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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
Sadly this was a DNF… I absolutely love the first 2 books in this series and even when I was not reading, I would catch myself thinking about Tatiana and Alexander and the struggles they faced as well as their romance. I feel like this should have just been a Duology not a trilogy. The parts of this book that I did read were actually quite boring and felt like so much filler. This book is so long for no reason. I’m confused???? I could try to push through, but after reading many more reviews agreeing with my thoughts, I rather just DNF it now and pretend this series was a duology.
Teniendo en cuenta que El jinete de bronce y Tatiana y Alexander me gustaron muchísimo, ¿cómo iba yo a negarme a leer el final de una trilogía con unos protagonistas que me encantaban y escrito por una autora cuyo estilo me tenía enamorada? Pues bien, aunque parezca imposible, la autora ha despertado mis instintos asesinos con este libro. Ha convertido a Shura en un machista prepotente y abusivo, mientras que Tatiana ha pasado a ser una mujer sumisa, así que no es de extrañar que en más de una ocasión me sintiera tentada a tirar el libro por la ventana. Y lo digo muy en serio.
Solo hay cuatro cosas salvables en este libro: el estilo de la autora, los interludios sobre Tatiana, un par de capítulos muy intensos donde el romance es lo de menos y el epílogo. Entiendo que una guerra cambia a las personas, pero hay actitudes de ambos que para mí son imperdonables, sobre todo por parte de Alexander. Es precisamente el comportamiento abusivo de este último lo que ha hecho que odiara la novela. No entiendo cómo la autora ha podido destrozar de esta manera a los protagonistas. Habría sido mejor que la historia se quedara en una bilogía, sobre todo teniendo en cuenta que el final de Tatiana y Alexander fue completamente cerrado. En fin, me quedaré con el buen recuerdo de los dos primeros libros e intentaré olvidar que he leído esta aberración de libro.
Solo hay cuatro cosas salvables en este libro: el estilo de la autora, los interludios sobre Tatiana, un par de capítulos muy intensos donde el romance es lo de menos y el epílogo. Entiendo que una guerra cambia a las personas, pero hay actitudes de ambos que para mí son imperdonables, sobre todo por parte de Alexander. Es precisamente el comportamiento abusivo de este último lo que ha hecho que odiara la novela. No entiendo cómo la autora ha podido destrozar de esta manera a los protagonistas. Habría sido mejor que la historia se quedara en una bilogía, sobre todo teniendo en cuenta que el final de Tatiana y Alexander fue completamente cerrado. En fin, me quedaré con el buen recuerdo de los dos primeros libros e intentaré olvidar que he leído esta aberración de libro.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Omg this was so cute! probably the most detailed and happy ending I have read.
After reading The Bronze Horseman and it’s sequel Tatiana and Alexander, I fell for the romance between the two main characters and the historical aspect of Russia during World Word II. I liked learning about the Soviet point of view during the war, and how different life is for those under Communist regime- and how our characters fought for their freedom together. So when I learned this was a trilogy, I had to get my hands on the last novel. It took me FOREVER to get to it, but finally I have learned what becomes of Alexander and Tatiana.
In The Summer Garden, Tatiana and Alexander are finally safe in the United States post-war. They have escaped war torn Europe and the couple just needs to learn to live with their memories of the past.For Alexander, the difficulty lies with hiding his status as a captain in the Red Army during a time when a modern day witch hunt was happening for Communist sympathizers in the US. Being a soldier is all he knows, so searching for a new job that fulfills him is also bruising to his recovery. Tatiana also struggles with accepting the changes in her husband, with his torture scars, forced prison tattoos, and urgency for privacy with her despite needing to care for their son. Doing the best they can, the fight to reinforce their love and family bond.
While traveling the states looking for a place to ‘return to normal’, Tatiana conceals her real agenda of hiding Alexander from the US government. The man who helped secure their refugee status needs Alexander to meet with a panel that will secure Alexander’s citizenship, but Tatiana is afraid that they will take him from her and their son, and she cannot bear to lose him again. Unknowingly, this digs them deeper into trouble and makes them look extremely guilty of conspiracy with Russia. When Alexander finds out the truth, he immediately turns himself in against Tatiana’s wishes. It’s a nail-biting hearing, and I found the recap of Alexander’s time as a soldier and POW absolutely harrowing.
From there, Alexander and Tatiana must decide- where are they going to call home? Where are they going to raise their son? Will they ever be able to let go of their life in Russia?
At over 700 pages, there is a lot to cover in this novel that would give away the ending, but I will say that there is plenty of steamy love scenes, fast paced action, reminiscing of years before the war, and so much emotional heartache as we follow the love and life of Alexander and Tatiana. After reading the trilogy, I don’t think anyone could not love their larger than life story. I cried SO MANY TIMES… total emotional wreckage… but when an author gives you a couple as strong as these two, you can’t help but become emotionally involved too.
Simons yet again blows me away with her writing, and so I wanted to share a few lines that I adored:
“Deda nodded again. “And what did I tell you to do to unmuddle? Whenever you’re unsure of yourself, whenever you’re in doubt, ask yourself three questions. What do you believe in? What do you hope for? But most important, ask yourself, what do you love?” His arm was around her. “And when you answer, Tania, you will know who you are. And more important– if you ask this question of the people around you, you will know who they are too.”
I love a novel that gives you great life advice from the family patriarch, and I love the relationship Tatiana had with her grandfather. He certainly reminds me of my grandpa.
“Harold Barrington saying to a young Alexander, “We’re going to the Soviet Union because I want it to make you into the man you are meant to be.” And it did.
And Alexander Barrington saying to a young Anthony, “You decided what kind of man you want to grow up to be.” And he did.”
This reminiscent thought from Alexander, just prior to his son leaving for Vietnam, absolutely broke my heart. Their father/son relationship is so beautifully portrayed.
““Babe, how can I die,” he whispered, “when you have poured your immortal blood into me?”“
My heart damn near exploded at this point. Tatiana saved Alexander by giving him a blood transfusion straight from her own veins while he was on the verge of death at a point in the war. Years later, when he finds himself in the hospital and his wife distraught by his beside, this is what he says to comfort her. Cue melting swoon and waves of relief.
Obviously, I cannot recommend this novel, this trilogy, enough- especially for historical fiction and romance buffs. It has easily knocked a clear path to a spot on my all-time favorites list, and I can’t thank Simons enough for giving this love story to her readers.
In The Summer Garden, Tatiana and Alexander are finally safe in the United States post-war. They have escaped war torn Europe and the couple just needs to learn to live with their memories of the past.For Alexander, the difficulty lies with hiding his status as a captain in the Red Army during a time when a modern day witch hunt was happening for Communist sympathizers in the US. Being a soldier is all he knows, so searching for a new job that fulfills him is also bruising to his recovery. Tatiana also struggles with accepting the changes in her husband, with his torture scars, forced prison tattoos, and urgency for privacy with her despite needing to care for their son. Doing the best they can, the fight to reinforce their love and family bond.
While traveling the states looking for a place to ‘return to normal’, Tatiana conceals her real agenda of hiding Alexander from the US government. The man who helped secure their refugee status needs Alexander to meet with a panel that will secure Alexander’s citizenship, but Tatiana is afraid that they will take him from her and their son, and she cannot bear to lose him again. Unknowingly, this digs them deeper into trouble and makes them look extremely guilty of conspiracy with Russia. When Alexander finds out the truth, he immediately turns himself in against Tatiana’s wishes. It’s a nail-biting hearing, and I found the recap of Alexander’s time as a soldier and POW absolutely harrowing.
From there, Alexander and Tatiana must decide- where are they going to call home? Where are they going to raise their son? Will they ever be able to let go of their life in Russia?
At over 700 pages, there is a lot to cover in this novel that would give away the ending, but I will say that there is plenty of steamy love scenes, fast paced action, reminiscing of years before the war, and so much emotional heartache as we follow the love and life of Alexander and Tatiana. After reading the trilogy, I don’t think anyone could not love their larger than life story. I cried SO MANY TIMES… total emotional wreckage… but when an author gives you a couple as strong as these two, you can’t help but become emotionally involved too.
Simons yet again blows me away with her writing, and so I wanted to share a few lines that I adored:
“Deda nodded again. “And what did I tell you to do to unmuddle? Whenever you’re unsure of yourself, whenever you’re in doubt, ask yourself three questions. What do you believe in? What do you hope for? But most important, ask yourself, what do you love?” His arm was around her. “And when you answer, Tania, you will know who you are. And more important– if you ask this question of the people around you, you will know who they are too.”
I love a novel that gives you great life advice from the family patriarch, and I love the relationship Tatiana had with her grandfather. He certainly reminds me of my grandpa.
“Harold Barrington saying to a young Alexander, “We’re going to the Soviet Union because I want it to make you into the man you are meant to be.” And it did.
And Alexander Barrington saying to a young Anthony, “You decided what kind of man you want to grow up to be.” And he did.”
This reminiscent thought from Alexander, just prior to his son leaving for Vietnam, absolutely broke my heart. Their father/son relationship is so beautifully portrayed.
““Babe, how can I die,” he whispered, “when you have poured your immortal blood into me?”“
My heart damn near exploded at this point. Tatiana saved Alexander by giving him a blood transfusion straight from her own veins while he was on the verge of death at a point in the war. Years later, when he finds himself in the hospital and his wife distraught by his beside, this is what he says to comfort her. Cue melting swoon and waves of relief.
Obviously, I cannot recommend this novel, this trilogy, enough- especially for historical fiction and romance buffs. It has easily knocked a clear path to a spot on my all-time favorites list, and I can’t thank Simons enough for giving this love story to her readers.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
Questa storia ti distrugge in mille pezzi, poi ti lo rimette a posto. Questa storia fa capire che forse, l'amore e quello che può legare due persone per la vita, esista davvero. Ho pianto una pagina si e uno no durante le ultime 30 pagine. Tatiana e Alexander mi mancheranno come non avrei neanche immaginato. Avranno sempre un pezzetto del mio cuore ❤️
The first part of this book wasn't as good as the second half. I really enjoyed it. I found myself hating Alexander as I couldn't believe some of the ways that he treating Tatiana. Worth a read!