City of Thieves by David Benioff

Book Review

I’m so glad Susan Orlean chose City of Thieves as the March selection for her book club through Literati. This is one of my all-time favorite books, so I absolutely loved re-reading it and discussing with fellow Literati members through the new Literati app.

One of my favorite things about my Literati subscription is that I can change book clubs month to month. In January and February, I joined Malala’s book club. However, when I saw City of Thieves was the featured book for Susan Orlean’s club this month, I switched over to her group. I think next I’ll likely try out Richard Branson’s club.... because why not?

Also side note, I recently discovered that Literati is based in my hometown of Austin, Texas. 😺💓

On to the book review...

City of Thieves takes place in Soviet Russia during WW2 amidst the Nazi’s siege of Leningrad. After two unlikely heroes, Lev and Koyla, are arrested and thrown in jail, they are offered an unusual ticket to freedom. Rather than face the firing squad, a high ranking Soviet colonel sends Lev and Koyla on a mission to find and deliver a dozen eggs for his daughter’s wedding cake. And so, Lev and his new friend Koyla set out on an adventure that takes them behind enemy lines as they seek to find highly sought after goods in a land experiencing devastating deprivation and loss.

This book is an easy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me. Not only do I love a good historical fiction adventure story, but I’m endlessly fascinated by Soviet Russia. Furthermore, Koyla’s character is literary perfection - handsome, funny and quick-witted, Koyla provides some much needed comedic relief in the face of exceptionally dire circumstances.

Have you read this one??