Elżbieta Cherezińska

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor/Forge Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was interesting but also dense - there was a lot going on! It wasn't as captivating as I had hoped (though still interesting) but I am thinking some of that may be due to the translation (I would give it a little less than 4 stars, rounded up). I also felt that from the book synopsis that it was going to be solely about Swietoslawa and, while most of it did in fact revolve around her, there were many other points of views and players and sides that were part of it that I wasn't expecting. It was wonderful to read about a period of time and place that I had no idea about.

PS I hope the full published version has a pronunciation guide because I am sure I am pronouncing almost every name incorrectly!… (more)

*Possible spoiler- I was really hoping the book would end with a reunion between Swietoslawa and Olav before their deaths but I was happy to see that they got to reunite in the afterlife.*

Overall, this was a great conclusion to "The Bold" duology. I love that this historical fiction novel took place in a time era that wasn't World War II and was translated from Polish. Don't get me wrong, the WWII historical fiction novels are great as well, it was just nice to read something that doesn't take place in Nazi occupied countries.… (more)