A Bend in the Stars
Rachel Barenbaum
Genre: Historical Fiction / Romance
Published: May 14, 2019
Rating: 
In Russia, in the summer of 1914, as war with Germany looms and the Czar’s army tightens its grip on the local Jewish community, Miri Abramov and her brilliant physicist brother, Vanya, are facing an impossible decision. Since their parents drowned fleeing to America, Miri and Vanya have been raised by their babushka, a famous matchmaker who has taught them to protect themselves at all costs: to fight, to kill if necessary, and always to have an escape plan. But now, with fierce, headstrong Miri on the verge of becoming one of Russia’s only female surgeons, and Vanya hoping to solve the final puzzles of Einstein’s elusive theory of relativity, can they bear to leave the homeland that has given them so much?
Before they have time to make their choice, war is declared and Vanya goes missing, along with Miri’s fiancé. Miri braves the firing squad to go looking for them both. As the eclipse that will change history darkens skies across Russia, not only the safety of Miri’s own family but the future of science itself hangs in the balance.
Grounded in real history — and inspired by the solar eclipse of 1914 — A Bend in the Stars offers a heartstopping account of modern science’s greatest race amidst the chaos of World War I, and a love story as epic as the railways crossing Russia.
A Bend in the Stars is a riveting tale that sweeps readers across Russia as a story unfolds regarding the tense race for the Theory of Relativity as the Great War looms in 1914. Debut author Barenbaum expertly sets the background in this novel. The despondency is palpable as we alternating primarily between the Miri’s and Vanya’s POVs, giving a ground floor view of life in the Jewish population in Russia and the difficulties and dangers that mark day to day life.
I thought I would be more interested in Miri’s side of the story and the romance arc but Barenbaum did a commendable job of trying to reduce the scientific chat to layman’s terms and explanations. Admittedly, much of it still went over my head as I felt stuck wondering “I don’t understand their fascination and obsession with this” but I’m also not scientifically inclined. I was able to glean a bit from her explanations so I’m not a total failure of a student.
After closing the cover of this book for the final time, I was left feeling a bit morose and hungover. Given the subject matter I expected there to be some tugs on the heart strings but as I grew attached to the characters I found myself wishing for a fairy tale-esque HEA that you don’t always get in historical fiction.
I highly recommend this book for fans of historical fiction, particularly those that lament about a lack of books set around WWI, and readers that enjoy a side of romance with their stories.
♥ Happy Release Day! ♥
**I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher (Thank you Grand Central Pub!); all opinions are my own honest thoughts.
