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Review: The Invisible Life of Ivan Isaenko


The Invisible Life of Ivan Isaenko by Scott Stambach

The Invisible Life of Ivan Isaenko by Scott Stambach

My Rating: 4 stars

**Please note that the Arc copy of this book was received through NetGalley for a true and honest review**

 This book is written in the first person in regard to a 17 year old boy called Ivan who has grown up in an asylum for gravely ill children, it is implied that he and his fellow residents are all suffering from the after effects of Chernobyl which took place in 1986 and continued to effect this and near by villages with Radiation poisoning as this went into food and water supplies in that area.

 The catastrophic impact of this event although not eagerly confirmed by the Russian government is that there was an increase in both deformities, health issues and cancer in the people residing near this event.

 I would have liked this to have been fleshed out at the beginning of the book to give some explanation to those who may not be aware of this event (as I believe this is meant for a YA audience).

 I have to admit this book despite the many emotions it instills draws you back in. On a number of occasions throughout the story I had to put the book down I felt so angry, this was primarily at the constant use of the term "mutant" which had its initial meaning but I found to be unnecessary and cruel to be used throughout the text for these suffering children who are going through these ailments through no fault of their own.

 When Polina arrives the protagonists life changes and he appears to gain some semblance of hope. The wonderful character of Nurse Natalya seems to be the brightest light in this story and with her clandestine helps manages to provide them with some emotional support and direction during their unusual friendship as it develops.

 This text has been aligned to like A Fault In Our Stars, I adored this book by John Green it was brutally honest and yet heart warming at the same time.

 Yes this book is brutal, darkly comical and well written however, I found the interactions with Nurse Natalya heartfelt and loving. Unfortunately the love affair between Ivan and Polina seemed both forced and unnecessary. I despair that YA authors feel they have to include a love story in their books to make them enjoyable. It would have felt more authentic to me if it had remained as just a friendship.

 I also believe that the author Scott could have continued on with one final chapter after the conclusion of this story instead of placing the outcome of Ivan's story as somewhat of an after thought in an Epilogue.

 I did truly enjoy reading this story despite some of the areas of frustration to me and had they not been present it would indeed have been a five star book however on this occasion I gave it 4 stars.

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