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Product Description:
A sweeping novel set in war-torn 1928 China, with a star-crossed love story at its center.
In a city full of thieves and Communists, danger and death, spirited young Lydia Ivanova has lived a hard life. Always looking over her shoulder, the sixteen-year-old must steal to feed herself and her mother, Valentina, who numbered among the Russian elite until Bolsheviks murdered most of them, including her husband. As exiles, Lydia and Valentina have learned to survive in a foreign land.
Often, Lydia steals away to meet with the handsome young freedom fighter Chang An Lo. But they face danger: Chiang Kai Shek's troops are headed toward Junchow to kill Reds like Chang, who has in his possession the jewels of a tsarina, meant as a gift for the despot's wife. The young pair's all-consuming love can only bring shame and peril upon them, from both sides. Those in power will do anything to quell it. But Lydia and Chang are powerless to end it.
Great, Fast Read - 
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The Russian Concubine Review
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This book was a wonderful love story between young adults in two completely separate worlds. The characters are engaging and the story is one that touches the soul. I couldn't put this book down. If you're looking for a good fast read with a foreign, historical setting this book is for you.
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The Russian Concubine is 5 Star Fantastic! - 
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The Russian Concubine Review
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This book had me hooked from the very first page. I wouldn't/couldn't put it down. I enjoy atmospheric novels and this one is one of the best I've ever read. From Russia to China, I was right there. The characters were interesting, well-introduced and well flushed out. The story was unique and unlike any I've read before (and I read 1-2 books every day).
I definitely give this book 5 stars - and I can't wait for the sequel! Until then, I'm now off to buy her latest novel, The Red Scarf.
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Absolutely fantastic! - 
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The Russian Concubine Review
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This is the best debut novel that I have read in a long time. I am an avid reader of historical fiction of all periods, and this book blew me away. It delved deep into a world that is a complete fusion of many different cultures: Russian, Chinese, British. What I loved about this in particular was the fact that the Bolshevik revolution was the context for this novel, but not the entirity. I find this period of Russian history very interesting, but what made this book even more intriguing was the fact that this period is 'displaced' inside of China.
The love interest in this book has been extremely well created by Furnivall, especially due to the stark differences between the two lovers. However, this novel is definitely not, in my opinion, a historical romance. It is historical fiction that has a romantic storyline present within it.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is a lover of historical fiction.
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One of the best in a while! - 
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The Russian Concubine Review
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When this was submitted to my book club, the title killed me as all we seem to read are throw yourself over the balcony, depressing books. This was, while not a happy comedy, one of the best books I've read in years! Instead of disliking or feeling so sorry for the characters you can't relate, this is a book where you love them so much you don't want your relationship with them to end.
Lydia and Chang are a wonderful story!
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200+ pages of nothing... - 
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The Russian Concubine Review
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I enjoyed the last one hundred pages or so.... books that take 200 pages to 'get into it' is too long for me.
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