bebop2k's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Torture, and War
kclay98's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Different characters are narrators across different timelines that com together in an unexpected poignant way
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Murder, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Abortion, Drug abuse, and Suicide
emilayday's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
At first I was hesitant because it was short stories and for me personally it takes so long to get into a story then it ends? But I said, "well the back cover says they're all linked so I'll just read it and see, whatever." You guys. It was SO GOOD, especially once I started seeing the characters and stories come together. I also really enjoyed learning so much about the history of Russia and really felt like I was there over all those years, and kept stopping to look things up on the internet about Russia. The writing itself was really beautifully done and artfully crafted. I feel like I could go back in and read this book again in any order with the stories and it would work the same but different. I also really loved every single character, flaws and all, which never ever happens, but goes to how well Marra fleshed them all out. One of my favorite books of the year so far and it's October and I've read several dozen books so that's saying something! Definitely recommend.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence, Drug use, and Murder
rieviolet's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I think for me personally the book was a bit of a mixed bag.
I can appreciate the ability in creating the narrative structure, the author did really well when it came to interweaving the various short stories, with their recurring characters and plotlines. The writing style also was very evocative.
However, I have to say that I didn't really connect much with any of the characters.
All in all, the book felt like an alternation of "very high" highs and "very low" lows: some passeges and reflections were really beautiful and poignant, but some parts really made me so uncomfortable and I struggled even to get through them. The last section, just as an example, I found too bizarre and I honestly just skimmed through it, wanting to get to the end faster.
I can appreciate the ability in creating the narrative structure, the author did really well when it came to interweaving the various short stories, with their recurring characters and plotlines. The writing style also was very evocative.
However, I have to say that I didn't really connect much with any of the characters.
All in all, the book felt like an alternation of "very high" highs and "very low" lows: some passeges and reflections were really beautiful and poignant, but some parts really made me so uncomfortable and I struggled even to get through them. The last section, just as an example, I found too bizarre and I honestly just skimmed through it, wanting to get to the end faster.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, War, Violence, Torture, Police brutality, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Grief, Death, Drug use, and Trafficking
Moderate: Alcoholism, Blood, Cancer, Xenophobia, Trafficking, Sexual content, Gore, and Death of parent
Minor: Abortion, Ableism, Suicide, Sexual violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, and Excrement
emmabeckman's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The writing is really beautiful and well-crafted. I liked how all of the stories were interwoven.
(Note: I said yes to diverse characters because the characterization is diverse--the characters all have distinct personalities and voices and backgrounds. In terms of there being gay characters and Black characters etc., no, they are not diverse. What does "diverse" mean on this website?
(Note: I said yes to diverse characters because the characterization is diverse--the characters all have distinct personalities and voices and backgrounds. In terms of there being gay characters and Black characters etc., no, they are not diverse. What does "diverse" mean on this website?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence
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