What do you think?
Rate this book
Romanov Trilogy #1
The Rebel Princess
Catherine the Great was one of the most remarkable women in Russia’s history. But her first twenty years in Russia were fraught with danger, intrigue and misery. For, gifted with beauty, intelligence and ambition, Catherine was forced to suffer the unpredictable and neurotic whims of Empress Elizabeth and a loveless marriage to her half-witted nephew Peter.
Against the fascinating background of eighteenth century Russia, the tremendous figure of Catherine is brought vividly to life - from her arrival in Russia to her successful bid to overthrow her husband after his accession to the throne.
Against the fascinating background of eighteenth century Russia, the tremendous figure of Catherine is brought vividly to life - from her arrival in Russia to her successful bid to overthrow her husband after his accession to the throne.
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1953
38 people are currently reading
510 people want to read
About the author
Evelyn Anthony
115 books95 followersEvelyn Anthony was the pen name of Evelyn Bridgett Patricia Stephens Ward-Thomas,
Started her career as a writer of historical fiction, later switched to writing contemporary thrillers, often with an espionage theme.
She met Michael Ward-Thomas on a double date in The Dorchester and both were attracted to each other.] He worked for the Consolidated African Selection Trust. They switched partners and were married a few months later.
They bought Horham Hall in 1968 but found that it was costly and sold it in 1976 and moved to Naas, County Kildare where she had relatives. Increased income from her writing allowed her to buy Horham Hall back in 1982.
In 1994 she became High Sheriff of Essex, the firswt woman in over 700 years to hold this office.
In 1995 her daughter Kitty died of a heroin overdose, leading Evelyn to not write for another seven years.
In 2004 her husband died of a stroke.
She was survived by her children Susan, Anthony, Ewan, Christian and Luke as well as 16 grandchildren.
NB:Some sources give Ms Anthonys year of birth as 1926.
Additional information added from Wikipedia
Started her career as a writer of historical fiction, later switched to writing contemporary thrillers, often with an espionage theme.
She met Michael Ward-Thomas on a double date in The Dorchester and both were attracted to each other.] He worked for the Consolidated African Selection Trust. They switched partners and were married a few months later.
They bought Horham Hall in 1968 but found that it was costly and sold it in 1976 and moved to Naas, County Kildare where she had relatives. Increased income from her writing allowed her to buy Horham Hall back in 1982.
In 1994 she became High Sheriff of Essex, the firswt woman in over 700 years to hold this office.
In 1995 her daughter Kitty died of a heroin overdose, leading Evelyn to not write for another seven years.
In 2004 her husband died of a stroke.
She was survived by her children Susan, Anthony, Ewan, Christian and Luke as well as 16 grandchildren.
NB:Some sources give Ms Anthonys year of birth as 1926.
Additional information added from Wikipedia
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 17, 2011
4.5/5
Some times when I look at the recent and upcoming historical fiction releases I scan through looking for something other than yet another Tudor book, or this year in particular another book about Eleanor of Aquitaine and I wonder why there aren't books about some of the other fascinating characters in history. For example, I cannot for the life of me figure out why there are so few books around about the life of Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia.
Here we have a strong, beautiful, charming and beautiful ruler clad in fabulous clothes and jewellery who ruled her land for many years- everything that a queen is supposed to be really. She lived a very dramatic life filled with tension, conflict, lovers and scandal, led her country into a period of learning and culture and so much more.
To read more, head over to http://www.theintrepidreader.com/2011...
Some times when I look at the recent and upcoming historical fiction releases I scan through looking for something other than yet another Tudor book, or this year in particular another book about Eleanor of Aquitaine and I wonder why there aren't books about some of the other fascinating characters in history. For example, I cannot for the life of me figure out why there are so few books around about the life of Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia.
Here we have a strong, beautiful, charming and beautiful ruler clad in fabulous clothes and jewellery who ruled her land for many years- everything that a queen is supposed to be really. She lived a very dramatic life filled with tension, conflict, lovers and scandal, led her country into a period of learning and culture and so much more.
To read more, head over to http://www.theintrepidreader.com/2011...
March 29, 2025
This novel, the first in the author's Romanov Trilogy, traces the life of the woman born Princess Sophie Friederike Auguste von Anhalt-Zerbst-Dornburg, but known to history (and us) as Empress Catherine II of Russia, Catherine the Great. As a young girl, she is sent to the court of the Empress Elizabeth Patrovna, intended (hopefully) as the bride of Elizabeth's heir apparent, Peter Fyodorovich, her nephew. It is clear from the outset that Sophie is little more than a pawn -- in her mother Johanna's ambitions for her family, as well as Frederick the Great's realpolitik. The ageing Empress is beautiful and popular, but volatile and torn by the conflict between her voluptuous desires and her religious penitence. She immediately takes to the young girl; not so her intended Peter, however: he resents her being foisted upon him -- and is eager for his aunt to die, so that he can ally Russia with Frederick, his great hero. Sophie's beauty arouses Elizabeth's jealousy from time to time, and, as she grows to love the country and people of Russia, she is further alienated from her fiance. The couple are married, but each has ambitions and plans that do not include the other. -- This is an amazing story, well-told. It is not perhaps the final word in biographical fiction (it was originally published in 1953), but the author does a splendid job at creating an imperial court consumed by swirling ambitions, petty jealousies, plots, and counterplots. The novel ends as Catherine has triumphed over her enemies (most particularly that dull, unintelligent husband of hers who loves Prussia more than his own realm). Along the way, there is intrigue and suspense. -- Recommended to those readers interested in the era and/or the life of one of the most impressive rulers of any country at any time...
February 2, 2017
A lot of people had mixed reviews about this book but I think it depends on how much you care or know about Russian history. As a somewhat dramatized retelling of Catherine the Great's accession to the throne it's fine. You get the not so often told story of Catherine's life before her greatness, the girl underneath the accolades.
June 21, 2016
I enjoyed this book by Evelyn Anthony. I had heard of the author before, but never read anything written by her. It's always nice to be able to add a prolific writer to your list of authors and that's what I've done with her. Although this story had some predictable subplots, there was enough intrigue to keep me interested. Although the setting is historical, Evelyn doesn't dwell too much on historical detail and concentrates more on her characters which I prefer. Definitely a book for a long weekend.
March 25, 2016
Story focuses on Catherine's younger life as she comes to Russia, meets her fiancé and meets the Empress Elizabeth. Great history and great read.
May 25, 2018
Praise
Excellent read. I’m never disappointed when I read ms. Evelyn’s books. I wish her books were a little longer. I have never read anything about Catherine the great. This was very interesting
Excellent read. I’m never disappointed when I read ms. Evelyn’s books. I wish her books were a little longer. I have never read anything about Catherine the great. This was very interesting
November 2, 2020
I had a really hard time reading this.
April 24, 2024
04/23/2024
August 30, 2016
Perhaps I am unfair in my rating of this book but only because I've already read other, non-fiction works and the more recent novel Winter Palace by Eva Stachniak, so there was nothing surprising or anything new for me in it. I have to say that I liked Anthony's style, overall, better than the style of Winter Palace. The latter was a bit too familiar in its use of scenes and descriptions for my personal taste. Imperial Highness is part of a trilogy, so expect to read only about Catherine's early life in this particular novel.
Like other historical fiction books, this one is focused exclusively on the main character's life in court and the court itself. The larger, socio-historical context is missing. It is also strongly biased in favor of Catherine, so her character appears rather linear. As in the case of other successful female rules (and not only), however one measures success, Catherine's was the result of a confluence of many factors: being in the right place and at the right time, her keen instinct to surround herself with not only loyal but competent people (and to get rid of the cumbersome ones), and her own personality traits.
I would recommend it as a nice fictional introduction to the life of this truly impressive woman.
Like other historical fiction books, this one is focused exclusively on the main character's life in court and the court itself. The larger, socio-historical context is missing. It is also strongly biased in favor of Catherine, so her character appears rather linear. As in the case of other successful female rules (and not only), however one measures success, Catherine's was the result of a confluence of many factors: being in the right place and at the right time, her keen instinct to surround herself with not only loyal but competent people (and to get rid of the cumbersome ones), and her own personality traits.
I would recommend it as a nice fictional introduction to the life of this truly impressive woman.
September 9, 2011
How does this compare to The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great? Or to The Scarlet Empress, a movie about Catherine the great produced in 1935? Click here to find out: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2011/...
January 31, 2019
This was a great book to help quiet my inner history geek!
A fictional tale based on the early life of Catherine the Great of Russia and her rise to power.
The author did a great job of presenting Catherine and her personal growth and becoming the strong woman we’ve heard about in history. She made her human and fallible as well as inspiring and regal.
A fictional tale based on the early life of Catherine the Great of Russia and her rise to power.
The author did a great job of presenting Catherine and her personal growth and becoming the strong woman we’ve heard about in history. She made her human and fallible as well as inspiring and regal.
maybe
September 11, 2011I think I will read Robert K. Massie's Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman first. Massie I KNOW is a great author.
November 3, 2017
Evelyn Anthony was one of my faves back in the day, but now I am wondering why. This read like more of a history lesson, which I did need, than a novel. And Russian names are so off-putting...am I the only one who skips them?
February 26, 2015
I still remember this story and how much Catherine had to go through and how she fought tooth and nail to survive and to thrive.
March 25, 2016
A good book
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews