Romanov

Another one of Nadine Brandes's masterpieces.

Romanov. Romanov. Romanov.

I highly recommend this book. Another one of Nadine Brandes's masterpieces.

It made me cry (three times). Sad tears, heartbroken tears, happy tears... but all of them good tears. The ending was perfect.

Setting
Like in Fawkes, Nadine did heaps of research for this to make it historically accurate but still something new. Obviously it is fantasy but she still stuck fairly close to the facts (but with a little twist of her own). You can tell that she loves the Russian people and culture.

About the Characters
Nastya was very real with real relationships and real struggles. I loved her relationship with her brother and sisters.
“That was how we sisters worked. When one was weak, another picked up the strength.”

Family was a strong part of the story. Because the Romanov family was exiled all they had left was each other. Nastya loved her family.
“No amount of age, pride, or maturity could stop me from loving my papa with the heart of a little girl.”

Nastya's impish spirit reminded me of my own younger sister which made me connect with her and understand her better. She just loved making people smile.
“They [laughed] and I soaked it in... At last, I felt useful. Like I was helping heal my family even if it was just their spirits.”

The Romanov family's love and forgiveness of the Bolsheviks had a huge impact on their guards. They did not treat them as enemies but understood that the soldiers were just doing their duty to their country. They were just obeying orders and were not necessarily bad people.
“Curse those Bolsheviks. I ought to poke holes in the soles of all their boots!”

I loved Ivan and Zash. Nadine did a good job at making the Bolshevik guards real people through them. They were not mindless and had reasons for everything they did. I loved finding out more about Zash as the story went on. It was scenes with these two that made me cry.
“Zash's face broke into a wide grin and he spread his arms wide. "Ivan!" He and Ivan crossed the garden to meet in a firm handshake.”

Faith elements
The Romanovs would read the bible together each night. When they were in the hardest times they turned to prayer.

Their faith brought them through some really tough times during their exile. It helped them to keep hoping and to keep forgiving.

Forgiveness was a huge theme in Romanov.
“We must show kindness to the soldiers... Every day, show them forgiveness. We are a reflection of Iisus, and he was rejected by his own people just as we are. Love. Forgive.”

Content
Romance:
- One kiss

Violence:
There is some violent content but the descriptions do not go into it in unnecessary depth (it is still YA though). There are murders/executions but you get that during a revolution.

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