Review of A Secret Life

Please use this forum to discuss historical fiction books. Common definitions define historical fiction as novels written at least 25-50 years after the book's setting.
Post Reply
Hy Be
In It Together VIP
Posts: 727
Joined: 19 Jan 2022, 15:01
Currently Reading: The Impossible Mock Orange Trial
Bookshelf Size: 292
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-hy-be.html
Latest Review: In It Together by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes

Re: Review of A Secret Life

Post by Hy Be »

Interesting review. "A Secret Life" by Mina Bancheva revolves around Yana who is struggling to choose between her new family and sisters misery. The author beautifully weaved romance, travel and politics themes in this book.
User avatar
edubased
Posts: 2
Joined: 23 Sep 2018, 10:04
Bookshelf Size: 0

Post by edubased »

I appreciate you providing this detailed review. It is a great resource for anyone who are interested in politics, fiction, and the fight for freedom..
User avatar
Sonia_Gonzalez
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 448
Joined: 16 Feb 2023, 21:10
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 250
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-sonia-gonzalez.html
Latest Review: Refuge by Mike Shellenbergar

Post by Sonia_Gonzalez »

Yana has been dreaming about freedom. After obtaining her visa, she relocates to Wales, where she meets and falls in love with Daniel. When her mother gets sick, Yana must return to Bulgaria to accompany her, but in order to return to Wales, she must obtain another visa, and she has to do things she might not be comfortable with. But being with Daniel might be worth everything.
Patel Khushi Manishbhai
In It Together VIP
Posts: 329
Joined: 22 Apr 2023, 00:08
Favorite Author: Markus Zusak
Favorite Book: The Book Thief
Currently Reading: To the Lighthouse
Bookshelf Size: 199
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-patel-khushi-manishbhai.html
Latest Review: Methuselah by Barry Kohl
fav_author_id: 2540

Post by Patel Khushi Manishbhai »

We'll be remembered more for what we destroy than what we create.

Chuck Palahniuk, Invisible Monsters


From the sample, I found the storyline a bit weak and the narration poor so I think I will pass. But considering there are so many lesson to be learnt, the readers might benefit from it. Thank you for highlighting the lessons and congratulations on the BOTD.
Jatto Onimisi
Posts: 178
Joined: 01 Jun 2022, 04:43
Currently Reading: Shitolian
Bookshelf Size: 41
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-jatto-onimisi.html
Latest Review: The Movie Chair by Shari Borkin

Post by Jatto Onimisi »

"A Secret Life" is an intriguing story of Yana, a Bulgarian who in search of freedom finds love. As the story progresses, it would seem her newfound life was about to be taken from her by the life she fled from due to a contract she entered into. This is a story about government surveillance, oppression, love and the search for liberty. I loved the cultural originality that pervades the lengths of this book.
User avatar
Kristine Mariel Diaz
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 308
Joined: 22 May 2023, 20:18
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 631
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kristine-mariel-diaz.html
Latest Review: Shelby Morrow Series by A. C. Holmes

Post by Kristine Mariel Diaz »

Thanks to your excellent review, I'm now eager to learn more about Yana and her sister and this narrative.
Immigration is a sensitive topic fraught with hardships, anguish, and suffering. Here, the author succeeded in engaging readers on a deeper level by focusing on a young woman who is merely seeking her independence and a better life.
User avatar
Huini Hellen
Posts: 1685
Joined: 08 Sep 2020, 03:38
Currently Reading: Conversing with Various Entities
Bookshelf Size: 137
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-huini-hellen.html
Latest Review: A Walk in the Twilight by John J Bosco Jr.

Post by Huini Hellen »

A Secret Life sounds like an exciting read that would certainly score higher if the errors are corrected. Thank you for your honest review.
The mind adapts and converts to its own purposes the obstacle to our acting. The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way. - Marcus Aurelius
User avatar
Anusha Thatavarthi
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 814
Joined: 07 May 2020, 09:05
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 138
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-anusha-thatavarthi.html
Latest Review: Like My Mother Before Me by Naley Gonzalez

Post by Anusha Thatavarthi »

"Secret Life" by Mina Bancheva follows Yana's journey for freedom in Wales, where she falls in love with Daniel but faces the dilemma of becoming an informant. The book explores themes of courage, perseverance, and forgiveness, with well-explained character motivations. Thanks for the amazing review.
Yahya Amir Anwer
Posts: 88
Joined: 16 Feb 2024, 04:30
Currently Reading: Snatched Up to Heaven for Kids
Bookshelf Size: 8

Post by Yahya Amir Anwer »

It looks like an excellent review. The review shows that the book is interesting and educative. I try to read the books. Regards for this informative review. :lol: :roll: :tiphat:
User avatar
MMcB
Posts: 473
Joined: 13 Dec 2020, 22:29
Favorite Book: Island of Missing Trees
Currently Reading: Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
Bookshelf Size: 100
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mmcb.html
Latest Review: The Elephant(s) in the Room by Denny Laake and Monica Laake Beavers

Post by MMcB »

Yana has a difficult decision but, meanwhile, life continues and the characters and story move along at a steady pace in A Secret Life" by Mina Bancheva. The generous review by the Online Book Club reviewer states that the book is interesting on many levels and throughout the entire story. The perseverance and growth of the characters is remarkable.
If you're going through hell, keep going.
~ Sir Winston Churchill
Declan Crawford
Posts: 7
Joined: 21 Jun 2023, 22:16
Favorite Book: Predator / Nomad
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 11
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-declan-crawford.html
Latest Review: The Unfakeable Code® by Tony Jeton Selimi

Post by Declan Crawford »

Great review. Def going to read the book
User avatar
Neha Panikar
In It Together VIP
Posts: 502
Joined: 29 Sep 2023, 03:40
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 89
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-neha-panikar.html
Latest Review: Quantum Terra by Kirk Marty

Post by Neha Panikar »

What a beautiful review... Couldn't have been better for this well written book!! The editing errors are a pity, but the plot,the way the characters are written, the nuances in it seems very promising. Looking forward to picking up this book!!
CHANTAL EWING
Posts: 83
Joined: 23 Dec 2023, 15:49
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 23
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-chantal-ewing.html
Latest Review: Unsilenced by Martins Agbonlahor

Post by CHANTAL EWING »

‪“A Secret Life” by Mina Bancheva delves into the life of a young woman, 1974, in communist Bulgaria that cannot go on living in the shadow of fear and oppression. I found this book gripping from the beginning to the end‬
Ajiferuke Ajibola
In It Together VIP
Posts: 617
Joined: 07 Feb 2023, 06:29
Currently Reading: In It Together
Bookshelf Size: 87
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ajiferuke-ajibola.html
Latest Review: Man Mission by Eytan Uliel
2025 Reading Goal: 50
2025 Goal Completion: 0%

Post by Ajiferuke Ajibola »

Yana in "A Secret Life" by Mina Bancheva became a victim of circumstance. I hope she was able to navigate and eventually win on all sides. The effort the author made to explain the motivation for the characters' decisions is commendable. Congrats on BOTD. Nice review.
Priyankan Nayak
In It Together VIP
Posts: 362
Joined: 18 Jul 2023, 12:08
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 57
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-priyankan-nayak.html
Latest Review: Digging for God by Tom Hillman

Post by Priyankan Nayak »

Congratulations on the BOTD. The book teaches perseverance, the essence of forgiveness. The reason behind the decisions taken is well explained. The story is a fiction that has themes such as politics, and the fight for freedom. It talks about Bulgarian culture and tradition. An intriguing plot to endeavor.
Post Reply

Return to “Historical Fiction”