The Light in Hidden Places by Sharon Cameron is a moving historical novel based on the real-life bravery of Stefania Podgórska, a Polish teenager who hid thirteen Jews in her attic during WWII. Stefania’s courage is inspiring, and the story gives readers a powerful look into the risks she took to save lives in the face of unimaginable danger.

The novel is engaging, with a strong sense of tension, though it occasionally feels a bit slow and predictable. Cameron does a great job with historical detail, but the storytelling can feel heavy-handed in parts. Still, it’s an emotional read that honors a true hero’s story, perfect for those who love WWII fiction. Three stars for a heartfelt, if sometimes uneven, tribute to a remarkable young woman’s bravery.

Thanks netgalley for allowing me to read about this amazing woman called Stefania.
In Poland 1942 the Jews were being put into camps by the Germans, and Stefania helped save the lives of thirteen Jewish people by hiding them in her home. Stefania was not Jewish but catholic, but hiding all these people put her in terrible danger and the Germans were killing anyone helping the Jewish people.
This was an amazing deed she managed to do, and even managed to live a life with her sister and Max one of the people whose life she saved.

DEATH PENALTY FOR ALL WHO GIVE AID TO A JEW.
DEATH TO ALL WHO HARBOUR A JEW.
DEATH TO ALL WHO FEED A JEW.
DEATH TO ALL WHO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO A JEW.

I have read a number of historical fiction books surrounding the Holocaust in various settings - Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Russia, Corfu, Italy - and all are of a similar vein. And yet they are each different.

Incorporating true life with fictional, THE LIGHT IN HIDDEN PLACES is the true story of Stefania Podgorska who successfully hid 13 Jews in her attic during Nazi occupation in Poland during World War 2. Using Stefania's own unpublished memoir, Sharon Cameron retells Stefani's story in this inspiring yet heartbreaking book. Stefania, or Fusia as she was known, showed true bravery through one of the toughest times in history that was enough to break anyone. Her story, though one of many, is one that inspires through heartache.

In Poland, the second world war is on the horizon and a young girl called Stefania has left home at the age of 13, taking a job in the Diamant family's shop. The family is Jewish, which means little to her as she is Catholic, but she grows close to the family particularly the mother Leah, calling her "babcia" (meaning grandmother), and two of her sons Izio and Max. But there is unrest with the invasion of Poland as Hitler begins to deporting Jews, first to the Jewish ghetto and then to concentration camps.

When Izio disappears, Fusia works harder to protect the Diamant family, from slipping them food in the ghetto to hiding them. But Fusia must find Izio and she does everything in her power to do so...and when she does, Izio is a shadow of his former self, head shaven and emaciated. Izio begs Fusia to help him escape...and so the two make a plan. But as the day arrives, with everything in place, Fusia arrives at the camp to find it deserted and locked up. She is too late.

Returning to Przemsyl, Fusia makes a decision. She returns to her family's farm to find it empty...except for her little sister Helena. Her family have been taken away and with only Helena left, Fusia will do everything within her power to protect them all...even if it means death for helping the Jews.

It is easy to like Fusia and root for her. She is putting herself at risk to help those shunned by the new regime and who otherwise have no one. And yet, even when her plans are thwarted and it all goes horribly wrong, she remains positive that she is doing the right thing...and never doubts the her purpose and why she is doing it. Stefania Podgorska may be a lesser known heroine from the Holocaust but through THE LIGHT IN HIDDEN PLACES she has been given a voice. To know what she went through at such a terrifying time and that she survived, is both incredible and inspiring.

The Author's Note at the end, continues Stefania's story in a condensed format, including some photos of during and after the war. It is eye opening and yet it is heartbreaking. I found THE LIGHT IN HIDDEN PLACES incredibly sad, though inspiring, and it left me feeling such depression for all they endured.

While today we witness lesser issues of black versus white and rioting over the colour of one's skin, these people were fighting for their lives every day. They risked their lives to save others, not just themselves in a war that they didn't ask for but was thrust upon them. It kind of puts things into perspective. Most people today have never lived through a World War, so cannot appreciate what we have now as opposed to the segregation, degradation and death of Jews for no other reason than that was issued by a dictator.

I may have found THE LIGHT IN HIDDEN PLACES depressing but at the same time it was also inspiring. Stefania Podgorska did something incredible for others despite the huge risk to herself. She did it anyway because it is what was right.

Stefania lived well beyond another 70 years after the war's end, passing away in 2018. This story is her legacy. I may not have heard of Stefania Podgorska before but now she is someone I will never forget.

THE LIGHT IN HIDDEN PLACES is a heartbreaking yet inspiring read for lovers of historical fiction or historical memoirs, particularly of the Holocaust.

I would like to thank #SharonCameron, #NetGalley and #PenguinUK for an ARC of #TheLightInHiddenPlaces in exchange for an honest review.

This is the true story of 2 Polish sisters who hid 13 Jews during World War 2. It is a story of incredible courage and bravery. Stefania did her best to insure that everyone was fed and remained safe. It is a moving story about how people risked their lives in the hope that they could save other people.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

If you read one book about Poland in the war it should be this one.
It starts with Stefi or fusia a Catholic in Poland in 1936 and how she heroically helped 13 Jews hide and survive the war. She also looked about her younger sister.
This is a true story of bravery, commitment and sheer stubbornness in how she never gave up on her family and the Jews she grew to love.
There is so much content to this true account I will not try to recount it but only urge you to read it.
I have never read a book by Sharon Cameron but will definitely look out for more.
It is unusual in that the account is form the outside of the ghetto but rather day to day life struggles and devastating consequences.

When I requested this book, I somehow missed that it was based on a true story.

It’s a moving account of a young girl, Stefania Podgórska, who hides 13 Jews for a large amount of time during the war. It’s a harrowing and distressing read and the author does well to prevent it becoming a misery memoir. She describes each member of the story well and they are each rounded individuals, some easily more likeable than others.

I read it believing it to be fiction and found parts of it a little far fetched- how much bad luck can one girl have? When I reached the Authors note and realised it was a true story, I was completely flabbergasted. Stefania Podgórska was a hero, of that there is no doubt. I truly hope this book becomes a bestseller as everyone should know her name. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy of this book.

I really enjoyed The Light in Hidden Places, which is the true life story of two Polish sisters who hid thirteen jews during the war. It highlights the courage and resilience of ordinary people during this horrific time. I would definitely recommend this book to historical literature fans.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC