Wow. It took me a long time to get through this book. It was both wonderful and terribly heartbreaking. This is the first book that I've read that was set during this time and in this part of the world. The horrors of war have shaped so much of human history, will we ever live in peace and harmony? I cried through the end of the book, but have no regrets; these stories will stay with me for a very long time. It was an excellent story and very well-written; I would read more works by this author.