The Master Craftsman is an incredible story filled with adventure, danger, history, and family. It is the story of Karl Faberge' and the Faberge' egg that was created for the royal Romanov family. I had a difficult time reading this story because the author, Kelli Stuart, goes into a great deal of detail about the eggs and their creation. I found myself stopping often to look up the eggs so I could actually look at what each of the eggs looked like. It would be helpful to add a picture of the eggs in the book so people could see them as they are reading about them. The eggs are described in great detail in the book and it makes you want to see them. I loved the story of Ava and Nick. Nick is dying of cancer and needs someone to complete his last big treasure hunt. His estranged daughter, Ava volunteers for the assignment. In the story the characters, Ava, her mother Carol, and her geeky computer nerd neighbor, Zak, travel to Russia in search of a secret egg created by Faberge'. While in Russia, the trio find clues, visit beautiful historic sites, and experience danger. Mrs. Stuart is very descriptive in her scenes of Russian landscape and monuments. It makes you not only wish to be there but I had to stop and look it up to see it for myself. This book is an incredible history lesson for those who need to brush up on Russian history. It has everything you could want in a novel. I definitely recommend this book!

I would like to thank Revell for the advanced reader copy. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

An interesting story rich with historical details. Unfortunately I struggled to get into this book and often found myself skimming through parts of it. It seems like I'm in the minority though.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

I read this title of the book and thought of how GOD knows exactly what he is doing.  We are individually made by GOD.

Ephesians 2:10

New International Version

10 For we are God’s handiwork,A)" style="font-size: 0.625em; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">(A) createdB)" style="font-size: 0.625em; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">(B) in Christ Jesus to do good works,C)" style="font-size: 0.625em; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">(C) which God prepared in advance for us to do.


This story was quite interesting.  Based in Russia, the book tells the story of the Faberge Family and what happens to them when the world they know crumbles around them.  It seems so relevant as to what is happening in Ukraine.  

The book was written in two different timelines.  The second timeline was of Ava.  She was given the opportunity to search for the greatest gift of all.

The Faberge Family and staff were experts in their crafts.  They produced exquisite eggs and other items that only the wealthy could afford.

Can Ava discover the missing egg?  Is it too late for her to discover what is really missing from her life?

I received this book from Revell Books to review.

"The Master Craftsman" is a suspense novel set in 1917 and in modern day. The sections set in 1904 to 1917 in Russia followed Fabergé, his wife, and those who worked with him to make jewelry, including a designer named Alma. The author wove in setting and historical details that brought this section alive in my imagination. There's a lot of detail about the different Fabergé eggs. The characters were complex and had to make hard choices as the communists came into power.

In the modern day, the characters were not as well developed. Ava certainly noticed things, like clues or when things didn't seem quite right. However, she didn't act on any misgivings. The whole treasure hunt seemed mismanaged considering her father was a renown treasure hunter. He apparently didn't double check his arrangements, think to tell her how to identify her co-workers when they arrived in Russia, and seemed more focused on giving her an experience (dress up in different disguises each day and hack into a museum computer before knowing if the information they wanted was digitalized or even simply asking first if they could look at the documents for research). It was like the father was trying to make it like a movie and, oops, it ended up with an adventure movie's ending (part of which Ava jokingly predicted). I found the real danger in the historical section much more compelling.

There was no sex. There were a couple uses of bad language. I liked the historical story enough to recommend the whole thing, but I wouldn't have minded if the modern section hadn't even been included.

Ana is in her early twenties, deciding what to do with her life when she learns that her estranged father, a renowned treasure hunter, is in hospice care. Ana and her mother go to see him and immediately find themselves swept up in his one last escapade, flying off to Russia in search of a Faberge egg. The second timeline takes place in the past with story of the treasure Ana is seeking.

I enjoyed this book so much more than I expected to. The cast of characters, especially in the modern timeline, were vivid and entertaining. I completely believed where this book took me.
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This is an author to watch if you enjoy dual-time mysteries, filled with historical facts, adventure and danger.

I learned so much about Russia and the Russian Resolution (1906-1917/21) through all the historical facts which was written as part of this story. If I had to learn about this through a history lesson or book, I would have been bored, but the author had a great balance between giving the facts and an entertaining story which kept my interest.

I enjoyed both timelines, but the modern day story was a bit more intriguing and filled with adventure due to the treasure hunt. I also enjoyed the reconciliation of relationships.

What also kept my attention was the twists the author threw in, in both timelines, but more in the modern-day one. Just when I thought I might know where the adventure would take the treasure hunters, something happens which surprised me.

Readers who enjoy stories with limited to no romance will also enjoy this story.

A truly engaging historical fiction novel with history of Karl Faberge and his group of artisans designing jewelry and the famous Faberge eggs for the Russian royal families. Well written with a dual time-line in the present with a treasure hunter searching for a missing egg. Recommended reading.

I chose to read the Master Craftsman due to the subject matter and historical content that I hoped it would contain. I rate this book 3 stars only as it is very repetitive in the past tense content and the characters are very shallow and unlikeable in the present day. This is not a Christian book, as there is no mention of God or reference to faith even though the characters in this book are in desperate need of the Lord. I found reading the book became a chore toward the end but I was hopeful for an ending with some degree of redemption for the characters and the book as a whole. Disappointed.

I was chosen to read and review this book through Revell Reads. This review is my own opinion, freely given. I asked to read this because I really like historical fiction and was intrigued by learning more about the Romanov dynasty and the history surrounding them.

I enjoyed this book. It was a bit different in that it jumped in time between now and the early 1900s. That did not detract from the book at all, in fact, it helped keep the focus. This is a historical fiction book and it puts a spin on the Faberge eggs and the what-if of an extra, unknown egg.

The book is very well written and it flows very well. The characters are quite believable and "real". It is part mystery and part family drama combined in a good mix.

This is published by Revell Publishing, a Christian book publisher, so I expected there to be some reference to God/Christianity in some form. That is not the case at all. There is no reference at all to anything Christian. No one prays or goes to church. No one mentions God at all. This is a big disappointment and a big loss of witnessing opportunity. But, on the upside, it is a clean book, the closest it comes to not being clean is the near swearing by Ava and the mention of Faberge's affair.

Overall, I give this a 4 out of a 5-star review. I do think you will enjoy this book as long as you are not expecting a Christian book.

The Master Craftsman is a fantastic read. I learned so much history about Russia and Faberge' and his amazing eggs. This book is about a treasure hunt to find a missing Faberge' egg. It is a dual time line of present day, and the early 1900's before and during the Bolshevik revolution. It is a fascinating history lesson being played out in a fictional read. The present day character is about a young woman named Ava who barely knew her father. He was always on a treasure hunt. On his deathbed Ava's dad asked her and his ex-wife to hunt for the egg. He put together a team including her socially awkward and adorable neighbor Zak. Who, by the way, is a computer wiz, and has a huge crush on Ava. This has history, mystery and suspense. I highly recommend this book. I also hope that there are more hunts in the future.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

The best word for describing The Master Craftsman by Kelli Stuart is fascinating. I learned so much from this treasure hunting adventure focused on a lost Faberge egg. As I read, I couldn’t help but look up the various eggs! Stuart does an incredible job at describing the eggs and other jewelry created by the legendary shop of Faberge and I loved matching her descriptions with the real-life objects. It took me a minute to connect with a couple of characters in this story, but as the adventure continued, I couldn’t help but be sucked into their worlds and struggles. I loved how Stuart brings history to life in this novel, giving a voice to historic figures such as Karl Faberge and Alma Pihl. I also loved watching the modern-day treasure hunt unfold as Ava and her team traveled to Russia and Finland in search of a historic treasure unlike any other. Exploring themes of family, loyalty, and more, this book was a fun read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

*Thank you to Kelli Stuart, Revell, and Netgalley for an advanced ebook copy. All opinions are my own.

Is this an egg hunt? A Russian history lesson? A version of National Treasure? Yes, it is. The story travels between present day and the early 1900s. I am a fan of historical fiction and love when I can learn something while enjoying a little bit of fiction. It appears that Kelli Stuart has certainly done her research on the Faberge family and their valuable masterpieces. I enjoyed reading about Ava and her long lost father teaming up for one last treasure hunt. As with all dual timelines/multiple POV, I preferred one over the others but I think you should read it for yourself to determine which is your favorite.

A terrific tale! I inhale anything to do with Russia and the Romanovs. The Master Craftsman is about the Faberge artisans and their creations. What if there were more eggs? This book has it all: mystery, a treasure hunt, travel, and history. I learned quite a lot about Carl Faberge and his family. And of course the eggs! The ending out the final twist on the story and was befitting.
I did not out this book down until I was finished.

I enjoyed this novel. It got a bit hokey at the end, but I liked the premise of the story about Fabrege and the Russian Imperial eggs. I had the opportunity to visit the Kremlin Armory in 2000 when Russia opened up after the fall of the Berlin Wall. We also visited St. Petersburg, so to revisit sites again in this novel was wonderful. When I visited, Putin was just coming into power and the ruble was still low and there was lots of black market wares for sale, but I was lucky to be able to visit. Now with the Ukrainian invasion, we won’t be able to visit nor would I want to, but St. Petersburg is a magical city. Anyway, the novel had me immersed in the treasure hunt and I did not know the story of Alma Phil. Very cool. I recommend reading the novel. Not was fun. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

This story is told in dual timelines, one being the early 1900’s in Russia, the second present day, beginning in Florida. It is an intertwining tale of adventure and uncovering the history and mystery of the famous Faberge eggs.

I enjoyed this book, it was thoroughly researched and well written. I especially liked the character of Ava, who was the current day main character who is an adventurer at heart. The opportunity to find a treasure is her dream come true.

What a fascinating topic to tackle – the missing Faberge Eggs of the Russian Imperial family! I knew about the Faberge eggs, the extravagance and hidden treasures inside. What I didn’t realize was that there are a couple missing – still to this day.
This is a dual time story that follows the artisans who create the Faberge masterpieces, and a modern-day treasure hunter in search of the missing eggs.
The historical timeline definitely kept me engaged. The characters have a lot of depth and it was easy to feel the tension of the times and to follow their journeys. To want to see them have a happy ending. In the contemporary story, I found it difficult to connect to the characters. I found myself wanting to read the historical line more, and tended to read faster through the contemporary story.
If you enjoy dual time stories, definitely check this one out.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

When you need to go looking for your own treasure, you don't need to stay stagnant in a job that gets you going nowhere, you step out and take the plunge on something new and unexpected. That cliff you may think you're jumping off of may just be a short ledge to something else- some other world filled with majestic jewels and treasures- where the real prize remains--that is the main takeaway I had from Ms Stuarts new novel about the missing Fabergé eggs of Russia.

I loved the setting of Russia of the past. The dual timeline narrative really had me craving for the past remembrances of the story vs the modern-day timeline. What can I say? I was made for the past. I really enjoyed the authors description of mood in these timelines. The sight and sounds really had me immersed in the story. I enjoyed Alma's story because there was a lot of character to it along with Karl, it was something unique and different which is why I probably preferred it over the modern-day timeline This story was a little slower paced than this reader is used to but if one in is the mood for something slow and methodical this story will work most undoubtedly!

Thank you to Netgalley and publishers for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to the publisher and author for my early copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the best historical fiction book I've read in a long time. I read it in 24 hours and did not want to put it down. The back and forth past and present timeline kept me engaged and the entire story was so interesting. I'd never even heard of Faberge Eggs and did some of my own research and learned so much.

I will definetly be recommending this book to friends and historical fiction lovers alike

As this historical novel unfolded, it pulled me, the reader, right into two very different worlds…one in Russia at the turn of the last century with the Fabergé goldsmith family and company. The second is set in the United States today with an estranged father and daughter dynamic, adventuring together on a treasure hunt. The two time periods see-saw throughout the book. The diversity of the people and time periods draw together around the Fabergé Imperial Eggs and the history and culture of Russia, which Kelli Stuart has researched so well. But this hunt is far more than looking for an egg. There is intrigue and mystery, paired with history and the contemporary world, all dove-tailing with family dynamics from both the old and the new.
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My interest in this book was piqued because in November, 1989, I went home for Thanksgiving to visit my family. With time to adventure into the city, Mom knew just where we needed to go for some fun. In beautiful Balboa Park, San Diego, Fabergé Imperial Eggs (and more) were on display at the San Diego Museum of Art:

Fabergé: The Imperial Eggs – Фаберже: Императорские яйца
San Diego Museum of Art – October 22, 1989 to January 7, 1990
Armory Museum, State Museums of the Moscow Kremlin – January 30 to March 15, 1990

We spent time looking at each Fabergé Imperial Egg plus the other eggs made by Fabergé that were a part of this incredible show. The displays were such that we could see the fine and concise work that had gone into these gold and bejeweled eggs. Absolutely beautiful. Now that I have read this book, I sure would love to be able to look upon those eggs once again! Probably not!

This is an author that I haven't read before and really enjoyed. It's a dual time story, set both in a contemporary setting and turn of the century Russia. Since it was based on the historical, there were things that I was inspired to research over the course of the book which added to my enjoyment of it.

I think this book is more a general read than Christian Fiction as there wasn't a faith element in it. This doesn't detract at all from it being a good book - just an observation. It left me wondering if this is a standalone or if the author will write a series on the main character.

I got this in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed it and will be looking into the authors other books. I will also be ordering this for my library.