Romanov by Nadine Brandes

Title: Romanov

Author: Nadine Brandes

Publication Date: 7th May 2019

Pages: 352

Genre: Historical Fiction

The history books say I died.

They don’t know the half of it.

Anastasia “Nastya” Romanov was given a single mission: to smuggle an ancient spell into her suitcase on her way to exile in Siberia. It might be her family’s only salvation. But the leader of the Bolshevik army is after them . . . and he’s hunted Romanov before.

Nastya’s only chances of survival are to either release the spell, and deal with the consequences, or enlist help from Zash, the handsome soldier who doesn’t act like the average Bolshevik. Nastya’s never dabbled in magic before, but it doesn’t frighten her as much as her growing attraction for Zash. She likes him. She thinks he might even like her . . .

That is, until she’s on one side of a firing squad . . . and he’s on the other. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

As soon as I noticed this book I fell in love with the synopsis, I've always been fascinated by the Romanovs and this is the first retelling I've found. The perfect blend between historical fiction and fantasy.

Nadine Brandes is a fabulous storyteller, adding magic in an otherwise heartbreaking story. I was hooked from the very first chapter. The story follows Anastasia as she is confronted with difficult decisions while in exile, we are introduced to the Romanov family while they're kept as hostages by the Bolsheviks. Nastya needs to overcome the stress and monotony while trying to find a way to save her family.

If you're looking for historical accuracy, this is not it. You'll find some historical facts mixed heavily with the author imaginative as she is trying to make you share the feelings of all the characters.
After this magnificent introduction to Brandes prose I had to run and get one of her other books, Fawkes, I'm loving it so far, review to come. 

Shanghai Girls Review

Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

In this book you follow the tragic and heroic fight of Pearl and May, two sisters that live in Shanghai, China during the Japanese invasion. Pearl is the older sister and was born in the year of the Dragon, she is tall with rosy cheeks, not the classic Chinese beauty, May who was born in the year of the Sheep has a porcelain doll complexion and a petite figure, she is perfection to her father eyes.

Both sisters go trough life thinking they have the world at their feet, they live a life full of privilege and glamour until they are told that their father has a huge debt and has decided to marry them to Gold Mountain Men that came from America for that purpose only. When this happens the sisters realize the life and future they had envisioned is far away from becoming their true destiny. They strive with desperation to help each other survive these hard times.

From that point we follow Pearl and May’s journey through this emotional rollercoaster novel. The book deeply explores the tight bond between the sisters.

Lisa See explores the importance of family with this wonderfully narrated historical novel. At times sweet, at others heart- wrenching the story is compelling and manage to deeply captivate you in many, many ways. I really liked this book, actually, more than I thought I will, I wasn’t able to put it down. As a personal comment the only disappointment would be that the ending felt abrupt.

★★★★

Water for Elephants Review

Water for Elephants: A Novel by Sara Gruen

This is the story of Jacob Jankowski and is focused on his memoirs; we get introduced to him when he is 93 years old through his days at the nursing home. The story goes back and forth between past and present when he remembers his days at the circus. Due to a misfortune he wasn’t able to continue his studies at Cornell Veterinarian School in exchange, he finds himself on the Benzini Brothers Circus train where he is hired, this event changes his life, it allow him to bond and become a true friend with a very smart elephant named Rosie and to deeply fall in love with the woman of his dreams.

This is a really interesting and moving book, as the novel progresses the reader becomes drawn into this bizarre world where nothing is what you expect. The author made a really good job researching about the circus life in the 30’s and her description of the characters is beautifully done.

Sara Gruen is a talented storyteller that will make your skin get goose bumps as you go through the pages of this intriguing and fulfilling story. You will experience laughs, tears and be completely absorbed into the circus era of the 1930’s; it describes the rough details of that circus life. I was not able to put this book aside. It’s well worth reading it.

★★★★★