Juvenile, bland and unconvincing - sadly, I couldn't connect with this book at all, although I really tried my best to like it. I would, though, recommend author's previous novel, "Fawkes", to all the lovers of YA Historical Fantasy out there - it was a well written and fairly balanced read, unlike "Romanov", which I mostly found to be sloppy, poorly plotted and ultimately trying too hard.

I do, however, hope that historical fantasy is the genre which Ms Brandes will continue to explore, as I'd read more of her work in the future and will consider this just a weak second step. (I hope it will receive a rougher edit before its publication, though.)

Thanks for an ARC.

Who doesn't love the mystery of the lost Romanov princess, Anastasia? It's certainly fascinated me since I was a child. Like her previous novel, Fawkes, Brandes creates a realistic and gripping fantasy world based around a real historical figure. Personally I found it worked better than that previous work. The MC was engaging and well developed. The story was good. My only slight niggle was how well the story threads were tied up at the end. I think I'd have preferred to be left wondering though, I realise that's personal preference.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I've been weirdly obsessed with the Romanov Family lately so, when I saw a YA Fantasy book based on their captivity I jumped on it! It was wonderful. It had everything I wanted: magic, accurate history, sass, tragic romance, manic villains, and dogs. Brandes did her research well and wrote a story true to the Romanov Family but with a fantasy twist.

One thing I appreciated is that we have a female protagonist that is strong-willed but still compassionate and shows humility. Too often in fiction women are placed in one dimensional roles of being strong OR being nice, of being proud OR being humble, etc. It gets annoying fast! Anastasia is a stunning character.

The last 20 pages of the book brought the rating down a little. It felt a bland and was definitely a 'let's wrap everything up in a pretty bow' ending. Considering that the main attraction of Anastasia Romanov is the 'lost princess' story I would have liked a more ambiguous ending.


P.S. Alexei Romanov is officially the tsar of sass. He was a big surprise for me and I adored him.

"Romanov" was heart-pounding, heartbreaking, and completely addictive. Nadine Brandes knows how to write a fantastic tale. I think most of us know the story of Anastasia and her family. I definitely had a basic level of understanding of what happened to the Romanovs when I started reading, but the way this story is told through Anastasia's voice, or Nastya as she is nicknamed, made me feel like I was living their exile with them. I felt how she agonized over her family and their predicament, how much she loved her family, and how strong their faith in forgiveness actually was.
I don't want to stay too much because this is a story you just have to read to truly enjoy. There is obviously some fiction woven into the story but it only enhances the tale and makes the book that much better.

Seriously, my next book needs to be a non-fiction book about the Romanov family because Ms. Brandes has left me absolutely intrigued (thanks for adding what was historically accurate at the end of the book because I was dying to know). Well done!

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction, young adult fiction, or anyone who just loves a great story telling.

I loved this book! The full review will be posted soon at kaitgoodwin.com/books! Thank you very much for this wonderful opportunity to connect books to their readers!

I received an ARC of this book from Thomas Nelson through #netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Now that's out of the way so let me dive right in-

Romanov
Romanov
Romanov

The story of the Romanov's is just a gut wrenching but so intriguing. It has always drawn me in so when I saw this book, I just knew I had to have it ASAP. Kids, let me tell you something, the author did their research and I LOVE how at the end Ms. Brandes gives you the FACT vs. FICTION. If you know any of the story of Anastasia or the Romanov's, than this will be a cute spin on the story we all know.

She did add Zash's character and I am glad that she did because he struggles with so much that watching his character develop broke up the depressing end that you know is coming... or is it??? Natysa's character is how I picture Anastasia to truly be and I think that she did her justice.

This book is borderline JFiction and YA for me. I know it is YA because of the subject matter and age of the main character but other than that, I feel it could lean toward JFiction for me. The element of magic is such a cool twist. Read this is you like the story of the Romanov's ... you won't be disappointed!