miklosha's review
5.0
The culmination of World War II, the Stalinist purges, and the lives of the Children of the Arbat. Admist the military history and political goings on, there was a lot of heartache and tragedy over what spread so many childhood friends apart.
I must say, the ending really made the story for me.
I must say, the ending really made the story for me.
msgtdameron's review
4.0
After completing the series the four stars for each book is a misnomer. Combined the series is a five star read. The last book cleans up the series. The ending is similar to Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet combined. As in Hamlet every one dies, one way or another all the Children of the Arbat die. Even those who survive the war and the end of the last book have already died inside as victims of Stalin's purges. Our two main characters die in the Kursk salient in a very Romeo and Juliet moment. A wonderful series that if you like Russian historical fiction this is a must read.
More...