Soldier X Download Free (EPUB, PDF)
Sixteen-year-old Erik Brandt barely knows what Germany is fighting for when he is drafted into Hitler's army in 1944. Sent to the killing fields of the Eastern Front, he is surrounded by unimaginable sights, more horrific than he ever thought possible. It's kill or be killed, and it seems clear that Erik's days are numbered. Until, covered in blood and seriously injured, he conceives of another way to survive. Filled with gritty and visceral detail, Soldier X will change the way every reader thinks about the reality of war.
Mass Market Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Speak; Reprint edition (July 14, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0142500739
ISBN-13: 978-0142500736
Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.6 x 6.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (93 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #69,889 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #27 in Books > Teens > Historical Fiction > Holocaust #38 in Books > Teens > Historical Fiction > Military #403 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Historical > Military
Though I generally consider myself a fan of historical fiction, I usually need a very interesting "hook" to keep me engaged. That, beyond anything else, was my main problem with "Soldier X". It was solid, but pretty much unspectacular in every way.For a basic plot summary, "Soldier X" tells the story of Erik, a half-German, half-Russian young man who has been recruited into Hitler's army during WWII. Soon after being shipped out for combat on the Eastern Front, Erik's company is attacked and overrun by the Russians. Erik finds himself trapped behind enemy lines and must take on the persona of a Russian soldier to survive. Knowing the language allows him some leeway, while a stay at a Russian hospital brings him some much needed companionship and helps clarify his plans moving forward.In technical terms, "Soldier X" is a sound book. It isn't boring, is true to its setting, and develops the characters nicely. Pretty much everything you would expect out of a historical fiction war novel can be found here. That's the main problem with the book, as well. It doesn't really add anything new to the genre, or really get you thinking about the plot/setting/characters in any unique ways. It's the definition of "by the book", so to speak.That being said, I didn't hate the novel by any means. Author Don Wulffson is able to use very simple, direct language to tell the story, and there is never any confusion as to what is going on. I never felt utterly bored or restless while reading it (the short chapters likely helped with that), while I did harbor at least some interest in seeing how Erik's character journey would turn out. Hence, an "okay" five-star rating.
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