Love In Revolution
B.R. Collins
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Esteya is fifteen. As war rumbles closer, Esteya's brother - an important figure in the Revolutionary Communist Party - is able to protect their family from the worst of the privations of war. Then Esteya meets an extraordinary girl, Skizi, an outcast, shunned by all. But Esteya and Skizi are drawn to each other. Slowly and wonderfully love blossoms ... And then Esteya's family are betrayed and forcibly taken away. Skizi disappears. Esteya is left deserted, heartbroken and in terrible danger. But she must find a way to escape - and to find Skizi
Many
YA books concentrate on first love by our leading lady – usually with a few
obstacles thrown in such as the guy of their choice is a ‘bad boy’ from the
wrong side of tracks (or occasionally a vampire or werewolf). Love In
Revolution follows the same type of route only Esteya, our heroine falls for
Skizi, a gypsy girl. What I loved most about this story is that while Esteya
has fallen for a girl, the issue dividing them is mostly the class difference
between them rather than any gender issues. Set against a background of the
Russian Revolution class is an extraordinarily divisive issue – especially when
the haves and have-nots are still there post-Revolution – just some of the
names change.
I
remember studying the Russian Revolution(s)
in history and this book is incredibly well researched and reflected of
what did happen at that time. However, all events are seen through Esteya’s
eyes where her focus is always on her life and her feelings (as most teens
are!) so it also feels incredibly personal and perhaps a little naive at times.
She thinks about Skizi in a purely selfish way, but through lack of wider
awareness of the world rather than an mean spiritedness.
The
writing is evocative and almost musical in prose making reading Love In Revolution a pure pleasure. It
was a quick read – I was finished in a day but it really made a refreshing
change from any other book I’ve read recently - a palate cleansing glass of
cold water on a hot day.
Recommended
for fans of John Green and Ruta Sepetys. 8.5 out of 10
Wow, this sounds really interesting. I also studied the Russian Revolution for GCSE History so I have a bit of a weakness for books set at that time.
ReplyDeleteOh right this one, yes now I remember
ReplyDeleteOh this sounds good. I could use a good historical fiction book and this sounds perfect. Plus, I do enjoy Ruta so I know it will be good. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDelete