historical-novel, historical-places-events, historical-research, historical-setting, cultural-differences, cultural-exploration, cultural-heritage, culture-of-fear, espionage, false-identities, false-information, family-dynamics, friendship, WW2, siblings, Poland, Judaism, never-again, NEVER FORGET, survival, survivor's-guilt, suspense, suspicion*****

While this is NOT a nonfiction, it is so thoroughly researched and felt personally by the writer that it is easily rings of truth. Not these particular characters and their families, but other nameless people who went through this particular hel. I have read several autobiographies/biographies/memoirs this year, and this one moved me every bit as much as the nonfiction. My family left Poland before The War To End All Wars.
I requested and received a free e-book from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you! ( )

The War Girls by V.S. Alexander is Historical Fiction of World War II set in Poland and England. A Jewish family and friends are fighting the Nazis and describe the perils they face. The War Girls depict the reasons we must always fight to overcome evil regimes. A well researched story with characters from various backgrounds and beliefs that will steal your heart. This tragic tale is fast paced with lots of excitement and action. I enjoyed reading about the European, Jewish and Catholic customs unknown to me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. Loved it! 5 Stars ( )

Thank you goodreads, V.S. Alexander, and Kensington Publishing Corporation for an ARC of "The War Girls".
I am a fan of historical fiction and "The War Girls" did not disappoint. This was truly an amazing novel! I read on average of 1-2 books per week, and this is one of the best novels I've read in the past year.
"The War Girls" takes place from September 1, 1939 - late May, 1946, with the majority of the setting in the Warsaw, Poland Ghetto.
According to the synopsis, this novel was inspired by true stories of the courageous women (both Jewish and non-Jewish) who fought against fascism and persecution during the darkest periods of World War II.
Most of the main characters are part of the Majewski family. They are considered a middle class to upper middle class family. The eldest daughter, Hannah, chose to move to London to live with her aunt and uncle, as she wanted more of an independent life, versus the traditional Jewish life that she was raised in. Her younger siblings, Stefa and Aaron follow the traditional ways.
Mr. Alexander does a first rate job of intertwining the lives of the Majewski family, their friends and neighbors before, during and at the end of the War. Seldom does a novel have me sitting on the edge of my seat, this one did. Are there parts to this novel that may be difficult to face? Absolutely! However, that's what made this story so intriguing and realistic.
I would love to see this novel made into a movie! ( )

"Hope and love remain even when we feel God has forsaken us."

Let me preface this review by saying I have read alot of books set during WWII, books that explore the atrocities on the Jewish people, and "The War Girls" has to be, without a doubt, in my top 10.

It has a somewhat unique plot compared to other books set during this time, in that we are introduced to a family that was fractured before the invasion, and the acts of horror that followed only helped in reuniting them. As the characters adapted to the reality of their circumstances, and the difficult moral decisions that sometimes followed, each one rose to the challenge with fortitude and bravery.

An emotional, suspenseful read, full of hope and tragedy, with an ending I did not expect, "The War Girls" was a thrilling, yet sobering journey of courage and strength from beginning to end. I would recommend this title to anyone who has an interest in the September Campaign, life in the Warsaw Ghetto, or even those who enjoy historical fiction centered around strong female characters.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily ( )

I have read a lot of World War II fiction but nothing I've read has made me feel the despair of the characters who lived through the Blitz in London and the Warsaw Ghetto like this book. It was so well written that I felt like I was part of history instead of just reading about it. I cried with the characters and felt their fear as bombs were dropped in London and the Nazis worked toward their final solution in Warsaw.

The year is 1940 and the Majewski family in Warsaw believe that they will be safe even though they are Jewish because the father has a needed job of inspecting meat in a large hotel to make sure that it's safe and kosher. Stefa, her parent and younger brother all live in a nice house in a rich neighborhood. Hannah's older sister was living in London with her aunt and uncle. She left the family because she felt restrained by her life in a Jewish family especially since her parents were starting to look for a husband for her. Hannah didn't totally understand why her sister left but she knew that she missed the closeness that she and Hannah had always had and wonders about her new life in London. Hannah's life in London is wonderful until the fall of 1940 when the Germans started bombing London continuously. For eight months the Luftwaffe dropped bombs on London and other strategic cities across Britain. After a tragic night of bombing, her aunt and uncle are killed and she ends up in the hospital where she is approached by a woman who asks her to join the OAS. They feel like she would be an excellent spy since she knows so many languages and because she used to live in Warsaw. After her training is completed, she gets dropped into Poland with the objective of finding out more about the Germans plans and radioing that information back to London. She's been told not to try to rescue her family but she knows that once she's in Warsaw, she will try to find them.

In Warsaw, all of the Jewish families are removed from their homes. Some of them are immediately sent to the camps and others are forced to live in a small walled off area called the Warsaw ghetto. Life is horrible - there isn't enough room or food and the half a million Jews in the Ghetto are faced with starvation and disease and the constant threat of deportation to the concentration camps. The Nazis cruelty to the Jewish families is continuous and it seems as if they make their lives difficult just for the fun of it. Stefa joins the resistance group in the ghetto and does what she can to ruin the German's plans. She, her sister and a friend from the Aryan part of Warsaw call themselves the War Girls and fight to rescue their family and friends against the overwhelming odds that exist. Will the courage and the love between the two sisters be enough to save their family and loved ones from being sent to the camps or will the German hatred of the Jewish people overwhelm their lives and love for their family?

The characters in this book are extremely well written. The two sisters, Hannah and Stefa are brave beyond words and their love for each other and their family is strong. The author did very deep research into life in the Warsaw ghetto and described it in such detail that I sometimes felt as if I was there. Have tissues close because there will be some tears but the overwhelming feeling at the end of the book is that despite the sadness and loss of the war, love can overcome all the hatred that exists.

Thanks to Edelweiss for a copy of this book to read and review. ( )