City Of Thieves by David Benioff

 

Lev is seventeen and has been in Stalingrad for the seige by the Germans during World War II.  Food is scarce if it can be found at all.  He is a night watcher for his neighborhood along with other teenagers from his building.  They see a German paratrooper floating down right outside their building and they go to inspect him.  He is dead and Lev takes his knife.  They are breaking curfew and when Russian soldiers arrive they scurry for cover but Lev is arrested.

As he is sitting in a cell, expecting to be killed in the morning for thievery and breaking curfew, another prisoner arrives.  He is tall, blonde, good-looking and wearing the uniform of the Russian army.  What is his crime?  It turns out he didn't get back to his unit on time and is charged with being a deserter.  

When morning comes, the two expect to face a firing squad.  But instead they face the commander of the troops.  He is willing to give them a chance.  His daughter is about to get married and if they can find a dozen eggs and get them to him before the wedding in three days, they are free to go.

Lev and Kolya take off.  They have many adventures as they move within occupied cities, cities in seige status and behind enemy lines.  Along the way, they stumble upon a house where girls are kept for German officers' pleasure.  They chase rumors of someone who has eggs and Koyla takes time out to find female companionship wherever they are.  The two form a friendship that will endure for their lifetimes.

David Benioff is best known for being one of the showrunners for HBO's Game Of Thrones.  I wish he had written more books because this one was wonderful.  The growing friendship between the two main characters, Lev's journey from being a boy to a man and the history are all engaging.  This book is recommended for readers of literary and historical fiction.