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impatientprincess's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book left me with a few questions like
- Why did they change their name
- Why did Gina become and alcoholic
kiwikazz's review against another edition
4.0
Better than Children of Liberty but very frustrating at times! Probably more like a 3 1/2 stars.
It is a good story and continues on from Children of Liberty so you already know the characters....but I found it hard to like one of them at the beginning and at the end of the book. Worth the read.
It is a good story and continues on from Children of Liberty so you already know the characters....but I found it hard to like one of them at the beginning and at the end of the book. Worth the read.
miss_murphy's review against another edition
5.0
Me faltan palabras. Me faltan palabras en el sentido de que podría pasarme horas y horas hablando sobre este libro (como bien sabe mi familia, mis amigos, mis compañeros de trabajo y cualquier persona que haya estado en un radio de tres metros de mí en la última semana) y jamás podría hacerle justicia a todo el significado que hay detrás de estas páginas. Lo más devastador de la historia de Harry y Gina es que siempre lo tuvieron todo a favor y acabaron cavando su propia tumba por ir buscando algo que era imposible, mientras que Alexander siempre lo tuvo todo en contra y logró salir adelante aprendiendo por las malas de los errores de sus padres. Es un retrato de la vida misma, del amor, de la fe, de las convicciones, de la obsesión, de la maternidad, de la historia, del cambio, del perdón... de los momentos buenos y de las cosas que no aprovechamos y no valoramos, de las malas y de las desgracias que traemos sobre nosotros mismos... todo contado de una forma tan magistral y con unos personajes tan vivos que no parece posible que sea ficción. Este libro me ha frustrado, me ha hecho llorar, me ha hecho gritar y me ha roto el corazón. Y creo que lo más importante que consigue el libro es convertirse en la historia de Gina. No solo como la madre de Alexander, sino mucho más. Esta es Gina la inmigrante italiana, la costurera emprendedora, la piadosa católica, la gran señora de Boston, la hija, la hermana, la amiga, la amante y, sí, también la madre. Todas las partes de ella están aquí y son suyas propias, igual que las de Tatiana en El jinete de bronce. Ella es la piedra angular de la historia y es tan cercana que me ha tenido todo el último veinte por ciento llorando y llorando y llorando y volviendo a llorar.
Y con esto ya acabo todos los libros de la serie. Ha pasado más de un año desde que los empecé y creo que jamás los podré superar. Definitivamente han sido la experiencia lectora más impactante de mi vida
Y con esto ya acabo todos los libros de la serie. Ha pasado más de un año desde que los empecé y creo que jamás los podré superar. Definitivamente han sido la experiencia lectora más impactante de mi vida
jennfgarcia's review against another edition
5.0
When I agreed to review this book I had no idea it was a companion to a book (The Bronze Horseman) I had wanted to read. Bellagrand can be read without reading the others, but I imagine it would be so much better with more of the story.
This story was incredibly sad, heart wrenchingly sad. The words, the realities, the people and their stupid beliefs and decisions, and the pain... Paullina has a way with words and she pulled feelings from me that I didn't know what to do with. She made me hate the characters in the book with such passion that it stayed with me for days. One of the characters could not have been redeemed at all, I hated him the whole time. The heroine was just weak but I did feel bad for her sometimes. I mean, what do you do when you love someone so much that you'd be willing to jeopardize the life of your child to be with your man?
It takes a great author to make a reader feel so much. She brings you into the story so you feel as if you are the characters and their pain, happiness, and downfalls are yours. It's amazing. This author is one I'll continue to read, and when I have time, I want to read all of her books.
I recommend this book to anyone that love historicals, love, hate, strong feelings, politics, and stupid heroes.
This story was incredibly sad, heart wrenchingly sad. The words, the realities, the people and their stupid beliefs and decisions, and the pain... Paullina has a way with words and she pulled feelings from me that I didn't know what to do with. She made me hate the characters in the book with such passion that it stayed with me for days. One of the characters could not have been redeemed at all, I hated him the whole time. The heroine was just weak but I did feel bad for her sometimes. I mean, what do you do when you love someone so much that you'd be willing to jeopardize the life of your child to be with your man?
It takes a great author to make a reader feel so much. She brings you into the story so you feel as if you are the characters and their pain, happiness, and downfalls are yours. It's amazing. This author is one I'll continue to read, and when I have time, I want to read all of her books.
I recommend this book to anyone that love historicals, love, hate, strong feelings, politics, and stupid heroes.
stephaniemarie's review against another edition
4.0
Alexander is everything. And I loathe his parents more than ever. So, this book essentially didn't tell me anything I didn't already know.
I did enjoy reading about Alexander's young life before Russia, and the writing style was beautiful as always-- even while I wanted to throttle Harry and Gina (which is always).
It kills me a little that I can't hate Harry and Gina as much as I want to, because without their selfish, ridiculous actions, there would be no Tatiana and Alexander so...
I don't think I have much more to say about this book to write a proper review. If you're a Bronze Horseman fan, read it. It provides so much insight into Alexander's family, but it is nothing short of infuriating.
I did enjoy reading about Alexander's young life before Russia, and the writing style was beautiful as always-- even while I wanted to throttle Harry and Gina (which is always).
It kills me a little that I can't hate Harry and Gina as much as I want to, because without their selfish, ridiculous actions, there would be no Tatiana and Alexander so...
I don't think I have much more to say about this book to write a proper review. If you're a Bronze Horseman fan, read it. It provides so much insight into Alexander's family, but it is nothing short of infuriating.
elligraydee's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this so much but at the same time despised it because I had such hate for Harold Barrington. He ruined the lives of everyone around him.
Seriously, with 100 pages to go, I didn't want to continue because I had so much hatred for him. At the same time, Gina broke my heart and I wish she hadn't kept following hers.
I know, I know, then we wouldn't have Alexander and Tatiana. But Ben should've been her forever.
Seriously, with 100 pages to go, I didn't want to continue because I had so much hatred for him. At the same time, Gina broke my heart and I wish she hadn't kept following hers.
I know, I know, then we wouldn't have Alexander and Tatiana. But Ben should've been her forever.
marryallthepeople's review against another edition
1.0
Oh man I normally LOVE her books but I struggled through the first part of this book before giving up. Might pick it up later when I'm in a different mood!
dajaf's review against another edition
5.0
Tahle knížka mě naplňuje smutkem. Autorka zase ukázala bezmocnost člověka vůči lásce která je tak velká, že mu na konci nic nezůstane. Šťastná Gina/Jane znovu padá na kolena a nechá se vést Harrym...až na dno zoufalství. Proč to všechno dělá? Protože je to její život, její láska, její osud. Proč se nezachránila? Protože se Harry vzdal všeho co měl - svého majetku, postavení, rodiny a vybral si ji. A tak si i ona vybírá jeho...v dobrém i zlém.
margreads's review against another edition
3.0
I read The Bronze Horseman in 1 night, Bridge to the Holy Cross the next night. This one took me 3 weeks which tells me all I need to know in terms of how engaging this book is.