Romanov by Nadine Brandes - OPTIONAL

Romanov by Nadine Brandes, 352 pages.  Thomas Nelson, MAY 2019.  $18.  

Language: G (0swears, 0‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13 (assassinations, some fighting)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Nastya (Anastasia) Romanov and her family have been removed from the throne of Russia and moved to six rooms in a home in a small village, heavily guarded by Bolshevik soldiers, with very few privileges.  As they try to carve out some happiness, Nastya is obsessed with the tiny Matryoshka doll left for them by the spell master Dochkin.  She pins all of her hopes that the magics inside it will save her family from the predations of the revolution.  When the day of crisis comes, however, she has only herself and her little brother Alexi to save – everyone else is gone for good.  With the help of a soldier, Zash, there is a small chance that they might survive.

Your liking of this book will depend upon how much you like the Romanovs.  For the most of the book, it is pretty straightforward Romanov history, revealing the cluelessness of the princesses about their life of riches and privilege.  There is plenty of pathos, but it isn’t until Nastya accesses the first bit of magic, finally, that the book comes into its own.  Well-written, but with a small audience.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS