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4.24 AVERAGE
4.24 AVERAGE
This story was a roller coaster ride of historical fiction that I loved way more than I expected. The story sucked me right in and didn't let up. Rounding up to 4.5 stars.
Bina/Lena's life is complicated and full of love and anguish and revenge. Her story begins as a young Jewish woman able to pass as white, thanks to her blond hair, blue eyed beauty. It ends as a Hollywood starlet who survived the Warsaw Ghetto while fighting Nazi occupation, and against all odds became the greatest femme fatale of her time.
This was such a riveting and compelling novel, my first by author Lisa Barr. In a style reminiscent of the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Lena has hired an up-and-coming young actress to portray her in a new movie of her life. The story is told in dual timelines - one of Lena's (Bina) life as a young woman living in the Warsaw Ghetto as part of the Nazi resistance fighters, and the other as Lena has decided it's time to tell the real story of her life and her career.
The historical significance of this and stories like it cannot be overstated. Barr's research was thorough and in depth, revealing intricacies of the Warsaw Ghetto I had not read before. The stories of the lives lost are heartbreaking.
The intense storyline combined with so many varied and vivid characters made this unputdownable. Many thanks to Harper Perennial for my complimentary copy!
Bina/Lena's life is complicated and full of love and anguish and revenge. Her story begins as a young Jewish woman able to pass as white, thanks to her blond hair, blue eyed beauty. It ends as a Hollywood starlet who survived the Warsaw Ghetto while fighting Nazi occupation, and against all odds became the greatest femme fatale of her time.
This was such a riveting and compelling novel, my first by author Lisa Barr. In a style reminiscent of the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Lena has hired an up-and-coming young actress to portray her in a new movie of her life. The story is told in dual timelines - one of Lena's (Bina) life as a young woman living in the Warsaw Ghetto as part of the Nazi resistance fighters, and the other as Lena has decided it's time to tell the real story of her life and her career.
The historical significance of this and stories like it cannot be overstated. Barr's research was thorough and in depth, revealing intricacies of the Warsaw Ghetto I had not read before. The stories of the lives lost are heartbreaking.
The intense storyline combined with so many varied and vivid characters made this unputdownable. Many thanks to Harper Perennial for my complimentary copy!
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
Thank you to @harperperennial for this gifted copy
β‘ ππ¦π’π₯ πͺπ§ πΊπ°πΆ ππͺπ¬π¦ :
- revenge
- suspenseful reads
- dual timelines
- historical fiction
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
- The Nightingale
β‘ ππΊ π΅π©π°πΆπ¨π©π΅π΄ :
This was my favorite read of August & will no doubt be a top read of the year!
It reads like a mix between The Nightengale & Evelyn Hugo - about a Hollywood starlet with a harrowing past, the unforgettable Bina Blonski. A story of a true femme fatale that I never knew I needed!
I loved the pace & the perspective of war torn Poland during the Nazi invasion. Barr seamlessly weaves together the glamour of Hollywood with the haunting history of the Warsaw Ghetto.
It blends suspense, action packed thriller, tragic historical fiction & even some heartfelt romance. These elements combine to make a story that I truly think has something for every reader.
Equal parts glamorous & gut-wrenching - a tale of survival, love, revenge, & courage. Lisa Barr is officially one of my autobuy authors, & The Goddess of Warsaw needs to be on everyoneβs TBR!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Violence, Antisemitism, Trafficking, Grief, War
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
This was one of the most gripping and cinematic stories of a badass woman surviving the atrocities of the Nazi's in Poland. Surviving is putting it mildly.
When @tlcbooktours & @harperbooks offered this @lisabarr18 book, I was all in! I loved Woman on Fire, and knew this would be the author I will read for WWII fiction. I know she adds so much truth to her books, and it is so important to remember this horrendous period so as not to repeat it or let others erase it.
Whatever you think about WWII historical fiction, this book takes that and projects a people that fight against their erasure. I don't hear about that often, so it really is important to remember that there were strong resistance fighters.
I loved the set up of a new starlet interviewing a seeming hero of hers, only to have a phenomenal history spill through the pages. I instantly fell for the Lena Browning that began as Bina Blonski. Bina was self aware and strong, yet still had desires. When the Nazi's imprison her community in the ghetto, she courageously moves into danger as a spy, sacrificing much. This part of the story was packed with depth & intensity that never let up.
When the narrative moved to the Hollywood portion of Lena, I was surprised to find the action continued and loved that even more! The final chapters had me absolutely engrossed in a way I didn't expect.
My only "fault" is that I didn't care for all the intensity of the romance. It makes total sense for the fullness of character creation, but that part is just not for me. Big surprise, I know!
That said, it didn't take too much away from the overall impact of this book for me. I will absolutely remember and respect the Jewish resistance when I think about the Nazi's efforts, and ultimate failure.
I did pair the book with the audio, which was also stunning. You will want the physical book, however, to hold on to some great insights and beautiful lines.
When @tlcbooktours & @harperbooks offered this @lisabarr18 book, I was all in! I loved Woman on Fire, and knew this would be the author I will read for WWII fiction. I know she adds so much truth to her books, and it is so important to remember this horrendous period so as not to repeat it or let others erase it.
Whatever you think about WWII historical fiction, this book takes that and projects a people that fight against their erasure. I don't hear about that often, so it really is important to remember that there were strong resistance fighters.
I loved the set up of a new starlet interviewing a seeming hero of hers, only to have a phenomenal history spill through the pages. I instantly fell for the Lena Browning that began as Bina Blonski. Bina was self aware and strong, yet still had desires. When the Nazi's imprison her community in the ghetto, she courageously moves into danger as a spy, sacrificing much. This part of the story was packed with depth & intensity that never let up.
When the narrative moved to the Hollywood portion of Lena, I was surprised to find the action continued and loved that even more! The final chapters had me absolutely engrossed in a way I didn't expect.
My only "fault" is that I didn't care for all the intensity of the romance. It makes total sense for the fullness of character creation, but that part is just not for me. Big surprise, I know!
That said, it didn't take too much away from the overall impact of this book for me. I will absolutely remember and respect the Jewish resistance when I think about the Nazi's efforts, and ultimate failure.
I did pair the book with the audio, which was also stunning. You will want the physical book, however, to hold on to some great insights and beautiful lines.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes