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catbooklover's review
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
2.0
2/5
I found it to be ok, nothing that really ended up making me excited.
I found it to be ok, nothing that really ended up making me excited.
fountain_ken's review
2.0
An important story to be told... just not for me took me way too long to realize that this was an unreliable narrator that I wasn't supposed to root for LOL. Love triangle was weird, and I just didn't jibe with the MC or the pacing. Also, I feel like people believed the MC too easily.
hsteel's review against another edition
Very dark for intended audience. Cannibalism and sexual assault.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
dblue236's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Trigger warning: Insinuated sexual assault, war, cannibalism.
This book was incredibly written, but at times it was almost too painful to continue reading. I think that was what the author was going for, so I do not mean that in any sort of detrimental way; I just think it's important for readers to be aware of it going in. There were times it was borderline brutal, but it beautifully illustrated the importance of being educated about this period of history and doing our best to make sure it never happens again. I'm thankful it was a fast read, and I definitely won't forget it any time soon.
This book was incredibly written, but at times it was almost too painful to continue reading. I think that was what the author was going for, so I do not mean that in any sort of detrimental way; I just think it's important for readers to be aware of it going in. There were times it was borderline brutal, but it beautifully illustrated the importance of being educated about this period of history and doing our best to make sure it never happens again. I'm thankful it was a fast read, and I definitely won't forget it any time soon.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Violence, and War
Minor: Sexual violence, Rape, and Sexual assault
wombat_88's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
booknerd315's review
2.0
Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I really struggled with this story and it didn't help that I had put it down, picked it up, and put it back down again. The writing style is easy to follow and would appeal to all ages but I think I struggled with the plot.
This story seemed to focus solely on finding a side character (Aka) when we learn very little about her story plus Liza's. I requested this book because it seemed similar to what I would read regarding historical fiction. However, it felt that the siege was just a quick mention and not shown to me as a reader.
Perfect for: readers looking to try historical fiction, young adults, Russian history
I really struggled with this story and it didn't help that I had put it down, picked it up, and put it back down again. The writing style is easy to follow and would appeal to all ages but I think I struggled with the plot.
This story seemed to focus solely on finding a side character (Aka) when we learn very little about her story plus Liza's. I requested this book because it seemed similar to what I would read regarding historical fiction. However, it felt that the siege was just a quick mention and not shown to me as a reader.
Perfect for: readers looking to try historical fiction, young adults, Russian history
vklover's review
3.0
I wanted to like this book. I started to actually. But there were too many loose ends. And my goodness was the main character the most frustrating girl I've ever seen. I imagine this time made many people desperate. But Liza was selfish and honestly kind of stupid? She didn't make a single decent choice the entire novel. And what about Luka? And Katya? What happens to them? Who knows. I guess Liza ends up with Maksim? I was kinda of disappointed by the book...