This book was so hard to put down. Would highly recommend it if you like Romance Fiction set during historical periods (WW2) This novel is a page turner, loved it!

Tatiana lives with her parents, grandparents, sister and brother in a two room section of a residential building in Soviet Russia. Hitler turns on Stalin, bringing the war to Russian land. Tatiana meets a handsome and charming Red Army soldier, only to discover her sister Dasha has been dating and is in love with him. Tatiana knows she must no longer think of Alexander that way. Unfortunately, it is easier said than done. While The Bronze Horseman is primarily a love story, there is a lot more to it. Simons portrays life in a Leningrad under siege- rationing of food and supplies, the constant bombing, the crime, the hardships, etc. It also briefly touches on the paranoia under the Communist and Soviet governments. The characters are developed extremely well and the story is phenomenal; Simons is an outstanding writer. There are also really hot sex scenes, which is always a plus. There really is not a lot more to say about this book, however the fact that I stayed up until 3:15 AM to read should be proof enough that I highly recommend this book.

It is a long read, but one of coming of age (and innocence) while you follow Tatiana and her life in Leningrad, Russia, just before WWII. Her family including her grandparents and twin her brother and her older sister, Dasha, living in small shared quarters together. While food supplies are dwindling and weather is harsh. The demands on the civilians even harsher. There is love, hate, loss and reunion, but forgiveness is hard or is it learning the truth even harder. Alexander, a Soviet soldier who meets Tatiana, but is involved with her older sister creates complicated relationships and sacrafices. Will they survive?

A definite page turner. Well written with great characters.

difficult to put down. wonderful story, beautifully written.

I absolutely LOVED this book. At the beginning, I wasn't crazy about the writing style, but very soon I was hooked and it really grew on me. The characters were so palpable, I felt they were just as real as you and me. The story line was captivating, scenes were so well described ("show, don't tell") that I felt like I was watching a movie the entire time I read the book. I have never been to Leningrad or the other Russian locations mentioned, but I could see them very clearly in my mind's eye. But what I really enjoyed was living the story with the two main characters, Tatiana and Alexander. I was moved and felt their passion, and pain, and love, and hurt, and desire, and despair just like they did. It's hard to believe they are just fictional characters. How can that be? Read it, you won't regret it! I am so happy this is part of a trilogy as I am nowhere near ready to say good-bye to these characters. 5 stars out of 5 for this wonderful book!