I really debated on how to rate this one. With my Russian major hat on, I didn't find any glaring problems, which I often do in fiction set in Russia or with Russian characters. Peter I was well known to be a cruel, sadistic person, and this story holds to that character. The author has really done her research, incorporating real figures like Mary Hamilton into key scenes. Although we have some conflicting sources on Marta/Catherine's early life, the author proposes a plausible life story... and depicts the way a female serf may have been treated. In graphic detail. When even the positive reviews compare a book to Game of Thrones, you might guess there is some rape, murder, incest, etc., but there is a lot more than I was even expecting. It was overall just sad and exhausting to read about this group of people. But it might be someone's cup of tea. Or vodka.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Marta is born an illegitimate serf who endures horrific suffering on the road to become the first crowned #Tsarina of Russia.

There are so many trigger warning for this book that I could give, rape, torture & child abuse to name a few. If you are squeamish this book probably isn’t for you.

Despite the disturbing content I really enjoyed this book! Life was very violent in the past, and Russia takes the crown if this historical fiction is correct. Marta/Catherine is a very interesting and strong woman, she can be ruthless and cruel but it seems that this was typical of everyone in the story/of those times. I wish there was more at the end about her reign after her husbands death since the whole book was leading up to this moment, but perhaps it just wasn’t as interesting as the rest of her life (this is a fictional account but based on historical fact).

I would definitely read more by this author and this book has ignited an interest in Russian history. Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for my free advance copy in return for an unbiased review.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the chance to read this book! This book is full of intricate historical details that I found fascinating.

Thank you to the author Ellen Alpsten, the publisher St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my candid review.

What a Great Book! I loved reading this book. This book is a historic telling of the life of Tsarina Catherine, wife to Tsar Alexander's consort and wife. Her life begins as an impoverished daughter of a serf who is sold to a rapist/abuser and then becomes a washer woman for Alexander's army. Catherine, who is a great beauty, captivates Alexander and goes on to bear him 13 children.

It is aa amazing story of an amazing woman who captivated one of the Great rulers of Russia. It was well worth the read.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. This book is full of intricate historical detail and did not disappoint.

This book was very well-written despite the fact that it took me a really long time to read. One of the teenaged girls gets sexually assaulted in the beginning of the book and even though that was a real aspect of life back then, I was not prepared for how graphic the descriptions would be and how they would affect me. Once I got over that, I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the story.

I'm sorry I was unable to read this as I reader broke. And I didn't get it downloaded on another device in time.

This book seems to be well researched for the times, and has a compelling cast of characters. It should be noted that there is rape / trauma and that may be something some will want to pass on. Aside from that, it's a dramatic read.

I could not finish this book. While historical fiction, there was way too many detailed sex scenes and rape. Understandably that happened quite a bit in the past as “spoils of war” but the graphic nature of it seemed unnecessary. I’ve read and enjoyed other books with some scenes that are similar in nature, but these books also didn’t focus so heavily on detailed pleasure scenes.

As I stated, I did not finish reading the book, perhaps it changes tack after the 40% mark, but I just couldn’t continue any longer. Not all books work for all people and this one did not work for me.

As someone who has only recently become interested in Russian history, I was particularly excited to jump into Ellen Alpsten's Tsarina this year. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my e-copy.

Tsarina is the harrowing story of peasant-turned-royalty Catherine I of Russia. From humble and often brutal beginnings to a palace in Russia, Marta (who later takes the name Catherine) and her relationships with both Peter the Great and Russia make for an addictive (and educational!) read.

While not much is known for sure about Marta's early years, Alpsten paints a dreary picture of a beautiful young woman with no family and no hope surviving wartimes by the grace of kind strangers and a keen sense of self-preservation. After a failed marriage and years of servitude, she's traded among Russian soldiers, eventually beginning an affair with the Tsar of Russia. As Peter's mistress, Marta's catapulted from the dregs of society to the Tsar's bed in Moscow and the newly minted St. Petersburg, where her journey to the throne begins.

What’s great about Catherine's story isn't necessarily the "fairytale" aspect (e.g., rags to riches). Rather, it's the resilience that women had to harness and exhibit during a time in which a woman's body was her only asset. I'll confess that I was disgusted at how much value she, Peter, and his court place on her giving birth to sons who will go on to "serve" Russia. Marta gives birth 12 times, and in most of those situations, she prays for pregnancy as a means to an end, a reprieve from obsolescence. While it’s evident that she is deeply loved by this mercurial and feared leader, she knows that her key to survival is producing heirs.

Her tenuous but crucial place in the Tsar’s life makes for a story richly cemented in the foundations of Russian history. The life of Marta – Catherine Alexeyevna, Tsarina, Empress of Russia - is truly one of the greatest tales of a woman seizing power despite her position, elevating her beyond her fated station. Alpsten deftly marries social commentary, historical relevance, and cold hard facts to create a painful yet compelling narrative of a shrewd woman and beloved leader.

A really good book though it was slow paced in my opinion. Still very interesting and well executed though!! Overall, solid 3 star read. Though I did get bored during reading it during some points.

I loved this story!
It took me through the ups and downs of the life of Catherine's life. The Russian monarch was abolished in the 1800's but before that they had many Tsar's.

This book took me through so much history and I ended up googling the characters to see what they looked like and sometimes spoiled some of the book by looking up the facts. Although this is a historical fiction, it follows the real dates and events in the history books.

I loved reading about these characters lives and personalities as created by the author. There was so much detail that sometimes I really could fully picture all of what I was reading.

I was very glad that receive this book on NetGalley as I had heard great things. It did not disappoint. I really enjoyed the plot and characters. It was well written and very entertaining.

Tsarina is an enlightening story of Catherine, mistress & wife to Peter the Great. It’s the compelling tale of a young woman who went from peasant to lead the Russian empire. Great storyline! Great characters!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Tsarina was a rather interesting read but I felt like it was a little too sex fueled. Although Catherine the Great was a rather sex fueled figure in history so maybe thats why it was so much

Readers who enjoy reading Russian history would find this book interesting. Ellen Alpsten's Tsarina is based on actual accounts. It is a difficult read depicting the cruel treatment of the Russian people. The novel is Tsarina's story illustrating how she transformed from captive to Russian ruler.

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early read in exchange for an honest review. While some sections are disturbing to read, historical fiction fans will marvel in history coming alive and treated to a new portrait of Catherine.

This work of historical fiction imagines the details of the life of Tsarina Catherine, wife of and successor to Tsar Peter the Great. Alpsten begins with the succession itself, but almost immediately flashes back to Catherine’s upbringing as Marta. The story spends the great majority in Catherine’s rise to power.

I know none of the history surrounding this area or era, but I assume the author does. History aside, this book is gory. Rape, incest, various sexual activities, murder, and torture are spread throughout this tale and explained in full detail. The descriptions seem less factual and more lurid gossip-like, as if they are intended more to titillate than than to illustrate. I had to start skimming when I saw yet another visceral scene coming into microscopic focus.

While the book is intended to follow a chronological timeline, the story feels choppy. It seems as if Alpsten was searching too hard for ways to maneuver her characters into position to match historical events. None of the characters came across sympathetically or as fully three dimensional.

This was a 2-1/2 star read for me. It was neither great nor terrible. The tale kept me interested, but didn’t pull me along. I just could not care about any of the people as they were described. I did not at all enjoy the repeated scenes of sex and violence vividly described.

This book was a Netgalley gift from St. Martin’s Press in exchange for my honest review. I have expressed my opinions only.

The story is interesting, but I wasn't able to follow the characters. I liked learning about the royal family because I wasn't exposed to Russian history in the past. It might be the reason why it's hard to follow the story. I will definitely try to reread it again in the future.

At the beginning I was afraid that I wasn't going to like this. Once the story started to pick up that fear was put to rest. I had a bit difficulty reading and interpreting some of the Russian terms but I was able to adapt. I loved this storyline and couldn't put it down. Excellent book!

Loved this book! The history and story were fascinating. The story is well-paced and seems to be well researched. I found the story of Catherine Alexeyevna to be intriguing, as well as the story of how she came to be the first woman to rule in Russia.