Author: Joy Preble
Release Date: September 1, 2009
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Format: Paperback
Source: I bought it from Border's bookstore.
Buy It: Amazon
Add It: Goodreads
What really happened to Anastasia Romanov?
Anastasia Romanov thought she would never feel more alone than when the gunfire started and her family began to fall around her. Surely the bullets would come for her next. But they didn't. Instead, two gnarled old hands reached for her. When she wakes up she discovers that she is in the ancient hut of the witch Baba Yaga, and that some things are worse than being dead.
In modern-day Chicago, Anne doesn't know much about Russian history. She is more concerned about getting into a good college until the dreams start. She is somewhere else. She is someone else. And she is sharing a small room with a very old woman. The vivid dreams startle her, but not until a handsome stranger offers to explain them does she realize her life is going to change forever. She is the only one who can save Anastasia. But, Anastasia is having her own dreams.
I love history and legends, and this book sounded very unique and exciting to me. The history of the Romanov family has always intrigued me ever since I watched the animated movie when I was a little girl. Dreaming Anastasia's storyline is quite strong. It did not live up to its potential, though. I feel like the entire book was building up to an anti-climactic ending. I mean, the book is quite a page-turner but then it just ends. I wasn't really satisfied. Some of the character relationships had no closure. Yes, there's a sequel, but you need to be given enough information to want to continue with the next book. I was left confused, but at the same time I had no motivation to stick with the series. It's for this reason that I just don't have much to say about it. Haha.
And maybe it's the graphic designer in me, but I could not stand the font that was used for the text of Anastasia's letters to her family. My eyes hurt by the end of every letter and I counted the pages to see how long my agony would last. If you're going to use a script font for 6 pages, at least pick one that's easy to read. Anyway, this wasn't for me. And I'm SO sad, because I was really looking forward to an awesome Anastasia retelling. Oh well!
Have you read any Anastasia/Russian spin-offs that you like? I love the time period and the rich culture and history, but there's not many books out there that tackle this subject matter.
:) I can tell you two I didn't like.
ReplyDeleteThe Curse of the Romanovs focuses on Alexei, rather than Anastasia and he time-travels. To 2010. & meets his 15-year old cousin (who somehow is able to develop a cure for hemophilia). & falls in love with her. & discovers cell phones and texting. No joke, "ILUVU4EVA" & "ILUVU4EVA2" are actual lines from the story. Lol, to this day my boyfriend and I will text it to each other.
Oh, and Rasputin turns out to be Alexei's real father. ...yeah.
The other one is The Last Romanov, which actually comes out this month. It wasn't bad, but it definitely wasn't what I had expected.
Tsarist Russia & the Romanovs in general are HUGE interests of mine and I pretty much make it a point to read any book dealing with the family. ♥
I was so excited after just reading the first sentence of the goodreads summary so it is sad to hear that you didn't care for it much. Thanks for sharing it though since I have never heard about this book. I am going to add it to my tbr list.
ReplyDeleteWow, I feel completely different. I just finished this one last night and I Loved it! I'll be posting my review early next week. But, not every book is for everyone. Hope you enjoy your next read more.
ReplyDeleteoooo that sucks! bc this looks like it would be super awesome! and I would hate the script font also.
ReplyDeletexo,
La Toya (La Toya, Literally)
I enjoyed what I read of one callled The Diamond Secret. I didn't finish it because the book repeated pages and I haven't gotten around to buying a new copy. It was kind of like the animated movie in book form. But I love the hell out of that movie, so I wasn't too bothered XD.
ReplyDeleteI love anything set in Russia or dealing with the Romanov's. It's a shame that you didn't like this one. One of my favorites dealing with this topic was Robert Alexander's The Kitchen Boy. It's got wonderful twists and turns that will keep you guessing.
ReplyDeleteOh man. I was SO excited for this book because it's about Anastasia! I always look forward to reading books like this... but your review has made me slightly more cautious.
ReplyDelete