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Auschwitz Twins #2
Mengele’s Apprentice
As the Nazi shadow of death falls across Europe, one man's wickedness looms out of the darkness.
Mengele, the Angel of Death.
When the Aizenberg family winds up in the dreaded Warsaw ghetto, they must share an apartment with a secular Jewish family. This living arrangement will test young Shoshana Aizenberg as adulthood creeps ever closer.
Meanwhile, fast-rising doctor Ernst saves a man's life on the Russian front. This good deed earns him the coveted role of Dr. Mengele's apprentice at Auschwitz. An opportunity beyond his wildest dreams and the stuff of his nightmares.
Gisele's beauty shines in a life fraught with hardship. She hopes to find her father, but first, she must navigate a Paris crawling with invading Nazis.
Mengele's Apprentice is the second book in Roberta Kagan's heartwrenching Historical WWII series—The Auschwitz Twins.
Mengele, the Angel of Death.
When the Aizenberg family winds up in the dreaded Warsaw ghetto, they must share an apartment with a secular Jewish family. This living arrangement will test young Shoshana Aizenberg as adulthood creeps ever closer.
Meanwhile, fast-rising doctor Ernst saves a man's life on the Russian front. This good deed earns him the coveted role of Dr. Mengele's apprentice at Auschwitz. An opportunity beyond his wildest dreams and the stuff of his nightmares.
Gisele's beauty shines in a life fraught with hardship. She hopes to find her father, but first, she must navigate a Paris crawling with invading Nazis.
Mengele's Apprentice is the second book in Roberta Kagan's heartwrenching Historical WWII series—The Auschwitz Twins.
377 pages
First published June 1, 2022
487 people are currently reading
930 people want to read
About the author
Roberta Kagan
69 books635 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 62 reviews
June 11, 2022
This novel divides into three different books/stories.
You start with Ernst Neider, a nervous and shy Aryan German and college/university student, who wants to become a doctor. He finds it easier to socialize with his new roommate, Ancel, who is a Jewish medical student and becomes friends with him and his Jewish friends.
He's talked into joining the military and goes to war after college/university. As a doctor, he saves many lives, and one of them is Josef Mengele who offers him a wonderful job, so he believes, it's at Auschwitz. He's not happy with his job, and after a time Ernst is suggested to take a holiday/vacation.
Now the ending of The Dream Daughters novel pretty much ends and the Aizenberg's are taken are taken to the ghetto of Warsaw. They are an Orthodox family now living with a Secular family. Their daughter, Shoshana, is seeing their ways of life and wants a taste of it. As she proceeds with this lifestyle she is disowned and abandoned by her family. She now has nobody but Ruth, the Secular, and has to live this way. She's wondering if she's made a mistake.
This story has Gisele Lenoir, who lives in Marseilles France, is orphaned at 14. Her mother had told her about her father when she was young, only to learn it was a lie and she never gets an answer. Her mom had a reputation and nobody seems to care that Gisele was alone, except for a long time friend André. André discussed Pierre and they are going take in Gisele and raise her from here. She asks André questions and learns her father was from a wealthy family and learned his name. After the burial of her mother she wants to go back to her home one last time. They allow her to and she assures them she'll be back before dark. She had changed her mind though and since her mom could live on her own at this age, then so could she! She sneaks away and heads towards Paris France. There she finds a job to be a maid at a brothel. She needs a doctor and visits Dr Marcel Petoit, but cannot pay her medical bill. She's offered a job and she accepts to do it It was easy and went well so she agreed to do it again. The next job she learns there's more to the job and decides to run as far away as she can from him. She winds up in Berlin. There she meets Ernst and learns who he works for. As he's not wanting to tell her who he is, she's wanting to get to Poland with him and trying to figure out how.
These three stories all come together at the end in Auschwitz...
I want to thank The Book Whisper and NetGalley for allowing me to read it for an honest review.
You start with Ernst Neider, a nervous and shy Aryan German and college/university student, who wants to become a doctor. He finds it easier to socialize with his new roommate, Ancel, who is a Jewish medical student and becomes friends with him and his Jewish friends.
He's talked into joining the military and goes to war after college/university. As a doctor, he saves many lives, and one of them is Josef Mengele who offers him a wonderful job, so he believes, it's at Auschwitz. He's not happy with his job, and after a time Ernst is suggested to take a holiday/vacation.
Now the ending of The Dream Daughters novel pretty much ends and the Aizenberg's are taken are taken to the ghetto of Warsaw. They are an Orthodox family now living with a Secular family. Their daughter, Shoshana, is seeing their ways of life and wants a taste of it. As she proceeds with this lifestyle she is disowned and abandoned by her family. She now has nobody but Ruth, the Secular, and has to live this way. She's wondering if she's made a mistake.
This story has Gisele Lenoir, who lives in Marseilles France, is orphaned at 14. Her mother had told her about her father when she was young, only to learn it was a lie and she never gets an answer. Her mom had a reputation and nobody seems to care that Gisele was alone, except for a long time friend André. André discussed Pierre and they are going take in Gisele and raise her from here. She asks André questions and learns her father was from a wealthy family and learned his name. After the burial of her mother she wants to go back to her home one last time. They allow her to and she assures them she'll be back before dark. She had changed her mind though and since her mom could live on her own at this age, then so could she! She sneaks away and heads towards Paris France. There she finds a job to be a maid at a brothel. She needs a doctor and visits Dr Marcel Petoit, but cannot pay her medical bill. She's offered a job and she accepts to do it It was easy and went well so she agreed to do it again. The next job she learns there's more to the job and decides to run as far away as she can from him. She winds up in Berlin. There she meets Ernst and learns who he works for. As he's not wanting to tell her who he is, she's wanting to get to Poland with him and trying to figure out how.
These three stories all come together at the end in Auschwitz...
I want to thank The Book Whisper and NetGalley for allowing me to read it for an honest review.
May 15, 2022
Set during WWII in Europe, Mengele's Apprentice is the second emotionally crushing book in The Auschwitz Twins series by Roberta Kagan. The disturbing evil that is Josef Mengele affects countless people but the focus of this book is on three characters and their links to Mengele. What a fascinating premise! Kagan works her magic yet again, masterfully and beautifully. She obviously does thorough research.
Jewish families are crammed into the Warsaw Ghetto, strangers living with strangers. The staid and traditional Aisenbergs find themselves sharing tight quarters with a very secular couple. Shoshana Aisenberg catches glimpses into life outside her strict home and likes what she sees.
In Berlin awkward but brilliant Ernst becomes a doctor and is wooed by Dr. Mengele to work with him on his special projects. Ernst is flattered and honoured to be selected.
Gisele is orphaned at the age of 14 in Marseilles and is desperate...the Germans have occupied her city and she is completely on her own without financial means. Her young mother told her the identify of her father...Josef Mengele. Working at a brothel is her only option.
Though all in different countries, the characters are linked by the same thread, the effects of a brutal world war. My favourite aspect was learning and thinking more about the character of the barbaric Mengele and what drove him. Compelling angle. Really looking forward to the next in the series!
My sincere thank you to The Book Whisperer and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this raw and beguiling book.
Jewish families are crammed into the Warsaw Ghetto, strangers living with strangers. The staid and traditional Aisenbergs find themselves sharing tight quarters with a very secular couple. Shoshana Aisenberg catches glimpses into life outside her strict home and likes what she sees.
In Berlin awkward but brilliant Ernst becomes a doctor and is wooed by Dr. Mengele to work with him on his special projects. Ernst is flattered and honoured to be selected.
Gisele is orphaned at the age of 14 in Marseilles and is desperate...the Germans have occupied her city and she is completely on her own without financial means. Her young mother told her the identify of her father...Josef Mengele. Working at a brothel is her only option.
Though all in different countries, the characters are linked by the same thread, the effects of a brutal world war. My favourite aspect was learning and thinking more about the character of the barbaric Mengele and what drove him. Compelling angle. Really looking forward to the next in the series!
My sincere thank you to The Book Whisperer and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this raw and beguiling book.
May 11, 2022
Book #2, in the Auschwitz Twins series
This story is divided in 3 important sections called books
Book #1, chapters 1 to 20
Berlin, Germany 1930’s
Ernst Neider is a shy and unpopular individual his dream was to be a doctor. Coming from a poor family his parents gave him everything to make this come true. At university he made friend with Ancel a Jewish medical student who introduced him to his Jewish friends and to their ways of life.
We read about his life at the university and with his parents. By the time he graduated the war broke out and Ernst was facing a frigid and miserable winter as his troop headed east. Early 1942, he met Josef Mengele who offered him a job at Auschwitz-Birkenau. Ernst didn’t know what was in store for him....The story tells us what awaits him.
Book #2, chapter 21 to 39
1938, life in a large Shtetl then in the ghetto of Warsaw and Auschwitz.
For the Aizenberg family life was a very day affair where men were master and women and children did what they were asked without any question. We follow the family’s ups and downs till the day the Nazi Germany attacked Poland, the fabric of the life as they had known was threatened. Soon German boots moved in, people were rounded and trucks carted them away.
Warsaw Ghetto 1941
No cake walk, the family shared a small accommodation with another family and as we follow them in their day to day life we see the hardship they suffered till the day the Ghetto was emptied.....they were heading for Auschwitz
Book #3, chapter 40 to 70
Marseilles, France, 1940
After the sudden death of her mother, 14 year old Gisele Lenoir was on her own. Before she died her mother told her the name of her father: Josef Mengele. She became desperate to seek him out and her only way was to learn the ways of a courtisane, she learnt this at the brothel where she worked as a maid till one day she needed help and it came by the name of Dr. Marcel Petiot. But for him everything came at a cost.....After Gisele witnessed Marcel’s doing. Escape was her only out. We follow her to Berlin where she soon met Ernst.
By the end all the stories come together and the characters end up at the hands of Mengele.....
Of course this novel offer more than my summary tells...
My thoughts
At first I was captivated by this story. I wanted to learn about this apprentice see what he was going to be involved in. But what really happened in the first book was how he lived and the struggles he faced as a poor, shy and overweight person. I thought the author would expand on his work with Mengele but no it just petered out there. Then to book 2, this was the run of the mill of life in a Shtetl, a Ghetto and on the way to the camp. Since this series is about twins this sidebar may have been an obligation. But this time it seemed more a filler. I did love book # 3, this was an exciting story that could have easily happened but again I wished the author would have expanded here also. By the end, I was left frustrated by not knowing the development and having to wait for book #3... I am hoping it will give more and not be in the style of this one.
I love historical fiction that gives you some knowledge along the way. Although this novel is well-written and moves at a good pace I was highly disappointed to read portion of stories and be left hanging there.
Although Mengele and Petiot were real people here they play character roles. One thing for sure, I am more than curious to learn more these two sadistic men.
This latest may not have been my preferred but it may be yours. It is nevertheless worst giving it a try.
Thank you The Book Whisperer for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
This story is divided in 3 important sections called books
Book #1, chapters 1 to 20
Berlin, Germany 1930’s
Ernst Neider is a shy and unpopular individual his dream was to be a doctor. Coming from a poor family his parents gave him everything to make this come true. At university he made friend with Ancel a Jewish medical student who introduced him to his Jewish friends and to their ways of life.
We read about his life at the university and with his parents. By the time he graduated the war broke out and Ernst was facing a frigid and miserable winter as his troop headed east. Early 1942, he met Josef Mengele who offered him a job at Auschwitz-Birkenau. Ernst didn’t know what was in store for him....The story tells us what awaits him.
Book #2, chapter 21 to 39
1938, life in a large Shtetl then in the ghetto of Warsaw and Auschwitz.
For the Aizenberg family life was a very day affair where men were master and women and children did what they were asked without any question. We follow the family’s ups and downs till the day the Nazi Germany attacked Poland, the fabric of the life as they had known was threatened. Soon German boots moved in, people were rounded and trucks carted them away.
Warsaw Ghetto 1941
No cake walk, the family shared a small accommodation with another family and as we follow them in their day to day life we see the hardship they suffered till the day the Ghetto was emptied.....they were heading for Auschwitz
Book #3, chapter 40 to 70
Marseilles, France, 1940
After the sudden death of her mother, 14 year old Gisele Lenoir was on her own. Before she died her mother told her the name of her father: Josef Mengele. She became desperate to seek him out and her only way was to learn the ways of a courtisane, she learnt this at the brothel where she worked as a maid till one day she needed help and it came by the name of Dr. Marcel Petiot. But for him everything came at a cost.....After Gisele witnessed Marcel’s doing. Escape was her only out. We follow her to Berlin where she soon met Ernst.
By the end all the stories come together and the characters end up at the hands of Mengele.....
Of course this novel offer more than my summary tells...
My thoughts
At first I was captivated by this story. I wanted to learn about this apprentice see what he was going to be involved in. But what really happened in the first book was how he lived and the struggles he faced as a poor, shy and overweight person. I thought the author would expand on his work with Mengele but no it just petered out there. Then to book 2, this was the run of the mill of life in a Shtetl, a Ghetto and on the way to the camp. Since this series is about twins this sidebar may have been an obligation. But this time it seemed more a filler. I did love book # 3, this was an exciting story that could have easily happened but again I wished the author would have expanded here also. By the end, I was left frustrated by not knowing the development and having to wait for book #3... I am hoping it will give more and not be in the style of this one.
I love historical fiction that gives you some knowledge along the way. Although this novel is well-written and moves at a good pace I was highly disappointed to read portion of stories and be left hanging there.
Although Mengele and Petiot were real people here they play character roles. One thing for sure, I am more than curious to learn more these two sadistic men.
This latest may not have been my preferred but it may be yours. It is nevertheless worst giving it a try.
Thank you The Book Whisperer for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
June 5, 2022
ik heb dit boek als ARC{{Advanced Reading Copy}} ontvangen van BookFunnel, in ruil voor een review.
Dit boek bestaat uit 3 delen, elk met een ander verhaal, die uiteindelijk bij elkaar komen.
Boek 1 is Mengele's Apprantice speelt zich in Berlijn in de jaren '30. Ernst is een verlegen en onpopulaire jongen. Zijn droom is het om arts te worden. Zijn arme ouders geven alles om zijn droom waar te maken. Als hij eindelijk op de universiteit komt, raakt bij bevriend met een Joodse jongen, Ancel die hem introduceert bij andere Joodse studenten en hun manier van leven. We lezen over het leven van Ernst op de universiteit en bij zijn ouders. Tegen de tijd dat hij zijn eindexamen doet is de oorlog uitgebroken en moet Ernst naar het Oostfront, waar hij een strenge winter tegemoet gaat. Tijdens een gevecht in 1942 ontmoet hij een andere dokter die gewond is geraakt. Deze dokter is de beruchte Jozef Mengele. Mengele biedt Ernst een baan aan in Auschwitz-Birkenau. Onwetend wat hem daar te wachtten staat, neemt Ernst de baan aan.
Boek 2 speelt zich af in Warschau en later Auschwitz. De Joodse familie Alzenberg, vader, moeder, Shoshana en de tweeling, moet gedwongen verhuizen van hun shtetl naar het ghetto van Warchau. Daar delen zij het kleine appartement met anderen. De Alzenberg's waren een traditionele familie. Mannen hadden het voor het zeggen in het gezin, vrouwen en kinderen deden wat hen gezegd werd. We zien hoe hun manier van leven steeds meer veranderd door de ontberingen. Hun oudste dochter, Shoshana, raakt steeds meer in de ban van de wereldse levenswijze van Ruth en Isaac. Het komt tot een breuk tussen haar en haar ouders. Dan volgt het moment dat de Gestapo het ghetto leeg haalt.. Ruth en Shoshana worden afgevoerd naar Auschwitz-Birkenau.
In boek 3 volgen we het 14 jarige meisje Gissele, dat na de onverwachte dood van haar moeder naar Parijs vertrekt. Voor haar vertrek heeft zij van een vriend de naam van haar vader vernomen: Jozef Mengele. Giselle zet alles in het werk om haar vader te ontmoeten. De enige manier om dit voor elkaar te krijgen was om als huishoudster te gaan werken in een bordeel. Daar leert ze van de meisjes hoe zij zich moet gedragen als courtisane. Dit gaat een aantal jaren goed. Op een dag wordt zij dooreen Duitse officier verkracht. Het lukt haar om hem te doden, maar raakt vervolgens in verwachting. Zij weigert het kind en ontmoet Dr. Marcel Petiot, die haar wel wil helpen, maar ... tegen een prijs. Als Giselle er achter komt wat deze Petiot doet, ontsnapt zij naar Berlijn, waar zij Ernst ontmoet.
In eerste instantie werd ik gegrepen door het verhaal. Ik wou meer leen over de 'apprentice' , maar we kregen vooral te lezen hoe hij leefde en moeite moest doen om als arme, verlegen en te dikke jongen te overleven. Ik had gehoopt dat we meer zouden lezen over zijn werk met Dr. Mengele. Het tweede boek stond vooral het leven in een shtetl en de ghetto centraal. Dit zou eigenlijk het belangrijkste gedeelte moeten zijn, omdat de serie vooral zou gaan over tweelingen, maar het voelde meer als een boekvuller. Boek 3 was in mijn ogen eigenlijk het beste van allemaal. Het meisje Giselle, dat ongewild zwanger raakt, in handen komt van een gewetenloze sadist, die haar van de zwangerschap afhelpt, maar haar daarna dwingt hem te helpen bij zijn duistere zaken. Toch had ik gehoopt dat de auteur dit verder uitgewerkt zou hebben. In het einde bleef ik toch nog gefrustreerd achter omdat ik niet weet hoe de ontwikkelingen verder gaan. Misschien in een volgende deel van de serie?
NOOT: Zowel Mengel als Dr. Petoit hebben echt bestaan, en waren ook in werkelijkheid sadisten. In dit boek speelden zij echter alleen een karkater-rol.
Dit boek bestaat uit 3 delen, elk met een ander verhaal, die uiteindelijk bij elkaar komen.
Boek 1 is Mengele's Apprantice speelt zich in Berlijn in de jaren '30. Ernst is een verlegen en onpopulaire jongen. Zijn droom is het om arts te worden. Zijn arme ouders geven alles om zijn droom waar te maken. Als hij eindelijk op de universiteit komt, raakt bij bevriend met een Joodse jongen, Ancel die hem introduceert bij andere Joodse studenten en hun manier van leven. We lezen over het leven van Ernst op de universiteit en bij zijn ouders. Tegen de tijd dat hij zijn eindexamen doet is de oorlog uitgebroken en moet Ernst naar het Oostfront, waar hij een strenge winter tegemoet gaat. Tijdens een gevecht in 1942 ontmoet hij een andere dokter die gewond is geraakt. Deze dokter is de beruchte Jozef Mengele. Mengele biedt Ernst een baan aan in Auschwitz-Birkenau. Onwetend wat hem daar te wachtten staat, neemt Ernst de baan aan.
Boek 2 speelt zich af in Warschau en later Auschwitz. De Joodse familie Alzenberg, vader, moeder, Shoshana en de tweeling, moet gedwongen verhuizen van hun shtetl naar het ghetto van Warchau. Daar delen zij het kleine appartement met anderen. De Alzenberg's waren een traditionele familie. Mannen hadden het voor het zeggen in het gezin, vrouwen en kinderen deden wat hen gezegd werd. We zien hoe hun manier van leven steeds meer veranderd door de ontberingen. Hun oudste dochter, Shoshana, raakt steeds meer in de ban van de wereldse levenswijze van Ruth en Isaac. Het komt tot een breuk tussen haar en haar ouders. Dan volgt het moment dat de Gestapo het ghetto leeg haalt.. Ruth en Shoshana worden afgevoerd naar Auschwitz-Birkenau.
In boek 3 volgen we het 14 jarige meisje Gissele, dat na de onverwachte dood van haar moeder naar Parijs vertrekt. Voor haar vertrek heeft zij van een vriend de naam van haar vader vernomen: Jozef Mengele. Giselle zet alles in het werk om haar vader te ontmoeten. De enige manier om dit voor elkaar te krijgen was om als huishoudster te gaan werken in een bordeel. Daar leert ze van de meisjes hoe zij zich moet gedragen als courtisane. Dit gaat een aantal jaren goed. Op een dag wordt zij dooreen Duitse officier verkracht. Het lukt haar om hem te doden, maar raakt vervolgens in verwachting. Zij weigert het kind en ontmoet Dr. Marcel Petiot, die haar wel wil helpen, maar ... tegen een prijs. Als Giselle er achter komt wat deze Petiot doet, ontsnapt zij naar Berlijn, waar zij Ernst ontmoet.
In eerste instantie werd ik gegrepen door het verhaal. Ik wou meer leen over de 'apprentice' , maar we kregen vooral te lezen hoe hij leefde en moeite moest doen om als arme, verlegen en te dikke jongen te overleven. Ik had gehoopt dat we meer zouden lezen over zijn werk met Dr. Mengele. Het tweede boek stond vooral het leven in een shtetl en de ghetto centraal. Dit zou eigenlijk het belangrijkste gedeelte moeten zijn, omdat de serie vooral zou gaan over tweelingen, maar het voelde meer als een boekvuller. Boek 3 was in mijn ogen eigenlijk het beste van allemaal. Het meisje Giselle, dat ongewild zwanger raakt, in handen komt van een gewetenloze sadist, die haar van de zwangerschap afhelpt, maar haar daarna dwingt hem te helpen bij zijn duistere zaken. Toch had ik gehoopt dat de auteur dit verder uitgewerkt zou hebben. In het einde bleef ik toch nog gefrustreerd achter omdat ik niet weet hoe de ontwikkelingen verder gaan. Misschien in een volgende deel van de serie?
NOOT: Zowel Mengel als Dr. Petoit hebben echt bestaan, en waren ook in werkelijkheid sadisten. In dit boek speelden zij echter alleen een karkater-rol.
June 7, 2022
I love reading historical fiction books set during WWII. This one was a little different. There were three separate story lines that meshed together. The view into Mengele’s depravity and his reasons for conducting the experiments he did on twins, the gypsies, those with abnormalities (one blue eye and one brown eye, etc.) will make you shudder. It was difficult to read the details of what life was like for individuals who endured life in Europe during the war. While not a warm fuzzy read, the realities of the horrendous acts that occurred during Hitler’s reign of terror are important to know so that history is not repeated.
Thank you to NetGalley and The Book Whisperer for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and The Book Whisperer for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
August 17, 2023
Audiobook - really good! On to book 3!
May 11, 2022
Doctor Satan
Betrayal of trust, secrets held and the evil of Nazi doctors. If you can't trust the medical field , who can you trust?
This is a three stories that all end in one place...Auschwitz. In some way all the characters are connected to the evil doctor Mengele. An evil and Sadistic Nazi doctor in the Polish concentration camp. In a continuation of the Auschwitz twins saga we connect with these characters as we follow their life and their journey to Auschwitz.
From the twins that see visions of things to come and the evil doctor, to the young girl that becomes a helper to an evil doctor and finally the young doctor that strives to be wealthy accepting a promotion to be an apprentice to doctor Mengele, not realizing he will be working with an evil doctor in a Nazi concentration camp.
This story uncovers horrifying secrets of Nazi doctors and the terror that the Jewish lived with during the holocaust. How ordinary citizens unknowingly became involved in horrific events and found themselves in the most dangerous situations.
The characters were wonderful and true to life. The story is sad and horrifying in spots. It is also enduring in the love the families show for each other and the friendships built. This is a wonderful book three to the series.
It was a good read and I would recommend it.
Thanks to Roberta Kagan for writing another great book, to The Book Whisperer for publishing it and to NetGalley for providing me with a copy to read and review.
Betrayal of trust, secrets held and the evil of Nazi doctors. If you can't trust the medical field , who can you trust?
This is a three stories that all end in one place...Auschwitz. In some way all the characters are connected to the evil doctor Mengele. An evil and Sadistic Nazi doctor in the Polish concentration camp. In a continuation of the Auschwitz twins saga we connect with these characters as we follow their life and their journey to Auschwitz.
From the twins that see visions of things to come and the evil doctor, to the young girl that becomes a helper to an evil doctor and finally the young doctor that strives to be wealthy accepting a promotion to be an apprentice to doctor Mengele, not realizing he will be working with an evil doctor in a Nazi concentration camp.
This story uncovers horrifying secrets of Nazi doctors and the terror that the Jewish lived with during the holocaust. How ordinary citizens unknowingly became involved in horrific events and found themselves in the most dangerous situations.
The characters were wonderful and true to life. The story is sad and horrifying in spots. It is also enduring in the love the families show for each other and the friendships built. This is a wonderful book three to the series.
It was a good read and I would recommend it.
Thanks to Roberta Kagan for writing another great book, to The Book Whisperer for publishing it and to NetGalley for providing me with a copy to read and review.
May 29, 2022
This is the second book in the Auschwitz Twins series. I've noticed at least with these two books that the author starts with a very horrific scene then goes back in time which will lead up to the introduction. It definitely creates a shock value. The writing is very well done the only reason four instead of five stars is that some times it switches perspectives so quickly that it would take me a second or two to figure out to which character. It also ends very abruptly. I was so engrossed in the story and suddenly it was just over. Shoshanna is a wonderfully developed character, I love that she goes for what she wants even when it means leaving everything she's ever known behind. Dr Petoit and Dr. Mengele are just so despicable it was difficult to read at points. That was to be expected though. I look forward to the next book and hoping that the twins and Shoshanna have a good ending after this nightmare.
I received this book on exchange for an honest review from The Book Whisperer and Netgalley.
I received this book on exchange for an honest review from The Book Whisperer and Netgalley.
November 12, 2022
So disappointing. I didn't find much in the way of depth or darkness considering the subject matter.
Absolutely, We should never forget, we should keep learning but It wasn't a good example of the genre. The characters were very one dimensional and the dialogue clunky and wooden.
I have read many far more compelling and uncomfortable accounts of the holocaust.
For me, this didn't touch me the way I hoped it would. And the ending ....not an ending at all, it just abruptly stopped dead to lead the reader into the next book in this series. Didn't find it a good read. Really sorry.
Absolutely, We should never forget, we should keep learning but It wasn't a good example of the genre. The characters were very one dimensional and the dialogue clunky and wooden.
I have read many far more compelling and uncomfortable accounts of the holocaust.
For me, this didn't touch me the way I hoped it would. And the ending ....not an ending at all, it just abruptly stopped dead to lead the reader into the next book in this series. Didn't find it a good read. Really sorry.
June 21, 2022
Mengele’s Apprentice is by Roberta Kagan. This book is a little deceptive as I though it was about one young man who ended up working for Mengele. This book is actually three different stories of survivors, although they may be based on true stories, they are all fiction.
The first story is about a young man who worked very hard to become a physician in spite of his poverty. He was picked on by bullies in school and was shy and stuttered. He was very intelligent and encouraged by his parents to aspire to becoming a doctor. He becomes the assistant to Mengele and thought this would help his resume later in life. He greatly disliked his work with Mengele and wondered how to get out of it. On his one leave, he returned to Berlin to try to decide what to do. Here he met Gisele who was simply trying to stay alive and who also had been told that her father was Josef Mengele. He falls in love with her and wants to marry her and take her back t Poland with him; but is afraid she would say no. Gisele is not above using him to get closer to her “father”. What will happen when they return to Auschwitz?
The second story is a continuation of The Children’s Dream which is book one in the series. Now, the family is placed in the ghetto where Shoshana finds that she enjoys music, singing and dancing which are all very much against her Hasid raising. Her parents disown her and send her out on her own. She must leave her twin sisters behind. When the ghetto is sent for resettlement, her parents and sisters are in the first set of trains. Shoshana asks to be on that train where she can at least see them. She and her friend, Ruth, are picked up out of the train line by Ruth’s ex-boyfriend, a German officer. He knows the train is going to death at Treblinka. He ends up taking Ruth, Shoshana and her sisters. Instead of going to Treblinka, he is taking them directly to Auschwitz where he thinks they may have a chance.
The third story is Gisele’s story of how she ended up in Paris in a house of ill-repute and became involved with Dr. Satan before making her way to Berlin where she manages to ensnare Dr. Ernst into marriage. Now she is on her way to Auschwitz as a doctor’s wife.
The book is very good; but I wanted to know more about Ernst and how he makes his way in Auschwitz. I want to know more about the twins. Maybe book three will tell.
The first story is about a young man who worked very hard to become a physician in spite of his poverty. He was picked on by bullies in school and was shy and stuttered. He was very intelligent and encouraged by his parents to aspire to becoming a doctor. He becomes the assistant to Mengele and thought this would help his resume later in life. He greatly disliked his work with Mengele and wondered how to get out of it. On his one leave, he returned to Berlin to try to decide what to do. Here he met Gisele who was simply trying to stay alive and who also had been told that her father was Josef Mengele. He falls in love with her and wants to marry her and take her back t Poland with him; but is afraid she would say no. Gisele is not above using him to get closer to her “father”. What will happen when they return to Auschwitz?
The second story is a continuation of The Children’s Dream which is book one in the series. Now, the family is placed in the ghetto where Shoshana finds that she enjoys music, singing and dancing which are all very much against her Hasid raising. Her parents disown her and send her out on her own. She must leave her twin sisters behind. When the ghetto is sent for resettlement, her parents and sisters are in the first set of trains. Shoshana asks to be on that train where she can at least see them. She and her friend, Ruth, are picked up out of the train line by Ruth’s ex-boyfriend, a German officer. He knows the train is going to death at Treblinka. He ends up taking Ruth, Shoshana and her sisters. Instead of going to Treblinka, he is taking them directly to Auschwitz where he thinks they may have a chance.
The third story is Gisele’s story of how she ended up in Paris in a house of ill-repute and became involved with Dr. Satan before making her way to Berlin where she manages to ensnare Dr. Ernst into marriage. Now she is on her way to Auschwitz as a doctor’s wife.
The book is very good; but I wanted to know more about Ernst and how he makes his way in Auschwitz. I want to know more about the twins. Maybe book three will tell.
May 21, 2022
This is the second book of the Auschwitz twins series. Although I haven't read the first book, I actually enjoyed reading this second book.
The story is divided into three parts--Ernst, The Aisenbergs and a French girl named Gisele. Ernst is a doctor and after saving a man's life up in Russian front, he was assigned to work as an apprentice to Josef Mengele, known as Angel of Death. Shoshanna Aisenberg and her family, after the Nazis invaded Poland the family moved to Warsaw Ghetto. Gisele is a daughter of a prostitute and her beauty seems to be captivating the crawling Nazis in Paris. She was also determined to find more about her father.
Josef Mengele is a real character--for those who are not very familiar about Nazi history, Mengele was a doctor at Auschwitz concentration camp and was known as Angel of Death and feared by many, including the Nazi soldiers who worked at the camp. He conducted many human experiments and his main interest are the twins. I have read true stories of such survivor as well, about Mengele's brutal experiments on the children. After the war, he escaped to South America where he died.
Ernst is a naive type of character. Although he was having nightmares working at Auschwitz concentration camps, he was also at the same time wanted to work along with Mengele. The Aisenberg part was too emotional and heartbreaking to read, the scenes inside Warsaw ghetto and the hunger and poverty that the Jews had to endure inside the ghetto was too unbearable and emotional to read. Reading Aisenberg's part reminded me of the scene from the movie Pianist. Gisele's part was actually very interesting to read and how she endured hardships before moving to Berlin. The author must have done tremendous research into the story, particularly about Mengele and her writing had captivated the readers, making the reader feel like they are part of the story. As always, her ending always leave the reader yearn for more and that made me wait impatiently for the third book to come out soon!
If you are looking for a hearbtreaking, page turning emotional historical fiction, this one is for you--worth five stars!
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.
The story is divided into three parts--Ernst, The Aisenbergs and a French girl named Gisele. Ernst is a doctor and after saving a man's life up in Russian front, he was assigned to work as an apprentice to Josef Mengele, known as Angel of Death. Shoshanna Aisenberg and her family, after the Nazis invaded Poland the family moved to Warsaw Ghetto. Gisele is a daughter of a prostitute and her beauty seems to be captivating the crawling Nazis in Paris. She was also determined to find more about her father.
Josef Mengele is a real character--for those who are not very familiar about Nazi history, Mengele was a doctor at Auschwitz concentration camp and was known as Angel of Death and feared by many, including the Nazi soldiers who worked at the camp. He conducted many human experiments and his main interest are the twins. I have read true stories of such survivor as well, about Mengele's brutal experiments on the children. After the war, he escaped to South America where he died.
Ernst is a naive type of character. Although he was having nightmares working at Auschwitz concentration camps, he was also at the same time wanted to work along with Mengele. The Aisenberg part was too emotional and heartbreaking to read, the scenes inside Warsaw ghetto and the hunger and poverty that the Jews had to endure inside the ghetto was too unbearable and emotional to read. Reading Aisenberg's part reminded me of the scene from the movie Pianist. Gisele's part was actually very interesting to read and how she endured hardships before moving to Berlin. The author must have done tremendous research into the story, particularly about Mengele and her writing had captivated the readers, making the reader feel like they are part of the story. As always, her ending always leave the reader yearn for more and that made me wait impatiently for the third book to come out soon!
If you are looking for a hearbtreaking, page turning emotional historical fiction, this one is for you--worth five stars!
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.
May 31, 2022
Mengele’s Apprentice by Roberta Kagan
This is Roberta Kagans second book in her latest serious “Auschwitz Twins”.
Mengele’s Apprentice is written in three parts. The first part we get to know Ernst Neider, who is a very shy, chubby and not very attractive man. We get to know all about Ernst background, where he grew up, who his parents were, where he studied in university and how he began working with Dr Josef Mengele in Auschwitz.
In the second part of the book, we continue were the first book left off; The Aizenberg family being taken away from their small Jewish Shtetl (village) to the Warsaw Ghetto. This part of the story is told thru Shoshana’s, the oldest daughter of Naomi and Herschel, point of view, she tells us how hard life is in the Ghetto and what they must do to survive.
In the third part of the book we learn about Gisele Lenoir, a fourteen-year-old French girl, who just lost her mother, she sets out on her own. Gisele’s deepest desire is to meet her real father, Josef Mengele. We also learn about another heartless but real character in history, Dr. Marcel Petiot and how he tricked Jewish families offering them salvation from the Nazi’s but really killing them. As Gisele runs away from Dr. Marcel Petiot to Berlin, she meets Ernst and sees a way to fulfill her deepest desire.
I enjoyed this book very much. I also liked how you see the main characters come together at the end of the book. I love how Roberta brings her characters to life in such a realistic way you feel like you are in the book with them. I can not wait for the third book in this serious
I would like to thank Net Galley and The Book Whisperer for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
This is Roberta Kagans second book in her latest serious “Auschwitz Twins”.
Mengele’s Apprentice is written in three parts. The first part we get to know Ernst Neider, who is a very shy, chubby and not very attractive man. We get to know all about Ernst background, where he grew up, who his parents were, where he studied in university and how he began working with Dr Josef Mengele in Auschwitz.
In the second part of the book, we continue were the first book left off; The Aizenberg family being taken away from their small Jewish Shtetl (village) to the Warsaw Ghetto. This part of the story is told thru Shoshana’s, the oldest daughter of Naomi and Herschel, point of view, she tells us how hard life is in the Ghetto and what they must do to survive.
In the third part of the book we learn about Gisele Lenoir, a fourteen-year-old French girl, who just lost her mother, she sets out on her own. Gisele’s deepest desire is to meet her real father, Josef Mengele. We also learn about another heartless but real character in history, Dr. Marcel Petiot and how he tricked Jewish families offering them salvation from the Nazi’s but really killing them. As Gisele runs away from Dr. Marcel Petiot to Berlin, she meets Ernst and sees a way to fulfill her deepest desire.
I enjoyed this book very much. I also liked how you see the main characters come together at the end of the book. I love how Roberta brings her characters to life in such a realistic way you feel like you are in the book with them. I can not wait for the third book in this serious
I would like to thank Net Galley and The Book Whisperer for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
June 1, 2022
This book is the second book of the Auschwitz Twins series, and continues the story introduced and presented on book one. On Book One we get to know the story of Naomi and gives us the basis for this book, where it focuses primarily on the story of Shoshana, the elder daughter of Naomi and her quest to fit in in her world.
The book is divided into three parts: Part One tells the story of Ernst Neider, a German boy who becomes a doctor and by fate ends up in Auschwitz working as Mengele's Apprentice.
Part Two continues the story of the Aisenbergs, from their forced relocation into the Warsaw Ghetto until their transport to Treblinka and Auschwitz, but focusing mostly on Shoshana and her journey to find a place for herself in the secular world.
And finally part Three introduces a new character in the story, a french teenage girl named Giselle, who we learn has a connection to Mengele.
This is a hard book to read, as most of the books that have this period as their theme, but it is so well researched as it is so well written that you don't feel you need to stop reading until you reach the end of the book and then you just wait eagerly for the next and final book of the trilogy.
With characters that have to make impossible choices and the connections between each other this is a not to miss series for WWII historical fiction lovers.
The book is divided into three parts: Part One tells the story of Ernst Neider, a German boy who becomes a doctor and by fate ends up in Auschwitz working as Mengele's Apprentice.
Part Two continues the story of the Aisenbergs, from their forced relocation into the Warsaw Ghetto until their transport to Treblinka and Auschwitz, but focusing mostly on Shoshana and her journey to find a place for herself in the secular world.
And finally part Three introduces a new character in the story, a french teenage girl named Giselle, who we learn has a connection to Mengele.
This is a hard book to read, as most of the books that have this period as their theme, but it is so well researched as it is so well written that you don't feel you need to stop reading until you reach the end of the book and then you just wait eagerly for the next and final book of the trilogy.
With characters that have to make impossible choices and the connections between each other this is a not to miss series for WWII historical fiction lovers.
May 30, 2022
Mengele’s Apprentice is a fast paced book set during World War II. The book is broken up into three parts. The first part focuses on a young doctor, Ernst Neider, who saves another soldier's life. That soldier turns out to be none other than Josef Mengele, the doctor who performed horrific experiments on many Jews, Gypsies and other people who were deemed subhuman. Megele gives Ernst a special job as his apprentice in Auschwitz.
The second book focuses on Shoshana Aizenberg, a young Jewish girl living in the Warsaw ghetto. Shoshana is navigating womanhood while living with Nazis around her.
The third book is about Gisele Lenoir, a young French girl who lives with her prostitute mother. Gisele leaves France and goes to Berlin to start a new life.
This is the second book in the Auschwitz Twins Series. I recommend reading the books in order.
I’m looking forward to Book 3 to see how these character’s lives intersect. This is my first book by Roberta Kagan, but it won’t be my last. I recommend this book to mature readers.
I want to thank the author, The Book Whisperer and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
The second book focuses on Shoshana Aizenberg, a young Jewish girl living in the Warsaw ghetto. Shoshana is navigating womanhood while living with Nazis around her.
The third book is about Gisele Lenoir, a young French girl who lives with her prostitute mother. Gisele leaves France and goes to Berlin to start a new life.
This is the second book in the Auschwitz Twins Series. I recommend reading the books in order.
I’m looking forward to Book 3 to see how these character’s lives intersect. This is my first book by Roberta Kagan, but it won’t be my last. I recommend this book to mature readers.
I want to thank the author, The Book Whisperer and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
June 3, 2022
This is another page turner from Roberta Kagan- every single time i read one of her books I CANNOT put it down- even if I start at night - I will stay up all night to finish. Roberta Kagan is a skillful writer and a diligent researcher- her novels are extremely detailed and riveting. I really felt like i was in the ghetto of Warsaw with Shoshana Aizenberg, and that I was experiencing the horrors of Auschwitz and the ghetto with her and her twin siblings. Kagan skillfully weaves multiple storylines at once, as in this novel, the Aizenberg's saga is intertwined with that of newly trained doctor Ernst, who unwittingly and unwillingly becomes an apprentice to the evil Dr. Mengele. Often when writers have multiple storylines, it is hard to follow but Kagan does this so deftly. i am already eagerly and anxiously awaiting the third book in the series. I was given the privilege to read and review this by Netgalley and Book Whisperer- thank you.
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December 14, 2023I had no idea that this book was the second in the series of the Auschwitz Twins. This is divided and tells the tales in three parts - Ernst Neider, a shy Aryan German who wants to become a doctor, the Aizenberg family, a Jewish family who is taken to the ghetto of Warsaw and made to live with a Secular family causing strife with their Orthodox life as their daughter decides this is a better life for her, and Gisele Lenoir, who lives in Marseille France and was orphaned at 14yrs old, ends up working as a maid in a brothel then finds herself in Berlin where she meets Ernst. The stories all come together in the end at Auschwitz. I think it might have been helpful to read the first book before this one to have some background, however, read as a standalone, the story does come together and holds your attention. Thanks so much to Roberta Kagan, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this e-arc.
July 9, 2022
I think Roberta Kagan is a great author and I have read many of her series. I read this one right after finishing The Children’s Dream thinking I would binge read all three in the series. But…now I have to wait until September to read the third installment. I have to say I don’t care for the way her books end. I can’t remember which one (a few series ago) ended with something like “they rushed out the door”. Over. Done. Until you get the next book. If I couldn’t get her books on kindle unlimited, I would not be a happy reader. I used to get her books on kindle lending library. That ended so I stopped reading her books. I can’t afford to buy book after book. When I finally decided to get kindle unlimited, I was thrilled that her books were there. So….patiently, I will wait for the next book.
March 11, 2023
This was better than the first one, with stronger character development, but still too much verbally describing what the people were feeling, rather than allowing the reader to feel what the character was feeling. I'm not a writer, so I do not know how authors do it, but they do. Roberta needs to work on this nuance. The first book tells the story of Naomi and her family up till Poland is occupied by the Germans. This book takes place after the war has started. There are a few discrepancies between what was described in the first book and what she describes in the 2nd book. Frankly there could have been less describing of feelings and shorten some story lines and these 2 books could have been combined.
February 21, 2025
As the Nazi shadow of death falls across Europe, one man's wickedness looms out of the darkness.
Mengele, the Angel of Death.
When the Aizenberg family winds up in the dreaded Warsaw ghetto, they must share an apartment with a secular Jewish family. This living arrangement will test young Shoshana Aizenberg as adulthood creeps ever closer.
Meanwhile, fast-rising doctor Ernst saves a man's life on the Russian front. This good deed earns him the coveted role of Dr. Mengele's apprentice at Auschwitz. An opportunity beyond his wildest dreams and the stuff of his nightmares.
Gisele's beauty shines in a life fraught with hardship. She hopes to find her father, but first, she must navigate a Paris crawling with invading Nazis.
Mengele, the Angel of Death.
When the Aizenberg family winds up in the dreaded Warsaw ghetto, they must share an apartment with a secular Jewish family. This living arrangement will test young Shoshana Aizenberg as adulthood creeps ever closer.
Meanwhile, fast-rising doctor Ernst saves a man's life on the Russian front. This good deed earns him the coveted role of Dr. Mengele's apprentice at Auschwitz. An opportunity beyond his wildest dreams and the stuff of his nightmares.
Gisele's beauty shines in a life fraught with hardship. She hopes to find her father, but first, she must navigate a Paris crawling with invading Nazis.
May 17, 2023
2nd.book is Interesting with lots of action.
The twins from the first book have finally arrived at Achuwitz & have met the evil Dr.
Their older sister has come with them.
The doctor's apprentice took a vacation,after being told he needed one,by Dr.Mengele himself,as he felt he just wasn't up to his job.
The apprentice meets a young woman,while in Berlin,Marrys her & takes her back to Poland with him.
He doesn't realize that this was all part of a plan,as she thinks Dr.Mengele is her long lost father.
This book, is just full of surprises & shockers, if you like trilogys,especially History & the Holocaust.This is a great one !
The twins from the first book have finally arrived at Achuwitz & have met the evil Dr.
Their older sister has come with them.
The doctor's apprentice took a vacation,after being told he needed one,by Dr.Mengele himself,as he felt he just wasn't up to his job.
The apprentice meets a young woman,while in Berlin,Marrys her & takes her back to Poland with him.
He doesn't realize that this was all part of a plan,as she thinks Dr.Mengele is her long lost father.
This book, is just full of surprises & shockers, if you like trilogys,especially History & the Holocaust.This is a great one !
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2022
So sad, yet couldn’t put down!
All of Roberta Kagan’s books/series are unbelievable! While they tell of the strength of the human spirit and the love between families & friends, they are also at times, very difficult to read because of the terrible tragedy which was the Holocaust. I recommend everyone to read them! They put in perspective what really went on in Germany in WWII, and I believe everyone needs to recognize these horrors, so they never happen again. Roberta’s stories are fabulous and heartbreaking at the same time.
All of Roberta Kagan’s books/series are unbelievable! While they tell of the strength of the human spirit and the love between families & friends, they are also at times, very difficult to read because of the terrible tragedy which was the Holocaust. I recommend everyone to read them! They put in perspective what really went on in Germany in WWII, and I believe everyone needs to recognize these horrors, so they never happen again. Roberta’s stories are fabulous and heartbreaking at the same time.
June 27, 2022
Mengele’s Apprentice by Roberta Kagan was another beautifully written book and I really enjoyed it. This book is second book in the excellent Auschwitz Twins series. You will need tissues whilst reading this and I am so glad I read it. and i cant' recommend both books enough.
Big Thanks to Roberta Kagan, Netgalley .and The Book Whisperer for allowing me to read an early copy of the book for an honest review
Big Thanks to Roberta Kagan, Netgalley .and The Book Whisperer for allowing me to read an early copy of the book for an honest review
June 15, 2022
Dark and scarey
Wow! You can feel the evil on these pages. I have read other books of Mengele's experments but, Roberta has made it so true to life. I feel sorry for the apprentice in a way there is no way out for him except death. There is so much emotion in this series and I can't wait to read the next book.
Wow! You can feel the evil on these pages. I have read other books of Mengele's experments but, Roberta has made it so true to life. I feel sorry for the apprentice in a way there is no way out for him except death. There is so much emotion in this series and I can't wait to read the next book.
December 9, 2022
Absolutely Fabulous
I could hardly put this down and found any excuse to get back to reading it. New characters, along with the old from book one makes the story horrendous, sad, inspirational and at times even humorous. One of the best series I've ever read. On to the final book!
I could hardly put this down and found any excuse to get back to reading it. New characters, along with the old from book one makes the story horrendous, sad, inspirational and at times even humorous. One of the best series I've ever read. On to the final book!
May 29, 2022
Another heartbreaking and emotional story about the holocaust by Roberta Kagan. This is a must read series for fans of this genre. I received an ARC edition from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!
June 4, 2022
This story is so frightening. I really felt the emotions these characters having. I enjoyed the different characters that represented various walks of life and how this dreadful time affected each! So much sorrow!
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June 4, 2022
Second book in the Auschwitz Twins series, this one deals with 3 stories that are intertwined. Jewish twin sisters, a French woman, and a German Dr lives intersect In this riveting tale. Read it in a day and only sorry next book not due out for 3 more months!
June 14, 2022
Mengele
I love anything Roberta Karen writes. This book did not disappoint me. The characters are interesting, the story line great.
Read books one and two, you won't be able to wait for book three.
I love anything Roberta Karen writes. This book did not disappoint me. The characters are interesting, the story line great.
Read books one and two, you won't be able to wait for book three.
July 30, 2022
Such a twisting of stories! Loved the style and how we are starting to see the characters that were introduced in the first text intertwine with each other in this novel. I cannot wait for the third installment to see what is going to happen!
August 3, 2022
The road to hell.
The lives of two characters both of whom have a connection with Josef Mengele, gradually converge. Ernst saves the life of Mengele at the front and subsequently gets a well paid job
The lives of two characters both of whom have a connection with Josef Mengele, gradually converge. Ernst saves the life of Mengele at the front and subsequently gets a well paid job
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews