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RICOCHET: A Novel.
Konstantin opens his door to the frantic calls for help by a young man carrying his bleeding and badly beaten granddaughter, Sophia. The old man’s long-suppressed hatred of Germans boils to the surface. Soldiers of the Third Reich murdered Sophia’s father during World War II, leaving an unresolved wound in his heart. Seeing Sophia, his only reason for living, crumpled in the arms of a German man triggers a seething demand for vengeance long denied. Sophia’s grandfather draws on his wealth of military knowledge to target the boy whose only crime is his blood heritage. Seen uniquely though the eyes of the irrational man, we experience the violence of a vigilante blinded by hatred. Can he find peace? Will revenge destroy the innocent, including the granddaughter he so loves?
Unknown Binding
First published June 10, 2013
About the author
Michelle Izmaylov
11 books3 followersAward-winning author Michelle Izmaylov lives in Atlanta, Georgia. She attends Alpharetta High School.
Michelle’s favorite things are writing, drawing and traveling to different countries. Her love of travel comes from her parents, Alex and Gina who have been all over the world and speak four different languages.
Michelle is fluent in Russian and is learning Spanish. Her mother, a professional musician, also instilled a love of classical music in Michelle.
Michelle also has a younger sister named Nicole and an adorable Yorkshire terrier named Don.
Michelle’s favorite things are writing, drawing and traveling to different countries. Her love of travel comes from her parents, Alex and Gina who have been all over the world and speak four different languages.
Michelle is fluent in Russian and is learning Spanish. Her mother, a professional musician, also instilled a love of classical music in Michelle.
Michelle also has a younger sister named Nicole and an adorable Yorkshire terrier named Don.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
August 1, 2013
Ricochet by Michelle Izmaylov, is an in depth character study of a man whose life was torn apart by WWII.
Konstantin is a bitter old man. The war robbed him of his innocence, morality and his beloved son. Now, nearly 20 years later, he bears the scars and hatred left him from that time.
The only bright spot in his life is his granddaughter, Sophia. She is the one pure, beautiful thing left to him. He will stop at nothing to protect her. Sophia falls in love with a young man of German heritage. This love infuriates her Russian Jewish grandfather. He refuses to see the good in the young man his granddaughter loves. Provoked by anger and hatred of an entire race, he sets himself a course for revenge.
Konstantin is not a likeable man. He is, in every sense, both hero and villain of his story. Hero in his unwavering protection of Sophia – completely villainous in the way he goes about it. Ricochet delves into Konstantin's world, surrounding the reader in his psyche. He has little remorse for his actions, though he does hope for redemption.
Sophia is a lovely girl. Despite her grandfather's irrational hatred of Germans, and old country values, she blossoms into a beautiful, charming girl. Not blinded by her grandfather's obsessive hatred, she falls in love with the wrong man – at least from Konstantin's perspective. Rather than allowing his loathing to warp her, she rises above it. Though told from Konstantin's point of view, the story is as much about Sophia as it is about her grandfather. In my eyes, she is the true hero of the story.
Michelle Izmaylov adopts a strong voice and point of view for this tale, having Konstantin tell it in his own words. He is one of the least sympathetic characters possible, but Izmaylov captures his fears and frailties well. We don't want him to succeed, but we clearly see his motivation and reasoning behind his actions.
This is an excellent book, an amazing character study and an in depth look into the heart of a man whose mind has been warped by his life.
Five Golden Acorns!
© Dellani Oakes
Konstantin is a bitter old man. The war robbed him of his innocence, morality and his beloved son. Now, nearly 20 years later, he bears the scars and hatred left him from that time.
The only bright spot in his life is his granddaughter, Sophia. She is the one pure, beautiful thing left to him. He will stop at nothing to protect her. Sophia falls in love with a young man of German heritage. This love infuriates her Russian Jewish grandfather. He refuses to see the good in the young man his granddaughter loves. Provoked by anger and hatred of an entire race, he sets himself a course for revenge.
Konstantin is not a likeable man. He is, in every sense, both hero and villain of his story. Hero in his unwavering protection of Sophia – completely villainous in the way he goes about it. Ricochet delves into Konstantin's world, surrounding the reader in his psyche. He has little remorse for his actions, though he does hope for redemption.
Sophia is a lovely girl. Despite her grandfather's irrational hatred of Germans, and old country values, she blossoms into a beautiful, charming girl. Not blinded by her grandfather's obsessive hatred, she falls in love with the wrong man – at least from Konstantin's perspective. Rather than allowing his loathing to warp her, she rises above it. Though told from Konstantin's point of view, the story is as much about Sophia as it is about her grandfather. In my eyes, she is the true hero of the story.
Michelle Izmaylov adopts a strong voice and point of view for this tale, having Konstantin tell it in his own words. He is one of the least sympathetic characters possible, but Izmaylov captures his fears and frailties well. We don't want him to succeed, but we clearly see his motivation and reasoning behind his actions.
This is an excellent book, an amazing character study and an in depth look into the heart of a man whose mind has been warped by his life.
Five Golden Acorns!
© Dellani Oakes
Displaying 1 of 1 review