Castle of Concrete

by Katia Raina

In 1990-1991, when the history of Russia and the entire Soviet Union is being revisited and the rules are changing, a fifteen-year-old Jewish girl, Sonya Solovay, reunites with her dissident mother after twelve years of hiding out in Siberia--her life's dream realized. Still, she sees herself as a typical Soviet citizen: a shy, quiet, obedient, barely-there girl, dissolving into the past, her country's and her own. Determined to break into her new existence, Sonya tries out a shining new persona, but most of her efforts backfire. One mysterious boy notices her, wants to hear her stories, makes her feel like she is the shiniest part of his world. Everything else might as well fade away--her distant and hungry-for-gossip classmates, the equally shy Jewish friend who doesn't always seem to understand her, the growing tension with her fiercely Jewish Mama, the rumors of an impending communist coup. More and more, Sonya spends time with her "rescuer" at a construction site she calls "castle." So what if he uses an occasional anti-Semitic slur?

In the shadow of a crane, among metal pipes and concrete blocks, she finds it easy, falling, falling in love with a muddy-eyed boy she knows so little about. As for being Jewish in a country where the Republics are supposed to be "sisters" and the People brothers," what does one's nationality have to do with anything?

All the while, Sonya's mama is falling in love also: she is falling in love with shiny America, a land where where being different seems to be celebrated, and not everyone is so very Russian and snow-white. The place sounds amazing, but so far away. Will Sonya ever find her way there?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Russia, Young Adult Historical Fiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published June 11, 2019

About the author

When she was a child, Katia Raina played at construction sites and believed in magic mirrors. She emigrated from Russia at the age of almost sixteen. A former journalist and currently a middle school English teacher in Washington, D.C., she has an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She lives with her family just outside of D.C., and still believes in magic.

Reviews

[Mackenzie - PhDiva Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly enlightening young adult historical fiction novel about a fifteen year-old Jewish girl being reunited with her mother in Moscow during the early 1990s as the Soviet Union is set to fall. With beautiful writing and a story that covers an historical event I didn’t know much about, I think so many people—whether YA readers or adult—will love this book and learn from it as I did.

About the Book

Moscow, 1990. Fifteen year-old Sonya Solovay is reunited with her mother after eleven years apart. Sonya had been send to hide in Siberia at a time when it was difficult to be Jewish in the Soviet Union. Now, Sonya finds herself in a time of uncertainty about who she is.

But when Sonya starts school, she wants to break out as someone different, someone who will finally be noticed. Arriving to her first day of school, Sonya immediately catches the attention of mysterious bad-boy Ruslan. He wants to know everything about Sonya—her secrets, her stories, her ideas. Sonya feels shiny and desired—the perfect Russian girl.

Sonya and Ruslan spend time at a construction site that she calls her concrete “castle”, and Sonya begins to fall for him. But there are things about Ruslan that confuse Sonya—his desire to keep her secret from his family, his occasional use of anti-Semitic slurs, the demonstrations he skips school to go to.

Sonya doesn’t fully understand her Jewish heritage, but she understands enough to keep it quiet. She befriends a shy Jewish boy named Misha and borrows a book from him where she learns more about her heritage. As for being Jewish in a country where the Republics are supposed to be "sisters" and the People brothers," what does one's nationality have to do with anything?

As Sonya falls for Ruslan, her mother becomes fascinated by America and all of the promise that it has. It is a place where differences are celebrated instead of persecuted. A place where they won’t need to hide. But the question is whether they will make it there?

Reflection

This story is about so much more than the love triangle between Sonya, Ruslan, and Aizerman. It is also about religious freedom, politics, and the social implication of living in a country in a time of change. When I looked into it more, I found Sonya’s struggle to understand herself so interesting.

Russian heritage is passed down from the father, while Jewish heritage is passed down from the mother. Sonya is born to both a Russian father and a Jewish mother, which makes her truly a member of both cultures. Sonya also doesn’t fully understand and Jewish heritage, having been raised away from her mother. She knows enough to know being called it is a dirty word. But Sonya doesn’t carry many of the features of her Jewish heritage, looking more traditionally Russian.

Ruslan is obviously a person who carries anti-Semitic views. And yet, even with him I wasn’t totally certain that he understood those views or whether he would actually endorse them. Though I didn’t like him, there is something there in his story with Sonya.

The ending really felt like it needed more, but also sort of worked in not having all of the answers. I would love to learn more about Sonya and what happens next to her. This was the story of a very formative and transformative year in her life. She’s so young and just coming into the person that she may be.

Thank you to TLC book tours for my copy. Opinions are my own.

[Mary Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for Castle of Concrete by Katia Raina! So proud of my colleague and friend Katia for this beautiful YA novel!

Sonya has just moved to Moscow after years with her grandmother in Siberia. Everything is new for her, from her mother who she hasn’t seen in years, to her school and classmates. Sonya, who is half Jewish meets a boy on the first day of school and is immediately taken. When she starts to suspect he is anti-Semitic, she will he faced with a choice: to follow her heart or honor her heritage. Meanwhile, the Soviet Union is near collapse and tensions are bubbling up at home and at school.

I loved learning more about the history of Russia in this novel! The sensory details and descriptions made the setting come alive for me. I rooted for Sonya the whole time and found myself attached to all of the characters at different points. Recommend this title for high school libraries and classrooms, and for fans of historical fiction. (Probably OK for middle school- there are romance scenes typical of YA)

Thank you, Katia, for sharing an ARC! Can’t wait to buy copies for the DCI library 🤓🤓

[Kelly Hager · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! There's a lot going on here, and it's set in the Soviet Union, an area I knew nothing about in 1990 and 1991, when this book takes place. (Well, I take that back. I knew who Gorbachev was, and I knew they were Communist and I knew they didn't like us much. So whatever is one step away from nothing, that's what I knew.)

What I also didn't understand then was trying to figure out where you belong. In Russian society, you were Russian if your father was Russian and in Jewish culture, you're Jewish if your mother is Jewish.  So here is the conflict: Sonya's father was Russian and her mom is Jewish. She can't really have both sides of her heritage because Russians didn't seem very fond of Jewish people over the course of this novel. 

Sonya's finally back with her mom so her first impulse is to start to explore her Jewish roots, but is almost immediately told how dangerous that would be. And it's further manifested by the two boys she's interested in: a Jewish guy who's smart and good and a Russian guy who's a jerk most of the time and who's actively prejudiced. (I am not an unbiased observer here, so no points for guessing which one I preferred.)

There's a lot to love about this story, but the real magic of it is this: it's a book set in the past in a country that doesn't exist anymore, and it still feels so relevant to today. Sonya's story is very specific to her time and culture, but it's also not hard to extrapolate it to today's world. She's impossible not to love, even when she makes bad choices. 

This is such a fascinating book and I love Sonya so much. I hope her story is continued in another story. Hopefully soon. 

Highly recommended.

[Via Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enter to Win This Book, Castle of Concrete, Signed by author & see the review
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(great for teens, parents, homeschoolers, everyone!)

[Amy Bruno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Castle of Concrete tells the story of Sonya Solovay, a teenager who has just come to Russia to live with her estranged mother. Having lived for the last 12 years with her grandmother in Siberia, she's a young Jewish girl moving to a new place, with a mother she no longer knows, to start a new life. One thing I love about YA books is that they are easy to relate to. I didn't have quite the experience that Sonya did but I can remember the feelings of being the new kid in a new place. Add in the extra danger because of the antisemitism in those days and you have a fascinating look into her life.

First love plays a big part in the book, as it does a teenager's life. I still remember my first love :) Sonya falls for a boy in her class and though she has been warned to not be with him and knows she is playing with fire and that one day he will find out her true identity, she can't help wanting to be with him.

The book is set in the early 1990s Moscow which is a time period I haven't read much about so I found that quite interesting. Katia's writing was fantastic, you wouldn't think that this was her first book. It's easy to become invested in young Sonya's life and root for her to find her place in the world.

I would recommend Castle of Concrete to fans of YA Historical Fiction and those interested in early 1990s history. I can't wait for more from Katia Raina!

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of historical fiction, but this was one time period I haven't read a lot about. This YA historical fiction novel took place in Russia in the early 90s as the Soviet Union begins to fall. I immediately found Sonya to be a likable character and her struggle was relatable. I've mentioned before that I enjoy a historical fiction novel based on true events that inspires me to research more and this novel definitely did that.

While this book has a bit of a romance interwoven into the plot, I still found it to be an enlightening book that talks about religious freedoms, racism (anti-semitic slurs), and politics.

This was great book that inspired me to learn and I think it would be a great read for teens.

[Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t you love books that sneak up on you and surprise you with their raw emotions and human experience? That definitely happened with me and Castle of Concrete by @katiawrites ! (@tlcbooktours #partner).
•
Castle of Concrete describes a Jewish-Russian teenage girl’s coming-of-age story in Russia, 1990. After being reunited with her dissident Jewish mother and moving to just outside Moscow, Sonya grapples with her identity and her conflicting attraction to two very different boys in her new school. With the back drop of massive political turmoil and social change, we see Sonya navigating life as a young adult and ultimately choosing who she will identify with.
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I know very little about Russia or Russian history, so I just soaked up all the details in the story. I also loved Sonya’s character - a brave girl who makes mistakes but keeps pushing towards the right thing. Her voice and experience felt very authentic, as well as her struggle to understand her Jewish background.
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I read this the same week as Frankly in Love, which has very similar themes - first love and racial identity in the face of discrimination. I’ve realized these are topics I love reading about!

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to TLC Book Tours & Katia Raina for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review!

When reading a book for review, I typically pause multiple times in order to jot down some notes; however, with Castle of Concrete, I was unable to do so, because I was so entranced with the reading. I’m so glad that I was approached to join this blog tour, because I don’t think I would have found this gem otherwise.

Castle of Concrete is extremely painful to read. Multiple times, I felt my heart shatter for the protagonist, Sonya. Our Jewish girl is forced to deal with typical teenage problems (high school, etc.) all while falling in love with an anti-Semite, and figuring out who she is in a world where anti-Jewish slurs are constantly thrown around. Sonya’s character & plot development is very well-done & by the end, you’ll find yourself applauding her actions.

All of Castle of Concrete’s characters felt very real. & they all differed in their own ways. I absolutely adore Misha Aizerman, a Jewish boy that teaches Sonya their history & ways of life. & then there’s Ruslan, an anti-Semite, who I absolutely hated. All of the characters bring Castle of Concrete to life in such a magnificent way.

I’ve never been good with history; the class was a total flop for me in high school. So, I absolutely love reading historical fiction, because it transports me to time periods & situations that I probably do not know much about. Reading fictional accounts during very real times is my way of learning. I literally knew nothing about the final year of Soviet Russia’s collapse & reading Castle of Concrete made me want to learn more about that time period.

I was in complete awe with Katia Raina’s beautiful writing. Words flow so perfectly on page; it was hard not to keep turning them. Although it might not sound too much like a feat, I managed to consume Castle of Concrete in only a couple of days. & for me, that deserves an applause, because I always have numerous things going on at one time.

I strongly recommend that you put Castle of Concrete on your TBR. It’s heartbreaking & beautiful, and definitely worth the read.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reading Copy from the author.
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to move to a new city, get to know your mom, her new husband, their cozy apartment, AND be thrust into a new school situation with a bunch of teens who are already comfortable in their roles, this is a book you must read. Sonya learns about herself and the greater world in a time of change in Soviet Russia.
Raina uses lyrical, poetic language in a novel filled with characters who are fully fleshed out. They felt real to me. Even though some of them do unlikable things, I couldn’t find any who were truly unlikeable. You may disagree. This is a book to read again and again. I found myself crying near the end and rooting for Sonya and her new tribe.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received an advanced reading copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

A compelling read set during the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 90s. Sonya is a shy, Jewish teen who begins to understand more about her heritage when she moves from Siberia, where she lived with her grandmother, to the Moscow region, where she lives with (and gets to know) her dissident mother. She is also drawn to two very different boys in her new class.

All teens should read this; they will learn a great deal about an important time in our not-too-distant past. The writing is gorgeous, with plenty of sensory images. We see, hear and feel everything along with Sonya, who is telling the story in first person. A romantic novel that also manages to teach us what's important in life, especially with recent anti-Semitic events.

The last fifty pages blew me away. The pace picks up even more and draws you in to the heart-wrenching ending. I can't wait to read what Katia Raina writes next!

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sonya Solovay emerses us in her world, which is simultaneously crumbling and being rebuilt in 1990 Russia. Her vivacious spirit captures us as we see her world changing and challenging her views. What does it mean to be Russian? What does it mean to be Jewish? Why would she have to choose between them? The author beautifully paints Sonya's world for us in this unforgettable story.

[Meg - A Bookish Affair · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Castle of Concrete" is the story of a teenage girl named Sonya just as the Soviet Union is beginning to crack. While the country is rapidly changing, Sonya's life is rapidly changing as well. She is now living with her mother, who often feels like a stranger. She is trying to get used to living in a new city and to going to a new school. She's falling in love for the first time against the background of a volatile new world as Russia emerges from the Soviet time period.

I have read plenty of non-fiction about the end of the Soviet Union but I have not read much, if any fiction set during the end of the Soviet Union. It was fascinating to get a taste of how younger people might have saw the shift in the government at the time. The changes underline everything throughout the story.

Sonya is a great character that I loved following through this story. Although things are rapidly changing in her country and she is definitely aware of how it effects her. She has just recently become aware of her Jewish heritage and although her country is changing their views on things like religion, she is still acutely aware of the difficulty she faces in being able to openly embrace this identity. We also get to see Sonya as she falls in love for the first time. I loved how this book shows that some things about being a teenager are timeless, no matter what else is going on.

The writing of the book is good. There are some really lovely turns of phrase throughout the book. I also loved how the author captured both our main character, Sonya, and the secondary characters as well!

[Sarah 🌺 Books in Their Natural Habitat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Castle of Concrete is a beautifully written book. The words allow you to glide into and throughout the book, blocking the world outside you and allowing you to be completely immersed in Sonya’s world.

I absolutely loved Sonya throughout this book despite how much I wanted to shake her and tell her to stop being blind. Remember what it was like to be naive to the world, to the motives of boys and to get completely caught up in something you shouldn’t be caught in? That’s Sonya. I remember getting caught up with the wrong boy and how difficult it was to figure it out mentally that as much as I liked him, he wasn’t what I thought or needed. Sonya is blind to that though no matter how many people warn her. I found myself rooting for her and hoping she’d find her way, even though I remember being a teenager who thought she knew best.

The book isn’t just about love and the wrong boy though. It’s about Sonya’s world being completely tipped upside down. She’s having that inner battle of who she is deep down – Jew vs Russian – and trying to distinguish her own perception as her family tries to steer her in what they think is the “right” direction. There are so many things influencing her… people, the threat of violence, her own intuition.

Overall, I thought this was a moving five-star read. It was difficult to put down and I found myself lost in thought over pieces of it even when I had stepped away to do normal daily tasks. Books that stick with you like that are a gem!

Thank you to HFVBT and Katia Raina for the opportunity to read this wonderful book and be a part of the blog tour! I have voluntarily read this book and the opinions expressed are my own.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes place in the early 1990s when life in Russia was changing dramatically. Fifteen year old Sonya has lived with her grandmother in Siberia most of her life because her mother was a dissident and it was not safe for her to live with her mother. As the novel begins, Sonya has just arrived in Moscow to live with her mother and her new step-father. They are Jewish in a country where Jews are discriminated against.

The book is all about change in a 15 year olds life. She is living in a new place with a mother that she barely knows and a new step-father. She is going to a new school where it's tough to be the new kid. She falls in love with the wrong boy and has to keep her Jewish heritage a secret from him. The country she lives in is also going through huge changes that affect everyone's lives. AND we see all of these changes through the eyes of a 15 year old who has to decide who she wants to be.

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.

[Kathy Temean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous book with gorgeous writing. The story took me to a place I never visited and I found myself truely engaged with the characters and their struggles in this historical time. Katia's writing appears effortless, but anyone who has written a book knows how much talent and work went into creating this "must read" book. With all the anti-semitism rearing its' head again in the world, this is a very timely book. The book has a great ending, but I still hope Katia will continue the story, since I would like to spend more time with the characters.

[Jana Henderson (Reviews from the Stacks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every single thing I try to say about Castle of Concrete seems to come with a "but" clause. For example: it touches on an interesting and important time, but, so much of the story is spent on unnecessary high school drama that it overrides what could be a serious consideration of the subject matter. Sonya attempts to think critically about her environment and complicated political theories, but, she lets herself be pushed around. Sonya's parents are miserable at parenting, but, they do try and given the situation they live in, perhaps that is all that can be expected?

I'm honestly not really sure what to think about this book. If I enjoyed YA drama more, I probably would have liked it more. In the end I think it tried to do too much: tried to be relate-able for YA readers, tried to convey the importance of things that require deep thinking, tried to show how to properly struggle with inter-personal relationships, and so much more. There are so many things going on, too many themes in the background and foreground that they become tangled and I forgot what I was supposed to be paying the most attention to, eventually. It's definitely a good try, and I expect that a lot of YA readers will enjoy Castle of Concrete.

Unfortunately, this is one of those books that really leaves me with no strong feelings one way or the other. It isn't great, but it isn't actively bad. There are certain parts that I greatly disliked, and parts that I cheered for. If you enjoy YA and would like to read a typical YA drama with the backdrop of 1990s Russia, then you might enjoy Castle of Concrete very much! But, if you aren't up for another coming of age story with most of the common tropes, then this is not the best choice.

This review originally posted on Reviews From the Stacks.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good read! It’s a young adult novel that takes place in 1990-1991 Moscow during the whole Gorbachev-Yeltsin crisis. Fifteen-year-old Sonya has come to live with her dissent mother in Moscow after years of safely living with her grandmother in Siberia. Throughout the novel, Sonya learns about her Jewish heritage and tries to figure out what being Jewish in Russia means.

Sonya is intrigued by Misha, a Jewish boy in her school, but begins dating charming, attractive Ruslan, instead, even though others warn her about him.

I love how this novel mixed politics, romance, and figuring out who you are in such an appealing way. I felt like I was right there in school and at the protests in Moscow with Sonya.

This is a good read for high schoolers and anyone who enjoys YA romances or historical fiction.

[Jessica Higgins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical novel from the eyes of a teenage girl in the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The school year of 1990-1991 is ushering in a lot of change in Russia, especially in Moscow. Democracy is starting to take shape with the face of Boris Yeltsin. Gorbachev is starting to be forced out but isn’t ready to give it up just yet. Sonya Solovay is experiencing several changes too. She is finally able to live fully with her mother, who is a dissident of the Russian government. She leaves her grandmothers in a small remote village and moves with her mother to the outskirts of Moscow. To complicate things, they are Jewish and many of Russia’s disgruntled residents blame the Jews for their problems. However, Sonya is determined to make a new life for herself at her new school. She butts heads with some of the teachers but manages to strike up a relationship with the best-looking boy at school. She finds it easy to fall in love, but her Jewish ethnicity may cause a problem. When her mom decides that it may be best to move to America, Sonya is torn between her friends love for Russia and her love for her mother.

This book is a prime example of why I love historical fiction. I learned quite a bit about the social climate in Moscow during the fall of the Soviet Union. I had no idea that there was such an anti-Semite feeling across the country during this time frame. I would have figured earlier in the century but was surprised to find this out. History aside, I had a lot of trouble connecting with Sonya. I understand that she is a teenage girl out to make a new life, but she seems to just go about it all wrong. I didn’t really understand the relationship between her and Reslan either. If the intent was to see this time period though the eyes of a confused teenager, then it was definitely successful. There is some tension throughout the book between Sonya and two of the boy characters, which plays out great at the end. Stay through the end of the book and you will enjoy it.

There is some foul language throughout the book as well as some implied young adult intimate scenes that makes is suitable for a mature audience.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions express within are my own.

[Andrea Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The setting of this book is perfect for me as I was growing up and graduating high school around the time all of these things were happening in Russia. This was news that I have heard. Actually reading it made me sad, because I don't see a lot of change in the world



As Sonya told her mother "there's so much hatred in the world." I simply nod in agreement. Its 2019 and all we see in the news is hatred.



I didn't really much know about the goings on in Russia at the time, but I do remember Mr. Gorbachev and Mr. Yeltsin.



I loved Sonya, she was so much a typical teenage girl with her love triangle of Ruslan and Misha. I often found myself wanting to shake her, much like I would any teenage girl doing something stupid, and early on you could tell Ruslan wasn't the right guy for her.



This is a story that is more than a teenage romance. Its the story of Russian history and Jewish history that is seldom pretty. It is about a girl finding a New Life and herself.



I only wish the there was more resolution to her relationship with Misha.



This was such a beautifully written novel and a quick read for me. I simply couldn't put it down I really loved the characters.

[Kaelin Mokadam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Castle of Concrete is written by Katia Raina AKA my 6th grade English teacher. The novel is based on a historical event that happened in Russia although the main character is not based on someone who went through the actual events the main character did. Castle of Concrete is about Sonya, who is a teenager. Sonya lived in Russia during the 1990s; during that time there was conflict between the Jews and the Christians in Russia because they despised each other. Sonya was a student in high school and she had recently transferred schools. At her new school, she wanted to be popular because at her old school she didn't have many friends. She tries to become popular by wearing more revealing clothes that her family gave to her from the US. She also dates one of the most popular guys in her high school, who might be an anti-semite. Later in the story, she has to make some difficult decisions. I would give this book a 5-star review because Castle of Concrete is a moving and detailed novel about life as a teenager during the collapse of the Soviet Union.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book, I really did, but unfortunately I didn't. So much happened, and yet nothing happened. To me the book just trudged and limped along, and I never really felt engaged or connected to the characters. I liked Misha, but he was handled so superficially; I wanted more depth. And to me, Sonya was an airheaded little twit, consumed with clothes and boys, when there was so much going on in her world.

This book is really a 2 star book to me, but I am giving it the benefit of the doubt with 3 stars, thinking that coming of age books just aren't for me.

I received a free copy of this book from Hidden Gems and have voluntarily left this review.

[Egm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a young adult novel, but was given to me by the publisher and I was interested in the themes explored. These themes include teenage love, relationships (between mother-daughter, friends, love triangles), and anti-semitism, all set against the backdrop of the fall of Russia and its political themes. It took a few chapters to get into the story, but once all the key characters are introduced I found myself immersed and wanted to find out what happened. Overall, enjoyed the book. Would be a good choice for a book club.

[Sara Strand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely beautifully written novel set in the early 90's in an area that no longer exists, yet it's completely timely and relevant in present day America, and that's going to be the hook for kids. If you're in charge of purchasing books for a school library and/or classroom, this would be a really great addition to it. Yes, there is the romance element but that is really more about learning how to choose a good boyfriend, do you go with your gut or on wants?

I'll have a full review, and many more, on my blog: Stranded in Chaos

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Castle of Concrete is a wonderful read. This debut by Katia Raina tells the story of Sonya going to live in late twentieth century Moscow and learning to fit in a new world she is not used to. I loved getting to know her and learning a little bit of history of her time.

Castle of Concrete gets a four and a half stars from me. I would love to see where Miss Raina’s imagination takes her readers to in her next book. I recommend this one.

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

[Rochel Vorst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is Judaism a treasure or a burden? A Jewish star on a shoelace. Is it an irritating, poking, symbol of inferiority to be hidden under a blouse? Or is it a beautiful piece of jewelry to be worn proudly?
But what does being Jewish even mean?
These are some of the issues fifteen year old Sonia struggles with as she moves back in with her dissident mom. Determined to find her voice, to find friends, to find love. But will her Jewish star, something she has never seen before, hold her back?

[Marina · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Castle of Concrete, the awkward but very likable Sonya is somewhat of a Perestroika era vampire slayer, fending off Soviet foes and the old way of living while transforming herself, a child of glasnost, out of her inhibitions into a modern girl, open to new friends, ideas, environs and contemporary explorations. What a clever way to impart that unique experience onto modern audiences. Well done!

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A country I love to read about, with a story set in a time period I knew very little about.

I had no idea the fall of communism in Russia was so recent. I had no idea that people were so anti-Semitic in recent times - WWII era, yes, but the 90s, I had no idea. I can't believe this all happened so very recently.

Great blend of Russian language intertwined throughout the story that made it feel very authentic.

[Shelby Dover · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took a step outside of my normal genre and took a stroll into this YA historical fiction. I got to follow Sonya’s journey of starting a new school and meeting her first love while maneuvering through adult hardships like anti-semitism and political distress. What resonated in the story to me was Sonya found herself and stayed true to her character despite her obstacles. I enjoyed this book so much that I purchased it for my dad and plan on getting it for my mom.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling, beautiful story set in 1990s Moscow, right before the collapse of the Soviet Union. Sonya is a character you'll root for right from the start. The choices she makes are believable and difficult, and Raina handles them with grace. I love when historical fiction sheds light on present-day issues--and this novel is no stranger to that task.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an Advance Reading Copy from the author.