Eve’s Reviews > Firebird (Everyone Can Be a Reader > Status Update

I didn't know what to expect when a reviewer wrote that the ending was ambiguous. I thought that meant something negative, but it didn't. I enjoyed the ending and I liked learning more about the USSR during WW II. It was great to read a book by Elizabeth Wein since she's well known for Code Name Verity.

I can understand where some reviewers were coming from with the plot twist about the Romanovs at the end. I get why they felt that it was unnecessary, but I'm mostly indifferent. I'm still recovering and healing from so much that I can't bring myself to care, and I don't take joy in nitpicking the books that I read.

I didn't know about Stalin's Order 227. That was interesting to learn about but also intense and mildly disturbing.

'Loyalty means more to me than love.'

That's an intriguing insight from the Chief. I need to mull that one over some more.

I remember reading about the Hermitage Museum about ten years ago and learning about how it was damaged during WWII. This information isn't new to me, but it's still sad to have that reminder. It's such a gorgeous—and historical—building!! 😍

So I just had to bear the secret burden of my own stupidity and—for the second time—something that felt like creeping cowardice.

The first part of that sentence is an emotional gut punch. It resonates with me. I feel inferior so often and in so many situations. 😔

The soldier from the USSR that pretended to chase after Nastia was a total troll. Ugh!! Men. Even some of the fictional ones suck. 😖🙄

The chapters in this book are really short.

'You can learn from a fairy tale,' the Chief said gently. 'Look out for each other.'

This is a touching sentiment in a book about war. It's interesting too since the Chief carries herself as a badass.