The Countess of the Revolution

The Countess of the Revolution by Lana Kortchik is a great historical fiction that gives us several views into the complex and world-altering Russian revolutions of the 20th century.

I really enjoyed several books by Ms. Kortchik in the past, so I was excited to read her take on the Russian revolutions that took place in the 20th century.

I know quite a bit about Russian history as a whole, but it was still interesting to read it full of drama, humanity, romance, love, loss, and what defines patriotism.

Countess Sophia Orlova is a complex and intriguing main character that really helps bring several different worlds together. Through her life-altering experiences, we can see the grey that is truly present, and that the world is a lot more than just black and white.

4.5/5 stars

Thank you NG and HQ Digital/ Harper 360 for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 3/28/23.

A captivating and heart breaking story during the Russian Revolution. The author wrote a story that had me on tenterhooks even though I knew what lay ahead historically. What kept me reading was her way of weaving the historical aspects of the Revolution without sounding like a text book and integrating an intense story of family and love.

Sophia and Nikolai had a sweet relationship that could only naturally develop into love. Their forbidden love left me heart broken a few times but thankfully there is a HEA... it just takes so much to get there.

Overall a well written historical fiction. I highly recommend for fans of the forbidden romance trope and the Russian Revolution.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harper 360 for my copy of The Countess of the Revolution by Lana Kortchik in exchange for an honest review. It publishes March 28, 2023.
I found this to be an interesting perspective of the Russian Revolution. I was a little nervous about the ambiguity of her views regarding the revolution, but I felt like it worked out in a decent enough way. I also found the settings to be interesting, as I haven't seen that in fiction about the revolution before.
The downside of this book was the long chapters. There were many times when a chapter would have a break, and that could have been a nice time for a new chapter. It makes it hard to want to pick up a book with extremely long chapters, knowing that if I don't have an hour to devote, I won't be able to complete it.

In The Countess of the Revolution, Lana Kortchik brings the perils of the Russian Revolution to life. Focusing on the perspective of Sophia Orlova, a young countess who has never known work or struggle, Kortchik brings the various phases and evolutions of the Revolution to the forefront of the story. Kortchik explores Sophia’s losses and struggles as the Bolsheviks occupy the home she shares with her Nanny and husband Dmitry. With the Revolution comes Dmitry’s secret brother Nikolai, who seems like a heartless revolutionary but secretly has hidden depths and kindnesses. As the revolution progresses, Sophia, Nanny, Dmitry, Nikolai, and Sophia’s friend Regina must discover what they can do to survive and make this new world bearable despite their different political beliefs. Sophia unexpectedly thrives in this new world, but it changes her relationships in new, yet terrifying, ways. Kortchik’s prose and world-building are powerful, bringing the characters, settings, and the Russian Revolution to life. Her characters and relationships are fully formed yet continue to grow and progress throughout the book. Her settings are vibrant and tangible, and her clear knowledge of the challenges of the Russian Revolution make the Revolution an omnipresent character. Her characters are wonderful, dynamic, and heartwarming.

In "The Countess of the Revolution," Lana Kortchik delivers a captivating historical fiction that provides readers with a multifaceted view of the intricate and world-altering Russian revolutions of the 20th century. Having previously enjoyed several of Ms. Kortchik's works, I eagerly anticipated her perspective on the 20th-century Russian revolutions. Despite my existing knowledge of Russian history, I found her portrayal brimming with drama, humanity, romance, love, loss, and a profound exploration of patriotism. At the heart of the narrative is Countess Sophia Orlova, a complex and intriguing central character who effectively bridges multiple worlds. Through her transformative experiences, the story unearths the shades of gray that permeate reality, reminding us that the world is seldom confined to stark black-and-white distinctions.

I extend my gratitude to NetGalley and HQ Digital/Harper 360 for the opportunity to read this exceptional ARC.