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sylviep's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
eisbecherovka's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-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
4.25
tfpeel's review against another edition
5.0
Giusto un pochino sotto le cinque stelle perché la prima parte è un tantino ripetitiva ma datemi il seguito
vale_leah's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
Anche questa serie spin off è una meraviglia. Tal Bauer si riconferma un autore veramente valido.
Anche questa serie spin off è una meraviglia. Tal Bauer si riconferma un autore veramente valido.
sonialusiveira's review against another edition
4.0
3,5 stars.
Sergey and Sasha was another favourite couple of mine in the Executive Office series but somehow I've only get to read about them now. From the EO series we know Sasha went through so many traumatising situations in the military that create demons inside him so in Ascendent, we got to see him fight those demons and how it affected his relationship with Sergey. Referencing Kilaqqi and Siberia, it has got a bit of a fantasy or paranormal touch that surprisingly fits the story so well. Sergey's team still hasn't found Moroshkin and his gang of rebels so I'm looking forward to the chase in the sequel.
Even though I really love the plot overall, I can't help but feel like the narratives/monologues were unnecessarily long and a bit frustrating at times.
Sergey and Sasha was another favourite couple of mine in the Executive Office series but somehow I've only get to read about them now. From the EO series we know Sasha went through so many traumatising situations in the military that create demons inside him so in Ascendent, we got to see him fight those demons and how it affected his relationship with Sergey. Referencing Kilaqqi and Siberia, it has got a bit of a fantasy or paranormal touch that surprisingly fits the story so well. Sergey's team still hasn't found Moroshkin and his gang of rebels so I'm looking forward to the chase in the sequel.
Even though I really love the plot overall, I can't help but feel like the narratives/monologues were unnecessarily long and a bit frustrating at times.
bookswithjen's review against another edition
5.0
My heart hurt for sasha sooo much his trauma his self hate, sergey was so understanding their love is so beautiful i cried when they finally were back together.
es_biomed's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
imagine being so in love you start quoting Tolstoy
queenoftheshadows's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I wish I liked this book more than I did. I've thoroughly enjoyed every other Tal Bauer book I've read but this one just didn't really do it for me.
There wasn't really much of a plot and what little there was seemed a bit forced. I didn't know what to think of Sasha's soul searching, and the 'reindeer juice'. I just don't think it really fit with the established world from the previous series.
I also think this book could have benefited from being a bit longer with maybe some more exploration of the characters' relationship and trauma rather than most of their problems being fixed by Sasha's soul journey. Some more in depth exploration of the political situation would also have been interesting, although we did get little bits and pieces of that.
The prose itself is very poetic and beautiful. Bauer as always has a real knack for very vivid and gorgeous descriptions of scenery. Another thing that also came across very well was the emotional connection between Sasha and Sergey. In true Tal Bauer fashion, their feelings for each other are described so well that I can really feel their love and yearning for one another. There is never really a question for me about how and why they're in love.
Overall, I wouldn't necessarily say this was bad, I just expected more based on my previous experiences with this author's work.
There wasn't really much of a plot and what little there was seemed a bit forced. I didn't know what to think of Sasha's soul searching, and the 'reindeer juice'. I just don't think it really fit with the established world from the previous series.
I also think this book could have benefited from being a bit longer with maybe some more exploration of the characters' relationship and trauma rather than most of their problems being fixed by Sasha's soul journey. Some more in depth exploration of the political situation would also have been interesting, although we did get little bits and pieces of that.
The prose itself is very poetic and beautiful. Bauer as always has a real knack for very vivid and gorgeous descriptions of scenery. Another thing that also came across very well was the emotional connection between Sasha and Sergey. In true Tal Bauer fashion, their feelings for each other are described so well that I can really feel their love and yearning for one another. There is never really a question for me about how and why they're in love.
Overall, I wouldn't necessarily say this was bad, I just expected more based on my previous experiences with this author's work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Homophobia
Moderate: Violence and Sexual violence
Minor: Medical content
gwhg's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
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
3.0
What I was expecting in this book that I got: rebuilding in post coup Russia, lots of Sergey and Sasha, more of Sasha’s POV and his past, Sergey being the MVP for this year in books.
What I was not expecting in this book that I got:Sasha’s spiritual healing, sexual (?) healing, a psychedelic ceremony, and just all of the trauma for Sasha. That one scene where Sasha is recalling his first kiss on the ice… I’m not crying, you’re crying.
What I was not expecting in this book that I got:
layla87's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
Loooooved this book!
Sasha and Sergey stole my heart.
From the time we met them in EO, Sasha had been a force to be reckoned with, but he was also damaged and vulnerable and hurt.
His journey to overcome his soul sickness, his internalised homophobia, to heal and to love Sergey was heartbreakingly powerful.
Sergey was always there, his love wrapped around Sasha.
What a beautiful book
Loooooved this book!
Sasha and Sergey stole my heart.
From the time we met them in EO, Sasha had been a force to be reckoned with, but he was also damaged and vulnerable and hurt.
His journey to overcome his soul sickness, his internalised homophobia, to heal and to love Sergey was heartbreakingly powerful.
Sergey was always there, his love wrapped around Sasha.
What a beautiful book