I have read many, many books about the Holocaust over the years, both fiction and nonfiction. It never fails to horrify me how brutally and unjustly Jews, and others, were treated. I think it is important, though, to continue being horrified and disgusted. Those emotions help ensure that the Holocaust will never be forgotten, especially when more and more people are trying to claim the Holocaust was a hoax (I literally have no words for those people...)

This nonfiction narrative tells the very detailed, very well researched story of the first Jewish transport to Auschwitz, which was made up of 999 young women. I had not heard this story before and found it truly incredible that several of the women managed to survive 3+ years in that Hell. Their story is not a pretty one. It is full of facts, which tend to be even more horrific than fiction, and a deep, resonating sadness. Somehow, the author was able to weave a ribbon of resilience and hope into the story and helped make the women highlighted truly come to life. This book will be one that sticks with me forever.

I didn't like the beginning much. It was very hard to follow and all over the place. The names of the 50 different girls throughout the book are hard to follow too. Hard to follow aside, it is a very eye opening book about the Holocaust. I knew the people there suffered, but I didn't know what the Jews were told at first to get them to come or all the specific horrors or work details people went through. This is a heavy read, as you might expect. I'm going to have to read something fun and lighthearted after this one.

3.5 stars, rounded up. Incredibly interesting (and horrifying) subject matter, with first-hand accounts from survivors of the first transport of women to Auschwitz. Would have been 5 stars, but the book suffered from poor editing (words smooshed together, awkward sentences, there was a ¬ symbol right in the middle of a word...), and some of the author's attempts at interjecting (her) emotions into the book between the well-researched sections and interviews just didn't sit quite right.

Emotional. That's the one word I would use to describe "999: The Extraordinary Young Women of the First Official Jewish Transport to Auschwitz". Heather Dune Macadam paints a very realistic picture of the lives of these women, based on extensive interviews. Books like this are invaluable.

One thing Macadam does extremely well is making sure her narration is as accurate as possible. It's extremely evident the time and research that went into writing this book. Repeatedly it is noted which things might have been true or which things were foggy in the memories of the survivors. This adds a layer of authenticity to the text that draws readers closer to the subject matter and makes it more personal.

Books like this can tend to be dense and full of despair. Macadams does good work on keeping the story moving, so no one aspect can be overly dwelt upon, but also nothing is overlooked or made to seem less important. The sheer number of subjects within the text makes the story move quickly from girl to girl and story to story. Also, the book has a relatable feeling. Young women with dreams and futures is something most readers can relate to. Leaning into this feeling carries the story like nature of the narrative.

Overall, this book was so good! Macadam takes serious subject matter and presents it in the most interesting way possible: giving names and faces to victims. Macadam makes readers take a moment to truly care and remember and reflect. This book is a must read.

Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the ARC of this book.

Incredibly human, it tells the experience of those women. It is a testimony of the stduggle of too many people that never returned from the camps and of those lucky people that returned. They are lucky because they survived but what life can wait people that have experienced hell on earth? The book opens the question and offers some answers, thanks to the beautiful writing of this historical account.

This was an unpleasant but important read. I’m still deep in my emotions about this book, but safe to say I would recommend this book!