Loved this book even more than I expected to. Brilliant job shining light on a lesser known part of history and captivating story telling. So pleased.

Tsarina details the life of Catherine I of Russia, from her humble beginnings as a serf to a life as the lover and eventually wife of the star of Russia.
This book was brutally vivid in its depictions of the horrors Catherine, born Marta, endured before meeting Tsar Peter. She was raped repeatedly, sold to several different men, and generally encountered constant bad luck.
The descriptions of rape are fairly graphic, and while that didn’t bother me that much, it did bother me that even once Catherine became Peter’s lover, most of the book was describing the debauchery that went on in the palace, rather than politics. This did bother me, because it became exhausting reading about party after party.
Other than that, I think this book was a very interesting tale of Catherine’s life and rise to power as tsarina.

I received this book to read and give an honest review from NetGalley.
If you enjoy 1700 historical fiction, this novel is definitely one to read. With many twists and complex interesting characters. It is a story told of Catherine Alexeyevna’s point of view. Of her early life, born into a harsh and desperate life of poverty and survival. Then down a path of misfortunes and events that would eventually lead her to becoming the second wife of Peter the Great, to whom she delivered 12 children, of which only two survived. She was eventually crowned tsaritsa of all the Russians and came to rule after her husband died. Romance, sex, infidelity, heartbreak, insanity and brutal violence, this story has it all!

Tsarina is the fictionalized story of Catherine I, second wife of Peter the Great, Tsar of Russia in the early 1700's. This was a captivating novel that immerses you in the world of historical Russia. Through this novel we learn about Catherine I's childhood, the beginnings of St. Petersburg, and the workings of 1700's Russian court. Tsarina is an engaging, entertaining novel perfect for fans of court-life and history. The writing is also well-done and lovely for a debut novel.

I knew nothing about Russian history before this book, other than hearing of Catherine the Great and Peter the Great. This is the story of Catherine I, the 2nd wife of Peter the Great, and who preceded Catherine the Great.

This book is filled with a lot of sex - some violent, some consensual, all pretty graphic. While you can debate the need for any of the graphic details, you can also argue that some of the violent sexual assaults she witnessed or endured early on shaped who Marta was,...before she became Catherine I. Marta grew up a poor serf in what is now Estonia. After being sold to a violent lord for a mere silver coin, she escaped to find herself the house maid of a pastor, and then married off to a Swedish man only to have him die shortly after. This is where the story turns, as she encounters Russian soldiers who try to rape her before she is saved and brought to the tents of the Russian army leaders...this is where she first meets Peter and their relationship begins and the most interesting part of the book seems to end. I found the rest of her courtship with Peter interesting to an extent, but it pales in comparison to her early life.

This is a historical romance so the dialogue is a bit unbelievable at times, and as the author pointed out, there is not much known about her early years so some liberties were taken. But in the end, I learned more about Russian history from this book, and for that I'm thankful.


Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for an arc.

Tsarina covers the life of a woman that history appears to have left behind. Catherine I, not the more popular Catherine the Great (actually Catherine the II), but her predecessor, a former Serf, maid, and per this work of historical fiction, murderer. While little is known of Catherine’s upbringing, this richly detailed and well researched book provides an amazing story of survival at a time when women had no rights, rising above serfdom rarely happened, and death was everywhere.
I enjoyed the historical detail and getting to know a “forgotten” Tsarina. The book is graphic with both violence and sex. The violence in the book was unsettling, however, I think it only fair that to remember that many rulers at that time did not maintain their position through acts of charity. The rape, torture, and abuse depicted in the book was common in those times. Overall I enjoyed the book and found that once I started I could not stop, despite knowing a bit of how her story would go!

This was a riveting book. As an avid fan of both Russian history and historical fiction, I was captured by Ellen Alpsten's take on Catherine I. Admittedly, the brutality of her life made for a challenging read, but ultimately, I was too captivated by the writing to put it down.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a galley copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

So first off, I have a thing for Russian history and this did not disappoint. This story is about Catherine 1- I feel like we don’t hear about her often, and although her childhood in this book is fictionalized, it was truly fascinating to see Marta transform to Catherine. Trigger warning for rape. Thank you to netgalley for the arc.

3.5 to 4 for "Tsarina." I almost wish I could give this a 3.75.

Historical fiction tends to lean towards very popular subject matter. (The Tudors, the Tudors, and more of the Tudors.) In "Tsarina," Ellen Alpsten goes in a different direction, selecting for a subject the empress known as Catherine I in Russian history. Catherine I was Peter the Great's wife and successor; while she wasn't THE Catherine of Russia (that being Catherine II), she was nonetheless remarkable for rising from peasant/serf origins to her position--a virtually unthinkable jump in social class.

What's good: The unique topic, the fact the book does a good job of conveying Catherine's peasant roots, and the fact that the book doesn't hide the unpleasant characteristics of either Peter or Catherine.

What's iffier: There are moments where Catherine appears to be a bit too wise, a bit too all-knowing, for her position. In short, she starts to head toward Mary Sue territory. In addition, one of her major character turns, a love affair, feels a bit out of the blue. As a result, the finale of the book feels a bit rushed.

Note: This review is based on a copy I received from Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

Tsarina is about Catherine I before she became ruler of Russia. Books about Russian history can be quite dense, but this book is written in the first person narrative of Catherine, so it reads much more like a novel. Catherine, or Marta as she was called when she was younger, grows up in poverty, but eventually meets the Tsar and seduces him, and they become a powerful pair. Even as women come in and out of his life, she is a constant, and does what is needed to stay in power. The book hops in place between the night that Peter dies, and Catherine is trying to establish her claim as ruler of Russia, and her childhood and rise to power. This book keeps the reader intrigued throughout. It is a bit of a change to learn a lot about Russian history (though her childhood is fictionalized, as not much is known about it) in more of a novel-esque form. It can be pretty intense in terms of violence, gore, and sexuality. But overall, a nice angle on this time in Russian history if one does not want to delve into a tense Peter the Great biography.

This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

A sweeping historical fiction of incredible life Catherine the emperess of Russia.
Ellen Alpsten, thought provoking decant rags to richly tale, of one the most iconic woman in Russian history.

Marta, a from the lowly class of serfs and the richly descriptive, sometimes brutal story of her long extensive climb to that of Tsarina. Realistic portrayed in-depth look at the turbulent and violent times of the 1700’s Russia.
This book will hold your attention from start to finish capturing the reader in such a way that you will remember this book long after you close the book. Incredible writing
An intoxicating glimpse of the trails and tribulations that are not for squeamish.
An unsettling, gut wrenching drama that unfolds stunningly through this thrilling storyline. From the vicious brutality that Marta endured to rise above, to the splendor and backstabbing court intrigue, that is just wicked.

Ellen Alpsten delivers an enthralling, riveting book, this one book you need to get your hands.
I will be purchasing the hardback copy when it becomes available.

A sweeping historical feast detailing the life of Catherine the emperess of Russia, and her "rags to riches" story in a volatile Russia fraught with danger and deceit. As an avid lover of Russian history I was pleased to read about an era before the infamous Romanov dynasty. I found this fictionalized take on Catherine's rise from peasant girl to Tsarina interesting. Even when Catherine is inside the winter palace she still has to use her cunning to keep her place because in 1700 Russia just because you're at the top does not mean you will always stay there. It's the story of how one woman may have had a hand in steering the course of Russian history.
I appreciate the ARC from Netgalley/ St Martin's press in return for an honest review.

The ascension of a peasant girl named Marta to Tsarina Catherine Alexeyevna of Russia is almost unbelievable, and that's what makes this story so very fascinating. No doubt, Catherine had a difficult life, both as a peasant and as wife to Tsar Peter the Great. Parts of this book sensationalize her story in ways that truly don't feel necessary given the trajectory of her life. Other parts are too repetitive. I expected lots of battles given Russia's history in the 1700s, but details on her dozen pregnancies and childbirths were redundant as was much of the court debauchery. I kept waiting to read about her reign, but that's not covered in this book, which was disappointing given its long length, which really should have been shortened. Some of the language felt awkward and out of place, which may be a translation issue. All of that said, the book taught me about a woman who I hadn't heard of before, the Catherine who came before Catherine the Great, and sparked an interest in learning more. Regardless of how many anecdotes are fictionalized here, that a woman survived and thrived through all of her ordeals, including her husband's brutality, is a testament to the tenacity she had.

Thank you Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion of the book.

You've heard of Catherine the Great of Russia, but have you heard of Catherine the I? Author Ellen Alpsten brings a breathtaking glimpse into the life of Peter the Great's second wife and successor in this work of fantastic historical fiction.

Marta, whose reign name is Catherine I, is of humble beginnings, sold as a maidservant by her family in her early years, has cheated death numerous times and ascended the throne of one of the greatest dynasties the world has ever known. This is the story of Marta, who the author describes as "the most powerful woman history ever forgot."*

From page one, I was absolutely hooked by the beautiful and immersive experience of the author's writing style. The rich descriptions of Russian court life, courtly intrigue, the brutality of life in the era, and the visceral descriptions of Catherine's relationship with the Tsar weave a difficult and demanding tapestry of this book. Each part building upon itself to create a breathtaking debut novel from an author that will absolutely be added to my "favorite authors" bookshelf.

If you love Russian history and can't get enough of historical romance, this book is for you! It reminds me so much of Nicholas and Alexandra by Robert K. Massie, but with a beautiful modern historical fiction twist.

This book is out on October 13th from St. Martin's Press! You don't want to miss it!

Tsarina is on goodreads and more information on the author, Ellen Alpsten can be found here!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a galley copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

*@Ealpsten_Author tweet dated April 20, 2020

This is not about Catherine the Great. This Tsarina came from the slums and lived with all of the horrible conditions in that time period. Violence, Immorality, and a lot of dirt! And dirty dealings. While this is a fictionalized account, much is true.

I love a historical fiction book that teaches me something. I learned a lot about Moscow, St. Petersburg and the not so likeable people in the court.

Tsarina by Ellen Alpsten

I took four pages of notes on this title for my review, but I can summarize this book in a few paragraphs.

There are many characters and most have up to four names. Try to keep track. Marta, a girl from a poor family, ends up being favored by Tsar Peter after a chance encounter, and is crowned the Tsarina of Russia by the end of the novel. What she had to endure to get there is the story.

There are wars, orgies, infidelities, cruelty, births (but few marriages), all night parties, drinking...Need I go on? Marta often joins Tsar Peter on his crusades of war to gather more land for Mother Russia where most of the tawdry behavior happens. Being rewarded with clothes, jewelry and opulent homes keeps her coming back.

These are very dysfunctional people led by a cruel, greedy, dysfunctional man. The entire book is a repeat of the same behavior of these characters page after page after page. If endless debauchery is your thing, this is your book.

I was given an ARC by #StMartins and #NetGalley for my review.

I really wasn't sure about this book when I first started but I must say...what a journey through time that was totally worth taking! I feel as if I was just on a trip through this time span with Marta. A great story with lots of twists, turns, love scenes, and death in a world where these royal families lived and ruled everything and one. It was nice to watch Marta go the bottom to the top and what she had to do/endure to get there. While, on the contrary, it's hard to decide if the Tzar is good, bad, or manic. It would be helpful if there was a map of the regions discussed in the book at the beginning or something, I had to brush up on the geography while reading this to fully understand. I wish it explained the Russian/Polish slang a little better as well as cutting back on all the names/nicknames. For example, Alexander Danilovich is also Menshikov who also may be called babushka. Aside from those things, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Would recommend!

This book was received as an ARC from St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have heard and read many renditions of Catherine the Great but none of them were as enticing as Tsarina. Reading about Catherine Alexeyevna before she was Catherine the Great born into poverty and craving the wealth and power she felt surrendered that she was willing to do anything even seducing the tsar himself Peter The Great. Now since his death, Catherine now has the power she craved which always comes at a price. The book revealed so many secrets such as brutal beatings, dark secrets and mischievous schemes all to remain in power. This was such a vivid novel that uncovered secrets we all thought were conspiracies brought to light.

We will consider adding this title to our Historical Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

This book follows Marta's story starting with her life as a serf and the long (and shocking) journey that led to her becoming empress. Marta became Catherine Alexeyevna and ruled before Catherine the Great. That is to say this isn't about Catherine the Great. This book is very detailed and gets deep into the history in a way that will enthrall those interested in this time period and Catherine and how she used her intelligence and wits to rise to power. This is a bit of a longer read that didn't really get going for me until Marta became a prisoner of war, but at the writing level itself I thought the book was great and it was interesting to see how humble Catherine's beginnings were.

With that said this book does have several instances of graphic rape that I found myself skipping. I can see how all the graphic violence and sex would leave some readers conflicted.

I really loved the premise of this book. She is a character that we don't hear much about in history. I only gave this 4 stars instead of 5, because there were some very important events that I didn't think got enough time and description, while other things that seemed less menial had more. This could easily have been a 600+ page book.