This book completely took me by surprise! I wasnt sure how I felt about the retelling being a favorite but the way she made it her own was perfect! I loved the characters and will definitely recommend it

The writing in this was really nice and the story was okay but I found it didnt really go anywhere. The magic system was interesting but, for me, there was too much emphasis on the romantic aspect. A good read but a bit forgettable perhaps.

Romanov by Nadine Brandes

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Nadine Brandes delivers an interesting retelling of the story of the Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov with a mixture of Christian faith and fantasy spellwork that will keep readers very well engaged.

Like many kiddos in the Nineties I watched the animated version of Anastasia until the tape wore out. The action, adventure and storyline made it a favorite I still enjoy today. But along with a love of the movie came a curiosity to find out more about what really happened during the Bolshevik revolt and what happened to the Romanovs. I’ve read several historical books on the subject however my favorite versions are those that take a bit of literary license with the historical happenings. So I was really excited to see this new version of a beloved story that turned out to be a good read. I won’t lie and say it is my favorite version but it was fairly well done. I’ll skip over the well known facts of the story and concentrate on additions that made the story fun. The Romanovs have been taken from their home to a place of exile with Bolshevik guards to keep them company. Heartbroken over their people’s belief in their taking advantage of Russian citizens, the Romanovs are trying to accept their losses and their new lives. Anastasia “Nastya” Romanov is the teller of their story and from her perspective there is much to be angry over. But she cannot give her captors one glimpse of her pain and anger or she feels she will be lost. So she and her sisters set about ensuring the family treasures are secure. Her father trusts her with the most important treasure, a Matryoshka doll containing the last spells created for them by Vasily Dochkin. Nastya had been learning spellwork from Grigori Rasputin before his death and their capture and Nikolai knows she is the only person who might know how or when to use the spells inside. But a Bolshevik commander named Yurovsky will do anything to see the Romanovs destroyed and the Dochkin doll in his hands. As Nastya and her family remain in exile, hoping for a rescue from those still loyal to them, they seek out ways to befriend their captors. They know that God would not want them to hate, rather they are to love their enemies as Jesus preached. Nastya finds herself drawn to a young Bolshevik named Zash who seems different from their other captors. While he is exacting in his duties, there is a reluctance felt when he is ordered to extend harsh treatment towards the family. It will be this unexpected relationship that will help Nastya through the horribly tragic days to come and give her reason to look for love with another person again. I won’t spoil the story by giving more details but I will say that this story is definitely not one to miss. There was no crude or unnecessary language and no sexual references other than short descriptions of a couple kisses. And while there is a good bit of violence included, it is not overly gory but instead quite practical in description. I did find the spellwork and fantasy part a bit of a stretch but it flowed well with the story so it wasn’t too odd. The writing was very well done with plenty of varied vocabulary and little repetition of phrases. Overall I found the book pretty good and would certainly recommend it to others. Some might find it a bit juvenile given the age of the main character but there was still good content to be found throughout the story. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Brandes, especially if she continues in her historical fiction vein.

I received this E-book free of charge from Thomas Nelson Fiction via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

Historical fantasy is a genre that I really don't read very much but... I should. I love historical fiction and I love fantasy and this had the tastings of both. The whole premise of this story was captivating, it was such an interesting tale.

I really ended up caring for all of the characters.

I loved the magic system, although I would've liked it to be a little more fleshed out.

I'd recommend this book to YA lovers, it's great.

Anastasia “Nastya” Romanov was given a single mission: to smuggle an ancient spell into her suitcase on her way to exile in Siberia. It might be her family’s only salvation. But the leader of the Bolshevik army is after them, and he’s hunted Romanov before. Nastya’s only chances of saving herself and her family are either to release the spell and deal with the consequences, or to enlist help from Zash, the handsome soldier who doesn’t act like the average Bolshevik. Nastya has only dabbled in magic, but it doesn’t frighten her half as much as her growing attraction to Zash. She likes him. She thinks he might even like her. That is, until she’s on one side of a firing squad . . . and he’s on the other.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review through Netgalley. I read Nadine Brandes’ previous book Fawkes last year and enjoyed her fantastical spin on historical events. I was exciting to read her take on Imperial Russia, as Anastasia and the Romanov’s have always been an interesting piece of history. I was interested to see how magic would play a role in this historical fantasy.

Nastya as a main character was a fun and interesting narrator. She is mischievous, smart and sometimes a bit rash, but overall well meaning. While I’ve never been in a situation like hers, I found her easy to relate to and even likable, which I often struggle with when reading first person novels. Additionally, her love interest and foil character, Zash, was also compelling. While Nastya’s history is famously well known, Zash was a completely mystery. He and the other supporting characters were beautifully fleshed out and enjoyable to get to know.

It was clear that Brandes did extensive research for the setting of her novel. While I’m not sure exactly how accurate each event in the early sections of the book are, she definitely adhered to the general events leading up the Romanov’s deaths in a way that felt believable. I enjoyed seeing history through the narrator’s (and the author’s) eyes and the world set up in the story started some interesting conversations in my house. Her authenticity (with just a bit of fantasy) in her writing of the setting of the novel created an educational and exciting read.

The plot of the book was compelling and the twists and turns in the story, despite what I know of the history of the family, kept me hooked to the page from the first chapter. Brandes perfectly weaves fantasy into the factual in this book, even more believable than in her previous novel. However, the first section of the novel, leading up the “big twist” that really kicks off the fantastical into high gear, was a bit slower than I would have liked. While this book was a fun read, I wanted to get to the real meat of the book a bit sooner than almost halfway through.

Romanov is Nadine Brandes’ latest historical fantasy novel. She takes on the Anastasia and Imperial Russia , weaving magic throughout factual events. The first stage of the book took longer than I expected, but I still felt pulled along by the story and thoroughly enjoyed the plot. Natsya was a likable and exciting narrator and I loved getting to know the other characters. I highly recommend Romanov to any fans of Imperial Russian history or Anastasia in general.

I usually enjoy reading historical fiction and this one was pretty good. It was a little slow at first and didn't really start grabbing my attention until the last third of the book. The history of the Romanov's is extremely interesting and I love that at the end of the book the author explains fact from fiction. I love how strong willed and determined Anastasia continued to be even multiple things went wrong. There is some romance added but it wasn't overly done. It fit really well with the rest of the story. There are definitely some heartbreaking moments but there are also light hearted fun ones as well. The ending is also very well done. I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

Romanov doesn't tell the Disney-movie version of Anastasia and the Romanov family. Rather, this book is based on the true story, which is much darker and brutal. Because of that, it was sometimes emotionally difficult to read. However, overall, Romanov was a great retelling that gave me a new perspective into this time period.

I loved how Brandes brought these historical figures to life and how she refrained from making moral judgements on any character. She does a fantastic job exploring the shades of grey in people. From the Romanovs themselves to the Bolshevik guards, most characters are not uniformly "good" or "evil". Rather, they are just people, trying to do their best for themselves and their families in a difficult time.

The first half of the book follows what is known about the last days of the Romanov family. I loved how Brandes was able to depict both their sorrows and their capacity for joy. However, the book stumbles a bit in the second half. There just wasn't enough world-building surrounding the magical aspect. I enjoyed the forgiveness storyline but just wanted more information about the magic system and the world in general. Unfortunately, the lack of that information made it difficult for me to connect with this part of the story.

If you're already familiar with the story of the Romanov family and Anastasia, consider picking this one up. The first half is beautifully done and the second half is still enjoyable to read because it allows you to believe, even if only for a second, that there wasn't a brutal ending for the whole family. If you aren't familiar with the Romanov's history, you can absolutely still read this one, you just might be missing a bit of the historical context.

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

History and fantasy collide in this entrancing tale of the Romanovs. This is a part of history that has long brought sorrow and heartache to many, myself included. Brandes uses her gift of story-weaving to bring Anastasia “Nastya's" story to life in a new way.

Historically, Romanov is very accurate, which readers may find difficult to read. The events surrounding the Romanovs final months are devastating and heartbreaking. Even though I was preparing myself for the tragedy, it was still very hard to read. Through it all, Brandes honors the Romanovs in her storytelling.

The fantasy side of the story is unique and beautiful. Brandes gives a fresh exploration of the land of magic and myth. Words and writing, family and friendship, loyalties and betrayals, are waiting for you just behind the cover of Romanov. This is a story readers will love and cherish for many years and through many rereadings.

I received a complimentary copy of Romanov from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

After giving this another try, I found it to be a decent mix of magic and history. It definitely relies on the fact that the reader already enjoys Anastasia stories though. And there are aspects that make no sense unless the reader has prior Romanov knowledge. Credit where credit is due, the story was definitely an original spin on an age old tale. It just needed a little more character development and work on pacing.

I’m not sure what this book is. It begins with a historical fiction feel as a retelling of the Romanovs, but ends in a more fantasy realm. People love reading about this family so I’m sure there will be lots of interest. For it to be a young adult book I wish there was more backstory for teens who are not familiar with this period in history. The day to day life of imprisonment slows the book down until the 2nd half of the book where the more fantastical elements take over. Some of these fantasy elements seem unbelievable, just like the budding romance. Overall, this is more for people who love reading a different take on the Romanovs.

Ever since I first saw the cover and summary of the book around the internet I knew it was a book I had to read. With how much I enjoy books like this that get a bit of fact and make such a amazing story around it.

Nadine Brandes is a great writer, with a flow that catches your attention and doesn't let you go until you finish, and leaves you wanting more! And oh do I want more of her writing!

I'm not sure I have words to express how much I enjoyed this book! I absolutely loved it and think Nadine is an absolute genius - the way she seamlessly weaves historical fact, fiction and magic just blows me away! I think she may be a writing wizard because she is incredibly talented.
The message of love and forgiveness was so prominent and moving within the story. Not just through the romance between Ivan and Maria and Zash and Nastya, but in all aspects of life and daily interactions. I think it is a moving theme that can be used to inspire the reader on a daily basis to show a little compassion, kindness and forgiveness to everyone. Even those who are cruel. This is definitely easier said than done though, and that human struggle is shown so beautifully through Nastya's struggles with her family morals and her own emotions.
I really loved the strength and resilience of Nastya - it really made me want to read more into her story and life (which is ace because it's opened up a whole new historical interest area for me!). I especially loved the physical journey they went on which highlighted the harsh but beautiful natural environment, as well as glimpses into folklore and nomadic lifestyles.
To see, and feel, such pivotal moments in the real (and stretched) story of the Romanov's was really moving. A lot of research clearly went into the writing to inform both the storyline and the characters - the line between fact and magic is so close, you want to believe this version of the story! It was a 5 star read for me and I would definitely recommend it!

What if the historical record of the final days of the Romanov family was only half the story? In this historical fantasy story, the author presents us with an intriguing possibility—what if magic and spell masters had been a reality during the Russian Revolution?

The novel is narrated by Anastasia aka Nastya, the youngest daughter and shviibzik (imp) of the Romanov family during their time of exile in first Tobolsk and then Ekaterinburg. Known among the family for her love of pranks, books, and spellwork, Nastya is assigned a very important task—to conceal and protect a magical talisman whom the former Tsar claims could be the family’s final salvation.

This book is clearly very well-researched. The real-life facts included lend the fantasy story a ring of authenticity. Even though many obviously made-up elements like spell-ink and a magical matryoshka doll are central to the story, I genuinely feel that I now have a much better understanding of the Romanov family and their final days than I did before.

I loved the relationship between Nastya and her brother Alexei as well as the way that the author managed to weave together historical events with a whole magical tradition.

If you enjoyed The Winternight Trilogy or A Well-Behaved Woman, you should definitely try this one!
*I received a free digital copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn't crazy about this one. To be fair, I've read a lotttt of novels about the Romanovs, so I may just be burned out, but this one really didn't add anything to the table for me. The romance progressed way too quickly to be believable and the magic felt forced, especially in the first half. I was actually starting to get into the story when it detailed the family's captivity, but then when that major plot point happens (which I definitely was not expecting so early in the book), things slowed down for me, even though I felt like it should have been the opposite. I also felt like there was no real character development. All the records of Anastasia Romanov attest that she was a spunky, fearless troublemaker, and we don't get that from Brandes's version. Overall, not terrible but doesn't add anything to the existing collection of Romanov fiction.

This book is so beautifully written. It made my heart ache at times, and also made me laugh out loud.

There is just something about Nadine Brandes books that are just amazing. They way she weaves the past with her fantastical elements makes the world and history seem so much more alive and interesting.

I am so glad to have had the pleasure to read this one! I’ve always been intrigued by Russian history and the Romanov family so naturally this was a must read and it did not disappoint. It was well paced with loveable characters who I rooted for to the end. Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy to review!

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

It took me forever to get to this book, and for that I apologize. Not just to the author and publisher, but also to myself. I could have been yelling about this book since December 28 of last year, but instead here I am, a month after publication. Better late than never, eh?

So let's start with who this book is <b>not</b> for, as there are so many negative reviews:
- If you're looking for a realistic historical fiction, give this a miss.
- If you're looking for a wonderful fantasy, you might struggle with the first half.
- If you know a lot about the Romanov family and have issues with facts being changed and toyed with here and there- this definitely isn't for you.

So who is this book for, then?
- People who love stories that mix actual history/historic facts and fantasy, and who don't mind if it the facts aren't 100% accurate.

I think that the above already tells you a bit about what to expect from this book, and what not to. At the end of the book, Brandes shares which things are accurate, and which ones she altered or made up completely. Also, the point of this book is to share what happened to the Romanovs in exile and to explore what might have happened to Anastasia and Alexei after That Night. They don't cover any of what comes before, like the abdication, meaning that it really doesn't matter what kind of tsar Nikolai was; this book is written from his loving daughter's POV, keep that in mind.

Which brings me to the actual book. We follow Nastya Nikolaevna Romanov, commonly known as Anastasia, as her family is taken into exile. The first half of the book covers this which is quite slow at times, but it didn't bother me, as it gave me a proper look into their family, their mindset, and plenty of time to attach myself to them. (Note that Tatiana and Olga aren't very present in this story.) We get to see them adjust to their living conditions (though I had to laugh at the comment about their small garden, as 90 paces is still quite big to me!) and to their guards and commandant. We get to experience Nastya's fear about the Matryoshka doll and her worries about Alexei (whom I adore, just saying).

The story is very character driven, which usually isn't my thing, but there is enough of a plot to keep me going, especially since I knew what was coming.

It was brutal.

It's not overly graphic, but graphic enough, and if you're sensitive to these things, be warned. It absolutely broke me.

The second half of the book is about Nastya's escape, and honestly had me on the edge of my seat. I don't want to give too much away, as I hadn't read the full blurb before reading, which made my reading experience so much better. I'll admit that the spell used seemed a bit farfetched to me, but other than that I really liked the idea of how magic worked in this world. Especially the Matryoshka doll!

Also, I usually complain about unnecessary forced (het)romances, but here I fell for it completely. Twice. I went full out Trash Queen, and luckily my buddy felt the same way, which meant there was a lot of screaming at each other because we were having too many feelings.

This book broke my heart multiple times over, but also healed it enough to cope by the end of it. I loved it. I can't wait to read it again, and to dive into the Romanov story more in the future. I knew pretty much nothing, and I can't even remember if I ever saw the movie, and this book kindled the fire of me wanting to learn more, so the recommended books by Brandes at the end have made it onto my TBR already!

If this is your kind of story, I would wholeheartedly recommend it. If not, I'd definitely be more hesitant. It's always such a shame when books get negative reviews because people expected something different. But in the end, it's up to everyone to decide for themselves!

In Nadine Brandes’ historical fiction fantasy book: Romanov, Anastasia, the Grand Duchess is given the task of safe keeping the Matrushka doll, by her father, Tsar Nikolas as they are taken prisoners. The story gives insight into the lives of the Royal Family as they struggle to maintain hope that they will be allowed to live, forgive the soldiers who hold them prisoners and save their hemophiliac brother, Alexia, the future Tsar. The Matrushka doll contains magic spells and offers an alternate fantasy ending to the story of Anastasia and Alexia.
#ROMANOV #NETGALLEY #ARC

Nice!! Would rec it to young readers getting into history perhaps, or fellow anastasia fans!!! Perhaps the way the Romanov family is portrayed is biased but basing on who the protagonist of this book is it seems like something that would...happen, overall a very nice read, would rec it to younger teens!!