THE WARSAW SISTERS BY AMANDA BARRATT

On a golden August morning in 1939, sisters Antonina and Helena Dąbrowska send their father off to defend Poland against the looming threat of German invasion. The next day, the first bombs fall on Warsaw, decimating their beloved city and shattering the world of their youth.

When Antonina's beloved Marek is forced behind ghetto walls along with the rest of Warsaw's Jewish population, Antonina turns her worry into action and becomes a key figure in a daring network of women risking their lives to shelter Jewish children. Helena finds herself drawn into the ranks of Poland's secret army, joining the fight to free her homeland from occupation. But the secrets both are forced to keep threaten to tear the sisters apart--and the cost of resistance proves greater than either ever imagined.

Shining a light on the oft-forgotten history of Poland during WWII and inspired by true stories of ordinary individuals who fought to preserve freedom and humanity in the darkest of times, The Warsaw Sisters is a richly rendered portrait of courage, sacrifice, and the resilience of our deepest ties.

MY REVIEW 

This is a deeply emotional story that captures World War II in Poland. The author describes what the war looked like and how it can destroy relationships. Sending their father off to war burdens Antonina and Helena and brings a heavy  heart to them. I could picture the scene as if I was standing beside them. You can almost feel their heart racing as their goodbyes drew near. What was once a nice and calm life was about to change forever. 

The sisters are only eighteen yet they now must face being on their own. I held my breath as they sat in the cellar while planes  flew over and bombs started going off around them . Can you imagine being young and facing a war tucked away in a cellar? Who can they depend on now that  their father is gone off to war? The emotions run high in the story and at times I wanted the darkness to stop. But in reality this is what war is like and the author takes us front and center with our two main characters. 

The story made me think of how much we have and how thankful we need to be. The streets filled with destruction, injured  people littered the hospital and supplies were scarce. I was mesmerized by the story and how difficult it had to be. Survival was upmost in the sisters minds and everyday was a different challenge. I loved how the author gives us historic facts that enhance the story. This is a must read for everyone to see what a war can do to people and what they were willing to do to put theirselves in danger to save others. 

I received a copy of this book from Revell Reads Program. The review is my own opinion.