Reviews

O Grande Amor da Minha Vida by Paullina Simons

kelliern's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

illyanadallas222's review against another edition

5.0

In all honesty, I had the highest of expectations when going into reading this series. The overwhelming internet support raving how “this book changed my life” and “is the best book/series ever written” or even how “this book got me through chemotherapy and survive” (No kidding, I read that) almost led me to resent it a bit. How great can a book series truly be?

salgalruns's review against another edition

3.0

Maybe a little higher than a 3-star, but it read in a very young adult kind of way for me and I'm not sure why. You definitely have an element of historical fiction rolled into a young romantic storyline.

Tatitana and Alexander are destined to be together. That's not really a spoiler, you can pretty much tell from the moment they lock eyes across a creme brulee ice cream. However, they couldn't have picked a worse time. Hitler has invaded the Soviet Union and everything about war - the rations, the starvation, the war, and death in general surrounds every bit of their life. Yet...you have to believe in that whole "destiny" thing, which you do.

Even though it's history, you DO find yourself sort of cheering for the young couple, no matter how many obstacles they face. Ridiculous number of obstacles, mind you. As a result, the suspension of disbelief is a little high. Likeable book - and for me, a pretty fast read, even with a boatload of pages.

crafti_kate's review against another edition

5.0

I fell in love with the magical feel of this book from the first few pages, I could not put it down. Though heartbreaking at times (I cried many a time during reading) the story is gripping and pulls at your heart strings every moment. The trials and excruciating pleasure and pain that Tatiana and Alexander go through are awesome to behold, as are the devastating effects of the war on the people of The Soviet Union. An immersive and beautiful read for anyone who believes that love really can conquer all.

inessova's review against another edition

2.0

If I had to pick one word to describe this book, it would be cold

I have so many issues with The bronze and the horseman, I don't know where to begin.

I bought the trilogy back in May 2015 and was waiting for the right time to read it and immerse myself into this beautiful epic love story. but what a deception I got.

Let's start with the good things about this book, because they aren't that many:

- The historical frame : the second world war II , in Russia: I loved how we got to see Leningrad blockade and its effects on how people lived there.

- The protagonist's character development: Tatiana changed so much from the innocent seventeen year old on June 1941 to the strong young woman she become one year later. Life didn't go easy on her, but she faced it courageously.

Now let's talk about the love story between Tatia and Shura. I didn't think it was epic, it was just a love story with a lot of problems

My elements for a great unforgettable romance is the way the two characters love, defend, protect each other from other people and from themselves, they would never hurt one another willingly. They would face the world together and they would trust in each other's strength.

Spoiler

Sure enough, Alexander defended Tatiana at times, but later in the book, he hurt her in anger, and from that moment I couldn't care less about what happened to them. I skimmed through the last 100 pages. MAJOR SPOILERS HERE, even when he was thought dead, I didn't care.

And last but not least, the other characters in the books were written so poorly , I wished them to die many times while reading. They were that useless. They were just there to be a "problem" for Tatiana and Alexander Grand Love Story. I am so happy that book is finished. I don't think I would be able to read the 2nd or 3rd books.

Spoiler

And spoilers say , Alexander gets worse, so No thank you.

cateconut's review against another edition

5.0

O Cavaleiro de Bronze é um dos meus livros favoritos. Eu sou uma enorme fã de História e um dos meus temas preferidos é a II Guerra Mundial, é algo que me fascina e me faz sempre procurar por mais. Decidi aventurar-me por um livro com esse mesmo tema e encantei-me. Acho que mesmo que a história fosse horrível eu ficaria encantada na mesma, apenas por abordar a II Guerra Mundial.
Apesar das mais de 500 páginas, li mais de metade do mesmo numa tarde. Dei por mim com um aperto no coração e as lágrimas nos olhos à medida que a guerra deflagrava e as vidas de milhares de inocentes eram arrancadas. Dei por mim a agradecer a Deus por tudo aquilo que eu tenho. Li afincadamente até chegar às 200 últimas páginas que me causaram alguns problemazinhos. Fiquei mais preguiçosa, mas acabei o livro passado muito pouco tempo.
Aconselho vivamente!

moonlightmadness's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad 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? N/A

4.5

Definitely reading next book in trilogy. I felt like second half of this book was written by a different person. I still liked it but that felt odd.

hlflosser's review against another edition

5.0

I had mixed emotions as I was reading only because she makes your mind think this are true people. As I would read my emotions went from mad to sad to laughing. The time I was not reading it I just keep thinking of them. I do wish it wasn't such a long book but once your into it it passes quickly. I would give it 4 1/2 stars ✨

illusie's review against another edition

4.0

This is a beautiful story about doomed love during the 2nd world war. This was a page turner for me, so hard to put down this book. I love the characters and can't wait what happens in the next book

laura_mayfair's review against another edition

3.0

Loved the history here; I'm curious to see how the characters develop in subsequent books.