This is the first in a planned three book series. Three young girls, with very different backgrounds, make a pact to be blood sisters for life. But life and circumstances will challenge their pact. The book ended with a major cliffhanger and had me wanting more, so I am anxiously awaiting book 2.




Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Select and Storm Publishing

"The Pact" by Roberta Kagan is the first of her books in the Blood Sisters trilogy. The other two books are out now, so have no fear of reading this and being left hanging for long. I listened to the audiobook, excellently narrated by Imogen Church.

This book is historical fiction set in Vienna, Austria, in the 1930s. This is about four young girls who make a blood pact to be sisters. One of them, Dagna, blackmails the others to be included, and she is quite a troublemaker. Anna is a Jewish girl from a wealthy family. The other three are Christian, but from low income families. The mother of Elica is the maid for Anna's family. Bernie is a tomboy, and she is very close with Elica.

This story covers the coming of age time of the girls in the dawning of the Nazi regime. There are class struggles, race issues, boy trouble, betrayal, and love.

Characters - 5/5
Writing - 4/5
Plot - 5/5
Pacing - 5/5
Unputdownability - 4/5
Enjoyment - 5/5
Narration - 5/5
Cover - 5/5

I really enjoyed this book. It was my first read of Roberta Kagan's books. I highly recommend this one to people who like historical fiction.

Thank you to Netgalley, Dreamscape Select, Storm Publishing, and author Roberta Kagan for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoy novels that take place during or around the time of World War I and II, so I was hoping to like this book more than I did. The plot sounded interesting and I was excited to read it but struggled to keep the characters in order. Aside from the major characteristics you learn from the blurb of the book, there wasn’t anything unique that differentiated them from one another. Their voices all sounded the same. *Advance copy provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Thank You, NetGalley for letting me listen to The Pact by Roberta Kagan.

This is the story of Ana and her friends. Set in the late 1930s and early 1940s, this is about the friendship of a Jewish girl with 2 non-Jewish girls.

I found Ana so naive and unreasonable. But she was very young and often failed to see the situations she put herself into because of her friendship. An emotional coming-of-age story is what this is and definitely one that will get you engrossed and even make you nervous at times.

I think this is supposed to be a series and I'm intrigued to see what happens next.

Definitely worth a read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I truly enjoyed this book a ton. It had intense conflicts, characters that you either loved or hated and an incredibly captivating storyline . I can’t wait to read the next in the series

An emotional story that follows the lives of four girls, Anna, Elica, Bernie, and Dagna. When Anna, Eliza, and Bernie decide to become blood sisters for life, they believe that nothing will come between them. Anna is from a well of Jewish family that lives in Austria, meanwhile, Elica and Bernie come from poor Austrian families that can barely make ends meet. Eventually, as the girls grow older, their social differences become all too real for all of them.

I enjoyed this story. it set just on the brink of Nazi Germany spreading into Austria. It was interesting to see how things influenced the girl's relationships as they got older. I liked Anna and Bernie, who seemed to be the shining beacon of this story. Anna was nice, and understanding, and despite her class differences, she loved Elica as a sister. Bernie was also a loyal and wonderful friend, especially to Anna. Bernie did not care that Anna came from a Jewish family and was perhaps the most faithful friend and ally that Anna had.

Elica and Dagna were hard to like. Dagna was a disgusting character who wouldn't stop being downright nasty to Anna and it was a shame to see that Elica continued to allow that kind of behavior, despite Anna's continued loyalty. Elica ends up being nothing but a giant hypocrite as the story continues to unfold and it made me angry that Anna continued to be so understanding despite everything that Elica did and allowed to happen.

The writing was good. The story kept me hooked and interested, despite my frustration with some of the girls. It ended on a slight cliffhanger that takes us into book 2, which I hope to get into soon.

The Pact AUDIO by Roberta Kagan starts as a pleasant story of childhood friendships and follows the growth of these four girls from little girls to their teenage years. Elica was the daughter of Anna’s family’s maid and so when they were small they were natural playmates. As they grew they became closer, even after a not-nice girl named Dagna forced her way into their sisterhood. As they grew, things became different. Anna was Jewish and Dagna hated Jews, which was the political line these days. At first, Elica and Bernie didn’t care, but Elica proved to be a follower and echoed Dagna when it was expedient. Elica grew to be beautiful and a little promiscuous but none of that mattered to their friendship. Anna befriended a nice Jewish boy named Daniel, whom she had met at the library. Their relationship grew until Daniel touted his Socialist beliefs when meeting Anna’s parents so they forced her to end the relationship. It all came to a head when the three girls headed off to Berlin to work for the summer where Hitler was firmly enscounced. Dagna’s hatred raised its head and changes happened that could never be forgotten.

This were well-written and powerful characters, much like girls you may know. The biggest difference was Anna’s wealth and Jewishness and the poverty of the other girls. It could have remained in the background except for one girl who had never learned to contain her jealousy. The girls were distinct personalities and Anna, despite her privilege, remained the one with the best heart. They grew and things became more difficult in Austria, for all of them. Berlin held its challenges but it was a growing experience for them. Kagan writes about this period in history with such insight and empathy. This must weigh on her heart. It was a good listen. Thanks, Roberta Kagan.

Imogene Church is the narrator and does a fine rendition, using a slight German accent, but remains totally listenable. She differentiates between characters using her voice but not turning them into caricatures. It was very well done.

I was invited to listen to The Pact by Dreamscape Select. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #DreamscapeSelect #RobertKagan #InogeneChurch #ThePact

This book was really slow and hard to get into. About the time it picked up, it ended abruptly in a cliffhanger. iPad no idea this is a series. The other books are out, and I may read them, but not a story I feel the need to rush to finish.
Thanks NetGalley for this ARC audiobook.

This is a story about three friends, Elisa, Anna, and Bertie and a follower Gunta. Elisa, Anna, and Bertie become blood sisters. Gunta won't because Anna is Jewish.

The story really surrounds the story of Anna, but it is also a coming of age book of all the girls. From age 8 through high school we see how these girls grow, how they interact with with each other, how their feelings and thoughts of the rise of the Nazi's, and how feelings are hurt. One summer all the girls go to Berlin, which is high with Nazi propoganda, talkings, and the praises of A.H. They all find jobs, but Anna has to disguise as an Arian. Everyone is happy, except Gunta. Who is also one to cause problems. Through life we see their friendships come and go, new romances begin and go, and in the end they do find they are good friends who would do anything for each other.

I am anxious to read the next book now as the ending was a pretty high end.

Thank you to Netgalley, Roberta Kagan, and Storm Publishing for this advanced reader.

I wasn't able to finish this audio since it was granted to me only 2 days before it archived. However, what I was able to hear it was a beautiful narration. I can’t wait to buy a copy of it!

Such a heartwarming story of a group of girlfriend as they navigate such major life events. I loved the story, the narrator, and each and every conflict that developed between the characters. I loved the story from the beginning, as this group of girls became blood sister and navigated separation between class, religion, and culture. This book was so well written that if kept you engaged and wanting more at each page. I look forward to reading more of Roberta Kagan's work, as she is a brilliant storyteller. I loved watching the ups and downs as these girls navigated friendship, jealousy, love, and compassion throughout Kegan's work.
So thankful for being given the opportunity to read The Pact and sending a special thanks to Roberta Kagan, NetGalley, and The Book Whisper publishing for allowing me to read this copy.

If you’re drawn to those breathtaking moments in a story, then ‘The Pact’ is a must-read, serving as the captivating opening act of a thrilling trilogy. Having just completed ‘The Pact’ and eagerly embarking on ‘My Sister’s Betrayal,’ I can confirm the series’ gripping nature. The prologue of ‘The Pact’ immediately hooked me, offering a rare perspective on pre-World War II experiences through the lens of teenage girls. What makes this story stand out is its adept blend of personal drama with the historical backdrop, subtly incorporating the era’s context without overwhelming the narrative. Roberta Kagan’s skillful storytelling kept me glued to the pages, evoking audible reactions to the twists of drama and betrayal. As a history enthusiast, I appreciated how the focus remained on the protagonists while seamlessly integrating historical nuances to enrich the storyline. With its potential to spark engaging discussions, ‘The Pact’ is poised to become a favored selection for book clubs. Kagan’s ability to captivate readers is evident, making her novels essential additions to any bookshelf. Highly recommended for readers of all ages, ‘The Pact’ promises an unforgettable journey through history and intrigue.

The Pact, by Roberta Kagan, follows three girls as they navigate the challenges of growing up in 1930s Austria. Anna, a young well-to-doo Jewish girl, befriends Elica and Bernie, two non-Jewish girls in this captivating coming of age story. Their pact, as blood sisters, becomes a symbol of their unbreakable bond as they face the challenges of growing up in a changing world. The girls' friendship is tested by religious differences and the rising tensions of the time. The story is beautifully written and explores the complexities of love, friendship, and loyalty.

While the narrator may not have been the strongest, the captivating storytelling makes up for it and keeps readers engaged until the very end.

Thank you NetGalley.

The Pact is written by Roberta Kagan about three girls, Anna, Bernie and Elicia that grew up in Vienna during WW2. I was drawn in by this emotional story as they had vowed to be blood sisters, and the challenges they must face as grow older.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for allowing me to listen to this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

The Pact is the story of four friends set in Vienna from 1929-1940. I felt this book's content and writing style was geared more toward middle grade than adult. This was one of the least realistic historical fiction WW2 books I've read, particularly Anna's relationship and naivety with Ulf. However, I enjoy the girls' relationships with each other - watching their friendships grow and change and drift, the jealously, the forgiveness - was relatable. This was a perfectly fine story that ended with a pretty big cliffhanger, and I will likely read the next book to see what happens with these characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for an audio copy in exchange for my honest review.

I did not finish this book because the narrator was hard to listen to. It was just too dramatized for my liking and felt juvenile. I was interested in the story but couldn’t get into it because of the narrator.

I enjoyed this book, although it did take me a little bit to get into. The beginning was super intense, but then the story dragged a little bit, which made it hard to stay engaged. I did enjoy it though. The audio version really added to the story.

The novel is well written and the narrator was really good as well. However the novel was quite slow at times and the dialogue seemed to repeat during some of the conversations.

This is a really good listen- I enjoyed the narrator. If you are a fan of historical fiction, coming of age, WWII era- you will enjoy this story!

Thank you for the ALC for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for allowing me to review this book!

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It immediately pulled you into the story. It lost a little momentum (for me) midway but picked back up towards the end, ending in a cliffhanger.

I enjoyed this perspective as well. Having read numerous WWII era books, I liked hearing more from the growing child’s perspective. The 4 girls with different backgrounds and upbringings made for an interesting combination and I enjoyed how their characters interacted. I am interested to see how the threads of this book continue in book 2!