Sunday, July 1, 2012

{Review} The Last Romanov by Dora Levy Mossanen

ISBN #: 978-1402265945
Page Count: 333
Copyright: April 3, 2012
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark


Book Summary:
(Taken from back cover)

In a time of Rasputin's magic and Romanov mystery, a young girl finds herself at the heart of the royal family.

She was an orphan, ushered into the royal palace on the prayers of her majesty. Yet, decades later, her time spent in the embrace of the Romanovs haunts her still. Is she responsible for those murderous events that changed everything?

If only she can find the heir, maybe she can put together the broken pieces of her own past - maybe she can hold on to the love she found.

Bursting to life with the rich and glorious marvels of Imperial Russia, The Last Romanov is a magical tale of second chances and royal blood.


Mandy's Review:

Should you read this book, I would like to make a recommendation: read the Author's Note in the back of the book first. Normally I wouldn't recommend this, but reading it gave me some insight to the story ... which I realized after I had already finished the novel.

I know historical fiction novels are often loosely based on actual events, but this one really drew from the Russian history during this time period. Apparently, there really was a royal family by the name of Romanov ... and their deaths were a mystery.

On July 18, 1991, it was announced that the remains of the Romanovs were discovered after 73 years. Their deaths remained unsolved. Approximately 1,000 bone fragments were exhumed. Only 9 of 11 skulls were discovered, though. It was determined that one of the missing skulls belonged to a Grand Duchess (Tsar Nicholas II's daughter) and the other belonged to Tsarevich Alexei. How did these two escape the executions the rest of the family experienced? Was there divine intervention? Was it a fluke? Thus begins the premise of The Last Romanov.

Ms. Mossanen deftly combines fact and fiction to create a magical world where forbidden love abounds, anarchists are welcomed at the royal palace, a past life is the key to this life's purpose, and magical abilities are necessary for the survival of the Tsarevich. Although a bit long, this is a beautiful story of one woman's dedication to her duty as Tyotia Dasha of the Romanov.


*A physical copy of the book was provided by Goldberg McDuffie in exchange for an honest review.

3 comments:

  1. I love historical fiction .... this cover caught my attention too .... can't wait to read this book now!!!

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  2. The cover is part of the reason why I agreed to review this book - I thought it was beautiful! I still have your address, I'll send you the book. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. REALLY!?!?!?! Awesome!! TY TY TY TY TY!!!!!

    ReplyDelete

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