Moving, heavy, and enlightening. I did not realize this book was a part of a series but it did not prevent me from enjoying it and can be read as a standalone. As someone who has had beloved family members experience the horror of Nazi Concentration Camps, I have ready many books regarding this topic. After 10, 20 you can start to feel a bit jaded towards the topic - despite how horrific they all are. I did not feel that while reading this book.

The Heroine of Auschwitz book 2 of 3 in The Rachael Kisch Trilogy. Written by Mark deMeza. Shortlisted for the Hemingway 20th Century Wartime Novel Award. This was a very well written and very detailed book describing the horrors of life in Auschwitz. The author’s description of the daily mistreatment of many souls will make your heart ache. Our heroine Rachael, her younger brother Hannes, her friends Ludwig and Elke, and their endless acquaintances are just trying to make it out alive from an almost certain death. Who will survive, who will make it home to the Netherlands? This is a must read.that will leave you craving the third and final book of the Rachael Kisch Trilogy.

The Heroine of Auschwitz" by Mark DeMeza is a powerful and emotional novel that explores the human spirit's capacity for resilience and hope in the face of unimaginable suffering. The story follows a young woman's journey through the horrors of Auschwitz, where she finds strength in her faith and humanity amidst the darkness. With its vivid descriptions and poignant storytelling, this book sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of history, making it a compelling read for those interested in historical fiction and stories of survival. It's a testament to the human capacity for courage and kindness

My heart is breaking. My stomach is turning. I closed The Heroine of Auschwitz with a heavy-heart, saddened by what so many went through in World War Two. The author created a world that will remain in my thoughts. He made the story feel so real. I knew it would be a tragic story. I didn't know all the story would entail.

The Heroine of Auschwitz is the second book of Rachael Kisch's story. It begins with Rachael and her brother travel to Auschwitz in horrid conditions. It was thought things would be better when they climbed out of the cattle car.

How wrong they all were. Open this book and enjoy your freedom, thank those that sacrificed for your freedom, as Rachael andher fellow prisoners try to survive. Hurry and line up, only to wait for hours. Weakness was not acceptable and easly removed by the soldiers. The reader witnesses the goings-on within the concentration camp.

Rachael and brother were saved only to suffer later. She thought the would remain together. She through wrong. Rachael ended up working within the Kanada. She witnessed the lies, the thievery, bribery and more on a daily basis and so does the reader.

Through the author's words experience the horrors of Auschwitz and the treatment of prisoners. Witness the abuse administered by the SS and Kapo. By the time I closed the book I was in awe of those that were able to walk out the gates. Now to wait for book three to see what is in Rachael's future. Read the words of Mark DeMeza and remember. With every WW2 book we read, with every WW2 movie we watch we are reminded of the past. We must always remember and never repeat.

This book is a must read for everyone wanting to know about the horrors in Auschwitz Birkenau camps Most of this story I already knew and read about before and it still is heartbreaking every time. Would definitely recommend.

Could not out this book down what a story! Well told and descriptive and the storyline is heatbreaking, but gripping.
Always heartbreaking to read story's of this description but gives you such an insight as to the horrors and the lives these people had to endure and how they did what ever they could to survive.
Amazing book ten out of ten

Very strong and poignant story based on real experiences at Auschwitz. Sympathetic and sensitive telling of the next chapter in Rachael Kisch's story. I avidly await the final book.

A very good fictionalised account of the conditions and experiences within Auschwitz Birkenau. The characters are very well captured and their experiences in the Sonderkommando and Kanada are detailed and interesting. This is such a terrible chapter in our history and books like these are important in ensuring people remain aware of what happened.

I absolutely love reading about Auschwitz, this books encompasses everything. I loved it. I was extremely moving. 5 stars.

This is a very intense, disturbing look at events at Auschwitz. A heartbreaking story that can bring tears to your eyes. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

A hard, cold look at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration camp, and a heart-breaking lost love. While the story is good and well written, there are thousands of books, fiction and nonfiction, about Auschwitz and Birkenau. While Auschwitz was important, there were other concentration camps with stories as equally heartbreaking.