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Sunday, April 4, 2010

A Spotlight Review: Anastasia's Secret



Title: Anastasia's Secret
Author: Suzanne Dunlap
Stars: 4.5
Summary from Goodreads
Review by Kirthi
Pages: 333

“Will I never see you again either?” I asked, feeling as though I was about to jump off a high mountain peak and hope to land without hurting myself. That’s how impossible everything seemed at that moment, no matter what I did.

“Perhaps we will meet again,” Sasha said, softening his voice. “But you must see that it does not matter. You have so much ahead of you. It’s your choice now. Choose the future! Choose life!”

For Anastasia Romanov, life as the privileged daughter of Russia’s last tsar is about to be torn apart by the bloodshed of revolution. Ousted from the imperial palace when the Bolsheviks seize control of the government, Anastasia and her family are exiled to Siberia. But even while the rebels debate the family’s future with agonizing slowness and the threat to their lives grows more menacing, romance quietly blooms between Anastasia and Sasha, a sympathetic young guard she has known since childhood. But will the strength of their love be enough to save Anastasia from a violent death?

Inspired by the mysteries that have long surrounded the last days of the Romanov family, Susanne Dunlap’s new novel is a haunting vision of the life—and love story—of Russia’s last princess.

My thoughts:
I was wonderfully happy to receive this in the mail (thanks Anna Dalziel, senior publicist) because it's been a while since I read a historical fiction novel. I love historical fiction where it's told from the first person, and according to Suzanne Dunlap's Authors Note, she was afraid to write in the first person P.O.V. of a real, historical, character, and a famed one at that too, but I'm glad she did because Anastasia's Secret was an enjoyable read!

Beginning: The book started with a prologue that gave me a glimpse at what's to come in the book. The prologue really got me attached. I loved how the first chapter introduced a young Anastasia and a young Sasha, because you can see how much thier relationship grows. A great way to start a book.

Middle: An equal combination of dangerous action and suspense and romance. I tried to stop reading and almost did until, "Wait...what happens next?". I read till midnight. My favorite part about Anastasia's Secret is the fact that the story starts from the very beginning, even before the 'real' story starts, and then it evolves through the chapters into something completely thrilling. How the characters changed was really interesting!

End: I thought that it was a good ending. The epilogue made the ending less good though (sad face) you'll have to read it to find out!

Characters: Sasha!!! (heart) Sasha is, by the way, a guy name. His real name is Alexander, but his family called him Sasha. I have a friend at school (who is a girl) and her name is Sasha and her real name is Alexandria. What a pretty name... Don't you love how rich and grand these Russian names are? Say it out loud with me:
"Alexandria"
"Alexander"
"Alexei"
"Grand Duchess Anastasia Nicholaevna Romanova"
You can find out more about these tricky Russian names at the Cast Of Characters page at the front of the book.

Back to the Characters!
Anastasia was an easy to lie character. I had my doubts on Sasha several times, he had these mood changes; He was very mysterious and obscure. Anastasia's father, Tsar Nicholas Alexandrovich Romanov was one of my favorites, a kind, loving, father who cared for his children and wife: It wasn't what I was expecting for a ruler of a giant kingdom.

Conclusion: A wonderful historical novel that balances between danger and romance. A great read!

6 comments:

  1. Fantastic review. I've only heard positive things about this book and have been dying to read it! Plus I love historical fiction. Happy to hear that it was good!

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  2. These days I'm totally into historical fiction and anything from the Russian Revolution is a must-read :D Awesome review!

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  3. I agree. Great review. I am quite sure I want to read it.

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  4. I've been wanting to read this one for a while now. Great to see that you enjoyed it so much! Thanks for the review! :D

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  5. Awwwww I want this book. I love stories that involve Anastasia. I'm so fascinated by the Romanov family. I cannot wait to read this one!!!

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  6. I love books about Anastasia. Great review!

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