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Traitor
Amanda McCrina's Traitor is a tightly woven YA thrill ride exploring political conflict, deep-seated prejudice, and the terror of living in a world where betrayal is a matter of life or death.
“Alive with detail and vivid with insight, Traitor is an effortlessly immersive account of a shocking and little-known moment in the turbulent history of Poland and Ukraine―and ironically, a piercing and bittersweet story of unflinching loyalty. I think Tolya has left my heart a little damaged forever.” ―Elizabeth Wein, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of Code Name Verity and The Enigma Game
Poland, 1944 . After the Soviet liberation of Lwów from Germany, the city remains a battleground between resistance fighters and insurgent armies, its loyalties torn between Poland and Ukraine.
Seventeen-year-old Tolya Korolenko is half Ukrainian, half Polish, and he joined the Soviet Red Army to keep himself alive and fed. When he not-quite-accidentally shoots his unit's political officer in the street, he's rescued by a squad of Ukrainian freedom fighters. They might have saved him, but Tolya doesn't trust them. He especially doesn't trust Solovey, the squad's war-scarred young leader, who has plenty of secrets of his own.
Then a betrayal sends them both on the run. And in a city where loyalty comes second to self-preservation, a traitor can be an enemy or a savior―or sometimes both.
This title has common core connections.
“Alive with detail and vivid with insight, Traitor is an effortlessly immersive account of a shocking and little-known moment in the turbulent history of Poland and Ukraine―and ironically, a piercing and bittersweet story of unflinching loyalty. I think Tolya has left my heart a little damaged forever.” ―Elizabeth Wein, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of Code Name Verity and The Enigma Game
Poland, 1944 . After the Soviet liberation of Lwów from Germany, the city remains a battleground between resistance fighters and insurgent armies, its loyalties torn between Poland and Ukraine.
Seventeen-year-old Tolya Korolenko is half Ukrainian, half Polish, and he joined the Soviet Red Army to keep himself alive and fed. When he not-quite-accidentally shoots his unit's political officer in the street, he's rescued by a squad of Ukrainian freedom fighters. They might have saved him, but Tolya doesn't trust them. He especially doesn't trust Solovey, the squad's war-scarred young leader, who has plenty of secrets of his own.
Then a betrayal sends them both on the run. And in a city where loyalty comes second to self-preservation, a traitor can be an enemy or a savior―or sometimes both.
This title has common core connections.
384 pages, Paperback
First published August 25, 2020
186 people are currently reading
10738 people want to read
About the author
Amanda McCrina
7 books238 followersAmanda McCrina was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. She received her BA in History and Political Science from the University of West Georgia. She currently lives in Franklin, Tennessee.
She writes historical fiction for teens and political fantasy for adults.
She writes historical fiction for teens and political fantasy for adults.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 303 reviews
October 14, 2020
I am full of surprises.
This may sound self-congratulatory (in which case, you should know better than to think I would ever compliment myself genuinely), or like a worse way of quoting Walt Whitman (which is likely accurate), but it’s true.
For example, even though I subsist off of candy and pizza, like a child with credit card access, I really am a big fan of brussels sprouts.
Another example: I recently moved across the country and went from having about 800 books with me to a couple dozen, and I haven’t even cried about it. Yet.
And finally, I hate to hate things.
I have made my name upon hating things, in truth it’s the only reason anyone follows me on this godforsaken website, but it makes me feel uncomfortable and nervous all the time.
Plus makes opening my notifications feel like walking through a minefield.
All of this is a characteristically long-winded way of saying that I’m bummed I didn’t like this.
But I really just did not.
First off, it SHOULD NOT have been dual perspective. Neither character is particularly distinct or exciting, and it’s genuinely so difficult to keep track of what’s happening at any given time. These characters are in two different places at two different times describing two different conflicts with different ways of addressing different military groups and whatnot in different foreign languages, and and and…
In short, I was confused way more than I wasn’t. And it didn’t take long for me to give up on trying to orient myself and just...force myself on.
Secondly, the pacing was. Strange. It felt like the climax happened way too early (or at least the most exciting part did), and by the end I felt surprised when it had ended without any other real action.
But maybe I missed an entire subplot due to the sheer extent of my confusion.
I wanted to like this very much, as it’s about a unique part of history that isn’t written about often. And in the moments when I had a single clue, it was often immersive and convincing.
But that was like. Four pages total.
Bottom line: Sad face.
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this is a dual perspective historical thriller set in an eastern european city during world war two with ukrainian, polish, russian, and german words and names, which i read half as a physical copy and half as an audiobook.
this is a longer way of saying: i'm confused.
review to come / 2.5 stars
-----------
"historical thriller" sounds like an oxymoron to me but i'm still excited
-----------
judging by the title, it looks like the book me and ilsa co-wrote about may is coming out soon
thanks to the publisher for the arc, which came in a very cool box
This may sound self-congratulatory (in which case, you should know better than to think I would ever compliment myself genuinely), or like a worse way of quoting Walt Whitman (which is likely accurate), but it’s true.
For example, even though I subsist off of candy and pizza, like a child with credit card access, I really am a big fan of brussels sprouts.
Another example: I recently moved across the country and went from having about 800 books with me to a couple dozen, and I haven’t even cried about it. Yet.
And finally, I hate to hate things.
I have made my name upon hating things, in truth it’s the only reason anyone follows me on this godforsaken website, but it makes me feel uncomfortable and nervous all the time.
Plus makes opening my notifications feel like walking through a minefield.
All of this is a characteristically long-winded way of saying that I’m bummed I didn’t like this.
But I really just did not.
First off, it SHOULD NOT have been dual perspective. Neither character is particularly distinct or exciting, and it’s genuinely so difficult to keep track of what’s happening at any given time. These characters are in two different places at two different times describing two different conflicts with different ways of addressing different military groups and whatnot in different foreign languages, and and and…
In short, I was confused way more than I wasn’t. And it didn’t take long for me to give up on trying to orient myself and just...force myself on.
Secondly, the pacing was. Strange. It felt like the climax happened way too early (or at least the most exciting part did), and by the end I felt surprised when it had ended without any other real action.
But maybe I missed an entire subplot due to the sheer extent of my confusion.
I wanted to like this very much, as it’s about a unique part of history that isn’t written about often. And in the moments when I had a single clue, it was often immersive and convincing.
But that was like. Four pages total.
Bottom line: Sad face.
-----------
this is a dual perspective historical thriller set in an eastern european city during world war two with ukrainian, polish, russian, and german words and names, which i read half as a physical copy and half as an audiobook.
this is a longer way of saying: i'm confused.
review to come / 2.5 stars
-----------
"historical thriller" sounds like an oxymoron to me but i'm still excited
-----------
judging by the title, it looks like the book me and ilsa co-wrote about may is coming out soon
thanks to the publisher for the arc, which came in a very cool box
August 19, 2020
Ukraine, 1944. Tolya Korolenko kills someone by accident. Afterwards he moves along the streets of Lwow city with his gun. We get to know the names of the streets, but we don’t get a feel of who Tolya is, besides being half Polish and half Ukrainian.
The point of the story is to shed light on the complex history of Lwow, which was in the hands of different nations and its history is probably unknown to most of the people outside Eastern Europe. The shifting powers meant you had to be careful who you associated yourself with.
What attracted me to this story was Lwow. I wanted to better understand its history. But the problem with this story is execution. Very dry style of writing. It’s like reading a non-fiction injected with a lot of dialogue at some parts. There is lack of character development. It’s just historical facts and fight for survival, lacking a character that would lead a reader through this tumultuous part of history.
The history of Lwow is so complex that trying to put all those names and what they stand for or for whom, or who is against whom, is very overwhelming.
For me, the most grasping stories start with an interesting character and then injection of history, once you’re attached to the character. Stories that start with an action scene, like in this story, and bombardment of names that most of the English speaking people won’t be able to pronounce is not something I connect with. I need character development first.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The point of the story is to shed light on the complex history of Lwow, which was in the hands of different nations and its history is probably unknown to most of the people outside Eastern Europe. The shifting powers meant you had to be careful who you associated yourself with.
What attracted me to this story was Lwow. I wanted to better understand its history. But the problem with this story is execution. Very dry style of writing. It’s like reading a non-fiction injected with a lot of dialogue at some parts. There is lack of character development. It’s just historical facts and fight for survival, lacking a character that would lead a reader through this tumultuous part of history.
The history of Lwow is so complex that trying to put all those names and what they stand for or for whom, or who is against whom, is very overwhelming.
For me, the most grasping stories start with an interesting character and then injection of history, once you’re attached to the character. Stories that start with an action scene, like in this story, and bombardment of names that most of the English speaking people won’t be able to pronounce is not something I connect with. I need character development first.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 7, 2020
During World War II, the territory in Eastern Europe known as Galicia was the scene of fierce, bloody fighting. Even before the war, there had been fighting between the Ukrainian and Polish people living in that part of Eastern Europe. These conflicts were ignited again in addition to the battles being fought against the German army and the Russian army as both forces fought for control of the area as well.
Against this backdrop, Amanda McCrina’s novel about two young men who are caught up in the fighting, provides a close up view of the uncertain loyalties, devastation, hardship, and brutality that were part of everyday life. There is a real sense of place with characters whose lives become entwined. It’s a story of survival, loyalty, and betrayal that is hard to put down.
At times, it is confusing as the timeline alternates between 1941 and 1944. But despite that, it’s a look at a little known part of World War II history that is well worth reading.
Thank you to NetGalley, Farrar Straus Giroux Publishers and author Amanda McCrine for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC of this very interesting story.
Against this backdrop, Amanda McCrina’s novel about two young men who are caught up in the fighting, provides a close up view of the uncertain loyalties, devastation, hardship, and brutality that were part of everyday life. There is a real sense of place with characters whose lives become entwined. It’s a story of survival, loyalty, and betrayal that is hard to put down.
At times, it is confusing as the timeline alternates between 1941 and 1944. But despite that, it’s a look at a little known part of World War II history that is well worth reading.
Thank you to NetGalley, Farrar Straus Giroux Publishers and author Amanda McCrine for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC of this very interesting story.
August 28, 2020
Traitor is a debut YA military thriller set in 1940's Poland- on the Eastern Front of WWII. Told in two timelines, each with a different POV character, this is fast paced, brutal, and clearly very well-researched. Both storylines are compelling and they weave together in interesting ways, although I did find the transitions between them to be quite jarring and pulled me out of the flow of what was happening. That said, the world the author weaves is darkly fascinating and we learn a lot about a part of the war that is often glossed over- one that is messy without clear heroes and villains.
One of the main characters, and the first that we follow, is 17-year-old Tolya who has been conscripted into the Soviet Red Army, hiding the fact that he is half-Polish, half-Ukrainian. The exploration of this complicated ethnic identity becomes one of the threads woven through the book in a world where Poles and Ukrainians are engaging in ethnic warfare and Tolya is caught between two worlds. Not to mention an array of splintered factions and resistance groups, double-agents, differing priorities, and outside influences. It's messy, not the neat and clean narrative of the Western heroes versus the evil Nazi's. But I think it's a story worth telling and one we can learn from.
I flew through the book and don't want to spoil anything, but if this sort of book interests you I do think it is worth your time. Despite some choppiness between timelines, I think this is a solid debut and I look forward to seeing more from this author. I received an advance copy of this book for review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Content warnings include graphic wartime violence, death, attempted rape, severe physical injury, gun violence, loss of loved ones, betrayal, and references to atrocities.
One of the main characters, and the first that we follow, is 17-year-old Tolya who has been conscripted into the Soviet Red Army, hiding the fact that he is half-Polish, half-Ukrainian. The exploration of this complicated ethnic identity becomes one of the threads woven through the book in a world where Poles and Ukrainians are engaging in ethnic warfare and Tolya is caught between two worlds. Not to mention an array of splintered factions and resistance groups, double-agents, differing priorities, and outside influences. It's messy, not the neat and clean narrative of the Western heroes versus the evil Nazi's. But I think it's a story worth telling and one we can learn from.
I flew through the book and don't want to spoil anything, but if this sort of book interests you I do think it is worth your time. Despite some choppiness between timelines, I think this is a solid debut and I look forward to seeing more from this author. I received an advance copy of this book for review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Content warnings include graphic wartime violence, death, attempted rape, severe physical injury, gun violence, loss of loved ones, betrayal, and references to atrocities.
October 5, 2020
Warning, this review might be a bit biased because I love war books.
This one is not a light read. It is intricate, detailed and involves many twists and turns. It deals with two time period and goes back and forth with different characters, so it was a little confusing at times, but man was it worth it! My biggest issue is the ending, I'd have liked a bit "more", but I couldn't bring myself to take a star away from my rating because it is an amazing book!
This one is not a light read. It is intricate, detailed and involves many twists and turns. It deals with two time period and goes back and forth with different characters, so it was a little confusing at times, but man was it worth it! My biggest issue is the ending, I'd have liked a bit "more", but I couldn't bring myself to take a star away from my rating because it is an amazing book!
September 19, 2020
Wow. Just wow. I will need days, weeks, maybe months for my heart to stop aching after Amanda McCrina’s Traitor. It’s that breathtaking and heartbreaking and brilliant.
Traitor is about a generally little known conflict during World War II between the Ukrainians, Polish, and Soviets. More specifically, it’s about two boys who are thrust into the center of this conflict and the unlikely friendship that grows between them. The main story takes place in late summer 1944, when Tolya, half Ukrainian, half Polish, is taken by a Ukrainian nationalist group. The commander of this group, Solovey, is Ukrainian. His story, happening in summer of 1941, is also told in parallel to the one in 1944. Though they are supposed to be enemies, the two boys bond over a common humanity that is so often found only in such times of war and strife.
This novel is unlike any that I have read. It is a thriller and a war story. A drama and a mystery. An incredible reminder of the tragedy of war, for nations, for nature, for people, for boys and girls who just want to be normal kids. From the first page, the story gripped me with its fast pace, incredibly deep emotion, and thoughtful philosophical questions, and it wouldn’t let go for a second until the last page.
The historical events themselves are flawlessly integrated into the fictional story at the center of the novel. McCrina has a strong command of the historical material. I am proud of this woman who wrote so convincingly about events that are usually relegated to men, about guns and warfare and yes, a couple of ordinary boys thrust into a conflict beyond their years let alone experience.
I loved McCrina’s style. It is sparse and clean and beautiful, reminding me of the literary prose of Hemingway or Cormac McCarthy with the depth of its emotion despite the sparseness. It means more than it says. It says more than it means.
But perhaps it is the characters that really made this a five star read for me. McCrina created incredibly realistic people, ones that I could have known in school, with their flaws, mistakes, and disappointments, but also with a piercing sense of honor, loyalty, and boldness. They constantly question what is right vs what is expected of them, the changing landscape of loyalty from one person and one cause to the next, and, indeed, what and who makes a traitor. Each character had his or her own personality, humor, and way of dealing with these questions that made the events not only entirely believable, but probable.
I would very much like to think Solovey and Tolya existed in some shape or form, somewhere in the past, that they breathed and lived and loved, that they led lives they were proud of in a time when life wasn’t precious or even really life. It was just survival.
Extraordinary book. I cannot wait to read more from this talented up and coming author.
Traitor is about a generally little known conflict during World War II between the Ukrainians, Polish, and Soviets. More specifically, it’s about two boys who are thrust into the center of this conflict and the unlikely friendship that grows between them. The main story takes place in late summer 1944, when Tolya, half Ukrainian, half Polish, is taken by a Ukrainian nationalist group. The commander of this group, Solovey, is Ukrainian. His story, happening in summer of 1941, is also told in parallel to the one in 1944. Though they are supposed to be enemies, the two boys bond over a common humanity that is so often found only in such times of war and strife.
This novel is unlike any that I have read. It is a thriller and a war story. A drama and a mystery. An incredible reminder of the tragedy of war, for nations, for nature, for people, for boys and girls who just want to be normal kids. From the first page, the story gripped me with its fast pace, incredibly deep emotion, and thoughtful philosophical questions, and it wouldn’t let go for a second until the last page.
The historical events themselves are flawlessly integrated into the fictional story at the center of the novel. McCrina has a strong command of the historical material. I am proud of this woman who wrote so convincingly about events that are usually relegated to men, about guns and warfare and yes, a couple of ordinary boys thrust into a conflict beyond their years let alone experience.
I loved McCrina’s style. It is sparse and clean and beautiful, reminding me of the literary prose of Hemingway or Cormac McCarthy with the depth of its emotion despite the sparseness. It means more than it says. It says more than it means.
But perhaps it is the characters that really made this a five star read for me. McCrina created incredibly realistic people, ones that I could have known in school, with their flaws, mistakes, and disappointments, but also with a piercing sense of honor, loyalty, and boldness. They constantly question what is right vs what is expected of them, the changing landscape of loyalty from one person and one cause to the next, and, indeed, what and who makes a traitor. Each character had his or her own personality, humor, and way of dealing with these questions that made the events not only entirely believable, but probable.
I would very much like to think Solovey and Tolya existed in some shape or form, somewhere in the past, that they breathed and lived and loved, that they led lives they were proud of in a time when life wasn’t precious or even really life. It was just survival.
Extraordinary book. I cannot wait to read more from this talented up and coming author.
September 13, 2020
My biggest takeaway from Traitor: A Novel of World War II was that it felt more like narrative non-fiction than fiction. The plot is more about what happens rather than the people who experiencing the conflict. I wasn't very attached to either Tolya or Aleksey as characters and would've loved more development about who they were as people.
The historical note at the end definitely should've been included at the beginning of the novel. I've studied Eastern European history a bit and still found it hard to keep track of what was happening in the book. At one point I ended up putting the book down to read the history of the city of Lwów on Wikipedia, which to me is a sign that the key players in the book weren't well explained. There's also no pronunciation guide for any of the Polish or Ukrainian words, which I really would've liked.
I will say that I found the book interesting and really appreciated reading a WWII book that wasn't set in the United Kingdom or Nazi Germany. Eastern Europe is often overlooked so it was nice to see historical fiction highlighting the atrocities that went on in that region during the war. The book was a pretty quick read as well since it's action-packed. I think if I went in expecting more of a focus no the history rather than the story, I would've enjoyed Traitor a lot more.
C/W:
The historical note at the end definitely should've been included at the beginning of the novel. I've studied Eastern European history a bit and still found it hard to keep track of what was happening in the book. At one point I ended up putting the book down to read the history of the city of Lwów on Wikipedia, which to me is a sign that the key players in the book weren't well explained. There's also no pronunciation guide for any of the Polish or Ukrainian words, which I really would've liked.
I will say that I found the book interesting and really appreciated reading a WWII book that wasn't set in the United Kingdom or Nazi Germany. Eastern Europe is often overlooked so it was nice to see historical fiction highlighting the atrocities that went on in that region during the war. The book was a pretty quick read as well since it's action-packed. I think if I went in expecting more of a focus no the history rather than the story, I would've enjoyed Traitor a lot more.
C/W:
October 18, 2021
This is one of the best YA historical thrillers about WWII. The story grabs you by your throat from the first page and it won't let you go.
Traitor is an immersive, propulsive, atmospheric WWII story. Most of us know about the horrid days of WWII, but a very few know the history of Poland and Ukraine. The story is emotional, highly-nuanced and masterfully layered in suspense. You will question everything and everyone. After all, it is a story of betrayal, survival and revenge. There’s violence. There’s pain and a wide range of messy emotions. And despite all of it, it is also a story about loyalty and friendship and what makes us human in the darkest of times.
Amanda’s a true master of words – her writing is simple yet evocative, immersive yet intricate. This is one of those books that stays with you for a very long time.
Traitor is an immersive, propulsive, atmospheric WWII story. Most of us know about the horrid days of WWII, but a very few know the history of Poland and Ukraine. The story is emotional, highly-nuanced and masterfully layered in suspense. You will question everything and everyone. After all, it is a story of betrayal, survival and revenge. There’s violence. There’s pain and a wide range of messy emotions. And despite all of it, it is also a story about loyalty and friendship and what makes us human in the darkest of times.
Amanda’s a true master of words – her writing is simple yet evocative, immersive yet intricate. This is one of those books that stays with you for a very long time.
June 16, 2020
I received an ARC (the book will be published in August 2020) from a virtual book con. Usually historical fiction is not the type of book that I would go for but I had entered the contest for this particular book for my daughter who loves WW2 and that time era. When it arrived she was so busy with her new virtual student life that I decided to give it a go.
And I’m glad I did! It was such an amazing book full of twists and turns. I really fell in love with the characters. They had a lot of “thinking” they had to do for themselves. There were a lot of twists & turns throughout the book.
I couldn’t put it down and I highly recommend it!!
And I’m glad I did! It was such an amazing book full of twists and turns. I really fell in love with the characters. They had a lot of “thinking” they had to do for themselves. There were a lot of twists & turns throughout the book.
I couldn’t put it down and I highly recommend it!!
December 18, 2020
This book is getting three stars from me because:
1. It is a rarely-written about part of World War 2 history, and
2. I can tell the author did her research, and that the subject matter was important to her.
If not for those two things, I would have rated it lower. The book is aptly named, because everyone is betraying everyone, which makes it very hard to follow. The history itself is complicated, but the writing of the story did not make it that much clearer. Even if the author’s note had been in the front of the book (or if I had read it first), it still would have only lent a little background to what was going on.
I read an interview with the author, in which she stated the story was mainly Tolya’s. But there are two different time periods, and two different characters that the story follows. If the book was supposed to be mainly Tolya’s story, half of it should not have been the background of Solovey and what he experienced before meeting Tolya. Another issue is that the novel is in third person. With an already complicated narrative, it would have helped to be in Tolya’s head and perspective in order to cement the reader in the action.
The upshot is Tolya is half-Polish, half-Ukrainian, and during this time period, that sucks for him because the Polish hate the Ukrainians, the Ukrainians hate the Polish, the Germans hate the Polish, and the Soviets hate everybody. At least, that is what I was able to gather through the course of the entire novel.
Tolya lives in an area that is constantly passed back and forth between Soviet and German hands, and the Ukrainian nationalist movement and Polish resistance are at odds with each other and with whoever is in power at any given time. Confused yet?? Furthermore, the Ukrainian nationalist movement is really only fighting for itself, but partnered with the Germans at first against the Soviets.
All that to say, Tolya is stuck in this world, between all these worlds and all the hate and all the machinations.
There are also a lot of characters, which with the afore-mentioned ethnicities and political parties, made it hard to remember whose side people were on, and the betrayals didn’t help matters.
I even had a hard time keeping the backstories of Tolya and Solovey straight. If you do choose to pick up this book, I highly suggest making use of the List of Military and Paramilitary Forces and the Character List, which are in the back of the book. I might even say that taking notes would help, but who has time for that??
I really appreciate that you can feel the author’s passion for this history, but I wish it had been made more accessible to the reader. And, if we as readers had been inside Tolya’s head, I think I would have connected with the story more.
1. It is a rarely-written about part of World War 2 history, and
2. I can tell the author did her research, and that the subject matter was important to her.
If not for those two things, I would have rated it lower. The book is aptly named, because everyone is betraying everyone, which makes it very hard to follow. The history itself is complicated, but the writing of the story did not make it that much clearer. Even if the author’s note had been in the front of the book (or if I had read it first), it still would have only lent a little background to what was going on.
I read an interview with the author, in which she stated the story was mainly Tolya’s. But there are two different time periods, and two different characters that the story follows. If the book was supposed to be mainly Tolya’s story, half of it should not have been the background of Solovey and what he experienced before meeting Tolya. Another issue is that the novel is in third person. With an already complicated narrative, it would have helped to be in Tolya’s head and perspective in order to cement the reader in the action.
The upshot is Tolya is half-Polish, half-Ukrainian, and during this time period, that sucks for him because the Polish hate the Ukrainians, the Ukrainians hate the Polish, the Germans hate the Polish, and the Soviets hate everybody. At least, that is what I was able to gather through the course of the entire novel.
Tolya lives in an area that is constantly passed back and forth between Soviet and German hands, and the Ukrainian nationalist movement and Polish resistance are at odds with each other and with whoever is in power at any given time. Confused yet?? Furthermore, the Ukrainian nationalist movement is really only fighting for itself, but partnered with the Germans at first against the Soviets.
All that to say, Tolya is stuck in this world, between all these worlds and all the hate and all the machinations.
There are also a lot of characters, which with the afore-mentioned ethnicities and political parties, made it hard to remember whose side people were on, and the betrayals didn’t help matters.
I even had a hard time keeping the backstories of Tolya and Solovey straight. If you do choose to pick up this book, I highly suggest making use of the List of Military and Paramilitary Forces and the Character List, which are in the back of the book. I might even say that taking notes would help, but who has time for that??
I really appreciate that you can feel the author’s passion for this history, but I wish it had been made more accessible to the reader. And, if we as readers had been inside Tolya’s head, I think I would have connected with the story more.
February 16, 2021
A vivid, complex, gripping debut perfect for the war and military history buff in your life, adult or young adult! Well-researched and told in dual points of view and timelines, this novel is a fascinating, thorough examination of the Polish-Ukrainian conflict during WWII. It is not a light, easy read - it is harrowing, raw, complicated, intriguing, and heart-wrenching. I learned so much from this story and felt so deeply for Tolya, Aleksey, their sufferings, and their friendship. The author's passion and extensive knowledge of this subject matter and these characters is evident on every page and truly makes this book shine. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and am so excited to see what she does next!
September 11, 2022
I liked that this covered the history of World War II from a different perspective than most historical novels do. I had a hard time keeping the two different timelines straight because they were fairly similar in their characterization and experiences.
May 26, 2020
I received this ARC for free courtesy of YALLWEST, thanks again!! As stated on the back, the book comes out 8/25/20!
Traitor is a novel that takes place in WWII, following half Ukrainian and half Polish seventeen-year-old Tolya Korolenko. After shooting his unit’s political officer, he’s saved by Ukrainian freedom fighters, including squad leader Solovey. However, a betrayal sends them both running, and a traitor can be an enemy or savior, or both.
I’m going to try to keep this spoiler free. The title is perfect for this book, in my opinion. It fits so many aspects of the novel, not just the betrayal mentioned in the book summary.
There are a lot of moral gray areas for the characters, and you can see them flounder and struggle with their ethics and morals. WWII, as all of us know, was a brutal war, and this book makes no exceptions. There’s a lot of death, a lot of sadness, and a lot of well-written characters that have tragic backstories, or tragic occurrences throughout the novel.
There are also a lot of twists in the novel, however, each twist is important, and I think it helps develop the story as a whole, rather than detracting from it. I was invested in the characters, and the twists that occurred made me even more curious about what would happen next. I think the dual POV really worked well too, which kept up the tension and my developing interest in the story.
The dialogue was really great too. I liked the interrogations, as they felt realistic, and I liked the humor in the dialogue, especially in Aleksey’s chapters when he is talking to Mykola. As mentioned, the dual POV works for this novel, and the two points of view we see are Tolya (who is in third person) and Aleksey (who is in first person.)
Overall, it was a fantastic read, and I highly recommend it if the premise interests you!
Favorite Character: Mykola
Least Favorite Character: Vitalik
Traitor is a novel that takes place in WWII, following half Ukrainian and half Polish seventeen-year-old Tolya Korolenko. After shooting his unit’s political officer, he’s saved by Ukrainian freedom fighters, including squad leader Solovey. However, a betrayal sends them both running, and a traitor can be an enemy or savior, or both.
I’m going to try to keep this spoiler free. The title is perfect for this book, in my opinion. It fits so many aspects of the novel, not just the betrayal mentioned in the book summary.
There are a lot of moral gray areas for the characters, and you can see them flounder and struggle with their ethics and morals. WWII, as all of us know, was a brutal war, and this book makes no exceptions. There’s a lot of death, a lot of sadness, and a lot of well-written characters that have tragic backstories, or tragic occurrences throughout the novel.
There are also a lot of twists in the novel, however, each twist is important, and I think it helps develop the story as a whole, rather than detracting from it. I was invested in the characters, and the twists that occurred made me even more curious about what would happen next. I think the dual POV really worked well too, which kept up the tension and my developing interest in the story.
The dialogue was really great too. I liked the interrogations, as they felt realistic, and I liked the humor in the dialogue, especially in Aleksey’s chapters when he is talking to Mykola. As mentioned, the dual POV works for this novel, and the two points of view we see are Tolya (who is in third person) and Aleksey (who is in first person.)
Overall, it was a fantastic read, and I highly recommend it if the premise interests you!
Favorite Character: Mykola
Least Favorite Character: Vitalik
September 2, 2020
I’m gonna chalk this up as a “it’s not you, it’s me” scenario. Because by all rights this should’ve been a great book—it starts off fast and doesn’t let up. It’s a compelling historical fiction about a time period/battle I don’t know much about.
But I couldn’t stay invested. Honestly, it took me WAY too long to realize it was two separate guys a few years apart from each other. The back cover only specified one, and I know that Russians (all Eastern Europeans?) have multiple nicknames, so I didn’t even bat an eye.
Second: I got confused with the various organizations and countries involved. Polish and Ukrainians hate each other, but only because of the Russians and Germans....? I think? And I couldn’t remember which organization was with which country. And to add to THAT confusion, like half the characters we met were all traitors. One was UPA but really NKVD. One was pretending to be Soviet but was really NKVD also? At least two or three were UPA or not UPA or soviet but not really soviet.
Plus all the secondary characters (the women, basically) bounced in and out of the storyline so randomly that I couldn’t remember who was who. It didn’t help that a few of them showed up in both timelines to thoroughly confuse me about who knew who.
So maybe I’m in the minority or others feel the same, but for most of this I was just confused.
But I couldn’t stay invested. Honestly, it took me WAY too long to realize it was two separate guys a few years apart from each other. The back cover only specified one, and I know that Russians (all Eastern Europeans?) have multiple nicknames, so I didn’t even bat an eye.
Second: I got confused with the various organizations and countries involved. Polish and Ukrainians hate each other, but only because of the Russians and Germans....? I think? And I couldn’t remember which organization was with which country. And to add to THAT confusion, like half the characters we met were all traitors. One was UPA but really NKVD. One was pretending to be Soviet but was really NKVD also? At least two or three were UPA or not UPA or soviet but not really soviet.
Plus all the secondary characters (the women, basically) bounced in and out of the storyline so randomly that I couldn’t remember who was who. It didn’t help that a few of them showed up in both timelines to thoroughly confuse me about who knew who.
So maybe I’m in the minority or others feel the same, but for most of this I was just confused.
October 21, 2020
Traitor is a heartbreaking, complicated, and fascinating historical novel. It was incredibly detailed and I felt like I was dropped in the middle of Lviv in WWII, surrounded by enemies on all sides. Every character is a mystery, every backstory a reveal, and you spend the entire book wondering if you'll ever know the truth behind anyone's motivations.
You do, eventually. Sort of. In that, it's a satisfying resolution, but one that grapples with the complexities of our identities -- for example, Tolya is half-Polish and half-Ukrainian and fought for the Russians. Whose side is he really on? Whose side does he *want* to be on, when every side is so flawed?
As the terrific character Lena says, "If I had to blame anybody, I suppose I'd blame myself. My sins are the only ones I'm sure about." In the end, the characters can only judge themselves on how they treat one another -- and we can only judge them based on that.
Solovey and Tolya brought me to tears. I am blown away by the beautiful complexity of this story, and the painful, honest emotional ride of the characters. A must-read!!
You do, eventually. Sort of. In that, it's a satisfying resolution, but one that grapples with the complexities of our identities -- for example, Tolya is half-Polish and half-Ukrainian and fought for the Russians. Whose side is he really on? Whose side does he *want* to be on, when every side is so flawed?
As the terrific character Lena says, "If I had to blame anybody, I suppose I'd blame myself. My sins are the only ones I'm sure about." In the end, the characters can only judge themselves on how they treat one another -- and we can only judge them based on that.
Solovey and Tolya brought me to tears. I am blown away by the beautiful complexity of this story, and the painful, honest emotional ride of the characters. A must-read!!
June 22, 2020
Wow! Just wow! This book is astonishing! If you think there is nothing new to learn about World War II, it will definitely prove you wrong! The writing is lovely - clean and simple, but with spot on descriptions that involve all the senses. The plot is truly gripping and compelling. And the characters! I loved so many of them - and I really loved that (with maybe one exception), they were drawn in shades of grey. Even the most evil people had a tiny moment - a millisecond - of grace. Which did not, by any means, make their actions seem less evil - quite the opposite, in fact. But I felt that Ms. McCrina envisioned her entire cast of characters as complete human beings, in all their messy complexity, and she managed to convey this to her readers.
The setting is one I knew pretty much nothing about - the action takes place in the city of Lviv, which was then in Poland, and is now in Ukraine. And a great deal of the fighting is between Poles and Ukrainians - the addition of Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia only make the long running conflict between these two groups more bitter.
It is hard to write anything at all about the plot without giving major points away, so I will just say that it is quite twisty, and fascinating. The title, "Traitor," describes more than one person, for sure, but isn't a perfect characterization of anyone.
The structure is fascinating! Two teenage soldiers cross paths, and alternating sections of the book are written from each young man's perspective.
I want to add a caveat. This truly excellent book is really hard to read in places, because of the horrific violence some of the young people see and endure. I think I will be haunted by it for a good while to come. If you know that you, like me, don't do well with violence, I still think you will find it very worthwhile, but be warned that some fairly shocking things happen.
Also, the fate of the Jewish citizens in Poland is certainly alluded to, and described pretty graphically in one scene, but it is not a major concern of any of the characters, so the book does not center on it. So, although it is a novel about WWII Poland/Ukraine, it is not a Holocaust narrative.
Finally, the book is crying out for a sequel! It doesn't end on an awful cliffhanger, but I really wanted to know what would happen next.
In sum: Beautifully written and well worth reading.
The setting is one I knew pretty much nothing about - the action takes place in the city of Lviv, which was then in Poland, and is now in Ukraine. And a great deal of the fighting is between Poles and Ukrainians - the addition of Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia only make the long running conflict between these two groups more bitter.
It is hard to write anything at all about the plot without giving major points away, so I will just say that it is quite twisty, and fascinating. The title, "Traitor," describes more than one person, for sure, but isn't a perfect characterization of anyone.
The structure is fascinating! Two teenage soldiers cross paths, and alternating sections of the book are written from each young man's perspective.
I want to add a caveat. This truly excellent book is really hard to read in places, because of the horrific violence some of the young people see and endure. I think I will be haunted by it for a good while to come. If you know that you, like me, don't do well with violence, I still think you will find it very worthwhile, but be warned that some fairly shocking things happen.
Also, the fate of the Jewish citizens in Poland is certainly alluded to, and described pretty graphically in one scene, but it is not a major concern of any of the characters, so the book does not center on it. So, although it is a novel about WWII Poland/Ukraine, it is not a Holocaust narrative.
Finally, the book is crying out for a sequel! It doesn't end on an awful cliffhanger, but I really wanted to know what would happen next.
In sum: Beautifully written and well worth reading.
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February 27, 2020The Official Cover Reveal for Traitor: A Novel of World War II was 2/26/20!
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April 13, 2023
When I saw this at the library it was the title caught my attention. After reading the blurb and reading several pages, I was hooked. I devoured this less than a week. Two days at the most. Yes, it was that good. It is an intense story but also about survival and risks their lives in dangerous situations. It is a good book, regardless!
August 30, 2020
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
Traitor is a compelling look at what was, to me, a lesser-known part of World War II. In Traitor, we follow two young men who find themselves ensnared in quite the dire battle. I will say before you go any further, this is a fairly brutal novel, which obviously makes sense given the subject matter. But it doesn't shy away from some really violent stuff, so keep that in mind.
I will also say, that I don't know if I personally would have categorized this as a YA, simply because I can see this appealing to fans of historical novels (especially those set in and around WWII), and that I don't think that the typical YA parameters apply aside from the age range (and even that, loosely). So if you are a historical fan, this one is probably for you. In fact, I gave this book to my dad who is always on the lookout for WWII books, and is always very excited to connect to his familial Polish roots.
Traitor tells us the story of Tolya and Solovey, both of whom are fairly reluctant participants in this battle. I found my heart breaking for these young men, and all of those who experienced life in this hellscape, frankly. They were so young, and thrust into a situation so desperate, it was hard to wrap my mind around. I don't want to say too much about the actual story, because it's very twisty (as you'd imagine by the title, who knows who, if anyone is trustworthy!), but it definitely highlights the trials the young men are facing. We also see quite a bit of the war and the effects of it, as it switches POVs, alternating between 1941 and 1944. So not only do we see how the situation developed, but we get to see the ramifications of the fighting, and the toll it took on the people too.
I also learned a lot while reading this book! The author explains her research at the end (it's impressive, frankly), and who is based on real people, etc. I had no idea that things were so desperately bleak in Poland during WWII- obviously I knew it was no picnic, but this was eye opening, without a doubt. I absolutely encourage anyone who is interested in historical fiction to check this out. You'll feel deeply for the characters, and you'll likely find yourself immersed in learning about a whole new side of the war.
Bottom Line: Another stunning example of why the US needs to do better when teaching history, I had my eyes open by this lovely novel exploring the atrocities that not only two young men, but an entire country faced while simultaneously being engaged in a world war.
Traitor is a compelling look at what was, to me, a lesser-known part of World War II. In Traitor, we follow two young men who find themselves ensnared in quite the dire battle. I will say before you go any further, this is a fairly brutal novel, which obviously makes sense given the subject matter. But it doesn't shy away from some really violent stuff, so keep that in mind.
I will also say, that I don't know if I personally would have categorized this as a YA, simply because I can see this appealing to fans of historical novels (especially those set in and around WWII), and that I don't think that the typical YA parameters apply aside from the age range (and even that, loosely). So if you are a historical fan, this one is probably for you. In fact, I gave this book to my dad who is always on the lookout for WWII books, and is always very excited to connect to his familial Polish roots.
Traitor tells us the story of Tolya and Solovey, both of whom are fairly reluctant participants in this battle. I found my heart breaking for these young men, and all of those who experienced life in this hellscape, frankly. They were so young, and thrust into a situation so desperate, it was hard to wrap my mind around. I don't want to say too much about the actual story, because it's very twisty (as you'd imagine by the title, who knows who, if anyone is trustworthy!), but it definitely highlights the trials the young men are facing. We also see quite a bit of the war and the effects of it, as it switches POVs, alternating between 1941 and 1944. So not only do we see how the situation developed, but we get to see the ramifications of the fighting, and the toll it took on the people too.
I also learned a lot while reading this book! The author explains her research at the end (it's impressive, frankly), and who is based on real people, etc. I had no idea that things were so desperately bleak in Poland during WWII- obviously I knew it was no picnic, but this was eye opening, without a doubt. I absolutely encourage anyone who is interested in historical fiction to check this out. You'll feel deeply for the characters, and you'll likely find yourself immersed in learning about a whole new side of the war.
Bottom Line: Another stunning example of why the US needs to do better when teaching history, I had my eyes open by this lovely novel exploring the atrocities that not only two young men, but an entire country faced while simultaneously being engaged in a world war.
July 17, 2020
This book was fine.
I was excited to receive at ARC in a very fancy package (like many other reviewers have alluded), and excited to read a historical fiction story from an area of history that we in the West don’t often hear about. I was supremely impressed with the author’s research into the different groups and factions and organizations that made up that small corner of the Eastern front. And she does a great job of distilling events down into an easily understandable setting for her plot. Further, she includes a dissertation-worthy collection of primary and secondary sources at the end for further reading. Frankly, this work deserves an extra half star rating just for that.
Where this book felt thin were with the characters and plot. So much detailed information is given about the setting, the time, the factions, that features of the characters or their actions are surprisingly absent until much later. It’s almost like you’re playing a video game character, dropped into a moving story without much backstory or effort spent at helping you understand a character’s choices. A character is merely provided with a binary choice between a very bad option or something less bad, and the plot is progressed. But that’s simply not a satisfying way to read a story, especially given the effort that the author spent in researching the period. Characters are killed off or abandoned after a few pages and then we’re supposed to feel something for them later, or at all (so much so that another Goodreads reviewer seemed more concerned with the fate of a cat than with named characters). That doesn’t build suspense like she’s trying to do. Several characters survive gunshots, but when it’s convenient to the plot then the right enemies will fall with one or two shots (again, like a video game). It’s just jarring.
This book is just fine. It lacks in story and character development, but if you’re interested in military history or in exploring an under-covered aspect of World War II, then I think you’ll find something to appreciate. One wonders how the book might be different if written for the adult historical fiction genre. Given the depth, an additional 100-200 pages might have been enough to put it up with the likes of a Monica Hesse, Kate Quinn, Tom Robb Smith, or David Benioff.
Thanks for the opportunity to read this book. 2.5 stars.
I was excited to receive at ARC in a very fancy package (like many other reviewers have alluded), and excited to read a historical fiction story from an area of history that we in the West don’t often hear about. I was supremely impressed with the author’s research into the different groups and factions and organizations that made up that small corner of the Eastern front. And she does a great job of distilling events down into an easily understandable setting for her plot. Further, she includes a dissertation-worthy collection of primary and secondary sources at the end for further reading. Frankly, this work deserves an extra half star rating just for that.
Where this book felt thin were with the characters and plot. So much detailed information is given about the setting, the time, the factions, that features of the characters or their actions are surprisingly absent until much later. It’s almost like you’re playing a video game character, dropped into a moving story without much backstory or effort spent at helping you understand a character’s choices. A character is merely provided with a binary choice between a very bad option or something less bad, and the plot is progressed. But that’s simply not a satisfying way to read a story, especially given the effort that the author spent in researching the period. Characters are killed off or abandoned after a few pages and then we’re supposed to feel something for them later, or at all (so much so that another Goodreads reviewer seemed more concerned with the fate of a cat than with named characters). That doesn’t build suspense like she’s trying to do. Several characters survive gunshots, but when it’s convenient to the plot then the right enemies will fall with one or two shots (again, like a video game). It’s just jarring.
This book is just fine. It lacks in story and character development, but if you’re interested in military history or in exploring an under-covered aspect of World War II, then I think you’ll find something to appreciate. One wonders how the book might be different if written for the adult historical fiction genre. Given the depth, an additional 100-200 pages might have been enough to put it up with the likes of a Monica Hesse, Kate Quinn, Tom Robb Smith, or David Benioff.
Thanks for the opportunity to read this book. 2.5 stars.
September 8, 2020
Note: The author is my crit partner, and I had read an earlier version of this book. The finished version is a marvel, though often very hard to take. It details the experiences of two young men toward the beginning and toward the end of World War Two, in the disputed territory of Galicia, in and around the city of Lviv/Lwow. And--
I had no idea. I had no idea of the hostility between Poles and Ukranians, or of the betrayals and massacres. I had no idea what a struggle it was just to stay alive when so many people wanted revenge for so many evils. And to retain compassion and loyalty in these circumstances surely required a special sort of heroism.
Mrs. Kijek was one of my heroes. Honestly, Solovey was one, too. As for Tolya and Mykola, they both broke my heart. (My sister told me she had nightmares about poor little Mykola.)
So--some strong warnings here. The violence, especially toward an innocent adolescent, is awfully hard to take. But the characters are vivid, the action fast, and the story haunting and not without hope. If you love Elizabeth Wein, you should love this book.
I had no idea. I had no idea of the hostility between Poles and Ukranians, or of the betrayals and massacres. I had no idea what a struggle it was just to stay alive when so many people wanted revenge for so many evils. And to retain compassion and loyalty in these circumstances surely required a special sort of heroism.
Mrs. Kijek was one of my heroes. Honestly, Solovey was one, too. As for Tolya and Mykola, they both broke my heart. (My sister told me she had nightmares about poor little Mykola.)
So--some strong warnings here. The violence, especially toward an innocent adolescent, is awfully hard to take. But the characters are vivid, the action fast, and the story haunting and not without hope. If you love Elizabeth Wein, you should love this book.
August 4, 2020
I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review of the book.
Wasn't sure whether this book was a 3 or a 3.5 for me. Mostly solid storytelling, although because I have had so much work going on this summer, I was forced to read this book piecemeal. Unfortunately, this doesn't quite work for a book that toggles back and forth between two different young men living in two different periods of World War II, 1941 and 1944. In addition, part of the point of the story is the discombobulation of the kaleidoscopic, constantly shifting loyalties and sides the two protagonists were involved with, but the net effect, for me, at least, was to feel somewhat disengaged with the events and the characters. Having said all that, I did enjoy the book, and felt I learned a lot about WWII that I didn't know about, helped by the list of characters at the end and the summary of the conflicting, competing, overlapping tides of history that characterized the war in Poland/Ukraine.
Wasn't sure whether this book was a 3 or a 3.5 for me. Mostly solid storytelling, although because I have had so much work going on this summer, I was forced to read this book piecemeal. Unfortunately, this doesn't quite work for a book that toggles back and forth between two different young men living in two different periods of World War II, 1941 and 1944. In addition, part of the point of the story is the discombobulation of the kaleidoscopic, constantly shifting loyalties and sides the two protagonists were involved with, but the net effect, for me, at least, was to feel somewhat disengaged with the events and the characters. Having said all that, I did enjoy the book, and felt I learned a lot about WWII that I didn't know about, helped by the list of characters at the end and the summary of the conflicting, competing, overlapping tides of history that characterized the war in Poland/Ukraine.
January 24, 2021
This beautiful, heartbreaking book will stay with me for a long time. I was so excited to find an author writing about such a little known aspect of WWII, and Amanda McCrina did not disappoint. Her impressive research and beautifully constructed world brought the bleak desolation of life in 1940’s Lviv to life. It was such a complicated time and place, and she did a fantastic job of setting the historical scene without overshadowing her poignant story.
I fell in love with Tolya and Solovey. Their flaws, their grief, their resilience in the face of constant adversity was both tragic and inspiring.
I couldn’t put the book down, and even now I’m still thinking about the way she wove in the connections between the different main and secondary characters. I will be pre-ordering her next book as soon as possible.
I fell in love with Tolya and Solovey. Their flaws, their grief, their resilience in the face of constant adversity was both tragic and inspiring.
I couldn’t put the book down, and even now I’m still thinking about the way she wove in the connections between the different main and secondary characters. I will be pre-ordering her next book as soon as possible.
October 31, 2020
Traitor is a sophisticated and relentless offering, making me guess with each turn of the page. It is a story woven in broken threads of time with two voices, each revealing less than necessary until just the right time. It also deals with a part of the polish/Ukrainian/Russian front of WWII with which I’m much less familiar.
McCrina knows her history, her weaponry, the complex regionalisms involved, and even her natural world, and this shines through in her writing. She also doesn’t pull the punches when it comes to revealing what two boys likely went through during the gut-wrenching loss of their society.
Also, I happens to love that it was a female author who told this story so very well. More books like this.
McCrina knows her history, her weaponry, the complex regionalisms involved, and even her natural world, and this shines through in her writing. She also doesn’t pull the punches when it comes to revealing what two boys likely went through during the gut-wrenching loss of their society.
Also, I happens to love that it was a female author who told this story so very well. More books like this.
July 6, 2020
A new perspective into the layered facets of WWII. This story focuses on Poland and it's struggles between the Soviet Union, Germany and it's own internal fighting.
The storyline moves along briskly and the reader must keep tabs on the various factions fighting for control of this country. I'd recommend reading the indexes and author's note at the end to give a better understanding of the characters' motivations and desires.
Only a few mild curse words appear, but the violence pushes this to older teens and above. Given the subject, I'd say adult readers are more likely to appreciate the story.
* I received an Advance Reader's Copy from Goodreads Giveaways *
The storyline moves along briskly and the reader must keep tabs on the various factions fighting for control of this country. I'd recommend reading the indexes and author's note at the end to give a better understanding of the characters' motivations and desires.
Only a few mild curse words appear, but the violence pushes this to older teens and above. Given the subject, I'd say adult readers are more likely to appreciate the story.
* I received an Advance Reader's Copy from Goodreads Giveaways *
November 14, 2020
Very entertaining war story with lots of resistance/guerilla action which is always fascinating. The historical detail added another level of intrigue to the story as well. Can definitely tell that it was written by an historian! The split timeline was effective at enhancing the impact of several of the dramatic turning points as the reader has been given some of the backstory for the different characters that wouldn't have otherwise been known. The story became more engaging as it went along and more of the context was filled in, and by the end of the book I think everyone will be looking forward to the next release in the series.
July 23, 2020
This was a really good YA book and give it 5 stars. The author was good at keeping it interesting and wanting to read more of the book. I appreciated how the author developed the characters in this book. She displayed the depth/complexity of humanity through the conflicts within each character. I reccommend this for students who want read historical fiction/WWII book, but don't want a holocaust story. A fascinating read. I won an early copy of this book through a publisher giveaway.
dnf
August 24, 2020DNF @ 50%.
I have tried to read this book in three different sittings, but clearly this book just isn't for me. I don't think there's anything wrong with the book. This was marketed as a fresh take on WWII era books. Normally, I steer clear of WWII books because the majority of them are just retelling the same story. I thought I'd give this one a try. I fell for marketing though because there was nothing new here.
Thank you to Fierce Reads for providing a review copy.
I have tried to read this book in three different sittings, but clearly this book just isn't for me. I don't think there's anything wrong with the book. This was marketed as a fresh take on WWII era books. Normally, I steer clear of WWII books because the majority of them are just retelling the same story. I thought I'd give this one a try. I fell for marketing though because there was nothing new here.
Thank you to Fierce Reads for providing a review copy.
September 1, 2020
Výborná téma s príšerným spracovaním. Autorka totiž niekde v procese písania zabudla, že toto nie je odborná práca, v ktorej stačí na začiatku vysvetliť historický kontext a potom sa ním už nezaoberať. Toto je beletria, v ktorej je neustále potrebné osvetľovať motiváciu, vysvetľovať kto je kto a čo sa vlastne snaží dosiahnuť. A zo všetkého najlepšie by bolo, ak by to textu nevkladala úplne zbytočné a nezaujímavé postavy bez motivácie, ktoré nijako nepredstavila a tým pádom ich mohla rýchlo zabiť bez toho, aby z toho čitateľ náhodou nemal nebodaj nejakú citovú traumu.
Táto kniha ma zabila. Ale v tomto prípade to nie je kompliment.
Táto kniha ma zabila. Ale v tomto prípade to nie je kompliment.
July 22, 2020
3.5 stars - Part thriller and part historical fiction, this was really well-written and the pacing was fantastic. I love learning about events in history (specifically WWII) and this was no exception. It’s a thrilling story with so many twists and turns! Personally, my biggest issue was keeping track of all the characters and their different sides (German? Soviet? Polish? Ukrainian?) I wish that things were a little more fleshed out and explained!
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