I don't know but, given what I know of the conditions in Leningrad and Russia in general during that time period, it seems kind of unrealistic that only one character died during this story, and that character a fairly minor one. That's hardly a deal-breaker though, and Whelan is able to cover a lot of ground in this short novel, describing the suffering of the Leningraders and the adversity they faced, and the ways they fought back, without being graphic. ( )

The third book in the St. Petersburg Quartet depicts the horror of the 900 day siege of Leningrad.

Rich in historical detail, haunting in imagery, the tale of Georgi and Marya continues. Previously they traveled to Siberia to locate their parents.

Now residing in Leningrad, the characters witness a once proud and beautiful city nearly destroyed as unremittingly the Germans close all ports of exit and bomb and starve the Russia citizens.

Too young to join the Army, Georgi assists in whatever way he can. Before the city was totally surrounded, his sister helped to transport priceless art work from the Hermitage out of the country where it could be saved for future generations. Their mother works as a nurse ministering to Russian soldiers and citizens.

Cut off from sources of supply, the citizens are starving and freezing to death. Despite all odds, a tenacious, strong and determined city held out and did not let the city of Leningrad fall to the hands of the Germans.

A ray of hope occurred when a supply route was found using the frozen Lake of Lagoda to transport food into Leningrad.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.largelakes.info/pictures/lake-lad....

While statistics show that the city needed 1,000 tons of food to survive, those who were able to bravely risk their lives transporting food in the bitter cold and travel via unreliable and unsafe frozen ice were able to miraculously bring 33 tons of desperately needed nourishment to Leningrad. The author uses the character of Georgi as one of the brave transporters to reflect this heroic mission.

The siege of Leningrad occurred from September of 1941 until 1944. History estimates that 650,000 Russians died. Sadly, an entire generation of children who survived grew up fatherless.

For further information regarding the Siege of Leningrad, I highly recommend The 900 Days: The Siege of Leningrad by Harrison E. Salisbury ( )

it has alot of emotions in it ( )