"Untold" by Vanessa Hall Book Review (Extended)

Abby

Sep 30, 20225 min read

You can only run for so long …

Two years hasn’t erased the sting of betrayal and the shadow of the past, but Nikolai Alexandrov has finally found a way to live. Moscow, Russia, is the last place anyone would look for a rogue ex-CIA officer, and the members of Grace Baptist Church see beyond his past to the man he is now.

Molly Baird never wanted to be a missionary, but due to her father’s wishes, she lands in Moscow to aid her missionary cousin, Gabe Kelly. All is foreign in the massive city, though, rendering her unable to serve. Only the few English speakers in Grace Baptist’s congregation hold a trace of familiarity—including Nikolai, whose kindness she can’t deny.

Yet when a sniper’s bullet strikes far too close, Nikolai and Molly are thrown together in a desperate race against untold threats. When time runs out, will Nikolai and Molly be able to trust God with the past—and with the future?

(Sentences in bold denote minor spoilers.)

Well, where to begin? No idea, so I’m just going to dive into this and start spewing out thoughts in random directions.

First of all, Molly! I get her so much. Like, her introvertism! And her love of books! And her feelings of ‘why am I here’ and ‘I just want to go home’ and ‘I’m not doing any good’ and ‘I’m too weak to do this’. I know those feelings and wants. I would probably feel the exact same way if I was put in her situation.

And Nick! Amazing, poor tortured Nick. (He reminds me of Jace from the Ilyon Chronicles.) His desire to do right but hating his inability to do so is also something I understand. He and Molly are so similar in these ways. And yet, both of them do what is good and right, helping others out, though they consider themselves so weak.

Also, both of them not liking Russian cities and longing for Tennessee’s open country is something I totally do.

I have to be honest, I think this is my favorite set of characters so far in this series.

Also, we must NOT forget all the other side characters. I inwardly squealed when it was realized that MINER SPOILER: Gabe and Sofia are going to have a baby 🎉!! And ANOTHER MINOR SPOILER: Evgeny and Sasha have their wedding in this book!!! *twirls around*

And Gregor, that stubborn grumpy old man that you can’t help but love is back as well. The ending, or continuation, whichever it should be, is satisfying for those of you that love him like me.

As for plot and suspense levels, let me tell you, this book has it. I think it’s more action packed than the first two! It starts really getting intense like, one fourth of the way through and from then on, it never stops until the very end.

For faith elements, of course, grace is the main theme, although in a different way than the other two books. As it happened, I read this book during a time where I had been / still was learning more about what grace truly is. I found myself agreeing with these characters as they wrestled through things.

The author never portrays these characters as perfect, just the opposite, and I think that is important. Nick is not a super strong guy that’s never bothered by anything thrown his way, and Molly is not a perfectly capable woman that learns fluent Russian within two weeks and has perfect control of her emotions no matter how tired she is. But one thing they both know is that grace is what will carry them through.

All in all, a faith-filled suspenseful ride with relatable characters that I adore. But, based on that author’s note at the end, it’s not over yet. A story about MINOR SPOILER: Vladislav Genkin and Katya? That is definitely something I want to see.

I will definitely be awaiting the next book in this series.

For those who are wondering, I would rate this book ages 15+.

Now, for a few favorite quotes of other readers (and me) in stunning graphic form:

If you want your own copy of Untold (hint, you should), then here are the Goodreads and purchase links.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61167481-untold

Ebook and Hard Copy: https://books2read.com/u/m0vp77

For the blog tour, Vanessa is running a 0.99 sale on Unknown, the first book in this series.

Unknown’s blurb:

He knew there was a cost. He just didn’t know how great it’d be.

Gabriel Kelly returned to Russia for one reason—to bury his parents. After ten years in the United States, he hadn’t expected to return to his childhood home in the face of tragedy. However, after short days in Moscow, he begins to consider if the same call that cost his parents’ lives is now upon him.

Sofia Rykova’s dreams finally came true when she became a principal soloist with the Bolshoi Ballet. One night, though, an old crush walks back into her life, making her wonder if there is more to life than ballet. Gabe Kelly is just as she remembered, just as she longed for—yet religion stands between them.

Unknown to Gabe and Sofia, danger lurks closer than either would have guessed. The deaths of Gabe’s parents grow more suspicious by the day, and Gabe and Sofia are drawn into the midst of a plot neither can escape. Will obedience to God’s call—in spite of their fears and desires—result in a price too steep to bear?

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58357517-unknown

Purchase link: https://books2read.com/u/49nnDk

She is also having a giveaway of ebook copies of Unknown and Unworthy, which ends October 1st, so you’d better enter quickly! (Giveaway only open to those 18 and above.)

Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b768bf280/?

I was given a free ebook copy by the author for review, I was not required to leave a review and this doesn’t affect my review in any way, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you so much Vanessa, I look forward to reading your next one!

Until the next review,

Abby

About Vanessa Hall, Author of Untold

Vanessa Hall is an author, musician, and homeschool graduate. Most days, she is reading, writing, or practicing the violin—or trying to find time for all three pursuits. Currently, she is working toward gaining a degree in instrumental music education. But above all, she is a sinner saved and held fast by the abounding grace of Jesus Christ.

Author Links

Website/Blog: https://vanessahallauthor.wordpress.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21596469.Vanessa_Hall

Newsletter: https://vanessahall.ck.page/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/vanessanhall7/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Vanessa-Hall/e/B09D5FK28P/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/vanessa-hall-76d55a60-3f49-4ac3-8e43-d64014ae4c55

Untold’s Blog Tour Schedule:

Friday, September 23

Kristina Hall – Spotlight

Rachel – Spotlight

Emma – Review