Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of City of Thieves. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: During the Siege of Leningrad, Lev Beniov and the charming deserter Kolya find a dozen eggs for a colonel's daughter's wedding cake, but Kolya is shot on the way back and dies. Lev delivers the eggs, survives the war and later marries Vika, a sniper they met on the journey.
Quick facts
– Book: City of Thieves by David Benioff
– First published: 2008
– Type: A World War II novel
– Tone of the ending: Bittersweet
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
In 1942 Leningrad, seventeen-year-old Lev is arrested for looting a German paratrooper's body. He shares a cell with Kolya, a soldier accused of desertion. A colonel offers to spare them if they can find eggs in the starving city within five days. They set off on a dangerous journey behind enemy lines.
What Happens at the End of City of Thieves
Lev and Kolya join partisans, including Vika, and help kill a German commander. On the way back with the eggs, Kolya is shot by a Soviet sentry and dies. Lev completes the mission. After the war, Lev marries Vika. The frame story reveals that Lev is the narrator's grandfather.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Kolya dies at the end.
- Lev completes the mission.
- Lev marries Vika.
- The story is told to a grandson.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Lev Beniov | Marries Vika |
| Kolya | Dies |
| Vika | Marries Lev |
| The colonel | Gets his eggs |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows the absurdity and cruelty of war and the power of friendship.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Some readers find Kolya's death senseless, which they see as the point. Others focus on the humour that runs through the story.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Friendship. Lev and Kolya grow close.
Survival. The city is starving.
Absurdity. The mission is ridiculous but deadly.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of City of Thieves as bittersweet. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected David Benioff to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are bittersweet will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how David Benioff closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading City of Thieves with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about friendship, and do you agree with David Benioff's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as bittersweet, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces friendship and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what David Benioff leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in City of Thieves often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of City of Thieves earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of City of Thieves on Amazon
Books to Read After City of Thieves
- All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Related: City of Thieves by David Benioff: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like City of Thieves You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of City of Thieves?
During the Siege of Leningrad, Lev Beniov and the charming deserter Kolya find a dozen eggs for a colonel's daughter's wedding cake, but Kolya is shot on the way back and dies. Lev delivers the eggs, survives the war and later marries Vika, a sniper they met on the journey.
Is the ending of City of Thieves happy or sad?
Most readers call it bittersweet.
What does the ending of City of Thieves mean?
The ending shows the absurdity and cruelty of war and the power of friendship.
Who wrote City of Thieves and when was it published?
City of Thieves was written by David Benioff and first published in 2008.
Is City of Thieves worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy World War II novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how David Benioff prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read City of Thieves before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.