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Under a Sunburnt Sky
Nacha is living a normal life in Old Town, Warsaw, when the Nazis invade Poland. After months of heavy shelling, her family believes things can't possibly get any worse. Then the city falls, and she and her family find themselves faced with a level of antisemitism they've never experienced before. They're locked into a ghetto, and she fears they'll never see freedom again. When the Nazis begin rounding up Jews, Janek, a Polish Catholic teenager, doesn't let the warnings of executions for those caught helping Jewish people stop him. With his neighbors now living in the ghetto, he resolves to take them food and supplies. It isn't long before he finds love in the dark shadows of the ghetto walls, and his own commitment to save his neighbors grows.
298 pages, Paperback
Published July 11, 2022
896 people are currently reading
657 people want to read
About the author
Lilly Mirren
36 books312 followersLilly Mirren is a USA Today Bestselling women's and contemporary fiction author.
She lives in Brisbane, Australia, with her husband and three children. When she's not writing she's running around after children, bushwalking, or spending time with friends.
"If readers are looking for an author who is the perfect mix of Debbie Macomber and Nora Roberts, Lilly Mirren is it." - InD'tale Magazine
She lives in Brisbane, Australia, with her husband and three children. When she's not writing she's running around after children, bushwalking, or spending time with friends.
"If readers are looking for an author who is the perfect mix of Debbie Macomber and Nora Roberts, Lilly Mirren is it." - InD'tale Magazine
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
September 28, 2024
My wife read this book on her kindle reader, which is connected to my GR account through Amazon. She awarded it 5 stars and recommended it highly.
July 15, 2022
I found this a really difficult book to read, especially in light of the present troubles in Ukraine. The descriptions of life in the Jewish ghetto in Warsaw and the unbelievable cruelty of the Germans are a stark reminder of how inhumane people can be. What saves the book from being too dark is how some also managed to shine, helping others at great risk to themselves, made extra poignant by the realisation that this is based on real people with real lives. In summary not a book to sit back and relax to, but one to make you really be thankful for what you have and how we must make sure that this never happens again.
I received an advance copy of this book from the author, however this did not influence my review of the book.
I received an advance copy of this book from the author, however this did not influence my review of the book.
November 4, 2022
With characters that are amazingly realistic, Lilly Mirren weaves together a story about Word War II that many historical fiction enthusiasts wouldn’t want to miss out on.
Read full review in the 2022 November issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2022 November issue of InD'tale Magazine.
June 28, 2024
A story well worth reading
Under a Sunburnt Sky is a World War II story, taking place in Poland, and primarily in Warsaw. It is a story of the plight of the Jews at the hands of the Nazis, and how the Nazis systematically eliminated Jews and others. It is also the story of the Warsaw ghetto. The novel focuses on the friendship of two families, one Jewish and one Polish, and their fights to survive, the Polish family doing all they can to protect and help their Jewish friends and neighbors.
This is a story of the horrors of the war, the ghettos and the unimaginable fears, losses and tragedies that were faced. It is not a pleasant story to read, but it shows the depths of love and caring people can have for one another. And it shows the extent people will go to for those they care about, even at potential loss of their own lives. Read this story, and be inspired to make a difference for others.
Under a Sunburnt Sky is a World War II story, taking place in Poland, and primarily in Warsaw. It is a story of the plight of the Jews at the hands of the Nazis, and how the Nazis systematically eliminated Jews and others. It is also the story of the Warsaw ghetto. The novel focuses on the friendship of two families, one Jewish and one Polish, and their fights to survive, the Polish family doing all they can to protect and help their Jewish friends and neighbors.
This is a story of the horrors of the war, the ghettos and the unimaginable fears, losses and tragedies that were faced. It is not a pleasant story to read, but it shows the depths of love and caring people can have for one another. And it shows the extent people will go to for those they care about, even at potential loss of their own lives. Read this story, and be inspired to make a difference for others.
November 30, 2024
Good story. A bit different story about WWII in Poland.
August 29, 2024
Riveting book about Warsaw during WWII and the friendship of one Gentile and Jewish family that spans the divide of the city. Excellent read based on true events.
August 26, 2023
I've read so many WW2 novels, I think I may have become a little desensitized. Depictions of horrible things, some inspiring actions and reasons for hope...which actually feels standard for the topic at this point. I'm sure I learned something new, a different POV, but I don't think I'll remember any of the specifics from the story. I might recall a few of the little things that bugged me though ...
** Who is the author? As I went to look this up I was getting mixed results. Lilly Mirren, but also Bronwen Pratley. I figured out that this HAD been written under a pen name, but then claimed by the author under her real name. The confusion just left a bad taste in my mouth. I guess I can understand why a pen name is used at times, but keep it consistent.
**Tense/POV and Narration: There were a few chapters taking place in the "present" ... 1983. These were written first person/present tense. I don't love present tense, but actually appreciate it used this way (to differentiate two timelines). What I didn't like, was that we aren't told the POV (in Chapter 1, we know it is a man, as he refers to "his wife") but we aren't given names, and it just feels purposely hidden (IS this story of the boy and girl that follow?) I was especially annoyed in Chapter 18, when it returns to this present, but now it's the POV of the wife (she refers to her husband) ... again, no names. AND THE NARRATION IN AUDIO IS ALL THE SAME. This was confusing to me, I really could have used a different (female) voice here. I can NOT accept a male voice doing a female in first person. I would have appreciated a female voice throughout, when the POV was Nacha, and the male for when it was Jan. These were 3rd person, so I am ok with a single narrator, but I was having difficulty determining the POV at times. It was also frustrating when the POV would shift, and the narration wouldn't even pause. In the text, there was some spacing and a symbol to help the reader realize the break, but the narration just plowed from one to the next. Very confusing.
**Accent? Should there have been an accent? This was pretty straight-forward "American" accent, except for the names, which were said with more inflection. But as our characters were Polish, relocated to Australia ... and it was mentioned "I'll sneak in some Polish words - I want them to understand their heritage and to learn a little of their own language. But I know it will come with a strong Aussie accent ..." I realize "she" (not sure if we had been told at this point that yes, "he" is Janek, she is Nacha ... and again this is more annoying than mysterious) is talking about the kids, ... but I'm assuming IF Janek/Nacha was speaking in 1983 that he/she would NOT sound like the narrator telling the story. I recently listened to The Choice: Embrace the Possible and we get the author's note (it is a memoir) in her own, heavily accented voice, and the narration of the book is in a matching, heavy Austrian accent. It doesn't quite have the same feel without it.
I very much appreciated the author's notes, and that they were included in the audio ... although I would appreciate them more if they were spoken by the author, not the same narrator we had for the book. It would just make it feel more real and personal. It was good to know what was fact, what was fiction, get some additional info and background. I almost felt like the real star of the story was Mama, and all she did!
This must have been included in KindleUnlimited at some point. I had an old Kindle that wasn't connected to Wifi, and I happened to notice this book on there (text only) but saw that it was NOT in KU now. I located the audio at a library, and so I figured I listen, and have access to the Kindle copy (before reconnecting the Kindle). I NEEDED the print/text to refer to and figure a few things out (especially those quick POV changes). Doesn't look like the ebook is available in libraries, only as a Kindle purchase.
The title is reminiscent of Beneath a Scarlet Sky ... which is another WW2 story based on true events ... and another that I didn't love as much as most. I felt like the title here tied in more, with a couple of quotes.
** Who is the author? As I went to look this up I was getting mixed results. Lilly Mirren, but also Bronwen Pratley. I figured out that this HAD been written under a pen name, but then claimed by the author under her real name. The confusion just left a bad taste in my mouth. I guess I can understand why a pen name is used at times, but keep it consistent.
**Tense/POV and Narration: There were a few chapters taking place in the "present" ... 1983. These were written first person/present tense. I don't love present tense, but actually appreciate it used this way (to differentiate two timelines). What I didn't like, was that we aren't told the POV (in Chapter 1, we know it is a man, as he refers to "his wife") but we aren't given names, and it just feels purposely hidden (IS this story of the boy and girl that follow?) I was especially annoyed in Chapter 18, when it returns to this present, but now it's the POV of the wife (she refers to her husband) ... again, no names. AND THE NARRATION IN AUDIO IS ALL THE SAME. This was confusing to me, I really could have used a different (female) voice here. I can NOT accept a male voice doing a female in first person. I would have appreciated a female voice throughout, when the POV was Nacha, and the male for when it was Jan. These were 3rd person, so I am ok with a single narrator, but I was having difficulty determining the POV at times. It was also frustrating when the POV would shift, and the narration wouldn't even pause. In the text, there was some spacing and a symbol to help the reader realize the break, but the narration just plowed from one to the next. Very confusing.
**Accent? Should there have been an accent? This was pretty straight-forward "American" accent, except for the names, which were said with more inflection. But as our characters were Polish, relocated to Australia ... and it was mentioned "I'll sneak in some Polish words - I want them to understand their heritage and to learn a little of their own language. But I know it will come with a strong Aussie accent ..." I realize "she" (not sure if we had been told at this point that yes, "he" is Janek, she is Nacha ... and again this is more annoying than mysterious) is talking about the kids, ... but I'm assuming IF Janek/Nacha was speaking in 1983 that he/she would NOT sound like the narrator telling the story. I recently listened to The Choice: Embrace the Possible and we get the author's note (it is a memoir) in her own, heavily accented voice, and the narration of the book is in a matching, heavy Austrian accent. It doesn't quite have the same feel without it.
I very much appreciated the author's notes, and that they were included in the audio ... although I would appreciate them more if they were spoken by the author, not the same narrator we had for the book. It would just make it feel more real and personal. It was good to know what was fact, what was fiction, get some additional info and background. I almost felt like the real star of the story was Mama, and all she did!
This must have been included in KindleUnlimited at some point. I had an old Kindle that wasn't connected to Wifi, and I happened to notice this book on there (text only) but saw that it was NOT in KU now. I located the audio at a library, and so I figured I listen, and have access to the Kindle copy (before reconnecting the Kindle). I NEEDED the print/text to refer to and figure a few things out (especially those quick POV changes). Doesn't look like the ebook is available in libraries, only as a Kindle purchase.
The title is reminiscent of Beneath a Scarlet Sky ... which is another WW2 story based on true events ... and another that I didn't love as much as most. I felt like the title here tied in more, with a couple of quotes.
July 6, 2024
Heartbreaking but uplifting
The unimaginable horror the people of Warsaw went through at the hands of the Nazis is heartbreaking, to think that so-called humans could inflict that suffering on others. But in the midst of it comes the story of a Catholic family who consider a Jewish family to be a part of their family. The children don't really have a chance to be carefree children in 1940-1945, but instead are called upon to risk their lives to help their family.
The unimaginable horror the people of Warsaw went through at the hands of the Nazis is heartbreaking, to think that so-called humans could inflict that suffering on others. But in the midst of it comes the story of a Catholic family who consider a Jewish family to be a part of their family. The children don't really have a chance to be carefree children in 1940-1945, but instead are called upon to risk their lives to help their family.
September 8, 2022
Polish Citizens Struggle to Survive in WWII
This book brings you into WWII. The harrowing experiences of refugees as they struggle to survive in Poland during German occupation. It is unimaginable to most of us how horrific the conditions were but the author drew us in with graphic portrayals of the conditions. I have an even deeper understanding now and definitely admiration of the courage it took to survive each day.
This book brings you into WWII. The harrowing experiences of refugees as they struggle to survive in Poland during German occupation. It is unimaginable to most of us how horrific the conditions were but the author drew us in with graphic portrayals of the conditions. I have an even deeper understanding now and definitely admiration of the courage it took to survive each day.
February 1, 2023
What an amazing story
Reading stories about courage and bravery during WW II gives an amazing perspective on human abilities. We all know the horrors perpetrated by the Germans, but the heroism of everyday people is inspiring to read. Thank you Lilly Kitten for giving voice to this story.
Reading stories about courage and bravery during WW II gives an amazing perspective on human abilities. We all know the horrors perpetrated by the Germans, but the heroism of everyday people is inspiring to read. Thank you Lilly Kitten for giving voice to this story.
September 23, 2022
I'm sorry that this star rating can't be higher, because it was a very good story. It's just the telling of it that's a little disappointing. I've been thinking about it, and I think I know why. The reader, right at the start of the book (and dotted throughout) meets Janek as a grown man, long after these events happened. So during the war, when he puts his life in deadly danger multiple times, I didn't feel it in my gut... because I already know he survived. And I was 90% sure that his sweetheart survived, because right at the start, he's married to *somebody* - although it did take me until partway through the book to realise that his wife in his older years may not actually be the same person as his youthful sweetheart.
It's like Zusak's "The Book Thief"... in reverse, and that simply doesn't work. This book lets you know that Janek survived the war right at the start, and thereby destroys any freaking-out "will-he-live-though-THIS-one???" readerly emotion... because we all know that of course he does. (Book Thief tells you as bluntly as anything that a certain character dies, and the reader lives through the rest of the book hoping against hope that he will live *despite* being informed straight-out that he dies, and wondering when/how the hammer's going to fall...)
It would have been a better story if I *hadn't* been told at the start that Janek survives it. It's a shame.
It's like Zusak's "The Book Thief"... in reverse, and that simply doesn't work. This book lets you know that Janek survived the war right at the start, and thereby destroys any freaking-out "will-he-live-though-THIS-one???" readerly emotion... because we all know that of course he does. (Book Thief tells you as bluntly as anything that a certain character dies, and the reader lives through the rest of the book hoping against hope that he will live *despite* being informed straight-out that he dies, and wondering when/how the hammer's going to fall...)
It would have been a better story if I *hadn't* been told at the start that Janek survives it. It's a shame.
July 8, 2022
Wow! This story is so powerful I hardly know where to begin. The author has used poetic and literary license to write about WWII in Poland as the Nazis invaded Warsaw and surrounding areas and moved throughout the country persecuting Jews and anyone who got in their way. The descriptions of living in the ghetto, walls built dividing citizenry by religion - Jewish vs. mainly Catholic - and those that took chances to scavenge, trade and deliver foodstuffs to starving friends. Thanks to the research from diaries, notes, newspapers and historical findings, this author brings the horrific lives to our attention. Janek, a Catholic, was a hero as he spent time hiding and running from the enemy to bring survival food items to his Jewish friends.
This book is a reminder that today we once again see Poland in the mainstream accepting refugees from Ukraine as Russia destroys their country. God Bless those that survive and help those that bring Goodwill.
This book is a reminder that today we once again see Poland in the mainstream accepting refugees from Ukraine as Russia destroys their country. God Bless those that survive and help those that bring Goodwill.
June 2, 2023
Disturbing story of life in the Warsaw Ghetto during WWII. What do you do when your best friends end up on the other side of the wall?
"Nacha lives a normal life in Old Town, Warsaw, when the Nazis invade Poland. After months of heavy shelling, her family believes things can't possibly get any worse. Then the city falls, she and her family find themselves faced with a level of anti-semitism they've never experienced before. They're locked into a ghetto and she fears they'll never see freedom again.
When the Nazis invade and round up the Jews to force them into the ghetto, Janek, a Polish Catholic teenager, doesn’t let the warnings of executions for those caught helping Jewish people stop him. With his neighbours now living in the ghetto, he resolves to take them food and supplies. It isn’t long before he finds love in the dark shadows of the ghetto walls & his own commitment to save the family grows." synopsis copied
"Nacha lives a normal life in Old Town, Warsaw, when the Nazis invade Poland. After months of heavy shelling, her family believes things can't possibly get any worse. Then the city falls, she and her family find themselves faced with a level of anti-semitism they've never experienced before. They're locked into a ghetto and she fears they'll never see freedom again.
When the Nazis invade and round up the Jews to force them into the ghetto, Janek, a Polish Catholic teenager, doesn’t let the warnings of executions for those caught helping Jewish people stop him. With his neighbours now living in the ghetto, he resolves to take them food and supplies. It isn’t long before he finds love in the dark shadows of the ghetto walls & his own commitment to save the family grows." synopsis copied
July 12, 2022
Wow! A gripping story of a brave young man who sacrificed life and safety to rescue family, friends, and even strangers from the evil Nazi invasion in Poland. The author's ghetto descriptions and circumstances of the Jews, including their living conditions and treatment by the Nazis, was riveting and kept me turning page after page. Jan would not/could not see others suffering while he was safe and protected (or so he thought) just because he was Catholic. So he joined a group of smugglers to bring food and supplies to the Jews, climbing behind the walls of of the ghetto and risking his life. A must read! I highly recommend this historic story of one man's bravery.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book and have voluntarily given my honest opinion in this review.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book and have voluntarily given my honest opinion in this review.
July 29, 2022
WWII German Occupation of Poland Historical Fiction
While this book is historical fiction, it is based on real persons and events. Where research failed, this author's keen mind filled in the details. This book follows the other books that I have read on the subject with great detail. It is hard to read about what these people went through without imagining yourself in that situation. But, if we as readers have never been to war, there is no way we can imagine what it was like. The occupations, extermination of a huge segment of the population, ghettos, and concentration camps that became death camps, it is all too horrible to be real, but it is. The author does a great job of telling the story without causing nightmares. The story is well told and won't be easily forgotten.
While this book is historical fiction, it is based on real persons and events. Where research failed, this author's keen mind filled in the details. This book follows the other books that I have read on the subject with great detail. It is hard to read about what these people went through without imagining yourself in that situation. But, if we as readers have never been to war, there is no way we can imagine what it was like. The occupations, extermination of a huge segment of the population, ghettos, and concentration camps that became death camps, it is all too horrible to be real, but it is. The author does a great job of telling the story without causing nightmares. The story is well told and won't be easily forgotten.
August 24, 2022
Incredible book!
The vivid images and raw emotions this book described are still playing in my mind. I knew very little of what occurred in Poland during WWII and this book was a real eye opener, especially knowing it was based on real people. What stands out most for me is the incredible strength and resilience of the people who suffered such unspeakable torment and yet held on to their faith, hope and love for each other. That, and the courage it took just to survive, let alone risk one’s life so another could eat. This is a very well written and researched book that makes history come alive. This is what teenagers should be reading in class; they would learn more and would take a much greater interest in it.
The vivid images and raw emotions this book described are still playing in my mind. I knew very little of what occurred in Poland during WWII and this book was a real eye opener, especially knowing it was based on real people. What stands out most for me is the incredible strength and resilience of the people who suffered such unspeakable torment and yet held on to their faith, hope and love for each other. That, and the courage it took just to survive, let alone risk one’s life so another could eat. This is a very well written and researched book that makes history come alive. This is what teenagers should be reading in class; they would learn more and would take a much greater interest in it.
September 1, 2022
I read a lot of World War II books, both fiction and nonfiction. This was very different from what I usually read in that a Catholic family and a Jewish family living next to each other both regard the other as family. As the war heats up and the Jews are forced to live in crowded ghettos with meager food rations, a wall is put up between the two families homes and they are separated. Janek Kostarski, who is Catholic and whose mother runs a food booth in a marketplace, smuggles food and supplies to his Jewish neighbors, the Wierzbickas. As the war starts, Janek and Nasha Wierzbicka are young teens and have developed an attraction to each other. I really enjoyed this story with all of the different twists and turns it takes.
June 24, 2024
Yet another harrowing truth-based story…
… of the horrors experienced by Jewish and Aryan families subjected to Nazi and fascist occupation and rule…a VIVID example of how sinisterly individual rights were eliminated, friends became enemies, slow-moving plans for Nazi control were steadily implemented as the general population failed to “believe it could ever happen to us”. Yet, it is also an inter-racial and inter-generational story of two loving families who stay “true” to each others’ lives, dignities, welfare, and pure survival. It is truly ANOTHER book that should be read to reinforce how calculatedly loss of freedoms and authoritarianism MAY occur in our world. Well worth paying attention to in this day and time.
… of the horrors experienced by Jewish and Aryan families subjected to Nazi and fascist occupation and rule…a VIVID example of how sinisterly individual rights were eliminated, friends became enemies, slow-moving plans for Nazi control were steadily implemented as the general population failed to “believe it could ever happen to us”. Yet, it is also an inter-racial and inter-generational story of two loving families who stay “true” to each others’ lives, dignities, welfare, and pure survival. It is truly ANOTHER book that should be read to reinforce how calculatedly loss of freedoms and authoritarianism MAY occur in our world. Well worth paying attention to in this day and time.
March 22, 2023
I truly hate to give a bad rating or review. However, I found it so hard to get through this book because it was a little boring. I also hate to say that considering it’s inspired by a true story about the Nazis and the holocaust. But unfortunately I agree with another previous review that stated how the more “exciting parts” of the book were ruined by the author starting the book from the POV of the main character years after the story. So basically when you think Jan may be killed by the SS you realize he can’t die because he’s telling the story from years later. It was frustrating. I did enjoy some of the details but there are better holocaust books out there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2025
Fast paced, sometimes I felt it was a little too fast paced but overall it was great! I enjoy historical books that go in depth, emotional and descriptive. The emotional aspect was there but I wish the description of things were more.
Based off a true story of a young Polish man and his family who risked their lives for years smuggling food and supplies into the Warsaw ghetto. Smuggling out Jewish families and getting them hidden and safe from deportations. The family was awarded into The Garden of the Righteous, who are non-Jews that risked their lives to help the Jewish people during the Holocaust.
Based off a true story of a young Polish man and his family who risked their lives for years smuggling food and supplies into the Warsaw ghetto. Smuggling out Jewish families and getting them hidden and safe from deportations. The family was awarded into The Garden of the Righteous, who are non-Jews that risked their lives to help the Jewish people during the Holocaust.
September 8, 2025
Inspirational!
What an inspiring g read! This novel is an amazing combination of hope and hopelessness. The characters are strong, good people who faced death every day of their lives for years without breaking. Their fears included starvation, being murderously shot down, or being sent to extermination camps. This was a horrible time during our history, one that is unimaginable and incomprehensible, but it existed. This novel tells the story of some of the brave souls who fought through it, lived through it, and loved through it. This is a deep story about love, life, and basic survival. Every high school student should have to read this!
What an inspiring g read! This novel is an amazing combination of hope and hopelessness. The characters are strong, good people who faced death every day of their lives for years without breaking. Their fears included starvation, being murderously shot down, or being sent to extermination camps. This was a horrible time during our history, one that is unimaginable and incomprehensible, but it existed. This novel tells the story of some of the brave souls who fought through it, lived through it, and loved through it. This is a deep story about love, life, and basic survival. Every high school student should have to read this!
July 14, 2022
This book is amazing! It is a story about the Nazis and the treatment of the Jews. Jan is one of the main characters and he sacrifices his own safety to help his family and friends escape the Nazi invasions. The author’s descriptions of the treatment of the Jews, their living conditions, the murders, etc. are gut wrenching and at times hard to read.
This book is a must read. It is hard to put down. I highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book and have voluntarily given my honest review.
May 19, 2023
Such a story!
I devoured this book. This is the story of Catholic Janek, his mother and their Jewish neighbors. During WWII in Warsaw, Janet and his mother trade for food and goods and Janek smuggles them into the Warsaw ghetto until the time comes when Antoni and his family must leave the ghetto or die. This was a somewhat perspective of the war and jumps from brief narratives from present day to the main story of the war. I could barely put the book down, the story that is told is a reminder to love your fellow man and to not let evil take hold in this beautiful world.
I devoured this book. This is the story of Catholic Janek, his mother and their Jewish neighbors. During WWII in Warsaw, Janet and his mother trade for food and goods and Janek smuggles them into the Warsaw ghetto until the time comes when Antoni and his family must leave the ghetto or die. This was a somewhat perspective of the war and jumps from brief narratives from present day to the main story of the war. I could barely put the book down, the story that is told is a reminder to love your fellow man and to not let evil take hold in this beautiful world.
June 1, 2023
intense
Poland in the early 1940’s was a nation occupied, tortured, and in many ways destroyed by Nazi Germany. Ms. Mitten has done an excellent job of creating a captivating story from the bits and pieces of recorded history that she was able to find. We read of little people doing great things because of their love for their fellow man. We also read of the vicious acts of those filled with hate. If you are a lover of history, Under a Sunburnt Sky should be on your must read list.
Poland in the early 1940’s was a nation occupied, tortured, and in many ways destroyed by Nazi Germany. Ms. Mitten has done an excellent job of creating a captivating story from the bits and pieces of recorded history that she was able to find. We read of little people doing great things because of their love for their fellow man. We also read of the vicious acts of those filled with hate. If you are a lover of history, Under a Sunburnt Sky should be on your must read list.
July 6, 2024
Endurance and courage
This story is difficult to read at times, but focuses on the courage of Jan and his Mother. It is a good story, inspired by real people, but spoilt a little by the writing. The switches in POV are not indicated and are a bit jarring as you work out whose POV it is. I didn't like the insertion of future POV, this should have been left until the end of the story instead of knowing what happens to them from the start. Not knowing would have built more tension.
This story is difficult to read at times, but focuses on the courage of Jan and his Mother. It is a good story, inspired by real people, but spoilt a little by the writing. The switches in POV are not indicated and are a bit jarring as you work out whose POV it is. I didn't like the insertion of future POV, this should have been left until the end of the story instead of knowing what happens to them from the start. Not knowing would have built more tension.
July 20, 2022
OUTSTANDING READ
Loved the characters in this book, they were all such good people living through such horrific times. Always trying to do for others in spite of terrible danger to themselves.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to learn more about the bravery and also the suffering of some during WWII. Never giving up their hope for a safe and happy future. Good over Evil!
Loved the characters in this book, they were all such good people living through such horrific times. Always trying to do for others in spite of terrible danger to themselves.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to learn more about the bravery and also the suffering of some during WWII. Never giving up their hope for a safe and happy future. Good over Evil!
November 19, 2025
Again, I’m not sure if it is because I’ve recently read some similar books, but there was nothing earth shattering or original about UNDER A SUNBURNT SKY other than it is loosely based on the real life accounts of a young man and his family in the Warsaw ghetto during WW2. A lot of telling instead of showing in the writing style made it hard for me to connect with the characters’ and their stories.
September 18, 2022
Beautiful story.
THIS is a wonderful story of love courage and Gods grace in difficult circumstances coming through. It is about the second world war in Poland and about survival in the war. The characters were well chosen and very strong people who were willing to share their lives helping others less fortunate. A story of staying alive in the most extreme circumstances.
THIS is a wonderful story of love courage and Gods grace in difficult circumstances coming through. It is about the second world war in Poland and about survival in the war. The characters were well chosen and very strong people who were willing to share their lives helping others less fortunate. A story of staying alive in the most extreme circumstances.
March 16, 2023
A story of a family trying to survive WW11 in a Poland. The story was so heartfelt and emotional as well. They were a strong family unit which ZI think helped them through those dreadful times. The ending was beautiful and they adapted to a new culture and raised their family. Well written and you felt that you were on the journey as well
June 20, 2024
Heartwarming and heartbreaking but a wonderful story
To understand ravage it is hard to comprehend but it exists. This is a great story and portrayed really well. Amidst devastation there is hope. So with that and not giving spoilers it was a book I enjoyed reading. I look forward to reading more from this author.
To understand ravage it is hard to comprehend but it exists. This is a great story and portrayed really well. Amidst devastation there is hope. So with that and not giving spoilers it was a book I enjoyed reading. I look forward to reading more from this author.
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