Introduction

*The USA Today bestseller!*

Can their bond survive under the shadow of occupation? For fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz and The German Midwife comes this unforgettable tale of love, loss, family, and the power of hope.

Kiev, 1941: Watching the Red Army withdraw from Ukraine in the face of Hitler’s relentless advance, sisters Natasha and Lisa Smirnova realize their lives are about to change forever.

As the German army occupies their beloved city, the sisters are tested in ways they never thought possible. Lisa’s fiancé Alexei is taken by the invading army, whilst Natasha falls in love with Mark – a Hungarian soldier, enlisted against all his principles on the side of the Nazis.

But as Natasha and Lisa fight to protect the friends and family they hold dear, they must face up to the dark horrors of war and the pain of betrayal. Will they be strong enough to overcome the forces which threaten to tear their family apart?

Why readers love Sisters of War:

‘Captivating from the first page’

‘Powerful and heart wrenching’

‘A touching story, beautifully written’

‘Well-researched and fascinating’

Originally published as The Story of Us.

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Excerpt

Chapter 1 – Black Cloud Descending


September 1941

It was a warm September afternoon and the streets of Kiev were crowded. Just like always, a stream of pedestrians engulfed the cobbled Kreshchatyk, effortlessly flowing in and out of the famous Besarabsky Market. But something felt different. No one smiled, no one called out greetings or paused for a leisurely conversation in the shade of chestnut trees that lined the renowned street. On every grim face, in every mute mouth, in the way they moved ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

Natasha and Mark are caught on the opposite sides of the war and their love can put the two of them as well as Natasha's family in great danger. With so much stacked against them, were they wrong to pursue this relationship?
• Natasha married Yuri to save him from being sent to Germany but in doing so she gave him false hope that the two of them might have a future together. Was it a mistake to marry him?
• Should Natasha have given up Mark to the Nazis to save Alexei? Should she have done more to help Lisa avoid mobilization to Germany, despite their differences?
• Many people collaborated with the Nazis to make their lives easier during the occupation. When the Bolsheviks returned, the collaborators faced harsh punishments, such as exile or death. Discuss the difficult choices people faced during the war and whether you think the retribution was justified.
• Discuss the novel’s Ukrainian setting – did you learn things about the country’s experiences during the Second World War that you hadn’t known before, or that surprised you?
• The relationship between Natasha and Lisa is a major part of the novel. What did you make of their relationship? Did you empathize with one in particular over the other?
• Sisters of War is primarily a love story. Do you agree with this statement?

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