As you may already have gathered, I love historical fiction, particularly WW2 fiction. I have recently read books set in Poland (The Yellow Bird Sings), France (The Book Of Lost Names) and Berlin (The Berlin Zookeeper). However, when I saw Daughters Of The Resistance was set in Ukraine I was keen to read it as I hadn’t previously read about the war from a Ukrainian perspective.
Daughters Of The Resistance is written by Lana Kortchik and was published in 2021.
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Plot
In Ukraine, 1943, Lisa is on a Nazi-controlled train, heading for Germany and almost certain death. However the train is intercepted by Soviet partisans and the innocent men, women and children are freed. Lisa is rescued by Maxim, one of the brave partisans. Meanwhile back in Nazi-occupied Kyiv, Maxim’s wife Irina is terrified. Through her work, she risks her life every day by secretly helping her neighbours. She knows she could be caught, arrested and executed at any time. She fears for her own life, and for the lives of her husband and young daughter.
Irina fights to protect her family as Lisa is forced to consider her own role within the war. They must make an impossible decision: what would they be willing to lose to save the people they love?
Daughters Of The Resistance Book Review
I found it really interesting to read about Kyiv and the way of life within the city prior to the war, compared to hardships locals experienced during the occupation. The dangers civilians faced every day just trying to survive was horrifying. I also found the lives of the partisans and their day to day struggles both fascinating and heartbreaking. Lana Kortchik brilliantly conveyed the hunger and freezing cold that became part of their daily lives.
I loved Irina’s character and the way she juggled being part of the resistance with trying to be a good mother. I liked how the author showed the everyday battles she experienced, with an overbearing mother in law and no real privacy, as well as the bigger issues she faced being constantly in danger. She was such a strong female lead.
I enjoyed the character development of Lisa. From a naive and almost spoilt character, she grew into a strong and loyal fighter. I could relate to her uncertainty and her struggle to find her place in the partisan camp and the world. Not everyone is a natural cook, nurse or fighter and I thought her search for inner strength was really well done.
I really enjoyed the story and the focus on female strength and friendship. I would definitely read more books by Lana Kortchik.
What to read next
I personally found The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel had very similar themes. All three of these books are focused on incredibly brave women during WW2 and I loved them all.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. For more information please see my disclosure policy.