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maria_pulver's review against another edition
3.0
This books succeeds in being both better and duller than the [b: The Bronze Horseman|83144|The Bronze Horseman (The Bronze Horseman, #1)|Paullina Simons|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327921996s/83144.jpg|12615171]. There is practically no independent plot - all the new events pertaining the heroes can be discussed at sufficient leisure in two or three chapters. Two thirds of the book are the thoughts and memories that expand on the events of the first book or their childhood. Though these passages are lengthly and sometimes really boring, they do create a more interesting and full exposition and allow us a better understanding of the heroes' motivations. Once again, the best descriptions are these of suffering, of the brutality of the Soviet system and the complete disregard of the value of individual life.
I believe a good and ferocious editor could have composed a good book of these two by picking the best bits and linking them together, as the overall story is not without merits. As it is the book looks like an attempt to make more money on the success of the first book .
I believe a good and ferocious editor could have composed a good book of these two by picking the best bits and linking them together, as the overall story is not without merits. As it is the book looks like an attempt to make more money on the success of the first book .
xhez's review against another edition
4.0
OH MY GOD!!! My heart is again in pieces!!! This epic love history is so deeply moving and portrayed so realistically that my poor heart had to suffer again!!
romancebookaddict's review against another edition
3.0
This is a continuation of The Bronze Horseman. With a few flashbacks. I enjoyed it, to continue with these characters to finally see them reunite. Although was a little long for my taste and some things could have been cut out.
evampenalver's review against another edition
5.0
#TatianaYAlexander de @paullinasimons. Perfecta continuación de la primera parte de esta extraordinaria trilogía. Si bien se trata de una novela que nos cuenta una gran historia, tiene unos personajes enormes. En la primera parte me quedé prendada de Tatiana y en esta segunda me rindo ante Alexander. La narración de su infancia y adolescencia nos presenta a una persona irrepetible. Todo esto añadido a los avatares, terribles, de los tiempos de guerra. Novela imprescindible. Volveré a coger fuerzas para enfrentarme al desenlace de la trilogía.
tashgeorgop's review against another edition
5.0
4.75 ⭐️
I definitely enjoyed this book more in the sense that it was not as tedious and repetitive as the first book. Having both Tatiana’s and Alexander’s POVs was great and definitely gave extra depth to the story since we got to see inside both of their minds. However, while there was still a lot of emotional/tense/exciting moments in this book, it didn’t shock or make me feel emotional the way the Bronze Horseman did.
The whole Pasha storyline really frustrated me, but in the best way possible! It really showed how much Alexander loved Tatiana when he did everything he could to make sure that Pasha stayed alove long enough for Tatiana to see him alive again. Even though it didn’t work.
There were also so many moments when I felt so sorry for them. Like when Ouspensky ended up being a ‘spy’ for the NKGB and, eventually, recognising Tatiana and telling the Russian military that he had escaped. It just felt so bad since everything Dimitri had already done to Alexander.
Overall, the writing was just as beautiful as the first book and the story was even more epic than the before. Simons really knows how to write a romance that I will never forget. It also probably helps that these books are set in my favourite historical era.
Although, this book may not be for everyone since it is a very specific genre. If you don’t like: historical fiction, sad novels, slow paced stories or even epic/major romance, I would not recommend these books to you.
I definitely enjoyed this book more in the sense that it was not as tedious and repetitive as the first book. Having both Tatiana’s and Alexander’s POVs was great and definitely gave extra depth to the story since we got to see inside both of their minds. However, while there was still a lot of emotional/tense/exciting moments in this book, it didn’t shock or make me feel emotional the way the Bronze Horseman did.
The whole Pasha storyline really frustrated me, but in the best way possible! It really showed how much Alexander loved Tatiana when he did everything he could to make sure that Pasha stayed alove long enough for Tatiana to see him alive again. Even though it didn’t work.
There were also so many moments when I felt so sorry for them. Like when Ouspensky ended up being a ‘spy’ for the NKGB and, eventually, recognising Tatiana and telling the Russian military that he had escaped. It just felt so bad since everything Dimitri had already done to Alexander.
Overall, the writing was just as beautiful as the first book and the story was even more epic than the before. Simons really knows how to write a romance that I will never forget. It also probably helps that these books are set in my favourite historical era.
Although, this book may not be for everyone since it is a very specific genre. If you don’t like: historical fiction, sad novels, slow paced stories or even epic/major romance, I would not recommend these books to you.
kimberly_b's review against another edition
4.0
I have to start off by saying that this is one of the most inconsistent books I've ever read. Tatiana & Alexander is divided into three sections: it starts off on shaky ground (Part 1), gets better (Part 2), and the best is saved for last (Part 3).
For Part 1, there is a complete re-hashing of TBH (The Bronze Horseman) up until about page 150, much of which basically reads like TBH from Alexander's perspective. It seemed as though Simons was at a loss as to what to write so she included snippets of TBH to fill pages. As the reader, you already know what's happened so these passages serve little to no purpose. I mean, does Alexander's relationship with Dasha really matter at this point? After about another 100 pages (page 250) there are a few flashback scenes which actually are insightful. You get to learn a little bit more about Alexander's past and how he became Belov rather than Barrington. Did it have bearing on the story? Not much. Was it interesting? Sure.
During Part 2, Simons ups the ante and the story starts rolling along more smoothly. There are still some eye-rolling moments when she goes into yet another flashback of Tatia and Alexander frolicking around on their honeymoon, but overall Part 2 was very likable. You get some more depth into Tatia and Alexander's current psyches and lives.
Simons really saved the best for last, because Part 3 is awesome. I don't want to give any spoilers, but suffice it to say the writing is thoughtful, dramatic, and Simons actually shows off her writing talents there.
I said it for TBH, and I'll say it again for Tatiana and Alexander...Where was the editor?!
After having said all that, now that I know what to expect and which parts to skim I wouldn't rule out a re-read. Weird, I know.
I am at a bit of a loss as to what to rate this book. I would give it 2 stars for Part 1, 3 for Part 2, and 5 for Part 3. Shake 'em all together and I'm giving it a 3.5 rounded to a 4 (I always round up).
For Part 1, there is a complete re-hashing of TBH (The Bronze Horseman) up until about page 150, much of which basically reads like TBH from Alexander's perspective. It seemed as though Simons was at a loss as to what to write so she included snippets of TBH to fill pages. As the reader, you already know what's happened so these passages serve little to no purpose. I mean, does Alexander's relationship with Dasha really matter at this point? After about another 100 pages (page 250) there are a few flashback scenes which actually are insightful. You get to learn a little bit more about Alexander's past and how he became Belov rather than Barrington. Did it have bearing on the story? Not much. Was it interesting? Sure.
During Part 2, Simons ups the ante and the story starts rolling along more smoothly. There are still some eye-rolling moments when she goes into yet another flashback of Tatia and Alexander frolicking around on their honeymoon, but overall Part 2 was very likable. You get some more depth into Tatia and Alexander's current psyches and lives.
Simons really saved the best for last, because Part 3 is awesome. I don't want to give any spoilers, but suffice it to say the writing is thoughtful, dramatic, and Simons actually shows off her writing talents there.
I said it for TBH, and I'll say it again for Tatiana and Alexander...Where was the editor?!
After having said all that, now that I know what to expect and which parts to skim I wouldn't rule out a re-read. Weird, I know.
I am at a bit of a loss as to what to rate this book. I would give it 2 stars for Part 1, 3 for Part 2, and 5 for Part 3. Shake 'em all together and I'm giving it a 3.5 rounded to a 4 (I always round up).
samidhak's review against another edition
3.0
I had to follow up, I couldn’t just be at peace after the first novel’s disastrous ending. However I did like this a lot less than the first one.
Obviously the longing for them to reunite was killing me, and the entire price on their heads, was not helping, either.
A couple of things I had an issue with was that we had such few scenes with Alex and Tania together, and what happened to their son? Was Tania honestly okay with leaving him behind? I mean?? Also is it just me or their reunion was underwhelming and abortive?
All in all though, it was okayish and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Obviously the longing for them to reunite was killing me, and the entire price on their heads, was not helping, either.
A couple of things I had an issue with was that we had such few scenes with Alex and Tania together, and what happened to their son? Was Tania honestly okay with leaving him behind? I mean?? Also is it just me or their reunion was underwhelming and abortive?
All in all though, it was okayish and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
gracemessi's review against another edition
Dnf for a few reasons:
•wasn't holding my interest/nothing was happening
•recently read about the problematic aspects of the relationship in the series which became more obvious while reading this to the point it disgusted me
• I don't want to waste my time on something I have zero interest in finishing
•wasn't holding my interest/nothing was happening
•recently read about the problematic aspects of the relationship in the series which became more obvious while reading this to the point it disgusted me
• I don't want to waste my time on something I have zero interest in finishing
hiltzmoore's review against another edition
3.0
Thank goodness for the last 100 pages. I was all set to rate this book a two star, but the last 100 pages ended up being the exciting book I was waiting for. There was way too much pining and flashback to the story we've already heard in book 1 in this follow up book. I did like seeing Tatiana standing strong on her own two feet a little more in this book. I'll probably read book 3 at some point.
lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
3.0
I skimmed a lot of Tatiana and Alexander, partly because a lot of the story was re-telling The Bronze Horseman from Alexander's POV. And there was a lot more suspension of disbelief than there was in the first book.