Kimberly Anne Conway's MAKING RUSSIAN DOLLS takes readers on a winding journey of self-discovery and intrigue. The novel starts out in Russia during the early 1900s. From here it meanders through several years as things slowly unfold, telling a story of Russia, war, family obligations, and becoming (this last theme being heavily woven into the book). Each of the characters eventually has to decide for themselves who they were meant to be, and how much they're willing to sacrifice in pursuit of that goal.
There are a few issues that become apparent early on. One example is the tendency to jump between perspectives without warning. While sometimes these shifts are marked, in other places the POVs bounce around mid-scene and make it difficult to follow along. For instance, “Dmitry excused himself. He did not need to know the details" is followed by "The family was relieved when Dmitry left the room.”
Another issue is the characters themselves. From the outside, they appear to be an interesting and well-thought-out bunch. But upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that many of them lack genuine motive or depth. Their decisions feel random, often impulsive, and without any real reason or clear justification. Their actions seem like mere excuses to move the story in a certain direction, and less like choices that the characters would have actually made. They come off as too convenient, too shallow, and often random—which seems odd for characters who are said to be decisive and cunning by nature. The plot suffers from these chaotic shifts as well, with the timeline moving in uneven bursts for the duration of the first several chapters. While that does level out once certain characters are introduced, there is no clear indication of why that is until much later. The year is marked at the beginning of each chapter, but some chapters jump several years ahead mid-way through with no real warning—lending a choppy and uneven flow to the narrative.
On the other hand, the history and culture are vibrant. MAKING RUSSIAN DOLLS takes readers on quite the adventure, and it immerses them in a global experience along the way. While the focus remains on the Russian characters and their perspectives, seeing everyone learning and interacting with other cultures adds beautiful sparks of color to an otherwise slightly morose story. While there is room for improvement, Conway delivers an entertaining and thought-stimulating read that is sure to keep readers guessing.
Despite some inconsistent characterization and a slightly rocky start, Kimberly Anne Conway’s confident blending of historical events, vibrant cultures, and intrigue turn MAKING RUSSIAN DOLLS into a powerful book.
~ Stephanie Lynn for IndieReader