A Hope at the End of the World

I learnt so much from this book. I thought all Polish were taken to concentration camps and the majority died. I didn't nothing anything about Iran and New Zealand. Thanks Sarah for an educational read and a wonderful story.

This involves characters from Sarah Lark's New Zealand trilogy, but really is about a forgotten aspect of the Second World War. Indigenous Polish people transported to Siberia and internment camps and then taken first to freedom in Iran. Then for 700 lucky children the chance of a new life in New Zealand. Kiward station and the familiar characters play their part, but it really the very relevant plight of refugees that catch one's imagination. A fascinating read for that aspect, a little heavy at times with no glossary of the Maori words, but a good read shedding light on something new. As always Sarah Lark delivers.

Well on first reading this book It was a change from myUsual reading .of other war stories. It was so different andEnjoyed it a lot when Helena was separated from her sisterAnd Went to New Zealand. The story opened up thereAnd the cultures of the Mouri tribes .And how they wereTreated. To think it was there country before we went thereAnd we eventually took over them. But they should beTreated better than they were treated. It was there countryTo begin with. But hope now in this day and age that weLive they are treated much better. .at last. Enjoyed the bookVery much .good story line .Glad Helena 's life got betterFor her .And she went on to learn about the cultures ofThe country she now lived in with James and her Daughter.This book was very good Interesting very satisfying &Different..Thank you Sarah Lark .

A moving story about a young girls journey which started in Poland and ended in New Zealand. The characters are made up and highlight the trauma of being a refugee and the consequence of abuse. The historical setting is the occupation of Poland, a camp in Iran and the Maori culture in New Zealand.I had difficulty in following family relationships and pronunciation of Maori terms. It does have a fairy tale element with a near faultless prince charming.

I found the storyline hard to believe, although the author redeemed herself somewhat in the afterword when she explained her research into the actual plight of the Polish orphans, their transportation to New Zealand and subsequent resettlement there. The references to the Maori history and culture were very interesting as New Zealand was a bucket trip for me a year ago. That was the only motivation that took me to the end of the book.

I really enjoyed this book but felt it was reprising the earlier trilogy quite a bit.

Having read other books by the same author, I found this one a little simpler in content, hence the 4*, although I did enjoy it. Fine if you like romance mixed with a little bit of history.

Enjoyed it did tie some ends up but not as good as the previous books