A very good reimagining of what could have happened to Anastasia & Alexei. Good imagination. Love the storyline. Mainly because there is no serious intimate scene that usually takes up pages & pages of a book. The love between Maria and Ivan is sweet and borders on politeness of the society of that time. In conclusion, a good attempt.

I had high hopes for "Romanov". I love and am familiar with history around the tsars and Romanov family. Altogether it was an enjoyable read, but I wanted more of this story. More world building, more magic and more romance.
I also felt like this had some pacing issues. The beginning is intriguing, then not much happens until about 60% into the book, then we have a big scene and following that we're going back to running around and the end.
I loved the idea of the book, but neither the characters nor dialogue stood out much.
I still believe that people are going to like it. It might even hype up in the booktube community.

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

Hey there, bookworms and dragons! So, I read Fawkes by Nadine Brandes a few months ago and I let myself sit on the review for a while because I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about it. Unfortunately, I sat on it for so long that I forgot the details of the book itself and didn’t end up writing a review. However, it did stick with me enough to inspire a Bookish Soundtrack and I loved the idea of taking a prominent event or character in history, adding magic and flair, and recreating it in a way that reaches a YA audience.

So, naturally, when I saw that Nadine Brandes applied that premise to one of my favourite historical tales, that of Anastasia and Alexei Romanov, I knew I absolutely had to read it. I was lucky enough to have been approved for a digital galley of the novel through NetGalley in exchange for this honest review. Let’s get the TW/CWs I noticed out of the way first.

- mention of a possible suicide attempt (speculative, but detailed)
- accurate portrayal of Stockholm Syndrome in a secondary character
- execution style murder

The Romanovs all obviously love each other very much. I love the amount of detail that went into most of them. Unfortunately, I do have to say “most” because while we do interact a bit with each of the family members, it’s hard to tell them apart personality-wise. Especially Olga and Tatiana.

The Bolsheviks were very much developed as a hive mind, with the exception of Zash, Ivan, Yurovsky, and Avdeev. These four alone were given a level of development, which in this case made it more believable. Since the story is told from Anastasia’s point of view, she might have only interacted with a few Bolsheviks enough to be able to develop them further than their status as a Bolshevik soldier.

This excuse cannot be used for her family members though so that bit was a little underwhelming. However, Anastasia and Alexei received a good deal of development and were quite three dimensional by about the middle of the novel. I am happy with the amount of development that went into Anastasia’s father, Nikolai, because while he didn’t have much time on the page, Anastasia’s impression of him makes him as three-dimensional as she is.

Romanov is set in the early 1900s in Russia, as the real-world tale of the Romanov’s does. Except with magic. I love the intricate way we get to understand the way magic works in this world and also how it doesn’t. There are very specific rules and limitations set into place from the beginning of the novel. I do wish that we could have had a little bit more development to the locations themselves? I feel like it would be easy for me to look through the internet and find a good description and/or images for the locations this story takes place in but I really shouldn’t have to. The world-building was sufficient for the story and great for the magic, but not very immersive location-wise.

The actual story in Romanov kept me reading long after I should have done things like sleep or work on my own NaNoWriMo project. I just couldn’t put it down! There were a few parts where I was confused with where the story was going and it slowed down a little, but for the most part it was full steam ahead. I feel like the ending leaves an opening for imagining what could have happened next, but all of the important threads were tied off by the final page and it’s not cliffhangery at all.

While there is definitely the possibility of more story, I don’t think Nadine Brandes intends to write a sequel. In fact, I kind of hope she doesn’t. The ending of Romanov leaves just enough open for hope and possibility to creep in and I think that’s how Anastasia would have wanted it. I definitely enjoyed this one and look forward to seeing what Nadine Brandes comes out with next!

I am a sucker for Anastasia stories, I do admit. When I was a young girl, her remains had not yet been discovered so there was still significant mystery about what happened to her and I sucked up the Anna stories. I was looking forward to this read and it did deliver. Romanov is the tale of magic being stamped out under the Red Revolution of Lenin. Considering all the other policies, I suspect that if magic had existed, Lenin would have considered it anathema to the Soviet way. This is also a love tragedy, the tale of a princess and a pauper and their ill fated affection. There are brutal moments in this story. They aren’t made any easier by the magic that is supposed to exist. But overall the writing was so well done, the world and character building so lovely, that it is worth the tough moments, even for those of us who read to escape. I was left wondering though.... if the royal family were so lovely, why were they so hated? Was the Tsar really the dedicated humanist we read about? I supposed Romanov did it’s job - now I have to go find out.

I received this from Netgalley for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings expressed are my own.

I struggled with the start of this book. It felt sort of weird to me? And not at all dragging the reader in, as some books do. However, I persisted and I ended up really enjoying this book. There are some part of it which were a bit "?? okay...??"

However, I found how magic works in this world super interesting and something quite unique. There is some mentions of the bible and the family reading it and how much it means for them, if that is something that offends you. (It does not offend me at all, just so we are clear..)
This book cannot however be compared to the Anastasia movie, as I found it much darker and it has some dark violence in it. I also like that the author has decided NOT to make a romance central to this story. The romance is there, but it's not over-powering the story and taking it's place.

I would absolutely recommend this book further.

Ever since I watched the Disney movie Anastasia, Anastasia Romanov has always fascinated me. That was one of the main reasons I requested to review this book.

If you don't know, I'm not a fan of of biographies or autobiographies. And when I do read historical fiction sometimes I get bored so the story has to have something special to ensure that I like it.

Having said that, I found this book able to keep my interest throughout. However, the storyline kept switching from being intriguing to boarder line boring and then back again. I liked the magical aspect of it and the authors attention to historical detail and fact. However, I did not like the violence or the gore that the author used.

This book is appropriate for ages 18+ for somewhat graphic descriptions of violence.

I really enjoyed this novel. I’ve loved the animated movie Anastasia as a child and have enjoyed reading about the history of the family as an adult. This book blends some of that history with the same sort of magical vibe as the movie once did. It was definitely an adventure and incredibly unique compared to other historical fantasies that have come out recently. I also very much enjoyed the character of Anastasia and how she was less of a passive victim, as she is occasionally portrayed in stories of this sort.

A unique take on the tale of the Romanov family we all know well. Rich, gorgeous prose and an enthralling plot, I was hooked from the first page of this historical, fantastical book. A must for anyone who loves historical fiction, fantasy and the story of the Romanovs.

{The Basics}
Wow. I thoroughly enjoyed this magical, historical fiction about the infamous Romanov family. As we all know, it was believed for a time that Anastasia, fourth daughter of Russian Tsar Nikolai Romanov, and her younger brother Alexei had survived the rebellious revolution to overthrow the family's reign. Nadine Brandes gives a page-turning, historically accurate (with the exception of magic) tale of familial love and humility in the eyes of oppression.

Our story begins with the family in exile, moving from one prison to another. The conditions are extremely poor, to say the least, and their rations little to nothing, resulting in malnutrition---despite the houses having once been beautiful places of nobility.

Forced to live under such circumstances, the Romanovs make the most of their time, and under the leadership of their papa, they treat their captors with respect and humility, befriending those who are willing and displaying the high value of their own characters and the biblical command in loving those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44). However, escape and rescue is never too far from their minds, for the Red Army is under orders to keep them captive until further orders---be that execution or otherwise.

Nastya's greatest desire is that they would be banished to some unknown village where they could live happily as peasants, as a family, for the rest of their lives. But as history has revealed, that was never meant to be.

{Spiritual Content}
The family prays quite often, and Papa reads from the Bibliya daily, to keep up their spirits.

Did I mention this story contains magic?? What a neat twist for a historical fiction novel! The magic system is incredibly unique in that it uses spell ink, and one must paint it on whatever is needing the magic and speak/sing the word for it to be used.

Rasputin is mentioned briefly as a spell master for the Romanovs, until he was executed. The Red Army hunts such spell masters in fear that they could rise up in rebellion and form a formidable army against them.

{Violence}
Alexei suffers from hemophilia, a blood disease that does not allow his blood to clot. Because of that, any bruise or cut he gets could be fatal. He acquires a bruise on his knee simply from getting up from slipping and it swells to three times its size.

The family hears gunshots nearly every day in a nearby village---executions the Red Army take out. A man is shot in the head as a punishment for interaction with the family. Throats are slit, people are shot, or beaten.

{Language // Alcohol & Drugs}
None, with exception of one use of "b-----d." There's mention of lewd writings soldier wrote in the bathroom the girls use, but nothing is explained in the story.

A commandant is constantly drunk, having to guard the family. Vodka bottles are strewn all about his office.

{Romantic Content}
One of Nastya's sisters falls for a friendly soldier. Nothing happens romantically, other than a shared kiss, but their relationship is really sweet. Nastya herself is attracted to Zash.

Gossip has traveled around the Russian people about Nastya's mother and her time spent alone with the spell master, Rasputin, behind closed doors. Nastya confronts Mamma regarding this, simply wishing to know the truth.

{Conclusion}
All in all, I LOVED this book! I so enjoyed how Mrs Brandes captured the personalities and characters of the family members. There is no doubt whatsoever that they love each other and would do whatever is in their power to protect them. This tale is written from Nastya's perspective, who we learn is a mistress of mischief, who loves to make her family laugh, and would risk her life to give them some form of relief from their sufferings. She adores her papa, encourages her mother and sisters, and is fully present for her ailing younger brother---who is more mature than his age suggests.

It's certainly not like 20th Century Fox film Anastasia (1997), but it is a unique and thrilling take on the Romanov family. I would highly recommend!

I loved this story. It was such a treat to be able to have my two favorite genres (historical fiction and fantasy) in one book. After discovering my own Russian heritage, I have eagerly sought out whatever readings I could find to learn more about the history and culture of the country, and “Romanov” did not disappoint. Aside from the fantastical elements of the book, the historical aspects kept me hooked from start to finish, in which the author noted in the back were rather accurate. Even when the story switched to something a bit more adventurous and magical, it was a delight. I felt a connection to the characters—Nastya and Alexei, in particular; and found myself smiling, crying, and gasping in shock in all the right places. However, I most appreciated the story’s emphasis on family and the sweet relationship which blossomed between two of the main characters, as well. Truly, a gem.

Brandes vibrant and insightful writing so brilliantly ushered me into the Romanovs' world, as if I had time-traveled.
What a wonderful journey to the past!

Brandes' portrayal of Anastasia was delightful to me, and I came in with extremely high expectations, as, growing up, I wore out my VHS copy of the cartoon movie.

Despite my knowing the family's fate, it was impossible to predict the outcome of this story.
Brandes creativity is remarkable!

I am admittedly not the best at suspending reality, even when reading fantasy.
Certain medical and logistical aspects of this story were a bit of a stretch for my particular imagination.
HOWEVER, the passages were so well written and entertaining, I was able to embrace the scenarios as acceptable, even if unlikely.

While magic is present throughout the story, up to the midpoint of the book, the novel felt much more character study than fantasy to me.
Which is why it was a shock to my system when halfway through the book, quick as you can say "Ajnin", magic is suddenly running the show.
And... Action!

The author explains the abrupt amp up in magic well.
Still, I found the switch to be a bit jarring.
It was as if the story took off at NASCAR speeds before I had time to buckle my seat belt.
(Heart don't fail me now! )

It took me a few chapters to acclimate to the difference in pacing.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the ride.

In the end, the fact that this skillfully authored, impressively original and utterly captivating story was not what I was expecting is what made it thoroughly magical!

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

It is so perfect that the first ever book I get approved for from NetGalley is this one. Anastasia has always been my favorite movie and because of this I love learning about the Romanovs.

This book was completely wonderful, I couldn't put it down! The historical aspect of the book was quite accurate per the author's note in the back and I learned some new things about their exile that I didn't know before.

I loved how Brandes brought Anastasia to life with her impish ways and Zash's character in general. The book was heavy on forgiveness and family which are two things that I take very seriously in my own life. I felt a similar vibe to Fawkes in that there were religious undertones throughout the story, driving the characters decisions and actions. I think this is perfect! I am religious myself (as I believe Brandes is) and there are rarely any YA books out there that show religious undertones in a positive way - most are fanatical or obsessive with their religious remarks, or just straight political. I thought it very refreshing to see that in a YA book!

My official rating for Romanov is 4.9. The only thing I wanted more of was the magic! I wanted to know more about how it worked and what the old spell masters did back in the day. I highly recommend this book though and can't wait to have a physical copy!

I was so excited to receive an ARC of this book but unfortunately I didn't enjoy it. The synopsis sounded amazing but I was bored for the first half of the story. The action picks up in the second half but I still didn't connect with it. Honestly, I found the "author's notes" at the end to be the most interesting part of the book.

I am definitely in the minority though so if you're interested in Anastasia and the Romanov family give it a try.

The cover is glorious.

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

4/5 stars

Let me preface this by saying I don't normally read historical fiction. When I do, I have very high expectation as I am very, very picky. I had always been intrigued by the story of Anastasia, but it was never one that interested me as much as others. I'm more into other historical events, a la Stalking Jack the Ripper, but I was still interested in reading as the synopsis sounded promising.

I'm glad to say that I really enjoyed this novel. While I wasn't completely blown away by the amazing what-if scenario and the liberties the author took, it was still a very fun, thrilling, heart-wrenching read. I believe the author did the Romanov family story justice with this historical retelling. Everything from the writing, character development and plot were really well done. If there's any type of historical fiction novel to read, I do believe that this is one many people would enjoy.

The story of the Romanov family, and their execution, has intrigued people for a long time. We don't know all of the details of the events that surround the abdication of Tsar Nicolas and the subsequent deaths of he and his family, so speculation has run rampant. Nadine Brandes has told what is known, and added what she imagined could have happened, in Romanov.

Once I started reading Romanov, I didn't want to stop.The plot was intriguing and, at the end of each chapter, I was eager to read on and find out what happened next. Nadine did a great job with the descriptions of both the characters and surroundings. It is easy to picture what they look like and imagine the story as it progresses.

Besides being a great story, the book also deals with several themes. Due to the hardships they face, the Romanov family has to make decisions about how they will react, and they struggle with forgiveness, humility, and whether or not to let the circumstances overwhelm them. Trusting Jesus to provide guidance and wisdom is prominent. A selection of discussion questions that address the themes is included at the end.

Romanov has a mix of history, action, fantasy, and romance that makes it a great book. With the different genres in it, there is something for nearly all readers. I really enjoyed it and fully recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Oh my god. Reading this book reignited my love for Anastasia – both the Broadway musical and the classic movie. Ever since this book was announced, it's been on my most-looked-forward-to list, and I've been fortunate enough to get an ARC, and let me tell you: it did not disappoint.

As you can probably tell from the title, this book is a retelling of Anastasia's life and what-could-have-been after the tragic event in 1918. The Romanovs are in exile under the Bolsheviks, and it's only getting harder day by day. I can't really say much else without giving away spoilers, but there's magic! and fantasy! which are honestly really amazing.

At first, I was having a hard time getting into it. Since they were in captivity, it was a pretty repetitive and there wasn't much room for anything else, but it really started picking up about 60% in. From there on out, I was a goner. I would probably give my soul for this book and Nastya's character.

I loved that it was still rooted in facts. When I read adaptations and retellings of historical figures and events, facts usually get erased and those books end up with a completely different story. But with Romanov, all the facts are there and the fiction only occurs after. Sure, Zash's character is completely fictional, but it's mentioned that he represents all the Bolshevik soldiers who grew sympathetic towards the Romanov family. When I read this, I definitely warmed up to his character, and grew to love the book even more. Yes, I do miss Dmitry (my favorite street rat!!!!), but I think that the book was amazing.

Definitely recommend this to everyone interested in history, as well as to the fans of the movie. You won't be disappointed.

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

We always get asked about books on the Romanovs because they are very popular history/biography project for the high school students. The Parents always ask if there is new historical fiction released lately and this book is double the fun. Every chapter of this book build and build the story every step of the way. Learning about Nastya and her family's involvement with the Bolsheviks was intriguing and breathtaking to read and when she meets Nash and finds out his role in the whole war took a whole new turn that you could not help but to read on.

We will definitely consider adding this title to our Historical Fiction section at our library and that is why we give this book 5 stars.

Brandes' prose fuses facts with fiction; the historical events that led to the Romanov's assassination are seamlessly blended with magical realism, with fantasy elements that bring Anastasia's story to life. Nastya's voice is vigorous, her character is fleshed out; she is strong-willed yet modest, proud yet compassionate; the reader cannot help but empathize, to emotionally invest in her story.

"Romanov" is an amalgam of historical fiction and romance, a both character and plot-driven novel that manages to capture the atmosphere of Russia in the early 20th century, to intrigue and captivate the reader.

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.