Romanov | ARC Review – Fiction No Chaser

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By: Nadine Brandes

Standalone | 352 Pages | May 7, 2019

Romanov at a Glance

Overall Rating: ★★★★
Heroine: JUST USE THE DOLL!
Dude: Not the most logical thinker
Accuracy: Right on! (Minus the spells)
Brutality: *bursts into tears*

Pairs Well With

Vodka

Review

Thank you to Harper Collins and Eidelweiss for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Most of us know the cartoon version of Anastasia, not the historical version. At least that was the case for me. Prior to reading this book, I decided to do a little research of my own and read what is believed to be the historical account of the Romanovs. You do not have to do that to love this book, but if you enjoy historical fiction, I think you will appreciate how the true story translates into this novel.

I adored this book. Nastya (Anastasia) is a strong heroine, who is much more forgiving than I. She loves her family and tries to stick to her father’s ideal of being kind to everyone, even those who are hurting you. The Romanovs have been exiled and placed in confinement in Siberia. There we see how the family adjusts to living not as royals, but as prisoners. They befriend the guards to an extent and seem to enjoy their lives, even confined to Siberia.

Nastya looks for spell ink to create spells, which she learned from Rasputin. Primarily, she uses these to heal and help her brother Alexi, who has hemophilia. Here we find the fantastical weaved in with the historical. There is little spell-weaving until the end and the majority of the book is pretty true to history. I was very impressed with how well this “fantasy” clung to the actual events, down to character names and locations.

We do get a minor love story. While Nastya and Zash’s friendship is strained due to being on opposite sides of the war, it developed naturally. I have some issues with how things ended up, but I am keeping that to myself so that I don’t spoil! Nastya’s fierceness comes through the entirety of the book, but Zash truly brings it out in her. His presence toughens her in the best way and I loved that about the two of them.