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221bpinkst's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Chronic illness and Violence
abcdefgerda's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The book is a Quick read but not much happened in the first half of it. Like at all. And the end felt... unfinished. I wished for a few more chapters at least to see where it was going as my history lessons have vanished from my mind but I don't think the war ended well for the White Army? Anyway it would've been interesting to see more of the war through this lens
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Blood, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Animal death
disnelyse's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Violence, Blood, and War
beautifulminutiae's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Murder, and War
dontwritedown's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
I don't think I've ever read a book that is so well-researched and so poorly researched at the same time. While the author did source Helen Rapport as a source for the book (and I do admire Rapport) it seems she didn't do any first hand research herself and relied on other research for her.
Also as I sit here, writing this review just minutes after learning of the death of Queen Elizabeth, it makes me wonder why we like to play with historical figures deaths, especially children.
It made me question something. I am Indigenous and we often say "hey stop speaking about Matoaka/Pocahontas like that, she was just a child." Makes me wonder if the Russian people feel the same way for the Tsar, his family and their deaths.
Also as I sit here, writing this review just minutes after learning of the death of Queen Elizabeth, it makes me wonder why we like to play with historical figures deaths, especially children.
It made me question something. I am Indigenous and we often say "hey stop speaking about Matoaka/Pocahontas like that, she was just a child." Makes me wonder if the Russian people feel the same way for the Tsar, his family and their deaths.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, and Death of parent
btwnprintedpgs's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
theequestrianslibrary's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
CONTENT WARNINGS: SpoilerGore/Violence, Descriptions of Blood, Descriptions of Wounds, Mild Descriptions of Starvation/Dehydration, Emotional Turmoil, Themes of being held captive, Suicidal Ideation, Lead up to Attempted Suicide, Depictions of Execution, Death of Family Members, War/Battle Themes, Bugs mentioned (specifically lice), Violence against Animals (brief), Mentions of Dead Bodies, Disrespectful Behavior towards dead bodies
**DISCLAIMER: This may or may not be a full list of every trigger/content warning found in the book, Romanov by Nadine Brandes. Please take this list with a grain of salt, as the book is a Romanov family retelling. Some triggers and content warnings may contain spoilers!
I'll start this review off by prefacing that I absolutely adore the 1997 movie Anastasia. Part of me hoped that the book was a little closer to this concept involving the conspiracies about what actually happened to Anastasia, but what the author did was also an interesting spin with adding the fantastical elements.
I think the book is very easy to read and sit through. The casual Russian words are explained in their meaning, or their definitions implied by the context of the scene, and I rather like their use throughout the novel. I think the characters were likeable enough, though some of Anastasia's thoughts irked me throughout with her constant return to the concept of forgiveness, kindness, etc. Some actions of side characters, such as her sister Maria, also irritated me, but that is more a me thing, than anything else. Most people when put through the events in the book would not return to those themes, and I think in a way, it's a nice change from the constant influx of furious and vengeful protagonists, but I also think it is unrealistic. Granted, it's a fantasy YA book, we all appreciate a bit of unrealistic traits.
Like a few of the other reviews mentioned, the events that lead up to the family being brought to the basement do take up the majority of the book. Approximately almost 200 pages of the book, give or take a little, is mostly what leads up to that fateful day. The remaining third of the book is the new adaption of the story of Anastasia, involving her brother and the book's love interest, Zash. Admittedly, I do wish their romance had been built up a little better, though the circumstances of it make that difficult and what the MC was truly focused on makes that difficult too. It did feel a bit rushed towards the end, with sudden feelings being realized despite a large plot point that should have affected things longer, or at least the remnants of it being still prevalent later on. The back and forth nature of their interactions, especially in the first 2/3 of the book, can rub the wrong way, especially with the sudden shift later on to things are all hunky-dory when they aren't, and they shouldn't have been! I still appreciate a few kisses, of course, but things felt a little too light towards the end, like all the bad things hadn't happened at all.
I don't think the book is bad, by any means, I think it was a good solid and easy read to get through. If you like the idea of the Romanovs, this would be a good book to introduce yourself into that field of literature and of retellings since it does a good job of simplifying what an average day at Ekaterinburg looked like for the family as time went on, including how things affected their servants and the soldiers guarding them, while also spicing it up a little with the spell elements involving magical ink. But, if you are more educated on what happened, then I would read this book objectively and with the means of enjoying an easy-to-read book, as many things will stick out to those more educated, and it can definitely ruin the romanticized vibe that the author might be going for.
Would I recommend the book? Sure! I would, and the cover is pretty enough to keep on my shelf to boot. But, is it one of my top favorite books? No, it's not, and that's okay!
I did appreciate the interactions between the family members, as those all felt very genuinely and real, but the interesting involvement of purifying Rasputin was also interesting. Granted, the members of the family would have garnered bias, sure, but with the concepts as we know of them, it was an interesting take on the mentions of his character.
A solid 3-star book with an overall content experience.
**DISCLAIMER: This may or may not be a full list of every trigger/content warning found in the book, Romanov by Nadine Brandes. Please take this list with a grain of salt, as the book is a Romanov family retelling. Some triggers and content warnings may contain spoilers!
I'll start this review off by prefacing that I absolutely adore the 1997 movie Anastasia. Part of me hoped that the book was a little closer to this concept involving the conspiracies about what actually happened to Anastasia, but what the author did was also an interesting spin with adding the fantastical elements.
I think the book is very easy to read and sit through. The casual Russian words are explained in their meaning, or their definitions implied by the context of the scene, and I rather like their use throughout the novel. I think the characters were likeable enough, though some of Anastasia's thoughts irked me throughout with her constant return to the concept of forgiveness, kindness, etc. Some actions of side characters, such as her sister Maria, also irritated me, but that is more a me thing, than anything else. Most people when put through the events in the book would not return to those themes, and I think in a way, it's a nice change from the constant influx of furious and vengeful protagonists, but I also think it is unrealistic. Granted, it's a fantasy YA book, we all appreciate a bit of unrealistic traits.
Like a few of the other reviews mentioned, the events that lead up to the family being brought to the basement do take up the majority of the book. Approximately almost 200 pages of the book, give or take a little, is mostly what leads up to that fateful day. The remaining third of the book is the new adaption of the story of Anastasia, involving her brother and the book's love interest, Zash. Admittedly, I do wish their romance had been built up a little better, though the circumstances of it make that difficult and what the MC was truly focused on makes that difficult too. It did feel a bit rushed towards the end, with sudden feelings being realized despite a large plot point that should have affected things longer, or at least the remnants of it being still prevalent later on. The back and forth nature of their interactions, especially in the first 2/3 of the book, can rub the wrong way, especially with the sudden shift later on to things are all hunky-dory when they aren't, and they shouldn't have been! I still appreciate a few kisses, of course, but things felt a little too light towards the end, like all the bad things hadn't happened at all.
I don't think the book is bad, by any means, I think it was a good solid and easy read to get through. If you like the idea of the Romanovs, this would be a good book to introduce yourself into that field of literature and of retellings since it does a good job of simplifying what an average day at Ekaterinburg looked like for the family as time went on, including how things affected their servants and the soldiers guarding them, while also spicing it up a little with the spell elements involving magical ink. But, if you are more educated on what happened, then I would read this book objectively and with the means of enjoying an easy-to-read book, as many things will stick out to those more educated, and it can definitely ruin the romanticized vibe that the author might be going for.
Would I recommend the book? Sure! I would, and the cover is pretty enough to keep on my shelf to boot. But, is it one of my top favorite books? No, it's not, and that's okay!
I did appreciate the interactions between the family members, as those all felt very genuinely and real, but the interesting involvement of purifying Rasputin was also interesting. Granted, the members of the family would have garnered bias, sure, but with the concepts as we know of them, it was an interesting take on the mentions of his character.
A solid 3-star book with an overall content experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Genocide, Gore, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
Gore/Violence, Descriptions of Blood, Descriptions of Wounds, Mild Descriptions of Starvation/Dehydration, Emotional Turmoil, Themes of being held captive, Suicidal Ideation, Lead up to Attempted Suicide, Depictions of Execution, Death of Family Members, War/Battle Themes, Bugs mentioned (specifically lice), Violence against Animals (brief), Mentions of Dead Bodies, Disrespectful Behavior towards dead bodieshazydazywaffles's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Ok, i was very hopeful about this book cause i'd loved this author before but this one was very graphic. this poor girl like watches her parents and family die. that is sad and dark. Very disappointed. also, the whole spell thing was extremely confusing to me. This is christian fiction but it kinda felt liek the author was trying to combine christian morals with magic which it stands in the Bible very clearly how against God is to sorcery and witchcraft. Honestly wouldn't reread, didn't like it that much, not worth it.
P.S. not trying to hate on this author or anything, she is a good writer and can capture your attention, just have higher expectations for a christian ya
P.S. not trying to hate on this author or anything, she is a good writer and can capture your attention, just have higher expectations for a christian ya
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Blood, and Death of parent
writer_a_fox's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Murder
soph22's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail