Tag: historical fiction

The Pythagorean by Alexander Morpheigh Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

In author Alexander Morpheigh’s ” The Pythagorean, ” a young man finds himself transported back in time and in the body of another young man from Ancient Greece and must find a way to get back to his present. 

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The Synopsis 

The protagonist, a young man named Theodore, is about 36 years old and resides in Athens. Following a car accident, he finds himself in the body of a young man from Ancient Greece who attempted suicide. Confused about his whereabouts, Theodore sets out to find people and seeks guidance from the Delphic Oracle – Pythia.

Pythia reveals to Theodore that he must meet his true teacher, who alone can return him to his own time. To prepare spiritually for this encounter, Theodore’s best bet is one of the greatest teachers of European civilization – Pythagoras, who coincidentally lives during that era. Theo seeks out Pythagoras and becomes his student. Throughout his education, Pythagoras explains to Theodore why he ended up in the past and the significant mission awaiting him in the future. In the process, Pythagoras imparts a wealth of intriguing facts to Theodore, blending authentic Pythagorean teachings with alternative viewpoints from contemporary science.

Theodore’s beloved Elena remains in Athens, and his lack of attention towards her weighs heavily on him. Through his studies, Theodore learns the practice of lucid dreaming, enabling him to communicate with Elena in his dreams and share his experiences. In a critical turn of events, Theodore steals a bottle of expensive wine, leading to his arrest. Pythagoras intervenes, securing his release on bail. However, Theodore learns he can only remain on the island for a month. With his limited time, he must pass an interview with the local ruler. In another lucid dream, Theodore meets Alkeus, the young man from ancient Greece, who now inhabits his body in the present. Alkeus’ adaptability to modern life is hindered by amnesia, and he relies on others to remind him of his past.

As Theodore’s training progresses, Pythagoras not only introduces alternative, scientifically backed perspectives on the Universe’s structure and the existence of parallel worlds but also takes him on journeys to explore them. Theo’s situation becomes dire – execution awaits him if he stays in the past, while arrest and imprisonment await him in the future. In a lucid dream, he encounters his future self in a café, realizing that his true teacher is none other than himself. Spiritual purification is the key to his return to the present. Is he prepared to embark on his crucial mission?

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The Review

What a fascinating and compelling twist on the time travel genre. The author does a spectacular job of crafting a unique and original way of taking these characters through the time travel trope and expanding upon it. The balance the author found in historical accuracy and sci-fi mythos was remarkable, with the use of imagery in the author’s writing style bringing both the past and present to life vividly and viscerally. 

The heart of the narrative, however, was in both the philosophical journey and emotional character development that the novel took on. Theo’s evolution throughout this novel, from a typical life led as a programmer in Athens to being forced to live in Ancient Greece and, in the process, learning more about himself and what matters most to him in life, made the narrative pop off the page. The way he adapts to life in Ancient Greece and becomes a mentee to Pythagoras himself was fun and fascinating, delving into some of the higher concepts of philosophy that the era became known for. Theo’s love and romance with Elena were heartfelt, and they kept the reader invested in these characters as the story progressed.

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The Verdict

Trippy, compelling, and thoroughly entertaining, author Alexander Morpheigh’s “The Pythagorean” is a must-read historical fiction meets sci-fi thriller. The narrative’s twists and turns and the author’s exploration of unique time travel and sci-fi concepts like higher forms of reality, parallel dimensions, and the idea of consciousness itself made the story feel alive and fresh for the reader while also giving a story that felt personal and engaging from the characters’ point of view. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

PRESS RELEASE: Tong Ge, critically acclaimed author and now multiple Book Award Winner

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn Creative Edge Publicity Press Releases, PRESS RELEASESLeave a comment
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Critically acclaimed author Tong Ge is now a multiple Award Winner. Her critically
acclaimed historical epic, The House Filler was the recipient of the prestigious 2024
National Association of Independent Writers and Editors (NAIWE) Award for Literary
Fiction.
This recognition of acknowledgement in a contest of this magnitude is a first for this up-
and-coming author and is the latest highlight in a number of accomplishments including
an award win at the 2024 Independent Press Award for new fiction as well as being a
finalist at the 2023 Eyelands Book Awards and the 2024 Canadian Book Club Awards
for fiction.

2024 National Association of Independent
Writers and Editors Award for Literary Fiction
“We are pleased to share with you that your book, The
House Filler, was selected from ​over 100 entries in the
2 nd  Annual NAIWE Book Awards Contest! And it was
selected to represent this category because ​of the literary
skills you used to successively develop the story and the
descriptive language you wrote in to allow the reader to
understand the community in which the main character
lives!”

About NAIWE


NAIWE is a professional association for all publishing professionals! We exist to help
members succeed with our unique focus on creating multiple streams of income.
We’ll cheer you on when your first novel hits the shelves or the first printing of your
business book sells out. We’ll support you as you add new skills to your repertoire and
learn to make a great living doing what you do best.


We believe in professional freelancers and in-house publishing professionals who love
the rhythm and cadence of the language and are committed to polishing even the
humblest prose to its highest luster.


At NAIWE, we know that a career in the publishing industry isn’t all about the art. It’s not
all about the money either. Your work is about the joy of creativity, the freedom of
working independently, and the fulfillment that comes from creating an authentic,
abundant life, earning a living doing what you love to do. We believe that taking the road
less traveled is often the best way to go.


We encourage everyone in the publishing industry to belong to two professional
organizations. The first is a large, general, career-building association such as NAIWE,
and the second is a smaller craft- or genre-focused association that will help develop
additional skills in the minutiae of your craft.

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About Tong Ge

Born and raised in China, Tong Ge moved to Canada in the late
1980s as an international student, earning a Master of Science degree
from the University of Saskatchewan in 1992. Since 2012, she has
written under both her real name and the pen name Tong Ge,
publishing poetry, prose, and short stories in English and Chinese
across North America, England, and Taiwan. A recipient of five literary
awards and a finalist for five others. Her debut novel, “The House
Filler,” was published in Canada in 2023. It is a finalist for the 2023
Eyelands Book Awards and the 2024 Canadian Book Club Awards for fiction and won the 2024
Independent Press Award for new fiction and National Association of Independent Writers and
Editors (NAIWE) Award for Literary Fiction.

A Remembrance of Death (The Castle Drogo Series) by Andrew G. Tweeddale Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A man and woman are brought back together in the declining years of the British Empire and must confront their pasts to find their future in author Andrew G. Tweeddale’s “A Remembrance of Death”, the latest entry in the Castle Drogo Series.

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The Synopsis

Set in the final years of a declining British Empire, A Remembrance of Death is a beautifully crafted novel that deals with regret, loss, love, and hope. Spanning forty years, the story examines the relationship between Basil Drewe and Celia Lutyens, and how love like rain cannot choose the grass on which it falls.

As he arrives at Oxford in 1917, Basil Drewe is coming to terms with the recent death of his brother Adrian in the Great War. Meanwhile at Ojai in America, Celia Lutyens and her illegitimate son Robert struggle to find their place in a foreign country. On returning to England, Celia renews her acquaintance with Basil and finds she must deal with the mistakes of her past and the constraints placed upon her by society and its expectations. Their journey takes them to India, Vienna, London, Nuremberg and Kenya. Finally, they return to Castle Drogo, the place where they first met, however, the castle no longer represents the ideal it once did for Celia but is now a mausoleum.

A Remembrance of Death was short-listed for the Yeovil Literary Price and received a high commendation. It was described as, “prose with a classic sensibility … evoking a clear and present time and place, the characters lifting effortlessly from the page with authentic dialogue and engaging set pieces.”

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The Review

A truly heartfelt and engaging historical fiction read. The author does a marvelous job of balancing the more significant historical events and settings with the more personal, emotional moments the characters endure during the story. The awesome use of imagery throughout the writing allowed the reader to feel immersed in the narrative, stepping back in time and experiencing life at the end of and after WWI in a unique way.

Yet the author did that without sacrificing the important character development that played such a vital role in the story. The honest and powerful themes the author explores in this historical setting, from the power of grief and loss and how it impacts a person to the overwhelming nature of love and even the impact that colonialism overall had on the world, a commentary on the legacy of the British Empire before it fell to be sure, made this such a powerful and moving read. The care and attention that the protagonist Basil took to the other characters in this story, Celia for sure, and also characters like Indian student Laxman, showed the heart and drive that made Basil such a memorable protagonist. 

The Verdict

Author Andrew Tweeddale’s “A Remembrance of Death” is authentic, detailed, and engaging historical fiction. It is a must-read novel. The emotional and heartfelt moments between the characters and the rich historical narrative that develops will keep readers invested and eager for a third book in this passionately written series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Andrew has worked as a chef, a lawyer and is now an author.

‘Of All Faiths & None’ was Andrew’s first novel, published in 2022, and tells the story of the Drewe and Lutyens families in the final years before World War 1. The novel is centred around Castle Drogo, the last great castle to be built in England. The castle is out-of-place in a modern world and its construction reflects the turmoil of the times. However, foremost the novel is a romance where relationships are shattered by an unrelenting war. Andrew’s second novel ‘A Remembrance of Death’ takes the story from 1917 to 1955 and deals with Basil Drewe and Celia Lutyens and their relationship during the darkest moments of modern history. Andrew is currently writing a third novel in the Castle Drogo series which he hopes will be publish in 2026.

https://www.ofallfaiths.com/

A Gilded Redwood Coffin (The Roddy and Val DeVere Gilded Age Series by Cecelia Tichi Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A mission to save a young woman’s life turns into a twisted murder investigation in the Gilded Age in author Cecilia Tichi’s “A Gilded Redwood Coffin,” the latest entry in The Roddy and Val DeVere Gilded Age Series.

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The Synopsis

Western silver heiress Val DeVere expects nothing but joy at an elegant Newport picnic in 1899, only to be abruptly summoned to New York by a close friend’s urgent and cryptic plea: “PLEASE HELP…THEO B.”

In New York, Theo confides in Val, begging her to save his lively cousin Phoebe from a cunning Irish manservant who, he claims, is plotting her “accidental” death in the Rocky Mountains—just as he allegedly orchestrated the death of her twin sister in Boston a year earlier.

Determined to help her friend, Val, now Mrs. Roderick DeVere, tries to convince the headstrong Phoebe to delay her trip to the Rockies. Yet the Irish servant, whom Theo accuses of murder, reminds Val of her beloved late father, an Irish immigrant and “Silver King,” whose charm and brogue are unsettlingly familiar.

When Phoebe is found murdered in her New York apartment, suspicion falls squarely on the Irishman, appearing to wrap the case up neatly. But for Val, the truth feels far more elusive. Is she blinded by sentiment, or is there another killer lurking in the shadows? As doubt creeps in, Val faces a race against time to uncover the real culprit, all while risking arrest as an accessory to murder.

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The Review

It is a genuinely tremendous and engaging read. The author does an excellent job of finding the means of balancing the high society background of Val’s character with the mystery and intrigue that the narrative provides. The imagery and atmosphere of the Gilded Age translate perfectly on the page, and the historical aspect of the setting draws the reader into the story more and more.

The character arcs in this novel were engaging. Val’s strength and resilience showcased her character’s overall growth throughout the series, yet the book allows new readers to jump into the story quickly. The haunting nature of the case and the shocking twists and turns the narrative takes will keep readers on the edge of their seats, eager for more adventures in this fantastic historical fiction thriller. 

The Verdict

A brilliant fusion of high society meets gritty murder mystery, author Cecilia Tichi’s “A Gilded Redwood Coffin” is a must-read historical fiction meets mystery thriller. The twists and turns in the author’s story and how the narrative builds upon the character development of previous entries in the series will keep readers engaged throughout the narrative. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

AUTHOR LECTURER PROFESSOR

A fresh start for every new book, and author Cecelia Tichi’s zest for America’s Gilded Age and its boldface names draws this seasoned writer to a crime fiction series while uncorking the country’s cocktail cultures on the printed (and ebook) page. Tichi digs deep into the Vanderbilt University research library to mine the late 1800-1900s history and customs of Society’s “Four Hundred,” its drinks, and the ways high-stakes crimes in its midst make for a gripping “Gilded” mystery series that rings true to the tumultuous era. The decades of America’s industrial titans and “Queens” of Society have loomed large in Tichi’s books for several years, and the titles track her recent projects:

Civic Passions: Seven Who Launched Progressive America (and What They Teach Us)

Jack London: A Writer’s Fight for a Better America

What Would Mrs. Astor Do? A Complete Guide to the Manners and Mores of the Gilded Age

Gilded Age Cocktails: History, Lore, and Recipes from the Golden Age

Jazz Age Cocktails: History, Lore, and Recipes from the Roaring Twenties

A Gilded Death (crime fiction)

Murder, Murder, Murder in Gilded Central Park (crime fiction)

A Fatal Gilded High Note (crime fiction)

COMING SOON IN THE ‘GILDED’ CRIME SERIES:

A Gilded Free Fall.

She enjoys membership and posting in Facebook’s The Gilded Age Society. You can read more about her work by visiting www.cecebooks.com.

The Trenches of Glodan: Perpetual War Book One by Tyler Kalarchian Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A young woman with great power must find a way of surviving a war that has engulfed her world for thousands of years in author Tyler Kalarchian’s “The Trenches of Glodan,” the first book in the Perpetual War series.

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The Synopsis

Since she was a child, Natalia Ludmila was destined to join the war that had engulfed the world for thousands of years. Her close friends were allowed to stay back and enjoy the freedom of life as citizens while she was sent off to join the military. The reason for her fate was the essence that flows through her veins, caused by the mark of a Blood Tree making her an esper.

This mark has left Natalia an outcast in society yet highly desired for the powers she possesses. Challenges come at her from every angle as she desperately fights to survive—a fight that could very well lead her to a chance at freedom from the war.

Now cast forth into the snow, Natalia is tasked with scouting the town of Basavan for any life within it. This simple mission promises her the rank of Gamayun. A rank that will bring great challenges and opportunities.

The Review

What a truly remarkable read. The author did an incredible job crafting a unique and vivid world perpetually locked into war. The depth of character development for the protagonist allowed her journey to feel real and haunting all at once. The author found balance in the story’s more fantasy-driven elements with the more grounded, visceral nature of the setting and events that plague this world.

What spoke to me more than anything was the book’s powerful themes that touched upon life struggles people have dealt with for centuries. The horrors of war and its physical and mental impact on those forced into it were greatly felt, and the reader could feel the emotional weight of the war, particularly the trench warfare that spoke to the WWI elements of the setting. The mythos and world-building that the book included made this a memorable read.

The Verdict

Thoughtful, action-packed, and engaging author Tyler Kalarchian’s “The Trenches of Glodan: Perpetual War Book One” is a must-read steampunk meets sci-fi and fantasy thriller. The twists and turns the novel takes, as well as the emotional journey that the protagonist takes, will leave readers eager for more from this talented author. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Version 1.0.0

Tyler Kalarchian has always enjoyed exploring foreign worlds through books, movies, and games. As he grew older, he realized that he needed to share his own stories and began writing a book. After many years of drafts, he finally became a published author. Now he is busy on the next story and many more after that!

When Tyler is not writing, he enjoys distance running outside and the company of friends around a table playing board games. He currently lives in Orlando.

Website: https://rucaern.com/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tylerkalarchian.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyler_kalarchian/

Rune of Revenge (Outside the Thalsparr Series Book Four) Bjorn Leesson Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A legendary warrior must traverse battle after battle and seek out a means of not only fulfilling her father’s promise but helping her friend and promised hero fulfill her destiny in author Bjorn Leesson’s “Rune of Revenge”, the fourth book in the Outside the Thalsparr Series. 

The Synopsis

The legendary saga of Ingrid Stone-Splitter, the most loyal and greatest friend of the Dokkrsdottir, after returning home amid strife and loss.

A powerful woman of many destinies, Ingrid embarks on journey after journey to fulfill the peaceful promises of her father

Harald, to help set the stage for the Dokkrsdottir to fulfill her destiny, and to be a hammer which smashes the Dark.

The Review

Another compelling and exhilarating historical fiction meets supernatural thriller. The author does a wonderful job of capturing the tone and the atmosphere of life in the Viking Age, especially during an age when Vikings expanded into Saxon territory and blended this with Norse mythology perfectly, making the supernatural and fantasy elements feel natural to the world around the characters. 

The heart of the narrative was in the new protagonist, exploring a strong supporting character in the series and giving a free perspective to the legend and destiny of the Dokkrsdottir overall. The personal nature of Ingrid’s journey and how it ties into the cliffhanger finale from the last book will keep longtime fans of this series invested and thrilled to be in the thick of the action. 

The Verdict

Memorable, thrilling, and entertaining author Bjorn Leesson’s “Rune of Revenge,” the latest and upcoming entry in the Outside the Thalsparr series, is a must-read for any action-driven historical fiction meets Viking fantasy series fans. The heartfelt delivery of Ingrid’s story and the exploration of that fine line between peace and the fight to maintain that peace will stay with readers long into the next book. If you haven’t yet, preorder your copy today or grab the book on February 25th, 2025.

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Bjorn Leesson has always been fascinated with many topics to include history, the supernatural, and writing. These interests combined led to the Outside the Thalsparr series, with the first book in the series, “Runes of the Dokkrsdottir.” Bjorn was not formally trained as a writer and has worked in the industrial manufacturing field his entire life. Writing his stories and hoping others enjoy them is a passion and not a career.

PRESS RELEASE: THE HOUSE FILLER BY TONG GE

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn Creative Edge Publicity Press ReleasesLeave a comment

The House Filler

A moving and powerful historical epic by critically acclaimed author, Tong Ge

Published by Ronsdale Press 

Available in both print and e-book format worldwide

The House Filler is a moving and powerful portrayal of one family’s struggle to survive in the face of an historical upheaval and political oppression. 

A family saga set in China during the most tumultuous time of the twentieth century including the Japanese invasion, the civil war, and the Communist takeover. 

The House Filler is told through the experiences of Golden Phoenix, a woman who faces war, poverty, and political oppression as she fights for survival, freedom and happiness. After the untimely death of her husband, Golden Phoenix is determined to keep her family together. However, poverty forces her to make the heart-wrenching decision to give her teenage twins to the Red Army. During the upheaval of the Japanese invasion of her hometown, she is separated from her two young girls, and her remaining son leaves to fight with the Nationalist army. Golden Phoenix, along with her adopted son, remains to endure the horror and hardship of war. When the civil war ends with the Communists in power in 1949, one of her twins, who had joined the Communist Party, is wrongly accused of being a traitor and is sentenced to death. Golden Phoenix and her family must find a way to save her son’s life. 

Ronsdale Press » House Filler, The

The House Filler: Ge, Tong: 9781553806981: Books – Amazon.ca

“Golden Phoenix’s voice is strong. It feels that she is right there, sitting with the reader, telling her story”_Miramichi Reader

“When momentous events take the whole of China by storm, her family is buffeted as well: ‘Blessings do not come in pairs, and calamities never come alone.’ Quotidian struggles give way to horrendous tragedies with the Japanese invasion, the civil war between the Communists and the Nationalists, and the iron-fisted regime of modern China. Golden Phoenix and her family go through incredible pain. In simplistic works, the ones who inflict pain under an occupying power would face retribution when the regime changes. This is no such fairy tale. It is a testament to the power of spirit; a work reminiscent of Yu Hua’s To Live but also one with a unique, wry voice.” _ Historical Novel Society

“A debut novel of a proposed trilogy from Canadian writer Tong Ge promises more to come” _ The Epoch Times.

About Tong:

Born and raised in China, Tong Ge came to Canada in the late 80s as an international student. She has obtained a Master of Science degree from University of Saskatchewan in 1992. Since 2012, she has written under both her real name and the pen name Tong Ge, publishing poems, prose, and short stories in both English and Chinese across North America, England, and Taiwan. Her works can be found in publications such as PRISM International, Canadian Stories, Ricepaper, Academy of the Heart and Mind, FLOW magazine, Vineyard Poetry Quarterly, 渥水, 远方的诗, Polyglot Magazine, Aloka Magazine, Magnets and Ladders. With four literary prizes already received, she is also a finalist for four others. Her debut novel, “The House Filler,” was published in Canada in 2023 and is among the five finalists worldwide for the 2023 Eyelands Book Awards historical fiction + memoir category and is the winner of the 2024 Independent Press Award for new fiction. It is also a finalist for the 2024 Canadian Book Club Award.

Asayi: An Autistic Teen’s Journey to Topple a Shogun in Medieval Japan by Sharon Curcio Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A young autistic teen must navigate and stop a Shogun in power in author Sharon Curcio’s “Asayi: An Autistic Teen’s Journey to Topple a Shogun in Medieval Japan.”

The Synopsis

There’s harrowing tension in being Asayi. But join Asayi’s circle to oppose a punitive regime. Court intrigues swirl, underbelly characters from different levels of society emerge, deceptions reign, yet truth emerges at the end.

Layers of nuance unfold: the vulnerability of an autistic young woman in a merciless time period; political unrest, physical survival, secret identities, and finding one’s tribe and love while facing injustices and revolts that are just as real as today’s inequities and discontents.

The underdogs prevail in this remarkable medieval Japanese saga replete with true to life characters, political and personal sagas, and the enduring Asian cultural icon: the ghost.

The Review

This was a compelling blend of historical fiction and paranormal suspense. Readers’ unique perspective when dealing with this genre, namely from the perspective of an autistic protagonist, as they face a powerful and ruthless regime, added depth to the story that very few historical fiction tales have. The exploration of life at court in the Shogun life and the political intrigue of this culture was so fascinating to behold. 

What stood out from other historical fiction reads was how the author presented many aspects of hardship and struggle through the protagonist’s character growth. The character was not only a woman but an autistic woman who drew more rage and wrath from those around her than sympathy and understanding. Her steadfast journey of staying mute in the face of abuse due to her being autistic helped amplify her story. Going from a very timid and submissive person in the face of great injustice to a strong and dignified spirit who underwent a remarkable transformation was a brilliant way of showcasing the unique Japanese culture of that era and highlighting the protagonist’s evolution as a whole. 

The Verdict

A story of resilience, hope, and finding one’s place in the world was a powerful way of introducing readers to Sharon Curcio’s “Asayi,” a powerful historical fiction meets paranormal suspense thriller exploring Japanese culture and a powerful autistic protagonist. The twists and turns in the narrative and the heartfelt and emotional pull of Asayi’s journey, especially when connecting with her lost parents and beyond, made this memorable read. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Sharon Curcio graduated from Carnegie-Mellon University with a B.A. in Humanities and from Washington University (STL) with an MBA. Sharon worked in marketing for major corporations in the New York area, and even landed her dream job as copywriter for a Madison Avenue Ad Agency (Benton & Bowles). Next Sharon moved to Miami, where she taught as an adjunct professor for several universities (Florida International University and the University of Miami), earned her Florida Teaching Credential, taught high school English and joined the USAR as an Intelligence Analyst. 

Sharon lived in Miami for a decade before moving to California in 1992. 

In California Sharon served as a project officer for the Army Reserves for six years and then returned to high school teaching. From 2003-2004 active duty called Sharon to Guantanamo Bay to conduct intelligence analysis. Sharon retired from the USAR as a CW-4 in 2012, then retired from teaching in 2018. In retirement Sharon wrote five screenplays, two with co-writer, Diana Saenz, and in October of 2022 heard her libretto for the oratorio “Contemplating Fire” onstage in Michigan. In 2024 she published the Asian novel “Asayi.”

In August, 2024 “Asayi” won a Gold Star from Literary Titans.

The Drau River Flows to Siberia: The Victims of Victory by Marina Osipova Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Two people affected by the horrors of WWII must return to a post-Soviet Union Russia and see if they can find peace from the past in author Marina Osipova’s “The Drau River Flows To Siberia: The Victims of Victory”.

The Synopsis

February 4–11, 1945. Yalta, a resort town on the Crimean Peninsula, Soviet Union. The Big Three are posing for a camera. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin. All smiling. Stalin, his head is half a turn away from the other two. A shrewd smirk is hiding behind his walrus mustache. He seems to be pleased. Why wouldn’t he be? The Big Three signed the agreement that will shape the fate of Europe and . . .

In 1941, Anna is sixteen, almost an adult yet still a child, craving independence and keen to become an operetta actress. Her rosy aspirations are disrupted by the war. When Krasnodar is taken by the Wehrmacht, she is one of the populace who are ordered to repair roads for the occupants’ trucks and cars and, in fall, to toil in the fields for the sake of sending the harvest to the enemy’s land. A dire event coerces her to go to Germany where she is auctioned as a slave worker.

Born in Berlin into an émigré Cossack family, young Zakhary is more interested in books and archeology than in the war that is raging through Europe, even less in the cause of his parents and their friends, which is to overthrow the Bolshevik regime in the Soviet Union and revert to Imperial Russia. He just doesn’t want to be a part of it. That is, until he finds himself among the Cossacks fighting alongside the Germans against the Allies.

In Italy, he meets Marishka, a young woman of Cossack heritage who fled the Soviet Union with other anti-Soviet Cossacks and departing German troops under the push of the Red Army. They fall in love and marry. And then, on June 1, 1945, Lienz happened.

After the war, a ghastly fate propels each of them to the merciless land where skies are leaden gray, frosts plunge below -60°C in winter, and the woods are impenetrable and so vast, there is no escape from there.

Anna and Zakhary carry with them their personal wounds, at the same time haunted by unbearable guilt, which they can’t undo or fix. In 1955, fate brings them together on an isolated peninsula of the Ob River, connected to one another in inextricably entangled ways they do not yet realize. More than a decade later, can they bury the cruel past and build a future for themselves in the country without Stalin but sealed behind the Iron Curtain?

This is their story, relived in one day.

The Review

This was such a compelling and heartfelt read. The author did an incredible job of drawing attention to a crucial yet rarely discussed part of WWII history: the impact of the war on the former Soviet Union and its citizens. The amount of detail the author can pour into this narrative and the emotional impact these characters and their journey have on the reader will leave a lasting impression on them.

The haunting realities the author painted with the imagery in their writing brought the horrors of war and the challenges many faced during this time. The savage nature of humanity during this time and how people were forced to endure and embrace resilience in the face of unimaginable horrors is a central theme of this story and the heart of these characters overall. The exploration of history as a whole was also remarkable, from the role and development of the Russian Gulag to the role that the Russian Cossacks played in the war and so much more. 

The Verdict

Author Marina Osipova’s “The Drau River Flows to Siberia: The Victims of Victory” is a must-read novel, a genuinely harrowing, emotional, yet vital piece of historical fiction. The heartbreaking connection the two protagonists share and the honest style of writing that the author deploys will stay with readers long after the book ends. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Marina Osipova was born in East Germany into a military family and grew up in Russia, where she graduated from the Moscow State Institute of History and Archives. When she was five, she decided she wanted to speak German and, years later, she earned a diploma as a German language translator from the Moscow State Institute of Foreign Languages. In Russia, she worked first in a scientific-technical institute as a translator, then in a Government Ministry in the office of international relations, later for some Austrian firms. For many years, she lived in New York, working in a law firm, and then in Austria for several years. In the spring of 2022, after spending ten months in Russia, some unfortunate world events brought her back to the United States.

A long-standing member of the Historical Novel Society, she is dedicated to writing historical fiction, especially related to WWII. Her books garnered numerous literary awards, including a 1st Place WINNER of the 2021 Hemingway Book Awards novel competition for 20th Century Wartime Fiction (a division of the Chanticleer International Book Awards). At some point or another, all her books hit the Amazon Top 100 lists in Historical Russian Fiction and Historical German Fiction and How Dare the Birds Sing even #1 or #2 in War Fiction in Canada, the UK, and Australia.

Her readers praise her books for “emotional realism,” for “taking on a subject that few authors have touched,” for “writing with heart and compassion while not holding back from hard cold realities of war,” for “giving an authentic and in-depth look at a culture that tends to baffle westerners.”

To learn more about Marina Osipova and her captivating books, visit her website at marina-osipova.com.

You can find her also on 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marina.osipova.14/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4701687.Marina_Osipova

Twitter: https://twitter.com/marosikok

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marina-osipova-65b81418/