OTMA: The Romanov Sisters

by Sarah Miller

Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia - OTMA. These are the daughters of Tsar Nicholas II, Russian grand duchesses living a life steeped in tradition and privilege. For these sisters on the brink of beginning their own lives at the mercy of royal matchmakers, summer 1914 promises to be a precious last wink of time together - time to link arms and laugh, to share their dreams and worries, and to flirt with the officers of their imperial yacht.

But in a gunshot the future changes - for them, and for Russia.

As World War I ignites across Europe, political unrest sweeps Russia. First dissent, then disorder, mutiny, and revolution. For Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia, the end of their girlhood together is colliding with the end of more than they ever imagined.

At the same time hopeful and hopeless, naive and wise, the voices of these sisters form a chorus singing a requiem for the Romanov dynasty. Impeccably researched and utterly fascinating, acclaimed author Sarah Miller recounts the final days of imperial Russia with lyricism, criticism and true compassion.

(Previously published as The Lost Crown)

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romanovs

429 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Sarah Miller began writing her first novel at the age of ten, and has spent the last two decades working in libraries and bookstores. She is the author of two previous historical novels, Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller, and The Lost Crown. Her nonfiction debut, The Borden Murders: Lizzie Borden and the Trial of the Century, was hailed by the New York Times as "a historical version of Law & Order." She lives in Michigan.

Reviews

[Hayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

an enthusiastic four stars from this romanov purist

[Laura Mabee · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the realm of Romanov fiction, this occupies the same rarified space that Massie's "Nicholas and Alexandra" holds in non-fiction. To me, it is simply the standard by which everything else is measured. The writing is exceptional, the research impeccable, and the result is something that feels less like a novel and more like bearing witness.

[Abby Rose]

I mean, technically I already read this... It's a reprint of The Lost Crown. But is that going to stop me buying this new edition? Not on your life.