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kirstenwhite's review against another edition
3.0
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.
kait_reads_books's review against another edition
4.0
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⭐️
jenniferrae29's review against another edition
5.0
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.
sleepybears4237's review against another edition
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
3.0
samalvarez823's review against another edition
5.0
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!
lizwine's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC! Wow this book was a fictionalized glimpse into an aspect of WWII that was chilling and that I knew nothing about and am intrigued to learn more after reading this well written book.
bluesleepy's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
kiwikazz's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating book about German woman during WW2 and the Lebensborn Society. The premise is so horrific and unsettling but interesting to read these 3 women’s stories
rachelsb00kreviews's review against another edition
5.0
Cradles of the Reich by Jennifer Coburn (Kindle)
Read: March 18 - 21 (Book Review Pages: Facebook | Instagram)
My goodness, this book is not only a great read but it's creepy to think about! Of course, I knew the Nazi party was obsessed with the purity of the Aryan people and keeping Germany, well, German. This book is unthinkable and horrifying to believe but it certainly enlightens us to a history that has been hidden away. I give it 5⭐️ happily and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn something new about the WWII time in Germany.
Three women, a nation seduced by a madman and the Nazi breeding program to create a so-called master race.
At Heim Hochland, a Nazi breeding home in Bavaria, three women’s fates are irrevocably intertwined. Gundi is a pregnant university student from Berlin. An Aryan beauty, she’s secretly a member of a resistance group. Hilde, only eighteen, is a true believer in the cause and is thrilled to carry a Nazi official’s child. And Irma, a 44-year-old nurse, is desperate to build a new life for herself after personal devastation. All three have everything to lose. Based on untold historical events, this novel brings intimately inside the Lebensborn Society maternity homes that actually existed in several counties during WWII, where thousands of “racially fit” babies were bred and taken from their mothers to be raised as part of the new Germany.
This story is a beautiful tribute to a part of history that most don’t know about because it’s one of the numerous things the Nazi party thought the could hide by destroying the record. I love learning new angles on history and this one did not disappoint. Each of the three women narrating the story gives a very unique angle to the story especially Hilde. We don’t often get the view of a German woman nor one who believes with all her being that the Nazis are what’s right for the future. It’s a twisted to read—not mention write about!—but it shows how warped the people were at that time.
This book is actually based on a real maternity home that started out being one German officers' wives. Which sounds fairly normal until, girls were taken in if they were unmarried and pregnant but only after tests shoqed they and the baby would be “racially pure.” They would also take young women in the League of German Girls to be breeding partners for SS Officers in order to have more children for the new Germany. Those who chose not to marry their baby’s father were forced to give up the baby to families who were appropriate, often high ranking officials of the Nazi party. All throughout this story, I kept wondering about the children adopted and whether or not they learned the truth behind their births…I doubt it but I would love to know.
I loved this book and the way it ended left me wanting more about the characters after the war. Did they all survive? Where did they end up in life? Don’t you hate when books leave you hanging with so many questions? I do, but I also love that the characters stay with you for a long time after…
Read: March 18 - 21 (Book Review Pages: Facebook | Instagram)
My goodness, this book is not only a great read but it's creepy to think about! Of course, I knew the Nazi party was obsessed with the purity of the Aryan people and keeping Germany, well, German. This book is unthinkable and horrifying to believe but it certainly enlightens us to a history that has been hidden away. I give it 5⭐️ happily and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn something new about the WWII time in Germany.
Three women, a nation seduced by a madman and the Nazi breeding program to create a so-called master race.
At Heim Hochland, a Nazi breeding home in Bavaria, three women’s fates are irrevocably intertwined. Gundi is a pregnant university student from Berlin. An Aryan beauty, she’s secretly a member of a resistance group. Hilde, only eighteen, is a true believer in the cause and is thrilled to carry a Nazi official’s child. And Irma, a 44-year-old nurse, is desperate to build a new life for herself after personal devastation. All three have everything to lose. Based on untold historical events, this novel brings intimately inside the Lebensborn Society maternity homes that actually existed in several counties during WWII, where thousands of “racially fit” babies were bred and taken from their mothers to be raised as part of the new Germany.
This story is a beautiful tribute to a part of history that most don’t know about because it’s one of the numerous things the Nazi party thought the could hide by destroying the record. I love learning new angles on history and this one did not disappoint. Each of the three women narrating the story gives a very unique angle to the story especially Hilde. We don’t often get the view of a German woman nor one who believes with all her being that the Nazis are what’s right for the future. It’s a twisted to read—not mention write about!—but it shows how warped the people were at that time.
This book is actually based on a real maternity home that started out being one German officers' wives. Which sounds fairly normal until, girls were taken in if they were unmarried and pregnant but only after tests shoqed they and the baby would be “racially pure.” They would also take young women in the League of German Girls to be breeding partners for SS Officers in order to have more children for the new Germany. Those who chose not to marry their baby’s father were forced to give up the baby to families who were appropriate, often high ranking officials of the Nazi party. All throughout this story, I kept wondering about the children adopted and whether or not they learned the truth behind their births…I doubt it but I would love to know.
I loved this book and the way it ended left me wanting more about the characters after the war. Did they all survive? Where did they end up in life? Don’t you hate when books leave you hanging with so many questions? I do, but I also love that the characters stay with you for a long time after…