Roberta Seret

Love Odyssey is set in Romania during the time of Nicolae’s Ceausescu’s presidency. His goal was to make Romania a world leader and he used brutal means against the citizenry to advance his power. The book is the second in Roberta Seret’s Transylvania Trilogy featuring Anca, her daughter, and her husband Petre. Anca fled Romania expecting her husband to follow soon, but he chose to continue his resistance fight, hoping to overthrow Ceausescu rather than make a new life with his wife and daughter in New York.
The book was very poorly written, disorganized and forgettable, except for the brief insight I got into the events happening in Romania during the 1970s and 80s . I had trouble finishing it and will avoid other books by the author.… (plus d'informations)

Anca Rodescu escaped Ceausescu's dictatorship of Romania in 1970 at the behest of her husband. Pregnant and alone in America, Anca waits for Petre to join her. Petre; however, wants to lead the revolution to bring Ceausescu out of power. Nineteen years later, Anca and Petre have divorced and Petre has almost completed his goal. Anca has become a successful pediatrician in New York City and their daughter, Sandi is studying at University. Sandi and Petre meet from time to time in Europe when Petre is allowed to leave for medical research. Petre has become Ceausescu's personal doctor and is closer than ever to reaching his goal when Anca begins to receive threats in America and a strange phone call from an old friend that leads Anca to believe that Petre is in trouble.

Love Odyssey combines romance, danger and adventure in this historical fiction novel. Love Odyssey is the second book in the Transylvanian Trilogy that follows Anca's story. Anca's story focuses mostly on her time after she escaped Romania and her lingering feelings for Petre. I was captivated by Anca's escape and how she was able to build her life up after that. More so, I was amazed to learn more about Ceausescu and the evils he perpetuated for so long. At times Petre's story eclipsed Anca's with the work he was doing for the revolution. I was intrigued by his work with American Intelligence and how he was able to work next to Ceausescu and even save his life on occasion. I did appreciate the overarching theme of the Odyssey compared to Anca and Petre's journey and realizing their love for one another. I particularly loved Anca's strength at the end as she risks everything for Petre. I can't wait to see what story book three brings to life.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.… (plus d'informations)

I received this book in an early reviewers giveaway. I had some mixed feelings about this book. I felt that in general it was a good story, it had some adventure, a bit of romance and historical facts. I liked learning some of the information about Ceaușescu’s reign, but I felt that it was slipped in a bit awkwardly.

A previous review had commented that this was written without emotion and I agree with that statement. I, too, didn’t feel much for any of the characters. SoI wasn’t very eager to pick it back up. I was also a bit lost in the first few chapters with the time jumping around.

In my job as a middle school teacher, I have read many books for young people and this is how I felt the book was written somewhat. Not a lot of descriptions and the author told you what was happening with the characters rather than letting you infer from the things that they said, expressed or did. Just very basic fiction writing. I have not read any of the author’s non fiction works but I would guess that is where her strength lies, with research and facts. I give this book 2.5 stars, as I feel it was just an average read for me.
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