As a history teacher who teaches this topic, I found this book super interesting. I find the Romanov family fascinating, especially the story of Anastasia. A great read!

I am a huge fan of historical fiction, I find I am always learning something new. In this instance I learned about the Romanov family and Anna Anderson who had claimed to be Anastasia.

I loved the way Ariel Lawhon wrote this novel with chapters alternating between Anastasia and Anna’s pov. Anastasia’s chapters working towards the final moments in 1918 of the Romanov’s and Anna’s chapters working their way backwards from 1968 to 1918.

Bringing the story to a close in a way I wasn’t sure I was expecting.

It is clear that a lot of research went into this story, and I was fascinated by the authors note, discovering a lot of the conversations in the novel between the Romanov’s, staff, guards etc were taken from letters written by the family and the staff.

I first came across Ariel with her book, Flight of Dreams (about the Hindenburg disaster) in 2016 - it was brilliant. From that book on it has been wonder after wonder including last year’s huge success, The Frozen River. It is therefore needless to say, I was filled with anticipation about her latest to be finally released in Australia, I Was Anastasia.

‘Am I truly Anastasia Romanov? A beloved daughter. A revered icon. A Russian grand duchess. Or am I an impostor? A fraud. A liar. The thief of another woman’s legacy.’

I have a fascination for the Romanov family, as Ariel states herself, ‘The Romanovs are not the only royal family to come to a tragic end, yet their story endures as few have. What do you think contributes to the timeless fascination - that of Anastasia in particular? It was indeed an ambitious undertaking to tell a story of such famed repute and the way she delivers it is complex but I think, very rewarding. Yes the multiple timelines - Anastasia herself and Anna Anderson (see blurb) - are interwoven throughout. Make no mistake, they do jump around all over the place being nonlinear. Even Ariel admits the structure is very challenging and different but it was selected so as to enhance and bring out the absolute best in this tale.

‘The recognized, legal, and surviving family of Tsar Nicholas the Second believe that you are a fraud.’

No matter how much or how little you know of the story of Anastasia Romanov, Ariel’s book brings these rich and highly engaging stories (yes, more than one!) to their most appealing. The detail and specifics that she delivers to her readers is nothing short of spectacular. Be sure to take time to truly sink into Ariel’s, ‘Author Notes’ at the conclusion. I Was Anastasia is a definite stand out book for me and I highly recommend it as it ticks so many boxes. It is complex yet clear in regaling readers about an intriguing mystery from history. If a tale rich in research of time, place, people and mystery sounds inviting, then do yourself a favour and read it.




This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

EXCERPT: If I tell you what happened that night in Ekaterinburgh I will have to unwind my memory - all the twisted coils - and lay it in your palm. It will be the gift and the curse I bestow upon you. A confession for which you may never forgive me. Are you ready for that? Can you hold this truth in your hand and not crush it like the rest of them? Because I do not think you can. I do not think you are brave enough. But, like so many others through the years, you have asked:
Am I truly Anastasia Romanov? A beloved daughter. A revered icon. A Russian grand duchess. Or am I an imposter? A fraud. A liar. The thief of another woman's legacy.

ABOUT 'I WAS ANASTASIA': Russia, 1918: Under direct orders from Vladimir Lenin, Bolshevik secret police herd Anastasia Romanov, along with the entire imperial family, into a damp basement in Siberia, where they face a merciless firing squad. None survive. At least that is what the executioners have always claimed.

Germany, 1920: A young woman bearing an uncanny resemblance to Anastasia Romanov is pulled shivering and senseless from a canal. Refusing to explain her presence in the freezing water or even acknowledge her rescuers, Anna Anderson is taken to the hospital where an examination reveals that her body is riddled with countless horrific scars. When she finally does speak, this frightened, mysterious young woman claims to be the Russian grand duchess. As rumours begin to circulate that the youngest Romanov daughter survived the massacre, old enemies and new threats awaken.

MY THOUGHTS: WARNING - reading the author's note is an absolute must, but not until AFTER you have read the story as critical information is revealed that are spoilers for the book.

The story is written over two timelines - Anastasia's going forward in time and Anna Anderson's going back in time. Initially, I found this quite disorienting, and it took me quite some time to become used to it. The jury is still out on this as a device, but in her notes the author does describe why she wrote it this way.

The author's research into both Anastasia and Anna Anderson's life trying to be recognised as the Russian princess is extensive. I myself have been fascinated by Anastasia's fate, and I Was Anastasia is merely another layer in the mystery for me.

I think I was expecting this to be a more passionate recounting of the last days of the Tsar's family. Although the author has accurately portrayed the horrors and atrocities perpetuated on the family, there was something missing. I didn't feel caught up in it all.

I found Anna's story more interesting as she struggled to be recognised. I felt for her when she said, 'It is impossible to live like this. Bounced around constantly. It feels as though I am losing my mind. Like I am dislocated, shifting constantly from one place to the next . . .'

Although the mystery of Anna's identity is resolved, at the end I found myself with more questions than answers. A challenging read.

I think this would make an excellent movie. All the time I was reading, I was hearing Dame Judi Dench's voice for Anna's character.

⭐⭐⭐.5

#IWasAnastasia #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR: Ariel Lawhon lives in the rolling hills outside Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband, four sons, and black Lab—who is, thankfully, a girl. Ariel splits her time between the grocery store and the baseball field.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Simon & Schuster, Australia, via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Well that sure was a ride I wasn't really expecting!
I've always been fascinated with the story of Anastasia, wondering whether she did somehow survive the events of 1918.
I don't really recall hearing about Anna Anderson. She was a bit before my time.

Having read the Author's Note I fully understand why Ariel wrote the two timelines the way she did.
It confused me a little bit at first but once I got the hang of it I was able to follow along.

I learnt a lot about Anastasia and fully intend to add some of the books Ariel used for her research to my tbr list, to satisfy my curiosity further.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster (Australia) for the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

As an historical fiction junkie I’ve long been fascinated by the Russian Revolution and the Romanov family. I also really enjoyed the Frozen River so this book was one of my most anticipated reads of the year.

The story was fascinating, full of complex characters and written with passion and heart.

I struggled with the ever swapping timeline which was told in fits and starts and the changes in narration style. Reading the authors note I understand why this was chosen by the author but I don’t think it was successful.

A solid read but made overly complex by the style of storytelling.

I absolutely loved I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon. This story is moving, heartbreaking and intriguing. I remember as a child hearing about Anna Anderson, the woman who claimed to be Anastasia Romanov. I have always had a fascination with history and the Russian Imperial Romanov family. I have read books about them in the past and couldn’t believe what those innocent children endured, especially poor little Alexei. This is a cleverly constructed story with dual timelines. Anna Anderson’s story is told in reverse while intersecting the Romanov’s final year of their lives. This is the first book that I have read by Ariel Lawhon, but I bought The Frozen River as I now want to read everything Ariel has written! Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for my digital copy.

"I Was Anastasia" by Ariel Lawhon is a captivating work of historical fiction, exploring the mysterious story of Anastasia Romanov. The book is written with dual time lines that ultimately converge, and explores the story of Anastasia Romanov and Anna Anderson.

In usual Lawhon style, the book is impeccably researched, and brings to life the crumbling world of the Russian Imperial family, and also the history and movements of Anderson. The character of Anastasia is portrayed with depth and complexity, she is a very believable teenage character. Anna Anderson's character is extremely well researched, and gives you an empathy for her character and actions.

Themes of identity, destiny, and the impact of small choices on the course of history are central to the story. Lawhon successfully merges the tension of historical events with the speculative thrill of "could it be," keeping readers engaged as they navigate the shifting timelines.

"I Was Anastasia" offers a thought-provoking and imaginative take on the life of Anastasia Romanov who in all likelihood would have slipped into obscurity if it had not been for Anna Anderson. It's a must-read for fans of historical fiction, as well as those fascinated by the enduring mystery of Anastasia Romanov.

I was given this ARC by NetGalley and Simon & Shuster Australia, and thank them for the opportunity to read it in return for my review. I do note for readers that this is a re-release of the 2018 book by Lawhon.

'Am I truly Anastasia Romanov? A beloved daughter. A revered icon. A grand duchess. Or am I an imposter? A fraud. A liar. The thief of another woman's legacy'.

Most people are already aware of the murder of the royal Romanov family as WW1 closed. However, rumours of young Anastasia surviving pervaded with the appearance of a woman, Anna, who claimed to have escaped the firing squad. This stubbornly persisted for decades, in the absence of technology and DNA testing. Ariel Lawhon puts her spin on the tale, using the alternating POVs of Anastasia and Anna. While Anastasia's story begins as her family is sent into exile in Siberia, Anna's begins at the end and slowly winds back until we reach the pivotal point of what happened after the execution.

'I was Anastasia' is very well-researched and bursts with believability. I did find it a challenge, at times, to read Anna's story backward; to only realise comprehension chapters later. However, as the story reaches its climax, the unique story-telling format is as rewarding as it is revelatory. For a story that is generally so well known, Lawhon does well at delivering a nuanced perspective.

'You're all so enamored with the legend'.

I really enjoy Ariel’s books and always been fascinated by the Romanov family and the story of Anastasia. I quite keen to see how Ariel tackled this book. The story alternates between the one of Anastasia Anderson and the last 18 months of the Romanov family. I loved the start and end where you’re challenged to read and make up your own mind. Even though we now know what happened with Anastasia it was interesting to go back to a time where it was unknown and you can’t but help want for one of the Romanov’s go have survived.

Thoroughly researched I enjoyed the two different sides. I have read quite a bit on the Romanov’s before so was more drawn to the story of Anastasia Anderson. Told backwards we first meet her as she waiting to see the outcome her court case to see if she will be formally recognized as Anastasia Romanov. It was interesting to her story play out, from all the different benefactors she had, how she gathered evidence and her time at the asylum where she first became Anastasia. An interesting mix of history and mystery. A very unique take on both stories with Ariel’s meticulous research and storytelling. Definitely take the time to read and decide for yourself.