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La esmeralda de los Ivanoff
"Una fina y perfecta esmeralda de 45 kilates", así es como está descrita en el catalogo e identificada "Propiedad de una Lady"... sólo eso. Pero se rumorea que no es otra que el tesoro legendario de Ivanoff. Un ambicioso reportero americano lo está investigando y puede hacer que los maten a ambos...
Llegaría el día en que el misterio de la sería descubierto. Los rumores dicen que esa joya forma parte del fabuloso tesoro de los Ivanoff, una pieza que fue vista por última vez sobre la tiara de una princesa rusa presuntamente asesinada durante la Revolución Bolchevique. El catálogo de Christie ’s anuncia la venta de una «magnífica esmeralda de 45 quilates, sin defectos» y la identifica simplemente como «propiedad de una dama». A las pocas horas, los corredores de Bolsa y los políticos más poderosos del mundo se movilizan excitados por la inminente venta en Ginebra.
Llegaría el día en que el misterio de la sería descubierto. Los rumores dicen que esa joya forma parte del fabuloso tesoro de los Ivanoff, una pieza que fue vista por última vez sobre la tiara de una princesa rusa presuntamente asesinada durante la Revolución Bolchevique. El catálogo de Christie ’s anuncia la venta de una «magnífica esmeralda de 45 quilates, sin defectos» y la identifica simplemente como «propiedad de una dama». A las pocas horas, los corredores de Bolsa y los políticos más poderosos del mundo se movilizan excitados por la inminente venta en Ginebra.
469 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
48 people are currently reading
325 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Adler
66 books592 followersBorn in Yorkshire, North England, Elizabeth Adler met her husband Richard (an American) while both were working in London. They have lived in England, Ireland, France, Brazil, and the United States and have traveled extensively. They have one daughter and live in Palm Springs, California. Her first novel, Private Desires (also titled Leonie), launched an enormously successful writing career, she also wrote as Ariana Scott. She has now written over twenty internationally acclaimed bestsellers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
April 1, 2015
This book has stayed with me for more than 15 years. Read it as a teenager and was hooked from the beginning. In the grand tradition of Mitchner, Cauldwell this is a sweeping epic that spans multiple generations and takes us through most of the notable moments of the early 20th Century through the eyes of a Russian emigree of the Romonav aristocracy. Sure, we get a lot of "flashing eyes" and "seal brown hair" descriptions but what a tale! There were some rather bizarre and uncomfortable plot twists but just the fantasy of going from the Romonavs to the 20's high fashion modeling in New York to Hollywood's golden era is well worth the ride!! Still thinking about it 15 years later.
March 30, 2020
Man vienmēr ir patikušas ģimenes sāgas, un skaistās un bagātās cariskās Krievijas ģimenes liktenis būtu lielisks materiāls gan pshiloģiski niansētam stāstījumam par cilvēkiem uz vēstures fona, gan trillera cienīgai drāmai. Bet neesmu "Dārgakmeņu" mērķauditorija, manai gaumei grāmata pārāk eksaltēta un pārāk haotiska. Viss ir tikai galējības - vai nu princeses ar neiedomājamiem smaragdiem, vai arī apdullinoša nabadzība ar 1 dolāru dienā. Visi ir vai nu bezgrēcīgi eņģeļi, kuri pat domās mušu nenosit, vai nu savu pirmdzimto pārdot gatavi sadisti. Ir vai nu CIP, vai VDK, bet abos satriecoši skaistuļi.
Stāstījums lēkā no viena personāža viedokļa uz otru, lēkā laikā un telpā, Parīzes lidostā tiek atvērta iekāpšana uz Parīzes reisu. Vārdā nosauktu personāžu skaits tuvojas trijiem desmitiem, pat ja no personāža nekāda labuma nav. Vienvārdsakot, pārspīlējumi un kvantitāte cenšas aizstāt kvalitāti. Turklāt ļoti, ļoti sasteigtas beigas.
"/../ pagātne paliek pagātnē. Bet dzīve ir jādzīvo tagad."
Stāstījums lēkā no viena personāža viedokļa uz otru, lēkā laikā un telpā, Parīzes lidostā tiek atvērta iekāpšana uz Parīzes reisu. Vārdā nosauktu personāžu skaits tuvojas trijiem desmitiem, pat ja no personāža nekāda labuma nav. Vienvārdsakot, pārspīlējumi un kvantitāte cenšas aizstāt kvalitāti. Turklāt ļoti, ļoti sasteigtas beigas.
"/../ pagātne paliek pagātnē. Bet dzīve ir jādzīvo tagad."
August 7, 2015
I don't often give a five star rating, but this book is truly worth it. Adler does an amazing job of going from past to present and place to place! I so enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down. I've read (or tried to read) some authors that attempt what I call time and space narrative and it's very hard to pull off without confusion and, on my part, irritation. Brava Elizabeth Adler!
To get to the plot and characters. Well, I was totally surprised by the revelation of "the lady" and that was very near the end of the book. I really liked the main character, Missie, and struggled with her through her losses and victories.
A great read!
To get to the plot and characters. Well, I was totally surprised by the revelation of "the lady" and that was very near the end of the book. I really liked the main character, Missie, and struggled with her through her losses and victories.
A great read!
February 25, 2018
Superlativo!! Uno dei più bei vintage mai letti...
December 4, 2017
Este libro me atrapó y de verdad es excelente, dado que pon una esmeralda dos potencias se peleaban casi que hasta sacarse los ojos.
December 12, 2017
Една от най-добрите истории, разказани от писателката.
March 8, 2011
In the midst of the Russian revolution, a very rich prince and his family were targets of the revolutionaries. The prince and princess were killed and the rest of the family were presumed dead. However, they have survived and the granddaughter of Prince Ivanoff has sold an emerald that could only be one of the Ivanoff jewels. The KGB, the CIA and one other mysterious player are hot on the trail of this granddaughter, believing she will lead them to the Ivanoff billions that are in a Swiss bank, and the deed to some very important mines.
The story is told partly in the present day and partly in flashback. The history of practically everyone involved with the emerald and the missing Ivanoffs is laid out in this book. Sometimes flashbacks can be either confusing or boring, but these are neither. In fact, the action and characters in the present day pale in comparison with those of the past.
The sentence structure is sometimes awkward and confusing. Pronouns are overused to the point that it's hard to tell to whom the pronoun is referring, especially in the beginning of the book. Also some clauses are misplaced so that the subject and verb agreement is somewhat stultified. As I got interested in the story, however, I didn't notice it as much unless I really couldn't figure out who or what they were referring to.
The climax of the novel is exciting and satisfying, although there was one element, which I can't reveal, that I thought rather unnecessary. Actually, it seemed a little like the author changed her mind about how the book would end at the last second, but it still works.
I would recommend this book to fans of family saga novels, but probably not mystery and suspense novels.
The story is told partly in the present day and partly in flashback. The history of practically everyone involved with the emerald and the missing Ivanoffs is laid out in this book. Sometimes flashbacks can be either confusing or boring, but these are neither. In fact, the action and characters in the present day pale in comparison with those of the past.
The sentence structure is sometimes awkward and confusing. Pronouns are overused to the point that it's hard to tell to whom the pronoun is referring, especially in the beginning of the book. Also some clauses are misplaced so that the subject and verb agreement is somewhat stultified. As I got interested in the story, however, I didn't notice it as much unless I really couldn't figure out who or what they were referring to.
The climax of the novel is exciting and satisfying, although there was one element, which I can't reveal, that I thought rather unnecessary. Actually, it seemed a little like the author changed her mind about how the book would end at the last second, but it still works.
I would recommend this book to fans of family saga novels, but probably not mystery and suspense novels.
February 27, 2010
I have re-read this book several times; it is a wonderful story. I have enjoyed some of Adler's other novels, although not so much the more recent ones; but for me this one was her best. Very compelling stuff.
December 1, 2021
Fata care ieşise din taxiul cu aer condiţionat în faţa hotelului Oriental era înaltă; cu picioare lungi, lucioase, bronzate, părul negru, strălucitor îi unduia în jurul umerilor şi avea un chip care era un amestec de Orient şi Occident. În ciuda căldurii arzătoare şi a umidităţii, ea arăta proaspătă într-o rochie scumpă de in şi o pălărie cu boruri largi.
Trecu grăbită pe lângă fântâna arteziană şi cvartetul care cânta muzică de cameră în hol şi se îndreptă spre arcada de magazine din spatele hotelului.
― Sora mea a lăsat un pachet aici, îi spuse ea vânzătoarei dintr-un magazin de antichităţi. Mi-a zis să vin să-l iau în locul ei.
Luând pachetul cu eticheta Jim Thompson ― Magazin de mătăsuri, se întoarse de-a lungul arcadei la terasa cu orhidee ce dădea spre râul Chao Phraya, unde comandă un ceai. Lăsând pachetul alături, îşi sorbi ceaiul fără grabă, urmărind traficul fluvial aglomerat. O jumătate de oră mai târziu, părăsi terasa, coborî treptele spre râu şi luă un taxi fluvial spre partea de jos a oraşului.
Acum mergea repede, depărtându-se de râu. Mai opri un taxi şi-i ceru şoferului să o ducă la hotelul Dusit Thanai.
La toaleta femeilor, se schimbă într-o bluză simplă şi un pantalon jeans, împături cu grijă eleganta rochie neagră de in şi o puse în pachet. Îşi strânse părul neted în coadă de cal, ţinută cu un elastic, şi îşi dădu cu un ruj mai deschis. Ieşind din hotel pe uşa din spate, îşi feri ochii cu o pereche de ochelari de soare Ray-Ban ― nu o copie ieftină care se vinde la fiecare colţ de stradă din Bangkok, ci din cei scumpi ― şi luă alt taxi spre Patpong Road.
Taximetristul rânji la ea prin oglinda retrovizoare. Ştia totul despre Patpong, cartierul cu baruri cu felinare roşii, cluburi dubioase, saloane de masaj şi sex-magazine şi îşi închipui care-i era meseria. Ea îi ignoră încercările de a face conversaţie, îi plăti dându-i un bacşiş modest şi îşi continuă cu siguranţă drumul prin îngrămădeala de străduţe murdare. Se opri în faţa unei clădiri înguste, cenuşii, înghesuită printre altele o sută pe o stradă laterală, uitându-se la numele de pe o minusculă carte de vizită pătată, prinsă cu o pioneză pe o scândură. Satisfăcută, trecu în grabă prin faţa clinicii care oferea tratamente pentru boli venerice şi alte „neplăceri” sexuale, spre etajul al doilea, unde apăsă pe un interfon, aşteptă răspunsul, apoi îşi rosti liniştită numele. Uşa se deschise când o atinse, iar ea se strecură înăuntru, închizând-o bine în urma ei.
Se afla într-un coridor întunecos, îngust, mirosind slab a urină şi chimicale, la capătul căruia era o a doua uşă. Fără ezitare, o porni de-a lungul coridorului şi o deschise.
O lampă mică, foarte luminoasă, strălucea pe suprafaţa unui birou vechi, lăsându-l în semiîntuneric pe bărbatul ce stătea în spate, dar ea putu să vadă că era imens, o caricatură grotescă a unei forme umane. El îşi înălţă capul de la mica grămăjoară de pietre strălucitoare pe care le studia şi-brusc lumina îi cuprinse faţa.
Trecu grăbită pe lângă fântâna arteziană şi cvartetul care cânta muzică de cameră în hol şi se îndreptă spre arcada de magazine din spatele hotelului.
― Sora mea a lăsat un pachet aici, îi spuse ea vânzătoarei dintr-un magazin de antichităţi. Mi-a zis să vin să-l iau în locul ei.
Luând pachetul cu eticheta Jim Thompson ― Magazin de mătăsuri, se întoarse de-a lungul arcadei la terasa cu orhidee ce dădea spre râul Chao Phraya, unde comandă un ceai. Lăsând pachetul alături, îşi sorbi ceaiul fără grabă, urmărind traficul fluvial aglomerat. O jumătate de oră mai târziu, părăsi terasa, coborî treptele spre râu şi luă un taxi fluvial spre partea de jos a oraşului.
Acum mergea repede, depărtându-se de râu. Mai opri un taxi şi-i ceru şoferului să o ducă la hotelul Dusit Thanai.
La toaleta femeilor, se schimbă într-o bluză simplă şi un pantalon jeans, împături cu grijă eleganta rochie neagră de in şi o puse în pachet. Îşi strânse părul neted în coadă de cal, ţinută cu un elastic, şi îşi dădu cu un ruj mai deschis. Ieşind din hotel pe uşa din spate, îşi feri ochii cu o pereche de ochelari de soare Ray-Ban ― nu o copie ieftină care se vinde la fiecare colţ de stradă din Bangkok, ci din cei scumpi ― şi luă alt taxi spre Patpong Road.
Taximetristul rânji la ea prin oglinda retrovizoare. Ştia totul despre Patpong, cartierul cu baruri cu felinare roşii, cluburi dubioase, saloane de masaj şi sex-magazine şi îşi închipui care-i era meseria. Ea îi ignoră încercările de a face conversaţie, îi plăti dându-i un bacşiş modest şi îşi continuă cu siguranţă drumul prin îngrămădeala de străduţe murdare. Se opri în faţa unei clădiri înguste, cenuşii, înghesuită printre altele o sută pe o stradă laterală, uitându-se la numele de pe o minusculă carte de vizită pătată, prinsă cu o pioneză pe o scândură. Satisfăcută, trecu în grabă prin faţa clinicii care oferea tratamente pentru boli venerice şi alte „neplăceri” sexuale, spre etajul al doilea, unde apăsă pe un interfon, aşteptă răspunsul, apoi îşi rosti liniştită numele. Uşa se deschise când o atinse, iar ea se strecură înăuntru, închizând-o bine în urma ei.
Se afla într-un coridor întunecos, îngust, mirosind slab a urină şi chimicale, la capătul căruia era o a doua uşă. Fără ezitare, o porni de-a lungul coridorului şi o deschise.
O lampă mică, foarte luminoasă, strălucea pe suprafaţa unui birou vechi, lăsându-l în semiîntuneric pe bărbatul ce stătea în spate, dar ea putu să vadă că era imens, o caricatură grotescă a unei forme umane. El îşi înălţă capul de la mica grămăjoară de pietre strălucitoare pe care le studia şi-brusc lumina îi cuprinse faţa.
October 13, 2019
This book has stayed with me almost from the time I read it shortly after it was written in 1990 and thought of it as one of the most pleasurable historical fiction books I’d ever read. I had given it away as is my custom shortly after finishing it. Just recently, I was reading another by the same author who had dramatically changed her style to fluffy “travelogue romances.” Each time I came away disappointed remembering this work, though without as much clarity by now to the point I didn’t realize it was THE book until several chapters into it. The survivors of the Russian Revolution reminded me.
The work covers a significant amount of the 20th century as it follows the two principle characters, Russian Princess Xenia of the Romanov aristocracy and an orphaned family friend from America—Missie, along with the family dog, a Borzoi dog named Viktor. Later we are reunited with the other survivor of the family, Alexie.
The prologue set the stage for the name of the book by sharing with us that an enormous emerald surfaces as an item in the catalogue of Christie’s Auction House in Geneva. It could have only come from the Ivanoffs, whose family had been murdered in 1917 for all intents and purposes. “The Lady’s” identity is unknown as to who is offering the emerald, but there are several interested parties wanting to know the identity of the one who offered and who could possibly have purchased it—Ferdie Arnaldt of the armament dynasty for the wealth of mines offering weapons materials, the Solovskys for getting released to Russia billions tucked away in Swiss banks, and for those simply wanting the rest of the Ivanoff/Romanoff dynasty finished off.
There is romance and intrigue galore as we trace the life of Xenia/Azelee/Ava and Missie from their barely surviving an attempt on their lives as they flee Russian revolutionaries and so much more. We watch as they go from great wealth to abject poverty and back again, all the while with a valise of hidden treasures they are afraid to part with. The story literally covers the world from Russia to Hollywood, scoundrels and lovers and hidden secrets that can be shared with no one for fear of their lives.
It is a tightly written well-crafted work that is told partly in the present day and partly in flashback. Adler was very clever in her use of flashbacks to add in missing components almost as on a “need-to-know-basis,” creating, in essence, her own bit of intrigue as she moves the story along as she connects then and now.
The whole story seems to be about Missie in “autobiographical” form and her taking care of Azelee, until close to the end where it switches to primarily all about Azelee as the sole focus, suddenly needing to make things right. The book also ends rather abruptly, finished—but quickly so, almost as though Adler was just done with it. All in all, though very enjoyable even a second time around, which I never do (usually).
The work covers a significant amount of the 20th century as it follows the two principle characters, Russian Princess Xenia of the Romanov aristocracy and an orphaned family friend from America—Missie, along with the family dog, a Borzoi dog named Viktor. Later we are reunited with the other survivor of the family, Alexie.
The prologue set the stage for the name of the book by sharing with us that an enormous emerald surfaces as an item in the catalogue of Christie’s Auction House in Geneva. It could have only come from the Ivanoffs, whose family had been murdered in 1917 for all intents and purposes. “The Lady’s” identity is unknown as to who is offering the emerald, but there are several interested parties wanting to know the identity of the one who offered and who could possibly have purchased it—Ferdie Arnaldt of the armament dynasty for the wealth of mines offering weapons materials, the Solovskys for getting released to Russia billions tucked away in Swiss banks, and for those simply wanting the rest of the Ivanoff/Romanoff dynasty finished off.
There is romance and intrigue galore as we trace the life of Xenia/Azelee/Ava and Missie from their barely surviving an attempt on their lives as they flee Russian revolutionaries and so much more. We watch as they go from great wealth to abject poverty and back again, all the while with a valise of hidden treasures they are afraid to part with. The story literally covers the world from Russia to Hollywood, scoundrels and lovers and hidden secrets that can be shared with no one for fear of their lives.
It is a tightly written well-crafted work that is told partly in the present day and partly in flashback. Adler was very clever in her use of flashbacks to add in missing components almost as on a “need-to-know-basis,” creating, in essence, her own bit of intrigue as she moves the story along as she connects then and now.
The whole story seems to be about Missie in “autobiographical” form and her taking care of Azelee, until close to the end where it switches to primarily all about Azelee as the sole focus, suddenly needing to make things right. The book also ends rather abruptly, finished—but quickly so, almost as though Adler was just done with it. All in all, though very enjoyable even a second time around, which I never do (usually).
July 26, 2021
I'm going to be honest, I didn't finish this book. I don't do that often, but it usually happens when I'm not a fan of the writing. Overall, the plot was a great idea. It was mysterious, interesting, and left me wanting to read more. But the thing that bogged me down was the random backstories! I don't really care how Joe Shmo worked his way up in the world to become rich or about Joe's grandfather's grandfather. The writing was also difficult to follow. It didn't flow well and the dialogue was too flat. I understand that a formal route needed to be taken since most of the characters didn't know or trust each other, but that doesn't mean the dialogue had to be flat!
After reaching page 200, I skipped until the last three chapters. Apparently, those 200 or so pages that I skipped were insignificant because I learned everything from those last few chapters...I feel bad for not liking this book because so many people did. But I guess it wasn't my cup of tea.
After reaching page 200, I skipped until the last three chapters. Apparently, those 200 or so pages that I skipped were insignificant because I learned everything from those last few chapters...I feel bad for not liking this book because so many people did. But I guess it wasn't my cup of tea.
August 4, 2018
Mi opinion con SPOILER
El libro me gustó muchísimo, es detallado, con muchos personajes y ninguno de ellos se queda atrás, todos tienen su historia y son importantes en el trama, son varias generaciones de familias que a lo largo del libro se relacionan entre si y van revelando poco a poco un sin fin de secretos que te mantienen todo el libro en suspenso y a la expectativa, no es predecible y te sorprende muchísimo, tiene una pizca de romance, suspenso, acción, historia y drama hasta aquí le doy 4 estrellas, le quito una por que siento que el final fue muy rápido comparado con lo detallado de todo el libro y le faltó algo de imaginación en el desenlace, no me gusto la muerte de cierto personaje, no merecía ese final definitivamente y si no le quito otra estrella es porque todo el libro es buenísimo.
altamente recomendado!
El libro me gustó muchísimo, es detallado, con muchos personajes y ninguno de ellos se queda atrás, todos tienen su historia y son importantes en el trama, son varias generaciones de familias que a lo largo del libro se relacionan entre si y van revelando poco a poco un sin fin de secretos que te mantienen todo el libro en suspenso y a la expectativa, no es predecible y te sorprende muchísimo, tiene una pizca de romance, suspenso, acción, historia y drama hasta aquí le doy 4 estrellas, le quito una por que siento que el final fue muy rápido comparado con lo detallado de todo el libro y le faltó algo de imaginación en el desenlace, no me gusto la muerte de cierto personaje, no merecía ese final definitivamente y si no le quito otra estrella es porque todo el libro es buenísimo.
altamente recomendado!
February 24, 2023
I read this book the first time 20 years ago, and as I have said before in reviews of Elizabeth Adler's books I've read since then, I found her earliest writings, the multi-generational romantic mysteries, far more to my liking than her later 'location romances' or psychological thrillers. This is one of those multi-gen mysteries, and I was once again entertained and totally caught up in the mystery. Her gift in writing this type of story is in how skillfully she weaves a story between past and present, over a century of very different (but somehow related) families. In this story, the plot twist revealed in the last chapters of the book blew my socks off... didn't see it coming! Great book to curl up with on vacation or a rainy day.
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November 10, 2025Tämän kirjan 📖 ääniversiota 🎧 olen odottanut, ⏳ se on kirjaillijan varhaista tuotantoa ja jäänyt lukematta. Kirja ilmestyi vuonna 1992 ja äänikirjana 2023, sen kuunteluun saa varata aikaa, se kestää yli 18 tuntia!
Ruhtinaan perintö on historiallinen romaani ja jännäri, joka pitää mielenkiintoa yllä. Kuunneltuani kirjan tajusin, miksi aikanaan tykästyin 👍 Adlerin kirjoihin. Kirjassa liikuttiin useassa aikatasossa ja kiinnostavat henkilöt pitävät mielenkiintoa yllä. Kirjan tapahtmat alkavat minullle niin rakkaasta ❤️ Genevestä. 🇨🇭
Helmet 41/2024 Kirjassa syntyy lapsi =>
🎧 Elizabeth Adler, Ruhtinaan perintö 👍
Ruhtinaan perintö on historiallinen romaani ja jännäri, joka pitää mielenkiintoa yllä. Kuunneltuani kirjan tajusin, miksi aikanaan tykästyin 👍 Adlerin kirjoihin. Kirjassa liikuttiin useassa aikatasossa ja kiinnostavat henkilöt pitävät mielenkiintoa yllä. Kirjan tapahtmat alkavat minullle niin rakkaasta ❤️ Genevestä. 🇨🇭
Helmet 41/2024 Kirjassa syntyy lapsi =>
🎧 Elizabeth Adler, Ruhtinaan perintö 👍
February 8, 2019
He disfrutado muchisimo de esta lectura, me ha enganchado la vida de missie y de todo lo que tuvo que pasar por mantener con vida no solo a la hija de los Ivanoff sino su legado y su historia viva...
Reconozco que me ha gustado mas la parte antigua de la historia que la moderna... tenia mas chicha LA escapada desde Rusia a Estados unidos, ver como se iba construyendo New york, como vivia ( o mal vivia) la gente y como se va forjando la vida de Missie...
Es una historia que engancha, os la recomiendo....
Reconozco que me ha gustado mas la parte antigua de la historia que la moderna... tenia mas chicha LA escapada desde Rusia a Estados unidos, ver como se iba construyendo New york, como vivia ( o mal vivia) la gente y como se va forjando la vida de Missie...
Es una historia que engancha, os la recomiendo....
January 23, 2020
Great read! All Characters are well established and the plot lasts over there generations. Takes awhile to catch your attention but once you are in, its difficult to put it down. I liked the authour's writing style.. shuffling between past and present! You have to read it continuously otherwise you may forget the names and lose threads of the story! It makes a gripping read, though I feel the ending is brutal! Valentine's death broke my heart! If only she finally brought them together! After all they had suffered, I was expecting a happy ending! It would have been wonderful!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2025
loved the ease in which the story switched between current & past events. the story took place within a period of approximately 75 yrs in Russia, Turkey & USA. a bit of a 'takeoff' of the Romanovs with a twist. i was enthralled me throughout the entire reading. many characters w/ depth who led interesting lives & had great careers. impressive writing. i look forward to reading more of Ms. Adler's novels.
March 30, 2025
An older friend of mine had referred me to this book and I wasn’t disappointed. She said she read it several times throughout her life.
If I was to read it again I probably would of kept a log of the characters bc several switch their names in the story and it got a little confusing bc there is a pretty long list of characters.
But what a tale of immigration, riches, jewels, poverty and wealth. Beautifully written plot wort twists and turns at every corner.
If I was to read it again I probably would of kept a log of the characters bc several switch their names in the story and it got a little confusing bc there is a pretty long list of characters.
But what a tale of immigration, riches, jewels, poverty and wealth. Beautifully written plot wort twists and turns at every corner.
March 11, 2017
Classic romance: intrigue, gems, unclaimed treasures, movie stars and millionaires. Adler skillfully weaves a story through time and love interests with a bounty of interesting characters. I was caught up in it all. But don't put it down or you will lose the thread of the story. Lots of plot to keep you intrigued.
October 27, 2019
The Property of a Lady by Elizabeth Adler pulled me in from the very beginning. I loved the descriptions and details the author wrote in this book. The Russian revolution has always intrigued me along with the jewels of the aristocracy. This book blends history, mystery and some romance, all of which I enjoy. The size of the book was initially intimidating to me, but the story is so worth it!
April 4, 2020
Was a really good book. I have had on my to be read pile for some time and finally got around to it. A great story of the Ivanoff's from Russia. They were a wealthy family and during the revolution were murdered except for 3 people. This is the survivors story.
April 15, 2023
Nice book, I enjoyed the stories and the style. I could not let it till I finished it. I was not sure about the ending with killing Valentin, I thought that he might be actually a good guy... still not sure, if he had to die, or if he would have killed Anna , if H
he had the chance..
he had the chance..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2018
Muy entretenida, el final inesperado, me encanto!!!
November 17, 2018
Ya lo había leído y es tan aburrido que no voy a reintentarlo para recordarlo. Pasé páginas para confirmar que no me atrapa como para re-leerlo.
May 18, 2020
Very good. Fast reading
June 8, 2020
Quite the dramatic story. Epic really. And sad
August 12, 2024
Captivating story, excellent descriptions and dialogue, lifelike characters, unforeseeable plot twists ..
April 16, 2025
sometimes hard to follow
I did like this book however at times all the different names made it harder to follow. But still a good book
I did like this book however at times all the different names made it harder to follow. But still a good book
July 7, 2018
Excellent read
Enjoyed greatly. Would highly recommend it. Especially for sitting on the beach with a frozen strawberry mango margarita. No salt!
Enjoyed greatly. Would highly recommend it. Especially for sitting on the beach with a frozen strawberry mango margarita. No salt!
July 25, 2021
I've had this book for so long; sitting on my bookshelves since it was published, I've no doubt. I had never read it - and am so glad I finally took it down and cracked it open. What a wonderful read! Great characters, beautifully written - and I appreciated that there weren't THAT many to remember. Lots of peripheral ones but you really only had to focus on the primaries. Great story telling - incredibly descriptive (which can be annoying) but in this case, the author built a perfect 3D of the world she had created. I do feel the ending was incredibly rushed - yet overall a very satisfying book to sink your teeth into.
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