A Waltz with Traitors
Due to their loyalty to Tsar Nicholas II, Nadia’s father, mother, and aunt are executed by the Russian secret police, the Cheka. Nadia barely escapes, but without family or money, she has few options. By chance, she meets Czech soldier Filip, who informs her that his train is leaving Ukraine, but they are only authorized to take military men and their families. He offers her a solution: marry him so she can board the train, and they can have the marriage annulled when they reach their destination.
Desperate, she takes him up on his proposal. But life on the train is hard. As a former aristocrat, Nadia is used to a life of privilege and doesn’t know how to do the tasks expected of her, like cooking or washing clothes. However, she is willing to learn and offers her skills as a nurse, something she picked up as a volunteer at the Petrograd hospital for wounded officers. Nadia’s and Filip’s days are filled with struggle and chaos, yet the more they get to know each other, the more feelings develop. If they can make it to safety, they must decide: will their marriage remain a sham, or will it become real?
Sowards’ well-researched novel is filled with historical details about the Czechoslovakian Legion, a group supporting the Allies in their battle against Germany. The hardships these men faced, fighting to win independence for Czechoslovakia, are brought to life with realistic descriptions. The author also doesn’t shy away from the difficulties confronting single or unprotected women during the war, heightening the stakes for the novel’s female characters. Nadia and Filip’s romance creates a bright spot and sense of hope, keeping the reader truly invested until the end.
