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bargainsleuth's review against another edition
4.0
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Most historical fiction novels about the last Romanov family seem to focus on Anastasia, so I was happy to see her oldest sister Olga, get some attention in The Last Grand Duchess. At the beginning of the book, I found the split timeline narrative, wherein one chapter was set in 1914 and then the following just three years later, a little confusing as I listened to the audiobook. Eventually the timeline gets even closer, which made it harder to follow again.
That being said, one thing I really liked about The Last Grand Duchess was the fact that Olga actually pushes against the restraints her parents put up for her. Normally, Tsar Nicholas’ family is always depicted as close-knit and thoroughly enjoying each other’s company. One of the reasons is Alexandra’s dislike of royal society, who don’t like her because of her German ancestry. (Alexandra was also the granddaughter of Great Britain’s Queen Victoria). Another reason is because Olga’s brother Alexi has hemophilia, the bleeding disease that Queen Victoria passed on to her descendants. That overprotectiveness by her parents is one of the many reasons Nicholas was a lousy ruler. He didn’t deserve to die, certainly, but his focus on his family was so great that matters of state weren’t given proper attention. I could go on with a lot of other reasons Nicholas wasn’t a great ruler, but this book is about Olga.
It’s not surprising that Olga should find herself falling in love during her work as a nurse during World War I. But since we know how it all ends, there’s no feel good, happy ending. As happens in war, lovers are torn apart and lives are lost. Turnbull does an excellent job of showing how Olga goes into the work of a nurse as immature and naive, but slowly, as she listens to the soldiers and hears the murmurs of discontent, she realizes how her parents’ action or inaction is affecting the people of the country.
I thought the descriptions of the isolation the Romanovs must have felt while they were being held prisoner was aptly portrayed. It was a good thing they were a close-knit family, because they were shut off from the rest of the world except for visits from their personal doctor. In due time, even the doctor is not allowed to visit.
Throughout the book, Olga is drawn out as a full character, instead of being lumped into a group with her sisters and brother. Factually, the author incorporates what is known of the Romanov’s last days into the narrative. Overall, a very satisfying look at the last years of Tsarist rule in Russia.
Most historical fiction novels about the last Romanov family seem to focus on Anastasia, so I was happy to see her oldest sister Olga, get some attention in The Last Grand Duchess. At the beginning of the book, I found the split timeline narrative, wherein one chapter was set in 1914 and then the following just three years later, a little confusing as I listened to the audiobook. Eventually the timeline gets even closer, which made it harder to follow again.
That being said, one thing I really liked about The Last Grand Duchess was the fact that Olga actually pushes against the restraints her parents put up for her. Normally, Tsar Nicholas’ family is always depicted as close-knit and thoroughly enjoying each other’s company. One of the reasons is Alexandra’s dislike of royal society, who don’t like her because of her German ancestry. (Alexandra was also the granddaughter of Great Britain’s Queen Victoria). Another reason is because Olga’s brother Alexi has hemophilia, the bleeding disease that Queen Victoria passed on to her descendants. That overprotectiveness by her parents is one of the many reasons Nicholas was a lousy ruler. He didn’t deserve to die, certainly, but his focus on his family was so great that matters of state weren’t given proper attention. I could go on with a lot of other reasons Nicholas wasn’t a great ruler, but this book is about Olga.
It’s not surprising that Olga should find herself falling in love during her work as a nurse during World War I. But since we know how it all ends, there’s no feel good, happy ending. As happens in war, lovers are torn apart and lives are lost. Turnbull does an excellent job of showing how Olga goes into the work of a nurse as immature and naive, but slowly, as she listens to the soldiers and hears the murmurs of discontent, she realizes how her parents’ action or inaction is affecting the people of the country.
I thought the descriptions of the isolation the Romanovs must have felt while they were being held prisoner was aptly portrayed. It was a good thing they were a close-knit family, because they were shut off from the rest of the world except for visits from their personal doctor. In due time, even the doctor is not allowed to visit.
Throughout the book, Olga is drawn out as a full character, instead of being lumped into a group with her sisters and brother. Factually, the author incorporates what is known of the Romanov’s last days into the narrative. Overall, a very satisfying look at the last years of Tsarist rule in Russia.
booksadoodle's review against another edition
3.0
The story intrigued me, but I felt that this was a bit hard to get through. Listened as an audiobook, and I kept wondering where the story would take me, and then I felt that I never really got there at the end.
kayleenso's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jascolib's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
shayner's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
erincataldi's review
3.0
Rasputin and Anastasia have long captured the world's imagination and are often the first two figures thought of in the doomed Romanov family. Bestselling author, Bryn Turnbull flips the script however, and instead focuses on the eldest Romanov child, Grand Duchess Olga Romanov, in this moving historical drama. Olga comes of age as a young woman during a very tumultuous time in Russia, her family's way of life is on the way out and she is struggling to come to terms with her family's place in it. The Russian people love her and her family, they are just and fair rulers, aren't they? As war looms, Olga and her sisters trade the glittering palace life for nursing and do what they can to help the wounded soldiers, but will it be enough for the Russian people. Equal parts gleaming and romantic, readers cheer on Olga's romantic exploits, while hoping that she will somehow escape her fate. The Last Grand Duchess slowly gets darker and gloomier, as the tragic end that readers know to expect, creeps closer. Expertly narrated by Mary Jane Wells, whose cadence and accent lends itself well to the esteemed Romanov court. A new take on an overtold and tragic story.
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
I confess I have a soft spot for historical fiction about the last Romanov family and the end of the Tsarist regime. Who didn't fall in love with the animated Anastasia movie??
In this newest book, Canadian author Bryn Turnbull shifts the focus from Anastasia to her older sister Olga. It was nice seeing the end of the Romanovs from her perspective and how her brother's illness ended up affecting her marriage prospects.
I was also impressed with how Olga served as a nurse during WWI and how given the chance to escape with a friend/love interest, she chose to stay behind and die with her family. The Canadian connection at the end of the book was unexpected and a neat piece of history to read about too.
Great on audio narrated by Mary Jane Wells and definitely recommended for fans of books like The Romanov sisters or I was Anastasia.
In this newest book, Canadian author Bryn Turnbull shifts the focus from Anastasia to her older sister Olga. It was nice seeing the end of the Romanovs from her perspective and how her brother's illness ended up affecting her marriage prospects.
I was also impressed with how Olga served as a nurse during WWI and how given the chance to escape with a friend/love interest, she chose to stay behind and die with her family. The Canadian connection at the end of the book was unexpected and a neat piece of history to read about too.
Great on audio narrated by Mary Jane Wells and definitely recommended for fans of books like The Romanov sisters or I was Anastasia.
greylandreviews's review against another edition
1.0
1 star
ARC provided by Harlequin Trade Publishing MIRA through NetGalley for honest review
I had a hard time trying to get into the story. Nothing in this story really made me want to continue it and I really just didn't enjoy it; that was pretty disappointing. Was hoping for something more surprising or at something new that we didn't already knew about the Romanovs.
Trigger Warnings: chronic illness (hemophilia B) and mentions of war
ARC provided by Harlequin Trade Publishing MIRA through NetGalley for honest review
I had a hard time trying to get into the story. Nothing in this story really made me want to continue it and I really just didn't enjoy it; that was pretty disappointing. Was hoping for something more surprising or at something new that we didn't already knew about the Romanovs.
Trigger Warnings: chronic illness (hemophilia B) and mentions of war