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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
dark
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
challenging
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I had never heard about this aspect of the German Reich. As a mother, I found this story fascinating and horrifying. The writing was beautiful and the book was so well researched. Highly recommend!
Title: Cradles of the Reich
Author: Jennifer Coburn
Release Date: October 11th, 2022
Page Count: 351
Start Date: September 25th, 2022
Finish Date: October 9th, 2022
Review:
Story: This book really threw me through all kinds of emotions. There are three points of view. Each from a different side in the events taking place. It takes place in a place where unwed women who were expecting were sent. One of whom was carrying a baby who was half Jewish. It's raw and open about everything. There's no glamorizing about this book at all. I think that's what made me want to keep reading. I also really loved the cover.
Characters: The three points of view are Gundi, Irma, and Hilde. I believe those were the names and how you spell them. I really related to Gundi. I wanted to like Irma and Hilde, but there were just certain things they said and felt that made me so frustrated with them. I get that they were just basically accepting the information that they were wrongly given, but still.
Critiques: None that I can think of
Final Thoughts: I fully recommend everybody that reads this book take the time to read the Author's Note in the back. It explains the full inspiration behind the book and some facts about the real events that took place during the time period this book was written about. It is very obvious that this author did her research before fully writing out this book. It actually made the book mean more to me because of it.
Author: Jennifer Coburn
Release Date: October 11th, 2022
Page Count: 351
Start Date: September 25th, 2022
Finish Date: October 9th, 2022
Review:
Story: This book really threw me through all kinds of emotions. There are three points of view. Each from a different side in the events taking place. It takes place in a place where unwed women who were expecting were sent. One of whom was carrying a baby who was half Jewish. It's raw and open about everything. There's no glamorizing about this book at all. I think that's what made me want to keep reading. I also really loved the cover.
Characters: The three points of view are Gundi, Irma, and Hilde. I believe those were the names and how you spell them. I really related to Gundi. I wanted to like Irma and Hilde, but there were just certain things they said and felt that made me so frustrated with them. I get that they were just basically accepting the information that they were wrongly given, but still.
Critiques: None that I can think of
Final Thoughts: I fully recommend everybody that reads this book take the time to read the Author's Note in the back. It explains the full inspiration behind the book and some facts about the real events that took place during the time period this book was written about. It is very obvious that this author did her research before fully writing out this book. It actually made the book mean more to me because of it.
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
Jennifer Coburn weaves a captivating story of the Lebensborn Society maternity homes during World War II in Germany. This story is told through the point of view of three German females, each with their own thoughts and opinions about what was happening in their current climate. At the Helm Hochland, their lives become to be interwoven as they navigate their own roles in the story. The unique perspectives helped myself as a reader understand a little bit more of the German people from questioning to following along whole-heartedly. I was also intrigued by the time of history that I have not read or learned much about. I found myself immersed in each of their individual stories, and read this book very quickly. Thank you to Jennifer Coburn, Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a really enjoyable WWII story that shed light on the Lebensborn Society network of maternity homes in Nazi Germany. The setting and main characters are all interesting and well-developed. The contrast between the motivations of each character is particularly well-executed, making it an absorbing read.
I did find the climax fell a bit flat, and I think the events near the end of the book could have been explored in more detail for added tension and interest, but I still enjoyed the story a great deal.
Thank you to the author, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I did find the climax fell a bit flat, and I think the events near the end of the book could have been explored in more detail for added tension and interest, but I still enjoyed the story a great deal.
Thank you to the author, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Miscarriage, Sexism, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Antisemitism, Grief, Pregnancy, War