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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
While the story was likely an interesting one, the writing of it was not, not least because the denouement made no sense.
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I listened to this book and found myself often distracted. I might like the book better if I had read a hard copy.
A young girl lives happily in Moscow with her family – including her eccentric mother who tells fairy tales and collects lifelike porcelain dolls. Everything is fine, until one night…
Its been a decade and after studying at Oxford University Rosie has everything she wants – a loving fiancé, a promising future, but all she wants is to understand and bury the past. When her mother dies she returns to Russia to try to figure out her mother’s folklore. What she uncovers is a devastating family history.
This story is told from three generations with two timelines. I found the jumping from timeline to timeline a bit jarring and confusing in this one. It wasn’t as seamless as I appreciate. I did enjoy the mystery element. The story was very intriguing. I can’t remember the last book I read specifically about Russia, so this was a nice change of pace. It was quite entertaining but because of the confusion I didn’t enjoy it as much as I’d have liked.
This one is out now so make sure to grab a copy!
Its been a decade and after studying at Oxford University Rosie has everything she wants – a loving fiancé, a promising future, but all she wants is to understand and bury the past. When her mother dies she returns to Russia to try to figure out her mother’s folklore. What she uncovers is a devastating family history.
This story is told from three generations with two timelines. I found the jumping from timeline to timeline a bit jarring and confusing in this one. It wasn’t as seamless as I appreciate. I did enjoy the mystery element. The story was very intriguing. I can’t remember the last book I read specifically about Russia, so this was a nice change of pace. It was quite entertaining but because of the confusion I didn’t enjoy it as much as I’d have liked.
This one is out now so make sure to grab a copy!
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Russia has had that aura of socialism and communism my whole life. That so far away from our democracy. I remember Gorbachev, yep I’m old. 😂
This book really hit those feelings for me in the 1990s timeline. There is an air of mystery as Rosie goes to Russia to answer her pending questions about the past.
It’s an epic saga of two women living through hardships in Russia 75 years apart. The two women’s lives are intricately woven together in this compelling story.
It’s part mystery, folklore, and a wonderful blend of history and fiction. I liked both storylines equally which is rare for me.
Rosie and Tonya’s stories will stay with me.
This book really hit those feelings for me in the 1990s timeline. There is an air of mystery as Rosie goes to Russia to answer her pending questions about the past.
It’s an epic saga of two women living through hardships in Russia 75 years apart. The two women’s lives are intricately woven together in this compelling story.
It’s part mystery, folklore, and a wonderful blend of history and fiction. I liked both storylines equally which is rare for me.
Rosie and Tonya’s stories will stay with me.
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
It was a lovely book but it was so slow to get me super into it, and I was confused by the names vs nicknames for a bit. Over all, quite a nice story!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a dual-timeline historical fiction set mostly in Russia.
In 1991, Rosie (Raisa) is engaged to be married. She takes care of her mother in London.
But…
When her mother dies suddenly and leaves her a key…
She also leaves her a mystery.
So…
Rosie decides to get a job in Russia, hoping this key will answer questions her mother never provided her while she was alive.
In 1915, Antonia (Tonya) is trapped in a loveless marriage as the Bolshevik revolution is beginning.
This story takes readers through the 1917 Revolution, the Russian Civil War, Stalin’s purges, and the siege of Leningrad during WWII which educates readers on the history of Russia.
Through a multi-generational plot and use of fairytales and porcelain dolls, the story begins to unfold. Taking us through the two different timelines and POV’s.
Although the historical premise was interesting...
Unfortunately…
There were a couple of plot holes regarding the mystery that felt a bit convoluted.
And thus…
The story could have used a bit more polishing. 3.5 stars.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes