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The Heroine of Auschwitz

A heartbreaking and gripping WW2 tale of love, loss and courage during the Holocaust.

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Book 2 of The Rachael Kisch Trilogy
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Pub Date 26 Jun 2025 | Archive Date 24 Jun 2025

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Description

November 1943, Auschwitz, Poland

When the train carrying Rachael Kisch, her younger brother, Hannes and the rest of the Dutch Jews arrives in Auschwitz, they are unaware of the unimaginable horrors that await them. Rachael is devastated when she becomes separated from her brother. She promises to find him at all costs.

Ludwig Albin is a Polish farmer sent to Auschwitz and forced to work in the impossibly cruel Sonderkommando work group.

Rachael and Ludwig become friends, but are kept apart by the barbed wire fence which stands between them. But is love even possible in Auschwitz?

As each day passes, their relationship strengthens, and, exposing themselves to life-threatening risks, they work together with the camp resistance to help their fellow inmates and thwart the SS. The presence of Otto Moll and Irma Grese, two of the most evil and sadistic SS officers in the camp, means that death is only ever a gunshot away from them all.

As the tide of the war turns against the Nazis, will Rachael and Ludwig survive until the Russians liberate the camp? Will they find Hannes? Will their resistance activities be uncovered? In Auschwitz, nothing is certain. There is only hope.

An enthralling story of a family shattered by war and held together by the love and bravery of one woman. This novel is perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz and The Nightingale.

November 1943, Auschwitz, Poland

When the train carrying Rachael Kisch, her younger brother, Hannes and the rest of the Dutch Jews arrives in Auschwitz, they are unaware of the unimaginable horrors...


Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9781738454129
PRICE US$15.99 (USD)
PAGES 336

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Average rating from 11 members


Featured Reviews

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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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