The Ruins in Which We Bleed

World War II Historical Fiction #3

By Steven N. Lee

Author’s Website: stevenleebooks.com

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra                   

Summary:

Following the Nazi invasion of Poland, 13-year-old Helena is imprisoned in the Warsaw ghetto, a squalid hellhole rife with disease and starvation. Yet, although the Nazis have destroyed her home, her life, and her future, they haven’t destroyed the only thing that truly matters — her family. Helena might be just a child, but she’s a fighter, and she’ll do whatever it takes to help her loved ones.

Making sacrifices no child should ever have to make, seeing horrors no child should ever have to see, Helena bravely battles on as her world crumbles amid random killings, slave labor, and deportations. And through it all, her compassion helps to protect her family. But then the Nazis unleash new horrors.

With the ghetto a raging sea of flames, explosions, and gunfire, Helena runs for her life only to hurtle straight into an unimaginable hell from which there seems no escape. And the Nazis are closing in. Can her love for her family give her the strength to survive?

Inspired by a heartbreaking true story of unbelievable courage, resilience, and the strength of the human spirit, The Ruins in Which We Bleed reveals that, even in the darkest of times, one person can make a difference through the greatest power of all — love. (Goodreads)

Review:

The Ruins in Which We Bleed is a poignant story of one thirteen-year-old girl’s drive to survive during the Nazi invasion of Poland. I have not read any previous books in this series or any other book written by Steven N. Lee but I can say without a doubt is that I shall go back and read the other two books in this series.

The novel is essentially written in two time periods -> beginning in 1943 Poland where the reader is introduced to sixteen-year-old Helena. We are then moving back and forth between 1939 and 1943 and learning of all the events that impact the lives of Helena and everyone around her.

I found the descriptions of life and the hardships the family had to endure in the Ghetto vivid, so much so, that I felt transported to that time and location. As family members passed or disappeared, Helena and her mother continued to fight for their lives and their family. The struggles were gut wrenching.

To quote another reviewer as I could not have said it better myself… “…The author sensitively portrays the physical, emotional and psychological impact of the horrors Helena experiences and witnesses. I was moved by her attachment to Sparkles and Mati amid the devastation around her. The author beautifully captures Helena’s love for her family, her courage and her resilience in the face of much adversity.”

Sparkles and Mati, a cat and a mouse respectively, were vital (from my perspective) for Helene’s survival. Her love for all animals and her drive to see that they survived these atrocities that were occurring all around them moved me. They also played a vital role in Helena’s survival as well.

I also obtained the author’s “The Story Behind the Story”, which provided more of an in-depth perspective of the people, places and the varied events that occurred during this time period and provided the impetus for this book. A must read in my opinion.

All I can say is “wow”. What a story. What a life Helena led. A very emotional read. The author did a great job in bringing the emotional journey out in the writing so that this reader was very much impacted by the horrors that Helena had to live through. If nothing else, I am now more inclined than ever to read the other books in this series. Stories detailing the horrific treatment of people during the war need to be written and read – we must never forget. We must also hope that our humanity never stoops to such a low level again!