If you are a fan of Historical fiction, set during WW2 then you will love this book. Magda will surely capture your heart. She was surviving and that was enough.

**a huge thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with an ARC!**

At the dawn of the Second World War, Magda must find a way to survive as the horrors of Nazi Germany make their way through her beloved Czechoslovakia. This book tells the story of loss, and the story of learning how to fight back.

This book was absolutely beautiful. I’ve read several books in this genre—World War II fiction with strong heroines—and while I usually enjoy them, it’s difficult to make one stand out. The Girl from the Mountains stands out. From the very first page, I was drawn in; Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger has an absolutely beautiful writing style that makes her characters come to life.

If there is anything I am an absolute sucker for, it is how the author set up the prologue, It is set a few years into the war, and thus a few years into the story; this is one of my absolute favorite tropes, when properly executed. This book properly executed it, and then some. I was kept on the edge, anxious to see how the story unfolded to get to where the prologue introduced you. When characters mentioned appeared in the book, I was excited and engaged. With such a strong start, there was no way this book wouldn’t be amazing.

More than anything else, I adored how Magda changed throughout this book. Trauma shaped her, and her changes throughout the book were not always for the better. There were times when she was scared or cold or cruel, even as she grew into her role as a resistance fighter. Something about seeing the worst parts of Magda amplified against the backdrop of her circumstances made her feel so achingly human. Early on, she endures some very traumatic events that seemed a bit too glossed over at the time, but as the book progressed, this decision made more sense. The poignancy of this book blew me away and is sure to stick with me. And, of course, the ending made me cry—but I’ll leave it at that, because this isn’t something that should be spoiled.

I keep trying and trying to come up with some meaningful criticism, but I can’t. If you’re interested in historical fiction at all, please read this.

This is the first time that I have read a book by Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger. On the strength of this powerful and disturbing historical novel, it won't be the last.

Right from the start I was drawn into, what becomes an informative fiction which is based on real locations and a frighteningly real period of world history. 

I have given this book five stars because I really like the quality of the narrative and the way in which the characters are developed as the story unfolds. 

The novel follows the experiences of Magda Novak, who is forced to leave her family in order to survive, following the German invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1938. Her story is one of needing to adapt to stay ahead of those hunting for her, as the full reality of the Holocaust unfolds.

I won't go into detail about the plot out of fear of spoiling the story. Suffice to say that I found the book opened my eyes aspects of life in an occupied country, during this catastrophic conflict. 

There are some touching scenes within a story which resoundingly extremely sad.

I will look forward to reading future and past books by This author. 

I give my thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book in exchange for this review.

In 1938, when Magda found a position with Dr Tauber and his wife Ruth, as governess to their daughter, her thoughts strayed often to her family who’d been ousted from their home by the Nazis, as they invaded Czechoslovakia. She hoped her brothers, who’d been forced to join the Wehrmacht, would stay alive; that her parents, the rest of her family, would survive. Magda was happy with the Taubers, but they were Jewish and gradually things changed. The day the Gestapo arrived to remove them from their home, Magda was entrusted with Samuel, the Tauber’s newborn son.

Magda found help and solace with the Resistance and as she continued to work in the Tauber’s home, now with the Nazi family, she risked herself over and over. Again, circumstances changed when she was caught, and her life on the run from the Gestapo began. Joining the locals who were with the underground, Magda’s life in the next few years was unfathomable. She was determined to survive – but would she? Could she? She felt the war would never end…

The Girl From the Mountains by Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger was an intriguing and fascinating read. Told from Magda’s point of view, she went from being a naïve young woman who had never been away from her family, to a strong, determined and influential woman. The Resistance and the part they played in the war was the same everywhere – French Resistance is who I’ve mostly read about in the past; set in the mountains and forests of Czechoslovakia, The Girl From the Mountains kept me captivated from beginning to end. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

This story is based on during WWII but instead, it talks about the courageous and brave partisans who fought against the Nazis. Based in Czechoslovakia between 1938 to 1945, Magdalene who is known as Magda goes to work as a sort of governess to a rich Jewish family, the Taubers. However with the Nazis taking over Europe, Taubers due to their Jewish background were sent off to the ghettos. But not before Frau Tauber entrusts their baby son, Samuel into Magda's care. Magda then soon becomes a part of partisans group, rebelling against the Nazis while at the same time her heart aching for Samuel.

This is actually really a powerful and emotional story. What makes this story more special to me was, we know these events did take part in real life--the Nazi brutality, the treatment towards Jews and Partisans and the members of the Partisans willingly sacrifice their own lives to fight against the Nazis. To me, Magda is such a truly inspirational, courageous and brave girl, who is willing to risk her own life to protect her loved ones. This book actually kept me all night and I finished this book with tears in my eyes after I read the ending! It was really good and emotional as well!

This book is a powerful, gripping story and unputdownable that will make you cry and support all those brave and courageous men and women who fought against the Nazis and defeated them. Worth five stars!

Thank You Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC! The review is based on my honest opinion.

This is a book that you will not want to put down, fast paced, intense, and adventures filled with twist and turns. Well written and researched that it captivates you from the beginning, showing that not only were strong women important in this war but what they were able to accomplish with determination and grit. The author Chrystyna Berger does a remarkable job portraying so many emotions and the depth of what these people truly went through, that your heart aches.

From the beginning this book has you drawn in and invested in the main characters.  Amidst the chaos, heartbreak, and despair there is hope and bravery in all forms. Set in WWII Czechoslovakia (Sudetenland) Magda and her family have to give up their family farm to the Germans and relocate. Everything they have ever known is taken away, as they now must fend for themselves. Magda is hired as a nanny to a Jewish family the Taubers. Dr. Tauber and his family although being Jewish, believe that they are an asset to the community and will be safe from the Nazis, as they have been given protection. One day the Gestapo come and arrest the family, Magda manages to save their newborn son but is forced to work for the new German family of the house, Officer Koenig and his nasty wife. She formulates a plan and is determined to help the resistance, she passes on messages, and medical supplies. She is soon caught, she flees into the mountains and escapes the bounty on her head. 

Born with a birthmark on one side of her face that resembles a map of Siberia has always affected her self worth making her insecure and self conscious. Magda finds and embraces herself through every obstacle and hardship she goes through. Finding a new self confidence as she realizes she is capable of more and that she can make a difference as the Nazis move in closer. 

Overall I loved the book but  I did want  more of an ending. I was so invested in the characters that I wanted to know what happened to Walter, her brothers and an epilogue dedicated to Magda living in postwar. I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves historical fiction, strong women or who loves a good story. You will not be disappointed.

Fabulous! I was excited to read this and it didn’t disappoint. The characters are wonderfully written and engage the reader, as does the descriptive writing. I feel like I expanded what I know about the resistance movement in Eastern Europe. I’m grateful to Bookoutre, the author whom I follow on Facebook and Netgalley for a digital copy in exchange for my review. I’ll be sure to share this one with my friends who have similar reading interests.

This is a World War II story about a young girl with no confidence in herself who becomes strong and learns to love herself and others during the tumultuous years of the war.

Magda lives on her family farm with her parents and brothers. She was born with a large birth mark on her cheek and had been made fun of for her entire life so she was shy and reclusive. In 1938, the family's main concern was on the work involved in the farm. As the German army moved closer to Czechoslovakia, the mood darkens for the family. The Germans take their farm and send the two boys to the German Army and Magda is forced from the family home She is hired as a nanny by the Tauber family. Dr Tauber and his family are Jewish but believe that he is an asset to the community and that they will be safe from the Nazis. When the Gestapo arrests them, Magda is able to hide their new born baby who is rescued by the local resistance. After working with the German family who took over the house and being treated poorly, she makes a major mistake and manages to escape before she is arrested. She has a price on her head and spends time moving to new safe houses. With nothing left in her life, she begins to go on missions with the resistance and puts her life on the line. The longer the war goes on, the more reckless she becomes and is totally changed from the shy young woman she was.

This is an excellent book about how important strong women were during the war and what they accomplished. The author did a lot of work on her research and it shows and helps make the story more believable. This is an excellent read for people who enjoy historical fiction about strong women.

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for access to The Girl From the Mountains. I really enjoyed this book. I liked that the characters had strengths and flaws, which I felt made them more relatable. This is one of the few books I have read that took place in the Sudetenland/Czechoslovakia and it was nice to read a story that takes place outside of Poland or France. 
I highly recommend this book to all fans of historical fiction!

Magda’s tenderly told journey captivates from start to finish. Her ability to remain loyal and form strong new relationships despite the trials and tribulations in 1938 in a war-torn village makes for a fast and compelling read. Her strength, bravery, and above all, adaptability in the face of danger and loss makes this a must-read novel. Her story lingers.

First off want to say a big thank to the publisher
Bookouture, the author Chrystyna Lucky-Berger as well as NetGalley for the invite to join the blog tour as well as letting me read and review . Because I'm a big fan of reading historical fiction and books on WW 2 and when its both of them in one story then you have no more to say , but there are somethings that need to be checked off and i've found out in the past that it hard to do .So here is what i like for when it comes to historical fiction WW 2:
List
Author has done his or her research of the time period and is able to make their characters and places come to life.
Make you feel everything that their characters do,
You can see the places their talking about .
So with that said I would definitely say this author has checked off everything in in my list , so if your looking for a book that does that plus so much more then look no further.

THE GIRL FROM THE MOUNTAINS
BY CHRYSTYNA LUCYK-BERGER

World War II with Hitler's regime of hate taking place in Czechoslovakia was certainly a uniquely different setting with this atmospheric and gripping novel that I devoured. It starts off with suspense from the first page and does not let up. This was hard to read at times because of the severe cruelty that mankind can perpetrate on innocent people but in this novel it was particularly vivid.

Magda is forced to leave her own loving family and move in with the Tauber's who are a well off family and given more protection because he is treating the mayor. Mrs. Tauber has a son named Samuel and asks Magna to be his Godmother which she accepts. In the middle of a celebration for Samuel's circumcision the Nazi's break up the party. The Tauber's are driven from their home and Magna hides baby Samuel beneath the floorboards where he is smuggled out by the midwife and hidden.

Magda becomes part of the resistance in the Czech countryside with two of the hired help of the Tauber's. Magda's only desire is to be reconnected with Samuel. Magda has a price on her head and with the help of the former gardener and his girlfriend they hide out and she learns how to take action with the Czech resistance fighters. This was meticulously researched and is a sad but powerful story. I highly recommend it to most fans who love historical fiction and with a slightly less known about part of the disruption brought on to disrupt the Nazi's in Czechoslovakia.

Publication Date: February 3, 2021

Thank you to Net Galley, Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger and Bookouture for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#TheGirlFromtheMountains  #NetGalley

This book is a spectacular reminder that there are multiple perspectives from which to tell the history of WWII. Magda exemplifies so many women whose lives were altered by the circumstances of the war. Lucyk-Berger made an excellent choice in expanding Magda's tale into a full length book. In Magda we see a woman who evolves from being insecure and self-conscious to a woman who realizes and embraces her strengths as she struggles to survive and set right the wrongs caused by the Nazis. The author writes with such aplomb when relating the horrors inflicted on the people living in the area of what is now the Czech Republic. Readers experience the war through Magda's eyes and with that telling, the reader is given the opportunity to see more than just the Germany versus the world perspective. A quick read that is extremely enlightening.

What a story!

The beginning was a bit slow and I almost gave up on this book but I'm glad I didn't.

It's set in Czechoslovakia in WWII and it follows Magda, from her with her family in a small village, to the end of the war.

I've read a lot of stories set in WWII about the resistance, but usually in the western front. This one, set in eastern Europe, was very interesting and had a lot of different things.

Magda starts out as a naive young lady without a lot of experience and the events she goes through shape her personality.

Loved the ending!

I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.

In The Girl from the Mountains, author Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger delivers a beautifully written story of self-discovery, courage, sacrifice, and an indomitable will to survive. Exhaustively researched, this WWII historical novel leaps off the page, detailing the journey of the protagonist, Magda, from a frightened Czechoslovakian farm girl to a dedicated resistance fighter. Populated with well-drawn, believable characters, and filled with edge-of-your-seat moments, The Girl from the Mountains is a gripping story that will stay for you long after you have put it down. Slated for publication February 3, 2021, I highly recommend it as an addition to your TBR list.
Thanks to author Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

“We are shaped by our circumstances, and marked by our choices.”

This is a gritty, powerful, heart-breaking war novel set in what was once known as Bohemia, the German Sudetenland, and Czechoslovakia.  I was enthralled to discover a new area of history that I knew very little about, brought to life with believable characters and hooking me right in with the first menacing, ominous pages.
It’s a story about war that spares no punches – shows us the cruelty and prejudices of Nazi Germany against the courage and determination of the resistance, but not in swashbuckling, derring-do style. Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger paints us a war where “it’s dog eat dog.” It is passionate without being slushy, introducing us to a cast of characters that are flawed but strong, showing us how the human spirit and desire to do right can conquer.  The heroine, Magda, has a distinctive birthmark on her face and she is told: “…birthmark is not an excuse for avoiding risks. It should not be the thing that prevents you from performing acts of courage.” I love that she proceeds with bravery but is fearful (and therefore so identifiable) at the same time. She is truly human even though her lover calls her a “warrior queen”.
I have read other books by this talented author but this is her best so far, in my opinion. The writing flows, the descriptions are original, the world these characters live in was so vivid to me. There are beautiful, clever lines like when the Nazis begin to roll in: “… witness the Germans chalking off the Sudetenland demarcation with their exhaust fumes”. I love the author’s voice: “A crow cawed and grazed the winter sky…”; the menacing lines where Magda is interrogated: “Koenig strode to her, reaching over and crushed the cigar out, leaving a dark bruise in the ashtray…”; “Danger left a funny metallic taste on Magda’s tongue. It stuck to the roof of her mouth, thick and syrupy. Sometimes it made her feel sick…”. Towards the end of the story, when the hunted become the hunters and Magda returns to her birthplace for the first time since the outbreak: “This was what it must have felt like to be dead and to return as a ghost, to be looking in on a life that had gone on without her.”. These are just a few lines that I highlighted and went back to savour again.
My thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read an early copy of this amazing book in return for an unbiased review. I highly recommend this book and give it 5 full fat stars.

This book is fantastic!!! There wasn’t a moment when I wasn’t gripped! 
My heart really aches during some of these chapters. It’s written so well that it is very easy to image what the author is trying to convey. I really love this book and highly recommend people read it. Incredibly gripping!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher for my honest opinion. Thank You.  

The Plot in brief: (no spoilers) Magda's cheek is disfigured by a large birthmark, a map of Siberia she calls it. It marrs not only her face but her perception of herself. She hides her face behind a scarf and buries her self-confidence deep inside herself.
This was a very interesting book. Magda' s journey from a protected childhood at the parental farm, part of her adolescence as a maid where she was loved, and afterwards how she was forced to learn the horrors that wars can cause. A read that I could not put down as I wanted to see how the story would end. This was the first book/story that I have read that was written by Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger. I can not wait to read more by her. Great work

Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger, in her absolutely heartbreaking and gripping historical fiction, ‘The Girl From The Mountains,’ examines how far a person must be pushed to find the courage and strength to defy the enemy. To be published February 3, 2021, this gives readers enough time to check out her Facebook page and blog to become familiar with the historical background, enriching the reading experience. 

Magdalena Novák, a Christian Czechoslovakian girl whose family’s farm has been seized by the Nazis for new German settlers, goes to look for a job in Litoměřice, a neighbouring town. In obvious dire straits, she is taken in by the Taubers, a Sudeten German family living on borrowed time, and serves as a governess for their 6 year old daughter, Eliška When the Gestapo comes to arrest the Jewish family, Magda discovers her own strength and resilience and makes it her mission to save their lives. Asked to safeguard their new son, Samuel, Magda whisks him away for protection by the Resistance and remains in the requisitioned home as a servant to the Nazi commander and his pregnant wife. Risking her life, she shares information with the secret network until one day she is caught and flees to the mountains with a price on her head. It’s here that she joins a group of partisan fighters and earns her nickname, Warrior Queen. With nothing left to lose, she’s willing to lay down her life to save the Taubers and reunite them with Samuel. Will she outrun Obersturmbannführer Koenig or will her trademark betray her?

This story gripped me from the first page and I read it in one sitting! Lucyk-Berger’s masterpiece is spectacular; the first thing readers will notice is the easy reading and descriptive writing. It pulls you in because you can paint a picture in your mind as you read. Don't be fooled, though, this is not junk food fiction nor cookie-cutter retelling. This is a meat and potatoes read; one that nurtures and informs. Next, you’ll notice her well-crafted and multilayered characters. I’ve read many World War Two historical fiction novels recently, but I think Magdalena will stay with me for a long time. I think the reason for this is how adeptly the author gets her readers invested in the characters. Knowing how the protagonist thinks and why she has those thoughts, helps to understand her better. Seeing the duress Magda is put under and how she transforms is exciting as a reader. Setting this story in the Sudetenland makes it unique as it’s not well known to lovers of historical fiction. Reading becomes purposeful as readers are looking to learn more about the circumstances in which the characters find themselves. Many stories set in this time period feature a female protagonist joining the resistance and finding herself pregnant and alone. This was a refreshing story about a young girl forced to dig deep and find the strength and courage to defy the enemy. The tagline reads “not all battles are fought by soldiers,” and Lucyk-Berger successfully enlightens us. 

“I believe the soul can die a thousand times before the body does. That’s a good thing, because it means you have the chance to recover. So today, right now, we must choose to live.”

Thank you to Chrystyne Lucyk-Berger, Bookouture and NetGalley for this 5-star advance copy in exchange for my honest review.