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A review by irinak
The Tsarina's Daughter by Ellen Alpsten
4.0
4.5 stars.
I got an eARC on Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review. And given I loved Ellen Alpsten's debut, Tsarina, I had no doubt I'd also love the sequel, this time centering on Elizabeth, Catherine I's daughter, who also eventually became Tsarina. I'll admit the first 30-40% of this story was a little slow for me, but we go full speed in the intrigues surrounding Peter II than Anna Ivanovna's courts, with Elizabeth being in constant danger for her life and freedom. Alpsten's knowledge of Russian history and culture shines through, as always, and she even adds in some supernatural elements in this that thankfully aren't too out of place, serving as foreshadowing for the story and which ends up being rewarding for the reader when the prophecies come to pass.
Another small downside is that I noticed a few typos here and there, but given the copy I was provided was an uncorrected version, I don't doubt they won't be there there anymore when we get the published version.
All in all, I really enjoyed this and I can't wait for the 3rd and final book in the series - fingers crossed it'll be about Catherine the Great!
I got an eARC on Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review. And given I loved Ellen Alpsten's debut, Tsarina, I had no doubt I'd also love the sequel, this time centering on Elizabeth, Catherine I's daughter, who also eventually became Tsarina. I'll admit the first 30-40% of this story was a little slow for me, but we go full speed in the intrigues surrounding Peter II than Anna Ivanovna's courts, with Elizabeth being in constant danger for her life and freedom. Alpsten's knowledge of Russian history and culture shines through, as always, and she even adds in some supernatural elements in this that thankfully aren't too out of place, serving as foreshadowing for the story and which ends up being rewarding for the reader when the prophecies come to pass.
Another small downside is that I noticed a few typos here and there, but given the copy I was provided was an uncorrected version, I don't doubt they won't be there there anymore when we get the published version.
All in all, I really enjoyed this and I can't wait for the 3rd and final book in the series - fingers crossed it'll be about Catherine the Great!