It is 1919 in Siberia. Michal—a young, sheltered girl—has eyes for a man other than her betrothed. For a young girl growing up in a traditional Jewish settlement, an arranged marriage is a fact of life. However, destiny, it seems, has other plans for Michal. When a Cossack pogrom invades her small village, the protected life Michal has grown accustomed to and loves will crumble before her eyes. … eyes. Everything she knows is gone and she is forced to leave her home and embark on a journey to Berlin with the man she thought she wanted.
Michal faces love, loss, and heartache because she is harboring a secret that threatens to destroy her every attempt at happiness. But over the next fourteen tumultuous years, during the peak of the Weimar Republic, she learns she is willing to do anything to have the love she longs for and to protect her family.
However, it is now 1933. Life in Berlin is changing, especially for the Jews. Dark storm clouds are looming on the horizon. Adolf Hitler is about to become the chancellor of Germany, and that will change everything for Michal forever.
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I thought that it ended abruptly. But we all know how the main characters probably ended up. So, to be spared that made me glad. In this case, I’d rather use my imagination.
A welcome addition to Roberta’s other books that I have read. A wonderful read.
This is one if my favorite books. I found it sad and uplifting at the same time.
I loved this series of 3 books and the way it followed the characters lives.
Great story-It drew me in and I felt invested in the lives of the characters.
Michals’Destiny is very hard to put down. The characters touch your heart. They become part of you and you will think about them long after you put the book down.
Easy to follow the characters thru their lives!
I fell in love with the characters in this book. The writing style is superb!
A beautiful tribute to the strength and perseverance of Jewish women.
Fantastic beginning but a let down at the end.
I found this book realistic for the time of the holocaust and before for jewish people.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
A remarkable story about the Jewish people starting in 1919 Russia and going through the start of WWII in Berlin.
Fascinating read that doesn’t always have a happy ending.
Loved this story and the series!
Roberta Kagan’s books are always engaging and hard to put down. There is a lot of historical information presented in a story that is both tragic and inspiring. Her characters are believable and realistic and one can’t help but wonder how we would react given similar circumstances. If you haven’t read this, I heartily recommend it as well as Kagan’s other books. She keeps one of the world’s most heinous tragedies alive so that hopefully it will never happen again.
Didn’t like the ending. I know this is first of a series, but I felt this ending was abrupt with nothing tied up or anticipated. I have read several books by this author but this ending was bizarre.
What a wonderful book. I could not put it down!
It is a story that needs told. Such a tragic life. I know I’m the next book they die . So sad Such a terrible time in history.
Got me reading all four in the series!