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.
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Francis Kapola
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Re: Review of A Secret Life

Post by Francis Kapola »

Yana's struggle mirrored the inner conflicts many face when torn between personal desires and familial duties. Bancheva's narrative skillfully navigates the complexities of love, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of freedom, leaving an indelible mark on my heart.
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Post by Precious_Nzeakor »

I like that this book is culturally centered and is written with an aim to highlight the struggles of Bulgarians. In that light, it'll be a great resource material for people who want to learn about Bulgarian-centred names of people, foods, and events.
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Post by Damian Keyes »

Yana is put in a difficult decision. Any decision will jeopardize her life and future so this is a lose-lose situation. I cannot wait to embark on this journey with a female protagonist who's ready to take on the system, if necessary. Congrats to the author for receiving the honor of BOTD.
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Post by Esther Deekor »

Leaving your family and country to a whole new environment without any roots, takes courage and I admire Yana's courage. Plus, the mix of action thriller, romance and family in this book fascinates me and piques my interest in the book. Congratulations on BOTD!!
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Post by Rahul Singh 29 »

Thank you for sharing your review of the book "A Secret Life" by Mina Bancheva. The book sounds like a captivating and emotional story that explores the challenges and choices of living under a repressive regime and finding a new life in a different country. I like the character of Yana and how she deals with the dilemma of being a spy or a traitor. I think the book raises important questions about freedom, loyalty, and identity, as well as the consequences of our actions. Congratulations to the author, #BOTD!
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We seek to know ourselves and others, to belong and to be free, We accept what we can and change what we must.
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Post by Stephen Christopher 1 »

I like the idea of this book: Yana doing whatever she can to improve her life. This is a common story for many people. It's a shame about all the errors, that would take away from my reading experience. I'm not sure if I'll continue it or not.
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Post by Suvankar Das 1 »

Thank you for sharing your detailed thoughts on "A Secret Life" by Mina Bancheva. Your insights into the positive aspects of the book, such as the courage of the characters in fighting for their freedom and the lessons it imparts on perseverance and forgiveness, provide a well-rounded perspective.
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Post by Ma Kristine Dakoykoy Rennie »

I wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude for recommending "A Secret Life" by Mina Bancheva. It was an incredibly captivating story, and I thoroughly enjoyed delving into Yana's journey from a review.
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Post by sanjeev1 »

Thank you for sharing your detailed review of "A Secret Life" by Mina Bancheva. Your insights into the characters and the themes of the book are quite enlightening. It seems like the story's exploration of freedom, forgiveness, and perseverance resonated with you, which are indeed powerful and relatable themes. Despite the errors you mentioned, it's great to hear that you found the book well-written and inspirational, ultimately deserving of a four-star rating. Based on your review, I'm intrigued and considering adding this book to my reading list. Thank you for the recommendation!
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Post by Wairimu Mimo »

Such a great review!! Looking forward to read the book. The story gives us a look of Yana's life and lessons on perseverance, essence of forgiveness and freedom, a great read.
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Post by Alissa Deann Devargas »

I think Mina should work with the Bulgaria's, since she signed the deal herself. Although it's sad that she might lose her family, she has to take responsibility for her sister. I'd like to read this spy story.
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Post by Krebs Karen »

This book looks like a very informative and interesting book, I would love to know Tina's decisions and how it affected her life. I can't wait to dive into this book. Congrats on being book of the day!.
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Post by Rezaul Hasan »

Bancheva's writing style is rich in evocative imagery and descriptive descriptions that, throughout "A Secret Life," offer a clear picture of the characters' inner anguish and surroundings. Readers are kept guessing as secrets are progressively exposed, curious to learn the truth about two sister's enigmatic pasts. After all, "A Secret Life" is a gripping and provocative examination of the human condition that is full of surprises and turns that will keep readers interested right up until the very end.
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Post by Kibet Hillary »

We are now living in a world where we constantly have to stand up and fight for the rights of the oppressed and those whose voices are either openly or subtly depressed. This is a wonderful book, undoubtedly, for those whose passion lies here. It is good to read that the characters' motivations were disclosed, which makes it easier to relate to them. Many thanks for the review.
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Post by mrlefty0706 »

“A Secret Life” by Mina Bancheva is a story about Yana, a native of Bulgaria that seeks her freedom and moves to Wales and meets Daniel. When Yana’s mother became sick Yana traveled back to Bulgaria to take care of her. When she applied for a Visa to return to Wales, she signed an agreement with the Bulgarian government to act as a informant and report on Bulgarians living in London. She obtained her Visa in another way but the Bulgarian government had the document she signed and they were going to hold her to it. Sadly, Yana’s sister is still in Bulgaria and Yana has to decide if she should leave her new family behind and go back to Bulgaria or letting her sister suffer. Yana learned in elementary school that praying to God was not allowed. This is a well-written book that should appeal to readers that love fighting for their freedoms.
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