The Red Scarf Kindle Edition

The Red Scarf follows in Tom Rob Smith's footsteps in that it does a good job detailing the deprivation, freezing cold, and abundant fear in Stalin's Russia. But, where Smith's plot succeeded in displaying the human capability to endure pain and find an inner strength, Furnival's plot relies heavily on a silly crutch...a gypsy's mystical abilities. I don't know why she felt she needed to use something so amateurish when it's obvious that she is a good writer. How disappointing it was to be caught up in a great Russian story and then stumble across a big misfire in the middle of the book. All of the sudden one of the characters posesses a magical ability. I was dumbfounded. I finished the book, but it was all down hill from there. So disappointing. Let's hope Furnival doesn't make that mistake again in her next endeavor.

This book has a great storyline (escaped prisoner of labor camp goes to find bff's childhood love to rescue her bff from a sure death in the labor camp). I haven't read very many historical fictions on the labor camps and the author gave a good description of the dehumanizing, horrific conditions that these poor women were subjected to. The love story twist was also surprising. But Furnival lost a few points with me when she started (and kept going) about the whole gypsy mind controlling thing.Overall, a good read. I didn't feel compelled to read this one until I was done though; which is how I gauge a great book from an ok book.

To quote Kate Mosse, "a hugely ambitious and atmospheric epic novel"....I will re-read this book and see if I enjoy it more than I did thefirst time. I found much of it implausable, but I wasn't lookingfor a factual book, so that is okay. I often read my books severaltimes to truly appreciate them. This book will not be one thatI will heartily recommend to my book-reading friends. However, whenit's time to trade books, someone will get it and perhaps we'll discussit.

great read.

Really opens your perspective

Yet another Kate Furnivall gem! This novel was my first Kate Furnivall book. She really gets character development, and absorbs the reader into her characters lives. Also, it highlights a part of Russian history that gets overlooked due to the Nazi Holocaust. This is a phenomenal historical fiction novel

The subject matter drew me to this book, and the story hooked me. I had a hard time putting the book down, as the more I read, the more I wanted to know more about what was going to happen next. Have you ever read a good story (that affected you the same way), only to get near the end, and find yourself slowing down, and savoring each final page..not wanting it to end?!?There is some profanity, that might offend some people. Personally, I wondered why it was used, as it really wasn't necessary.

The compelling tale of two women's life in a Russian labor camp. While a extremely well written historical novel, it was a bit confusing at times. I bought this book because I read Furnival's Novel the Russian Concubine and really enjoyed it, and this book did not quite measure up.

After reading and enjoying The Russian Concubine I give this a go and enjoyed it even more. I am fan of books set in Russia which is why I bought The Russian Concubine, only to find it is set mostly in China! The Red Scarf or Under The Blood Red Sky as it is also sold as, is set in Russia and is the story of two friends who meet in the Davinsky Labour Camp, Siberia in 1933 and the promise made by one of the women to the other when she attempts to escape.

Brilliant book very well written makes you feel like you are there,Kate Furnival just keeps coming up with such superb books highly recommend

Beware this book is the same as the blood red sky. under a different title. I bought this book then found my mistake. never again. I will get this auther from the library.Kate Furnivall is a brilliant story teller, why does she release the same book under a different title.

Another book previously released in this Country under a different title, which were not aware of and therefore we were veery disappointed at being misled.

Fab