Heart of Iron

When reading this book I had a nagging feeling the author was in a hurry when writing the book. The plot was clear enough, with no complicated twists, and I think that was the problem. Heart of Iron is a straightforward story with no surprises and very thin characters and scenery. I couldn't help comparing the girl dressed as a soldier to Polly Perks (from Terry Pratchett's Monstrous Regiment) - Polly had to learn how to be a boy, Sasha just put on some men's clothes and became a boy. Also, I felt the author didn't properly utilise the possibilities the scenes offered. The story took place in Russian cities and villages, Siberia and China. It could have taken place in any snowy, ash-covered, cold place.

(Roll-Your Own Reading Challenge 2014: Women of Genre Fiction)