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Romanov

Nadine Brandes

Start date: November 1, 2020

Finish date: November 30, 2020

Discussion: Stand Alone

Why we're reading this: Won the poll for the stand alone BOTM
[close] Won the poll for the stand alone BOTM

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Stand Alone

* Stand Alone- Maybe Meant to Be
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* Stand Alone- The Summer of Broken Rules
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What Members Thought

Aug 30, 2020 Ali Cross rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-read-in-2020

I really liked it! Strange to read a YA book that's a standalone, but it was wrapped up well with a satisfying ending.

I loved the way a totally unique magic system was wrapped up with historical pieces, and thought the author did an amazing job with all the characters.

I highly recommend! ...more

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Jan 26, 2019 Shantal rated it really liked it

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 ...more

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Oct 29, 2019 Stephanie rated it liked it

Shelves: 2019

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. No compensation was given, offered, or taken to alter the opinion forth with.

I was really excited about Romanov. It had a great start and the story moved along at a great clip, not too fast or too slow. The writing was good. I enjoyed the writing and I would read another one of Nadine Brandes' books. However, I didn't love this story like I had hoped I would. I don't really have any other reason for that than I just didn't gel with it.

I want I received this book in exchange for an honest review. No compensation was given, offered, or taken to alter the opinion forth with.

I was really excited about Romanov. It had a great start and the story moved along at a great clip, not too fast or too slow. The writing was good. I enjoyed the writing and I would read another one of Nadine Brandes' books. However, I didn't love this story like I had hoped I would. I don't really have any other reason for that than I just didn't gel with it.

I wanted to love this book. I wanted to be completely invested in Zash and Nastya's relationship, but I wasn't. If Zash and Nastya hadn't ended up together at the end, I honestly would have been fine. I felt zero connection or sympathy I supposed for their relationship. I know I was supposed to but there just wasn't that... fire between them that made me love them.

As far as the plot goes, I did not expect this book to go where Brandes took it to be honest. I couldn't guess a thing. I'm not really sure what I expected from this book, but what I got wasn't anything I would have guessed. Personally, I think this is a good thing. I was really curious about how the magic in this book was supposed to work, and I'm glad Brandes took the time to reveal the mechanics towards the end. After overcoming my initial surprise at how it works (which I can't say because SPOILERS), I liked that she chose something different for those magical mechanics than what you usually see.

It was an interesting choice for the Romanov family to be so focused on forgiving their enemies and not wanting to hurt anyone, including their enemies. This was a theme throughout the entire book. It was a different and fresh take on a dire situation that you don't usually see depicted in books, and I thought Brandes did that really well and convincingly. I loved how Nastya realized at the end that killing her enemies wouldn't make her pain go away and that there is strength in forgiveness, even when forgiveness seems impossible. It was such a beautiful message and one I have never come across and any book that I have ever read. Brandes just communicated this so incredibly well.

Overall, I didn't love Romanov but it's solid book and if you're interested in reading it I would recommend giving it a try. ...more

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Sep 22, 2019 Amanda R rated it really liked it

This is my second Brandes book (after Fawkes) and I have to say I think I liked this one even better. A retelling of Anastasia and the Romanov execution, but with a magical spin. I love how she takes real historical events and turns them into fantasies. This one was full of emotion and the narration from Anastasia (Nastya) was delightful (ha ha...the eggs in the boots!). I also loved the role of Zash and absolutely adored Alexei. How cute was he?

But I think one thing I loved most was the major t ...more

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Jun 21, 2019 Eva rated it really liked it

I find this part of history fascinating. I thought Ms. Brandes did a wonderful job with this story. I found it informative and interesting. Ms. Brandes writes well. I just wish there were some of the family's negatives discussed, there are other sides to the story. ...more

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