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cecereads__'s review against another edition
4.5
It is mostly a story about friendship between two girls who grow up together, and their love for each other is special and intense but in the way of exploring who they are and the curiosity that drives that desire.
I really enjoyed it and they were so authentic and real and sincere and discouraged and defeated and fierce and flawed and there was a sense of contentment while a strong desire to dream and hope for a different life - beyond the Iron Curtain.
There is an author’s note at the end of the book that lets the reader know how personal it is and how her own life inspired this piece of historical fiction.
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol
ventellina's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Rape, Sexual content, Abortion, and Pregnancy
marissab's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death, Grief, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Abortion, War, and Classism
Minor: Emotional abuse, Infertility, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Blood, Cannibalism, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
bookbelle5_17's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
By: Kristina Gorcheva-Newberry
I’m not as familiar with Russia and its history having only dipped into Russian literature and learning from others who know more. This was a hard read as this is one of the darker times in Russia, or before Russia became Russia and was considered the Soviet Union. Anya and Milka are growing up during this time going to school and experiencing the first flush of young love. This foursome barely understands what is happening to their home and are just trying to get by as they grow up, but it is a trying time
I wouldn’t call this a fun read, but it was riveting story and I always feared for Anya and her friends, as well as her parents. It was an enlightening read telling me about what happened to the Soviet Union in a fictional way. I felt connected to Anya, though I couldn’t relate to her life experiences. I have led a privileged and free life in America while Anya lives in a government-controlled country where she doesn’t have as many choices. I understand her confusion and anger about her life. Lopatin is my least favorite character as I find his arrogance and ignorance frustrating. He is one of those privileged types who doesn’t acknowledge and rather bury his head in the sand. I adored Trifonov and Milka is a tragic figure in the story. The writing is lovely with poetic pros that makes this a beautiful, though tragic, story to read. It was also cool that they were fans of Queen one of the few things that’s not from Russia they get access too.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Cursing, Incest, Rape, Sexual content, Suicide, Abortion, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
srm's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Death and Abortion
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Rape, Violence, Blood, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Cursing, Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and War
sjanke2's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Incest, Infertility, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, and Alcohol