind it all. Of personalsacrifice for the better of the common good. The characters in this story are doing the best they can not just for their country but for their own survival. I followed the maps which were interspersed with the chapters and saw how the borders of Ukraine,Lithuania, Slovekia, Yugoslavia, and even Russia changed every few years with wars and greed of one power taking over another.
The story is full of historical detail (in great depth) which may not appeal to anyone other than those who like history because though the personal story is very powerful, the historical story is the one which is uppermost.
It was my first read of a story set in 1944 Ukraine.
It is also difficult if one has not lived through oppression of been under government control to understand living conditions like this. You can never under estimate the power of neighbours or relations who may not like you and who may "dob" you to the authorities. Compromise which may seem the cowards way out on reading it, may be the only way to survive and the human spirit does
need to survive, come what may.
The story set in 1944 embodies the spirit of survival, of family ties, of love and the heartbreak behind it all. Of personalsacrifice for the better of the common good. The characters in this story are doing the best they can not just for their country but for their own survival. I followed the maps which were interspersed with the chapters and saw how the borders of Ukraine,Lithuania, Slovekia, Yugoslavia, and even Russia changed every few years with wars and greed of one power taking over another.
The story is full of historical detail (in great depth) which may not appeal to anyone other than those who like history because though the personal story is very powerful, the historical story is the one which is uppermost.
It was my first read of a story set in 1944 Ukraine.
July 21, 2021
Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger writes of love, courage and selflessness during the horrors of war. She recounts in merciless detail the loss of a homeland but also the persistence of humanity to survive during the darkest of times. This is a beautiful and haunting book.
The emotional core of the story is fixed with friendship and love but also brutality and tragedy. The setting is Ukraine, sandwiched between the horrors of Stalin's Red Army and Hitler's Nazi murderers. Ukraine has a past we must never forget and a future we should all help guarantee is free of foreign intervention.
Love in perilous circumstances has never been evoked better than in this extraordinary novel.
The emotional core of the story is fixed with friendship and love but also brutality and tragedy. The setting is Ukraine, sandwiched between the horrors of Stalin's Red Army and Hitler's Nazi murderers. Ukraine has a past we must never forget and a future we should all help guarantee is free of foreign intervention.
Love in perilous circumstances has never been evoked better than in this extraordinary novel.
November 25, 2021
Fantastic WW2 Fiction!
I don't read much WW2 fiction, but I'm glad that I read this book! The Woman at the Gates is gripping and heart-wrenching, with characters that come alive and scenes that had me turning page after page. I was fascinated to find out that many of the characters and scenes are based on the author's relatives and their harrowing experiences in WW2. I also found it very interesting to learn about the history of Ukraine and the country's plight during the war, which I knew nothing about.
A great read for anyone who enjoys WW2 fiction, and anyone interested in lesser known bits of history.
I don't read much WW2 fiction, but I'm glad that I read this book! The Woman at the Gates is gripping and heart-wrenching, with characters that come alive and scenes that had me turning page after page. I was fascinated to find out that many of the characters and scenes are based on the author's relatives and their harrowing experiences in WW2. I also found it very interesting to learn about the history of Ukraine and the country's plight during the war, which I knew nothing about.
A great read for anyone who enjoys WW2 fiction, and anyone interested in lesser known bits of history.
June 23, 2022
The Woman at the Gates by Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger was a very emotional book that just beautifully written throughout. This book is set in Ukraine and Ukrainians set against the backdrop of WW2. You will need tissues for this book and I am so glad I got a chance to read this book especially what is going on in Ukraine at the moment. My heart goes out to everyone that is there and involved.
This book should be a must read and it is an eye opener from the very beginning till the end.
Thanks to the publisher Bookouture and NetGalley for a ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book should be a must read and it is an eye opener from the very beginning till the end.
Thanks to the publisher Bookouture and NetGalley for a ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 23, 2023
One of the things that makes this story so amazing is that it stems from the experiences of the author's extended family, specifically grandparents. (I appreciate that they were willing to share the bad and the good experiences of their lives.) Historical details are beautifully woven with personal experiences. So, although this is a work of fiction, it feels authentic. In the author's notes, we learn how this storyteller created this account that represents just a part of Ukranian history. I truly appreciate being able to learn more and thank her for sharing a part of her family's history.
November 1, 2021
I listened to this engrossing novel on audio and from the first words uttered, I was hooked. Generally I listen to books while walking yet Lucyk-Berger’s well-researched historical fiction had me turning on audible while getting dressed, making dinner, running errands – any time I could. Read it, listen to it, whatever your prefer – just don’t miss it. And be sure to read/listen to the author’s notes at the end.
September 8, 2021
A Story That Sweeps You Away
This book has every emotion covered. I feared for the safety, cried with heartbreak, coward in terror and smiled with joy for all of these exceptionally well developed characters. This piece of history is a marvelous read. I would recommend highly for all, including any High School World History class. Amazing ❤
This book has every emotion covered. I feared for the safety, cried with heartbreak, coward in terror and smiled with joy for all of these exceptionally well developed characters. This piece of history is a marvelous read. I would recommend highly for all, including any High School World History class. Amazing ❤
September 17, 2021
Based loosely on real events, the real heartbreak is the injustices done to the Ukrainian population. Forced to choose between collaborating with the Nazis or live under Stalinist Russia, while struggling to free Ukraine with no hope of doing so- this is the real sorrow for a country decimated by WW II.
October 10, 2021
Unusual , in that it is about a country which had been under Soviet control and domination for about 20 years before being invaded by Nazi Germany. The Resistance, which had been fighting for Ukrainian independence had to decide which was worse: being dominated by the Soviets or the Nazis. What a decision!
October 21, 2021
Great story
Two love stories in one book. Very well researched by the Author, who you can tell loves telling this story. And the fact that much of it is about her family makes it more of a work of art.
Two love stories in one book. Very well researched by the Author, who you can tell loves telling this story. And the fact that much of it is about her family makes it more of a work of art.
August 4, 2021
A powerful story set during World war 2 featuring Ukrainian Resistance fighters and their tug of war battle with the Russians and Germans. A story of love, loss and great courage in the face of adversity, this well written/researched story will appeal to hIstorical fiction readers. My grateful thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews