Book written by Nadine Brandes, published 2019.
The year 1918 promised to be a trying one for the Romanov family. With so much unrest still plaguing Russia, the fate of the former royal family is uncertain, but for Anastasia—or Nastya as she’s known to her family—there is a ray of hope. The family’s Matryoshka doll contains magic that may save her family. All Nastya has to do is smuggle it into her family’s exile in Siberia and keep it out of the hands of the cruel Bolshevik leader that’s out for her family’s blood. Should be an easy task for the family shvibzik. But Nastya doesn’t know much about spells other than the ones she uses to keep her brother Alexei healthy. Dare she use the doll’s magic, or does she dare trust Zash, a Bolshevik who’s kinder to her and her family than the others?
This was an excellent window for me into the last months of the lives of the Romanov family. I didn’t learn a lot about the politics that were involved or anything like that, but it was heartwarming to see what good people the Romanovs were even in such difficult times. They are inspiring examples of what it means to “love thine enemy”. The only thing that disappointed me was that Brandes didn’t really expand on the rules of magic she created for this story. It struck me as a really unique concept, but it was kept pretty vague. (That’s not really the point of the story, but still.) Other than that, this was a solid novel, well-written and cleverly adapted history. I’m not much of a historical fiction person, so I feel that in itself says something about this book. Whether you’re like me or not, I’d recommend giving this one a read.
This novel doesn’t have any language or risqué romance, but there are a lot of guns and a good deal of blood.
Since this novel is based on specific historical events, I’m not sure I’m really spoiling anything, but here’s your spoiler warning anyway.
“I realized that a part of forgiveness was accepting the things someone had done—and the pain that came with that—and moving on with love. Forgiveness was a personal battle that must always be fought in my heart. Daily. And though I was tired of running and surviving and fighting . . . I wasn’t ready to surrender that battle just yet.”
Besides the Romanovs, there were a few other characters that Brandes based on real people. Ivan, Commandant Avdeev, and Commandant Yurovsky were all real people that were involved in the Romanovs’ exile. Not everything that happened to them in the book is historically accurate (especially true in Yurovsky’s case), but it was interesting to have that perspective on the lives and characters of those that were considered to be the enemy. I especially felt bad for Avdeev. He seemed to be a person that genuinely wanted to do the right thing but felt stuck between what his duty and his heart told him that was.
I liked Zash as a character. Brandes said that though he wasn’t based on anyone specific, he was meant as a focus for the Bolshevik guards as a whole, and I thought he served as an excellent representation. After Nastya explained to Zash that they wouldn’t attempt to escape because they didn’t want to risk the lives of the Bolsheviks that guarded them (that is factually correct, by the way), Zash says, “Don’t you realize these soldiers would likely let you escape if you really gave forth an effort? They love you.” This statement left something to be desired for Nastya, but I think it perfectly summarizes what Zash is meant to embody. The soldiers came to love and respect the Romanov family, but for many, that caused an inner conflict of loyalty. Zash cared about the Romanovs and likely would have let them escape if they’d taken a chance, but he couldn’t afford to appear too sympathetic or he’d put his own life in danger. In the end, I think his courage and loyalty were commendable, and I’m glad Nastya was able to forgive him in the end.
I was pleased with the ending in general, especially for Nastya’s and Zash’s sakes. After so much time having to hide from each other and from themselves, they get to live a life of peace together, and it was just a satisfying happily ever after. I hope the real Anastasia found something like that with her brother.
So, like I said before, I’m not much of a historical fiction person, but I think this is an important genre, and I’d like to read a little more into it. If you have any suggestions for novels you think I should read, I’d love to hear them!
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