Well, what can I say that will do this book justice.

Interesting, humbling, eye-opening, frightening but above all, full of hope.

The first story is a bit dry and confusing, but it does set the scene as to how the war started and how it was for the people of Ukraine. I really want to do more for the country.

Like I said, nothing I say can do it justice, so read it for yourself.

Heartbreaking, touching, so many emotional and raw stories from Ukraine , it’s a hard read and is not one you an read in one sitting. I suggest reading a story or two at a time, bringing tissues too as you will need a lot of them. What I loved though was the hope that shines through these lives lived, not stories. Amazing strength from an amazing people

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy in return for an honest opinion

The book gives us different people’s stories of what it was like in Ukraine when the war started.

The stories in this book were heartbreaking and you could feel the fear between the pages.
It is very sad but also hopeful.
A must read book.

Imagine it’s the middle of winter you three small children sleeping and all of a sudden you hear bombs and life as we knew it is over. Instead of getting up and going to work you’re gathering your children to go stand in line at a border for days waiting for help while your husband stays back and fights with the hometown army or being a 15-year-old boy having dreams that are violently interrupted by rushes bombs and instead of warring about the girl you have a crush on your biggest worry is living or dying. This is what happened to hundreds of Ukrainian citizens. It is something most of us cannot imagine and that is why I was curious to read this book I wish that was more I could do then just send money but sometimes that’s the best we can do this is such a sad situation and having read many books on why Russia did this and who’s fault it was in the end it’s still a relevant to these people and their lives being disrupted no matter who is to blame it’s not going to change the circumstances. This is such a good book just make sure you have tissues available and you may want to take breaks in between chapters. It really is a sad but hopeful book. It’s one thing to hear something in an abstract way but to hear direct stories from the victim themselves is something totally different . Kudos to the author for doing such a great job and giving your voice to these victims or what I like to think of a survivors I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher that I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

It’s fascinating to read about the ways people react and adapt, and how war works in our modern society where we all have access to the internet. Propaganda is spread in both directions, and people become consumed by watching the news while others avoid it entirely, not wanting to affect their mental health, adopting the principal, “ignorance is bliss.” While horrible atrocities are being committed, everyone bands together against the common enemy and shows a kindness to each other that you would never see normally.
The beginning of this book is a bit dry as it reads like a history textbook, but it provides some much needed context for the rest of the story, especially if it is read years in the future when the war is over and no longer frequently talked and posted about.
The professor’s story needed better translation and editing as it was near-incomprehensible at times, but the other stories were heartbreaking and engaging snapshots of how quickly and dramatically war changes life. There’s around fifteen to twenty personal stories from Ukraine survivors, a variety of perspectives which when put together, paint a comprehensive image of life in Ukraine before and during the war.
If you want to donate to support the cause, there is a guide on legitimate donation sources, which is helpful as many you see on social media are duplicitous. I hope this dreadful war ends soon and I’m glad these stories are being told.