I finished this book last night and tried to gather my thoughts throughout the day. First of all let me say I am not generally fond of historical fiction build around real people - especially those I know a lot about. I understand there is the "writer´s licence", but any innacuracy usually drags me the wrong way. Furthermore after reading the awful Tsarina´s Daughter by Carolly Erickson I was put off any OTMA fiction for a long long time. If I didn´t know Sarushka mastered the knowledge (meaning if the book was by some other author), I would probably never have picked it up.
When I finally opened the book, it hooked me immediatelly, from the first sentence. It felt very "young adult" at first, which makes sense given the Grand Duchesses talk about their lives and feelings, and quite a simple, light read, but as the book progressed and the inevitable conclusion came nearer and nearer I found myself putting the book down often - I became so invested in the narrative that it made me physically sick just to know what was coming. Each of the girls seemed very distinct individual, yet at the same time the author captured the close bond between the sisters.
My only criticism is not even a criticism, more like wondering. There are lot of well-known (to a Romanov enthusiast) anecdotes mentioned and woven into the story, and of course quite a few names of Imperial entourage mentioned. I felt that had I not been familiar with those before-hand, I would have been lost in them. I wonder whether that wouldn´t put any "uninitiated" read off (which would be a real pity).
All in all the book exceeded my expectations and I am going to reccomend it to others from now on. I might even give a chance to other Romanov fiction books, though I doubt they will be as carefully and truthfully executed.
