Sisters of Night and Fog

A WWII Novel

By: Erika Robuck

Narrated by: Caroline Hewitt

Length: 16 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

Named a Most Anticipated Book of 2022 by BuzzFeed · BookBub · BookTrib · and more!

Two women, two countries. Nothing in common but a call to fight.

A heart-stopping new novel based on the extraordinary true stories of an American socialite and a British secret agent whose stunning acts of courage collide in the darkest hours of World War II.

1940. In a world newly burning with war, and in spite of her American family’s wishes, Virginia d’Albert-Lake decides to stay in occupied France with her French husband. She’s sure that if they keep their heads down, they’ll survive. But is surviving enough?

Nineteen-year-old Violette Szabo has seen the Nazis’ evil up close and is desperate to fight them. But when she meets the man who’ll change her life only for tragedy to strike, Violette’s adrift. Until she enters the radar of Britain’s secret war organization - the Special Operations Executive - and a new fire is lit in her as she decides just how much she’s willing to risk to enlist.

As Virginia and Violette navigate resistance, their clandestine deeds come to a staggering halt when they are brought together at Ravensbrück concentration camp.

The decisions they make will change their lives, and the world, forever.

©2022 Erika Robuck (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Violette and Virginia are two women whose stories needed to be told, particularly now that most of the people who fought in WWII are gone. Robuck has done their memory great honor." —BookPage (starred review)

"Following her triumph The Invisible Woman, Erika Robuck returns with an even more powerful book. Inspired by true stories, this incredible book tells of American Virginia and Violette, each swept up in the current of World War II and forced to choose whether to risk everything for the things in which she believes. Their lives collide in powerful and irrevocable ways that will hold readers spellbound… Sisters of Night and Fog stands head and shoulders above for its meticulous research, heart pounding storytelling, compelling relationships and important message. Bravo!" —Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Woman with the Blue Star

"A novel of duty, sacrifice, fate, and hope, set in a world steeped in courage and madness. Searing, powerful, and told through the lens of two overlooked historical figures who gave up nearly everything to fight against tyranny in one of the 20th century’s darkest hours, Erika Robuck's Sisters of Night and Fog soars. Two women—connected at the outset by fate, chance and little else—hurtle toward a tragic date with destiny in the infamous Ravensbruck Concentration Camp, where prisoners are starved and tortured, and not all will make it out alive. Based very closely on the true stories of two incredible 20th century women in the shadows, who risked their lives to save others, this novel, devastating in its truth and power, will break your heart and stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page." —Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost Names and The Forest of Vanishing Stars

A Tale of Heroes

loved it. An excellent story of women who bravely battled Nazi occupiers in France

vwey wngaging

It was well written and how the 2 main characters stories come together is seamless. I love the authors note at the end to give all the true details. I laughed, cried and felt hopeful joy!

mesmerizing

beautiful, that's all I can say. the characters came to life for me. I walked longer each day, so I could keep listening.

Riveting Story

This was an excellent depiction of the bravery of women who served as spies during World War II.

Excellent story

While difficult to read some of the detail about how the prisoners were treated in Ravensbrueck and other concentration camps, the story was excellent. I wept a couple of times reading the story thinking about man’s inhumanity to man. I appreciated the authors notes at the end authenticating a lot of the story. It was obviously a work of fiction but based a great deal on fact. How are you I hate you good girl. I will look for more of Erica Robuck’s novels in the future.

Gripping story of courage by two amazing women in WWII

These two women, Violette and Vivian who served in the War effort in different ways and ended up being captured and enprisoned in together, first in Paris and then in Ravensbrück, the infamous Women’s Camp. Well written, and brought to life in Audio Book format, which I listened to while traveling to and from the VA medical clinic and hospital located 4 hours round trip from my rural home. This is the second novel about WWII that I have read and in between, I have studied that particular Death Camp in the non-fiction genre. The women who survived truly were courageous, as were the women who perished after a miserable end to their lives. I was riveted the entire time I listened to this story. Highly recommend!

the strength and perseverance of the woman

loved that this story was based on real historical events. reader was good, story did not quite end as expected

Sisters of night and Fog

Excellent story and well told. I enjoyed it very much,sad at times,but those were sad times to be living in.

Unbelievable story

I love to read WW2 novels, especially ones that feature strong female characters. This book is a wonderful account of many amazing women that rose against the nazis in their own way. I would highly recommend this novel.

Enjoyed it

This is a bit of a sleeper win for me. It was entertaining. While the story itself isn’t earth shatteringly original, the characters are well developed and it highlights a very human side of WWII. It’s a little slow to start, but the writing is well done. I also enjoyed the narration, but agree that Violet’s parts were a bit awkward. That said, it’s a choice and it did make it easier to identify which character was being narrated.