Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring Scott Zimmerman for their latest release, KOSTYA.
Book: KOSTYA: Inspired by a True Story
Author: Scott Zimmerman
Publication Date: 20 April 2026
Publisher: Kostya Publishing
Pages: 371
Genre: Historical Fiction/Thriller
Available Formats: ebook, paperback, hardback
Fact: Western media knows very little about the horrific genocide in Ukraine in 1932. Additionally, this book is a fascinating new perspective on WWII—from the Ukrainian perspective. It is sort of like The Pianist meets The Fugitive.
About the Book
What if you were forced to choose between the only thing you’ve ever wanted and a promise you cannot break?
INSPIRED BY A GRIPPING TRUE STORY.
A Ukrainian boy becomes a man after enduring years of genocide, brutal Nazi forced labor, Allied bombings, and Stalin’s enslavement cutting trees in the Ural Mountains. Post-WWII ‘filtration camps’ in Russia were extreme, and often fatal. To escape the Soviet MVD secret police in 1946, he races across Russia jumping from trains and bridges, and hiding in barns and bombed-out houses.
He falls in love in the most unexpected way and is forced to make a heartbreaking lifesaving decision. By the way, she’s brilliant, and is exactly who Kostya needs at just the right time. He uses everything he’s ever learned in years of captivity, and cleverly delays capture in freight trains, sinking boats, and postal trucks until he faces yet another life-threatening critical test. But even extraordinary courage, and incredible grit and wit cannot evade the commanding and experienced MVD general.
You’ve got to see what happens in the dramatic climax.
KOSTYA is an epic story about love, war, endurance, and integrity.
You can find KOSTYA here
Amazon | Website
Praise for the Book
“This powerful World War II novel delivers a deeply personal and harrowing account of survival, resilience, and the human spirit under unimaginable conditions. From the very first pages, the writing pulls you into Kostya’s world with vivid, unflinching detail. KOSTYA is a well-written, emotionally intense novel that I couldn’t put down. If you’re looking for a World War II survival story that is raw, realistic, and unforgettable, this book is absolutely worth your time.“
– Reviewed by Don Jung, Underrated Reads
“If you are looking for a historical novel flavored with drama, thrills, gritty realism, and suspense, KOSTYA is a must-read. Here, Zimmerman weaves a compelling, visceral tale of survival, resilience, love, sheer luck, fate, and sacrifices. The raw, dynamic prose transported me back to the 1930s-40s Europe, giving me a glimpse of the harsh circumstances Ukrainians faced under Stalin’s rule and World War II. The vivid imagery captured the setting and mood with cinematic precision. I must applaud Zimmerman for delivering this heart-stopping and incredible story in such an intriguing way. It would make a great historical movie. I will definitely read this story again. I’m eagerly awaiting the next installment.”
– Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers’ Favorite
“The prose is strong. The descriptions in particular enchanted me. I felt like I was in each place Kostya visited. The author really did a good job presenting the world of the time periods presented. Dialogue is also quite good. Conversations flowed well, and the difference in speaking voices between characters was quite fun to read. I found the romantic relationship Kostya experienced quite charming. Sometimes the closest relationships are the ones formed by chance. Their youthful willingness to love in a world of cruelty was quite well done.”
– Reviewed by Grimdaniel Blog
“The final part of the book is the most gripping and exhibits a detailed knowledge and understanding of the way a regime driven by fear and corruption enables ruthless individuals to cover up the most heinous wrongdoing.
Throughout the book Kostya’s sense of integrity and his dedication to the values instilled in him by his parents and grandparents are foremost. Often tested to near destruction, his will to persevere in his quest to return to Mariupol and discover if his family have survived remains central to his every action. In the final stages it is strengthened, but not derailed, by the love of a young woman who assists his escape from the Russian authorities. She is just one of several well drawn characters who play key roles in Kostya’s journey. Whether supportive or determined to out-manoeuvre him, they are all fully developed individuals. There are no obvious stereotypes.“
– Reviewed by Frank Parker, Rosie’s Blog
About The Author
Scott Zimmerman
Scott has always loved reading. When he was seven years old, he got a copy of Huckleberry Finn on a Saturday morning. He didn’t stop reading until he finished it that night, only taking a break when his mom called him to dinner. As a teenager, Scott began a career as a professional flying disc athlete and won 17 world and US championships, while setting several distance throwing world records. He then pursued a career as a software engineer and cloud architect. He retired in 2020 to enjoy writing and playing disc golf. KOSTYA is his first novel. He’s married living in Georgia.
You can find author Zimmerman here:
Website | Amazon
If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com
The Reading Bud 