When 19-year-old Victoria Darski is caught in a raid in a Polish church during the second world war, she is sold as a slave to the Tod family in Germany to work in their bakery. 20-year-old Etta Tod, the deaf daughter of the baker, is angry that the Reich has taken away her ability to have children and tries to befriend Victoria. Etta is a gifted artist, and she and Victoria manage to communicate through drawings, connected by the way they are both considered inferior by the Nazis.

I had not realized prior to reading this book that Germany took Polish women as slaves and sold them off to families like that! This was a well-written, emotional book about parts of the Nazi's attempts to exterminate anyone deemed inferior that are not as frequently covered. Emily Behr did a great job narrating the audiobook. I definitely recommend historical fiction fans check this book out!

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book.

Victoria's War by Catherine A. Hamilton tells the story of two women who appear powerless in the face of the Third Reicht yet their bravery is the story of countless, nameless women who did what they could to stop pure evil.

When I traveled to Eastern Europe several years ago I tried really hard to fit a trip to Poland into our itinerary, but timewise it just didn't work. After reading The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman and watching World on Fire, I'm more determined to one day visit Poland. For someone who loves reading about WWII, there is so much history there - a history that I only knew on a surface level before these works. So when I saw Victoria's War available at Netgalley, I knew I needed to listen to it.

Victoria is about to embark on her college adventure when war breaks out. Instead of the carefree world of academia she first works in the sewing factory in her town and then she is sent to Germany where she is sold as a slave to work in a bakery. There she meets the baker's daughter who is a deaf-mute. So while Etta is German and her family are proud members of the Nazi Party she is not the ideal German. First, she is sterilized on the Fuhrer's orders - and her mother is more than happy to comply, But this is not her only sacrifice. Nor is her "defect" the only problem. She doesn't buy the party line. These two "helpless" women risk everything to fight the evil that is spreading through their countries.

I don't know anything about Emily Behr so I'm not sure if the accent is hers or if it is one she took on for this book. The accent gives the characters an international feel keeping with the fact that the characters are either German or Poland. The story follows Victoria, though not in the first person, it is the character we see most of the story through. There are also portions focused on Etta's story. It was easy enough to keep these two characters straight in my head as I listened to the audiobook. I felt there was less distinction in character voices between characters of the same nationality and I had to pay a bit closer attention during those interactions to keep the characters straight.

Overall, though the story was easy enough to follow even with a moderate amount of distractions. I listened to it while working on blog posts without losing the plot.

In Victoria's War, we see how Polish nationals were treated by the Germans. Having read Gerta by Kateřina Tučková, I wasn't shocked that Poles were categorized by ethnicity: of German descent, ethnic Poles, and Jews as the same had happened in Czechoslovakia. I knew there were labor camps and forced labor for anyone that wasn't German. But I guess I didn't really think about them being shipped to Germany to serve as prostitutes as well as slave labor for essential businesses. It was only a passing plot point, but I don't think I knew that the Third Reicht also sent children who could pass as German (who had typical Arayan features) to Germany to be adopted. I wondered if the women were just told that or if that is really what happened. If it is true it would make an interesting story. But I digress...

I found the story interesting. There was enough "untold" story that it didn't feel like every other WWII novel I've read. I particularly liked that one of the main characters was a deaf-mute. It is definitely not a character you see often in a novel and especially not in a story set during WWII.

If you enjoy WWII novels and are looking for the less told stories, then you should add this book to your reading list. If you are needing an audiobook to keep you entertained while doing chores or on a summer road trip, then this is one you will want to pick up.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on May 25 - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2021/05/victorias-war-by-catherine-hamilton.html

Victoria's War by Catherine Hamilton is a beautifully written and well researched novel. I highly recommend it to readers of historical fiction, and those interested in stories of resistance during the Holocaust.

This book does two things I haven't read in accounts of WWII and the Holocaust before (and I have read many). First, it centers a deaf woman as a main characters and provides a first person account of the programs that targeted and ended the lives of disabled people in Nazi Germany. This was great to see, and I really loved the character of Etta. She was kind, brave, and resilient under terrible circumstances.

Second, the novel exposes the slave labor program in Nazi Germany that sold 1.7 million Poles (half of whom were women) to German businesses. I was not familiar with the selling of Polish citizens in the Reich. This novel was a great introduction to this part of history, and I will be sure to learn more about it now.

Although there was plenty of heartbreak, the courage and kindness in the story made Victoria's War feel hopeful. Catherine Hamilton shines a light on both the cruelty and humanity of these real-life experiences to create a wonderful novel.

Finally, Emily Behr's narration of this audiobook was sublime. She did an excellent job bringing the story to life.

3.5 stars

This was my first time listening to a novel. Thanks, NetGalley and ListenUp Audiobooks!

The story follows a young Polish woman, Victoria Darski, and her turbulent journey in Germany during World War II.

I have to be honest, at first I thought "it's just another WWII book". And I wasn't wrong, but the thing is, no matter how many books about the war are written, the fact remains it was an atrocious crime against humanity. Some of the novel's passages are heartbreaking, especially chapter 26.

As for the characters, they are a good variety, though I felt that Victoria, the protagonist, wasn't given as much depth as the others. I really liked Etta. Such a kind-hearted soul.

And here's my main concern with the book:
Seriously, how many jews were reunited with their friends and family while the war was still happening? I don't think many. But somehow in this story they keep bumping into each other!

The ending is cute and corny, bordering on slim possibilities. More tragedy would have been more believable.

Emily Behr did a good job narrating. I'm glad her German sounds authentic.

I appreciate the author's research and effort she put into writing this book.

This isn't the usual type of audio book that I would normally listen to. I usually avoid things about the war, as I find them too upsetting. I am the youngest of a much older family, and my father was wounded at Monte Cassino, so it often feels too close to home.

However when I read the synopsis I realised that it was looking at the war from the point of view of a young polish catholic woman, a perspective we don't often hear about, so I felt that I should learn about it.

I can't say that I enjoyed the story, as it's not that sort of story, I certainly was captivated and needed to know the outcome. The tale is told beautifully, and I felt I was with Victoria in her Bakery attic, enduring her beatings with her. That said please don't think that this story is all doom and gloow, as it isn't. It is a story of bravery and courage, of forgiveness and the ability to be able to turn over a new leaf, and leave the past behind.

I am so glad I listened to it, the narration was great, as the narrator's accent helped with the authenticity of the tale. I learned about an aspect of the war that I knew nothing about, I didn't know that Polish/ Slavic people were sold as slaves in Germany, and about their appauling treatment there, of course I knew that the Nazis abused all those who didn't agree with them, and treated them with cruelty and brutality, but these particular events were new, so I am now so glad that I know.

This is one of those life changing books, that make you have a different perspective on life once you've read/listemed to it.

This should be compulsary reading for 15/16 year olds across the world, maybe if our young people experienced this book, we could be sure it would never happen again.

A very emotional historical novel - based on true stories - I would recommend to everybody interested in historical fiction!

Even though the book is titled Victoria's War, in fact we have two heroins: Victoria, a Polish "Zwangsarbeiter" (forced labourer) and Etta, a German deaf-mute artist. Both are great characters who grow and each struggle with their own problems. Given the fact that Etta was from the beginning awarded her own point-of-view chapters, I was a bit surprised that she exited the storyline so early.

I loved the fact to learn more about other groups of Nazi victims, because mostly it's focused on the Jews. This is especially true being German, because of what I remember from my school days we were mostly only educated about the Jews, maybe the Sinti & Roma and political prisoners referenced in one additional sentence. I really appreciate this novel to make me research Hadamar, which is not so far away from home, but of which I had never heard before. At school we visited Buchenwald concentration camp.

The audiobook narrator did a great job, also and especially with the German parts which she delivered perfectly accent-less. This gave the narration and story a much more authentic feel. I know it's nit-picky and maybe I'm not the target audience, but as a German I would have been thrown out of the story if a supposed motherspeaker would have spoken with a thick accent.

On the topic of being a German reader: Etta's surname, Tod, means death. I've never met any German with this surname ( I could imagine something like Thot(h)/Todt, though) and was a bit creeped out, to be honest. It totally does not fit her sweet character. Maybe the menace that is her mother. Until now, I have not been able to figure out the message the author wanted to convey with the choice of this particular surname.

Such an emotional historical fiction story by Catherine A Hamilton. This story focuses on the women of WW2 who were forced into slave labour by the Nazis.
The story concentrates on the story of Victoria Darski. At the start of the book it is mentioned that we only seem to remember the men who fought and suffered during the war and not the other heroes and victims and women like Victoria.
(It is stated at the start that the story is Fictional and BASED on true events and real people).

Victoria is such a strong character who's character you see develop through the book from her teen years and only caring about getting into University to a woman who is selfless and just wants her and her friends to survive.
Even though Victoria is the main character, the author gives such detailed and informative account of what the women of WW2 go through, which made me not only feel for Victoria but all of them.

The author wanted to show that not all Germans were villians and agreed with the Nazi movement. A prime example of this was the the story of Etta, a deaf German girl who is hated by her family and isn't wanted by anyone. Her mother Frau Tod has been brainwashed by the Third Reich and believes her daughter is worthless because she can't hear or speak.
It is until Etta meets Victoria that he life changes and she forms a friendship with her. They work together to help others survive the war and the Nazis.

I always find reading books about World War 2 can be a difficult subject for alot of people. This story had 2 strong female characters; Victoria who symbolises the women who died and suffered in labour camps. Etta who symbolises the disabled Germans who were wrong and abandoned by their country.

Thankyou Netgalley for giving me early access  to the audiobook.
Publication 2nd June 2021

A haunting, moving, engaging and unique WWII historical fiction novel.
Victoria’s War is the fictional story of Polish Catholic Victoria who is taken from her hometown in Poland sold into slavery in Germany by the Nazis.
I always love a female heroine and Victoria really is a heroine! Not only does she make sure she survives her horrific ordeal, but helps her friends from home and risks her life saving other Polish slaves.
Whilst this is a work of fiction, it is haunting to know this really did happen to people all over Europe. And learning what the Nazis did to people like Victoria’s friend, German born, Etta is heartbreaking.
The novel moves along at a good pace, is descriptive and well researched.
The narrator in the audiobook version captured my interest and kept me listening throughout. I really enjoyed the different “voices” of each character too.

Victoria’s War is a powerful and moving piece of historical fiction which gives a voice to those women who died in Nazi slave labour camps. Told from the perspective of two very different women, Victoria a Polish Catholic, and Etta a German deaf artist, each facing their own difficulties and hardships. It is a heart-wrenching tale of the true horrors women faced, and the unwavering courage and strength they had to survive. A beautiful book, and a compelling read, the bravery of each woman is inspiring, and although it is a true reminder of the abhorrent circumstances that they found themselves lost in, the hope they held onto even in the darkest of times is never forgotten.

The natural talents of the author, combined with the skills of the narrator, bring this story to life on a whole separate level. The book was already a brilliant, insightful read, but listening to it as an audiobook gives it another life, and another level of connection with the audience. The pain the characters suffer, the trauma of the events they go through, is brought to life in vivid detail by narration that works entirely with the flow of the book.

If you're looking for some historical fiction that deserves all the praise it is possible to heap upon it, this is the book for you, in whichever format you choose.

Victoria's War is a historical fiction about 19-year-old Victoria Darski, a Polish Catholic woman sold into slavery during the Nazi occupation of Europe, and Etta Tod, the 20-year-old deaf daughter of a German baker who buys Victoria. The two women form a quick and enduring bond, but when they're caught stealing bread from the bakery and smuggling it to a nearby work camp, things take a turn for the worse.
This book brings a new perspective on the events that occurred in the Second World War where not only Jews were persecuted, in this case Catholics were enslaved and also killed. This book will definitely break your heart.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC, a must read.

#NetGalley #VictoriasWar

Victoria's war is a book that I was so looking forward to reading and like, as a huge fan of WW2 this was really a story I want to read but unfortunately, This book was not for me, it was what I was looking for not because the story was bad or the narration at the contrary it is a good story... my main issue about it, was only because the cruelty was present at all times, it was like in constant repetition, there was not a moment where the reader could take a break and breath or even smile a little with the main character it was cruelty over and over again for the heroine.

This is the story of Victoria and Etta two stories that life somehow brings them together and intertwine in a bakery attic. this is the part that I really like about this book, that two women who needed help, kindness, and support were brought together in the terrible situation only to support and help each other in the best way they know.

I know that these stories tend to be very hard to assimilate and I understand that the cruelty is beyond comprehensible, I have read many many times cruelty that was terrible but Victoria's War started with cruelty since the first pages and it was non-stop over and over again.

I had a really hard time listening to how the "New Family" of Victoria who was more like enslavers were constantly treating her worst than you can imagine. I had enough when the woman started to hit her with a spoon it was too graphic and too evil, not to mention the woman was so evil to even her own child.

The narrations by Emily Behr were amazing, this is the first time I heard her work and it really brought so many emotions, I love what she did with this book.

The only reason I'm giving this book 3 stars is that really couldn't handle my emotions at all, it was too much for me to take. I really encourage you to give this book a chance it is a good book.

#VictoriasWar by @catherinea.hamilton is a #WW2 historical fiction story that I really enjoyed listening to on audio thanks to @netgalley and @listenupaudiobook for this advanced copy! Please see my full review on my blog:
https://hopelesslyreading.blogspot.com (link in profile).
Great story of the perhaps lesser known plight of the Poles, specifically their women and Catholics, as well as the plight of #disabled people throughout the Nazi regime.
This book's cover is of artwork by @jenniferyoswa_art and is narrated by Emily Behr (with such a lovely accent).
I highly recommend this story for another perspective on WW2 atrocities, and also for the hopefullness that small kindnesses can instill in the hearts & minds of those oppressed everywhere.

I received this as an ARC through Netgalley. Prior to reading Victoria's War, I was not aware of the fact that during World War II, that women from Poland and other countries were forced into slave labor in Germany. Victoria's War tells the heartbreaking story of women being kidnapped from their home towns in Poland and taken to Germany to work as house slaves, in factories, and forced prostitution. The conditions they endure are sometimes as horrific as those in concentration camps. Author Catherine Hamilton also explores how people in mental institutions and care facilities for those that were deaf and/or blind were also exterminated like the Jews, by introducing us to the character of Etta.

While the characters are all fiction, the experiences they have and heartbreak they encounter are all to real for those that lived through this time.

Exactly what I was looking for to read this time of the year. Contrary to what some people may think, WWII is still of great importance to the world today. Angela Merkel was even so bold as to subtly compare the loss of freedom back then and now, amidst the pandemic, a few days ago.

The characters aren't all as well fleshed out as Edda and Victoria, with Edda's mother remaining the stereotypical nazi hag, for example. Good thing the plot and protoganists lift up the book. The weight was already added in the form of the subject.
The only things I knew about Poland's occupation mostly came from the movie The Pianist. And this is why historical fiction is the bomb (a pun might just be intended): you learn knew things along the way of entertainment. Such as the use of guillotines during WWII. And afterward, apparently; the guillotine was last used in Western Europe (France, to be exact, East Germany stopped using them in 1966)1977(!).

Now for a delicate topic. I thought long and hard about this, but will follow my gut feeling on this: the narrator of the audiobook. She has a lovely voice, great intonation and knows how to bring a story to life. But...German is her native language, and it shows. Her accent and many mispronunciations were very distracting. (the word 'clothes' was a common one she could not pronounce properly over and over again, for one. That's merely annoying, but the delicate part is that she is a German narrating a book about the nazi attrocities. Maybe there's a perfectly good explanation for this, but it just feels wrong and awkward to me. If they wanted to go for an authentic voice, they <s>could've</s> should've picked a Polish narrator. I'm never complaining when it comes to Own Voices, but this just seems weird. And even weirder is how everyone else who reviewed this seems to think that it's charming. Beats me.

A wonderfully written book about the fate of the innocent catholic citizens in German occupied Poland. This story follows 19 yr old Victoria Darski and others as they are captured and enslaved to endure forced labor during the war while other women are taken and exploited in brothels. While this novel explored a different side to the war and Nazi horrors telling the story of the Polish slave labor program it did not attenuate the even more gruesome horrors suffered by the Jews. At one point Victoria and others in her group are given rations not even merely enough for a small child, she sees a neighboring train and and asks why they aren't getting any food and the reason given is because they were "Juden" and they got nothing. The book also addressed other abominations conducted by the Germans on their own people such as sterilizations, forced abortions and treatment of disabled and troublesome German citizens.

The delivery of the story and the writing are exceptional with very interesting characters, well developed and showing how ordinary people are capable of doing extraordinary things they never would thought themselves capable of when they work in unison for the good to help the even less fortunate.

I've read many historical fictions on WWII that I was hesitant to read another but I'm glad I did, this novel was well worth it and I learned a side of the war I was unfamiliar with.

i listened to this as an audiobook so I must comment on the narrator and while not exceptional, I believe she breathed life into the story and did a good job with attempting several different European accented voices.

Thank you to Net Galley for this free audiobook.

I love historical fiction, especially those based on true events. This one was no exception. There were so many different groups of people that were dehumanized and tortured during World War II. Victoria’s War focused on Victoria, a young Polish woman who was kidnapped and brought to Germany to become a Polish slave for German citizens. She is bought by a baker and his wife who has a daughter, Etta, that is a deaf mute and a son in the SS. The POV’s alternate between Victoria and Etta who become friends through this whole ordeal. It was a story that kept me engaged and I wanted to continue listening to it. This was a beautifully written story of tragedy, courage and hope. I recommend reading this one if you are interested in learning more about WWII.

Audiobook narrated by Emily Behr and I loved her voice. She did a grand job.
Kidnapped and then sold to Germans, Sophie shares her story. A polish, catholic girl who experiences unspeakable things. Death, rape, starvation and beatings.
There can never be enough written about what the Nazi party did to innocent people. This was from the view of many polish victims and their story. Also in this account is a glimpse of what a person who would of been considered handicapped would face. Being German wasn’t enough.
If you’re interested in the Holocaust then I think you’ll enjoy this.
Thanks IBPA Members Audiobook via Netgalley. I’ve voluntarily given my review.

Historical fiction regarding WW2 is an interesting topic. Even those matters covered by different authors can be presented in new or even comforting ways. This is a new aspect of the war that I had not seen covered before. I had issue with the amount of words, the amount of unnecessary repeating of information. The narrator certainly had the pronunciation of the Polish places, names and things, that was great, but the rest of the reading was very stiff to my ears. I would encourage others to listen because the subject matter is different. Perhaps reading the print version would be better for me on this one.

Another wonderfully written WWII historical fiction novel. Thanks to #Netgalley I was able to listen to the audiobook for free. The author did extensive work while researching the book. Definitely rates higher than 5 stars..