Romanov by Nadine Brandes [ARC – Book Review]

Summary:

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.

My Review:

“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.” -Anastasia from Romanov

This book was AH-MAZING.

I’m someone who very rarely reads Historical Fiction aside from a few authors and Nadine Brandes is definitely now a part of this list. My issue with so many Historical Fiction books is that they often feel like I’m reading a history textbook, and this…this was NOT one of those books.

This story was crafted so beautifully, and the ending was beyond perfect. Throughout the whole story I was just in LOVE with the Romanov family. I loved their relationships and love for each other. I especially loved the relationship between Nastya and Alexei! It was beyond beautiful. And I love how the story focused more on the love and relationship between a family more than the love interest story line. I knew nothing about the real-life Romanov family going into this story and the whole time I was reading this book I was just rooting for them and my heart rejoiced and grieved with them and their situation over and over and over again. Their small moments of joy brought me joy and their moments of sadness broke me. I was so invested in this story of their amazing family. I love the strength and the voice Nadine brought to Nastya’s character. She was so easy to connect with and relate to. I love that despite everything Nastya and her family has been through, she is so strong and despite her pain and being faced with many difficult decisions she was never selfish. She always thought about her family and those around her.

Whether you read Historical Fiction on a regular basis or not I 100% recommend this book.

**NOTE: I was given this book (from NetGalley) in exchange for my honest review/opinion**

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Share The Love || A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Hello Readers!

Finally! I got around to a book review! Are you as excited as I am? Okay you probably aren’t but whatever. Let’s do this thing.

The monster showed up after midnight. As they do.

But it isn’t the monster Conor’s been expecting. He’s been expecting the one from his nightmare, the one he’s had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming…

This monster is something different, though. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.

It wants the truth.

 

So, I was given a copy of this book by my Secret Sister who goes by the name of ‘Ariel’ and I finished the book a couple days after I got it. (Granted I didn’t start it until a few days after haha 😛 ) I’m seriously in LOVE with this book! ❤

After reading this book I will, without a doubt, be reading more of Patrick Ness’s works. This was the first book of his I read and if I said I didn’t enjoy it would be a big fat lie! Not only was the story amazing and intriguing but Patrick Ness’s writing style is beautiful ok? It was gorgeously amazing and flowed so well almost like poetry. I loved it.

I loved the emotions I could just feel radiating off the pages as I read. I felt fear and suspense when the monster showed itself. I also really connected with the MC Connor as well. All his emotions I could feel. At points it felt like it was me as the main character and it was just truly magical. Such amazing writing, let me tell you that.

I enjoyed this book so much and was blown away by it. I honestly don’t think I’ve read such a beautiful book before. It was an outstanding novel. If you haven’t read it then do it now. Ok? Take my word on this.

 

I rate this book: 5 Diamonds

I like using diamonds instead of stars. Don’t judge me 😛

 

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts on it? Did you love it? Why or why not?

 

Until Next Time,

Adriana G.

 

Also look at these amazing illustrations for the book by Jim Kay