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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
I have been mildly obsessed with the legends of Rasputin and the Romanov family since the Anastasia Disney movie rocked my little baby brain in 1997 so I was stoked to read this book; it did not disappoint. The historic parts were surprisingly accurate for a fantasy book and the added magic was a beautiful tie in to make the stories of Rasputin fit perfectly. I was a little bummed though to find out that even in a world where magic exists and extremely powerful sorcerers are somewhat commonplace, that Rasputin couldn't be left as just that. Him being a vampire felt like a cop out that just wasn't necessary in the world Lark built out for us. The love story between Anya and Damien, our not-actually-fated-mates-but-really-they're-fated-mates, was a refreshing take on things. Their connection was beautiful and chaotic and heartbreaking.
2,5⭐ Son dispiaciuta veramente perché tra tutti i retelling di Anastasia che ho letto per il target che voleva raggiungere è stato quello con le premesse migliori. Peccato che le idee siano rimaste idee e non siano mai riuscite ad essere messe per iscritto e funzionare tra di loro. Aveva bisogno di molta più stesura, editing, approfondimento e collegamento.
adventurous
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-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:
No
dark
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
So… based on the previous books I’ve read by Sophie Lark, this one was not at all what I had expected. It unfolded much more slowly, and was more historical fantasy than romance (although love was surely part of the narrative threads, and a big part in the end).
For the first third to half of the book, I just kept wanting something to happen. It was mostly character and world-building, and politics. But then I finally just let it breathe, and I kept wanting more.
Anastasia as a character made such strides in her worldview and how she saw herself and her country. Beyond the magic and everything else, she truly was a person searching for her place, and for something to believe in and hold onto.
Damien as a counterpoint was barely contained anger at everything that sought to subjugate his people. He did what he had to, and only in Anastasia did he find a foil and a love that was both constant and a reminder of everything he fought against.
Rasputin is every snow in the grass. The usurper of power, slowly ingratiating himself in the lives of those he seeks to eventually destroy.
The magic and power in this world was interesting, the use of paranormal creatures sprinkled in (that didn’t necessarily need to be there, but also didn’t detract from the story either) among other notes that were more historically relevant. If nothing else, this book is a reminder that power for the sake of power is not a good look on anyone.
In the end, I was pulled in and swept along by the story, the political machinations, the magic, and the love that fueled an uprising.
For the first third to half of the book, I just kept wanting something to happen. It was mostly character and world-building, and politics. But then I finally just let it breathe, and I kept wanting more.
Anastasia as a character made such strides in her worldview and how she saw herself and her country. Beyond the magic and everything else, she truly was a person searching for her place, and for something to believe in and hold onto.
Damien as a counterpoint was barely contained anger at everything that sought to subjugate his people. He did what he had to, and only in Anastasia did he find a foil and a love that was both constant and a reminder of everything he fought against.
Rasputin is every snow in the grass. The usurper of power, slowly ingratiating himself in the lives of those he seeks to eventually destroy.
The magic and power in this world was interesting, the use of paranormal creatures sprinkled in (that didn’t necessarily need to be there, but also didn’t detract from the story either) among other notes that were more historically relevant. If nothing else, this book is a reminder that power for the sake of power is not a good look on anyone.
In the end, I was pulled in and swept along by the story, the political machinations, the magic, and the love that fueled an uprising.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
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
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Sophie's words were absolute magic! Anastasia by Sophie Lark is a novel that I fell in love with from the very first chapter! I was taken on a journey that I'll probably never forget. It was breathtaking to watch the FMC, Anastasia, go through all these phases in life that you couldn't have predicted in this storyline...while the MMC, Damien, omg, he was just...swoon.