A amazing glimpse into the Russian court life during the end of Tzar Peter the Great. The story is about his daughter Elizabeth and the highs and lows of being a Russian princess. There is a large cast of characters and when I saw the list, I almost decided not to read the book. So I skipped it and drove into the story. One is carried away by the descriptions of grandeur and hardships of the common people and serfs. Some descriptions will be a flashback to the movie Dr. Zhivago. I know different time period, but the winter scenes. I read and listened to the audiobook, the narrator was fantastic, but the book help me keep the characters straight. I have read the first in the series and this book definitely can be a standalone. This is a wonderful story that will transport you to a different time period.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #TheTsarinasDaughter #MacmillanAudio

This was a great continuation of Tsarina. The books flowed smoothly together. Even though it is a series if you choose to read this as a standalone it would hold just as well on its own. It was an easy read for me. I have always found this time period fun to read about. The rivalry between the courts was intense. But overall it was well written and entertaining! And reading the author's note saying this was going to be a trilogy made my day! I can't wait to read the next book!

My history of this time period in Muscovy has always been murky. Reading The Tsarina’s Daughter helped clarify the rapid ruler change after the 1725 death of Peter the Great. I hadn’t realized there were 4 rulers In between his death and the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna.
It’s a thick tome and took me a while to read it. Steeped in Russian mystique and atmosphere, it’s fast paced and danger lurks around every corner. Alpsten had me living in 18th century Russia every time I turned the page.
I love this series and am looking forward to the last book.
I also love the cover!

I did not read this book, so I cannot give feedback. Time got away from me, and I had too much else going on. I hope it does well. I did like the info I saw on the story. thank you for letting me have access to it. I'm giving it a 4 start review because I have to enter something, but honestly, I did not read the book.

The Tsarina’s Daughter is the sequel to Tsarina. Although is is the second novel, it can be read as a standalone without any problems. However, to get the full flavor of this historical fiction, I do recommend that one reads the first book before reading this one.

There are numerous characters and luckily, there is a cast of characters listing that outlines the who is who in the story. Truthfully, it was a blessing to have this as it helped me navigate the narrative a lot better. Especially since different names were used interchangably throughout the novel. Each of the characters were well developed. I didn’t particularly care for any of them until later in the story when many of them have matured or grown old.

Insofar as the storyline goes, it is a little longwinded. But it is probably because a certain atmosphere needed to be established — bejeweled monarchs, impoverished villages, and extravagant palaces.

The Tsarina’s Daughter is an enjoyable read. However, I didn’t quite appreciate the sprinkle of fantasy when a forest spirit prophesized the fates of Lizenka and Anoushka. To me, fantasy no matter how minute it is to the novel’s entirety has no place is an otherwise great historical fiction. Overall, four satisfying stars.

I received a physical and digital ARC from St. Martin’s Press for a book tour. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions. Tour Date: March 15, 2022

Historical fiction story from a period of history rarely explored. This is a detailed but fictional account of the life of Tsarina Elizabeth, second daughter of Tsar Peter the Great and Tsarina Catherine of Russia, from her time as a young girl through the death of her father, her mother, the political turmoil of the Old Believers and the progressive direction of Russia. Elizabeth herself was a lesson in contrasts, always loyal to Russia, but also selfish and self-indulgent.
Elisabeth experiences life privileged princess and then is plunged into poverty beholden to whomever has grabbed the throne until the time when she can rightfully assume the title of Tsarina. So many power struggles, questions on whom to trust, always wary of losing favor and possibilities of ending up either in a convent or on the gallows. Elizabeth became adept at experiencing loss, that of her parents, her sister, her loves of her life. So many secrets and lies rule the day.
While an interesting read, I needed to fact check some historical information for this story to make sense and was impressed with the accuracy. I’ll admit that the first part of the story was a bit slow but, surprisingly the more I learned, the more it kept me reading to find out about Elizabeth’s life. This story leaves you pondering beyond the last page, of a time period little known. The author did a great job of drawing you in. While this is reported to be the second in a series of three books, I read it as a stand-alone book. However, I’m thinking I’d like to read her first book, "Tsarina", to add more dimension to learning about this time period which could be a prequel to the well-known Romanov stories we are most familiar with.

Many thanks to #netgalley #thetsarinasdaughter #ellen alpsten for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Another wonderfully written epic novel by author Ellen Alpsten. Readers should not be intimidated by the over 500 pages. As with almost every story written about the Romanovs the page count is necessary to do it justice. In this book Alpsten tells the story of the evolution of Elizabeth. This is not a tale about her reign but a tale of how she grew into what she was destined to be. It tells the story of a woman who had to come to terms with all of life's tragedies and heartbreaks. Elizabeth - who had to learn to accept both the splendors and riches of favor, and the despair and wariness that came with suspicion, overcame it all. This novel gives us a multifaceted woman who loved and was loved, who understood the need to have a circle of supporters, who embraced what it meant to be Russian. Elizabeth who allows knew what her destiny was, just needed to live through the challenges in order to fulfill the role Russia needed her to. Alpsten's writing is beautiful and she clearly put plenty of research into the lives of the Romanov women.

I received a copy of this title via NetGalley.

I really enjoyed this book. After reading Tsarina by Ellen Alpsten, I was really excited to get my hands on this one, and I wasn't disappointed! The beginning recaps the end of Tsarina, but I would recommend reading Tsarina before starting this one.

I loved the way this story unfolded, and I found myself completely swept away. I alternated between the audio and the physical copy, and I'm glad. The audio was done really well. The narrator did a great job and helped me get through the Russian names that I struggled with at the beginning. This story is filled with adventure and intrigue and is a great one for historical fiction fans!

It sounds like this will be a trilogy which is really exciting! Can't wait!

I read Tsarina, last year, and this is the sequel. The Tsarina's Daughter is just has good as Tsarina. It took me awhile to read, but not to do with anything about the book. When I read historical fiction books, I have a bad habit of stopping, looking things up and reading about them. Therefore, it takes me a little while to read one because one name or place leads to another one.

I enjoyed this book. Alpsten transported me to Russia in the mid 1700's. Her words captivated me. I got a chance to see how things were built, fashion, food, and transpired during that time without leaving my house.

With the Tsarina's Daughter, we get to take a look at Elizabeth Petrovna Romanov. Her life and the struggles she went through. This takes us from Peter the Great's death thru Ivan VI's and what followed after. A book full of all emotions: love, sorrow, pain, scared, mystery and triumph.

If you enjoy Historical Fiction, go get this book. Don't walk, run to your nearest Library or Bookstore on March 15, 2022 and get this book. I don't think you will be disappointed.

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Alpsten for the Kindle Version of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Tsarina's Daughter
An excellent historical fiction novel of Russian life, The Tsarina's Daughter by Ellen Alpsten, takes us on a fascinating journey through the 18th century. In a time of political and social chaos, Elizabeth l, daughter of Peter the Great and Catherine l, must learn to navigate through both to fulfill her destiny. Born to all the riches and privileges of royalty and engaged to Louis XV of France, Elizabeth's world falls apart with the death of Peter the Great. Her very survival depends on separating friends from enemies, and prophecies from reality. The richness and details of life are written in such detail you can almost taste the food, feel the softness of the fabric and shiver from the cold.
For any historical fiction fan or those who would like to be, this novel will delight you. Five stars to Ellen Alpsten.

I'm fascinated by Russian history and this book is a great example of historical fiction that teaches you about a different era and cultures. I thoroughly enjoyed Ellen Alpsten's The Tsarina, the story of the poor peasant girl and the man who would transform Russia and drag it kicking and fighting into the modern era, Peter the Great. This book, The Tsarina's Daughter, is the story of the two daughters, Anna and our main character Elizabeth, that survive to both take the throne in an environment very like Game of Thrones, survival of the most ruthless and cunning. What I really liked about this book is the evocative description of the places, the insane partying, the extremes of poverty and privilege, and the suspicion and constant questioning of who can you trust? The violence of life in 17th and 18th century Russia is pretty graphic at times, but it fits with the story and reinforces the sense of peril. So many larger than life characters, based on real people and events vividly portrayed by a master storyteller.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, I really enjoyed it.

Born into the House of Romanov to the all-powerful Peter the Great and his wife, Catherine, a former serf, beautiful Tsarevna Elizabeth is the envy of the Russian empire. She is insulated by luxury and spoiled by her father, who dreams for her to marry King Louis XV of France and rule in Versailles. But when a woodland creature gives her a Delphic prophecy, her life is turned upside down. Her volatile father suddenly dies, her only brother has been executed and her mother takes the throne of Russia.
As friends turn to foe in the dangerous atmosphere of the Court, the princess must fear for her freedom and her life. Fate deals her blow after blow, and even loving her becomes a crime that warrants cruel torture and capital punishment: Elizabeth matures from suffering victim to strong and savvy survivor. But only her true love and their burning passion finally help her become who she is. When the Imperial Crown is left to an infant Tsarevich, Elizabeth finds herself in mortal danger and must confront a terrible dilemma - seize the reins of power and harm an innocent child, or find herself following in the footsteps of her murdered brother.
Hidden behind a gorgeous, wildly decadent façade, the Russian Imperial Court is a viper’s den of intrigue and ambition. Only a woman possessed of boundless courage and cunning can prove herself worthy to sit on the throne of Peter the Great.
This is an interesting book which makes the power of Elizabeth is not the same thing as it was purported to be.
The gist is that many people who saved their lives and their loves were meant to be.
This story is poignant and true to life.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Fascinating historical fiction about early Russia. A must read for anyone interested in this time period.

I've read a lot of Romanov fiction but admittedly it all focused on Anastasia. This novel, focused on Tsarevna Elizabeth was a beautiful fictional narrative of one of my favorite time periods, albeit through a new lens. Thoroughly enjoyed!

I have to admit I know very little about Russian history. My first foray was reading Ms. Alpsten's book Tsarina about Catherine I, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Sometimes I find setting my mind up for disappointment when reading a sequel. This is absolutely not the case. The Tsarina's Daughter not only covers the history of that era but is delves into the challenges that Elizabeth faced as a Romanov and the struggle for control and power of the empire by others. The character studies and growth fascinated me especially how non-central personalities are actually key to the historical development such as the court jester, D'Acosta for one. This book stands on its own for those who have not read Tsarina. The Tsarina's Daughter would be a good book club discussion as there are many facets to the story.

Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advance copy.

Having not read Tsarina, I was glad to find that The Tsarina's Daughter also works as a standalone novel. The story follows Elizabeth, daughter of Tsar Peter the Great and Empress Catherine. Not being as familiar with this time period of Russian history, I found this fictionalized telling fascinating. Although the story felt a little slow to start, it did pick up as it progressed. I appreciated the character of Elizabeth much more in the second half and would have loved to see more of her actual reign. This saga has a large cast of colorful characters and is full of intrigue and politics, backstabbing and thirst for power. I would definitely recommend this for those interested in historical fiction and Russian history.

3.5 stars rounded up.

This is a sequel to Tsarina, which I didn't realize & haven't read, but I believe The Tsarina's Daughter can be read as a stand-alone. This is a beautifully written historical fiction novel about a time and place that still seem other-worldly to me. I look forward to reading more from this author!

Historical literature. The saga of females and the Russian throne.

This is about Tsarevna Elizabeth, born into the house of Romanov to Peter the Great and his wife Catherine.
She and her sister are his only living children of his 15 sons and daughters. However her mother gave birth to her out of wedlock. Her mother is Peter's second wife, his first lives shuttered away in a convent
.She was bethroed to King Louis VI of France while still a child.

A woodland creature imparts a curse on her: that she will bear no children.

Her father dies but neither she or her sister are named his heirs and therefore her mother becomes Tsarina Catherine I,, the first woman ever to rule Russia.

Her sister turns against her and King Louis VI of France marries someone else,

Elizabeth becomes engaged to marry her brother in law's cousin who is a Prince of Germany.

Her mother dies and Elizabeth doesn't become an heir to the throne.

Her young nephew becomes Peter II and Elizabeth is cheated out of her mother's bequest.

Her fiance dies of smallpox and her sister dies of pneumonia after childbirth.

Her nephew dies of smallpox as ell and subsequently her cousin becomes the Tsarina.

When the tsarina dies, Elizabeth at last becomes the Tsarina after a palace coup and her infant nephew is taken out the country

The Tsarina's Daughter by Ellen Aplster
The Tsarina's Daughter is a follow-up from Tsarina which I did not know going into this book. However, I had no trouble knowing what was going on. This book is a historical fiction story of Elizabeth, daughter of Tsar Peter and his wife Catherine, who later became the Empress of Russia. The story details Elizabeth's remarkable and often suspenseful journey from innocence to surviving life in the volatile Imperial Russian court. There is love and tragedy and all that other good stuff. I definitely enjoyed reading this one! I've read that there will be a third book so I am looking forward to reading that and picking up the first book as well! Thank you Netgalley for my advanced readers copy in exchange for my review.

The gorgeous book cover was enough to draw me in when I saw it on NetGalley. I thoroughly enjoyed this historical novel set in the cutthroat royal courts of early 18th century Russia. The Tsarina’s daughter is Elizaveta Petrova Romanova, called Lizchenka by her family and lovers. The story is fast-paced, driven by actual historical events and richly imagined private moments of family life. Alpsten has a gift for details. Her descriptions made me feel like I was there, from the food (too much sour cream) and the silkiness and luster of the ladies’ gowns, to the bleakness and ice of the Russian climate and the horrible poverty of its citizens who have the misfortune to live outside of the sumptuous court environment. This book has inspired me to learn more about the Russian empire. Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for an advance e-galley in exchange for a candid review.