Karina’s Reviews > Soldier X > Status Update
Karina
is on page 96 of 227
Very struck by this turn of events. Now his identity as half Russian is at odds with his identity as a German soldier. The sudden shift is enough to give readers a whiplash. The evolution of scared foot soldier to fast-thinking survivor is very powerful, and the story continually builds intensity. My favorite line : "I was caught in the middle of a lie, pretending to be unable to remember things I wished to forget."
— Aug 04, 2024 02:26AM
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Karina’s Previous Updates
Karina
is on page 226 of 227
Fantastic. I greatly enjoyed this book. It packs a powerful punch, even though it's a relatively brief read. The cruelty and horror of war is encapsulated in a unique dual perspective, and stays true to the history of the time. I loved the last line: "She explained to me the reasons why she believed it had to be done [write a book], and why this strange--and sometimes ugly--story had to be told."
— Aug 11, 2024 12:11AM
Karina
is on page 177 of 227
That identity reveal was so pulse-racing! The scene was very realistic and introduced a dramatic obstacle to the picture, making his two identities finally at odds with one another. I also find it interesting how when he is discovered, he doesn't care what happens to him. Really demonstrates the sense of loss and defeatism German soldiers felt at the time.
— Aug 09, 2024 01:56AM
Karina
is on page 144 of 227
The plot thickens. Erik's time in the Russian ward is an important time for his character development. He gains empathy for the enemy and sees the ppl behind the uniform. The suffering and neglect the patients go through is harrowing. The scene that got me was when the paralyzed man screamed at the general to take off the award he bestowed on him, as well as Nikolai quietly crying to himself after losing both legs.
— Aug 07, 2024 02:33AM
Karina
is on page 50 of 227
The horror of this novel's perspective is absolutely gripping. The way it's told from beginning to end the journey a young German soldier must take at the end of a losing war is razor sharp and flatly brutal. The devastating attitude of traumatized veterans is heart-wrenching and painful. I also find the dual identity conflict intriguing and am curious to see how that plays out in the rest of the story.
— Jul 28, 2024 10:47AM
