Thank you to Swift Press and NetGalley for the complimentary copy of To the Lake y Yana Vagner.

Moscow is ravaged by the flu, driving thousands from their homes to safer areas in Russia.
Husband and wife, Anya and Sergey decide to leave Moscow along with some extended family members.
As they travel to the lake, and to safety, fuel and food supplies start to run low. Yana Vagner has a talent for creating a very bleak picture of the Russian winter, and how dire the situation is of the travellers. The people they meet en route are just as desperate, and the constant sense of feeling unsafe around strangers, lurks. The story is bleak, but there is a message of hope, and that regardless of how dire a situation may seem, when you are surrounded by others who want you and them to succeed, when you have a goal to achieve, you will do whatever you can to get your loved ones to safety. In this case away from the epidemic that has slayed hundreds of thousands behind them.

After the tumultuous events of 2020, I must admit, this book was truly captivating and alarmingly unsettling at times. I flew through this very quickly, and while I predicted the ending, I still enjoyed the entire journey. This book is indeed a voyage—one where you intimately acquaint yourself with the characters who accompany you until the very end. In my opinion, it's an excellent read.

I'd like to thank Swift Press for providing this e-arc, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

3⭐ a road trip to the lake, with a pandemic on your heels and many challenges at each corner

I was hoping to feel more on edge throughout this book, but to be honest, it was just okay. The stakes were high and some of the characters were interesting but I didn't love it. I think I might not be a road trip book person, and that's ok.

The ending was a bit anti-climatic but it was overall okay.

Given what we've been through in 2020, I have to say, this book was chillingly gripping, and amazingly worrying in places.
I read it in one sitting, and though I saw the end coming, I still enjoyed the whole journey getting there. And that's what this book is, a journey. You get to know the characters you're travelling with, and they're companions right to the end.
What a read, IMO.
I thank the publisher, and Netgalley for my opportunity to review this book.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

The download date was unfortunately missed, I would be happy to re-review if it became available again. I have awarded stars for the book cover and description as they both appeal to me. I would be more than happy to re-read and review if a download becomes available. If you would like me to re-review please feel free to contact me at thesecretbookreview@gmail.com or via social media The_secret_bookreview (Instagram) or Secret_bookblog (Twitter). Thank you.

Whilst we have seen the topic of pandemics increase over the recent years following on from COVID. This is a refreshing psychological take from Anya's sole perspective. It was a refreshingly different book to read.

Hooked! this book is one of my new favorites! I really enjoyed everything about this book. The plot, characters, everything. I could not put it down. Will hopefully be getting some copies for my sister and cousin. Thank you Netgalley.

A year late to this! My apologies. The psychological terror in this became too real, while living close to the concept of the pandemic simultaneously. I had to stop around 50%. I actually can't handle survival horrors, but I thought I'd give this a go (plus being Estonian myself, I could relate to some of the Russian culture/
environment). It was a very well written psychological horror-drama, just too much for my weary lil' heart. It's fast paced and character-driven, with an extended feeling of chronic anxiety.

The plot follows a Russian family, all with complex back histories and memorable personalities, who journey together to escape a deadly epidemic to a remote lake near the border. As the government went silent, and authorities tightened their grip on lockdowns, the terror and uncertainty around national safety becomes a harrowing invisible enemy in this story. The family travel in two cars, and often encounter issues of communication, motives, trust and risks involving outsider collaboration, along their long wintery drive of dread. The extended dread in this was compelling, yet unnatural to hold in my body. I imagine, this could be enjoyable for those who can stomach this type of anxiety.

Thanks to Netgalley, Yana Vagner and Swift Press for this advanced readers copy.

Dark thriller that had you hooked from the off. The book was very well written. Great plot. Very exciting. Fast paced to get your heart racing. Loved this book

With thanks to the author, publishers Swift Press, and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

I found it difficult to get into this book. I felt that the author captured the loneliness and isolation of the characters well, and how the uncertainty they faced inevitably put strain on their various relationships. However, I thought the situations encountered by the group were a little repetitive in nature, with no major events of note for long periods, and overall would have expected a bit more to happen on their journey through what was effectively being portrayed as a lawless country. Also the ending was a bit of an anti-climax for me.

Had a hard time getting into the story and finally had to dnf it. Nothing really wrong, the writing was fine, just not the story for me.

I loved this book! I wouldn’t recommend this if you have any pandemic anxiety but it was written so so well! I was hooked from the beginning and couldn’t put it down until I had finished. It sparks the conversation of what you and your family would do in this situation. The tension jumped off the page and the author is one I will definitely look out for again in the future. I’ll be recommending this to everyone I know. Unfortunately the Netflix didn’t do the book justice so definitely go for the book instead!

To the lake by Yana Vagner.
A deadly flu epidemic sweeps through Moscow, killing hundreds of thousands. Anya and her husband Sergey decide they have no choice but to flee to a lake in the far north of Russia.Joining them on their journey are her son and father-in-law; Sergey's ex-wife and son; and their garish neighbours. But then some friends of Sergey show up to complete Anya's list of people she’d least like to be left with at the end of the civilised world.
As the wave of infection expands from the capital, their food and fuel start to run low. Menaced both by the harsh Russian winter and by the desperate people they encounter, they must put their hatreds behind them if they’re to have a chance of reaching safety…
A good read with good characters. Goid story. 3*.

In Russia a virus ravages the population; slowly all roads close and lawlessness sets in. Anya and her husband Sergery decide to flee but as more people join them on their escape from the city will they be able to make it out without encountering the lawlessness that now pervades as well as staying healthy and free from the virus.

This was a bit too close for comfort in the current climate however it was a gripping read. Nya's journey and the description of what was happening as people realised that help wasn't coming were superb.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review

In covid Times this is a great read! Could easily see it as a series. We’ll written and cert realistic characters I enjoyed this.

I loooove a good survivalist thriller! This one did not disappoint. It's very fast-paced and gripping. I was completely speechless by the end of the book.

This book is written from the perspective of Anya, a Russian woman living on the outskirts of Moscow with her son Mishka, and partner Sergey. When we start reading this story, an epidemic has already begun and the city of Moscow becomes quarantined.

One day, Sergey’s estranged father Boris arrives at their house and informs them of the seriousness of the situation. They all decided to leave, however there is a problem. Sergey’s ex-partner Ira and their son, Anton are in Moscow.

Sergey decides to sneak out to rescue his son and his ex. The mission is successful, and soon Anya and Ira need to put up with each other’s company. As you can imagine, Ira hates Anya and she doesn’t try to hide it – after all, Sergey left her for Anya. Anya feels guilty and tries to keep everyone happy.

Soon, the party of six expands to nine, as they are joined by their flashy and annoying neighbours Lenny, Marina, and their young daughter Dasha. They all begin their journey up to Lake Vongozero in North-West Russia.

They travel though snowy, barren, and hostile landscape encountering danger on the way. There is a constant battle for fuel and food, and soon the provisions start to run low. Will they be able to reach the safety of the lake? More importantly, can they all remain healthy?

This book has a dystopian and apocalyptic feel to it. It makes a scary and harrowing read at times, but I must admit, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This was a tough read, especially still in the middle of a pandemic! However, I liked the realism of it, particularly in the relationships between the characters, Having Ira and Anton there made everything necessarily more tense between Anya and Sergey, which definitely worked. Here's hoping Covid-19 doesn't go this way...

This was an interesting book - not due to it being about a virus, I've had quite enough of that. But what I did enjoy was the setting; having it set in Russia, starting near Moscow and then moving north past St Petersburg, made it quite fascinating. It certainly made a wonderful change from all the similar books set in the US! I did enjoy the difference in customs and behaviour, and although it seems to end somewhat abruptly, looking back at the title I can see the reason for that.
I must mention the excellence of the translator - very well done.
I haven't seen the Netflix series so read this with no preconceptions.