Auschwitz, 1943. Adela stuffs small cloth pouches containing the stolen gunpowder into the folds of her dress. As she joins the column of exhausted women heading back to the barracks, the guard shouts 'Inspection!' and her blood turns to ice...
Working in the camp's munitions factory, Adela Rubenstein discovers the underground network fighting against the devastating cruelty all around them. Imprisoned for teaching Jewish orphans in secret for the resistance, she doesn't hesitate to join the rebellion. Every night on the way back to her hut, she looks up at the stars, the only witness to their plan to blow up the crematoria buildings.
The women can only smuggle a teaspoonful of the gunpowder at a time. But Adela knows from her time in the Warsaw ghetto what incredible feats can be achieved with courage and patience. Thinking of home reminds her of her darling brother, Azriel, and Izabel, who was like a sister to her. She has no idea what happened to them when she was caught, if they are even still alive. But she must keep doing whatever she can to resist. She has to make them proud.
As the day of the attack draws near, Adela is utterly stunned when she comes face to face with her beloved brother. Pale and hunched, but alive. Her heart soars as she hugs him tightly. Maybe it's a sign, and there is hope for them after all. But not if he is working in the very building they will soon destroy...
Fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Nightingale and A Fire Sparkling will be swept away by this beautiful, heartbreaking read about unimaginable bravery, family ties and the power of hope when everything seems lost.
Readers love Siobhan Curham!
'Heart-wrenching... Oh my goodness this book nearly broke me... Had to stop a number of times to blink the tears away... Heart-breaking.' @leona.omahony, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Enthralling... spectacular... I was captivated, intrigued, and felt every single one of these emotions these characters felt... Perfect and so touching... An incredible read... Hauntingly beautiful... I got goosebumps and I'm still thinking about it... My heart will ache for a long time for the characters... Perfect.' @cherisereadsxo, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Heartbreaking and gripping... had me in tears... One that I will not forget anytime soon... I could not stop reading from the moment I started... Unputdownable... An absolute must read for historical fiction fans. Keep the Kleenex box nearby because you will surely need it. I wish I could give ten stars to this phenomenal story.' Page Turners, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'This was the easiest 5 stars I've ever awarded a historical fiction book!... Curham is definitely at the top of her game and her ability to sweep readers into German-occupied Europe is absolutely stellar. I've read many books centered around the resistance movement during WW2, but this book stands heads above the majority!' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐