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erine's review against another edition
2.0
Again with the Russian history, I think the story itself is intriguing. This book made Catherine II look like a gentle and wise ruler, and I appreciated all the additional information in the back of the book that helped to clarify fact from fiction, but I am now interested in finding out more about her. One of the best things about this type of book (also the Dear Mr. President, American Girl series and the like) is that it sparks an interest. I wouldn't be who I am today, studying what I am and working where I am if it weren't for the American Girl series, and I think this has the potential to be as powerful, to be that spark that ignites the interest in a budding historian or storyteller. History teachers could do worse than use these loose interpretations of the facts to get their students interested in the topic.
Readers who like diaries, royalty or history might enjoy this. Because of its serial nature, once you read one, others might also interest you (although this is not a series about one character, but rather fictional royal diaries throughout history).
Nothing obviously objectionable.
Readers who like diaries, royalty or history might enjoy this. Because of its serial nature, once you read one, others might also interest you (although this is not a series about one character, but rather fictional royal diaries throughout history).
Nothing obviously objectionable.
smashy's review against another edition
3.0
3.5✪'s
I found this really interesting. I have read a few from this series and this is one of my favourites.
I found this really interesting. I have read a few from this series and this is one of my favourites.
booknerdlyn's review
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katiedavis's review
adventurous
dark
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
annabellee's review
3.0
The entire Royal Diaries series is near and dear to my heart as I grew up reading most of them. Recently I discovered that there were four that were published after I moved on from the series, and I have acquired them to read for nostalgia's sake (and, as a member of the Pokemon generation, have the compulsive need to complete my set). That said, I was disappointed with this novel.
This young-adult/children's novel follows the story of Catherine the Great, starting from her home in Prussia and following her through her journey and subsequent year in Russia. It ends shortly after her engagement to the man who would become Peter II.
The novel does a good job finding a voice for Catherine, who views all of the characters through the eyes of a teenager. The key characters, specifically Catherine's mother, Peter, and the Empress Elizabeth (who is, frankly, the most interesting character in the story, historically, besides Catherine herself) are characterized through her eyes and follow their historical counterparts well. However, the method of writing does not manage to immerse the reader as well as other Royal Diaries books have done, and the ending, most of all, was disappointing. Most of the other books tend to end at at a strategic point, as though this "episode" of that ruler's life had ended, and where it made sense to end the novel. Not so for this one; the story just kind of trails off into the sea. In this I was disappointed.
Additionally, the book touched on several subjects that I would expect ought to have been more fleshed out. For instance, Catherine's name change, or her decision to convert from Lutheranism to Orthodoxism. Her struggle with the date changes, etc. Catherine mentioned each of these things so lightly that it seems as though they have no impact on her, though they must have as a person and certainly would have as a teenager. One thing that managed to stay within the bounds of the historical character was Catherine's eagerness to please and ingratiate herself into the court from the beginning, as well as her quest to learn Russian and her dislike for her future husband. These things I am satisfied with about the character.
I would recommend this book for upper elementary and middle school readers. There is no graphic sex, of language, and though there is some violence, it is not terribly graphic. Three stars.
This young-adult/children's novel follows the story of Catherine the Great, starting from her home in Prussia and following her through her journey and subsequent year in Russia. It ends shortly after her engagement to the man who would become Peter II.
The novel does a good job finding a voice for Catherine, who views all of the characters through the eyes of a teenager. The key characters, specifically Catherine's mother, Peter, and the Empress Elizabeth (who is, frankly, the most interesting character in the story, historically, besides Catherine herself) are characterized through her eyes and follow their historical counterparts well. However, the method of writing does not manage to immerse the reader as well as other Royal Diaries books have done, and the ending, most of all, was disappointing. Most of the other books tend to end at at a strategic point, as though this "episode" of that ruler's life had ended, and where it made sense to end the novel. Not so for this one; the story just kind of trails off into the sea. In this I was disappointed.
Additionally, the book touched on several subjects that I would expect ought to have been more fleshed out. For instance, Catherine's name change, or her decision to convert from Lutheranism to Orthodoxism. Her struggle with the date changes, etc. Catherine mentioned each of these things so lightly that it seems as though they have no impact on her, though they must have as a person and certainly would have as a teenager. One thing that managed to stay within the bounds of the historical character was Catherine's eagerness to please and ingratiate herself into the court from the beginning, as well as her quest to learn Russian and her dislike for her future husband. These things I am satisfied with about the character.
I would recommend this book for upper elementary and middle school readers. There is no graphic sex, of language, and though there is some violence, it is not terribly graphic. Three stars.
bitesbooksbrews's review
3.0
I admit, these diary-style books are a guilty pleasure for me. I grew up on them, so every so often I just have to spend an afternoon on one. I also love all things Romanov Dynasty, so I figured why not? The story was okay, character development was decent and the history was interesting. I forgot all that stuff about Empress Elizabeth so it was a good refresher course!
veronicachp's review
This is another relic of my childhood that I’m rereading. Reading it now, I have a greater appreciation for it than I used to. I now understand how absolutely monumental it is that this girl, a little younger than I am now, was skilled at political intrigue, and had to scheme and work hard, just to not be exiled. Then she became one of the greatest rulers Russia has ever known. My biggest concern is not wanting to write my ballet report, for heavens sake.
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