You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
Unique take on this story! I really liked the direction she took it, enjoyed the romance, and enjoyed the action. Loved listening to the playlist as I read. I did find some parts rather repetitive.
Absolutely not what I expected. If you go into this expecting romance and your typical enemies to lovers/forbidden romance, you will be gravely disappointed. This was historical fiction with a tiny subplot of romance. The first 60% had me struggling. Don't get me wrong, the writing is fantastic. It was just very historical and not all what I read. I considered DNF at about 30% to realize I was already 300 pages deep and had to commit. I'm glad I did! The last 40% of the book had my undevided attention, and I couldn't get through it fast enough. I loved the growth and character development for Anastasia. I would not consider this an enemies to lovers. I feel like they were barely enemies as they spoke to one and danced together right off the bat. --- even the characters themselves say so too.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
I really enjoyed this because I am able to separate the true life history of the Romanovs from this fictional retelling. After reading some of the other reviews for this book, it's clear that not everyone can do this.
This is a 4.5/5 for me. The magic system is interesting, but it's not clear why everyone has magic. They just do. And they all have different magic, except for Anastasia and her dad. It's tragic, as it should be, but the HEA ending was a bit over the top. All the main characters got what they wanted (land, titles, etc) and it didn't negatively impact anyone? Hmm.
That said I found the story to be captivating and the plot moved along at a steady pace. Rasputin is the perfect villain. I put it down for a week and forgot who was who but that's the curse of Russian fiction. I highly recommend it.
This is a 4.5/5 for me. The magic system is interesting, but it's not clear why everyone has magic. They just do. And they all have different magic, except for Anastasia and her dad. It's tragic, as it should be, but the HEA ending was a bit over the top. All the main characters got what they wanted (land, titles, etc) and it didn't negatively impact anyone? Hmm.
That said I found the story to be captivating and the plot moved along at a steady pace. Rasputin is the perfect villain. I put it down for a week and forgot who was who but that's the curse of Russian fiction. I highly recommend it.
I feel like I needed some time to gather my thoughts and now that I have… holy crap. I could honestly write my graduate thesis on how resilient Sophie is and how much I adore her but let’s talk about her strongest piece of work yet, Anastasia.
I was absolutely enchanted by this magical story. The art that hid inside the pages is ethereal. The world building was insanely visual and I couldn’t put this one down. It is a long one but I ate up every single word.
Anastasia is an absolute animal. She is a powerhouse. Strong and resilient just like Sophie. She had unconditional love and hope. She never gave up. And she absolutely reminded me of myself. Defending anyone she loves and becoming a wild child while she does it.
Damien. Our rational man. He has seen so much pain. His words were as painful as they were heartwarming. He is one of those characters you just never forget.
They were perfect together and I am honestly at a loss of words to be able to summarize their bond. This was a roller coaster of emotions. I cried and laughed and cried some more.
Sophie did something so so beautiful here and I cannot wait for you to join in on the magic.
I was absolutely enchanted by this magical story. The art that hid inside the pages is ethereal. The world building was insanely visual and I couldn’t put this one down. It is a long one but I ate up every single word.
Anastasia is an absolute animal. She is a powerhouse. Strong and resilient just like Sophie. She had unconditional love and hope. She never gave up. And she absolutely reminded me of myself. Defending anyone she loves and becoming a wild child while she does it.
Damien. Our rational man. He has seen so much pain. His words were as painful as they were heartwarming. He is one of those characters you just never forget.
They were perfect together and I am honestly at a loss of words to be able to summarize their bond. This was a roller coaster of emotions. I cried and laughed and cried some more.
Sophie did something so so beautiful here and I cannot wait for you to join in on the magic.
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book wasn’t awful nor was it phenomenal. In certain areas it was very long-winded.
As someone who was unfamiliar with the story of Anastasia and the Romanavs, the ending is different than the actual history — which the author does state in the beginning. Overall I think there was too much going on in the plot and not enough thorough world building and explanation of the fantasy aspect.
As someone who was unfamiliar with the story of Anastasia and the Romanavs, the ending is different than the actual history — which the author does state in the beginning. Overall I think there was too much going on in the plot and not enough thorough world building and explanation of the fantasy aspect.
This is a dnf but I want credit for the 338/849 pages I read ✌️
I very nearly DNFed this but I had bought the audio so I wanted to get the most of my money
This book reads like fanfic. You know the kind that’s like 70 chapters on fanfiction.net and was written in 2008 with each chapter corresponding to a song? Yeah. Why else would this book in 2023 be published with song intermissions.
I’ve always been interested in the mystery of Anastasia and the history of the Russian revolution. It’s weird how one event has caused this domino effect into what we have today. The USSR started at the downfall of the imperial family, which means the iron curtain and Chernobyl and WW2 and so many other events have their hands in the post-tsarist Russia.
Would I recommend this book if you have looked into Russian history or have any non-movie knowledge of the Romanov family?
No
There is a massive difference between creative liberties when writing fantasy based off real history and just poor research. This was poor research.
Don’t get me wrong. Sophie Lark is an engaging writer. I have nothing against the writing of this book. I have something against the poor research.
So I’ve made a list of points about this book that gave me the ick with no context whatsoever.
1. A Cossack named Damien??
2. A train that could go 78 ‘mph’
3. HALSEY??
4. Stassie isn’t a fucking diminutive name. Neither is Ollie.
5. The names here are fucking crazy did this author so any research into Russian names and nicknames.
6. Anastasia isn’t a ‘Tsarina’.
7. ‘Grandma Minnie’ what the fuck that isn’t Russian nor Danish.
8. Ella and Tom sure sure. Those are definitely Russian names.
9. Olga was 22 not 23 when she died. Google is free.
10. “I could see it bound up in a mass, heavy and flaming brighter even than the brilliant scarlet robes swirling on the dancers.” Anastasia wasn’t a redhead.
11. I’m sorry but Anastasia as a teenager in 1917 Russia collecting records and a gramophone?? This is giving 2016 tumble girl.
12. Why the fuck is Rasputin drawn as some hot Swedish guy. He’s literally as attractive as some fucking foot fungus.
13. Rasputin having a bat? Was watching the movie the only research done on this book?
14. Ok so if Anastasia is 16 and she’s recounting Bloody Sunday, how on earth did the actual event happen in 1905 get confused for 1917? Trick question. Answer is poor research.
15. How is Anastasia just being let into dead women’s houses?
16. Literally nothing about the fashion or the hair is historically accurate. Grecian style? Hello?
17. Ah yes a joint royal wedding. Just like the biblically accurate Barbie: princess and the pauper
18.
I’ve always been interested in the mystery of Anastasia and the history of the Russian revolution. It’s weird how one event has caused this domino effect into what we have today. The USSR started at the downfall of the imperial family, which means the iron curtain and Chernobyl and WW2 and so many other events have their hands in the post-tsarist Russia.
Would I recommend this book if you have looked into Russian history or have any non-movie knowledge of the Romanov family?
No
There is a massive difference between creative liberties when writing fantasy based off real history and just poor research. This was poor research.
Don’t get me wrong. Sophie Lark is an engaging writer. I have nothing against the writing of this book. I have something against the poor research.
So I’ve made a list of points about this book that gave me the ick with no context whatsoever.
1. A Cossack named Damien??
2. A train that could go 78 ‘mph’
3. HALSEY??
4. Stassie isn’t a fucking diminutive name. Neither is Ollie.
5. The names here are fucking crazy did this author so any research into Russian names and nicknames.
6. Anastasia isn’t a ‘Tsarina’.
7. ‘Grandma Minnie’ what the fuck that isn’t Russian nor Danish.
8. Ella and Tom sure sure. Those are definitely Russian names.
9. Olga was 22 not 23 when she died. Google is free.
10. “I could see it bound up in a mass, heavy and flaming brighter even than the brilliant scarlet robes swirling on the dancers.” Anastasia wasn’t a redhead.
11. I’m sorry but Anastasia as a teenager in 1917 Russia collecting records and a gramophone?? This is giving 2016 tumble girl.
12. Why the fuck is Rasputin drawn as some hot Swedish guy. He’s literally as attractive as some fucking foot fungus.
13. Rasputin having a bat? Was watching the movie the only research done on this book?
14. Ok so if Anastasia is 16 and she’s recounting Bloody Sunday, how on earth did the actual event happen in 1905 get confused for 1917? Trick question. Answer is poor research.
15. How is Anastasia just being let into dead women’s houses?
16. Literally nothing about the fashion or the hair is historically accurate. Grecian style? Hello?
17. Ah yes a joint royal wedding. Just like the biblically accurate Barbie: princess and the pauper
18.