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Holly B (slower pace!)'s Reviews > Cilka's Journey

Cilka's Journey by Heather Morris
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The sequel to  The Tattooist of Auschwitz.

This is the story of Cilka, which is based on the real life of Cecília Kováčová.  She was a 16 year old character from book #1 The Tattooist of Auschwitz . She was a forced sex slave of a Nazi SS commandant.

I read this one as a fictional story as I'm not sure which parts are factual. Either way, her story is gripping, compelling and utterly heartbreaking. I loved Cilka's strength and courage. Every day was a struggle with new obstacles and little hope, but her instinct for survival was strong.

We follow Cilka as she is charged as a collaborator by the Russian government. She is sent to the gulags in Siberia. It was hard to read about how dire and horrific the prisoners were treated. I was invested in her story and pulling for her to make it through.

A compelling historical fiction novel with a character who felt very "real" to me and one I'll remember.

Thanks to NG and the publisher for my review copy. OUT October 1, 2019

 
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Reading Progress

August 12, 2019 – Shelved
August 12, 2019 – Shelved as: to-read
September 5, 2019 – Started Reading
September 5, 2019 –
page 75
21.31%
September 6, 2019 –
page 125
35.51%
September 6, 2019 –
page 200
56.82%
September 8, 2019 – Shelved as: disturbing-content
September 8, 2019 – Shelved as: enjoyed-the-characters
September 8, 2019 – Shelved as: historical-fiction
September 8, 2019 – Shelved as: net-galley
September 8, 2019 – Shelved as: read-in-2019
September 8, 2019 – Finished Reading

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Comments Showing 1-50 of 63 (63 new)


message 1: by Susanne (new) - rated it 5 stars
Sep 06, 2019 06:36AM

Susanne How are you liking this one so far Holly?


message 2: by Holly (new) - rated it 4 stars
Sep 07, 2019 12:19PM

Holly B (slower pace!) Susanne wrote: "How are you liking this one so far Holly?"

Its a heart breaking account Susanne, but I'm so attached to the characters and full of worry for them!


message 3: by Paige (new) - rated it 5 stars
Sep 07, 2019 04:10PM

Paige 💖 💖 Enjoy, friend!


message 4: by JanB (new)
Sep 10, 2019 11:27PM

JanB Love your bookshelves for this one and looking forward to your review Kaceey!


message 5: by Cheri (new) - rated it 5 stars
Sep 13, 2019 09:50AM

Cheri Happy to see your four stars for this one, Holly!


message 6: by Felicia (new)
Sep 15, 2019 08:42AM

Felicia Terrific review, Holly 💖


message 7: by Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader (new) - rated it 5 stars
Sep 15, 2019 09:39AM

Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader Fab review, Holls! I just finished this and loved it too! ♥️


message 8: by Nicola (new)
Sep 15, 2019 01:37PM

Nicola Lovely review, Holly 😊


message 9: by Julie (new)
Sep 15, 2019 01:49PM

Julie Awesome review, Holly! 💖


message 10: by Victoria (new)
Sep 15, 2019 04:12PM

Victoria Sounds painful, but your connection to the characters seems to make it worthwhile. Lovely.


message 11: by KAS (new)
Sep 15, 2019 05:41PM

KAS Fabulous review, Holly :) I can imagine this one would be very memorable!! ❤️


message 12: by Angela M is taking a break. (new) - rated it 5 stars
Sep 16, 2019 04:53AM

Angela M is taking a break. Wonderful review, Holly. Historical fiction that feels real - the best kind.


message 13: by Holly (new) - rated it 4 stars
Sep 16, 2019 07:42AM

Holly B (slower pace!) Paige wrote: "💖 💖 Enjoy, friend!"

Thanks Paige!


message 14: by Holly (new) - rated it 4 stars
Sep 16, 2019 07:42AM

Holly B (slower pace!) Angela M wrote: "Wonderful review, Holly. Historical fiction that feels real - the best kind."

It is- Thanks Angela!


message 15: by Holly (new) - rated it 4 stars
Sep 16, 2019 07:42AM

Holly B (slower pace!) JanB wrote: "Love your bookshelves for this one and looking forward to your review Kaceey!"

Thanks Jan!


message 16: by Holly (new) - rated it 4 stars
Sep 16, 2019 07:43AM

Holly B (slower pace!) Cheri wrote: "Happy to see your four stars for this one, Holly!"

Thanks Cheri!!


message 17: by Jayme (new)
Sep 16, 2019 08:02AM

Jayme Great review Holly!


message 18: by Mary Beth (new) - rated it 5 stars
Sep 16, 2019 09:29AM

Mary Beth Terrific review, Holly! 💖 Glad we both enjoyed this one.


message 19: by Paula (new)
Sep 16, 2019 03:24PM

Paula K Terrific review, Holly!


message 20: by Holly (new) - rated it 4 stars
Sep 16, 2019 04:44PM

Holly B (slower pace!) Felicia wrote: "Terrific review, Holly 💖"

Thanks Felicia!


message 21: by Holly (new) - rated it 4 stars
Sep 16, 2019 04:45PM

Holly B (slower pace!) Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader wrote: "Fab review, Holls! I just finished this and loved it too! ♥️"

I knew you would! Thanks Jenni!


message 22: by Deanna (new) - rated it 5 stars
Sep 16, 2019 09:06PM

Deanna Great review!!


message 23: by Nazanin (new)
Sep 17, 2019 05:47AM

Nazanin Amazing review, Holly! Glad it was a good read! 💕


message 24: by Holly (new) - rated it 4 stars
Sep 18, 2019 08:39AM

Holly B (slower pace!) Felicia wrote: "Terrific review, Holly 💖"

Thanks Felicia!


message 25: by Holly (new) - rated it 4 stars
Sep 18, 2019 08:39AM

Holly B (slower pace!) Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader wrote: "Fab review, Holls! I just finished this and loved it too! ♥️"

Thanks Jenni!


message 26: by Holly (new) - rated it 4 stars
Sep 18, 2019 08:40AM

Holly B (slower pace!) Nicola wrote: "Lovely review, Holly 😊"

Thanks Nicola!


message 27: by Holly (new) - rated it 4 stars
Sep 18, 2019 08:40AM

Holly B (slower pace!) Victoria wrote: "Sounds painful, but your connection to the characters seems to make it worthwhile. Lovely."

Yes, thanks VIctoria!!


message 28: by Holly (new) - rated it 4 stars
Sep 18, 2019 08:40AM

Holly B (slower pace!) KAS wrote: "Fabulous review, Holly :) I can imagine this one would be very memorable!! ❤️"

Thanks KAS!


message 29: by Shainlock (new) - added it
Sep 18, 2019 08:45AM

Shainlock I read the first book and I thought Cilka was the Tatooist’s girl ? I wanted to read it anyway so it’s on my tbr from previously but great review.


message 30: by Holly (new) - rated it 4 stars
Sep 19, 2019 07:59AM

Holly B (slower pace!) Jayme wrote: "Great review Holly!"

Thanks Jayme!


message 31: by Holly (new) - rated it 4 stars
Sep 19, 2019 07:59AM

Holly B (slower pace!) Mary Beth *Traveling Sister* wrote: "Terrific review, Holly! 💖 Glad we both enjoyed this one."

Thanks Mary Beth!


message 32: by Holly (new) - rated it 4 stars
Sep 19, 2019 07:59AM

Holly B (slower pace!) Paula wrote: "Terrific review, Holly!"

Thanks Paula!


message 33: by Holly (new) - rated it 4 stars
Sep 19, 2019 08:00AM

Holly B (slower pace!) Shaina wrote: "I read the first book and I thought Cilka was the Tatooist’s girl ? I wanted to read it anyway so it’s on my tbr from previously but great review."

She was sixteen in the Tatooist. It is a very good book. Hope you enjoy Shaina!


message 34: by Shainlock (new) - added it
Sep 19, 2019 08:11AM

Shainlock I got footnotes from the author. She was Gita’s friend. Gita was the girl the tattooist loved and Cilka was the best friend. Tbkabks.


message 35: by Yun (new)
Sep 19, 2019 09:45AM

Yun Terrific review, Holly! What a heartbreaking and horrifying story, made all the more so because it's based on real events. I'm glad it was a worthwhile read for you! :)


message 36: by Holly (new) - rated it 4 stars
Sep 21, 2019 04:38PM

Holly B (slower pace!) Shaina wrote: "I got footnotes from the author. She was Gita’s friend. Gita was the girl the tattooist loved and Cilka was the best friend. Tbkabks."

Thanks Shaina! Enjoy!


message 37: by Holly (new) - rated it 4 stars
Sep 21, 2019 04:38PM

Holly B (slower pace!) Yun wrote: "Terrific review, Holly! What a heartbreaking and horrifying story, made all the more so because it's based on real events. I'm glad it was a worthwhile read for you! :)"

Thanks Yun!


message 38: by Rae (new) - rated it 4 stars
Sep 25, 2019 07:20PM

Rae Great review, Holly! I really want to read this one since The Tattooist of Auschwitz was such a great read. Glad you enjoyed.


message 39: by Mary Beth (new) - rated it 5 stars
Sep 25, 2019 09:31PM

Mary Beth Fantastic review, Holly! Glad we both enjoyed this one. 💕


message 40: by Ceecee (new) - added it
Sep 26, 2019 12:33AM

Ceecee Excellent review Holly


message 41: by Holly (new) - rated it 4 stars
Sep 26, 2019 07:10AM

Holly B (slower pace!) Rae wrote: "Great review, Holly! I really want to read this one since The Tattooist of Auschwitz was such a great read. Glad you enjoyed."

Hope you enjoy it Rae!


message 42: by Holly (new) - rated it 4 stars
Sep 26, 2019 07:10AM

Holly B (slower pace!) Mary Beth *Traveling Sister* wrote: "Fantastic review, Holly! Glad we both enjoyed this one. 💕"

Thanks Mary!!


message 43: by Holly (new) - rated it 4 stars
Sep 26, 2019 07:10AM

Holly B (slower pace!) Ceecee wrote: "Excellent review Holly"

Thanks Ceecee!


message 44: by Brenda ~The Book Witch (new) - rated it 4 stars
Sep 26, 2019 07:37AM

Brenda ~The Book Witch Wonderful review, Holly!


message 45: by Canadian Jen (new) - added it
Sep 26, 2019 07:47AM

Canadian Jen Awesome review, Holly. I can’t wait to read this one too


message 46: by Luna (new) - rated it 5 stars
Sep 28, 2019 12:56PM

Luna I have a question before I read this. It’s listed as a sequels to the tattooist. Do I have to read the tattooist first to get the whole impact of this book or are they completely separate entities? Thanks!


message 47: by Pat (new)
Oct 03, 2019 09:29PM

Pat This sounds awesome, great review Holly. I might have to add this one to the list.


message 48: by Louise (new)
Oct 05, 2019 12:42AM

Louise Wilson Fabulous review, Holly!!


message 49: by Holly (new) - rated it 4 stars
Oct 05, 2019 06:12AM

Holly B (slower pace!) Brenda -Traveling Sister host of The Traveling Friends wrote: "Wonderful review, Holly!"

Thanks Brenda!


message 50: by Holly (new) - rated it 4 stars
Oct 05, 2019 06:12AM

Holly B (slower pace!) Jen wrote: "Awesome review, Holly. I can’t wait to read this one too"

Hope you enjoy it Jen!


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