Blood, Bullets, Royals and Intrigue!--"Romanov" by Nadine Brandes--Review

My Review:

This isn’t your typical Disney princess story–it’s even better!  “Romanov” by Nadine Brandes breathes life and magic into a tragic period of history (the period of the Romanov’s captivity).  Just like the matryoshka doll in the story, this tale has many layers.  It’s beautiful, heart breaking, magical and inspiring.

This beautiful tale of the time the Romanovs spent in captivity is based on historical facts, but Ms. Brandes infuses it with her own flair; and of course, some magic!  It is full of Russian culture, which I loved learning about.  There are so many inspiring themes such as friendship, family, forgiveness and purpose.  

The Romanov family has such a strong bond with one another and they seek to be kind and show forgiveness to their captors (which is based on fact).  The story is not all flowers and bunny rabbits.  It’s a very hard time for Anastasia “Nastya” Romanov and her family.  What I love is that these characters laugh, play jokes, pray together (and maybe even experience romance).  Anastasia is a good picture of someone who has lost almost everything, yet has strength and fortitude.

Right up to the pulse pounding, heartbreaking climax, Romanov will grip readers and have them thinking of it long after the last page is reluctantly closed.  The world needs more young adult fiction dealing with such important themes and that leave the reader with hope and strength for their own battles!

Content: I give this book a PG-13 rating.  Some examples of the content are: mention of cigarettes and smoking; references to a woman’s bosom; a man is drunk; mentions of alcohol; some gruesome scenes; a man contemplates suicide.

Rating: I give this book 5 stars!

Genre: Fantasy; Young Adult; Historical Fiction; Christian; Romance; Retelling

I want to thank NetGalley, Nadine Brandes and Thomas Nelson for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

About the Author:

I wrote the Out of Time Series. I think it’s kind of cool.

I’m an adventurer.

I’m a Harry Potter super-nerd who has been known to eat an entire package of Oreos (family-size) by herself.

I watch Fiddler on the Roof at least once a year. (Wait…you don’t?)

Oh yeah, I’M AN AUTHOR! (Der…) I write about other worlds soaked in imagination.

I love the word bumbershoot.

I learned to write using a fountain pen. They are the magic behind avoiding hand cramps. For reals.

I hate peanut butter, but I like brussel sprouts. (Sorry if you just gasped and gagged at the same time.)

I’ve driven a dogsled, eaten a raw potato, walked a tightwire, and waded through a cattail marsh all for the sake of book research.

I’ve been journaling since I was 7-years-old.

 

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