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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
medium-paced
This was a great story with great characters. The downside was that the end felt rushed, and before I knew what was happening, it ended with a lot of loose ends.
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a very interesting and well written historical fiction about the Lebensborn Society maternity homes in Germany. This story specifically takes place at the beginning of WW2. The story followed 3 women, one nurse and two younger expectant mothers.
I had heard about this program, but had not read anything in depth regarding this society/program. It was interesting to read the different perspectives of the three women. I greatly appreciate the author's notes as well, which further explains why she wrote the three stories as she did. And based on the author's own family history, I appreciate her telling of this story. The only thing I wish is there was a little more to the story - there is still a lot of story that could be told, but that is just a personal preference.
I received a copy of this book from netgalley.
I had heard about this program, but had not read anything in depth regarding this society/program. It was interesting to read the different perspectives of the three women. I greatly appreciate the author's notes as well, which further explains why she wrote the three stories as she did. And based on the author's own family history, I appreciate her telling of this story. The only thing I wish is there was a little more to the story - there is still a lot of story that could be told, but that is just a personal preference.
I received a copy of this book from netgalley.
Finished reading at work, will update my thoughts later.
Okay, so it's been almost a week since I finished reading this; it got me questioning whether I'm a bit liberal with my 5 star ratings? I've concluded that no, I'm really not. I exclusively read novels with elements that I'm drawn to, hence more enjoyment and higher ratings. Idk, just a random thought I had.
Anyways, I looove when authors create a fictionalized story based on/around true historical events/people/places. I especially admired Coburn's after note on the process behind her research; it was done with detail, care, and thoroughness. Her novel provoked a pique interest on my previously unknown knowledge of Lebensborn, a Nazi breeding program. Narrating the novel through the voices of three women with their own unique experiences, then entangling those stories within one another, Coburn wove a tale of perseverance and growth in a period of darkness.
Clearly this novel came from the heart and I look forward to Coburn continuing to write historical fiction in this manner.
Okay, so it's been almost a week since I finished reading this; it got me questioning whether I'm a bit liberal with my 5 star ratings? I've concluded that no, I'm really not. I exclusively read novels with elements that I'm drawn to, hence more enjoyment and higher ratings. Idk, just a random thought I had.
Anyways, I looove when authors create a fictionalized story based on/around true historical events/people/places. I especially admired Coburn's after note on the process behind her research; it was done with detail, care, and thoroughness. Her novel provoked a pique interest on my previously unknown knowledge of Lebensborn, a Nazi breeding program. Narrating the novel through the voices of three women with their own unique experiences, then entangling those stories within one another, Coburn wove a tale of perseverance and growth in a period of darkness.
Clearly this novel came from the heart and I look forward to Coburn continuing to write historical fiction in this manner.
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book is set in Heim Hochland, a Lebensborn home during WWII in Germany. I had never heard of the Lebensborn program before this book, which surprised me because I have read a lot about Nazi Germany and WWII.
The main characters are Gundi, Irma and Hilde. Gundi is involved with the resistance, Hilde is convinced the Reich is perfect and Irma is kind of in the middle. I liked that each character had a different perspective, but I did feel they were a bit one dimensional. I was really bothered by Hilde and how utterly clueless she was. Not just about the Reich, as many people were, but also about men and relationships and that sort of thing.
I definitely learned a lot from this book and the research that went into it but have been very thorough. Even the tiniest period details were there. But overall, the story wasn't quite as exciting as I was hoping. The ending felt a little rushed, but I didn't mind the fact that not all the loose ends were tied up. I will definitely recommend this for readers that don't mind if there's not so much action. Thanks @netgalley for the ARC!
The main characters are Gundi, Irma and Hilde. Gundi is involved with the resistance, Hilde is convinced the Reich is perfect and Irma is kind of in the middle. I liked that each character had a different perspective, but I did feel they were a bit one dimensional. I was really bothered by Hilde and how utterly clueless she was. Not just about the Reich, as many people were, but also about men and relationships and that sort of thing.
I definitely learned a lot from this book and the research that went into it but have been very thorough. Even the tiniest period details were there. But overall, the story wasn't quite as exciting as I was hoping. The ending felt a little rushed, but I didn't mind the fact that not all the loose ends were tied up. I will definitely recommend this for readers that don't mind if there's not so much action. Thanks @netgalley for the ARC!
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I only reduced my rating by a small margin because the ending felt more rushed than the rest of the book. I would have liked to have known more about the outcomes of the main characters, but I know that many people’s endings were lost to the war, so it was an understandable choice by the author.
dark
emotional
sad
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley.
Set in Heim Hochland, a Nazi breeding home in Bavaria, this novel explores the intertwined fates of three women during World War II. Gundi, a pregnant university student and secret member of the resistance; Hilde, an enthusiastic supporter of the Nazi cause, thrilled to bear an official's child; and Irma, a nurse seeking to rebuild her life after a personal tragedy. As members of the Lebensborn Society, these women face tremendous risks and sacrifices. Inspired by real historical events, the story delves into the clandestine operations of these maternity homes, where babies deemed "racially fit" were taken from their mothers to be raised in the new Germany. Amidst the darkness, the novel highlights the power of connections and the resilience of women, showcasing their capacity for heroism in the most challenging of times.
This is a must read for fans of Kate Quinn and little-known World War II stories. The different perspectives of the women at the Lebensborn Society was fascinating to read about. The stark contrast between Gundi and Hilde was a great balance. While the ending, in my opinion, left a bit to be desired, the majority of the book was well-written and engaging.
A Write to Review: https://lrjohnson13.blogspot.com/2022/10/review-cradles-of-reich.html
Set in Heim Hochland, a Nazi breeding home in Bavaria, this novel explores the intertwined fates of three women during World War II. Gundi, a pregnant university student and secret member of the resistance; Hilde, an enthusiastic supporter of the Nazi cause, thrilled to bear an official's child; and Irma, a nurse seeking to rebuild her life after a personal tragedy. As members of the Lebensborn Society, these women face tremendous risks and sacrifices. Inspired by real historical events, the story delves into the clandestine operations of these maternity homes, where babies deemed "racially fit" were taken from their mothers to be raised in the new Germany. Amidst the darkness, the novel highlights the power of connections and the resilience of women, showcasing their capacity for heroism in the most challenging of times.
This is a must read for fans of Kate Quinn and little-known World War II stories. The different perspectives of the women at the Lebensborn Society was fascinating to read about. The stark contrast between Gundi and Hilde was a great balance. While the ending, in my opinion, left a bit to be desired, the majority of the book was well-written and engaging.
A Write to Review: https://lrjohnson13.blogspot.com/2022/10/review-cradles-of-reich.html