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Their whole lives they thought they were German . . .
Abigail Katz is a Jewish teenager living in the quaint German town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. At seventeen, she secretly gives birth to twin girls, Ava and Shalom. Abandoned by her boyfriend and shamed by her parents, she is forced to give them away, leaving them in a farmer’s barn.
Hanz Wolff finds the babies wrapped in woolen blankets embroidered with the Star of David, along with a heartbreaking note. Realizing the twins were purposely left for him and his barren wife, Maria, he brings the bundles of joy into the farmhouse to show her. After trying for years to have children, the ecstatic couple rejoice over the gifts from God, finally blessed with being able to raise a family.
Human tragedy, love, and heartbreak, with twists and turns leaving you breathless, having you both crying and cheering.
Ava and Shalom grow up to be beautiful young women with loving German parents, unaware of their Semitic roots. Life on the farm is simple and peaceful. But then WWII breaks out, and the Third Reich escalates its demonic Nazi propaganda through Europe.
One night, a terrorized woman shows up at the Wolff farm, banging on the door . . . Abigail Katz! In fear for her life, she begs Hanz to hide her from the approaching Schutzstaffel (SS) officers, who’ve just murdered her entire family. Hanz takes her in, despite knowing who she is, despite the risk of concealing a Jew, and despite his fear of his daughters learning the truth about their real birth mother.
Soon Abigail is found out, and the lies are exposed. Ava and Shalom shockingly discover their Jewish heritage, and the SS officers take the three women away, sending them to the notorious concentration camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau. There, Dr. Josef Rudolf Mengele, the merciless Nazi monster known for his horrific experiments on Jewish prisoners, takes a special interest in the twins. Will Ava and Shalom survive the wicked “Angel of Death”?
Desperate to save his beloved daughters and their birth mother from the bowels of an unspeakable hell, Hanz conjures an extraordinary and daring plan. A risky ploy involving the Führer, Adolf Hitler, himself . . .
An exceptional and heartbreaking story that crackles with poignant writing amidst the cruelty and devastation of World War II, enthralling readers with an intricate tale of deception, romance, and survival. These intensely gifted authors deliver a stunning reflection on the past that feels more profound and timely than ever.
A highly emotional novel with cataclysmic circumstances and a masterful narrative that encompasses family, sisterhood, and adult relationships. Readers who can bear the heartbreak will reap the rewards of experiencing an incredible story!
Sensational... Deeply personal... An emotional and moving story of human resilience through the deadliest conflict in human history. This gripping novel of both devastation and hope is a must-read. I highly recommend!
Unique storytelling and intricate characterization. Achingly beautiful and memorable with plots and subplots that flowed seamlessly, engaging me from beginning to end. Those who read World War II historical fiction ought to prioritize this one. You won’t regret it.
Such great writing style. A beautiful, emotional read, from sad, to hopeful, and angry too, but mostly grateful. Highly recommend! Highly!
Nothing I say will ever do this book justice, and it will stay with me forever. I will never forget the characters, the story, or the writing.
Suddenly, the Holocaust didn’t just happen to a group of people in a faraway country long ago. It happened to people I’d just met and felt connected to. A deeply moving and truly unforgettable story!
Never before has there been a book about the Holocaust that explores the lives of the Jewish community on such a personal level before the catastrophe. Ava and Shalom does that seamlessly, giving a voice to the voiceless.
Birkin and Bornz have an incredible ability to create a horrifying tale of the Holocaust while also interlacing a beautiful story of family, love, heartbreak, and redemption. 'Free, has there ever been a more beautiful word?' Outstanding story!
