Character (5/5)
Plot & Pacing (5/5)
Setting & Surroundings (5/5)
Dialogue & Diction (5/5)
Craft & Voice (5/5)
Reading Experience (5/5)

Final Rating:
5/5

Comments:
Easiest perfect 5-star rating I’ve given all year. Ruta is the undisputed queen of historical fiction and she did not disappoint here. After reading Between Shades of Gray years ago, I’m only sorry it took me this long to get to its companion. This novel is an emotional tour de force that manages to balance historical accuracy and context perfectly with a fantastic story, consisting of narrative threads expertly woven together in a single, unified tale of strength, courage, and tragedy. I love that whenever I read Ruta’s work, I can learn so many new things and be entertained at the same time. I also love her incredible panache for finding the untold stories of history and shining a light on their dark recesses.