STILL ALIVE

This third series entry continues the story of the Ukrainian Popkov family: twins Dariia and Rada and their father and mother.

Rada and her mother are now refugees, sheltering in a ski village in the Carpathian Mountains and slowly rebuilding their lives, but Dariia is missing and their father has been captured by the Russians. The book opens in November 2022 with Rada’s point of view. She learns that Dariia is still alive, living near Moscow with a Russian family who treat her “like a prisoner and a servant” (this information was revealed in the first book). Rada and her mom begin plotting how to get her out. The book provides much detail about the tight community the refugees form as they cook and eat together and celebrate holidays in traditional Ukrainian fashion. The second half is told from Dariia’s point of view after she’s been rescued. The sisters are grateful to be together again but occasionally snipe at each other like ordinary siblings. Character building isn’t this story’s strong suit, however: The twins don’t come across as two distinct people, and the dialogue is flat and doesn’t fully convey the characters’ emotions. This work emphasizes the sovereignty of the Ukrainian people and, crucially, shines a light on their plight, but repetitive elements undercut the tension.

An important story to tell, but the execution could have been more polished.