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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
(4.5⭐️) It took a little over half way through the book to get past the background information, but once I did the world ceased to exist and I didn’t leave my bed until I finished it.
Overall, I really enjoyed this - but you have to remember it's a fantasy!
Let's go one by one.
To begin, I've heard that this isn't very historically accurate. To be fair, I don't know much about this particular history of Russia and the Romanov's - only the basics that most people know. Therefore, I wasn't bothered by any potential misinformation. I would check out some of the reviews here though to get a better look!
This book is LONG. So long I thought it would be hard to read, but it honestly wasn't that bad. I found that I was really immersed in the beginning and end specifically, but the middle dragged a bit. To be honest, I felt like the ending was a bit rushed. I would maybe have shortened the middle areas and added a bit to the ending.
This isn't primarily a romance, even though the romance here is top notch. Damien and Anastasia are literally perfect and I love them. I love how we get to see them grow up together, go through horrible things, and always lean on each other. The biggest chunk of the book is them not together though. These were some things I was confused about: These things are specific & not really related to the relationship itself! Loved them.
My biggest issue was the very end, about part 6, being a whirlwind. I was kind of confused the entire time because literally what was going on. It's hard to talk about here because it would spoil the entire thing, but if you've read it I'd love to hear if you felt confused as well!
Overall this is a great fantasy book. It's not necessarily a retelling of Anastasia and her life. It's a fantasy book set in a fantasy world in which there's magic and the Romanov's are alive.
Let's go one by one.
To begin, I've heard that this isn't very historically accurate. To be fair, I don't know much about this particular history of Russia and the Romanov's - only the basics that most people know. Therefore, I wasn't bothered by any potential misinformation. I would check out some of the reviews here though to get a better look!
This book is LONG. So long I thought it would be hard to read, but it honestly wasn't that bad. I found that I was really immersed in the beginning and end specifically, but the middle dragged a bit. To be honest, I felt like the ending was a bit rushed. I would maybe have shortened the middle areas and added a bit to the ending.
This isn't primarily a romance, even though the romance here is top notch. Damien and Anastasia are literally perfect and I love them. I love how we get to see them grow up together, go through horrible things, and always lean on each other. The biggest chunk of the book is them not together though. These were some things I was confused about:
Spoiler
what made them drawn to each other? how was Anastasia able to touch him? like them being 'made for each other' confused me because it wasn't explained. And on another note I was actually so sad that Damien didn't come back in time. To that end, Anastasia convincing Damien to fight at the end when he was grieving his dad was a huge wtf is going on moment for me. I really felt like we were told how Damien's feelings changed rather than shown.My biggest issue was the very end, about part 6, being a whirlwind. I was kind of confused the entire time because literally what was going on.
Spoiler
like how did they go back in time? that was never explained.Overall this is a great fantasy book. It's not necessarily a retelling of Anastasia and her life. It's a fantasy book set in a fantasy world in which there's magic and the Romanov's are alive.
Holy gosh. I just finished this book and I have no words. I didn’t think I would ever be interested in Russian royalty or history bot Sophie unlocked a new part of my brain. I spent the last few days reading this because Life takes over like always but anytime I could take a few moments to read this book I did. I loved Anastasia as a character and holy shit did I love Damien. Damien was
Its not super spicy, but the slow burn and plot had me trapped to my tablet! As soon as the love interests met up? I was hooked. The little Easter eggs from the movie I'd loved growing up? Icing on the cake. So excited that this was the first read of the new year. It’s long and again- a slow burn. There’s a whole world being built here. A lot of people want it to be immediate. But I think it’s SO much better being realistically paced. Especially for enemies to lovers.
Sophie Lark has done it again continuously proving why she is one of my insta-buy authors! Anastasia was such a beautiful story with just enough world building and plot but not too much that it gets boring or you get lost in the descriptions. Anastasia and Damien have an instant connection and the more they try to fight it the stronger is becomes. Their power’s synergizes off of each other and it’s so awesome how they learn how to control their powers together. The last quarter of the book had me on the edge of my seat. That plot twist I didn’t expect to happen at all. It did leave me longing for another world (if you know you know) but it was truly so well done I am in awe how Sophie’s brain can portray such complex events and weave together a beautiful story time after time. I’m excited to see what other books she’s going to have placed in this world.
I did not expect to fall in love with this book the way I did. I’m definitely a history lover and a fantasy junkie but not so much a romance gal. I thought I’d like it, sure. But I was entranced. The blend of history and fantasy was seamless and I’m here for it.
At the same time it made me sad because I know the actual history. So I could feel my heart breaking when the story deviated from history because I know where and what the end actually is.
This follows the story of Anastasia, last of the Romanov princesses and youngest child of Russia’s Tsar Nicholas. It takes us thru her childhood all the way to the beginnings of the Bolshevik revolution. In the shadows lurks Rasputin, whispering in the ears of the Romanov family, bewitching them with his uncanny ability to heal their sickest child. But in this version, magic is in the air and in the people. How will that change the outcome of history?
A love story, a tragedy, and a ray of hope all rolled into one.
I absolutely loved the artwork in this book. I felt like it really added to the story.
I also thought the inclusion of not only a recommended reading playlist but the inclusion of suggestions about where to listen to which song in the actual book was inspired. It can change the way you feel about certain scenes, help you feel the emotions of the characters.
At the same time it made me sad because I know the actual history. So I could feel my heart breaking when the story deviated from history because I know where and what the end actually is.
This follows the story of Anastasia, last of the Romanov princesses and youngest child of Russia’s Tsar Nicholas. It takes us thru her childhood all the way to the beginnings of the Bolshevik revolution. In the shadows lurks Rasputin, whispering in the ears of the Romanov family, bewitching them with his uncanny ability to heal their sickest child. But in this version, magic is in the air and in the people. How will that change the outcome of history?
A love story, a tragedy, and a ray of hope all rolled into one.
I absolutely loved the artwork in this book. I felt like it really added to the story.
I also thought the inclusion of not only a recommended reading playlist but the inclusion of suggestions about where to listen to which song in the actual book was inspired. It can change the way you feel about certain scenes, help you feel the emotions of the characters.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-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
3,5⭐️
I know I enjoyed this book but I’ll be honest with you. I could not retain a single thing from it. I just finished it and if you asked me to describe it to you, I wouldn’t be able to do it.
The first half of the book was a bit tough to get into but as the story goes on, it flows easily and you don’t even notice the time passing by.
The book itself is beautiful. It has art throughout the chapters that give the reader a better image of what is currently happening in the plot. I really liked that.
This is my last read of 2022, so it will be special in its own way.
I know I enjoyed this book but I’ll be honest with you. I could not retain a single thing from it. I just finished it and if you asked me to describe it to you, I wouldn’t be able to do it.
The first half of the book was a bit tough to get into but as the story goes on, it flows easily and you don’t even notice the time passing by.
The book itself is beautiful. It has art throughout the chapters that give the reader a better image of what is currently happening in the plot. I really liked that.
This is my last read of 2022, so it will be special in its own way.