Historical fiction fans will not want to miss C.W. Gortner’s latest novel! I would also offer, if you enjoy perfect storytelling involving an enthralling and strong woman, this book is also for you!
My Thoughts:
The Romanov Empress by C.W. Gortner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 huge stars to The Romanov Empress! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
The Romanov Empress is narrated by the mother of Russia’s last tsar. Maria (formerly “Minnie”) Feodorovna is born a Danish princess; however, while her family has rank due to title, it is low on funds. Her story begins when she is a teen, and her sister, Alix, is about to marry the Prince of Wales, son of Queen Victoria. I find Queen Victoria especially fascinating, so it was intriguing to hear about her from Maria’s point-of-view.
Maria also is set for a royal marriage to keep her family’s status, and while it is not an easy or simple journey, especially for her heart, she marries the Romanov heir who later takes the throne. The descriptions of the setting as she arrives in St. Petersburg were absolutely mesmerizing.
Later Maria’s husband dies, and her son, Nicholas, is now the ruler of a disintegrating empire that is struggling in every way. She attempts to guide her son, but her efforts are futile with Nicholas’ wife and Rasputin having the emperor’s ear.
The Romanov Empress is epic in its scope, and the writing is exquisite, while also being highly readable. The rich setting is replete with opulence and grandeur balanced with war and extreme turmoil. I savored this reading experience, and Maria is a memorable and inspiring historical figure who falls in love with Russia and does her best to honor and uphold it. It is a story of family, sacrifice, strength, and ultimately, love.
Thank you to Random House/Ballantine for the complimentary copy. The Romanov Empress is now available!
Synopsis:
For readers of Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir comes a dramatic novel of the beloved Empress Maria, the Danish girl who became the mother of the last Russian tsar.
Even from behind the throne, a woman can rule.
Narrated by the mother of Russia’s last tsar, this vivid, historically authentic novel brings to life the courageous story of Maria Feodorovna, one of Imperial Russia’s most compelling women who witnessed the splendor and tragic downfall of the Romanovs as she fought to save her dynasty in the final years of its long reign.
Barely nineteen, Minnie knows that her station in life as a Danish princess is to leave her family and enter into a royal marriage—as her older sister Alix has done, moving to England to wed Queen Victoria’s eldest son. The winds of fortune bring Minnie to Russia, where she marries the Romanov heir and becomes empress once he ascends the throne. When resistance to his reign strikes at the heart of her family and the tsar sets out to crush all who oppose him, Minnie—now called Maria—must tread a perilous path of compromise in a country she has come to love.
Her husband’s death leaves their son Nicholas as the inexperienced ruler of a deeply divided and crumbling empire. Determined to guide him to reforms that will bring Russia into the modern age, Maria faces implacable opposition from Nicholas’s strong-willed wife, Alexandra, whose fervor has lead her into a disturbing relationship with a mystic named Rasputin. As the unstoppable wave of revolution rises anew to engulf Russia, Maria will face her most dangerous challenge and her greatest heartache.
From the opulent palaces of St. Petersburg and the intrigue-laced salons of the aristocracy to the World War I battlefields and the bloodied countryside occupied by the Bolsheviks, C. W. Gortner sweeps us into the anarchic fall of an empire and the complex, bold heart of the woman who tried to save it.
Lovely review Jennifer! Have a great weekend!😊💖
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Thanks, Sus! I hope you have a great one, too! 💗 xo
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Loving this one as well. I so agree this is a five star read. As always I love your review, Jennifer! 🙂
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Thanks, Marialyce! I’m so happy you are loving it, too, and finding it worthy of five stars, and I can’t wait for your review!
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Wow, this is a beautiful review! This story sounds amazing! 👍🏻I love historical fiction..
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Thanks, Lana! Yay, I’m so happy you love historical fiction, too. Gortner is a wonderful storyteller. I hope you are having a great Saturday and doing some fun things!
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I am having such an amazing day!! Can’t wait to go home tonight and write all about it! 🤩🤗 I hope you are too!
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I haven’t yet read any of C.W. Gortner’s books but this one is also on my TBR. I’ve always loved historical novels but so far most of the books I’ve read are either about WWII and English history, so this would be breaking away from my usual. It looks like a great book. Thank you for this review, Jennifer.
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Thanks for reading my review, Rachel! I read quite a bit of WWII historical fiction, and you are right- it’s nice to go to a different time and place sometimes! I hope you enjoy this one, too, if you are able to fit it in. I hope you are having a lovely Saturday!
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Wonderful review Jennifer almost makes me want to read it, LOL! I would tweet but the Twitter button seem to be missing on everyone’s blog but I will check yours again! Strange!
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Thanks, Berit! I know historical fiction is not your thing, but this one reads like the most incredible, epic story, even though it really did happen! That is weird about the Twitter buttons. I’ve not seen that before!
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Yours are fine, but they aren’t showing up on many other peoples sites for me maybe because I’m on my phone? I’m too lazy to hold my iPad at the moment, LOL
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Great review Jennifer! I don’t read very much historical fiction but you certainly make this one sound great. 🙂
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Thanks, Carrie! This one is not too heavy on the historical detail- it’s more showing through the story, rather than telling, which is really special in HF. 😊
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You’re welcome! 🙂
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Lovely review 💛💛💛💛
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Thanks, Priyasha! 💕
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Lovely review! I love historical fiction, but I tend to be wary of books about the Romanovs mainly due to problems with accuracy of information. Nonetheless, this sounds like a fun read!
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Thanks, Mel! I tend to read historical fiction more for the storytelling, but I totally understand about the accuracy.
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Lovely review! I do enjoy historical fiction and LOVE books set in Russia so this is definitely hitting the right notes with me. Thanks Jen! 😘
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Aw, thanks, Beth! I don’t think you’ll regret adding this one! 💗
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This is on my TBR since I’m a fan of Gortner’s historical fiction and a lover of the Romanov period (more so anything to do with the English monarchy, but they are fascinating because of their ties to Queen Victoria). A lovely review and I hope to get a chance to read this one soon!
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Thanks, Stephanie! It was so interesting to hear about Queen Victoria from this other angle. I hope enjoy it when you are able to get to it. I have a couple from Gortner’s backlist that I need to work in!
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You’re welcome! I’m sure it was! That’s such an interesting time in history. I’ve got a few of his that I need to read; I need to finish his Tudor trilogy for one! Thanks..there are just way too many books to read, lol.
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I am reading this now. This is an excellent read. So well researched! GREAT REVIEW!
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Thank you, Reeca! Yes, it was the best! I’m so happy you love it, too. I’ll be watching for your review!
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