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.