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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
dark
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Fantastic portrayal of the siege of Leningrad - author does a wonderful job of highlighting macabre Russian humor/ stoicism as well as the general absurdity and horror of war. Not for the faint of heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Cannibalism, Murder
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Racism
adventurous
informative
tense
medium-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
I love a book that acknowledged readers, the act and art and engagement of the reader. This book is so captivating - dark, cold, hunger, exhaustion, fear, loss- all of these are nothing when compared to the vibrancy and humor of the two lead characters who capture you from page one.
"I was half asleep but I smiled. I. Spite of all his irritating qualities, I couldn't help liking a man who despised a fictional character with such passion."
"I was half asleep but I smiled. I. Spite of all his irritating qualities, I couldn't help liking a man who despised a fictional character with such passion."
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
City of Thieves masterfully balances lighthearted moments with profound seriousness. It vividly portrays the horrors of war and the depths to which humanity can sink, while also highlighting the positives and the hope that endures. The two main characters are compelling, and the pacing is expertly executed. I found it highly engaging and could have easily read it in one or two sittings. I look forward to exploring more of Benioff's works.
This novelization of Benioff's grandfather's WWII story is a really satisfying read. I was quite impressed with how the author pulled off the modern feel and the often funny boy-coming-of-age content in the context of what were at times very gruesome scenes of war. It takes a delicate hand to make a believable war story when your characters are sex-obsessed youths arguing about literature, but I think he did a nice job on the whole. For a while, the two protagonists seem to just encounter what feels like a list of upsetting war images Benioff had heard about and wanted to be sure to capture. Also, the very ending was a bit pat. Still, I was completely entertained, and the climax was nerve-wracking.
Picked this one up after Steve read it and multiple men told him it was their favorite book of all time. I do think this is well done. It follows two Russian young men during the Leningrad Siege who are tasked with finding a dozen eggs for a general's daughter's wedding cake, or face death. Along the way they see a ton of brutality but also quite a bit of humanity. The relationship between the two men (who are strangers) is beautiful and complex. You have to suspend your disbelief for the ending -- maybe even most of the journey -- but it still worked for me.
funny
reflective
sad
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
Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge 2017
Task #14 Read a book about war
Task #14 Read a book about war
This was a good book, as in it was a very well written novel with an interesting and absurd premise. But I didn't really enjoy reading it all that much.
Beautiful, tragic, humorous, and horrifying by turns. The characters feel real and well fleshed out, which is refreshing. I adore Vika, Koyla, and Lev. I'm sad it's over; although, I will probably have nicer dreams now that I'm no longer reading about war before falling asleep each night.