I didn't know a story could be so heartbreaking and yet so beautiful and powerful all at once. Brandes has blended the tragedy and trauma of the history we all know with the magic we want to believe in. Personally, my favorite arc in this story was the brother/sister relationship. That tore out my heart, stamped on it, made me cry and then left me grinning like a fool.

On the downside, the cover seems to promise that we'll see a glimpse of the daydream that was Imperial Russian before the Revolution as well, but the plot fell very short of that leaving the pacing a little too "constantly intense." So this book is not for the binge-reading (unless you simply have no heart).

But over all, Romanov, with its themes of forgiveness and new beginnings, is definitely a classic in the making that will stay with readers long after the last word has been read.

(I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. Seriously Netgalley, why decline me then just randomly send me the file weeks later. That did nothing for my dignity in the presence of nonbookworms.)

Ohhhhhhhh hell yes! I love Russia, I love fantasy, I love the Romanovs - This book had them all! Helped by good writing and romance, I want MOOOOORE! Also, like, a good plot is everything and this was that!!

Interesting bit of historical fiction. I know nothing about the Romanovs and was still able to follow without a problem. I think anyone who likes historical fiction would enjoy it. I found the family to be compelling and I enjoyed the magical element.

I highly recommend Romanov. It is an awesome and fascinating read. I am giving it a well deserved five plus stars.

First of all, I'm not too familiar with the story of Anastasia. So, I went on Wikipedia to read about her and the family. I'm glad I didn't know too much beforehand, so I could enter the authors world fully. I'm surprised by how close the first half of the book is to the story I read there. At the end of the book the author also explains which events have really happened and the things that are fictional. This is a great addition!

That said, I love the story so much! The addition of a little magic is what the story needed. The characters are all inspirational and are well, good characters. The book drew me in and I just couldn't put it down.

It can be a little graphic though, with a little violence included. It's described well, so if you're easily triggered, well here's a warning for that.

I will definately be rereading this one in the future.

First Thoughts
I am now fully invested in the story that Anastasia “Nastya” Romanov and Alexei Romanov survived the brutal killing of their entire family. Now normally I am not really into conspiracy theories and all that, but damn, this book has me convinced. Even if it is slightly unrealistic.

Moving on to my first thoughts on the actual book (by the way, let me know if you guys like this new layout for reviews!), I fully enjoyed it. I was fully invested in Natasya's story from page one. Having the story being written in first person helped to feel every feeling Natasya felt and become fully immersed in the book. I felt this dull ache in my heart because I know what happens to this family and it just breaks my heart into a million pieces. I felt her frustration at being imprisoned and the lies that she had to listen to everyday about her family and Rasputin (although I’m not entirely sold on Rasputin and I don’t think I’ll ever be).

The Characters
As I mentioned about, Natasya was the main character and her story was told in first person. We experienced everything through her eyes. I loved Natasya, simply put. She was just like every teenager with a love for books and mischief. She sometimes acted snotty and selfish but most of the time, she had a good heart. She just wanted to save her family and that is something I can get behind in a character. I appreciated the fact that she doesn't use her royalty status as an excuse to act like a brat. I feel like Natsya and I could have been great friends.

I liked the added twist that she was interested in spellwork, which is not something I have seen in various “Anastasia is alive” interpretations. This little twist made the book stand out ot me in a interesting way. I wasn’t super sure if I liked it or not but regardless, I enjoyed it. It brought something new to the table.

The Plot
Okay, so the plot veered in a direction that I wasn’t expecting. I am not entirely sure if I was on board with it. To me, it felt very rushed toward the end. The big event, which if you know what happens to the Romanov family, you could probably guess, happened 70% into the book. Which mean the book only had 30% to get wrapped up nicely. As far as I know, there is no sequel to this book. Don’t get me wrong, I liked (well as much as one can like reading about prisoners) reading about the Romanovs being held prisoner but after a while, I just wanted the story to really start progressing.
After the event, things happened so rapidly, it made my head spin. Everything had been slow and methodical up until that point. Then just turbo drive. Things also happened a bit too conveniently. There was so much angst and question in the beginning, I wanted that to continue. I guess I am just a sucker for struggle.

The Writing
The writing was beautiful but simplistic. It was very easy to read which, at times, I dont think is a bad thing. Sometimes I just want to get invested in the story and not try to decipher was is being said. That is really all to say about the writing.

Trigger Warnings
There are two main trigger warnings with this book. They are death and severe illness. The author kept Alexei's hemophilia, which I appreciated. The death comes from a soldier getting shot and of course the Romanov massacre.

Final Thoughts
Overall, this was a great book, despite the rather rushed ending. It reignited my interest in Russian history again. I have a book about Nicholas and Alexandra (written by my favorite biographer, Robert K Massie) that I will be reading soon. This was a perfect taster into the Romanov world.

As for recommendations, I recommend this very highly. You don’t have to know Russian history or the history of the Romanovs to enjoy this book. I think those who enjoy a well written story would enjoy this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing! My arc request was initially declined on Netgalley, but a couple of months later I received an email from the author giving me access to it (??), so either way I am grateful. Thank you!

Any time I can find a retelling of Anastasia I am all for it. Nadine definitely did her homework as she mixed real, historical facts with this added layer of fiction that was absolutely engrossing. I have always been fascinated with the story of The Grand Duchess and her family and knowing all the actual facts that I've researched myself, you can't help, but feel this sadness when you're reading it because in the back of your mind you know what's coming and you can't stop it or warn them. So you just sit there helplessly, waiting for the other shoe to drop. And there are SO many ironic statements and foreshadowing that it just breaks your heart. But even with the heavy plot, it reads so smooth...which is always appreciated! And then this added magical element comes into play that turns the entire story on its head and with it comes a renewed sense of hope and happiness that is so very much needed in a story like this.

I loved Anastasia and according to all accounts, I'm sure this version was as close to the real person that we've seen yet. Anastasia - while not only compliant, proud, and brave, was also said to be mischievous, a thrill seeker, and a prankster. I think Nadine nailed her personality and the way she lived during that time. Her relationship with her entire family is heartwarming. She loved her family with everything in her being and it came across on every page.

Zash, while a fictional, Bolshevik soldier hired to guard and watch over the family in captivity, was never truly an enemy and like Anastasia who was carrying around so many little secrets of her own, he had his secrets as well. What started out as misunderstandings on both their parts eventually evolves into affection and protectiveness. You just wanted happiness for them and I was there for it!

The magical elements I really enjoyed. There is always that possibility of "what if..?" and in cases like this you want to believe that something like that is possible because you don't want to think about what the alternative was.

Romanov is as much historical as it is magical with key points of happiness, anger, and sadness mixed with family, love, and the value of forgiveness. Don't miss it this May!

“That was how we sisters worked. When one was weak, another picked up the strength.”

First, can we take a moment to appreciate the cover? If that's not the most beautiful cover of 2019, I don't know what is.

Romanovs. Historical Fiction. Re-telling. That's all I needed to want this book. But then combine those two things with Nadine Brandes, I was sold. I went in to this book with so high expectations that I half expected it to fail me and end up with me not liking it at all.
But let me tell you everyone, Romanov did not fail me. I LOVED this book.

When I was little, I was obsessed about the Romanovs. I still am and when I saw that there was a book being published, a re-telling, about them, I just needed it. And this book, it's fantastic, capturing, beautiful, just beautiful.
It captures you to you sofa, never letting you go until you've finished the whole book. During that time you will live through a bunch of emotions. You will be crying but you will be filled with such a joy.

The family dynamics. Gosh, that's something everyone should learn from. They stayed together no matter what was thrown in their way. They never wavered from each others, they always had their backs. When someone was feeling like giving up all hope, another one would stand up and be that person's hope. I just, uhh.
But I think Nikolai had the most important lesson to teach to all of us: forgiveness.

Anastasia's journey was not easy, not saying that none of theirs was. She went through some real tough things that you would never wish anyone to go through. But she grew. She grew up so much throughout this story. That's what I love to see in the characters of every book, to see them actually learn and grow.

Even though Romanov being historical fiction, it still managed to keep the devastating facts from the true story. I will adore this book, I will be re-reading it in the future. I will be recommending this to everyone who likes historical fiction, or Romanov's history.

I just couldn't separate fact from fiction with this novel. Too close to reality while being quite distant from reality meant I was saying "What?" quite often. Ultimately not for a history buff.

I received this copy of Romanov from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I requested this book fairly certain I knew how it was going to go but I'm a sucker for all things Romanov, so cool beans!
I was wrong.
This book was beautifully written and the mixture of heartbreak and joy while the Romanovs were in exile was written so well.
They had their faith and each other so things couldn't be that bad, right?
Yes, this is a tragedy. It is also a hope (if that makes sense) and absolutely a celebration of life in the face of extreme despair.

I received an arc from Thomas Nelson through Netgalley for my honest opinion. Overall I did like this Anastasia retelling. However, at times the book seemed to get weird in a way I can't seem to explain. I really got into the magic concept however and it kept the story interesting. The book can get dark at times, and has a slight romance feel involved. I am very grateful to the publisher for getting this arc.

Romanov is a wonderful read! Nadine Brandes is a storyteller whose prose borders on magical. Brandes weaves a beautiful tale about a princess desperate to save her family at any cost. She brings the historical figure Anastasia Romanov to life – “Nastya” isn’t just a princess; she is a girl who loves her family, loves her people, is full of faith, and fights to hold onto the light while living in so much darkness. Nastya lives and breathes on the page.

Historical fiction is a new genre for me. I love YA fantasy, so I expected a little bit more from Romanov – more action, more of a fast-pace. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a beautiful book. However, the Romanov family was kept isolated in a house for much of their exile, which slowed the pacing down a lot for me. The last part of the book picks up the pace – I won’t spoil it by telling you why, though.

Romanov reminds me a lot of All But My Life by Gerda Weissmann Klein, a memoir that tells the story of Gerda’s experience living as a Jew in Poland during the Holocaust. Nadine Brandes successfully tells a story that sounds as real as it does fanciful. Much of the story is historically accurate, in fact. Romanov is a must-read for any historical fiction fan. Readers will feel as if Nastya is a friend by the end. Expect to feel all the feels when it comes to her family and friends (and the dogs!).

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Nadine Brandes has done it again! Romanov is an amazing retelling of the Romanov family that is told in Anastasia’s point of view. This book is filled full of love, lost, family, and magic and it is the perfect book to anyone who loves the movie Anastasia. Romanov is definitely one of those books that you can’t put down until the end! I can’t wait to read whatever Brandes comes up with next!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I’ve always loved reading about the family of the last Russian tsar because a) I love historical fiction and anything about royalty, b) it’s the only unit my 9th grade history teacher actually enjoyed teaching, and c) I married a man with hemophilia. I haven’t read much historical fantasy fiction yet — mostly just Shanna Swendson’s Rebel Mechanics series and Cynthia Hand’s My Lady Jane — but after reading Romanov, I’ll be adding Brandes to my list of authors to follow and keeping up with whatever she writes!

What I liked:
- This fate of this family has been a subject of debate, speculation, and research for 100 years now. What better way to get teenagers interested in historical mysteries than with a novel to make them become attached to the characters? Definitely more engaging than a textbook!
- Anastasia battles serious hatred and unforgiveness, with motives that any of us would justify with our human natures alone. Ultimately, the decisions she makes convey powerful themes about the importance of loving others and sacrificing for them, even when it isn’t the easy path to take.
- The pacing is done well throughout the story. It’s a bit slow in parts during the middle of their long imprisonment, but it echoes the pace of their daily lives without being painful to read. Brandes keeps the slow, repetitive daily routine moving with the shaping of Anastasia’s character and the development of her interactions with their Bolshevik guards.
- I liked so much more about this book, but I can’t write more without giving away the twists on history that Brandes adds!

What I didn’t love:
- Ummmm…what do I say here? I gave it a 5-star rating on Goodreads! Characters other than Anastasia could’ve been developed more, but then it wouldn’t be as appealing to YA readers. It’s not adult historical fiction meant to immerse the readers in 1918 Russia and allow them to analyze Tsar Nicholas II’s deep inner turmoil; it’s a YA novel about a teenage girl learning about love and forgiveness, set in 1918 Russia to paint context and conflict for her to battle.

I received this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

So when I started this book it was slow moving, but I was hoping that it would pick up eventually....it did not. About 3/4ths of the novel took place in the same location and it was bland and over repetitive. At the very end it picked up, and the plot took off, but it took a very long time for it to get there and at that point I had almost given up reading it.

The characters in this book were the worst part of the book for me. All of the characters were two dimensional and there was no substance to the characters. The protagonist was boring and whiny and she was not really an interesting or particularly unique individual. The relationship in the book was very insta-lovey, and I didn't see any reason as to why the two of them were together. They barely interacted and when they did the interactions were about five minutes, I don't see how anyone could fall in love with such limited contact.

What I did enjoy about this book was the magical ink mentioned. Though I do wish that it was a facet in the book that was explored more as it could've really improved the novel, I still thought it was a good part of the book. I also thought that the close knit Romanov family was well-written, and I think the writing showed the love the characters had their families. I also thought the writing was very well done, because even though there wasn't an overuse of flowery words I think it was very beautifully written and Nadine Brandes has true talent in writing.

I gave this book 3/5 simply because I wasn't a big fan of the character development, world building, and I feel like the plot could've been a bit faster, but I was still hooked on the story and enjoyed the writing.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Where do I start my review of this book? A lot of things in this book are done right. The story is gripping from the start. It never gets boring and the pacing is excellent. It takes the time for calm moments and emotional reflection and combines it with action and political games of chess. The characters in the book are easy to like and to relate to and the writing style is really nice. The sentences flow perfectly and it's a quick read.

But, there is one big thing very very wrong with this story, especially because of the potential. It's very black and white, good versus bad. There is literally NO nuance in the book. The Romanovs are portrayed as saints and angels, the good side. The rebels are portrayed as monsters and barbarians, the bad side. It's literally impossible to understand where the rebels come from, why they started their revolution, why they hate the Romanovs so much. The sole argument this book gives for their revolution is simply too weak to spark a revolution this big.

In this case it doesn't matter whether or not the story is historically accurate. I'm not picking sides in a war I can never fully understand or grasp and I understand the appeal of the Romanov princess and the mythe surrounding her. But I just generally dislike stories that lack nuance and this was a very great example of it. I don't want good versus bad or white versus red.

And especially with the Romanovs, I think there was a lot of room for nuance without making us love the Romanovs any less. Making them nuanced and acknowledging that not everything they did was great and not everything they did benefitted all the people in the country would have made them only human. And I personally prefer human characters over saints and angels.

So, I enjoyed the read, but I don't think it was as brilliant as I had hoped it would be. It was not layered enough for that.

(This review will also be published on my instagram once I have daylight to take a nice picture to go with it)

I really loved this book. The writing truly captured the time without losing readability and the characters and relationships were so well developed.

Definitely a must read and a wonderful addition to any middle school classroom!!! This story kept me captivated and I definitely fan girled because I LOVE ANASTASIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It had everything! Courage, hope and definitely a story worth reading, sharing and reading again!

It was okay, I am not fully into a lot of YA books. It did have some historial accuracies - like her brother's illness. For me it dragged ad was okay in other parts. If you do like anything relating to Anastasia, this can be a book to look into.

«Romanov» was a perfectly balanced book with on-point historical events, a splash of magic ink, touching characters and immersive plot line.
Nadine Brandes writing transported me right into the midst of the horrifying events of the Romanov family, making me laugh and cry with the characters, and wish for the injustice to never happen.

The author did a great job at staying as true to the actual historical facts as possible. We are told how the girls and the Empress sew jewels in their corsets and clothes to hide from the Bolsheviks. The window incident, the timed walks, the feelings of the common folk and Bolshevik soldiers, these and more were based on the real events.

At first, the love interest of Romanov sisters didn’t bother me and I actually found it to only be natural that the young girls would fall in love with the only “available” men, who showed some kindness to their family during these devastating for them time. However, as the story progressed, I felt like the romance overpowered and took attention away from other more interesting narratives. So instead of two infatuated Romanov sisters, I would have preferred to see strong and independent young women.