I do not usually read romances, but I was drawn to this book because it was also about the Siege of Leningrad. This book is 900 plus pages and I read it in less than 3 days the first time. I could not put it down, and I felt like I was in Leningrad when I was reading it. I would look up in surprise that the electricity was still on, or that there was food in the house, that is how deeply you become involved in the story. This was the most epic romance I have ever read or heard of, and Alexander has become my all time favorite character. There are also two following books, The Summer Garden and Tatiana and Alexander, which I read and are just as wonderful as The Bronze Horseman. I will never forget this story.