Apparently I’m one of few people who don’t know the story of the Romanovs. (I just haven’t read much Russian history.) At any rate, this is a new release coming out in February about the rumored surviving Romanov daughter and the woman, Anna Anderson, who tries to convince the world of her identity as the tsarevna. I’ll warn you, the structure of this book is challenging, but if you stick with it, it’s worth the struggle.

The story of Anastasia Romanov is told chronologically, and Anna Anderson’s is told from 1970 backwards to the massacre in 1918. At first, I couldn’t keep track of what year I was in, or which story I was reading. I had to keep rereading chapters to get my bearings after losing my way. However, I think my lack of knowledge of this story helped keep me engaged so I was never tempted to give up on it. This is only one imagined tale of what might have happened to Anastasia, but it is inspired by true events. This author is obviously very talented or she couldn’t have pulled it off.

As a lover of history and all things mysterious, I am intrigued by this story. Even if you do know the truth behind this (the ending) I still think it’s worth a read. Lawhon has done very thorough research and has made it into a well-crafted mystery.

I didn't really care of this book. Historical fiction and European history are usually right up my alley, but this was just hard for me to get through. It did get better towards the end. This is a novelized version of the lives of Anna Anderson, notorious impostor, and Grand Duchess Anastasia of the Russian Empire. The story is told in a very interesting way, with alternating chapters from Anna's perspective (going backwards in time from when she found out her claim to Anastasia had been firmly rejected by the German courts) and Anastasia's perspective (going forwards in time from the beginning of the Russian Revolution). Anna was not very likable, then again I'm not sure she's necessarily supposed to be. I was much more engaged with the Anastasia portion throughout the book, but the Anna portions got more interesting as they went backwards, getting closer to when she was found having attempted suicide. Towards the beginning her story is mostly about the legal proceedings. Not the most interesting to me, maybe because I went into this knowing the facts of the case. I do think that I have many patrons who would enjoy this, so I'll probably still order it for my library.

I love historical fiction, and the story of the Romanovs has always intrigued me. Especially, Anastasia since many women stepped forward claiming to be her. With that said, this book kept me reading, but it continuously skips around in time which I found very annoying. I love books that go from one era to another, but this one would skip to a certain year, then two day before that one, then 20 years into the future, then 5 days before the beginning year, etc. Just when you though one storyline was played out, it would be back several chapters later.

I have previously read quite a bit about the Romanov family, especially in college as I studied Anthropology. The case of this family was highly studied in my forensic anthropology classes during my undergrad. I enjoyed this book but found it hard to follow as the author writes it in a backwards manner. I have always found the Romanov family to be fascinating and I have previously read about the mystery of what happened to Anastasia and the many who claimed to be her years later. Overall it was a very interesting historical fiction novel that is based on history and actual events. I enjoyed the author's writing and the story.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC of this book.

This book is not going to be released until March 27th 2018, but I was lucky enough to receive a copy from Netgalley for my honest review. First off, this book would make an excellent book club choice! I have been interested in the legend of Anastasia Romanov for a long time and as soon as I saw the description of this book I knew I wanted to read it. I found myself drawn into Anna's story and did not want to put the book down until I finished. I would definitely rate this book 5 stars!! Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book for my honest review.

Sadly, I was unable to finish this book. I thought it would be incredibly intriguing and exciting, and...it isn't. It has fallen flat in a number of ways, and it will not hold my attention.

I received this ARC through Netgalley for my honest review. I loved this book! Historical fiction is my favorite and with this having an element of truth it did not disappoint! I liked the going back and forth of time periods. Excellent read!

Who wouldn't want to be a "found princess"? Really nicely-paced historical fiction that made me interested to learn even more about the Romanovs.

I Was Anastasia was the book I needed for so long. I have been searching (rather hoping) for a well written historical fiction novel about the strange and fascinating trials and tribulations of Anna Anderson who, had many people fooled into thinking she was the lost Romanov, Anastasia. Lawhon's research (despite her disinterest in royalty or the Romanovs in general) brilliantly researched this story and the conflicting timelines added such an air of heart stopping intensity to every page. I truly haven't stopped thinking about it since I finished it 24 hours ago, and I will be recommending this to my bookstagram viewers/followers and on GoodReads as well.

I remember watching a TV show about the Romanovs when I was a very little girl. It had to be before 1992, because I vividly recall watching it with my grandmother. Over the last couple of years, I’ve furiously googled to find it – it was a 60 Minutes type show – but I’ve come up empty handed. My interest in the Romanovs was sparked then but sadly, my knowledge of their lives and deaths pretty much stopped with that viewing. I’ve no doubt that I’m going to be digging into more Romanov stories this year, given that the 100 year anniversary of their assassination is this summer.

I’ve collected a nonfiction book or two about the Romanovs over the years, but I haven’t actually dived in and read them. When I saw this fiction title, I jumped at the opportunity to read it. Historical fiction is so much more accessible for me and I’m generally okay knowing that authors take some artistic liberties with their stories.

The Anastasia of the title refers to Anastasia Romanov, the youngest daughter of the last royal family in Russia. In 1917, the family was overthrown by the Bolshevik troops and cast into Siberia – essentially isolated from their family and their beautiful home. In 1918, the entire family and the last few devoted household staff were taken into a basement and murdered by a firing squad.

In the 1920s, a woman came forward and claimed that Anastasia survived that horrific night. Anna Anderson sought to be recognized as the Russian Grand Duchess, which would have guaranteed her a comfortable life provided by the royal families scattered across Europe. Many people had their doubts that Anna was actually Anastasia, but there were a few people who were convinced otherwise.

Lawhon beautifully utilizes dual timelines to tell both of their stories. Anna’s begins in the 1970s and works her way back to the early 1900s. We see how she struggles to share her story and to survive in a world that seems hell-bent on keeping her away from what was hers. Anastasia’s story starts with her family being overthrown in 1917 and leads to the night of their murders in 1918. The stories meet in the middle.

I was worried that I was going to get confused with the multiple timelines headed in different directions, but Lawhon carefully guides the reader through the tangled web. Anastasia’s timeline felt perfect to me – there was enough information to ensure that I really knew and understood her day-to-day life in captivity. Anna’s timeline, 1970 back to 1920ish, felt a bit more rushed and confusing. I found myself wishing that I could spend more time exploring different aspects of her life, despite knowing that there was a lot of ground to cover in order to reach the 20s!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Once I was about 1/3 through it, I had a really hard time putting it down. It helped me understand the history of the Romanovs a bit more, which was a fascinating time. It also sparked an interest in Russian history and literature that has been lurking just beneath the surface. I hope to tackle some difficult books this year, and those include nonfiction books on the Romanovs and other Russian Imperialists, as well as some nonfiction classic literature.

I loved seeing how the author fit these two stories together. I was torn between wanting to believe that Anna was Anastasia and doubting her story. I also spent the story wondering whether she would resolve the mystery or leave it to the reader’s interpretation. Because that was part of the fun for me, I won’t tell you which happened, but I will say that I was very happy with the way that it ended!

A bonus for the history geeks out there: if you happen to watch The House of Windsor on Netflix, there is a bit more Romanov history and a glimpse of a current Princess Olga – a descendant of Anastasia’s uncle. I squealed in delight when I saw her and her home!

What happened to Anastasia Romanov has been debated for years and this novel explores the life of Anna Anderson who claimed to be Anastasia. The novel skips around in time periods and events and it took me a while to get used to this but once I did it worked as it kept you off-balance and wondering. I was hoping that she was Anastasia and once invested could not put the book down until the end.

Compelling and utterly fascinating…drifts far into the mysterious lives of Anastasia Romanov and Anna Anderson.”—Lisa Wingate, author of Before We Were Yours

In an enthralling new feat of historical suspense, Ariel Lawhon unravels the extraordinary twists and turns in Anna Anderson’s 50-year battle to be recognized as Anastasia Romanov. Is she the Russian Grand Duchess, a beloved daughter and revered icon, or is she an imposter, the thief of another woman’s legacy?

Countless others have rendered their verdict. Now it is your turn.

Russia, July 17, 1918: Under direct orders from Vladimir Lenin, Bolshevik secret police force Anastasia Romanov, along with the entire imperial family, into a damp basement in Siberia where they face a merciless firing squad. None survive. At least that is what the executioners have always claimed.

Germany, February 17, 1920: A young woman bearing an uncanny resemblance to Anastasia Romanov is pulled shivering and senseless from a canal in Berlin. Refusing to explain her presence in the freezing water, she is taken to the hospital where an examination reveals that her body is riddled with countless, horrific scars. When she finally does speak, this frightened, mysterious woman claims to be the Russian Grand Duchess Anastasia.

Her detractors, convinced that the young woman is only after the immense Romanov fortune, insist on calling her by a different name: Anna Anderson.

As rumors begin to circulate through European society that the youngest Romanov daughter has survived the massacre, old enemies and new threats are awakened. With a brilliantly crafted dual narrative structure, Lawhon wades into the most psychologically complex and emotionally compelling territory yet: the nature of identity itself.

The question of who Anna Anderson is and what actually happened to Anastasia Romanov creates a saga that spans fifty years and touches three continents. This thrilling story is every bit as moving and momentous as it is harrowing and twisted.

“I Was Anastasia is a wild train trip through time. The doors swish open here, then there, scenes sometimes racing by, sometimes drifting far into the mysterious lives of Anastasia Romanov and Anna Anderson. Every view is tantalizing, surprising, compelling, and utterly fascinating. Ariel Lawhon unfolds a complicated story with skill, style, and compassion.”

—Lisa Wingate, New York Times bestselling author of Before We Were Yours

“A young Tsarina traveling towards tragedy and an aging Grand Duchess penniless and betrayed. Twin stories so gripping you will believe history itself can be rewritten. Told with masterful intensity and moments of true human compassion.”

—Helen Simonson, New York Times bestselling author of The Summer Before the War


“Ariel Lawhon is a masterful storyteller; I Was Anastasia is a wild ride, extravagant with its vivid sensory experiences and page turning suspense. Inspired by history, and infused with imagination and intrigue, this novel satisfies with every twist and turn. I was both captivated and enchanted; I will carry this story—from its beguiling opening to its catch-my-breath ending — in my heart and imagination for a long, long while.”

—Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author of Driftwood Summer and The Bookshop at Water’s End

“The fate of the Grand Duchess Anastasia, youngest daughter of the last Tsar, is an old mystery that never gets old. In the hands of Ariel Lawhon, it springs to life again, challenging everything we believe about what we remember and who we are. Was Anna Anderson really the only survivor of the Romanovs or was she a persistent fraud? Somehow, Lawhon, a masterly writer, not only leads her readers to ponder this riddle, but to care about it as well. This is a deft and deeply moving saga.”

—Jacquelyn Mitchard, New York Times bestselling author of The Deep End of the Ocean


“I don’t know what’s most impressive about I Was Anastasia: the wildly inventive structure, the ferocious heroine (or is it two?), or the dark, twisted questions it raises about the stories we tell—both to others and to ourselves. Ariel Lawhon has written a gorgeous, haunting puzzle of a book that will grip you until the final page.”
—Karen Abbott, New York Times bestselling author of Sin in the Second City and Liar Temptress Soldier Spy

About the Author

ARIEL LAWHON is a critically acclaimed author of historical fiction. Her books have been translated into numerous languages and have been Library Reads, One Book One County, and Book of the Month Club selections. She is the co-founder of SheReads.org and lives in the rolling hills outside Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband, four sons, black Lab, and a deranged cat. She splits her time between the grocery store and the baseball field. (Source: Amazon)

I was Anastasia will be released on March 27, 2018. Pre-order now!

My thoughts:

This was an incredibly interesting book! I loved the intrigue and the possible mental handicaps Anna shows versus who she claims to be. I kept second guessing myself with every chapter!

My only problem is that our setting switches back and forth in time quite suddenly, and that confused me a lot. I was, however, reading an uncorrected manuscript, so maybe those are just some wrinkles that need to be ironed out.

Other than that, this is a remarkable read with a truly unique storyline. I recommend it to everyone, especially if you like historical fiction.

Happy Reading!

I was given this book in exchange for my honest review from Netgalley. All opinions stated above are my own.

Thanks to #Netgalley for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This book was fantastic and interesting. Nonlinear storylines can be tricky but it was the perfect way to tell this story. The writing was excellent. I know this is a book I would read again.

Is Anna Anderson the lost Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov? What really happened to the Romanov family that day? This book explores all of these ideas, and has a deep look at human behavior. It is fascinating.

What a wonderful book! It isn't often that I find myself staying up late to read a book, but this one kept me awake just wishing and hoping that Anna would turn out to be Anastasia. Of course, I knew that she wasn't, but I found myself hoping that the story would finally turn out differently! The back and forth between time periods and people was a little difficult to navigate but turned out well once I started to pay attention to the titles for each chapter. I will definitely be seeking out more of Ariel Lawhorn's books!

I received an e-book through NetGalley to read & review.
I was fascinated as a teen when I first heard the rumors that Anna Anderson was Anastasia and had survived the firing squad. Ariel Lawhorn's book is very descriptive of the life of the Imperial Family in 1918 when they were taken prisoner and exiled, and these chapters I enjoyed. But the author used a confusing technique for the chapters of Anna Anderson's life - multiple flashbacks in each chapter, so I found myself reading something that happened 1 year ago, then 2 weeks ago, then back to 2 years ago - which distracted from my enjoyment of the storytelling.

Is she Anna Anderson or is she Anastasia Romanov? It was a question that defied answering for a long time, until much more recent years. If you can handle the interesting reverse timeline that half of this story is told in, then you just might find out.

For the most part, I thought this was a well-written, fascinating story with a lot of careful research that went into it. I loved the idea of the book and was excited when I began reading it, but honestly, I did struggle a bit with the timeline. There was so much flipping around between different dates that I often had to remind myself which of the characters I was reading about and get that straight before I went on.

Still, there were a lot of good things about this book, too. I loved the way the author portrayed both Anna and Anastasia and felt a lot of emotion as I read about them. Although anyone who followed the developments in the identification of Anna Anderson will know how this turns out, it was still a page turner. The small details the author included made this book compelling and kept me reading--even late at night when I could barely keep my eyes open.

Overall, I thought this was brilliant and definitely worthy of the time to read it. Recommended to anyone interested in this historical period or the Romanov family.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher, provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

I have always been fascinated by the story of Anastasia and always wanted her to have survived. While I enjoyed the book, I had significant trouble following the story as it unfolded. Lawhon chose to tell Anastasia’s story chronologically and Anna’s backwards through time making it very hard at times to understand where I was in the story. It was even stressing me out at some points because these people would show up and debunk her story again and again. We all know how it ends, but I was hoping for a new twist.

In 1920 Berlin, a young woman attempts to end her life by throwing herself off a bridge. She is sent first to a hospital and then to an asylum where she refuses to provide any background information or give her name. It's there that someone first "recognizes" her as Grand Duchess Tatiana, a daughter of the recently deposed Russian Tsar Nicholas II, whose precise fate at the hands of the Bolsheviks is murky. The woman eventually claims to be not Tatiana but her younger sister Anastasia. Even when news leaks out of Russia that the entire Romanov family was murdered in the summer of 1918, doubt remains. The woman, who comes to be known as "Anna" claims she escaped just before the slaughter. So begins a decades-long journey across many countries to provide to the larger Romanov clan, to a Hollywood star, to the international press, and to numerous justice systems that this traumatized woman is truly a grand duchess, and not a mentally ill former Polish factory worker as the Schanzkowska family claims. Shuttled between benefactors, many rich emigres and Romanov relatives temporarily come to her assistance, but who is friend and who is foe? Anna's quick mind and clever come backs prohibit them from labeling her insane, and yet with such little evidence about the Romanovs' final days, few can say for sure. No court is able to provide conclusive proof one way or the other, and the court of public opinion remains divided.

This tale is wonderfully written. Even though history tells us that DNA eventually disproved Anna's claim, the book keeps you on your toes, hopping back and forth in history, telling bits of the story here and filling in pieces there, so pay close attention to weave the whole story together. Seemingly inconsequential items and conversations link the scenes together:  a letter opener, a photo album, pets, scars. They become parts of a larger story that is intricate and engaging as a lone woman clings desperately to an identity that may or may not be hers. Meanwhile, well-meaning people battle with opportunists, skeptics, and manipulators, everyone with their own agenda. It's a very human tale when facts are short and determining the truth has enormous consequences. Well worth the read even though Anna's true identity is now known. This is an inside look into what happens when a lot is at stake.