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Jews, The Third Reich, and a Web of Secret #1
My Son's Secret
My beautiful boy...
Created in love… born into hatred.
There were so many terrifying stories about the Jews. People called them useless vermin, filthy, dangerous. Before I met Abram, I was afraid of them too. But I am about to tell you a very different story - a forbidden story.
My love for Abram defied all reason...as well as German law.
Tonight our son giggles with excitement as he blows out the candles on his birthday cake. But our safety is nothing but an illusion. As his candles burn out, a window shatters outside. The room shudders as the synagogue down the street is engulfed in flames.
Kristallnacht has begun.
When my hidden paradise crumbles like a stack of cards, I must do everything in my power to protect that which is most precious to me. My son's secret must remain hidden.
Before we lose everything.
If you enjoyed "The Book Thief," you will adore this heart-wrenching saga of pain, courage, and incredible resilience set in our world's darkest time.
Created in love… born into hatred.
There were so many terrifying stories about the Jews. People called them useless vermin, filthy, dangerous. Before I met Abram, I was afraid of them too. But I am about to tell you a very different story - a forbidden story.
My love for Abram defied all reason...as well as German law.
Tonight our son giggles with excitement as he blows out the candles on his birthday cake. But our safety is nothing but an illusion. As his candles burn out, a window shatters outside. The room shudders as the synagogue down the street is engulfed in flames.
Kristallnacht has begun.
When my hidden paradise crumbles like a stack of cards, I must do everything in my power to protect that which is most precious to me. My son's secret must remain hidden.
Before we lose everything.
If you enjoyed "The Book Thief," you will adore this heart-wrenching saga of pain, courage, and incredible resilience set in our world's darkest time.
360 pages, Paperback
First published June 10, 2021
1189 people are currently reading
2665 people want to read
About the author
Roberta Kagan
70 books639 followersI’m an American writer of Jewish and Romany decent. I write Historical Fiction and Historical Romance, most of which is set during the holocaust. Although I never discount the horrors of the time period, the main focus of my work is on ordinary people who prove to be strong heroic characters in unfathomable circumstances.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
May 18, 2021
Sisters Choices
This is a story of two sisters, Kara and Anka. It takes place in Germany and Poland prior to WWII at the beginning of Hitler's rise to power. The Nazi's have started to impose restrictions on the Jewish people and then it escalates to terror.
Kara and Anka are very close because their father is abusive to them and their mother. Kara always tries to protect her younger sister. They drift apart when Anka marries a Nazi and Kara falls in love with a Jewish man. She must keep it a secret from Anka. It becomes hard to keep the secret from Anka so she doesn't visit her sister after her marriage.
Horrible things happen to Kara and Abram and their son during Kristallnacht (The Night of Broken Glass). Because of the Nazi's Kara and her son are in danger and must ask her sister's help. She must keep her secret from her sister as well as her son's secret. Will they be safe living in the home of a Nazi or will they be discovered and suffer a horrible fate.
I loved the characters and the story. It did end with a bit of a cliffhanger so I hope there will be a book two to continue the story.
I enjoyed reading the book, I will await the next book , and I would recommend it as a good read.
Thanks to Roberta Kagan, Netgalley Connect, and Netgalley U.K. for allowing me to read an early copy of the book for an honest review.
This is a story of two sisters, Kara and Anka. It takes place in Germany and Poland prior to WWII at the beginning of Hitler's rise to power. The Nazi's have started to impose restrictions on the Jewish people and then it escalates to terror.
Kara and Anka are very close because their father is abusive to them and their mother. Kara always tries to protect her younger sister. They drift apart when Anka marries a Nazi and Kara falls in love with a Jewish man. She must keep it a secret from Anka. It becomes hard to keep the secret from Anka so she doesn't visit her sister after her marriage.
Horrible things happen to Kara and Abram and their son during Kristallnacht (The Night of Broken Glass). Because of the Nazi's Kara and her son are in danger and must ask her sister's help. She must keep her secret from her sister as well as her son's secret. Will they be safe living in the home of a Nazi or will they be discovered and suffer a horrible fate.
I loved the characters and the story. It did end with a bit of a cliffhanger so I hope there will be a book two to continue the story.
I enjoyed reading the book, I will await the next book , and I would recommend it as a good read.
Thanks to Roberta Kagan, Netgalley Connect, and Netgalley U.K. for allowing me to read an early copy of the book for an honest review.
May 20, 2021
This character-driven historical fiction novel highlights the tight bond two sisters form to get them through their father’s abusive actions and the impending unrest as well as the effects of falling in love with a Jew and bringing a child into a world at war.
I love how the author has captured their love of reading and reveals that the girls “were so engrossed in the story that at that moment it seemed worth the price of being tired all day.” We’ve all been there, right? I smiled when I read that they waited until they knew their parents had gone to bed to pull the book out from under the pillow! Not only do the two sisters have a less than ideal childhood, but they are also struggling with restrictions that escalate to Kristallnacht. I was saddened to read that children had to wrap borrowed books in a newspaper and return them secretly because so many books were forbidden. You often read of brazen adults forced to do things during war that they wouldn’t normally do, but it’s rare to read about children having to make these choices. I was also sad to learn about the fraying of the sisterly bond when one of the sisters fell in love with a Jew.
Another thing the author sheds light on is that the concentration camps were breeding grounds for hatred. “Before I was arrested and taken by the Nazis, I was a different fellow. I never hated anyone. And I never thought I would wish for the death of another human being. But I am wishing it now. I have become a monster, too, just like them.”
I was gifted this advance copy by Roberta Kagan and NetGalley Connect and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Publishes June 10, 2021.
I love how the author has captured their love of reading and reveals that the girls “were so engrossed in the story that at that moment it seemed worth the price of being tired all day.” We’ve all been there, right? I smiled when I read that they waited until they knew their parents had gone to bed to pull the book out from under the pillow! Not only do the two sisters have a less than ideal childhood, but they are also struggling with restrictions that escalate to Kristallnacht. I was saddened to read that children had to wrap borrowed books in a newspaper and return them secretly because so many books were forbidden. You often read of brazen adults forced to do things during war that they wouldn’t normally do, but it’s rare to read about children having to make these choices. I was also sad to learn about the fraying of the sisterly bond when one of the sisters fell in love with a Jew.
Another thing the author sheds light on is that the concentration camps were breeding grounds for hatred. “Before I was arrested and taken by the Nazis, I was a different fellow. I never hated anyone. And I never thought I would wish for the death of another human being. But I am wishing it now. I have become a monster, too, just like them.”
I was gifted this advance copy by Roberta Kagan and NetGalley Connect and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Publishes June 10, 2021.
June 6, 2021
World War II historical fiction is my favorite sub-genre of historical fiction. I may have too high expectations of the books I read but I found this one somewhat lacking.
The storyline is very good. A poor girl, a gentile from a dysfunctional abusive family meets a Jewish boy from the other side of town. The girl loves to read, the boy's family owns a Jewish book store and he is in possession of several books that have been banned by Hitler's regime. He loans one forbidden book to the girl, thus starting a relationship that is doomed from the beginning. Kara and Abram fall in love, she gets pregnant, but they cannot marry, for it is against the law for gentiles and Jews to wed.
When Abram is arrested for fighting, Kara, who was living with him and his mother after giving birth to their son Karl, must go to live with her sister, who is married to a high ranking Nazi. She must conceal the fact her son is half Jewish from them or the repercussions would be dangerous not only for Kara and Karl but her sister as well.
As I said, great storyline, good characters, easy to identify with and care about, but its the writing style I did not care for at all. I am not sure how to put what I mean into words. The style of writing to me seemed very sophomoric, distant, stilted, and repetitive at times. I felt points were repeated over and over, even the same exact sentences seemed to be repeated over and over, it all seemed very elementary and childlike to me. The dialogue was not believable, I don't feel people really talk in that manner, not then and not now. It lacks warmth and depth I guess is what I mean.
And finally, the ending was horrible. I am sorry but it was. I thought something was wrong with my download and I was missing pages. Truly I was looking to see if anyone else had missing pages or something was wrong. I mean it just ended, practically mid-sentence, surely mid-thought. Just bam, and that was it, not one more word to be had. I couldn't believe it.
For these reasons I am sorry I can only give 2 1/2 stars rounded up to 3 stars because the subject and storyline is really good.
Thank you to the publishers at Net Galley Connect and Net Galley for the free ARC e-book version of this novel. I am leaving my honest review in return.
The storyline is very good. A poor girl, a gentile from a dysfunctional abusive family meets a Jewish boy from the other side of town. The girl loves to read, the boy's family owns a Jewish book store and he is in possession of several books that have been banned by Hitler's regime. He loans one forbidden book to the girl, thus starting a relationship that is doomed from the beginning. Kara and Abram fall in love, she gets pregnant, but they cannot marry, for it is against the law for gentiles and Jews to wed.
When Abram is arrested for fighting, Kara, who was living with him and his mother after giving birth to their son Karl, must go to live with her sister, who is married to a high ranking Nazi. She must conceal the fact her son is half Jewish from them or the repercussions would be dangerous not only for Kara and Karl but her sister as well.
As I said, great storyline, good characters, easy to identify with and care about, but its the writing style I did not care for at all. I am not sure how to put what I mean into words. The style of writing to me seemed very sophomoric, distant, stilted, and repetitive at times. I felt points were repeated over and over, even the same exact sentences seemed to be repeated over and over, it all seemed very elementary and childlike to me. The dialogue was not believable, I don't feel people really talk in that manner, not then and not now. It lacks warmth and depth I guess is what I mean.
And finally, the ending was horrible. I am sorry but it was. I thought something was wrong with my download and I was missing pages. Truly I was looking to see if anyone else had missing pages or something was wrong. I mean it just ended, practically mid-sentence, surely mid-thought. Just bam, and that was it, not one more word to be had. I couldn't believe it.
For these reasons I am sorry I can only give 2 1/2 stars rounded up to 3 stars because the subject and storyline is really good.
Thank you to the publishers at Net Galley Connect and Net Galley for the free ARC e-book version of this novel. I am leaving my honest review in return.
July 19, 2021
HORRIBLE ending!!!
A HORRIBLE ending!!! I can’t imaging how an author could end a book as unfinished as this one is. If there is a sequel, it should have been stated!
A HORRIBLE ending!!! I can’t imaging how an author could end a book as unfinished as this one is. If there is a sequel, it should have been stated!
August 16, 2022
I really enjoyed the story even if it's a stretch of the imagination. It's the first in a series of three and I'd like to continue the story so i am going to read the second in the series.The Stolen Child
Read
May 16, 2021Roberta Kagan writes vivid, realistic Holocaust novels in which the reader can really identify with the characters. In ""My Son's Secret", I was drawn to the closeness between sisters Kara and Anka and how they looked out for each other, especially Kara looking out for Anka. They had a very troubled home life and both chose different routes to escape, during the very turbulent beginning of Nazi rule in Germany. As Kara gets to know Abram and his family, she begins to learn that the horrible things she has been told about the Jewish people are not true. This book is truly a page turner, and I could not put it down. However, I felt at loose ends once I finished as it truly left me hanging. Hoping for a sequel.
June 1, 2021
You know when you start reading a Roberta Kagan book that you won't be disappointed, this book is not the exception.
This book tells the story of Kara, a German young woman from Berlin who Falls in love with a Jewish man and has a son with him in the beginnings of WWII.
This book is different from other WWII books because we see the unraveling of the beginning of the war in Germany thru the eyes of a non-Jewish protagonist that by herself is "safe" by what is going on around her but nor so much her half Jewish son.
I can't wait for book two of the series to know what layers of the story will be revealed next.
This book tells the story of Kara, a German young woman from Berlin who Falls in love with a Jewish man and has a son with him in the beginnings of WWII.
This book is different from other WWII books because we see the unraveling of the beginning of the war in Germany thru the eyes of a non-Jewish protagonist that by herself is "safe" by what is going on around her but nor so much her half Jewish son.
I can't wait for book two of the series to know what layers of the story will be revealed next.
Read
June 13, 2021Secrets and lies, Kara will do anything to save her. Child during WWII. another wonderful and well written book by this author. None of her books disappoint! I know it’s fiction but I’m sure these events have taken place in one way or another during this horrible time in history. Can’t wait for book 2!
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Publish your review!
May 21, 2021
NetGalley
Member Review
Cover Image: My Son's Secret
My Son's Secret
by Roberta Kagan
Pub Date: 10 Jun 2021
Review by
jeanie m, Reviewer
Last updated on 21 May 2021
My Recommendation
With grateful thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest opinion.
A new author for me and I very much enjoyed this quite harrowing tale as so many books written about this subject but this was a very enjoyable book and extremely well told.
Don't forget! Come back to your Review on the pub date, 10 Jun 2021, to post to these retailers.
Member Review
Cover Image: My Son's Secret
My Son's Secret
by Roberta Kagan
Pub Date: 10 Jun 2021
Review by
jeanie m, Reviewer
Last updated on 21 May 2021
My Recommendation
With grateful thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest opinion.
A new author for me and I very much enjoyed this quite harrowing tale as so many books written about this subject but this was a very enjoyable book and extremely well told.
Don't forget! Come back to your Review on the pub date, 10 Jun 2021, to post to these retailers.
June 14, 2021
Fored to run for their lives when German soldiers infiltrate their city and destroy homes, raping and killing the innocent, Kara, Abram, their small son, and Abram's mother cower for days in a dirty staircase while fires rage and screams warn of the danger.
Abram leaves to search for food and disappears, leaving Kara to make the impossible choice of seeking her Nazi sister's help.
War is hard, made tougher when you sit on opposing sides of the battle. When Kara fell in love with her Jewish husband, it created a rift in her already troubled family. One that could endanger her half-Jewish son as they hide in the home of their enemy.
This is a well-written story of sacrifice and provides insights into the horrors of war- things we can barely comprehend.
Abram leaves to search for food and disappears, leaving Kara to make the impossible choice of seeking her Nazi sister's help.
War is hard, made tougher when you sit on opposing sides of the battle. When Kara fell in love with her Jewish husband, it created a rift in her already troubled family. One that could endanger her half-Jewish son as they hide in the home of their enemy.
This is a well-written story of sacrifice and provides insights into the horrors of war- things we can barely comprehend.
June 17, 2021
A story about Nazi Germany during the start of the war. The main character is Kara who is German and falls in love with a Jewish man, Abram.
I have to say I had a hard time with the authors writing style. For me, there seemed to be quite a bit of repetitive sentences going on.
The ending? I’m still confused about the abruptness of the ending. I’m sure there is a second book coming soon.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.
I have to say I had a hard time with the authors writing style. For me, there seemed to be quite a bit of repetitive sentences going on.
The ending? I’m still confused about the abruptness of the ending. I’m sure there is a second book coming soon.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 11, 2021
Heart racing
Oh my gosh!!! This book had me reading so fast n so many twists n turns left my heart beating so fast!!! I am upset that book 2 is not out! The characters are all living a lie and it’s crazy!!! From Kara to the nazi men who I believed myself until it was revealed what they really do. When the story went to Abrahm n he mentioned the devil nazi oskar my mouth was wide open. I kinda knew Karl would be missing but I’m super excited to find out what happened to him. This book was explosive from beginning to end! Geese
Oh my gosh!!! This book had me reading so fast n so many twists n turns left my heart beating so fast!!! I am upset that book 2 is not out! The characters are all living a lie and it’s crazy!!! From Kara to the nazi men who I believed myself until it was revealed what they really do. When the story went to Abrahm n he mentioned the devil nazi oskar my mouth was wide open. I kinda knew Karl would be missing but I’m super excited to find out what happened to him. This book was explosive from beginning to end! Geese
June 14, 2021
BRILLIANT
I couldn't put this down, I sat up all night reading it. At the end of every chapter I'd think, just one more then I'll go to sleep, before I knew it the sun was coming up and I'd reached the end, I can't wait for the next episode
I couldn't put this down, I sat up all night reading it. At the end of every chapter I'd think, just one more then I'll go to sleep, before I knew it the sun was coming up and I'd reached the end, I can't wait for the next episode
March 11, 2022
Wow! Such a well written text that keeps you turning the pages. While there is sadness you can see that the author really does want to show what can be celebrated as well in times of darkness. I cannot wait to read the next book- it has been a while since I read a cliff hanger!!!
June 12, 2021
Another winner for me
Yet again Roberta has surpassed herself with her brand new series. Loved all her other books. This story is told through both sides of the war. Fans won't be disappointed with this. Can't wait for the next book in the series.
Yet again Roberta has surpassed herself with her brand new series. Loved all her other books. This story is told through both sides of the war. Fans won't be disappointed with this. Can't wait for the next book in the series.
June 8, 2022
this book is juvenile in its approach, predictable as to where it is going, and frankly not well written. Not intellectually rigorous or emotionally gripping.
June 9, 2021
Wow. What an amazing read by Roberta Kagan. Thus book was so hard to put down. Read it in 2 days. Couldn’t wait to turn the pages to see what happened next. A lot of information about WW2 and the Jews that I didn’t know. Can’t wait for the next one
May 25, 2021
Evocative, heart crushing, intense and poignantly beautiful, this nonlinear book set mainly in 1930s Germany takes the reader's mind in all directions. It quickly took me into a private world. I did not want it to end, yet was almost desperate to find out which layers would be revealed next.
This is a story of emotional and physical abuse, choices, love, heartache, determination and hope. But during WWII the Jews were sadly despised and treated worse than criminals, though they committed no crimes. Many Germans bought into it but some were compassionate. We are shown glimpses of Aryanization and the horrific Kristallnacht. Kara, an independent young German girl has a terrible life but hopes for more. As an avid reader she visits a bookshop and meets Abram whose family owns the shop. Who would have known this would re-route her entire life? Her younger sister, Anka, is desperate to leave home, too. The author, Roberta Kagan, has a gorgeous way of putting words together, every one in its place, with a gentle intensity, if you know what I mean. And the ending...
Fellow Historical Fiction readers, it would be a shame to miss this. Happily it's the first of more! Such a treat.
My sincere thank you to NetGalley Connect for the privilege of reading this beautiful, beautiful book.
This is a story of emotional and physical abuse, choices, love, heartache, determination and hope. But during WWII the Jews were sadly despised and treated worse than criminals, though they committed no crimes. Many Germans bought into it but some were compassionate. We are shown glimpses of Aryanization and the horrific Kristallnacht. Kara, an independent young German girl has a terrible life but hopes for more. As an avid reader she visits a bookshop and meets Abram whose family owns the shop. Who would have known this would re-route her entire life? Her younger sister, Anka, is desperate to leave home, too. The author, Roberta Kagan, has a gorgeous way of putting words together, every one in its place, with a gentle intensity, if you know what I mean. And the ending...
Fellow Historical Fiction readers, it would be a shame to miss this. Happily it's the first of more! Such a treat.
My sincere thank you to NetGalley Connect for the privilege of reading this beautiful, beautiful book.
May 26, 2021
This is a tricky one to review. I personally love historical fiction, especially that which is set during WW2, and so I did enjoy this, as it's written about a time period I'm particularly interested in. However, I did struggle to get into it at first, partly because the writing felt a tad stilted and formal, less emotionally engaging than I'm used to when reading similar books set in this time period. I did get drawn in eventually, but just keep in mind that it may take a while to engage with the characters and really feel gripped. Plus, there was a rather abrupt ending which left me feeling a little flat - I'm all for a cliffhanger in the hope of a second book, but this felt more like the book itself was unfinished if that makes sense? So all in all, a mixed bag for me, although I will read the second book in the series when it is released.
3.5 stars rounded down to 3.
Disclaimer - I was fortunate enough to be provided with an advance reading copy of this book by NetGalley. This has not affected my review in any way, and all opinions are my own.
3.5 stars rounded down to 3.
Disclaimer - I was fortunate enough to be provided with an advance reading copy of this book by NetGalley. This has not affected my review in any way, and all opinions are my own.
May 28, 2021
World War 2 books are my favorite sub genre of historical fiction, I was very excited to read this. I’ll start with the good. The characters are quite wonderful. I really love the relationship between Kara and her sister, especially in the beginning when they lean on each other for strength. The relationship between Kara and Abram was so sweet. Reading about them falling and love and bonding over books was lovely. Now for the mot so good. I’m not a fan of the writing style. I feel like there was a lot of telling especially in the dialogue and not a lot of showing. It was a bit difficult to fully immerse myself in the setting and to connect with the characters.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC
July 12, 2021
The writing style is very unsophisticated. Nonetheless, the story was interesting enough that I finished the book. I will not be reading the subsequent book in the series though.
May 26, 2021
Loved the book! Characters were relatable. It was nice to read a love story about a Jew and a Gentile!
The author write eloquently about Nazi Germany and the beginnings of the war in Germany! I found the story fascinating and enjoy all of the author’s books!
Thank you for the journey back in time!
The author write eloquently about Nazi Germany and the beginnings of the war in Germany! I found the story fascinating and enjoy all of the author’s books!
Thank you for the journey back in time!
August 16, 2022
My Son's Secret by Roberta Kagan is an emotionally moving, remarkable story set during WW2. It clearly portrays the events that happened during the war and within the Jewish communities. At times, I had a hard time reading the events that happened but the story also had an underlying theme of hope, love and perseverance.
It is a remarkable book and I couldn't put it down! The ending took me by complete surprise and now I can't wait to read the second book in this series that is soon to be available!
I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own. Thank you to Ms. Kagan for the opportunity to read and review this book.
It is a remarkable book and I couldn't put it down! The ending took me by complete surprise and now I can't wait to read the second book in this series that is soon to be available!
I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own. Thank you to Ms. Kagan for the opportunity to read and review this book.
August 6, 2021
Are you kidding me!
Where’s the rest of the story? The book just stopped right in the middle. Who does that? That’s just plain rude.
Where’s the rest of the story? The book just stopped right in the middle. Who does that? That’s just plain rude.
March 15, 2022
This has to hands down be one of my favorite historical fiction series about the Holocaust. I normally don't write review but I read the whole series in about 4 days. I literally couldn't put it down to the point I am going to do a review on the whole series.
SPOILERS
Kara loved to read every chance that she got. One day her younger sister, Anka, wanted to take her on a adventure to the Jewish part of town. Once they got off of the bus, they made their way to the book store. This is where we are introduced to Abram and his mother Hoda. The girls were really nervous when they went into the bookstore. Once Kara saw Abram look up from the book it was all down hill from there. It started out as a need to read more banned books and lead to them having a romance with each other.
Abram and Kara met numerous times and she would sneak into his house to spend the night with him. Her father was extremely abusive to her mother and it trickled down to Kara and her sister. Abram never liked how she was treated at home and really wanted to get her out of there in anyway possible. By this point she was already pregnant with Karl and they were trying to think of how to get Kara out of her home safely.
Anka had met a gentleman named Ludwig who she married as a escape and a quick and easy way out of the life her and her sister shared. Their father was emotionally and physically abusive to both of the girls. Abram couldn't go to the wedding due to the laws about Jews and Aryans associating with each other. While at the wedding she met someone name Wilheim. With her sister out of the house, Kara felt comfortable enough to run away to Abrams house. At first his mother was livid but she eventually warmed up to Kara due to her being pregnant with her grandchild. She made sure that Kara knew that. Hoda after her grandson was born, met a man named Yitzar and they fell in love and got married as well.
On Karls second birthday the neighborhood they lived in started to get destroyed due to hatred. The family bookstore was burned to the ground. After they moved in with Yitzar, Abram went out to get some supplies and he was arrested for no reason other then being a Jew. For the safety of her grandson, Hoda made Kara take Karl to her sister and brother in laws house to stay until they could all figure out what was going on for the safety of Karl being half Jewish. She didn't hear from them again and feared that they were all dead.
Ludwig, Karas brother in law, had a friend named Oskar whom he introduced to Kara. She loved how he interacted with her son but she was still in love with her Abram and there was no way she was going to fall for a Nazi. She tried to hold out as long as possible. Oskar was going to do everything in his means to make Kara love him. All Kara knew is that she had to protect her sons secret regardless of what it cost her in the long run.
Towards the end of the book, Karl was kidnapped. Oskar used his position to get a hotel room and all to help kara find her child. If Anka wouldn't have wanted Kara to go to a party with her and her husband, then Karl wouldn't have went missing. Thankfully Oskar was there to help in every way possible.
SPOILERS
Kara loved to read every chance that she got. One day her younger sister, Anka, wanted to take her on a adventure to the Jewish part of town. Once they got off of the bus, they made their way to the book store. This is where we are introduced to Abram and his mother Hoda. The girls were really nervous when they went into the bookstore. Once Kara saw Abram look up from the book it was all down hill from there. It started out as a need to read more banned books and lead to them having a romance with each other.
Abram and Kara met numerous times and she would sneak into his house to spend the night with him. Her father was extremely abusive to her mother and it trickled down to Kara and her sister. Abram never liked how she was treated at home and really wanted to get her out of there in anyway possible. By this point she was already pregnant with Karl and they were trying to think of how to get Kara out of her home safely.
Anka had met a gentleman named Ludwig who she married as a escape and a quick and easy way out of the life her and her sister shared. Their father was emotionally and physically abusive to both of the girls. Abram couldn't go to the wedding due to the laws about Jews and Aryans associating with each other. While at the wedding she met someone name Wilheim. With her sister out of the house, Kara felt comfortable enough to run away to Abrams house. At first his mother was livid but she eventually warmed up to Kara due to her being pregnant with her grandchild. She made sure that Kara knew that. Hoda after her grandson was born, met a man named Yitzar and they fell in love and got married as well.
On Karls second birthday the neighborhood they lived in started to get destroyed due to hatred. The family bookstore was burned to the ground. After they moved in with Yitzar, Abram went out to get some supplies and he was arrested for no reason other then being a Jew. For the safety of her grandson, Hoda made Kara take Karl to her sister and brother in laws house to stay until they could all figure out what was going on for the safety of Karl being half Jewish. She didn't hear from them again and feared that they were all dead.
Ludwig, Karas brother in law, had a friend named Oskar whom he introduced to Kara. She loved how he interacted with her son but she was still in love with her Abram and there was no way she was going to fall for a Nazi. She tried to hold out as long as possible. Oskar was going to do everything in his means to make Kara love him. All Kara knew is that she had to protect her sons secret regardless of what it cost her in the long run.
Towards the end of the book, Karl was kidnapped. Oskar used his position to get a hotel room and all to help kara find her child. If Anka wouldn't have wanted Kara to go to a party with her and her husband, then Karl wouldn't have went missing. Thankfully Oskar was there to help in every way possible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2021
Many of you all know--I love historical fiction but MUST be based on Holocaust or WWII!! And this book is no exception.
Basically, this story is between two sisters--Kara and Anka. The two sisters come from a dysfunctional family--their father is always drunk and abuses their mother and also towards the sisters, particularly towards Kara. Kara, being the responsible older sister tells Anka stories. One day, Kara goes to the Jewish part of time and meets a Jewish man named Abram, who owns a bookstore and shares Kara some of the books that are forbidden in Nazi Germany. The two eventually fall in love--which is forbidden in the Nazi law and Kara becomes pregnant and secretly lives with Abram and his mother, giving birth to a son Karl. Anka meanwhile marries a Nazi and starts sharing Nazi ideologies with her husband. So when Kristallnacht happens, Kara must hide her son's identity as a half Jew.
I only have one word to say this book--WOW. This book is simply amazing. Tear jerking and a bit emotional at times to read too, but the romance between Kara a German girl and Abram a Jewish boy was captured beautifully in the book. Despite the fact that the story is a fiction, the situation was realistic that I was drawn to the book and got so engaged into the story that I simply couldn't put it down! The author has made this book as realistic as possible, probably would have done tons of research about Jews during the Nazi period and Kristallnacht. The ending...ok at first, I thought I have missed a page or something that I thought the ending was abrupt with so many questions hanging in the air--but then I realize that this book was actually a sequel and so the author did a good job leaving the cliff hanger in the end, making the reader thirst and want to know what is going to happen next in the book!!! It was really good!!!
Characters wise, I simply liked both Kara and Abram though I sympathize with Anka--many Germans, particularly the younger ones were brainwashed into believing the Nazi ideologies and the fact that Jews were the problem of everything. It was sad and heartbreaking when you realize that despite the story being fiction, these things did happen in real life.
Overall, I cannot wait for the next book to come out and cannot wait to read more books from this author--worth four and a half stars!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Roberta Kagan for the book. The review is based on my honest opinion only.
Basically, this story is between two sisters--Kara and Anka. The two sisters come from a dysfunctional family--their father is always drunk and abuses their mother and also towards the sisters, particularly towards Kara. Kara, being the responsible older sister tells Anka stories. One day, Kara goes to the Jewish part of time and meets a Jewish man named Abram, who owns a bookstore and shares Kara some of the books that are forbidden in Nazi Germany. The two eventually fall in love--which is forbidden in the Nazi law and Kara becomes pregnant and secretly lives with Abram and his mother, giving birth to a son Karl. Anka meanwhile marries a Nazi and starts sharing Nazi ideologies with her husband. So when Kristallnacht happens, Kara must hide her son's identity as a half Jew.
I only have one word to say this book--WOW. This book is simply amazing. Tear jerking and a bit emotional at times to read too, but the romance between Kara a German girl and Abram a Jewish boy was captured beautifully in the book. Despite the fact that the story is a fiction, the situation was realistic that I was drawn to the book and got so engaged into the story that I simply couldn't put it down! The author has made this book as realistic as possible, probably would have done tons of research about Jews during the Nazi period and Kristallnacht. The ending...ok at first, I thought I have missed a page or something that I thought the ending was abrupt with so many questions hanging in the air--but then I realize that this book was actually a sequel and so the author did a good job leaving the cliff hanger in the end, making the reader thirst and want to know what is going to happen next in the book!!! It was really good!!!
Characters wise, I simply liked both Kara and Abram though I sympathize with Anka--many Germans, particularly the younger ones were brainwashed into believing the Nazi ideologies and the fact that Jews were the problem of everything. It was sad and heartbreaking when you realize that despite the story being fiction, these things did happen in real life.
Overall, I cannot wait for the next book to come out and cannot wait to read more books from this author--worth four and a half stars!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Roberta Kagan for the book. The review is based on my honest opinion only.
December 31, 2022
An Immersive and Incredibly Powerful Read
The Historical Fiction genre is saturated with World War II novels from all different perspectives, but My Son’s Secret sets itself apart, instantly capturing my heart and imagination. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a novel like this, the immersion deep and instant. The narration is tossed back in forth in quick succession, which sounds like it could get confusing but it doesn’t. It just works, ebbing and flowing back and forth through a tragic, and heartbreaking tale.
It’s like a bad car accident, you can’t seem to look away no matter how hard you try. It never ceases to amaze me how people survived this inhumane war and I felt like I was right there with Kara, Abram, and all the other characters as they adjust to a new world under Nazi regime.
I picked up this novel expecting to read a few chapters before bed on a Friday night and ended up finishing this novel within hours and hungrily going on to read the rest of the series over the weekend. There is quite a bit of adult content, including subjects that can be triggering for some, but in my opinion it was tastefully handled, and aids to show the true horror and darkness that many experienced during this time.
I cannot recommend this novel, or this series, enough!
*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through LibraryThing Early Reviewers. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.
The Historical Fiction genre is saturated with World War II novels from all different perspectives, but My Son’s Secret sets itself apart, instantly capturing my heart and imagination. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a novel like this, the immersion deep and instant. The narration is tossed back in forth in quick succession, which sounds like it could get confusing but it doesn’t. It just works, ebbing and flowing back and forth through a tragic, and heartbreaking tale.
It’s like a bad car accident, you can’t seem to look away no matter how hard you try. It never ceases to amaze me how people survived this inhumane war and I felt like I was right there with Kara, Abram, and all the other characters as they adjust to a new world under Nazi regime.
I picked up this novel expecting to read a few chapters before bed on a Friday night and ended up finishing this novel within hours and hungrily going on to read the rest of the series over the weekend. There is quite a bit of adult content, including subjects that can be triggering for some, but in my opinion it was tastefully handled, and aids to show the true horror and darkness that many experienced during this time.
I cannot recommend this novel, or this series, enough!
*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through LibraryThing Early Reviewers. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.
January 4, 2022
Here is a story of ordinary people who have to make extraordinary choices to survive and protect the ones they love.
Sisters, Kara & Anka, have grown up in an abusive home.
Kara meets Abram when she finds herself in his bookstore. Over time, their shared passion for books turns into love and a forbidden relationship. When she realises there is a child on the way, her only option is to move in with Abram and his mother
On Karl’s second birthday tragedy hits, it was the night of broken glass - Kristalnacht. The Elreichs lose their house and shop. A kind family friend takes them in, but things only get harder with time. Until the day Abram is arrested.
Anka is married into a well off German family that is closely associated with the Nazi party.
To ensure the safety of her son, Kara goes to live with Anka, fabricating a story about the son’s father. Kara must make sure no one knows her son’s secret and all the while keep up appearances for the Nazis.
An engrossing and nerve wracking book. The tension of the time is palpable, that is the magic of Robert Kagan’s writing. Her scenes are vivid and the emotions real. I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the next in the series.
Sisters, Kara & Anka, have grown up in an abusive home.
Kara meets Abram when she finds herself in his bookstore. Over time, their shared passion for books turns into love and a forbidden relationship. When she realises there is a child on the way, her only option is to move in with Abram and his mother
On Karl’s second birthday tragedy hits, it was the night of broken glass - Kristalnacht. The Elreichs lose their house and shop. A kind family friend takes them in, but things only get harder with time. Until the day Abram is arrested.
Anka is married into a well off German family that is closely associated with the Nazi party.
To ensure the safety of her son, Kara goes to live with Anka, fabricating a story about the son’s father. Kara must make sure no one knows her son’s secret and all the while keep up appearances for the Nazis.
An engrossing and nerve wracking book. The tension of the time is palpable, that is the magic of Robert Kagan’s writing. Her scenes are vivid and the emotions real. I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the next in the series.
August 7, 2024
A story about Nazi Germany during the start of the war. This story is focuses on two sisters--Kara and Anka. The two sisters come from a dysfunctional family--their father is always drunk and abuses their mother and also the sisters, particularly towards Kara. Being the responsible older sister, Kara tells Anka stories. One day, Kara goes to the Jewish part of town and meets a Jewish man named Abram, who owns a bookstore and shares Kara some of the books that are forbidden in Nazi Germany. The two eventually fall in love--which is forbidden in the Nazi law and Kara becomes pregnant and secretly lives with Abram and his mother, giving birth to a son Karl. Anka meanwhile marries a Nazi and starts sharing Nazi ideologies with her husband. So when Kristallnacht happens, Kara must hide her son's identity as a half Jew. Roberta's latest book, "My Son's Secret" solidifies my understanding of how it began and how it accelerated. This is book one of a series that leaves the reader breathless in anticipation of the next one.
Many thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and Roberta Kagan
Many thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and Roberta Kagan
June 30, 2021
My Son’s Secret by Roberta Kagan
I love the way Roberta Kagan writes; you get to identify and grow to love the characters and I love how she researches the historical side of the story. I have always loved reading and learning about history and hate it when authors get the historical facts wrong.
This book tells the story of two (Arian) sisters in Germany from an abusive home life. The story starts in the 1930’s before WWII began. One sister, Kara, falls in love with a Jewish man (which was forbidden by Nazi law). The other, Anka marries a German man. Their lives go in a very different direction and it is interesting to note the contrast in their life.
I enjoyed this book very much and was overjoyed to know that it is only book 1 in Roberta Kagan’s new saga “Jews, The Third Reich and a web of secrets”. I can’t wait to read the next book to find out what comes next.
I would like to thank Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I love the way Roberta Kagan writes; you get to identify and grow to love the characters and I love how she researches the historical side of the story. I have always loved reading and learning about history and hate it when authors get the historical facts wrong.
This book tells the story of two (Arian) sisters in Germany from an abusive home life. The story starts in the 1930’s before WWII began. One sister, Kara, falls in love with a Jewish man (which was forbidden by Nazi law). The other, Anka marries a German man. Their lives go in a very different direction and it is interesting to note the contrast in their life.
I enjoyed this book very much and was overjoyed to know that it is only book 1 in Roberta Kagan’s new saga “Jews, The Third Reich and a web of secrets”. I can’t wait to read the next book to find out what comes next.
I would like to thank Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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