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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
Really enjoyed this story of two estranged sisters finding there way back together with the twists of spies and communist Russia.
This is one of those books that I enjoyed, but don’t have anything to say about.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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:
Complicated
This engrossing historical novel jumps between the 1950s, when Ruth learns that her estranged twin sister Iris may be in trouble, and Rome in 1940, when Iris first meets her future husband, diplomat Sasha Digby. Vivid characters and a dash of romance make this tale of spycraft and sisterhood a memorable and fast-paced read.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was a great story, the writing’s good, and I was glad to learn more about this particular slice of history. There are a few places toward the end of the book that didn’t provide enough detail to make the plot feel totally complete, but that didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment of the book.
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked this one, though I thought at times some of it was confusing and unresolved. For me, there was a bit too much left hanging at the end and I wasn't sure I really cared for the main characters. 3.5 stars rounded up.
This book was very slow to build without an identifiable climax. Some of the plot was superfluous and unnecessary. I found myself researching many details of the historical context, which made the book more of a chore to read. I skimmed the last 100 pages (really really skimmed) because by part 3 I was completely uninterested. It could be an intriguing and exciting history to tell, however Beatrice Williams did not prevail. I have yet to read other books by Williams and I wish I started somewhere else. I am not sure if I’ll venture into another story she’s written.
Absolutely loved it 4 1/2 stars. Loved the historical element and the story was great.
“Bravery is woven from all kinds of different fabric” (424).
The Cold War, espionage, estranged sisters: this book has it all—all of these different loose threads that end up tightly knitted together. It’s a dual timeline story between the 1940s and 1950s where the suspense built around the convergence of these two timelines is superb. Typically, with dual timeline styles, there’s usually one I’m more interested in. But not this one—I was equally engaged in both timelines, equally engaged with all characters. It’s completely captivating, reaching a perfect crescendo.
The Cold War, espionage, estranged sisters: this book has it all—all of these different loose threads that end up tightly knitted together. It’s a dual timeline story between the 1940s and 1950s where the suspense built around the convergence of these two timelines is superb. Typically, with dual timeline styles, there’s usually one I’m more interested in. But not this one—I was equally engaged in both timelines, equally engaged with all characters. It’s completely captivating, reaching a perfect crescendo.