I have NEVER felt about a book the way I felt about this book. I did not stop, I did not pause, I put my headphones in through lunch and ignored my coworkers. I could not severe myself from this story for even a moment.  Wow. Compelling, addictive, fascinating, thrilling, beautiful. The writing was absolutely perfection. The author knew when to draw things out and when to make it snappy. They knew how to tug our heartstrings, to string us along by our emotions and never let go. Even now at the end I am not okay because I feel like I need to see these characters for myself.  The emotions were INSANE, fear, hope, loss, sadness, more hope, despair, round and round and round.  I cannot remember the last time I felt this way for characters in such a quick time - that is AMAZING writing. I think I cried dozens of times (how dare you!)

Don't let a fear of planes keep you from reading this book; that's not the focus and honestly you will be moved by the rest of the story. If you, like me, were horrified and fascinated by the show Chernobyl then you will LOVE this book.