Reviews

The Kitchen Boy: A Novel of the Last Tsar by Robert Alexander

gothiclibrarian's review against another edition

Pretty much everyone knows the story of the Romanov dynasty and how it ended tragically, or has at least some idea of the mystery surrounding Anastasia for most of the last century. This story doesn't center around Anastasia but there is a great amount of mystery in this story.

Having not read anything from this period before it was quite interesting and I’m glad I took the chance on it. My friend Christa of Hooked on Books recommended this author. This book was well researched and took some great risks as it explored a survival theory.

While the pacing of the novel was a little slow at times, the ending was amazing and it will BLOW YOUR MIND!! I thought I knew how things were going to end, but I was so far off it was ridiculous.

I learned a lot of things about this era and am going to have to do more research to find out if things in the novel were really true. I find it hard to believe that a family who were basically being held prisoner by rebels would have been so accommodating and good natured. I may have a new favorite genre.

There are some very gruesome scenes near the end of the book, which should be expected considering the circumstances. However, if are disinclined to very descriptive, graphic scenes, you would probably want to skip those scenes. I was a little shocked by the descriptions, and I was expecting the outcome. However, I would read more about the Romanov’s as well as more from this author.

ireitlitam's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

book_concierge's review against another edition

3.0

This is good historical fiction - at least up until the ending.
Leonka is the kitchen boy to Tsar Nicholas and Tsaritsa Alexandra. He eventually witnesses the slaughter of the Romanov family. This is obviously well-researched, and it's a fascinating glimpse into the life - in exile - of the Romanovs and the forces that brought them down.

But I thought the ending was contrived ... too bad.

Book club # 1 read it in January 2005; Book club #2 chose it in Oct 2005 - I didn't re-read it.

crazyredhead4's review against another edition

emotional slow-paced

2.5

jficele's review

adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

gabmc's review against another edition

3.0

Conspiracy theories abound on whether all the Romanovs were killed on the night of July 16 1918. This book contains amazing research, including excerpts of letters from the royal family as they spent their final days under house arrest in Yekaterinburg, Russia. The book is told from the perspective of the kitchen boy, Leonka, who was in captivity with the Romanovs. Eight decades after that fateful night in 1918, Leonka himself dies. He leaves behind a recording of his life story for his grand-daughter and she must decide what to do with his legacy. I really enjoyed this book - the peek into the lives of the Romanov family in their last days was beautifully told.

the_dire_raven's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad 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

4.5

inesnow's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense 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? No

4.25

mschrock8's review against another edition

1.0

Slow, slow, slow. I struggled to get through.

meme_too2's review against another edition

2.0

I'm a big fan of anything having to do with Nicholas and Alexandra. A harmless sweet book. It doesn't come from facts, so it's not quite as interesting as it could be.