IRIS DORBIAN

From Amazon:
J. F.

5.0 out of 5 stars A wake-up call that we should all acknowledge

Reviewed August 7, 2025

Reading An Epiphany in Lilacs was like sharing someone’s unforgettable and disturbing nightmare. I was continuously stunned by the descriptions of trauma, starvation, and near-death encounters. At such a young age, poor Daniel experienced a troubling journey from being forcibly tossed overboard, navigating through corpses at the camp, and losing nearly every family member, but I couldn’t look away. Each page left me with a lingering ache and a deep sense of responsibility to witness these events.

The novel presented the realities of the Holocaust without avoiding its harsh details. Through Daniel’s recollections, dreams, and self-discovery, it showed that survival does not necessarily bring an end to hardship. At times, he was portrayed with little vitality, while at other times, he appeared more vibrant. This recurring contrast highlighted the psychological effects of such experiences, which may sometimes be overlooked during accounts of someone else’s tragedy.

Beyond personal tragedy, the book is a powerful reminder that governments and societies must acknowledge, not disguise, past and current atrocities. As hate and intolerance resurface across the globe, Daniel’s story calls on us to remember what happens when silence replaces accountability.

PRAISE/PRESS COVERAGE/REVIEWS For An Epiphany in Lilacs (3rd ed., Sunbury Press/Milford House Press, published July 2025)

From Amazon
Laura A.
5.0 out of 5 stars A powerful and impactful young adult protagonist

Reviewed on August 8, 2025

World War II is such a fascinating time in our global history, and a horrifically inspiring event for many an artist to draw upon when crafting stories. Iris Dorbian does a mesmerizing job telling the story of a young Daniel, who survives the concentration camps and must cope with the aftermath of so much loss internally and externally. His story of attempting to finding his family--and the good in others--is profoundly moving and tragically still relevant in today's world. The author expertly stirs every sense within their reader. The words are haunting, and ultimately, hopeful, despite such grief.

I would be remiss to not recommend this book to any educator to include in their curriculum, if the subject matter fits within your wheelhouse. Poetic and heart-gripping, this is the type of read that will impact lives for the better as it touches upon something we are forgetting about more and more -- our shared humanity.

From Amazon/Goodreads
Meghan Soderholm
5.0 out of 5 stars A Haunting and Hopeful Post-War Journey

Reviewed on August 6, 2025

An Epiphany in Lilacs by Iris Dorbian is a powerful, emotionally rich novel set in a displaced persons camp outside Hamburg after World War II. The story follows 14-year-old Daniel, a Latvian Jewish survivor of multiple concentration camps, as he recovers from the physical and emotional horrors of the Holocaust. Dorbian paints a vivid, compassionate portrait of a traumatized boy navigating loss, nightmares, and uncertainty, while clinging to fragments of hope through nature, memory, and unexpected friendships. Daniel’s bond with an older German gentile survivor is especially poignant, offering a glimpse into healing and reconciliation. The author’s lyrical prose and sensitive storytelling make this a standout in historical fiction. As Daniel joins a theater troupe and searches for his missing family, readers witness a gradual and deeply moving transformation. An Epiphany in Lilacs is a beautifully told coming-of-age story rooted in tragedy but blooming with resilience and quiet courage.