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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
Graded By: Stephanie
Cover Story: Montell Jordan
BFF Charm: Let Me Love You, Love
Swoonworthy Scale: 1
Talky Talk: The History Channel, But Awesome
Bonus Factors: Psychology, WWII
Anti-Bonus Factor: Tribalism
Relationship Status: I’ll Be Seeing You
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Montell Jordan
BFF Charm: Let Me Love You, Love
Swoonworthy Scale: 1
Talky Talk: The History Channel, But Awesome
Bonus Factors: Psychology, WWII
Anti-Bonus Factor: Tribalism
Relationship Status: I’ll Be Seeing You
Read the full book report here.
Compelling and thought-provoking WWII novel. I look forward to the author’s upcoming historical books.
4-4.5 stars.
TRAITOR is a war thriller that takes place in L’viv (or Lwów in Polish), Ukraine, a city at the center of a little-known but brutal conflict during the war. The story features 2 narrators, 2 timelines, but there are a a lot more than 2 sides to the story. It is hard to know who to trust or what to believe, but I was completely drawn to both Tolya and Aleksey’s narratives and extremely invested in this tale. This time period and story are convoluted and so unsettling but also addicting and fascinating. I couldn’t put this story down from beginning to end, and wanted more when it was over. Don’t miss the character list in the back of the book too!
TRAITOR is a war thriller that takes place in L’viv (or Lwów in Polish), Ukraine, a city at the center of a little-known but brutal conflict during the war. The story features 2 narrators, 2 timelines, but there are a a lot more than 2 sides to the story. It is hard to know who to trust or what to believe, but I was completely drawn to both Tolya and Aleksey’s narratives and extremely invested in this tale. This time period and story are convoluted and so unsettling but also addicting and fascinating. I couldn’t put this story down from beginning to end, and wanted more when it was over. Don’t miss the character list in the back of the book too!
Traitor is an engrossing WWII tale like I've never read before. My own grandfather fought for Poland during WWII and having a book that shows the Polish and Ukrainian sides of the war was incredibly meaningful. I honestly learned historical events that I never knew. McCrina really told a beautiful gut-wrenching tale about a seventeen-year-old named, Toyla who is forced to fight in the war leading to a series of action-packed events creating a book I could not put down. After I finished this book, I had to double-check that I was in fact reading historical fiction, because McCrina did such an amazing job bringing this time in history to life.
A compelling YA historical fiction that addresses the terrible choices faced by those who live through war.
One of the things that struck me the most throughout this story is the moral complexity shown in so many of the characters. The author does an excellent job of establishing a story in which there are very few heroes and villains, and mostly people just trying to do their best in the moment. It addresses the heartbreaking decisions faced by those who lived through World War II, and shows compassion as characters stumble through them.
Overall, I think the characters, the dual narration and timeline format, and the research were some of the standouts of this novel. I particularly appreciated the unique perspective the author brought - focusing on a less known part of World War II, as well as characters that aren't the obvious and expected heroes.
I struggled a bit to decipher the various political groups mentioned, and had to do research and read the historical note many times throughout the book. This is not necessarily a criticism, but readers should be prepared to go beyond the page for this book. Also, both plots lines meandered at times and then wrapped up quite suddenly, leaving me feeling as though the last chapters were missing. Again, I think there is power in this because of the questions and confusion so many faced during this time in history, and yet the overall pacing still felt a little off.
All in all a great - and original - addition to the genre. My thanks to Netgalley and McMillan for providing me an e-arc of this book.
One of the things that struck me the most throughout this story is the moral complexity shown in so many of the characters. The author does an excellent job of establishing a story in which there are very few heroes and villains, and mostly people just trying to do their best in the moment. It addresses the heartbreaking decisions faced by those who lived through World War II, and shows compassion as characters stumble through them.
Overall, I think the characters, the dual narration and timeline format, and the research were some of the standouts of this novel. I particularly appreciated the unique perspective the author brought - focusing on a less known part of World War II, as well as characters that aren't the obvious and expected heroes.
I struggled a bit to decipher the various political groups mentioned, and had to do research and read the historical note many times throughout the book. This is not necessarily a criticism, but readers should be prepared to go beyond the page for this book. Also, both plots lines meandered at times and then wrapped up quite suddenly, leaving me feeling as though the last chapters were missing. Again, I think there is power in this because of the questions and confusion so many faced during this time in history, and yet the overall pacing still felt a little off.
All in all a great - and original - addition to the genre. My thanks to Netgalley and McMillan for providing me an e-arc of this book.
Traitor: A Novel of World War II By Amanda McCrina
Rating: 3 / 5 Stars
Publication Date: 8/25/2020
** Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan, and of course, Amanda McCrina, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I am always a huge advocate for YA depictions of World War II. When it comes to general historical fiction, the period is overdone, but for children, I always believe learning from fiction is the best way. History can often be a bore for younger readers!
The youth audience though provides a challenge on the other hand. McCrina uses a ton of words from Ukrainian, Polish, Russian, and German words/names which can confuse the reader. It could also deter them from not finishing. I am an advocate for accuracy - but this is a frustrating reality when it comes to young readers.
The setting is incredibly important. The conclusion of World War II is often forgotten in exchange for the heavier years of battle. To call this a novel of the war does confuse me. Yes, we see the final year of it - but the plot focuses on the liberation by the Soviets and what unfolds afterward. So, technically I think it would fare better if it was just titled a historical novel? I guess I am nitpicking!
Our main character is Tolya Korolenko - Ukrainian and Polish who is trying to survive the new conditions of Lwów, Poland under Soviet control. This leads him to join the Red Army - where he accidentally shoots and kills his political officer in the street. He is rescued by Ukrainian freedom fighters, but that doesn’t mean he trusts them. What follows is two on the run in order to save their own lives. A traitor can be an enemy or a savior - or can they be both?
Traitor is depicted as a historical thriller, and I do think it lives up to that. I must congratulate McCrina for her work on this novel. Despite my few reservations, I think this book is a great read for younger readers.
Rating: 3 / 5 Stars
Publication Date: 8/25/2020
** Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan, and of course, Amanda McCrina, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I am always a huge advocate for YA depictions of World War II. When it comes to general historical fiction, the period is overdone, but for children, I always believe learning from fiction is the best way. History can often be a bore for younger readers!
The youth audience though provides a challenge on the other hand. McCrina uses a ton of words from Ukrainian, Polish, Russian, and German words/names which can confuse the reader. It could also deter them from not finishing. I am an advocate for accuracy - but this is a frustrating reality when it comes to young readers.
The setting is incredibly important. The conclusion of World War II is often forgotten in exchange for the heavier years of battle. To call this a novel of the war does confuse me. Yes, we see the final year of it - but the plot focuses on the liberation by the Soviets and what unfolds afterward. So, technically I think it would fare better if it was just titled a historical novel? I guess I am nitpicking!
Our main character is Tolya Korolenko - Ukrainian and Polish who is trying to survive the new conditions of Lwów, Poland under Soviet control. This leads him to join the Red Army - where he accidentally shoots and kills his political officer in the street. He is rescued by Ukrainian freedom fighters, but that doesn’t mean he trusts them. What follows is two on the run in order to save their own lives. A traitor can be an enemy or a savior - or can they be both?
Traitor is depicted as a historical thriller, and I do think it lives up to that. I must congratulate McCrina for her work on this novel. Despite my few reservations, I think this book is a great read for younger readers.
I wanted to love this, especially since it was such an interesting time to learn about, and the writing was pretty good, but it was a bit confusing and I could have used a little more character development
Fiction, especially YA fiction, based around aspects of the two World Wars always finds a way to tell a story relatable to the reader. Even as a history major, I found myself unaware tensions were so high between Poles and Ukrainians after the Germans and Russians decimated the Eastern Front. While the characters in this book are fictional, the anger and prejudices encompassing the book from the start are truly genuine. I highly encourage history readers to pick this one up. It’s one of the more necessary and recently published reads on World War II, right next to [b:The Tattooist of Auschwitz|38359036|The Tattooist of Auschwitz (The Tattooist of Auschwitz, #1)|Heather Morris|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1525962117l/38359036._SY75_.jpg|56940861].
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.