A moving and powerful story

Historical (and namely WW2) fiction is my favorite genre and I’m so glad I came across this audiobook! Few books show the war from the Soviet/German side, and that’s what fascinated me in the first place - the original concept and point of view that it offered. When I realized that the story is told from alternating perspectives (Kira’s and Werner’s) I started enjoying it even more as it helped me related to both and understand the motives of each.
The conflict itself is described with marvelous precision and truly brings history to life through an unimaginable amount of research that must have gone into it. Two opposing ideologies, two armies fighting with the ferociousness of wild beasts, and two young people who find themselves as enemies despite their deep, unwavering love for each other. I could only hope for the good outcome and was dreading the end if I’m completely honest.
A truly powerful, beautifully written and meticulously researched story. Both narrators did a great job. I’ll be recommending this to my fellow history lovers.

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You'll feel drawn in

My knowledge of history is fairly good, but not so great that I can know offhand how accurate this is. That said, the entire story rang true and it pulled you in.

Some of the heavy lifting was done by the dueling narrators, both of whom were outstanding. I had a clear favorite by the end, but both were great. Their dialogue flowed well and they were able to seamlessly transition from character to character, and gave the proper pronounciation to words of the region.

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A story that needed to be told

This is the most beautifully written anti-war novel I have recently come across. Make no mistake, the war is there, in every chapter, devastating, raw, and painfully real, but it opposes something much stronger than death itself, which surrounds our two heroes - love. It's not a love story and it is. It reminded me of Remarque and his writing a lot. It's also a reminder of how each of us can turn into an animal under the right circumstances. Both main characters are extremely strong people and I must admit, my admiration for Kira, a female sniper on the frontline, grew with every passing chapter. What is also important about this novel is that it's presented through the eyes of two ordinary people, a young German man and a Soviet girl, who didn't want to have anything to do with war yet found themselves on the opposing sides of the frontline. The amount of research that went into this novel is astonishing. Russian and German expressions dotted throughout the narration only added authenticity to an already splendid story. Also, I loved that there were two narrators and not one. Most enjoyable audiobook!

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Such a Soul-Gripping Book!

The core of this book is the touching Romeo and Juliet romance between Kira, a young Russian girl, and Werner, a German boy. When they first meet in 1939 Poland, their puppy love is filled with hope and naiveté. Germany is Russia’s ally, and although the two teens come from different countries, different cultures, they feel they are forever destined to be together. Not so, apparently. As they both go their separate ways, innocently swearing they will not forget one another, Hitler reneges on his pact with Russia and abruptly, Kira’s and Werner’s worlds are turned upside down. Werner is slated to invade Russia, and unbeknownst to him, Kira takes on a dangerous mission. Great detail is given to the harsh realities of war––the Siege of Leningrad, the unexpected fierceness of the Russians fighting the onslaught of Nazi soldiers, whether it be in the cities or out in the dense forests. So detailed are Midwood’s descriptions, I felt as though I, too, marched, hid, or suffered along with both sides; heard the blasts of weaponry; saw the horror of the maimed and killed; felt the rain, mud, bitter cold, and the crunch of snow. And ultimately, also witnessed the dehumanization of people and their souls. As the author writes, “They all want blood and revenge––anything just to soothe that bloodthirsty monster that has awakened in each and every one of us.” Truth be told, as I turned the pages I kept wondering: How could their faraway, diminishing love possibly win out, mired as it was in such horrific circumstances?
And what a treat it was to listen to the two narrators, Kylie Stewart and Eric Rolon, whose voices blended perfectly to make the story absolutely come alive. Excellent

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An amazing heartbreaking story

This is narrated by a duo, so all the male characters are told by Eric and Kylie does all the female. It makes the story feel more natural.

This was actually my first book I read by Ellie Midwood and it blew me away.

I was reading this book on a warm sunny Sunday afternoon with goosebumps all over my body. It is a very intense, realistic and harrowing tale of two young people forever changed by WWII. It easy to forget that most of the soldiers were just kids going to war with hope and dreams until the gruesome reality hit. It is shows the horrors and the toll it takes on the soul, but there is also hope and kindness in the most unexpected places.

An amazing read.

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Gripping

This was a fascinating story. It captivated me from start to finish. Ms. Midwood's writing made it such that I felt Kira and Werner's emotions throughout the story. The narrators did a fantastic job. If I could give this 10 stars, I would.

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Epic read

Wonderful story of the heartbreak, courage, and love of WWII. Two nineteen year olds, on opposite sides, are pulled into the nightmare of war. Can their love survive ? You don’t want to miss this book !!

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Try to Imagine yourself making these decisions!

When neither side is right and brutality and evil are the common link, where do you decide your alliances? And mix in love. Many twists and turns and real life accounts of brutality that happen on the Soviet side and the Nazi side. I questioned my own values and tried to imagine what I would have done in many of these situations. I just don't know when both sides are wrong - who is more wrong. A brutal war and psychological war of the mind. Excellent Narrator!

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I found it hard to get into and so much violence

I’ve listened to several Ellie midwood books. This was a new one for her with so much battlefield scenes. Such description of the killings fields I had to make myself listen but I’m sure that is really how war is. There were good people and very evil people on both sides. One of the best chapters is when Werner goes home to Berlin on a leave and he tells what he really thinks about this war and all others. It is a love story also and doesn’t disappoint

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So unusual, but in the best way possible!

I'd never heard an audio book that actually had the male and female lines in each chapter read in a male or female voice!
To explain this a little better, in Kira's chapter, all male lines are read by the male narrator.
Unusual, and it caught me by surprise the first word I heard, but after a minute it became my favorite! I already loved this story, but hearing it out loud was so moving. Definitely one of my favorites!

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