My Enemy's Cradle

My Enemy's Cradle by Sara Young


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
What I liked: This story had an original plot involving a side of WWII that few people hear about. The author used lovely images, sometimes startling details, to tell the story. In some places it was easy to fall into scenes.

What I didn't like: In several scenes I felt that the author was telling the story, not allowing it to exist in my head. I felt unemotionally attached to the characters. The book lacked a climactic build to some crucial scenes.

Final thoughts: An enjoyable story. I look forward to seeing what else this author writes. I think that as she grows as an author her stories and style will only get better.

Recommended by Kathy

Published: January 2008

Synopsis: Cyrla's neighbors have begun to whisper. Her cousin, Anneke, is pregnant and has passed the rigorous exams for admission to the Lebensborn, a maternity home for girls carrying German babies. But Anneke's soldier has disappeared, and Lebensborn babies are only ever released to their father's custody— or taken away.

A note is left under the mat. Someone knows that Cyrla, sent from Poland years before for safekeeping with her Dutch relatives, is Jewish. The Nazis are imposing more and more restrictions; she won't be safe there for long.

And then in the space of an afternoon, life falls apart. Cyrla must choose between certain discovery in her cousin's home and taking Anneke's place in the Lebensborn—Cyrla and Anneke are nearly identical. If she takes refuge in the enemy's lair, can Cyrla fool the doctors, nurses, guards, and other mothers-to-be? Can she escape before they discover she is not who she claims?"

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Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum
Diplomat's Wife by Pam Jenoff
The Kommandant's Girl by Pam Jenoff
Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian