1,124 books
—
2,566 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “The Bronze Horseman (The Bronze Horseman, #1)” as Want to Read:
The Bronze Horseman
(The Bronze Horseman #1)
by
Librarian note: alternate covers for this edition can be found here and here and here.
During the summer of 1941 the Metanov family are living a hard life in Leningrad. As the German armies advance their future looks bleak. For Tatiana, love arrives in the guise of Alexander, who harbours a deadly and extraordinary secret. ...more
During the summer of 1941 the Metanov family are living a hard life in Leningrad. As the German armies advance their future looks bleak. For Tatiana, love arrives in the guise of Alexander, who harbours a deadly and extraordinary secret. ...more
Get A Copy
Paperback, 637 pages
Published
April 2001
by HarperCollins
(first published July 17th 2000)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
The Bronze Horseman,
please sign up.
Popular Answered Questions
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of The Bronze Horseman (The Bronze Horseman, #1)
Seeing how highly rated “The Bronze Horseman” is, I guess I’ll be one of those very few who don’t care for this book and brace myself for negative backlash. Oh, well, I just can’t stop myself from writing this review.
First of all, I am not sure why people love this story so much when there are so much better books/movies out there about: lovers separated by war (“Atonement”), Russia during its communist era (“Doctor Zhivago”), escape from Soviet Russia (“East/West”). I truly can’t find a grain o ...more
First of all, I am not sure why people love this story so much when there are so much better books/movies out there about: lovers separated by war (“Atonement”), Russia during its communist era (“Doctor Zhivago”), escape from Soviet Russia (“East/West”). I truly can’t find a grain o ...more
Nov 16, 2011
Aestas Book Blog
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
fans of epic heart stopping romance books
10++ bright shining stars!!
Wow. WOW. WOW. !! This is the most intense and epic love story EVER told!! It's exquisitely written, achingly heart wrenching, deeply heart warming, and utterly beautiful, unforgettable and incomparable in every way!!!
Quite simply, there is no other series like this.
The author has a truly uncanny gift for really making you FEEL everything that her characters are going through. I FELT Tania and Alexander fall in love, I FELT their longing, I FELT their ...more
This book was wonderful, intense, and quite frankly exhausting. It truly was a ride. I had some minor problems with this and I mean MINOR so I am giving it a 4.85 haha
Those problems were pure maiden trope got slightly old and happiness was so closely related only to sex which got a little repetitive.
I might/ probably will be doing a mini review on this
~2017 update~ lowering the rating because the maiden trope mentioned earlier is more problematic than my naive self picked up on 3 years ago. It ...more
Those problems were pure maiden trope got slightly old and happiness was so closely related only to sex which got a little repetitive.
I might/ probably will be doing a mini review on this
~2017 update~ lowering the rating because the maiden trope mentioned earlier is more problematic than my naive self picked up on 3 years ago. It ...more
I'm really quite confused.
This book came very highly recommended. I picked it, along with a few others, from Goodreads' top 100 romance novels. It has been recommended to me many times over the years, from people on Goodreads and from those I know in "real life". And it has an average rating of 4.40.
While I didn't loathe the book - and enjoyed some parts - the truth is that more than half of these 600+ pages were excruciatingly boring.
Simons takes some steps towards goodness, but then it is ruin ...more
This book came very highly recommended. I picked it, along with a few others, from Goodreads' top 100 romance novels. It has been recommended to me many times over the years, from people on Goodreads and from those I know in "real life". And it has an average rating of 4.40.
While I didn't loathe the book - and enjoyed some parts - the truth is that more than half of these 600+ pages were excruciatingly boring.
Simons takes some steps towards goodness, but then it is ruin ...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
The Bronze Horseman is one of my all-time favorites! I decided to re-read it, for probably the hundredth time, and it still moves me just as much as it did the first time. The story of Alexander and Tatiana is so beautifully told and gripping that I can never put it down once I start.
To think, I nearly passed over this book because I don't usually read historical romances. That would have been a tragedy! Thank God, I finally gave it a shot after hearing so much praise for it. I really would hav ...more
To think, I nearly passed over this book because I don't usually read historical romances. That would have been a tragedy! Thank God, I finally gave it a shot after hearing so much praise for it. I really would hav ...more
Oh what fresh hell. I thought this book would never, ever end.
I never knew how important perfect white teeth could be, that there was such a thing as a slight case of TB, that this many mentions of blueberries could be squeezed into a single book, or that I could ever get bored with/by sex. But these things have all been achieved by Bronze Horseman. She even manages to throw in some scurvy.
The description in this book is endless. Buses, walks, dinners, ice cream, cabbage, love session, buses, w ...more
I never knew how important perfect white teeth could be, that there was such a thing as a slight case of TB, that this many mentions of blueberries could be squeezed into a single book, or that I could ever get bored with/by sex. But these things have all been achieved by Bronze Horseman. She even manages to throw in some scurvy.
The description in this book is endless. Buses, walks, dinners, ice cream, cabbage, love session, buses, w ...more
One of the best books I've ever read, so heart wrenching but that's the beauty of it. Tatiana and Alexander's story was truly memorable and amazing.
...more
Jul 22, 2016
Mikee (ReadWithMikee)
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
romance
❝Good-bye, my moonsong and my breath, my white nights and golden days, my fresh water and my fire. Good-bye, and may you find a better life, find comfort again and your breathless smile, and when your beloved face lights up once more at the Western sunrise, be sure what I felt for you was not in vain. Good-bye, and have faith, my Tatiana.❞
Reread (04/13/2017): God, I love this book so much. It's far from perfect but this book and these characters are just so near and dear to my heart. ...more
Have you ever loved something so much it made you cry? Have you ever needed someone so bad, you can't sleep at night? Have you ever tried to find the words, but they don't come out right? Haaaave you everrrrrr?
This. Right here. Boom.
Read it, or miss out on the best hero/heroine combo EVERRRRRRRRRR!
*lyrics by Bradi
*Sung by Tarryn ...more
This. Right here. Boom.
Read it, or miss out on the best hero/heroine combo EVERRRRRRRRRR!
*lyrics by Bradi
*Sung by Tarryn ...more
6+++ Stars!!
Hands Down, IMHO, this is the most beautiful love story ever told! E. V. E. R.
This is book one of a phenomenal trilogy, of which I promise, you will be scrambling to read all three. It will have your heart twisted up six ways to Sunday, and then some.
Paullina Simons is an extraordinary author. She transports you back in time to 1941 during World War II in Leningrad, Russia, 1941. I felt like I was right in the midst of everything that was happening. It was surreal.
Tatiana and Alexan ...more
Hands Down, IMHO, this is the most beautiful love story ever told! E. V. E. R.
This is book one of a phenomenal trilogy, of which I promise, you will be scrambling to read all three. It will have your heart twisted up six ways to Sunday, and then some.
Paullina Simons is an extraordinary author. She transports you back in time to 1941 during World War II in Leningrad, Russia, 1941. I felt like I was right in the midst of everything that was happening. It was surreal.
Tatiana and Alexan ...more
1.5 stars. And that .5 is for the historical elements which I found to be the redeeming quality of this book. I SUFFERED through 800 pages (which were unnecessarily drawn out) for nearly a MONTH reading this book with flat characters, a horribly toxic relationship, and a plot that goes in circles. It's been a while since a book has made me this angry. A lengthy video review will be upcoming on my channel. OMFG.
...more
5 stars is not enough!
This was probably the most beautiful, heart stopping, tragically EPIC love stories I’ve ever read. EVER. Talk about FEELING when you read... I felt EVERYTHING reading this story. It took me days to complete, which isn’t my norm, and I was a wreck the entire time. It consumed me. Utterly and completely consumed me.
I can’t begin to express how wonderful this book was. I’m not even going to attempt to summarize the story. This story is impossible to review properly. No ma ...more
This was probably the most beautiful, heart stopping, tragically EPIC love stories I’ve ever read. EVER. Talk about FEELING when you read... I felt EVERYTHING reading this story. It took me days to complete, which isn’t my norm, and I was a wreck the entire time. It consumed me. Utterly and completely consumed me.
I can’t begin to express how wonderful this book was. I’m not even going to attempt to summarize the story. This story is impossible to review properly. No ma ...more
♥ 5 BREATHLESSLY EPIC AND MEMORABLE STARS. ♥
"Love is," she repeated slowly, "when he is hungry and you feed him. Love is knowing when he is hungry."
"Love is, to be loved," said Alexander, "in return."
The Bronze Horseman is probably the most EPIC love story I've ever read. There just aren't any words adequate enough to describe how much I loved this book! From the moment I started reading it, I could not put it down until I finished the very last page. And even then, I just HAD to sta ...more
Apr 09, 2010
Lady Jayne *~*The Beach Bandida*~*
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Lovers of epic love stories
Recommended to Lady Jayne *~*The Beach Bandida*~* by:
Viola and Quinn
"He wanted to explain but felt shattered. He was shattered." - Yes, I know, Alexander. Me, too. Review to follow when I feel less shattered. On to Book 2!! ^_^
..............................
12+ Hours later….
5+ Stars!!! - Also reviewed at:Lady Jayne's Reading Den
Okay, I figure there is NO WAY I can ever do this book justice, so, I just need to pour out this “review” now, and hopefully in the release of my swirling thoughts and emotions I’m not too nonsensical.
Firstly, I would like to THANK my GR
Sep 28, 2010
Stacia (the 2010 club)
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Stacia (the 2010 club) by:
Leea
"Tania...you and I had only one moment.." said Alexander, "A single moment in time, in your time and mine...one instant, when another life could have still been possible."
This might very well be the most exquisitely-written blend of historical fiction and romance in one book that I have ever read. Dare I even say that this heart-wrenching and beautiful tale has taken over the top spot from Outlander? I know. I can't believe it myself. Both are 5 star books and both will stay on my al ...more
AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING REVIEW TO COME <3
I'm so jealous, I saw that many of my friends were reading one of the most amazing books I have ever read and I couldn't resist!! Re-reading and I will post a new review!!!
...more
I'm so jealous, I saw that many of my friends were reading one of the most amazing books I have ever read and I couldn't resist!! Re-reading and I will post a new review!!!
...more
Today is the Holocaust Memorial Day, so it was a great opportunity for me to read again one of my ALL TIME favorite trilogy's. ❤
📚 "𝑨𝒍𝒆𝒙𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓, 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒆?"
"𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆." 📚
The plot takes place in Leningrad, Russia, during World War II and tells the story of Alexander, a Red Army officer and the 17-year-old Tatiana, during the war. 💥
Their journey towards happiness was not easy - it was forbidden, heartbreaking and felt impossible, about two people who will do anything... risk every ...more
(Contains spoilers, capslock and adjective abuse, and lots of swearing :p)
Right. I wasn’t going to waste more time on this book than the agonising eternity it took me to read it but I feel like my brain needs to vomit, so…
A QUICK LIST
Circumstances Under Which You Should Consider Not Reading This Book (Because It Contains None of the Following, Trust Me):
- You like strong, capable female characters with brains and a sense of independence.
- You like flawed, interesting romances where conflict is c ...more
Right. I wasn’t going to waste more time on this book than the agonising eternity it took me to read it but I feel like my brain needs to vomit, so…
A QUICK LIST
Circumstances Under Which You Should Consider Not Reading This Book (Because It Contains None of the Following, Trust Me):
- You like strong, capable female characters with brains and a sense of independence.
- You like flawed, interesting romances where conflict is c ...more
Jul 16, 2010
valee
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-romance,
fav-series-and-reads
NEVER IN MY WILDEST DREAMS COULD I HAVE IMAGINED HOW THIS BOOK WOULD CHANGE ME...
I just have no accurate words to describe how I'm feeling right now after reading this book. I had NO IDEA what I was getting into when I started it, I just knew everybody who read it adored it so I was almost certain I would probably be feeling the same way. Saying I adored this book is not really enough. It was such a surprise for me, such an emotional and heart-breaking read, a complete roller-coaster of all exis ...more
I just have no accurate words to describe how I'm feeling right now after reading this book. I had NO IDEA what I was getting into when I started it, I just knew everybody who read it adored it so I was almost certain I would probably be feeling the same way. Saying I adored this book is not really enough. It was such a surprise for me, such an emotional and heart-breaking read, a complete roller-coaster of all exis ...more
BREATHTAKING!
It's hard to write a complete review when I'm not yet finished with trilogy, but I will say that I LOVED this book!
Alexander and Tatiana are, hands down, the greatest hero and heroine I've come across. Alexander is the usual gorgeous, possessive male but he has so much more; he is faithful and unconditionally honorable. And Tania is the strongest, sweetest, most selfless heroine I've ever come across. I'm head over heels in love with them both and I've never hurt more for any charac ...more
It's hard to write a complete review when I'm not yet finished with trilogy, but I will say that I LOVED this book!
Alexander and Tatiana are, hands down, the greatest hero and heroine I've come across. Alexander is the usual gorgeous, possessive male but he has so much more; he is faithful and unconditionally honorable. And Tania is the strongest, sweetest, most selfless heroine I've ever come across. I'm head over heels in love with them both and I've never hurt more for any charac ...more
Nov 23, 2011
Alexis *Reality Bites*
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Historical Romance Lovers!
Shelves:
i-own,
adult-romance,
kindle-book,
erotica,
made_me_weep,
strong_female_lead,
a-must-read,
heartbreaking,
alpha_male,
danger
THIS REVIEW CONTAINS MINOR SPOILERS -mature content reader discretion is advised.
5 STARS out of 5
Genre: Romance
“Tania,” he whispered passionately, “you are naked and underneath me!” As if he could not believe it himself.
“Alexander,” she said, still trembling, “you are naked and above me.” She felt him rubbing against her. They kissed.
“I can’t believe it,” he said, his breath shallow. “I didn’t think this day would ever come.” He paused and then whispered, “Yet I couldn’t imagine my life witho ...more
5 STARS out of 5
Genre: Romance
“Tania,” he whispered passionately, “you are naked and underneath me!” As if he could not believe it himself.
“Alexander,” she said, still trembling, “you are naked and above me.” She felt him rubbing against her. They kissed.
“I can’t believe it,” he said, his breath shallow. “I didn’t think this day would ever come.” He paused and then whispered, “Yet I couldn’t imagine my life witho ...more
No matter what I write for this book it won't be enough. The bronze horseman is definitely a unique book. Tatiana's and Alexander's love story will take you into an emotional rollercoaster but I dont think that you will regret what you read,at least I didn’t.
“A bus came. The soldier turned away from her and walked toward it. Tatiana watched him. Even his walk was from another world; the step was too sure, the stride too long, yet somehow it all seemed right, looked right, felt right. It was l...more
[2.5 Stars] I think my updates pretty much sum up my feelings for this book, but let me go into a little bit more detail here. I'm going to begin with the things I liked: the world building for the historical setting, pretty much any of the parts about Tatiana and her family dealing with the hardships of war, and the writing. I loved getting to know this Russia, seeing the struggles of Tatiana's family and everyone else in Leningrad, and it was just overall really interesting being thrust into t
...more
Dec 29, 2013
Amy | Foxy Blogs
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Amy | Foxy Blogs by:
Kristin (KC)
Shelves:
2014-5-stars,
2014-books
UNBELIEVABLE DEAL! Save 78%! Purchase -> http://amzn.to/T364Zi
5/31/2014
~~~~~~~~~~
A.M.A.Z.I.N.G
Every once in awhile a book enters our life that changes the way we think and feel.
Reading this book but felt like watching a WW2 documentary that included a love story. The Bronze Horseman could be categorized as a realistic historical fiction. The whole scenario felt real. When the characters suffered I suffered along with them in my everyday life. Watching this family struggle to survive in Russia d ...more
5/31/2014
~~~~~~~~~~
A.M.A.Z.I.N.G
Every once in awhile a book enters our life that changes the way we think and feel.
Reading this book but felt like watching a WW2 documentary that included a love story. The Bronze Horseman could be categorized as a realistic historical fiction. The whole scenario felt real. When the characters suffered I suffered along with them in my everyday life. Watching this family struggle to survive in Russia d ...more
★★★★★ 5 Stars ★★★★★
I was absolutely consumed by this series, for 8 straight days, I lived and breathed these characters and devoured their epic, but also tragic and heartbreaking story. I can't remember the last time I felt so connected to a story. This book, in fact all three books, are not for everyone. This is a forbidden and angsty read, with many moments that will make you feel many sad and angry feelings, but the story is contrasted with some of the most beautiful and wonderful, fulfilling ...more
I was absolutely consumed by this series, for 8 straight days, I lived and breathed these characters and devoured their epic, but also tragic and heartbreaking story. I can't remember the last time I felt so connected to a story. This book, in fact all three books, are not for everyone. This is a forbidden and angsty read, with many moments that will make you feel many sad and angry feelings, but the story is contrasted with some of the most beautiful and wonderful, fulfilling ...more
Aug 14, 2017
Sara (sarawithoutanH)
marked it as will-never-read
NOTE: I have not read this book. I will never read this book.
My friend Whitney (WhittyNovels) has been posting excerpts of this book on Twitter and I'm absolutely shocked and disgusted by what I've seen. There is no way to misconstrue these passages. The cover of this book proudly boasts that it's a love story and none of what I have seen has even a modicum of romance. What I've seen has left me feeling sick.
TW: rape, toxic relationships, mental and physical abuse, and probably much more
https: ...more
My friend Whitney (WhittyNovels) has been posting excerpts of this book on Twitter and I'm absolutely shocked and disgusted by what I've seen. There is no way to misconstrue these passages. The cover of this book proudly boasts that it's a love story and none of what I have seen has even a modicum of romance. What I've seen has left me feeling sick.
TW: rape, toxic relationships, mental and physical abuse, and probably much more
https: ...more
Jul 15, 2012
Sharon ∞❥ is an emotional book junkie ❥∞
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
One day, Tatiana's childhood life changes forever and it's not the beginning of the War that I'm talking about. It's the moment she was sitting on a bench in the sunshine eating ice cream, yes....that moment, the moment she saw Shura for the first time and her life would never be the same.
Okay, I'm sure you've seen it all before and you've maybe read a few reviews or at least a comment here or there...I think it's impossible to not have heard of this book somewhere. And you've thought, hmmmm... ...more
Okay, I'm sure you've seen it all before and you've maybe read a few reviews or at least a comment here or there...I think it's impossible to not have heard of this book somewhere. And you've thought, hmmmm... ...more
#SALE #ALERT $1.99 <--- at time of posting 8/30/18
5★★★★★Stars
Genre: Historical Romance/Fiction
Type:
Book 1 of 3 of the Bronze Horseman series
POV:
Third Person
“At the start of war, on June 22, 1941, the day Alexander met Tatiana, there were three million civilians in Leningrad. When the Germans blockaded the city on September 8, 1941, there were two and a half million civilians in Leningrad. In the spring of 1942 a million p...more
.....I'm speechless......all I can say now is that this may be my favorite book of all time!!!! I'm too overwhelmed to write a review at this moment.... so much... so much going on in my head. I think I may have post-traumatic stress disorder. I stand in awe of this author's talent. I must push on to book two, but first I must rest.
...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dasha Metanova | 1 | 23 | Oct 16, 2020 10:45AM | |
| I NEED to read a book similar to this peoples!! | 43 | 3095 | Jul 01, 2019 05:27AM | |
| Petition for TV Series on Change.org | 5 | 59 | May 17, 2019 06:35PM | |
| Question about Alexander and Dasha | 1 | 55 | Mar 26, 2019 12:08PM | |
| What's the Name o...: SOLVED. Love story based in Russia during a war boy meets girl but marries older sister and older sister dies and he marries younger sister; long fat book. [s] | 5 | 63 | Nov 12, 2018 06:28AM |
Readers also enjoyed
1,992 users
1,448 users
756 users
580 users
461 users
284 users
196 users
165 users
75 users
Paullina Simons was born in Leningrad, USSR, in 1963. At the age of ten her family immigrated to the United States. Growing up in Russia Paullina dreamt of someday becoming a writer. Her dream was put on hold as she learned English and overcame the shock of a new culture.
After graduating from university and after various jobs including working as a financial journalist and as a translator Paullin ...more
After graduating from university and after various jobs including working as a financial journalist and as a translator Paullin ...more
Other books in the series
The Bronze Horseman
(3 books)
Articles featuring this book
Get in the mood with our list of the top 100 romances of all time. We narrowed the field by limiting our results to books aimed at...
269 likes · 462 comments
18 trivia questions
More quizzes & trivia...
“Alexander, were you looking for me?"
"All my life.”
—
554 likes
"All my life.”
“Ask yourself these three questions, Tatiana Metanova, and you will know who you are. Ask: What do believe in? What do you hope for? What do you love?”
—
488 likes
More quotes…
