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lianareadsblog's review against another edition
5.0
New to me author and so happy that I discovered her work.
Coming from an eastern-European country that was under the communist regime for a long time, as a child, I’ve heard a lot of stories from my grandfather and the neighbours when I was spending my winter holidays in the countryside with them.
I can only say that most of the situations presented in the book are real and I felt my heart breaking so many times for our heroine.
It’s a great writing style, a fast paced read with a lot of hard decisions to take and such a strong heroine. I loved how she tried to get over anything and make herself looking for an escape and also trying not to have a mental breakdown because honestly any other woman wouldn’t go as far as she did to find her lost grandmother in a country that you don’t know if you’re coming back from.
I loved this book and made me think about many decisions that I’ve taken in my life and if I would change anything.
My only complaint: I wanted a HEA for her , especially after she went back to her life , maybe even what she was feeling disappointed after a month, just like a consolation at least. I know I’m vague about this but you have to read the book and you’ll understand what I’m talking about.
Coming from an eastern-European country that was under the communist regime for a long time, as a child, I’ve heard a lot of stories from my grandfather and the neighbours when I was spending my winter holidays in the countryside with them.
I can only say that most of the situations presented in the book are real and I felt my heart breaking so many times for our heroine.
It’s a great writing style, a fast paced read with a lot of hard decisions to take and such a strong heroine. I loved how she tried to get over anything and make herself looking for an escape and also trying not to have a mental breakdown because honestly any other woman wouldn’t go as far as she did to find her lost grandmother in a country that you don’t know if you’re coming back from.
I loved this book and made me think about many decisions that I’ve taken in my life and if I would change anything.
My only complaint: I wanted a HEA for her , especially after she went back to her life , maybe even what she was feeling disappointed after a month, just like a consolation at least. I know I’m vague about this but you have to read the book and you’ll understand what I’m talking about.
robinlovesreading's review against another edition
4.0
Natalie March is a busy doctor whose life is upset when a woman from Russia, who claims to be her cousin, tells her that their grandmother is alive. This is after Natalie believed for years that she was dead. Her grandmother, Katarina Melnikova, suffered greatly at the hands of Stalin during the labor camps and Natalie is delighted that she is indeed alive. When her cousin is killed, Natalie is ever more determined to meet her grandmother.
She never expected, however, to be faced with danger. As a matter of fact, she is thrown right in the middle of international intrigue, but remains focused on finding her grandmother. Natalie becomes deeply embroiled with an unlikely assignment and is faced with protecting her family and her country. In so doing, she finds herself in hairy situations. More than once, I found myself holding my breath while reading this story.
I did not expect the action, mystery, espionage and more when I began this book. I was completely drawn into this story. It was a true thriller, but it was also very touching at times. I had a hard time putting this book down. For a doctor to become a spy of sorts was definitely intriguing, especially as she was in a world far different from her own.
Elisabeth Eto is a new name for me, but is definitely someone that I will follow and I look forward to reading much more by her.
Many thanks to Polis Books and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
She never expected, however, to be faced with danger. As a matter of fact, she is thrown right in the middle of international intrigue, but remains focused on finding her grandmother. Natalie becomes deeply embroiled with an unlikely assignment and is faced with protecting her family and her country. In so doing, she finds herself in hairy situations. More than once, I found myself holding my breath while reading this story.
I did not expect the action, mystery, espionage and more when I began this book. I was completely drawn into this story. It was a true thriller, but it was also very touching at times. I had a hard time putting this book down. For a doctor to become a spy of sorts was definitely intriguing, especially as she was in a world far different from her own.
Elisabeth Eto is a new name for me, but is definitely someone that I will follow and I look forward to reading much more by her.
Many thanks to Polis Books and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
blives2dance's review against another edition
4.0
Won an advanced copy of this through Goodreads.
Man I love books about Russia. I honestly don't know what it is about them but I absolutely adore them. This book was so full of Russia: language, scenery and some of the more shady aspects.
I really enjoyed this book because I could feel like i was immersed in this Russian culture.
Now plot wise i feel like things happened very rapidly and felt like logically it wouldn't work like that. Obviously things happen in Fiction that happen for story purposes and for setting pace. But i found some things passed too slowly while other parts flew by.
Also as much as I would like to think that i would fly half way around the world to meet family I didn't know it just felt very rushed and not something I would think a focused doctor or any professional would do.
I was kind of let down that Katarina was not really able to share her own story with Natalie. There's all this build up only for her to not get that closing. Which happens of course because things don't always have the ending you want but I felt kind of bummed out.
I have a lot of unanswered questions which are going to burn me a bit but again things dont get tied up in neat little bows.
It was a good read though, moved quickly but kept you enthralled.
Man I love books about Russia. I honestly don't know what it is about them but I absolutely adore them. This book was so full of Russia: language, scenery and some of the more shady aspects.
I really enjoyed this book because I could feel like i was immersed in this Russian culture.
Now plot wise i feel like things happened very rapidly and felt like logically it wouldn't work like that. Obviously things happen in Fiction that happen for story purposes and for setting pace. But i found some things passed too slowly while other parts flew by.
Also as much as I would like to think that i would fly half way around the world to meet family I didn't know it just felt very rushed and not something I would think a focused doctor or any professional would do.
I was kind of let down that Katarina was not really able to share her own story with Natalie. There's all this build up only for her to not get that closing. Which happens of course because things don't always have the ending you want but I felt kind of bummed out.
I have a lot of unanswered questions which are going to burn me a bit but again things dont get tied up in neat little bows.
It was a good read though, moved quickly but kept you enthralled.
crystals_library's review against another edition
3.0
Finding Katarina M. starts in a Soviet Union Gulag. The beginning of the book was my favorite. I would love a prequel to this book that is about young Katarina M.
The majority of the book is about Natalie March who is a US citizen that decades later discovers she still has living relatives living in Russia. Natalie travels to Russia to meet those family members. Once in Russia she is sucked into a potential conspiracy between the US govt and the Russian govt. I really liked learning a little bit about the Cold War. And I want to learn more.
There were some aspects that were a little unbelievable and loose ends that I would have loved to see tied up.
The majority of the book is about Natalie March who is a US citizen that decades later discovers she still has living relatives living in Russia. Natalie travels to Russia to meet those family members. Once in Russia she is sucked into a potential conspiracy between the US govt and the Russian govt. I really liked learning a little bit about the Cold War. And I want to learn more.
There were some aspects that were a little unbelievable and loose ends that I would have loved to see tied up.
birdmanseven's review against another edition
4.0
What a great read! The author very successfully manipulated you into the thinking you were reading one kind of story only to switch to a different one altogether. This happened many times and each worked well to advance the story an recapture your interest. I'm a fan.
I got a chance to interview Elisbeth about this book. Find it here: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/episode-187-interview-with-elizabeth-elo
I got a chance to interview Elisbeth about this book. Find it here: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/episode-187-interview-with-elizabeth-elo
gretel7's review against another edition
4.0
I received this from Netgalley.com in exchange for a review.
Natalie goes to Russia searching for her grandmother but instead is caught up in a web of dangerous secrets that will pit her against Russian security forces and even elements within her own government.
Quick read, good story. I really liked this description, " the cold invaded my clothing efficiently: its dainty fingers crawled up my sleeves and curled softly, insistently, down my neck".
4☆
Natalie goes to Russia searching for her grandmother but instead is caught up in a web of dangerous secrets that will pit her against Russian security forces and even elements within her own government.
Quick read, good story. I really liked this description, " the cold invaded my clothing efficiently: its dainty fingers crawled up my sleeves and curled softly, insistently, down my neck".
4☆
blives2dance's review against another edition
4.0
Won an advanced copy of this through Goodreads.
Man I love books about Russia. I honestly don't know what it is about them but I absolutely adore them. This book was so full of Russia: language, scenery and some of the more shady aspects.
I really enjoyed this book because I could feel like i was immersed in this Russian culture.
Now plot wise i feel like things happened very rapidly and felt like logically it wouldn't work like that. Obviously things happen in Fiction that happen for story purposes and for setting pace. But i found some things passed too slowly while other parts flew by.
Also as much as I would like to think that i would fly half way around the world to meet family I didn't know it just felt very rushed and not something I would think a focused doctor or any professional would do.
I was kind of let down that Katarina was not really able to share her own story with Natalie. There's all this build up only for her to not get that closing. Which happens of course because things don't always have the ending you want but I felt kind of bummed out.
I have a lot of unanswered questions which are going to burn me a bit but again things dont get tied up in neat little bows.
It was a good read though, moved quickly but kept you enthralled.
Man I love books about Russia. I honestly don't know what it is about them but I absolutely adore them. This book was so full of Russia: language, scenery and some of the more shady aspects.
I really enjoyed this book because I could feel like i was immersed in this Russian culture.
Now plot wise i feel like things happened very rapidly and felt like logically it wouldn't work like that. Obviously things happen in Fiction that happen for story purposes and for setting pace. But i found some things passed too slowly while other parts flew by.
Also as much as I would like to think that i would fly half way around the world to meet family I didn't know it just felt very rushed and not something I would think a focused doctor or any professional would do.
I was kind of let down that Katarina was not really able to share her own story with Natalie. There's all this build up only for her to not get that closing. Which happens of course because things don't always have the ending you want but I felt kind of bummed out.
I have a lot of unanswered questions which are going to burn me a bit but again things dont get tied up in neat little bows.
It was a good read though, moved quickly but kept you enthralled.
booksrbrainfood's review against another edition
4.0
Well-written novel by a new author to me about an area of the world that is so interesting to read about, that also involved medicine which is personal to me as a healthcare provider myself. She was able to transport me into this time and place which is exactly what I look for in this style of book.
Definitely recommend and I will look for her work in the future.
#FindingKatarinaM #NetGalley
Definitely recommend and I will look for her work in the future.
#FindingKatarinaM #NetGalley
blives2dance's review
4.0
Won an advanced copy of this through Goodreads.
Man I love books about Russia. I honestly don't know what it is about them but I absolutely adore them. This book was so full of Russia: language, scenery and some of the more shady aspects.
I really enjoyed this book because I could feel like i was immersed in this Russian culture.
Now plot wise i feel like things happened very rapidly and felt like logically it wouldn't work like that. Obviously things happen in Fiction that happen for story purposes and for setting pace. But i found some things passed too slowly while other parts flew by.
Also as much as I would like to think that i would fly half way around the world to meet family I didn't know it just felt very rushed and not something I would think a focused doctor or any professional would do.
I was kind of let down that Katarina was not really able to share her own story with Natalie. There's all this build up only for her to not get that closing. Which happens of course because things don't always have the ending you want but I felt kind of bummed out.
I have a lot of unanswered questions which are going to burn me a bit but again things dont get tied up in neat little bows.
It was a good read though, moved quickly but kept you enthralled.
Man I love books about Russia. I honestly don't know what it is about them but I absolutely adore them. This book was so full of Russia: language, scenery and some of the more shady aspects.
I really enjoyed this book because I could feel like i was immersed in this Russian culture.
Now plot wise i feel like things happened very rapidly and felt like logically it wouldn't work like that. Obviously things happen in Fiction that happen for story purposes and for setting pace. But i found some things passed too slowly while other parts flew by.
Also as much as I would like to think that i would fly half way around the world to meet family I didn't know it just felt very rushed and not something I would think a focused doctor or any professional would do.
I was kind of let down that Katarina was not really able to share her own story with Natalie. There's all this build up only for her to not get that closing. Which happens of course because things don't always have the ending you want but I felt kind of bummed out.
I have a lot of unanswered questions which are going to burn me a bit but again things dont get tied up in neat little bows.
It was a good read though, moved quickly but kept you enthralled.
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