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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
"Even if you see how dark the world can be ... choose to believe it could be better."
Wow what a story! I'll admit I was intimidated by the length of this book and after completing it I understand the need for all the details. You wouldn't be able to appreciate everything Anastasia went through if you didn't know where she was coming from.
This might be an unpopular opinion but I almost didn't need all the steamy moments between Damien and Anastasia. I was so swept up in everything else pertaining to their story that it almost felt odd added in. Their love was definitely there and felt throughout especially when reunited. I am always down for steamy moments so I'm conflicted here.
But don't let anything I say deter you from opening this book and immersing yourself in this story. It's magical and heartbreaking one that will stay with you for a lifetime.
Wow what a story! I'll admit I was intimidated by the length of this book and after completing it I understand the need for all the details. You wouldn't be able to appreciate everything Anastasia went through if you didn't know where she was coming from.
This might be an unpopular opinion but I almost didn't need all the steamy moments between Damien and Anastasia. I was so swept up in everything else pertaining to their story that it almost felt odd added in. Their love was definitely there and felt throughout especially when reunited. I am always down for steamy moments so I'm conflicted here.
But don't let anything I say deter you from opening this book and immersing yourself in this story. It's magical and heartbreaking one that will stay with you for a lifetime.
First off, a shout-out to the artist of the stunning illustrations on the book, it made it bearable and a little bit better.
Anastasia was one of my most anticipated releases and it pains me to say that it wasn't what I expected. I love Sophie Lark but this one was a miss for me.
Characters - Starting off with the characters, we follow Anastasia throughout her life, from 11yo to her early twenties I think, it wasn't mentioned how old exactly was she when the book ended and with that plot twist at end I'm not sure.
Point is, I liked Anastasia but I wanted to slap the girl more than once. As a kid she was the cliché princess who doesn't want to be one, acting like a boy but still as spoiled and selfish as any other princess.
I grew to like her at the end specially on the last 300 pages( we're coming to how long this is later). Her personal growth admirable, I liked a lot how the author developed her character from the spoiled brat to a capable woman.
Next up, we have Damien. The Cossack boy who was forced away from his family by the Tsar, Anastasia's father, only to find a ( supposedly) great friend on Anastasia. With how long this book is you'd think I'd know everything there's to know about him but even having his POVes I still feel like I don't know him. He's still an enigma to me, I would've loved to see some flashbacks from his life in the wilds with his family, his struggles with his power because yes, they were mentioned more than once but never showed how he came to accept them or when he first realized he had that kind of power. I would've also loved to see glimpses from his relationship with his father, that man who seemed love Damien to no end and would sacrifice anything for him but sadly, was barely on scene three times and on passing. So, it's understandable that I didn't care much for our hero.
Then we've got Rasputin, a man that I refuse to put on the side characters category. He had more presence than Damien himself and was the most intriguing character in the whole book. A mysterious man who calles himself a sorcerer and who charmed all Rusya with his magnetism. I spent the better part of the book trying to figure him out, is he as selfless as he claims to be or a wolf in sheep's clothing? Needless to be said, he was my favorite character in the book regardless of the ending.
We've got a lot of side characters, Anastasia's siblings, parents, aunts and uncles, friends and so on. In my opinion the best executed part of the book were the characters because Damien apart, Miss Lark managed to breath life to all of them and give each and everyone a unique personality that makes them in some way or another unforgettable.
Writing and atmosphere - I've read Miss Lark's Birthright series and although they were not the best that I've read and some were better than others, it's one of the few series that I still remember so I wasn't surprised when she came up with an amazing atmosphere for Anastasia, the writing was on point, the descriptions so realistic and vivid that I felt the cold of St. Petersburg in my bones and the action scenes breath taking.
Intrigue, plot and logic - And now comes the reason why I didn't give the book a higher rate.
The book is around 700 pages( kindle edition) and if we take the illustrations we're left with about 600 pages of story( call me crazy but I did count them) so how, someone explain to me how, the plot was nearly non-existent. Half the time I felt stuck reading it because nothing was happening and the progress was so slow that I wanted to bang my head with the closest wall.
Is it supposed to be focused on the romance? Because I didn't see any. There's a couple of interactions throughout the years and then off scene letters between the MCs that we were showed a couple of them that were as bland as they can get and then there's the big reunion that left me unimpressed. I don't know if it's a me problem but the chemistry between the MCs was below zero. Thank God for the illustrations, at least there I could see something.
Or was it supposed to be focused on the political side? Those were a mess of glimpses of events here and there until the big revolution and war. I wish it were focused on them because the little bit that I got was really interesting.
Then we've got the magic side. Original? No but for someone writing fantasy for the first time, the magic system was solid even if I wish it had a bigger part of the story. True, there was more towards the end but still, the first half was painfully slow and dull.
One last aspect of the plot was the plot twist at the end. It was going so good, I was so invested by then and loving where it was headed and how it could've ended but then boom! change of plans. It's hard to explain without giving any spoilers but I wanted to scream my frustration to the sky then. I would've liked it better if it continued on that path because after that nothing was the same. That's why the logic side of the book is so low rated because seriously? Was that the only solution to give Anastasia a happy ending?
Enjoyment - Surprisingly( or not), I did enjoy it for the most part, ups and downs, frustration, boredom and excitement all were packed in here.
Characters - 8; Atmosphere - 7; Writing - 7; Plot - 4.5; Intrigue - 6; Logic - 4; Enjoyment - 6
Anastasia was one of my most anticipated releases and it pains me to say that it wasn't what I expected. I love Sophie Lark but this one was a miss for me.
Characters - Starting off with the characters, we follow Anastasia throughout her life, from 11yo to her early twenties I think, it wasn't mentioned how old exactly was she when the book ended and with that plot twist at end I'm not sure.
Point is, I liked Anastasia but I wanted to slap the girl more than once. As a kid she was the cliché princess who doesn't want to be one, acting like a boy but still as spoiled and selfish as any other princess.
I grew to like her at the end specially on the last 300 pages( we're coming to how long this is later). Her personal growth admirable, I liked a lot how the author developed her character from the spoiled brat to a capable woman.
Next up, we have Damien. The Cossack boy who was forced away from his family by the Tsar, Anastasia's father, only to find a ( supposedly) great friend on Anastasia. With how long this book is you'd think I'd know everything there's to know about him but even having his POVes I still feel like I don't know him. He's still an enigma to me, I would've loved to see some flashbacks from his life in the wilds with his family, his struggles with his power because yes, they were mentioned more than once but never showed how he came to accept them or when he first realized he had that kind of power. I would've also loved to see glimpses from his relationship with his father, that man who seemed love Damien to no end and would sacrifice anything for him but sadly, was barely on scene three times and on passing. So, it's understandable that I didn't care much for our hero.
Then we've got Rasputin, a man that I refuse to put on the side characters category. He had more presence than Damien himself and was the most intriguing character in the whole book. A mysterious man who calles himself a sorcerer and who charmed all Rusya with his magnetism. I spent the better part of the book trying to figure him out, is he as selfless as he claims to be or a wolf in sheep's clothing? Needless to be said, he was my favorite character in the book regardless of the ending.
We've got a lot of side characters, Anastasia's siblings, parents, aunts and uncles, friends and so on. In my opinion the best executed part of the book were the characters because Damien apart, Miss Lark managed to breath life to all of them and give each and everyone a unique personality that makes them in some way or another unforgettable.
Writing and atmosphere - I've read Miss Lark's Birthright series and although they were not the best that I've read and some were better than others, it's one of the few series that I still remember so I wasn't surprised when she came up with an amazing atmosphere for Anastasia, the writing was on point, the descriptions so realistic and vivid that I felt the cold of St. Petersburg in my bones and the action scenes breath taking.
Intrigue, plot and logic - And now comes the reason why I didn't give the book a higher rate.
The book is around 700 pages( kindle edition) and if we take the illustrations we're left with about 600 pages of story( call me crazy but I did count them) so how, someone explain to me how, the plot was nearly non-existent. Half the time I felt stuck reading it because nothing was happening and the progress was so slow that I wanted to bang my head with the closest wall.
Is it supposed to be focused on the romance? Because I didn't see any. There's a couple of interactions throughout the years and then off scene letters between the MCs that we were showed a couple of them that were as bland as they can get and then there's the big reunion that left me unimpressed. I don't know if it's a me problem but the chemistry between the MCs was below zero. Thank God for the illustrations, at least there I could see something.
Or was it supposed to be focused on the political side? Those were a mess of glimpses of events here and there until the big revolution and war. I wish it were focused on them because the little bit that I got was really interesting.
Then we've got the magic side. Original? No but for someone writing fantasy for the first time, the magic system was solid even if I wish it had a bigger part of the story. True, there was more towards the end but still, the first half was painfully slow and dull.
One last aspect of the plot was the plot twist at the end. It was going so good, I was so invested by then and loving where it was headed and how it could've ended but then boom! change of plans. It's hard to explain without giving any spoilers but I wanted to scream my frustration to the sky then. I would've liked it better if it continued on that path because after that nothing was the same. That's why the logic side of the book is so low rated because seriously? Was that the only solution to give Anastasia a happy ending?
Enjoyment - Surprisingly( or not), I did enjoy it for the most part, ups and downs, frustration, boredom and excitement all were packed in here.
Characters - 8; Atmosphere - 7; Writing - 7; Plot - 4.5; Intrigue - 6; Logic - 4; Enjoyment - 6
i am SPEECHLESS! this is so unlike anything else sophie has published but it was INCREDIBLE. she has this incredible talent for creating a story that is both transformative and immersive. these characters were so well written. and the plot was SO well developed. this is a dark fantasy with enemies to lovers, forbidden lovers, absolute soulmateism vibes. it didn’t feel like a retelling… it was completely reimagined. she’s a fucking genius. i can’t even create coherent thoughts because i just finished it and i’m reeling. don’t get me started on the illustrations. they add so much to the reading experience… i think anyone who’s a lover of sophie’s books or the fantasy genre in general would LOVE THIS! but full review will be posted on my instagram soon. (as if i didn’t just babble enough
Anastasia is the princess of Romanovs no one needs , and Rasputin is shown the villian to royality . Anastasia the fourth daughter born to an emperor without a son, and the only royal lacking a magical gift.Until she collides with a young Cossack rebel, changing both their lives forever. Anastasia’s death was so tragic, author wanted to give her another life.
This book is not a retelling of any other Anastasia story. It’s set in 1919 in a world similar to ours, but with magic. This is author fantasy of the happy ending Anastasia deserved. Not because she was a Romanov, but because she was a human. According to author , all of us deserve the happy ending.
“Anastasia” is an epic enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance. It is intended for mature readers and contains spicy scenes not suitable for all age groups.
Damien is taken from everything he knows and raised as a ward of the Romanovs.
Anastasia develops a strange kind of magic shared only by the Black Monk Rasputin.
While her power grows in secret, boosted by forbidden contact with Damien, Anastasia makes a mistake with terrible consequences.
Now Fate grants her a single chance to set it right as she went to future and research about Romanovs what happened after she disappeared and she try to changes things in future but Rasputin came behind her and he try to stop her from doing any changes in history but to save what she lost when she disappeared may cost everything she loves as new person in America
This book is not a retelling of any other Anastasia story. It’s set in 1919 in a world similar to ours, but with magic. This is author fantasy of the happy ending Anastasia deserved. Not because she was a Romanov, but because she was a human. According to author , all of us deserve the happy ending.
“Anastasia” is an epic enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance. It is intended for mature readers and contains spicy scenes not suitable for all age groups.
Damien is taken from everything he knows and raised as a ward of the Romanovs.
Anastasia develops a strange kind of magic shared only by the Black Monk Rasputin.
While her power grows in secret, boosted by forbidden contact with Damien, Anastasia makes a mistake with terrible consequences.
Now Fate grants her a single chance to set it right as she went to future and research about Romanovs what happened after she disappeared and she try to changes things in future but Rasputin came behind her and he try to stop her from doing any changes in history but to save what she lost when she disappeared may cost everything she loves as new person in America
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I feel really sad that this adventure has come to an end. I had high expectations for this book and although the ending was not what I was expecting, I think it was executed well. The book kept many of the historical traits intact, which I appreciated. It was necessary to show the other side of the Romanovs, and this book did an excellent job of doing that. I found the portrayal of Rasputin as an enemy to be incredible, and the inclusion of special creatures like werewolves and the King Wolf made it a great fantasy read. The book started out a bit slow, which is typical for a fantasy book as it needs to establish the world-building and magic system, but once I got to about halfway through, it became easier to read. It took me longer than I expected to finish due to a busy schedule this month, but I'm glad I did.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
hopeful
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:
Complicated
Sophie Lark 100% delivers in her slow burn fantasy retelling of Anastasia.
"I'm not a hero. But when I'm with you I believe I could be."
Sophie is an absolutely amazing storyteller, and I was invested in every single moment in Anastasia and Damien's lives from start to finish. Their respective families and friends too. Plus, this is the story of Anastasia so there is the deeply woven mystery of Rasputin.
"I lost my hope...and I found it again in you."
You do not want to miss out on Anastasia! The emotions, the action, the magic and the love. Sophie delivered on all of it.
"I'm not a hero. But when I'm with you I believe I could be."
Sophie is an absolutely amazing storyteller, and I was invested in every single moment in Anastasia and Damien's lives from start to finish. Their respective families and friends too. Plus, this is the story of Anastasia so there is the deeply woven mystery of Rasputin.
"I lost my hope...and I found it again in you."
You do not want to miss out on Anastasia! The emotions, the action, the magic and the love. Sophie delivered on all of it.