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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
If you like WWII books, you should definitely check this one out! I loved that it was different from a lot of typical historical fiction books. Set in late 1930s Germany, Cradles of the Reich tells the story of the Lebensborn program. Set up as a home for pregnant German mothers, the house was supposed to provide care and nutrition for women who would then give their babies up for adoption to German families who couldn't bear children. It was also a state-sanctioned brothel. Three women from very different walks of life find their paths crossing when they all arrive at the home under different auspices. This was an incredibly disturbing story but also fascinating. I knew a little bit about this program through my studies, but not nearly the depth and detail that I learned after reading this book. It's a beautiful story about what it means to be a mother, to honor one's duty, and what it means to be brave.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Publication: October 11, 2022
I had a hard time with this book even though I so badly wanted to love it. The writing felt a bit long winded and a tad disjointed. One minute I'm engulfed in the story and then I'm thrust into the past but no idea how far in the past. I wished the author tried to make those transitions a little smoother.
Another thing that didn't jive with me is how flat some of the characters seemed to me. They weren't very well rounded so I felt that some characters where just stereotypical. For example, some of the German officials were just painted as pigs and only interested in sex. Maybe that is what the author was going for but it left me feeling discombobulated as a reader.
Overall, I appreciated how well researched this was and that it was a topic I knew little about. However, I didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped I would.
Publication: October 11, 2022
I had a hard time with this book even though I so badly wanted to love it. The writing felt a bit long winded and a tad disjointed. One minute I'm engulfed in the story and then I'm thrust into the past but no idea how far in the past. I wished the author tried to make those transitions a little smoother.
Another thing that didn't jive with me is how flat some of the characters seemed to me. They weren't very well rounded so I felt that some characters where just stereotypical. For example, some of the German officials were just painted as pigs and only interested in sex. Maybe that is what the author was going for but it left me feeling discombobulated as a reader.
Overall, I appreciated how well researched this was and that it was a topic I knew little about. However, I didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped I would.
Cradles of the Reich is an inventive and interesting World War II novel! The story centers around the Lebensborn Society, a Nazi breeding program to further the Aryan cause. The history is creepy and horrifying, but the book itself draws you in as you follow several women and their roles in the program. Though the author really focused on Gundi, a young woman who is "racially pure" yet part of the Resistance, I was really captivated by Hilde's story and how she had been indoctrinated in Nazi philosophy.
I do have a couple of complaints about this novel. First, I thought the women (Gundi, Hilde, and Irma - a nurse) would interact more and influence each other. There is some of that, but the premise made me feel it would be more prominent. And also, the book ended really quickly. I would have liked to know how their stories ended in the years after the war. Now it's just left to my imagination to figure that out, which isn't a bad thing!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced ebook copy. All opinions are my own.
I do have a couple of complaints about this novel. First, I thought the women (Gundi, Hilde, and Irma - a nurse) would interact more and influence each other. There is some of that, but the premise made me feel it would be more prominent. And also, the book ended really quickly. I would have liked to know how their stories ended in the years after the war. Now it's just left to my imagination to figure that out, which isn't a bad thing!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced ebook copy. All opinions are my own.
3.5 stars.
This book was definitely well researched, which I especially appreciate when dealing with such serious subject matter. I enjoyed it, but was hoping for more moments of “I can’t put this down.”
I think there were missed opportunities for emotional depth, but I also think the author’s focus was on making the novel as historically accurate as possible and highlighting the Lebensborn Society. So, emotional tid bits (and honestly, character development) were lacking for me.
The ending felt very abrupt and somewhat forced. Gundi’s story is tied up in a nice bow, but we could have used a few more chapters for other characters - especially Sister Dorothea.
All of that to say, I did really enjoy it! I’ve always enjoyed historical fiction, especially books about World War II, so I really liked it. If historical fiction isn’t your thing and you’re looking for a “gripping novel,” this may not be for you.
This book was definitely well researched, which I especially appreciate when dealing with such serious subject matter. I enjoyed it, but was hoping for more moments of “I can’t put this down.”
I think there were missed opportunities for emotional depth, but I also think the author’s focus was on making the novel as historically accurate as possible and highlighting the Lebensborn Society. So, emotional tid bits (and honestly, character development) were lacking for me.
The ending felt very abrupt and somewhat forced. Gundi’s story is tied up in a nice bow, but we could have used a few more chapters for other characters - especially Sister Dorothea.
All of that to say, I did really enjoy it! I’ve always enjoyed historical fiction, especially books about World War II, so I really liked it. If historical fiction isn’t your thing and you’re looking for a “gripping novel,” this may not be for you.
I was lucky enough to receive an e-Arc from the author and also surprised me with a finished copy a few weeks ago! This historical fiction novel is out Tuesday 10/11 and I highly recommend it!
This is a historical fiction novel following three women who find themselves involved with the Nazi’s Lebensborn Society. This was the Third Reich’s program to breed the “perfect” Aryan child. The three women have vastly different perspectives of this program:
Gundi, who becomes pregnant and brought to a home where she will carry the baby where it will then be taken from her for adoption.
Irma, who is a staff nurse at the home and unknowingly becomes involved in this society.
Hilde, who I s a young 18 year old nazi supporter who is proud to carry the baby of a Nazi officer.
This was something in history I had no clue about. It is a work of fiction but based on true events and wonderfully researched. I could tell the author did a lot of work making it historically accurate. This novel evokes the same feelings I felt when I read Hold My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez. I highly recommend this novel to history lovers 4⭐️
This is a historical fiction novel following three women who find themselves involved with the Nazi’s Lebensborn Society. This was the Third Reich’s program to breed the “perfect” Aryan child. The three women have vastly different perspectives of this program:
Gundi, who becomes pregnant and brought to a home where she will carry the baby where it will then be taken from her for adoption.
Irma, who is a staff nurse at the home and unknowingly becomes involved in this society.
Hilde, who I s a young 18 year old nazi supporter who is proud to carry the baby of a Nazi officer.
This was something in history I had no clue about. It is a work of fiction but based on true events and wonderfully researched. I could tell the author did a lot of work making it historically accurate. This novel evokes the same feelings I felt when I read Hold My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez. I highly recommend this novel to history lovers 4⭐️
Kate Quinn’s review said it best: Handmaid’s Tale meets WWII. I will say it’s less suspenseful than handmaids, but kept me on the edge of my seat with three POVs. Incredibly researched, emotionally riveting, overall amazing.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I just finished this gem and I had to write my review. I’m utterly encapsulated by this read! Jennifer truly hit it out of the ballpark with this truly tragic and horrific subject. I want to thank her and Sourcebooks Landmark for this review copy.
Hitler. Nazi’s. A maternity home to welcome “good German blood” and three completely different women at different times in their lives. What more could you say? Lots. The Germans thought their blood was better than Jewish. This time in history was the most tragic I’ve ever heard or seen. Nothing else can compare to the absolute detestable and horrible things that were done to the Jewish community.
This story wove tragedy into humility. It showed that you can start with a hardened heart and eventually experience human compassion. We must learn from history, we must become better. I truly enjoyed this read. It read easily and fast, the characters were easy to connect with. Five stars all the way and I highly recommend it!
Hitler. Nazi’s. A maternity home to welcome “good German blood” and three completely different women at different times in their lives. What more could you say? Lots. The Germans thought their blood was better than Jewish. This time in history was the most tragic I’ve ever heard or seen. Nothing else can compare to the absolute detestable and horrible things that were done to the Jewish community.
This story wove tragedy into humility. It showed that you can start with a hardened heart and eventually experience human compassion. We must learn from history, we must become better. I truly enjoyed this read. It read easily and fast, the characters were easy to connect with. Five stars all the way and I highly recommend it!