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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
The premise of this book drew me in very quickly. It stood out from the many books I had purchased on a sake-buzzed kick. A dozen eggs for a wedding cake during a nazi siege? Sign me up. The novel maintained a great balance between humor and the horrors during the siege. I fell in love with the development of Lev and Koyla’s friendship from beginning to end.
I wasn’t too much of a fan of some of the sex talk every so often. I didn’t quite mind it but, at times, it got to a point where it was a little annoying and excessive. I also wasn’t a big fan of how it ended, which is why my rating is a 4/5 instead of 5/5. Regardless of those two factors, I highly recommend picking this book up. The book itself has a great premise, fantastic characters, and is a quick read.
I wasn’t too much of a fan of some of the sex talk every so often. I didn’t quite mind it but, at times, it got to a point where it was a little annoying and excessive. I also wasn’t a big fan of how it ended, which is why my rating is a 4/5 instead of 5/5. Regardless of those two factors, I highly recommend picking this book up. The book itself has a great premise, fantastic characters, and is a quick read.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-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
Great story, great writing! Would highly recommend as long as you can get past the subject matter (WWII) and the sometimes brutally graphic images. Really enjoyed the comic relief and the characters! As disturbing as it was at times, I kept wanting to continue reading...
David Benioff is a producer and screen writer known for his adaptation of the HBO series Games of Thrones. He was also screenwriter for The Kite Runner and Troy. Let's just say its no surprise he can write a tight and compelling war story. The City of Thieves covers the travails of two young men during the siege of Leningrad which occurred in the mid 1940s when Axis troops block of the city. The blockade became one of the longest and most destructive sieges in history due to the number of casualties. This siege was Russian genocide due to the systematic starvation and intentional destruction of the city's civilian population. Residents ate pets, resorted to cannibalism, and boiled book to remove the glue. The main characters Lev and Koyla met when they are both thrown in a prison cell together, and they are given an reprieve if they can find some eggs for a Russian colonel's daughters wedding cake. The two try the black market with no success and then take off through the frozen winter countryside to the war front in search of the precious eggs. The story is realistic, violent, heart warming, and sad all at the same time as the two boys struggle to grow up amidst the terror of losing their lives at any moment.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is one of the best books I believe I've ever read. It is at once humorous and terrifying. The pacing is perfect.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A short but beautiful adventure that anyone can enjoy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
challenging
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
tense
fast-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