1983 in Moscow saw Ella deep in her dreams of stardom; to be acting in War & Peace at the Moscow Theatre Academy. But when she became mixed up in a protest - wrong place, wrong time - with her good friend Vlad, the KGB were instantly made aware. Meanwhile, her boyfriend Roman, whom she'd just discovered she was pregnant to, was creating problems and pushing boundaries. Ella had to quit the Academy, much to her distress, which made her rival smile with glee. But would she keep the baby? Confused, Ella sought advice; marrying Roman was the answer. But did she love him? Suddenly Roman was arrested and sentenced to two years in a labour camp. How could Ella escape the oppression of the Soviet regime? She needed to flee the country she'd learned to hate.

The Girl From Moscow is Aussie author Julia Levitina's debut novel and it wasn't what I expected. It seemed to tread water for quite some time, with the focus on Ella's pregnancy, Roman and other friends, drawn out. Olga's days during the war were few and far between and didn't really feel relevant, which was a shame. There could have been more depth to that part of the story. That said, I'll be interested to see what the author has for us next.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.2024-release 3000-2024 arc ...more30 s Suz1,269 670

This is the first book I have read set in the USSR, with a timeline of the 1980’s being labelled as historical fiction (it makes me wonder what the rules are for this?!).

Ella is a young actress swept up into a protest she had no part in due to her friend’s activism, this was bad timing for a young woman on the cusp of everything good. Newly pregnant this turns into a bid for freedom after becoming involved with a General of the KGB using her as a pawn for his own agenda.

Ella is not always able, though ballsy and determined to keep her loved ones safe. Her Jewish heritage poses a problem, added to that her propensity to make rash and wild decisions made this an interesting read. This young woman is constantly fighting a repressive regime, and given the author’s background, it is clear the narrative is fueled by someone who has been there, which made me ponder what the author’s own experience must have been during her own time there.

Ella is enmeshed with her insipid husband who will stop at nothing to serve his own needs, this is where she shows her courage to put her acting skills into motion.

This is not my preferred genre, so I am sure others will enjoy this more, though the audio narration added extra layers to the story, with accents provided seamlessly. This is a well written debut, and I look forward to see what comes next.

I listened to this via the BorrowBox platform and my public library.2024 aussie-author aww ...more28 s7 comments Gloria (Ms. G's Bookshelf)703 158

??3.5 Stars??

Thank you Pantera Press for including me in the Bookstagram tour for the fabulous debut of The Girl From Moscow and it’s my stop today. Isn’t the cover just stunning?

The Girl From Moscow is a dual timeline historical fiction drama and I was very excited to read a novel set in Russia.

1982 - Ella twenty one is a young actress studying at the Moscow Theatre Academy who dreams of a successful career on the stage. She is about to play the lead role of Natasha in War and Peace.

When Ella meets up with her friend Vlad she finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time during a dissident protest where she attracts the attention of the KGB. Ella’s photo is on the front page of the newspaper labelling her a traitor.

We follow Ella as she loses the acting role and has to withdraw from the Academy, she is now desperate to escape the USSR along with an unplanned pregnancy and impossible choices to make.

I loved Ella’s strength, loyalty and resilience and I couldn’t turn the pages quick enough so see what she would do next.

I enjoyed the flashbacks to Ella’s grandmother Olga’s life as a younger woman during war times. I found the story very eye opening and well paced. The story is inspired by the authors family although a work of fiction.

Publication Date 27 February 2024
Publisher Pantera Pressthe-bookshelf7 s Craig / Phil1,592 82

Thank you Pantera Press for sending us a copy to read and review.
The Girl From Moscow is a historical fiction debut from new author Julia Levitina.
A story set mainly in the 1980s and inspired by the authors own history, so you know it’s raw, honest and authentic.
In chilly Moscow, 1983, Ella has dreams of being an actor.
Whilst meeting her friend during a protest, she is in the wrong place at the wrong time attracting the attention of the KGB.
Now she must escape the country but then her husband Roman is sent to a camp.
Ella is quickly forced into a game of control with the higher order and must fight for the one thing she wants the most…… her survival.
A dual timeline, a cast of interesting characters, a crisp setting, a plot of drama and an ending that’s satisfying, it’s one for those who enjoy historical storytelling.
Emotional, intrigue, courage, bravery, the lead character Ella gives it her all for her freedom.
A slow burn with a steady pace that will give you the feels.
7 s Amanda - Mrs B's Book Reviews2,032 296

*https://www.instagram.com/mrsb_book_r...

Privet everyone!

With some of my favourite historical fiction authors lining up to sing the praises of Julia Levitina’s debut, I was pretty excited about the prospect of reading this Russian based novel. Thanks to my favourite book in the whole world, The Bronze Horseman, I’ve developed a deep affection for anything set in Russia. The Girl from Moscow is mainly set in Russia in the 1980s, with some core flashbacks to the grandmother figure of the main character in the 1940s. I really loved this overlay of narratives and personal stories. Much of this story is inspired by the author’s life experiences, so this is a story told with passion, heart and lived experience, despite it being a fiction piece.

Ella is our heroine in the main 1980s storyline. I immediately warmed to Ella and was fully invested in her mission to reach the safety and freedom of life away from the oppressive regime of the Soviet rule. I did find Ella a little naïve but overall I appreciated her sense of determination, persistence, strength and ingenuity. Ella is a figure of emancipation and empowerment that you just can’t help but admire. Ella’s grandmother Olga allows us to travel back in time to the 1940s revealing a time of war, trauma, pain, uncertainty and high risk. Both timelines are punctuated with similar themes around suppression, a lack of agency, escape, longing for a better life, war, societal rules, family expectation, reputation, ambition, relationships and love.

With shifting time frames, a transportive setting, endearing characters, plenty of emotion, high drama and a strong moving plot, readers who enjoy the work of Paullina Simons and Belinda Alexandra will lap this one up.

*With thanks to the publisher and author for a copy of this book for review purposes.
2024-books blog-tour first-reads ...more4 s Kim (hundredacreofbooks.com)154 9

Having not read much about the USSR I was keen perhaps to gain a little more knowledge on the subject, I knew the KGB were not respected by many but I never knew just how controlling they were there were times when reading this book my blood felt as if it was boiling, I was most interested in how this tale would end because I thought Ella and her loved ones deserved more, everyone deserves to choose how and where they live without having to look over the shoulder.

Read my full review on the blog
https://hundredacreofbooks.com/index....4 s Emilie52 5

Set in 1983, twenty one year old Ella has dreamt of freedom since she can remember, that and the bright lights of a career as a successful actress on the stage. Her acting dream is becoming a reality as she is set to play Natasha in War and Peace at the Moscow Theatre Academy

In a case of “wrong place, wrong time” while visiting her childhood friend Vlad, Ella is photographed at a protest. The photos end up front page of the local paper and Ella is labelled a traitor, and she must withdraw from the theatre academy. This event sets in motion a new life for Ella and sends her on a different path and her dreams of escaping the Soviet regime are seemingly slipping away

I really enjoyed this book and couldn’t put it down. While the narrative is heartbreaking and gut-wrenching, Ella’s determination is inspiring. I was absolutely invested in her and felt all her emotions, right from the get-go. And I loved her relationship with her Grandmother Olga, and the flash back chapters when Olga was younger gave another insight to what Ella and her family have endured

Thank you so much Panterapress for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review 1 Kate131 4

Here’s one for the lovers of Cold War Drama.
USSR 1980.
Very much a first for me.
I’ve read the bronze horseman, but that’s 1940s; it was all coming of age, sex and starvation.
This was spying - a crash course in KGB. A land of few luxuries and many insecurities. Nobody trusts anybody. Apart from a genuine love of Riesling, it’s all pretty bleak.
The Girl from Moscow starts with Ella meeting a friend near where a freedom protest is taking place. Photographed as part of the demonstration, she is labelled a traitor and loses her position studying acting at the Moscow Theatre Company.
Chuck in a pregnancy and Ella wants out. Out of the USSR. Her dream- ‘to be the grandmother, the matriarch who relocated her family to another country.’
What follows is a tumultuous journey of escape. Full of ups and downs, it’s all very tense.
I quite enjoyed the alternating POV of her grandmother Olga, a welcome addition to the story telling. I would have d more from her back story.
It is a very serious read. It had to be.
I guess I didn’t realise how much I seek the light in the darkness- those moments that break the tension, give you a giggle, restore your faith in humanity (Fredrik Backmans’ Beartown delivers this in spades).
An altogether interesting read.

Thanks @panterapress and @julialevitinaauthor for including me in #TheGirlFromMoscow tour. Marie143 4

“There is no such thing as a little bit of freedom.”

What an amazing debut! Set in Moscow in 1982, we follow the life of Ella. This is a perfectly written dual timeline novel, where we also learn a lot about Ella’s grandmother Olga, in the 1920’s, 30’s and 40’s.

Although years apart, granddaughter and grandmother had the same fate and similar young lives in Moscow. This book was so captivating from the start, I couldn’t put it down.

I thought there would be more about The Cold War, but this story was more about Ella’s life. How her career ended after one photograph taken at the wrong place, which gained the attention of the KGB, marrying the wrong man and her mission to leave Moscow her whole life.

Ella had a terrible life. There was so much pain and deception, everything was difficult. Ella took alot of risks, had secrets and was sometimes quite reckless. Lots of secrets unravel from the past to present. There was a bit of suspense and a great fast paced ending.

What an incredible journey of an inspirational woman who never gave up! Highly recommend!

Thank you so much @panterapress for having me on this blog tour and for providing me with a copy of the book. Andrea BartonAuthor 1 book5

The power in Julia Levitina’s The Girl From Moscow comes from her vivid portrayal of the setting – oppressive, grim and moody. No wonder Ella wants to leave.
About to graduate from acting school, Ella is on the cusp of landing a breakthrough role when she is caught at a protest. Despite her innocence, she is treated as a traitor and forced to withdraw from the academy.
Ella is similarly trapped by her personal life, as she has an unplanned pregnancy with a man who isn’t delighted by the prospect of a child. Determined to create a better life for herself and her child, Ella’s determination to defect builds. But defection is no small feat when even just talk of leaving can have ramifications for not only Ella but the rest of her family – lost jobs, being jailed or worse. And she’s already in the KGB’s sights.
Ella’s resilience is tested at every turn, and she is forced to make impossible moral choices.
This gripping read left me wondering what I would do in Ella’s shoes. Maureen442 14

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