I love American history, but it’s not until recently that I’ve developed an interest in world history, specifically the times during the world wars. When I was offered the chance to review The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barratt, I jumped on the opportunity. I had no idea what I was getting myself in for.

I love Amanda Barratt’s writing. I’ve read other books by her, so I knew she dug deep. I wasn’t prepared, however, for the depths of this particular book.

The Warsaw Sisters Summary

The Warsaw Sisters follows two twin sisters through World War II as it impacted Poland, and specifically the city of Warsaw. It starts off light enough, introducing us to the two girls who were uniquely different yet extremely close.

At the beginning of the book, the girls’ father joins the army, leaving the two young women to live with their aunt (their mother died when they were young.) It doesn’t take long before the war becomes personal.

As the days turn into years, the war affects the sisters in different ways, tearing them apart from each other and leading them in dangerous directions.

My Review

If you’re looking for a light read, The Warsaw Sisters is not it. I’m a pretty fast reader, but I had to take this one slow. It was just so much to take in. At times I had to put it away just because of how dark it was. I’ve seriously never read anything this dark before.

Ms. Barratt doesn’t pull any punches. She tells it like it was, the whole sordid events. Murder upon murder. Unfathomable living conditions. Hopelessness such as no one should have to experience. And she pulls us, the readers, right in the midst of it all, forcing us to relive the tragedy.

So many times I wanted to put the book down and never pick it up again, but I knew the time of redemption would come. So I persevered, and I’m glad I did. Though it’s far from a happily ever after fairy tale ending, the sisters each come to their time of seeking and finding solace from above. And in the end, they each find hope for their future.

It’s not a feel-good story, but it’s one that in the end, makes you glad you made it through so that you better understand history a little better. Hopefully, we never have to personally experience what these characters, and the real life people they were based on, went through.

If you’re looking for a Christmas book for a history-loving loved one, put this one on your list. Though the protagonists are female, males would enjoy it just as much. If they already having an interest in World War II, so much the better!

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Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. Opinions expressed are my own.