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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
I enjoyed the authors take, he wrote in the manor I would imagine an actual Russian citizen would feel during this period in history. I enjoyed the authors ode to historical accuracy while still making the story interesting. I felt that the book was good at capturing the spirit of the family as well as the heart of Russia. The book put in words the emotions I felt when I first read about the House of Special Purposes and what occurred there. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy historical novels with modern takes. All in all a wonderful read!
Thought the subject was really interesting, but I did not like the end that much. I thought the book would be much better without the last part.
But still, it was a really interesting book with a really sad story. I'm enthusiastic now to read more about the Russian Tzars.
But still, it was a really interesting book with a really sad story. I'm enthusiastic now to read more about the Russian Tzars.
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Sem palavras!! Cheguei a meio do livro e não o larguei até terminar já de madrugada!
This was okay. The narration tends to jump around a bit, and while I understand that the big climax here isn't exactly a surprise to most people, I still wanted something a little more linear, I guess. There is, effectively, a double twist at the end, and while I didn't mind half of it (her twist), the other half (his twist) really really bothered me, and I felt like it kind of negated the whole book. (Since I try not to leave spoilers, that's all I can say.) Just didn't work for me, in other words. Eh, whatever. I liked all the Russian vocabulary throughout, and the setting was very strong and powerful. I just felt a bit let down by that ending.
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.
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.
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
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
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.
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.
emotional
slow-paced