I have finished a love story so masterful and perfect in its execution that I don’t even know where to begin to write a review for it. This book has easily become one of my favorites of 2016 and very likely one of my favorites of all-time.
The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons Series: The Bronze Horseman #1
Published by HarperCollins on January 1st 1970
Genres: Historical Fiction
Narrator: James Langton
Length: 30 hrs and 49 mins
Format: Audiobook
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Goodreads
During the summer of 1941 the Metanov family are living a hard life in Leningrad. As the German armies advance their future looks bleak. For Tatiana, love arrives in the guise of Alexander, who harbours a deadly and extraordinary secret.
The Bronze Horseman is a story of forbidden love set in World War II Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) during the infamous and deadly Leningrad blockade. The day that war is declared in Russia, 17-year-old Tatiana fatefully meets secretive Alexander, a soldier in the Red Army. From that point onward you are woven through a gut-wrenching story of two young people who fell in love at the completely wrong time.
This is an epic love story if I’ve ever read one. The first book spans a little over a year, yet so much happens in this time. Their story takes place when the Leningrad blockage is at its very worst, and the hardships and trials that these two face is heart-breaking and relentless. Someone I know complained about this book saying that it was too “oppressive,” and frankly, I think that’s the perfect word to describe it. The cards they have been dealt are completely unjust, and this book will weigh heavily on you as you read it.
Don’t let that deter you, though. You will be rewarded with a love story so pure and a relationship so multi-faceted that if you like love stories at all, I suspect you, too, will adore this book.
Now, on to the next one!
Books like this make me re-think my previous 5-star ratings. Frankly, this book is in a league of its own.
Do you have a favorite love story? Have I convinced you to read this one?! Everyone (who likes love stories) should read it!
A.S. Thornton has evolved from book blogger to author with a particular fondness for writing forbidden love in ancient deserts. When not writing, she’s caring for dogs and cats as a veterinarian. You’ll never find animals at the center of her writing, though, because those fictional worlds don’t have veterinarians and her literal brain can’t accept that the poor critters would be without parasite prevention. Thornton’s debut, DAUGHTER OF THE SALT KING is available wherever books are sold.
Marissa
I LOVED this series! So good!
Ali
Yay! I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the whole series! I have read the second one, but haven’t gotten to the last one yet. I’m scared to see how it ends (though I suspect it will end relatively happy, since it’s billed as a love story after all).
Kelly
I’m not usually a big fan of love stories, mostly because I’ve read so many that were just full of insta-love and cliches that I can’t really get into them. I did purchase this book a while back for Kindle, and haven’t had the chance to read it yet, but I might be willing to give it a go soon because of all the reviews I’ve been reading on it. Plus I’m kind of all fantasy’d out for the time being and need something a little different. Great review, thank you for sharing!
Ali
I read this amongst a bunch of fantasy books as well, and I think it helped me like it so much more. The historical fiction aspect of this one is EXTREMELY interesting – to see what intense things the Leningrad people had to go through is really astonishing. I also think that because the love story is set during WWII – if there is any Insta-love (which to me there wasn’t, but if you’re more sensitive to it you might think there is?), it’s only because everyone was insta-loving in real life because all of the men were off to war! (:
downrightdystopian
I am so glad you liked this one. I have been wanting to check it out for the longest time!
Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian
Ali
It’s a quick read if you ever decide to!
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