"The Passion of Marie Romanov"

[Georgiy]

Well, read this one via Kindle. I understand the author frequents the forum. In many ways I quite liked this one, but, (spoiler) did not like how in it Marie succumbed to her passion, and feel the story would have been more powerful had it been unrequited. No happy ending or escapes, apart from Marie (and what was indicated about what happened to Olga on the Rus) the story stuck pretty much to the facts.

[Dev]

This book was such garbage! It had more than enough inaccuracies, the most offensive Olga being sexually asssaulted on the Rus. Also, Maria has sex at Ipatiev and writes shes happy she won't die a virgin.
Also, got nastily attacked by a few "reviewers" for speaking the truth; they evoked Helen Rappaport, claiming she said Maria had sex (wonder how Helen would feel about this BS?). It was interesting as hell that the reviewers that attacked me, their only review was of this book; also, Helen Azar commented on my review, and one of these people immediately wrote a bad review of her books. She later deleted. Just suspicious as hell.

Sorry for the language, this book was so angering. Maria and Olga's story is beautiful and so tragic enough, you really don't need really at all to have such offensive embellishments of it, among other "minor" inaccuracies. Found the character of "Marie" a little whiny and and so bland.

Also, if an author can't take criticisms, you really shouldn't be a writer. I don't know for sure if those reviewers attacking me were friends, though it seems obvious; if so, not cool man. Not cool.

[Dru]

This book was such garbage! It had more than enough inaccuracies, the most offensive Olga being sexually asssaulted on the Rus. Also, Maria has sex at Ipatiev and writes shes happy she won't die a virgin.
Also, got nastily attacked by a few "reviewers" for speaking the truth; they evoked Helen Rappaport, claiming she said Maria had sex (wonder how Helen would feel about this BS?). It was interesting as hell that the reviewers that attacked me, their only review was of this book; also, Helen Azar commented on my review, and one of these people immediately wrote a bad review of her books. She later deleted. Just suspicious as hell.

Sorry for the language, this book was so angering. Maria and Olga's story is beautiful and so tragic enough, you really don't need really at all to have such offensive embellishments of it, among other "minor" inaccuracies. Found the character of "Marie" a little whiny and and so bland.

Also, if an author can't take criticisms, you really shouldn't be a writer. I don't know for sure if those reviewers attacking me were friends, though it seems obvious; if so, not cool man. Not cool.

Was that you on Amazon, Dev?  If so, I completely agree with what you had to say.

[Dev]

It was, dRU! Thanks, glad not the only one who saw it. Just ugh. btw, love the pic of Alexandra! :3

[Dru]

It was, dRU! Thanks, glad not the only one who saw it. Just ugh. btw, love the pic of Alexandra! :3

You're not the only one who saw it.  I feel badly for for being harsh, as I'm sure the author poured her heart into her piece, but to me, historical fiction should be as accurate as possible.  Taking artistic liberties is one thing, but perpetuating rumors that most historians believe to be untrue is a little different.  I hope I'm saying this as kindly as possible.

A bit off-topic, here, but I'm so glad you noticed my Adini avatar!  Some of my friends around here already know this, but I'm working on my MFA in creative writing, and my thesis is a historical novel about the beautiful, tragic Grand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna   

[Dev]

Exactly. I got attacked as being a prude by rwo of these "reviewers". WTH? No, its because its so inacurate.

Yes, a bit off-topic, BUT wow was just thinking there needs to be a book on her! So excited for this! Good luck!

[Georgiy]

That was my point though, I wished that the writer had not gone down the path of sex. It would have been OK without it, the sex spoiled it.

[Dev]

Agree! Though disagree it would have okay, well - perhaps "okay" as in sub-par in that the character of Marie was so bland; also the other innaccuries like the dating and Marie hating Rasputin

[Dev]

I think perhaps what upsets me most--besides Olga being sexually assaulted--was that writers think--consciously or consciously-a woman's life story is not worth telling if she didn't fall in love, or have sex, or make out. "Marie" writes she's happy she wont die a virgin.

It just makes me sad that a beautiful amazing story like Maria's is water-downed in not only a bland characterization, but as girl almost wholly concerned about love and sex, as if that is what makes her a real woman. (also, wouldnt the real Maria have been smart enough to know having sex can result in pregnancy and endanger the lives of her family? Not that the real Maria would (she wouldn't!), but besides the impossibility of privacy at  Ipatiev and Maria's prim Victorian upbringing, there's no way can see her risking her family's lives or possibility of a pregnancy just so she wont die a virgin)

[Georgiy]

You are absolutely right about that (life not complete without making out etc) and it is so against the Orthodox way of thinking.

[Dev]

Precisely

[Dev]

The author commented on my review on goodreads,under her name of "Laura Rose". Then wrote a review of her own book, again under her name and listed as a goodreads author, saying the book was beautifully written, she lost sleep whilst reading it, and that the author's creative licensing was justified

[Ally Kumari]

The author commented on my review on goodreads,under her name of "Laura Rose". Then wrote a review of her own book, again under her name and listed as a goodreads author, saying the book was beautifully written, she lost sleep whilst reading it, and that the author's creative licensing was justified

How desperate one can be? And immature? She took BIG liberties with her story and she should realize people who are educated in the matter will voice out their oppinion. Take it too the heart for the next time.

[TimM]

The author also got her name wrong.  It's Maria, not Marie.

Ally, is that the new Wonder Woman in your avatar pic?

[Ally Kumari]

Urgh. Apparently this author made a youtube promotional video for her book.... and she used my colourized images of the Romanovs for it. Needless to say she never bothered to ask or give credit. I feel quite outraged that my work is used to promote this specific book.

Tim - as for your question - no :-) It is Huma Qureshi, a hugely talented Indian actress and one of my favourites.