museofnightmares's review
4.0
“Healing. Forgiveness. Shared story. The promise of walking life with someone who knew my bloodied past. A hand willing to touch the skin of a Romanov and feel only joy.”
This is a proper re-telling of the story I have been fascinated with, ever since I was a little girl. I cherish both historical event and theatre re-production, and this novel perfectly fits into my ‘Romanov repertoire’. It is a blessing that books can share informative events, into fairytale-like stories, and that I, who am now grown and mature, can take a piece of my lifelong obsession with me. This was truly, a journey to the past. A fossil to my heart.
“And hope never abandoned us - only we could abandon it.”
Popsugar Reading Challenge (2020) prompt: Your favorite prompt from a past POPSUGAR Reading Challenge (A book that is also a stage play or musical [Popsugar Reading Challenge 2018]).
This is a proper re-telling of the story I have been fascinated with, ever since I was a little girl. I cherish both historical event and theatre re-production, and this novel perfectly fits into my ‘Romanov repertoire’. It is a blessing that books can share informative events, into fairytale-like stories, and that I, who am now grown and mature, can take a piece of my lifelong obsession with me. This was truly, a journey to the past. A fossil to my heart.
“And hope never abandoned us - only we could abandon it.”
Popsugar Reading Challenge (2020) prompt: Your favorite prompt from a past POPSUGAR Reading Challenge (A book that is also a stage play or musical [Popsugar Reading Challenge 2018]).
kristamedina2020's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
lsoccer12's review
3.0
Loved the premise, writing style, and protagonist of the book. I found myself skimming the last 25% or so- although the pacing of the first 60% was slow it was well-written and built the story. Then it was almost as if the book was cut short, as we sped through multiple settings and new characters too quickly toward the end. Would read other books by this author!
roeliieen's review
4.0
The story is about Princess Anastasia Romanov and her family, they are being held captive and they are making the best of it, her brother Alexei is sick and Anastasia wants to help him with spells, she wants to be a spell master but spell mastery is illegal now that the red army is in charge.
I'm obsessed with Anastasia Romanov since I was a little girl so I really wanted to read this book!
I didn't really now what to think about it in the beginning because I know many story's about the Romanovs so you really need to set does aside and need to read it with a clean mind.
When I did that I was enjoying the story.
I'm obsessed with Anastasia Romanov since I was a little girl so I really wanted to read this book!
I didn't really now what to think about it in the beginning because I know many story's about the Romanovs so you really need to set does aside and need to read it with a clean mind.
When I did that I was enjoying the story.
buffywnabe's review
5.0
Anastasia's story is one I never knew a lot about, but had always heard little things here and there and always have been interested in reading or learning more about. So when I heard about this book from the author of Fawkes, I was extremely interested in reading it. Let me tell you what, it did not disappoint! I was hooked from the moment I picked this one up, and like the other good historical retellings I've read in the past, it made me want to pick up nonfiction books and do research into the actual family and times that this involved. It is nice that the author put even a little helpful extra in the back with what were the true known facts of this story, and how she added or changed to fit her own telling of the story. There was a lot of emotion, seeing how the family was treated, yet how they seemed to treat those around them made a lot of what was done to them very uncalled for. And then, just when things started to seem kind of like they had an ally or two, horrible things happened, things that I had tears myself! Then there was Zash. You wanted to love him, but had to be upset with him because of how he seemed to not ever get past his preconceived notions. But then he did, and in the end, well, I won't spoil anything. But wow! So much at the end of this when it really evolved into the fantastical bit of the story. Of course there was magic interspersed throughout the story, but the final part was where it all really came into play.
I loved the way the Russian nesting doll, otherwise known as a matryoshka doll was used in the story. It made me want to go open up the one my sister brought me back as a souvenir from her trip to Russia a few years ago just to check it out. I look forward to putting this book in my library at school as well, and sharing it with students as they study Russia and its history.
I loved the way the Russian nesting doll, otherwise known as a matryoshka doll was used in the story. It made me want to go open up the one my sister brought me back as a souvenir from her trip to Russia a few years ago just to check it out. I look forward to putting this book in my library at school as well, and sharing it with students as they study Russia and its history.
raylin90's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
mrsginthelibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
drowningfaithh's review
4.0
3.75 stars
After not liking Nadine Brandes’ Fawkes, I had low expectations coming into this one. But I am pleased to tell you that Romanov is a solid retelling of Anastasia’s story filled with magic, betrayal, and forgiveness.
Romanove gave us a glimpse of what Nastya and her family’s lives were like under the Bolsheviks. The first ~60% were historically accurate (with some changes and additions), but it was boring. It was like a cycle of nothingness and emptiness—which may be the point as they were in exile. Then after that, the ball finally kept rolling and it was exhilarating. Probably because I’m a sucker for betrayal + angst + second chance tropes. And it hit all that in a span of like 3 chapters or something. I most especially enjoyed the inner turmoil Nastya had regarding forgiveness, revenge, and pride. Because, unlike her fautha, those don’t easily come to her. Her decision in the end and the sort of epilogue was also very fitting, and I couldn’t have imagined it differently.
As for the magic system, it didn’t interest me as much as it did in Fawkes, but it could still be enjoyable to some. My experience in reading this is the opposite of what I felt when I read Fawkes. All in all, it was an entertaining read because I love me some angst and betrayal <3
After not liking Nadine Brandes’ Fawkes, I had low expectations coming into this one. But I am pleased to tell you that Romanov is a solid retelling of Anastasia’s story filled with magic, betrayal, and forgiveness.
Romanove gave us a glimpse of what Nastya and her family’s lives were like under the Bolsheviks. The first ~60% were historically accurate (with some changes and additions), but it was boring. It was like a cycle of nothingness and emptiness—which may be the point as they were in exile. Then after that, the ball finally kept rolling and it was exhilarating. Probably because I’m a sucker for betrayal + angst + second chance tropes. And it hit all that in a span of like 3 chapters or something. I most especially enjoyed the inner turmoil Nastya had regarding forgiveness, revenge, and pride. Because, unlike her fautha, those don’t easily come to her. Her decision in the end and the sort of epilogue was also very fitting, and I couldn’t have imagined it differently.
As for the magic system, it didn’t interest me as much as it did in Fawkes, but it could still be enjoyable to some. My experience in reading this is the opposite of what I felt when I read Fawkes. All in all, it was an entertaining read because I love me some angst and betrayal <3