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currentlyreading_'s review against another edition
5.0
A refreshing read if you're tired of the typical romance book.
banannie_18's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
carolrinke's review against another edition
4.0
The summary says it's a romance novel in Russia circa WWII. There are 3 books plus a prequel. This is book 1. Someone recommended it to Bonni. Honestly, I was annoyed by the plot/character choices involving Alexander & Tatiana "sublimating" their love to "protect" Tatiana's sister who was also in love with Alexander. In spite of how much I hated that concept, I still really enjoyed the "read". The author wrote about place, time and circumstance so well that I can put myself into that time and place and live alongside the characters. I have a visceral sensation about what it was like to live on 5th and Soviet in a communal apartment with few rations and no water. The image of slopping buckets of water up the stairway while you fall on the ice that has instantly formed on the steps from all the other sloshed buckets. My description cannot depict fully what the author told perfectly. This is what I love in a book, she helped me to live and experience intimately what I did not know before.
devansbooklife's review against another edition
5.0
What a deeply moving story. I had heard so many good things about this book and yet I was hesitant to start. It did not disappoint. I loved the build up between characters. I loved the tragic history brought to life before my eyes. What a humbling love story. My only complaint is that I cannot continue this story. I was unfortunate enough to know what is involved in the next books, and I cannot move past this book. I wish I could go back in time and somehow erase the information I stumbled upon, it tarnished my view of these characters. So for now I will try my best to remember them as they were.
faerie_smutprincess69's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
suzysuzy34's review against another edition
5.0
5+++++++++++++ What an EPIC, romantic saga I have just had the pleasure of reading, this story has wanted to rip my heart out and put it back together.
My god I have just loved every minute reading this story, it took a while for Alexander and Tatianna to finally find there way to each other and there is a very good reason, but OMG when they do, it just blew me away, their connection and love was just felt by me so strongly, like they are soul mates, destined to be with each other. The Lazerazo scenes were just worth waiting for.
Leningrad - how real did this feel, the sledge scene Tatianna nearly at deaths door, had me crying. Hilter was so very cruel - we've seen documentaries and we have learned history at school about Leningrad, but OMG to feel it for real was heartbreaking, shattering my soul.
I cannot get over how much I have loved this book, this will not only be my favourite book for this year, but it beats all other books I have EVER read in my life.
Im pleased to say that their journey isn't over, and I'm now going to go and purchase Tatianna and Alexander. The third book in this trilogy is The Summer garden. The bronze horseman is £1.99 on Amazon for 800 pages of pure epic romance.
Oh and Alexander is one hot alpha, and beats Christian Grey hands down.
Tatiannas grandfathers words of wisdom..... There will only be one standard, the standard of survival at all cost and it will be up to you to say at what prize survival. Hold your head high, and if you're going to go down, go down knowing you have not comprised in any way your soul.....
Alexander gives Tatianna a nickname to call him in the book, which is Shura, which I was like, what?? But I looked it up and it's Russian for Alexander, just thought I would add that.
My god I have just loved every minute reading this story, it took a while for Alexander and Tatianna to finally find there way to each other and there is a very good reason, but OMG when they do, it just blew me away, their connection and love was just felt by me so strongly, like they are soul mates, destined to be with each other. The Lazerazo scenes were just worth waiting for.
Leningrad - how real did this feel, the sledge scene Tatianna nearly at deaths door, had me crying. Hilter was so very cruel - we've seen documentaries and we have learned history at school about Leningrad, but OMG to feel it for real was heartbreaking, shattering my soul.
I cannot get over how much I have loved this book, this will not only be my favourite book for this year, but it beats all other books I have EVER read in my life.
Im pleased to say that their journey isn't over, and I'm now going to go and purchase Tatianna and Alexander. The third book in this trilogy is The Summer garden. The bronze horseman is £1.99 on Amazon for 800 pages of pure epic romance.
Oh and Alexander is one hot alpha, and beats Christian Grey hands down.
Tatiannas grandfathers words of wisdom..... There will only be one standard, the standard of survival at all cost and it will be up to you to say at what prize survival. Hold your head high, and if you're going to go down, go down knowing you have not comprised in any way your soul.....
Alexander gives Tatianna a nickname to call him in the book, which is Shura, which I was like, what?? But I looked it up and it's Russian for Alexander, just thought I would add that.
ettuladyblue's review against another edition
1.0
I can't believe I read the whole thing. Great writing, idiot characters doing idiot things. The central conflict(romantically not WWII) is so asinine, it had me yelling by page 50 or so?
Everyone isn't even good at being self serving. How you fail at being selfish I'll never understand.
The early erotic scenes are a bit cringey but it gets somewhat better? Now if the characters were likable.
This quickly became a skim book for me as I tried to understand the hype. Ultimately not my jam but if you adore historical epic romances you'll probably enjoy.
Everyone isn't even good at being self serving. How you fail at being selfish I'll never understand.
The early erotic scenes are a bit cringey but it gets somewhat better? Now if the characters were likable.
This quickly became a skim book for me as I tried to understand the hype. Ultimately not my jam but if you adore historical epic romances you'll probably enjoy.
giuliboni's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
oleanderp1nk's review against another edition
3.0
What I think....
I give that book 3 stars because I loved the start of the book but the ending was so boring and dragging that I didn't manage the finish it.
The start and center of the book, the war and work and little drama was amazing and written well but Tatjana (main character) was so boring and just ahhh.. it just made me mad.
When they run away from the war and married it all started to drag and I wasn't capable to finish it.
maybe later in the future
I give that book 3 stars because I loved the start of the book but the ending was so boring and dragging that I didn't manage the finish it.
The start and center of the book, the war and work and little drama was amazing and written well but Tatjana (main character) was so boring and just ahhh.. it just made me mad.
When they run away from the war and married it all started to drag and I wasn't capable to finish it.
maybe later in the future