City of Thieves

While on vacation I read the most amazing book. City of Thieves is David Benioff's second novel and for those that enjoy a quick paced, exciting read this book is a must!

The book centers around two characters, Lev and Kolya, during the seige in Leningrad in January 1942. Lev is a 17 year old virgin who is self conscious of his lack of sexual experience and that he has a large nose. Kolya is a young soldier in the Red Army who brags of his sexual prowess.

Lev and Kolya meet after being arrested and are both subject to summary execution for their crimes. A colonel in the NKVD - a Soviet Secret Police Agency - stays their execution and in return orders them to find a dozen eggs for his daughters wedding cake.

The two then set off to locate the illusive eggs - a nearly impossible task with war time rations. They encounter harsh weather conditions, Partisan soldiers and a sadistic Einzatsgruppe commander along the way.

City of Thieves is a quick read with 250 jam packed pages. Gun fights, romance and hair raising escapes all add up to a thrilling read.