This is the second book of a three-book series by Heather Morris. Morris did much research and interviews with the Tattooist of Auschwitz, which helped her develop this story. Some of the writing is based on truth.

I found this book to be just as interesting as the Tattooist of Auschwitz and was intrigued by the story of Cilka.

POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT!

Cilka is a young woman who survives Auschwitz, under terrible circumstances and gross mistreatment. She is then, about age 19, imprisoned for “sleeping with the enemy” although she had no choice if she was to live. This should have been considered rape on her attackers, but given her race and religion, she was prosecuted. She moves to the prison camp, and the same distressing experiences follow her there, where one of her rapists declares his love for her, which was not reciprocated.

She befriends a few ladies within her hut and gives up her chance at release to keep her friend, Josie and her baby (conceived by rape) together. She also begins working in the hospital and excels in her training. She is moved around to different departments, including labor and delivery, surgery, and field rescues on the ambulance. The doctor and she became friendly, and Cilka finds out that the doctor voluntarily chose to work at the prison camp, Vorkuta Gulag. This Siberian camp was in the Artic Circle, where the winters were harsh, and the summers were bright, day and night.

Cilka meets Alexandr on a few occasions and provides care to him after he is badly beaten. She talks to him as he is recovering from a coma and he hears every word, falling for her. When he awakens, he is again beaten because the attackers found out that he was still alive. The doctor and Cilka work to protect him while he recovers. The book doesn’t say as much but alludes that the doctor worked some sort of magic to allow Cilka and Alexandr to be released.

Cilka was truly a brave and beautiful person, often putting others before herself and sacrificing her own needs to ensure others could eat or live.

This story encourages the reader to empathize with the characters and feel the many emotions that they are feeling in these inhumane treatments. The author has a great way of capturing the attention of the reader and makes it hard to put the book down.

The book can be overwhelming for people who have suffered similar traumas. If you have had similar experiences, I would caution that this story may cause negative feelings, stress or emotions.

All in all, I enjoyed this book and the story of Cilka and her journey. The nursing experience was interesting and appeals with my enthusiasm of history and nursing.