A review by maara_rex
In Desert and Wilderness by Henryk Sienkiewicz

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I've read it in the elementary school and I absolutely loved it. Staś and Nel were such a lovable kids with such strong bond. But...

Then the entire book was ruined by the mention [in the ending] of them getting married in the future. It made me feel like their previous found family, sweet platonic relationship was somehow lesser than romantic one would be. The entire point of the story was that Staś protected and cared for Nel like for a little, beloved sister and then what? Suddenly it wasn't enough when they grew up? It was an unnecessary addition to the rest of the plot and I hated it, this ruined that story for me as a kid. It's still an amazing book overall but that ending just left a bitter aftertase in my mouth.