I read this ARC in exchange for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

An era and subject matter that I find infinitely fascinating. This was a wonderful read.
So well researched
So well written

Loved this

If you are interested in this era and subject, this makes a valuable read

Rasputin and his Russian Queen by Mickey Mayhew if you love Russian history this maybe a book for you especially as it was an interesting read from start to finish.
This book was about the connection between Russian queen Alexandra and Rasputin, which I had heard of when I was at school many years ago but never read or learnt about them. So when this book came out I wanted to learn more about the historical background of Tsar’s Russia and the tragic end of the Romanovs, which was Very sad what happened to them.

I found it an interesting read and I enjoyed it

Mickey Mayhew's 'Rasputin and His Russian Queen' is a thought-provoking and captivating exploration of a tumultuous chapter in Russian history, shedding new light on the enigmatic relationship between Grigori Rasputin and the last Tsarina of Russia, Alexandra. In this meticulously crafted narrative, Mayhew reimagines Alexandra for the #MeToo generation, portraying her as a complex and sympathetic character thrust into the heart of Russian aristocracy.

One of the most striking aspects of this book is its commitment to presenting a more nuanced and empathetic view of Alexandra. Rather than perpetuating the traditional labels of 'neurotic,' 'hysterical,' 'credulous,' and 'fanatical,' Mayhew offers readers a fresh perspective on a reserved and pious woman who was primarily tasked with providing the patriarchal monarchy with an heir. This reimagining of Alexandra's character resonates with modern readers and encourages a deeper understanding of the challenges she faced.

At the heart of the narrative is the touching friendship that develops between Alexandra and Rasputin, driven by the shared goal of curing her haemophiliac son, Alexei. Mayhew expertly navigates the complexities of their relationship, illuminating how their bond had far-reaching consequences for the Romanov dynasty and, ultimately, the Russian Revolution. The author skilfully places their story within the broader context of a society marked by bigotry, sexism, and the rise of secularism, highlighting the immense pressures placed on these two polarising figures.

Mayhew's writing is characterised by his trademark wit and sharp observations. His prose is engaging and filled with bon mots that add depth and flavour to the narrative. He masterfully weaves together historical events and personal stories, immersing readers in the political and social backdrop of the time.

'Rasputin and His Russian Queen' is more than just a retelling of history; it's a poignant exploration of the complexities of human relationships, power, and the relentless march of time. It unravels the real story behind Rasputin and Alexandra, going beyond the sensationalised tales that have often overshadowed their true contributions and struggles.

Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply a reader looking for a compelling narrative, 'Rasputin and His Russian Queen' offers a compelling and insightful journey into a fascinating period in Russian history. Mayhew's dedication to unveiling the real essence of these characters is commendable, and his storytelling prowess shines brightly in this remarkable work.

Rasputin and His Russian Queen is written by Mickey Mayhew is a non fiction novel, telling the story of Rasputin and Alexandra Feodorovona. the last of the Romanovs and the downfall of the Tsarist regime in Russia. I have always been fascinated by the Romanovs, why the Tsarist regime collapsed so violently and what happened to Anastasia.

On the plus side the book is well written and Rasputin isn’t portrayed as this one dimensional evil person but as someone who is very complex with a multifaceted personality who is capable good and is very spiritual. He also presents the relationship between the Tsarina and Rasputin quite concisely. This relationship is the main theme of the book looking at the inner workings of their relationship, how Rasputin benefitted from it and controlled the Tsarina and how ultimately he caused the downfall of Romanov Russia.
Sadly I don’t think this book adds much to the debate and the history narrative of the downfall into the collapse of Russia into Communism. Mayhew merely rehashed existing stories, there was a lack of citations and fact seemed to merge with opinion to create a piece of work which combines fact, fiction and opinion.

AT FIRST I WAS ON BOARD, BUT THE HYPE SOON FADED

When I first began this book I was attracted to two things; Mayhew's goal of peeling away the myths from reality and the writing, which managed to be both serious and spirited. But I quickly became disillusioned.

👍 What I Liked 👍

Writing: I am always a fan of non-fiction writers that don't gatekeep their subject by making the writing needlessly intellectual. Mayhew did a great job of making his writing (and therefore his subject) approachable. It was easy to follow and even felt bot spirited and humorous at times.

Stated premise: I purposely write "stated" premise here, because I don't feel like the premise was actually upheld when push came to shove. Mayhew states, that he wants to peel back the layers of myth and legend surrounding Empress Alexandra and Rasputin. That is a noble and great premise to work with. But in the end, I didn't see this accomplished.

👎 What I Disliked 👎

Un-original: Even though Mayhew wanted to get to the truth, through the layers of myth, I didn't feel like there was anything really original to this book. On the contrary, it felt trite and stale. It was basically just all the same stories as everyone else has already written about before.

Sources: To top it off, there was a serious lack of sources. The same old stories were retold once again, but with no source or citation trying to get to the bottom of where the stories actually came from - which definitely should have been the main focus of this book, if Mayhew truly wanted to de-mythologize Alexandra and Rasputin.

I found this book to simply rehash all that’s ever been written about Rasputin and Alix, but there is nothing new scholarship wise.
Mayhew is quick to discredit some rumors, but promotes others. Reliance upon the books written by Rasputin’s daughter is evident.
The narrative is quite informal with Mayhew postulating about 21st century social media, which I found distracting and unnecessary.
The most profound part is the graphic depiction of the murder, always startling to read. I appreciated the follow up and the pictures.

Interesting read. I'm not into memoirs, but Rasputin and his Russian Queen kept me reading all the way.
My only complaint is that the eponymous titled song was drilled into my ear for days!

I enjoyed this , it’s a historical novel about the Romanovs and Rasputin, like a lot of people I’ve had an interest in the Romanovs, mostly Anastasia related and I thought this was really interesting covering many details I hasn’t known, however I did feel it was slightly biased towards highlighting them as good people, not saying they weren’t , just a bit more neutrality and focus on the issues with their character too would have been better. Saying that though I did feel that the book was well researched and written.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I have read so many books about Nicholas and Alexandra, and this one is by far the BEST! Succinctly written, it tells the tale of the Last of the Romanovs, as precise history staying away from rumors and false stories. Mickey Mayhew
has written an outstanding book, with incredibly detailed research. How Alexandra was more than likely the one who brought down a 300 year old Tzarist rule. Her shyness was her downfall! And there is just so much more in this book. I loved it! Thank you to NetGalley and Pen and Sword Publishing for this eGalley in exchange for my honest review. Pen and Sword publishes the most interesting and historical books!

RASPUTIN AND HIS RUSSIAN QUEEN is a captivating historical novel that delves into the mysterious life of the infamous Russian mystic, Grigori Rasputin, and his relationship with the last Tsarina of Russia, Alexandra Feodorovna.
Mayhew's portrayal of Rasputin is a unique and nuanced one, steering away from the usual depictions of him as a villain or a saint. Instead, Mayhew presents a complex and human character, exploring the mystic's inner turmoil and his beliefs in faith healing and spiritualism. The author's attention to historical detail is commendable, and he does an excellent job of capturing the spirit of pre-revolutionary Russia.
The relationship between Rasputin and Alexandra Feodorovna is at the heart of the novel, and Mayhew portrays it with great sensitivity and depth. He shows how Rasputin's influence over the Tsarina was both beneficial and destructive, and how his power over her ultimately contributed to the downfall of the Romanov dynasty. Mayhew's writing is vivid and engaging, and he does an excellent job of bringing these historical figures to life.
One of the strengths of this book is the author's ability to create a rich and immersive atmosphere. The novel is full of sensory details that transport the reader to early 20th-century Russia, and the author's descriptions of the opulence of the Tsar's court and the poverty of the peasants create a vivid and nuanced portrait of the time. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the clothing and architecture of the times.
RASPUTIN AND HIS RUSSIAN QUEEN is a compelling historical novel that brings to life one of the most intriguing figures in Russian history. Mickey Mayhew's writing is excellent, and he has done an excellent job of creating a believable and nuanced portrait of Rasputin and his relationship with Alexandra Feodorovna. I recommend this novel to anyone interested in Russian history or historical fiction in general.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing a copy of this book "Rasputin and his Russian Queen" in exchange for an honest review. There are certain people from history or certain historical events that really get under my skin and make it so that I want to know everything I possibly can about them. The focus for me is always understanding the person or people involved more closely. In the case of Rasputin and the Romanovs, I knew quite a bit about Anastasia and the family's time in isolation and eventual murder. I've also eagerly followed the news of more studies being done to prove that Anastasia really died along with the others. And I've read a bunch about Rasputin. I did not know a lot about Alexandra. I thought I had but this book really taught me so much more about who she was as a person. This includes why the Russian people did not like her and her attitude about ruling them. I didn't realize the true extent of her involvement in actually leading the country and making those decisions during a period of time when her husband was (figuratively) leading the military. She and her husband loved their children and Alexandra was obsessed with her only son's health which led her to Rasputin. No one can answer why he seemed to be able to heal Alexei time and time again. The book gives us a few guesses but we will probably never know the truth. It might have just been a fluke. I should also mention that this book treats Rasputin as a generally good man who definitely loved the women, Other things I have read previously didn't present him in such a positive light. It does seem as though he tried to help others when he could including keeping money in his pocket to give to any of the poor who approached him. My best guess is that he was just a human like anyone else with his faults and positive qualities.

I have always been fascinated by the Romanovs and the tragedy that befeel them, including the peole they surrounded themselves with such as Rasputin.
This book was well written and well researched and I felt like I learnt a lot about both the Tsarina Alexandra and Rasputin.
However, I do feel that this was biased towards the good of both of them and didn't focus on any of the bad

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A decently written book in support of Rasputin and the Queen.

A well researched book on Rasputin and the romanovs.A lot of behind the scenes information on the sad plight of their lives and how myths spread around Gregory Rasputin.I would thoroughly recommend it to all.

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
The book attempts to give a fair and neutral account of Grigory Rasputin and Queen Alexandra. The Author relies heavily on statements made by Rasptin's daughter in an attempt to avoid the more unsavory and extreme tales about him. The author follows Alexandra's life and reports on her movements. The style is that of a historical fiction book with guesses about what happened to both people where historic sources are lacking. The style of writing and broad guesses made me doubt how factual the book is. The author also seems to be going out of their way to avoid any of the negative contemporary reports about Rasputin.

Mickey Mayhew delivers a remarkably readable and surprisingly sympathetic portrait of the strange relationship between the last Russian Tsarìna and the legendary beardy weirdo holy man. Did Rasputin have genuine healing powers? Apparently, yes. Was he (as Boney M maintained) the lover of the Russian queen? Almost certainly, no. Was he Russia's greatest love machine? Arguably, yes!
A great read.

Thank you NetGalley and Pen & Sword!

I have always had a deep fascination about the Romanov family and their downfall.

While there were many reasons to the downfall of this family it is no secret or surprise that Rasputin did in deed play his part to their inevitable demise.

It was very fascinating to have a more in depth look at Alexandra's life prior to Rasputin and a more in depth look at the life of Rasputin prior to Alexandra and how their paths eventually intertwined.

If you are looking to get a clear and detailed history of the Romanov family I would highly suggest starting here!

Though Rasputin and His Russian Queen is a fascinating book to read it feels more like historical fiction than nonfiction. That would be fine if that was the intent. But there is simply too much guesswork. Sometimes the only evidence left behind is from his daughter and other times there are quotes but no sources cited which to me raises the alarm bells a bit. The photographs are a fantastic addition, many of which I had not seen before.

Shy Alexandra, granddaughter of Queen Victoria shunned limelight and social events. She married Nicholas who became the tsar of Russia after the death of his father though he did not wish it. They had four daughters in rapid succession and finally their longed-for son. All their children were adored by both parents but Alexei was coddled due to haemophilia for which there was no cure. Enter spiritual healer Grigory Rasputin of dubious repute who ingratiated himself with many people, particularly women, and rose from humble beginnings to a man befriended by royalty. As a mother, Alexandra was desperate for her son to be healed so she sought Rasputin who became a frequent visitor to their household. She chose to ignore his numerous infidelities (he was married with children) and what appears to be sexual predation. They became close friends and some say lovers. The author's portrayal of Rasputin is unique in that it glosses over his disturbing lifestyle (of which there are numerous accounts) and is almost sympathetic to him. To me it seems he was downright repulsive in most ways, though generosity to those less fortunate is admirable.

Learning more about Tsar Nicholas and tsarina Alexandra as well as Russian history was very interesting but at times struggled with reality versus fiction. Regardless, luring the family to their assassinations was tragic.

My sincere thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this compelling book.

This was a very interesting book, as it's so easy to label a historical figure as a 'monster' when all you know about them are rumours and speculation.
The author does an incredible job in trying to research Rasputin's origins, but unfortunately there's a lot of guesswork involved.
I don't feel this book achieved it's aim to turn Rasputin's reputation around, as there's just too much evidence in the opposite direction.

I wasn’t so sure about this book. It was interesting to try and have Rasputin seem like a “good guy” but I couldn’t tell if the author truly meant it or if this was more of a historical fiction read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the early read.