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anothetbennet's review against another edition
3.0
I was expecting more...the descriptions are very violent if you're not used to it.
There is too much religiousness and I think the story could have been more developed.
However, I liked the end and I will be reading more from this author.
There is too much religiousness and I think the story could have been more developed.
However, I liked the end and I will be reading more from this author.
littlemainelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
What an AMAZING book!
I so enjoyed reading this and tried to devour it in one sitting but sleep claimed me before I finished. ;-)
After chores, a walk and breakfast I finished it, sobbing into the pillow held tightly to my chest as I read the last 2 chapters!
Poignant, touching, heartbreaking, yet gloriously uplifting.... so many emotions!
This is seriously an amazingly wonderful book! I look forward to reading the other books by this same author. :-)
I so enjoyed reading this and tried to devour it in one sitting but sleep claimed me before I finished. ;-)
After chores, a walk and breakfast I finished it, sobbing into the pillow held tightly to my chest as I read the last 2 chapters!
Poignant, touching, heartbreaking, yet gloriously uplifting.... so many emotions!
This is seriously an amazingly wonderful book! I look forward to reading the other books by this same author. :-)
reading_ladies_blog's review against another edition
4.0
Told from two perspectives, this well researched histfic story explores the years of the Russian Revolution and introduces us to a member of the Romanov family. I grew to appreciate the thoughtful themes of crime vs forgiveness, anger and vengeance vs love and service, and our chosen reactions to grief and tragic misfortune. The juxtaposition of the two main characters was especially fascinating as they each moved in opposite directions after the tragic death of loved ones....Pavel chose revenge, anger, and anarchy while Ella chose love, service to the poor, and faith. As the story progressed, they grew more devoted to their chosen paths and more extreme from each other. This did not prevent them, though, from meeting at the end of their lives and sharing their stories with each other. After this poignant conversation, it was especially tragic that Pavel chose to continue on the path of revenge until the bitter end. I appreciate learning about the extraordinary life of The Grand Duchess Elisavyeta aka Holy Martyr Elizabeth Feodorovna, the abbess of the Convent of Saints Martha and Mary. This book and its themes of revenge, faith, and forgiveness would make an excellent book club discussion!
For more reviews visit my blog www.readingladies.com
For more reviews visit my blog www.readingladies.com
linwearcamenel's review against another edition
5.0
I really think this was the best of the three books Robert Alexander wrote about the Russian Revolution. It showed the entire revolution and the causes behind it, and it captured both sides of the story, the aristocracy and the lower classes, and showcased a different member of the Romanov family than usually seen. And she was utterly fascinating. I had never known much Alexandra's sister before, but I really enjoyed reading about her and the work she did with the poor and how unusual that was. It made the time period really come alive, and I felt for every single character, and the waste of life and opportunities that this time in history represented. Highly recommended.
texasolsen's review against another edition
3.0
I found this book a bit more morbid than the others by Alexander. The backdrop of the book is the entire Russian revolution and all the blood and gore that accomplished the revolution. Well written. Very interesting characters.
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