A review by thebookwormscorner
The Woman with the Blue Star by Pam Jenoff

challenging emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Imagine living in perpetual fear everyday because of your race. Imagine hoping that your family wasn't next. Imagine getting the opportunity to go and try to escape those that wish you harm. Eighteen year old Sadie Gault and her family are Jewish and have lived in Krakow, Poland for most of their lives. Their lives were pretty peaceful until the Germans invaded. They were forced to move into the Krakow Ghetto. Everyday got progressively worse for all the Jewish families.

One day while the parents of the Jewish children were at work, the Germans raided the homes of the Jewish families, taking children with them. Sadie heard the approaching soldiers and decided to hide in a trunk in her mother's room. It was only when Sadie heard her mother trying to kill herself that Sadie came out and showed her mother...she's okay.

Sadie's parents were afraid and tired of living like this and decided to come up with a plan to finally escape the hell they were living through. With the help of a sewer worker named Pawel, they created a hole and escaped into the sewer system under the most deplorable conditions. Unfortunately, tragedy struck and things for the family became harder for them. Until one day, Sadie decided to explore the tunnels and came face to face with another girl her age through the sewer grate. After that things take an interesting turn. 

I must say this book was riveting; The writing was amazing. I will definitely be checking out more of Pam Jenoff's writing. Wow...just, wow. Huge thanks to NetGalley and Park Row books for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.