Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia. Like the fingers on a hand--first headstrong Olga; then Tatiana, the tallest; Maria the most hopeful for a ring; and Anastasia, the smallest. These are the daughters of Tsar Nicholas II, grand duchesses living a life steeped in tradition and privilege. They are each on the brink of starting their own lives, at the mercy of royal matchmakers. The summer of 1914 is that precious last wink of time when they can still be sisters together--sisters that link arms and laugh, sisters that share their dreams and worries, and flirt with the officers of their imperial yacht.
This book was truly amazing and haunting at the same time. It took place during the Russian Revolution following the lives of the five Romanov children, Olga, Tatianna, Maria, Anastasia, and Alexei.
This book was so sad, and, well, heart-wrenching. The characters seemed so real, probably because they were, and you knew that the story was true. There were pictures of the family in the back of the book, which was both awful and nice at the same time.
It was very easy to connect to the siblings, especially the girls. They had animals they adored, family they loved, and yearned for life to be how it was before the revolution. They watched countless people die. At the beginning of the book and the revolution, they more of watched the misery and heard about it then be greatly affected by it. They tried to help the people and shorten the war. Then their father was abdicated, and their life suddenly got worse, until the end, then they DIED.
This book just goes to show you that real life isn't a happy ever after.
At first, even in the midst of a war, their lives were easy. Sure, they knew what was happening, and they were helping in all ways they could, but what they did before their father abdictated was nothing compared to what happened to them next.
This story was heart wrenching. It was not the kind of story to make you bawl, but I had tears in my eyes several times. Little things - most having to do with Anastasia, because I know the most about her - wrenched my heart. Such as when the girls are learning about people who impersonated dead monarchs, and Anastasia says that no one would be able to impersonate her. Or when she wishes people would not think of her as the ex-tsar's fourth daughter, but as Anastasia Romanov. I actually cried during the Christmas scene. They were all so happy, but at the same time, so sad.
Also, I will never look the same way at Disney's Anastasia again. Seriously! What were they thinking! It was so off, it wasn't even funny!
This book deserves to be read. Although it was slow going, and I almost gave up on it in several occasions, I'm s glad I didn't. It was so unlike any book I have ever read before. It was sad, happy, fun, dark, and beautifully written. Miller made it seem like the Romanov girls had actually written the book. Their narratives felt so real, and you could feel their pain.
I give this book a 4/5 and would recommend it to lovers of history lovers, and anyone who is looking for a heart-wrenching read.
Market: YA
Language: Mild/Moderate
Sensuality: Mild/Moderate
Violence: Mild/Moderate
But in a gunshot the future changes for these sisters and for Russia.
As World War I ignites across Europe, political unrest sweeps Russia. First dissent, then disorder, mutiny, and revolution. For Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia, the end of their girlhood together is colliding with the end of more than they ever imagined.
At the same time hopeful and hopeless, naive and wise, the voices of these sisters become a chorus singing the final song of Imperial Russia. Impeccably researched and utterly fascinating, this novel by acclaimed author Sarah Miller recounts the final days of Imperial Russia with lyricism, criticism and true compassion.
But in a gunshot the future changes for these sisters and for Russia.
As World War I ignites across Europe, political unrest sweeps Russia. First dissent, then disorder, mutiny, and revolution. For Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia, the end of their girlhood together is colliding with the end of more than they ever imagined.
At the same time hopeful and hopeless, naive and wise, the voices of these sisters become a chorus singing the final song of Imperial Russia. Impeccably researched and utterly fascinating, this novel by acclaimed author Sarah Miller recounts the final days of Imperial Russia with lyricism, criticism and true compassion.
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