“Kostya” by Scott Zimmerman

Kostya

Scott Zimmerman
Kostya Publishing (2026)
ISBN:  979-8995553007
Reviewed by Sarah Nichole January for Reader Views (2026)

While we are often taught extensively about both world wars while in school, the two decades in between are often glossed over. However, the story told in Scott Zimmerman’s Kostya: Inspired by a True Story drops the reader right in the middle of 1930s Ukraine following Stalin’s takeover of the Soviet Union. Initially, you meet Kostya and his family, which includes two brothers, his mother, father, and grandfather. Young Kostya and the entire community of Mariupol are starving in the midst of a famine engineered by the Soviets.  He manages to survive the trauma of starvation as a boy; his troubles don’t end there, as he then endures World War II, forced labor, and later being hunted by the Soviet government.

The development of Kostya’s character and the settings described in this book are two of my favorite things about it. Zimmerman does a masterful job of showing us the various aspects of Kostya’s personality and his growth throughout the story. The resilience he exhibits is otherworldly, and his ability to still have morals and emotions despite his experiences makes him a very dynamic character. In addition to the multifaceted nature of Kostya’s character, the reader is also taken through various settings and environments in war-torn Eastern Europe. The descriptions of the Nazi labor camp, demolished towns, and the wilderness of the Ural Mountains transport you to that time and place in a way that makes it feel real. The environments that are described are also directly tied to the brutal trauma experienced by Kostya, and tying the two together creates a compelling connection to the character. 

As someone who loves history, I really appreciate when an author can evoke an emotional response through their writing about a historical topic. People may struggle to relate to something that happened hundreds or thousands of years ago, but if you can elicit an emotion from the reader, they can better form a connection to it. Zimmerman does an incredible job with this because he does not sugarcoat the horrors of war. His descriptions of the physical and psychological agony that Kostya endures at the hands of the Nazis and the Soviets make the reader feel his pain. Zimmerman’s writing style also flows well and at a good pace to keep the reader’s attention without being overwhelming. I was surprised by the ending and generally love when an author keeps me guessing.

Kostya by Scott Zimmerman would be a great fit for historical fiction enthusiasts, and those who are more into non-fiction, I believe, would also find this enjoyable. I highly recommend it.