The Resistance Sisters #Anna Stuart #Historical Fiction #Book Review #Bookouture Publication #Book Tour

 MY THOUGHTS AND BOOK REVIEW

Anna Stuart's "Resistance Sisters" is a poignant and gripping portrayal of courage and resilience during one of the darkest periods of history, the Warsaw Uprising of World War II. Inspired by true events, this novel brings to life the untold stories of brave women who fought against Nazi occupation.

The story centers around Hana, a young woman whose life is shattered by war. Amidst the bombed-out streets of Warsaw, Hana grapples with profound loss – her beloved fiancé torn from her, her father murdered by Nazis. Determined to protect her younger sisters, Hana finds herself drawn into the resistance movement, where each sibling plays a vital role: fiery Zuzi in a secret combat unit, and gentle Orla as a nurse in the underground.

Stuart masterfully weaves together the personal and the historical, capturing the desperation and hope that define wartime existence. Hana's journey is marked by moments of heart-wrenching bravery as she navigates treacherous streets and clings to a torn slip of paper that holds the key to her family's survival. The tension builds steadily as the women of Warsaw prepare to rise up, risking everything for their freedom.

The novel not only illuminates the heroic acts of these women but also explores the complexities of loyalty, sacrifice, and the enduring power of love and hope. Stuart's prose is evocative, transporting readers to the heart of a city in turmoil, where every decision carries life-or-death consequences.

"1944, Poland" is a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. It reminds us of the courage and resilience of those who fought for freedom, and honors the often overlooked contributions of women in wartime resistance efforts. This is historical fiction at its most compelling – a deeply moving narrative that stays with you long after the final page.

For readers seeking a gripping tale of bravery and survival, "1944, Poland" delivers an unforgettable journey through the shadows of history, celebrating the indomitable spirit of those who dared to resist.

Rating: 5/5

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture Publishers for an advance copy for my honest review

BOOK DESCRIPTION

1944, Poland. ‘Take this message, keep it hidden.’ Shaking, I tuck the torn slip of paper in between the loaves of bread. I pray I can make it through the bombed-out streets and into the tunnels beneath this broken city without being caught. If this secret falls into the wrong hands, my sisters’ lives are at stake…

This heart-wrenching and unforgettable World War Two novel is inspired by the incredible true stories of the brave women who fought in the Warsaw Uprising.

Hana’s home has gone up in flames; the little bakery at the heart of the city is no more. Smoke curls into the sky and the buildings around her burn. But Hana has already lost far more – her blue-eyed fiancé was wrenched from her arms at the start of the war and her brave father was murdered by the Nazis. She’s determined to protect her younger sisters but every day more people are being killed…

Hana realises that one person alone won’t win the war and she has to accept her sisters are playing their own part in the resistance. Fiery Zuzi is working as part of a secret all-female combat unit while gentle Orla is a nurse in the underground hospital. As the women of Warsaw plan to rise up against the enemy, Hana risks her life to navigate the dangerous streets. The torn piece of paper she clutches in her hand has the potential to save her precious family.

It’s time to fight back. But when the moment they’ve been waiting for comes, will Hana and her sisters finally win back their freedom? Or will they lose their own lives as they fight for their futures…?

An emotional and gripping WW2 story of incredible courage against all odds and of the power of love and hope in the darkest of times.

Format

376 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication

August 19, 2024 by Bookouture

AUTHOR

Anna Stuart

I wanted to be an author from the moment I could pick up a pen and was writing boarding-school novels by the age of nine. I made the early mistake of thinking I ought to get a ‘proper job’ and went into Factory Planning – a career that gave me some wonderful experiences, amazing friends and even a fantastic husband, but didn’t offer much creative scope. So when I stopped to have children I took the chance to start the ‘improper job’ of writing. It's not been easy but I love it and can't see myself ever stopping.

I write WW2 fiction, focusing in on some of the lesser known nooks and crannies of this astonishing period and writing from a female perspective. The Midwife of Auschwitz has been my bestselling novel to date but I am always looks to explore emotional tales of courage, strength and overcoming terrible odds.

I also write medieval fiction as Joanna Courtney.

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