I loved the author's notes and references, we are told that this is a fictional read, but based on real people, sometimes a couple of people to make one, and the references that were used and offered!
This is a terrible time in world history, with this taking place in the Baltic area, and Russia.
Documented murders, a massive loss of life.
This is a fictional story, but the author did a great job of calling attention to the actual crimes being committed, disregard for human life. From Lithuania to Siberia, from the United States to Sweden.
The author brings the main characters alive, and I loved he followed through with the survivors through their lives.
A sad but enjoyable read!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher American Legacy Media, and was not required to give a positive review.

An engrossing book and so well written and researched. Very enlightening on the participation of .lithuania. A must read for anyone interested in the holocaust.

A very hard book to read -- not for how it was written, but for the content. I knew nothing about how the Baltic states were affected by WWII, the Nazi invasion or the antisemitism of the time. The line in the movie " a person is smart, but people are stupid" is so apt and came into play here. If the Nazis were blaming the Jews for everything, there must've been something to it, right?!? To read about people being marched into camps, lined up to be shot, not everyone falling dead but playing it in the hopes of somehow surviving to escape, those next in line being forced to bury those who came minutes prior before taking their turns in the shooting gallery. And I'd know the Siberian camps were bad, but to force them men to go off to fish for months before shelters had,been built, leaving the women and children to handle it and fast as the polar night was coming on quickly. Man's inhumanity to man. No, this book was not an easy read, but such a necessary one in light of what is currently happening in this country. "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it," said George Santayana, and we are living it now.

This story was very informative but heartbreaking. Although the story brought me to tears many times, it was also inspirational and uplifting towards the end. The author's way of explaining what was happening to various characters and their plight, along with weaving truths into the historical details, was done amazingly well.

I learned a lot about the history of the Lithuanians and their experiences during the war. Things surprised me, and I felt my heart ache for them. It still baffles me at the lengths some of humanity will go for greed, power, and control over other people.

The characters in the story had many layers, endured hardships and loss, but some of them, with remarkable determination, faith, and the ability to be a step ahead of the enemy, made it through to freedom. I was surprised at what seemed to be a set of miracles at the end, producing a happy ending. Hope was still alive.

I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

I can’t say that I enjoyed this book because of the horrific events it chronicled, but I had a hard time putting it down. While there is an abundance of novels set during WWII this is the first I’ve read about Ponary and the horrors that took place there, about the prisoner camps in Siberia and the general plight of the Lithuanian Jews at the hands of their own countryman as well as the Nazis and Soviets. The book was meticulously researched with extensive author and source notes. You will cry, you will be horrified throughout but will in the end be filled with hope. Highly recommended 5+ stars.