This was a very well-written novel about a girl who survived a German concentration camp only to be imprisoned in a Russian gulag.
I would rate it a 4.5

I do not think I have the words to truly express what an extraordinary book this is. I enjoyed THE TATOOIST OF AUSCHWITZ so, of course, wanted to know Cilka’s story. However, this book can easily be read without first reading THE TATOOIST OF AUSCHWITZ.

In THE TATOOIST OF AUSCHWITZ Cilka is a friend of Gita’s. Cilka’s beauty brought her to the attention of the Commandant at Birkenau who claimed her as his mistress, leading to repeated rapes and abuse . Cilka, only 16 years old when she entered the camp, had to do distasteful things in order to survive. After the liberation of the camps Cilka, now 19 years old, was tried and found guilty of collaborating with the enemy. She was sentenced to 15 years at the Vorkuta gulag in Siberia.

CILKA’S JOURNEY is the story of Cilka’s imprisonment at the gulag and the strength required of her to survive the harsh conditions there. I found myself constantly asking what choice she had. Obviously those who tried and sentenced survivors had no idea what these people were put through. It seemed so unfathomable that she would go from one prison to another with absolutely no control of what was done to her.

Fortunately Cilka makes an impression on Yelena, the female doctor at the gulag who gives Cilka a job in the hospital. Cilka’s life finally takes a positive turn. She comes to recognize the strength she has and even finds that she has room in her heart to love. When Lale (the tattooist at Auschwitz) was interviewed by Heather Morris he said that Cilka was the bravest person he had ever met. Her determination to survive, her bravery, and her compassion for others totally won my heart.

Morris’ superb writing made me feel the suffering, anger, and fear of the prisoners. I was totally enthralled and found it extremely difficult to put the book down. This is a story I will not forget.


Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and GalleyMatch for the advance copy. Opinions are my own.

Silka’s journey is a solid sequel that lives up to its predecessor. Chapter by chapter traps you between the white nights and the long and cold winters that the main character goes through to earn her freedom. A small touch of romance and friendship, almost sisterhood makes it feel even more real and raw.

After and amazing story like the tattooist not an easy task to build the continuation based on small pieces of the true history of Cilka and yet this book accomplished the challenge.

Thumbs up!

As expected this was a difficult - as in gut-wrenching - and heartbreaking tale about a young woman during the holocaust and her indomitable spirit that helps her persevere through the aftermath of being sentenced to hard labor in Siberia AFTER being freed from Auschwitz! I love historical fiction and this story is based on an account of a fellow concentration camp survivor about the "bravest person he ever knew", Cilka, a young Jewish girl who was also a character in the previous book, The Tattooist of Auschwitz, which unfortunately I have not read...yet.

The last time I felt this much sadness, hopelessness, and despair when reading a book was in high school (a VERY long time ago) when I had to read The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. So the fact that I can compare the emotion to a classic is a good thing! But the tone of this book actually changes a bit once Cilka moves up in the ranks. I am in awe of her spirit and optimism, which makes such a difficult story "unputdownable". I read it in two nights (I DO have other things I need to do in my life besides reading books all day, but if I didn't I could definitely have read it in one sitting - except for occasional breaks to take a breath so I didn't cry! ) It unexpectedly took a turn for the positive and the glimmer of hope at the end made for a good story, even inspiring. I do wonder how much of it could really have gone that way since it is only based on facts but is ultimately a fictional story. I think what anyone in this century can take away from this is that no matter how evil humans can be, the human spirit can persevere and in fact thrive. I can't imagine how horrific this experience may have been for people at that time going through these traumas and I cannot speak to the authenticity of any of it, but it is a terrific story and worth a read regardless of whether or not it is historically accurate.

CILKA’S JOURNEY by Heather Morris is a beautifully-written and heart-breaking follow-up to her first novel, THE TATTOOIST OF AUSCHWITZ. It is a work of fiction, but is inspired by the real life of Cilka Klein who at the age of only sixteen is imprisoned in Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp. In the camp, Cilka was friends with Lale and Gita, the main characters of THE TATTOOIST OF AUSCHWITZ. Early on, a senior officer takes Cilka aside and for the duration of her three years in the camp, she is forced to do whatever he asks just to stay alive. Some of these unthinkable acts will haunt her for the rest of her life. When the Russians finally liberate the camp, they charge Cilka with colluding with her Nazi captors. Unimaginably, she is sentenced to fifteen years of hard labor in the Vorkuta Gulag in Siberia. Imprisoned again, Cilka must find the inner strength and resilience to survive once more. The deplorable conditions and the atrocities committed against the women in the Gulag are extremely difficult to read about, but it was uplifting to see the bonds of friendship and love that were forged among the inmates. Throughout the novel, the reader learns more of Cilka’s time in Auschwitz through flashbacks that are clearly differentiated from the present story. Even though Cilka has suffered horrifically, she still finds the courage to help others before herself. CILKA’S JOURNEY is a powerful and unforgettable work of historical fiction and I recommend it most highly. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy of this outstanding book.

Another WWII story that drives home the horrors that so many had to endure until they couldn’t.

In this story we follow Cilka as she is released from Aushwitz only to find that the Soviet Union has sentenced her to a Soviet Gulag for 15 years. Her crime, it seems, is finding a way to survive.

Many thanks to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for this advanced readers copy. This book is due to release October 1, 2019.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Heather Morris and St Martin’s press for a early copy of the book Cilka’s Journey, in exchange for my review

First of all I must say that This is the first book by Heather Morris that I read, as I have “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” on my to - read list, but have not done so as of yet

I found that even though I have not read the first novel, It was easy to follow along with this second book and gather a good understanding of what has occurred with this Auschwitz story.

The main character Is one of strength, and character. A book that takes over your world as you read along, not wanting to stop until you have read the last words. Well written, engaging and so very heart breaking

I have read many books on the subject, and this Historical Fiction story is a superb read.

This was a wonderful follow up to The Tattooist of Auschwitz where we can see more of Cilka, The girl who kept her hair. What Xilka endured is horrific and at times reading about the treatment of prisoners both at Auschwitz and in Siberia was hard to read, However this story, a fixtionalized account of Cilka’s life, gave such inspiration about the magnificent heart and will some people have in even the worst circumstances. I thought the writing was a bit choppy, but well worth the read.

I absolutely loved The Tattooist of Auschwitz so I was extremely excited when I saw Cilka’s Journey.

Heather Morris does an incredible job of describing the horrors that people endured at the hands of the Germans in Tattooist and now the Russians in Cilka’s Journey.

Cilka’s Journey takes you through what happens when an Auschwitz prisoner is punished for being forced into working with the Nazis to stay alive. Taken to a camp in Siberia, again Cilka does whatever it takes to survive and to help her friends survive too.

This is a story of love and resilience in a time where there is no hope.

4.5 stars

I'm one of the few people who hasn't read the author's previous historical fiction book, The Tattooist of Auschwitz. I will eventually go back and read that one because I thought the author did an incredible job with Cilka's Journey. While this book features a character from the other novel, this one can easily be read as a standalone.

Cilka was just sixteen years old when she was taken to Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp. She does what she can to survive and in 1945 the camp is liberated. However, she is not free as she has been accused of sleeping with the enemy and is sent to a Siberian prison camp. With conditions not much better than those at the concentration camp, Cilka once again is going to have to find the strength to fight for her life.

There are different types of historical fiction books and this one is more heavy on the fiction side. Unfortunately so many details about the real life Cilka remain unknown. and I'm glad the author is upfront about how she pieced together facts along with her imagination to come up with the story. In my opinion, Heather Morris did a good job showing the harsh and inhumane conditions of these post-war prison camps. I believe she captured the essence of what it might have been like for Cilka and other prisoners and to me that's what makes this such a worthwhile read regardless of whether it was 100% factual or not. While the war might have ended in 1945, so many people, like Cilka, continued to suffer and that is something that should never be forgotten.

The only slight criticism I have about the book is I felt like it was a rushed ending. I'm not trying to give away spoilers, so I will just say I'm specifically talking about the Epilogue. I think there was some room to expand there as I was left wanting just a bit more.

Overall, this was an incredible book and I'm thankful the author felt it was a story worth telling. Simply put, go out and read this book!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review!

The profound story of the life and love of Cilka. It follows Cilkas life with flash backs from home to Auschwitz Birkenau to Gulag in Siberia. This was the story of a brave women doing what she could to survive and fighting to keep others safe. I really enjoyed the authors notes in the back about Cilka and her life and the all research to make sure her story was told!

Take a deep breath and try not to cry. This story picks up after WW2 has ended. Cilka has been charged with spying for the Germans and is being shipped off to a prison camp in Siberia. What Cilka has to go through in her short life is so painful to read. She survived Auschwitz by being raped by the Germans, she was sentenced as a traitor and then to top it all off, raped again in the prison camp. Cilka is just trying to survive, but her humility and compassion toward the people around her, in the same situation as her was incredible. I would imagine someone like that would be hardened to the world, but not Cilka. She gave away her chance of freedom so a friend could survive.

I read this book in one day. Couldn't put it down. This was a powerful story that needs to be read.

Heather Morris brings readers another compelling novel that focuses on one of the characters presented in The Tattooist of Auschwitz. Russia, post World War II is the setting for this novel, although the horrors of Auschwitz are never far from the minds of the characters.

Cilka Klein, a young woman from Slovakia who managed to survive Auschwitz, is shockingly sent to a Russian prison in Siberia. Because she spoke several languages and had been accused of sleeping with a Nazi commander, she was charged as a collaborator and sentenced to 15 years in the Vorkuta prison.

Just about the only improvement in the Russian prison was the absence of crematoriums, possibly a bit more food to eat and access to medical care. The harsh weather and the prison mafia was enough to help control the prison population.

The story tells of Cilka’s life at the Vorkuta, sprinkled with flashbacks to her life in Auschwitz. In spite of the harsh conditions, Cilka manages to thrive and develop meaningful relationships while in the prison.

Readers should be sure not to miss the author’s note at the end of the story. Morris explains how the story came into being and gives some details about Cilka’s life beyond leaving the prison.

An unforgettable story and one not to miss!

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.

Thanks Heather Morris and NetGalley for the advanced copy!

My rating for this book is between 4 and 5 stars. First of all, you do not have to have read The Tattooist of Auschwitz prior to this book. Cilka, the main character, is best friends with a main character in the other book but you're able to understand and enjoy this book as a stand alone.

From the very beginning, you are thrown in the injustice that is Cilka's life. I enjoyed how it gave us glimpses to "the other place -Auschwitz-" so we could understand what she has been thru and what makes her who she is now. It's well balance between the awfulness of the situation and what make life worth living. I would definitely recommend this book.

I was introduced to Cilka in The Tattooist of Auschwitz, and was eager to learn more about her. It was so sad that not only was she forced as a young girl to be taken from her home and made a sex slave., only to be “freed” then found guilty of collaboration with the Nazis. She was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor in Siberia. She endured extreme cold weather and terrible conditions, yet she remained positive and helped others in her barracks. She fell in love at the camp and after they were freed they married. It’s sad she was never able to have children as she loved them. The abuse of these prisoners is horrible, st times it was hard to read. Morris explains the background and how her research and conversations with Lale (The Tattooist) led her to write Cilka’s journey.

I feel this book is important to read,,that we may fully understand what happened to these innocent people.

Wow. Another equally impressive novel by Heather Morris. I couldn’t remember many details from the first novel but bits and pieces came back over the course of reading about Cilka. Her journey is a true testament to the amazing strength of the human spirit. The horrors she suffered through are beyond my own words, thankfully Heather Morris has taken that on.

I appreciate the extensive research that went into the writing of this novel.

It’s a painful read, but hard to put down. It evokes such strong emotion.

This follow up to The Tattooist of Auschwitz can be read as a standalone. This tells the aftermath of WWII, and what happened to the survivors who were "released" from concentration camps, but still seen as enemies of the Soviet Russian state.

I loved the Tattooist of Auschwitz! I was so excited when I saw that we got to learn more about Cilka. While it had its very dark, depressing moments- you also see that good people will always exist.

Cilka’s Journey is what happens AFTER Auschwitz. Cilka is sentenced to hard labor for simply doing what needed to be done to survive “the other place”. This is is her fight to survive. To grow. To help others. To remind us-
Good will always win!

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I think i actually like this one better than the first. I am still upset that people had to go through this torture. This book didn't seem as graphic as the first one did. The characters were all well developed however i would have given a little bit more information on Cilka and her journey from the beginning. She was resourceful, kind, and always looking our for those that couldn't help themselves. I liked that she was always trying to help others no matter what department she was in. I will recommend this to my friends and appreciate getting the chance to read this.

After reading and loving The Tattooist of Auschwitz last year, I was so eager to read Cilka’s Journey. Her story is beyond tragic, and it was heartbreaking to follow her journey and learn about what she continued to endure even after she was “freed” from Auschwitz-Birkenau.

The most poignant parts of this book, for me, were the survivor’s guilt and shame that Cilka battled despite her hardships. Yes, I was deeply impacted by the torture that she faced; but as if enduring that was not hard enough, I felt that Morris truly captured the complex emotions of survival.

I really enjoyed the format for the book, alternating between the present day and flashbacks to her time at Auschwitz-Birkenau. It felt very human, to live chronologically but be triggered by current experiences to memories of the past. This was a quick, easy read; but my one critique would be that the writing came across a bit too simple at times. Overall, really enjoyed this book and learned so much about the Soviet gulag system during the Stalin era.