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El último Romanov
Un heredero del zar Nicolás II, capaz de cambiar el futuro y poner en orden el pasado
Darya Borisovna conoció en su juventud el esplendor de la corte del zar Nicolás II. Allí cuidó del zarévich Alexei, el heredero del trono, hasta los terribles sucesos que desembocaron en la ejecución de la familia imperial. En 1991, cuando el régimen soviético se ha derrumbado, ya sólo es una anciana con fama de hechicera, siempre rodeada de unas extrañas mariposas que muchos consideran una reencarnación de los espíritus de los Romanov.
Es precisamente entonces cuando un grupo de aristócratas nostálgicos solicitan su ayuda. Tienen razones para sospechar que Alexei sobrevivió a la matanza, y un heredero del zar podría cambiar el futuro político de Rusia. Pero para Darya Borisovna la búsqueda del zarévich superviviente también es una forma de recomponer los fragmentos de su propio pasado.
Darya Borisovna conoció en su juventud el esplendor de la corte del zar Nicolás II. Allí cuidó del zarévich Alexei, el heredero del trono, hasta los terribles sucesos que desembocaron en la ejecución de la familia imperial. En 1991, cuando el régimen soviético se ha derrumbado, ya sólo es una anciana con fama de hechicera, siempre rodeada de unas extrañas mariposas que muchos consideran una reencarnación de los espíritus de los Romanov.
Es precisamente entonces cuando un grupo de aristócratas nostálgicos solicitan su ayuda. Tienen razones para sospechar que Alexei sobrevivió a la matanza, y un heredero del zar podría cambiar el futuro político de Rusia. Pero para Darya Borisovna la búsqueda del zarévich superviviente también es una forma de recomponer los fragmentos de su propio pasado.
428 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2012
206 people are currently reading
4293 people want to read
About the author
Dora Levy Mossanen
6 books87 followersDora Levy Mossanen is the international bestselling author of the widely acclaimed novels Harem, Courtesan, The Last Romanov, Scent of Butterflies, and Love and War in the Jewish Quarter. She is the recipient of the prestigious San Diego Editors’ Choice Award and Best Historical Novel of the Year from The Romantic Times. She is a contributor to numerous media outlets such as Huffington Post and The Jewish Journal and has been featured in various mediums and publications including Sh’ma, The Los Angeles Times, The Denver Post, Los Angeles Review of Books (LARB), Authority Magazine, Jewish Renaissance Magazine, KCRW, Radio Iran, Radio Russia, and JWT, and has appeared in numerous television programs. In 2010, Dora was accepted as a contributor to the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, founded in 1926 and hailed by The New Yorker as “the oldest and most prestigious writers’ conference in the country”.
Her writings have been praised by many celebrated authors, among them: Amy Ephron, Steve Berry, Jonathan Kirsch, John Rechy, Rabbi David Wolpe and Adam Kirsch, to name a few.
"In this richly evocative novel, Dora Levy Mossanen conjures Tehran in the 1940s, where age-old customs and prejudices are being challenged by modern ideas - about love and sex, politics and science, and the place of Jews in Iranian society. The story of Soleiman Yaran, a Jewish dentist whose life changes course when he is summoned to treat a royal patient, is as romantic, suspenseful and compelling as the history of the city and people that surround it." – Adam Kirsch, Author, The People and the Books:18 Classics of Jewish Literature
Dora was born in Israel and moved to Iran when she was nine. At the onset of the Islamic Revolution, her family was forced to leave Iran. They eventually settled in Los Angeles. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and a Master’s in Professional Writing from the University of Southern California (USC).
You can learn more about her at www.doralevymossanen.com.
Her writings have been praised by many celebrated authors, among them: Amy Ephron, Steve Berry, Jonathan Kirsch, John Rechy, Rabbi David Wolpe and Adam Kirsch, to name a few.
"In this richly evocative novel, Dora Levy Mossanen conjures Tehran in the 1940s, where age-old customs and prejudices are being challenged by modern ideas - about love and sex, politics and science, and the place of Jews in Iranian society. The story of Soleiman Yaran, a Jewish dentist whose life changes course when he is summoned to treat a royal patient, is as romantic, suspenseful and compelling as the history of the city and people that surround it." – Adam Kirsch, Author, The People and the Books:18 Classics of Jewish Literature
Dora was born in Israel and moved to Iran when she was nine. At the onset of the Islamic Revolution, her family was forced to leave Iran. They eventually settled in Los Angeles. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and a Master’s in Professional Writing from the University of Southern California (USC).
You can learn more about her at www.doralevymossanen.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 374 reviews
November 7, 2012
This book can be summarize in these three words: Of Crap Piece. Though you may have to rearrange them.
So I'm going to completely summarize the crapfest that was this book. Because then you won't read them. I read this book and finished it to protect you. LOVE ME.
Meet Darya. Her name means "the sea" oooh. She was conceived when her dad/mom met and then went all naughty during an auroch hunt. Oh did I mention that her mom was an noble named Sabrina Josephine and her family had all the pink diamonds...in Italy.
Quick fun fact: there are no diamond mines in Italy and there's not actually diamond mines that solely produce pink diamonds.
Her dad was a Russian cousin to the tsar named Boris...because all Russian noble guys are named Boris. So Sabrina and Boris go on an auroch hunt.
Quick fun fact from wiki: The aurochs (/ˈɔːrɒks/ or /ˈaʊrɒks/; also urus, (Bos primigenius), the ancestor of domestic cattle, is an extinct type of large wild cattle that inhabited Europe, Asia and North Africa; they survived in Europe until the last recorded aurochs, a female, died in the Jaktorów Forest, Poland in 1627.
Yep. Extinct. BUT WAIT...there's more. Sab & Boris get it on and exactly nine months later they have a kid in the forest. Somewhere in that time, they had gotten married without anyone counting on their fingers or Sab's pink diamond daddy getting all pissy that his pink diamond had gotten scuffed while hunting extinct animals. Oh and it appears the tsarina just found it all peachy.
So their kid Darya was born with an opal eye. I have no idea what this would look like but it was orangy or some sort. I don't know. It wasn't really explained, nor did it alter her depth deception, but it seems the little tsarlings liked to poke her in opal eye. Whatevs.
Then on her b-day when she's 16 or something, her parents take her auroch hunting without rifles. Because who needs rifles when you're hunting extinct creatures. When I go Dodo wrasslin', I just bring a paper clip, and I'm fine.
However, her parents aren't fine.
They get gored by the extinct aurochs, which has to be a first.
Tsarina then appoints Darya of the whanky eye to guard over the Tsarevich, because she can cure. Also she sets up an artist thing for the tsar and tsarina, at which she poses nude, which does not seem to bother anyone. Because who doesn't want to carve/paint/ballet a chick with a whanky eye. She then starts sleeping with one of the painters.
Oh, and this is important. Darya loves ambergris. And her mom had a necklace with some in it.
So the painter, who is Jewish, and Darya are IN LOVE. And she get's preggers...4 mos preggers and no one notices. Until she loses the kid (again, no one notices) and never tells painter dude. She also meets rasputin, finds a hunk of ambergris, and figures out she's the reincarnation of a Jewish Queen who betrayed her people. OHHHHHNNOOOOOESSS.
She also learns that Ambergris can do cool things...like cure hemophilia and stop bullets...but more on the bullet stopping power later.
So she cures Alexei with reg doses of ambergris--because that would totes work.
INSERT REVOLUTION
In the midst her opal eye cracks. This sounds gross, but it's her pain at mother russia. Rasputin sends her seeds before getting killed, and she'll know when to use them and she travels with her hunk of ambergris with the family to Tobolsk..and then Ekaterinaberg. When the shooting happens she's there but puts her big hunk of ambergris in front of Alexei. BECAUSE AMBERGRIS STOPS BULLETS.
Then the painter dude finds her and saves her and takes her to a palace where she plants the seeds that raspy gave her and they grow hallucinogenic berries in one day. Which makes her life peachy and she settles down in a palace with no one noticing her with her whanky eye.
However she knows Alexei is alive, because AMBERGRIS CAN STOP BULLETS (and cure hemophilia).
She's now 104 and they bring her because there's a guy claiming the throne and only Darya would know him.
The convo between her and the claimant is something like this.
"you're not alexei"
"nope, nicholas banged the dancer while at the camp, I'm their grandson"
"but you can't get the throne the dancer was Jewish--so you're Jewish"
"no i'm not"
"yes you are"
"no I'm not"
"dude...check your pants."
"oh. MAZEL TOV...but i know where alexei is."
So Darya goes off to find him and he's in his 80s, almost out of ambergris (WHICH CAN STOP BULLETS AND CURE HEMOPHILIA), and living with relatives of Jewish painter dude who shot himself outside of Darya's house while she was taking a bath. Alexei has brain of 13 year old...which oddly ambergris can't cure. Then she goes off and dies while seeing her auroch killed mom and dad and dead jewish guy.
The end.
Thank god, I didn't pay for it.
So I'm going to completely summarize the crapfest that was this book. Because then you won't read them. I read this book and finished it to protect you. LOVE ME.
Meet Darya. Her name means "the sea" oooh. She was conceived when her dad/mom met and then went all naughty during an auroch hunt. Oh did I mention that her mom was an noble named Sabrina Josephine and her family had all the pink diamonds...in Italy.
Quick fun fact: there are no diamond mines in Italy and there's not actually diamond mines that solely produce pink diamonds.
Her dad was a Russian cousin to the tsar named Boris...because all Russian noble guys are named Boris. So Sabrina and Boris go on an auroch hunt.
Quick fun fact from wiki: The aurochs (/ˈɔːrɒks/ or /ˈaʊrɒks/; also urus, (Bos primigenius), the ancestor of domestic cattle, is an extinct type of large wild cattle that inhabited Europe, Asia and North Africa; they survived in Europe until the last recorded aurochs, a female, died in the Jaktorów Forest, Poland in 1627.
Yep. Extinct. BUT WAIT...there's more. Sab & Boris get it on and exactly nine months later they have a kid in the forest. Somewhere in that time, they had gotten married without anyone counting on their fingers or Sab's pink diamond daddy getting all pissy that his pink diamond had gotten scuffed while hunting extinct animals. Oh and it appears the tsarina just found it all peachy.
So their kid Darya was born with an opal eye. I have no idea what this would look like but it was orangy or some sort. I don't know. It wasn't really explained, nor did it alter her depth deception, but it seems the little tsarlings liked to poke her in opal eye. Whatevs.
Then on her b-day when she's 16 or something, her parents take her auroch hunting without rifles. Because who needs rifles when you're hunting extinct creatures. When I go Dodo wrasslin', I just bring a paper clip, and I'm fine.
However, her parents aren't fine.
They get gored by the extinct aurochs, which has to be a first.
Tsarina then appoints Darya of the whanky eye to guard over the Tsarevich, because she can cure. Also she sets up an artist thing for the tsar and tsarina, at which she poses nude, which does not seem to bother anyone. Because who doesn't want to carve/paint/ballet a chick with a whanky eye. She then starts sleeping with one of the painters.
Oh, and this is important. Darya loves ambergris. And her mom had a necklace with some in it.
So the painter, who is Jewish, and Darya are IN LOVE. And she get's preggers...4 mos preggers and no one notices. Until she loses the kid (again, no one notices) and never tells painter dude. She also meets rasputin, finds a hunk of ambergris, and figures out she's the reincarnation of a Jewish Queen who betrayed her people. OHHHHHNNOOOOOESSS.
She also learns that Ambergris can do cool things...like cure hemophilia and stop bullets...but more on the bullet stopping power later.
So she cures Alexei with reg doses of ambergris--because that would totes work.
INSERT REVOLUTION
In the midst her opal eye cracks. This sounds gross, but it's her pain at mother russia. Rasputin sends her seeds before getting killed, and she'll know when to use them and she travels with her hunk of ambergris with the family to Tobolsk..and then Ekaterinaberg. When the shooting happens she's there but puts her big hunk of ambergris in front of Alexei. BECAUSE AMBERGRIS STOPS BULLETS.
Then the painter dude finds her and saves her and takes her to a palace where she plants the seeds that raspy gave her and they grow hallucinogenic berries in one day. Which makes her life peachy and she settles down in a palace with no one noticing her with her whanky eye.
However she knows Alexei is alive, because AMBERGRIS CAN STOP BULLETS (and cure hemophilia).
She's now 104 and they bring her because there's a guy claiming the throne and only Darya would know him.
The convo between her and the claimant is something like this.
"you're not alexei"
"nope, nicholas banged the dancer while at the camp, I'm their grandson"
"but you can't get the throne the dancer was Jewish--so you're Jewish"
"no i'm not"
"yes you are"
"no I'm not"
"dude...check your pants."
"oh. MAZEL TOV...but i know where alexei is."
So Darya goes off to find him and he's in his 80s, almost out of ambergris (WHICH CAN STOP BULLETS AND CURE HEMOPHILIA), and living with relatives of Jewish painter dude who shot himself outside of Darya's house while she was taking a bath. Alexei has brain of 13 year old...which oddly ambergris can't cure. Then she goes off and dies while seeing her auroch killed mom and dad and dead jewish guy.
The end.
Thank god, I didn't pay for it.
March 10, 2012
I have a fascination with the Russian royal family. The tragedy surrounding their deaths has always fascinated me and I've read a lot of what's been published, novels as well as histories/biographies. I was excited to see this one - a story I'm familiar with told from a different perspective sucks me in every time. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this book.
The piece Mossanen adds to the story is a woman from the fringe. Her parents were friends of the Romanovs, but of course not of their social standing. When Darya becomes an orphan, she is brought to the palace to look after the Tsarevitch. What follows is a descent into mysticism, as if there wasn't enough of that in the real Romanov palaces.
I didn't buy it. I didn't believe that Darya's powers came from the ambergris. I didn't believe she would stay in the same city where her beloved royal family was murdered. I didn't believe she would pine for her lost love (like some Russian Miss Havisham) for decades.
I can't tell you why I finished it. I think on some level I keep wanting the end of the story to be different. This book was unsatisfying on almost every level for me.
The piece Mossanen adds to the story is a woman from the fringe. Her parents were friends of the Romanovs, but of course not of their social standing. When Darya becomes an orphan, she is brought to the palace to look after the Tsarevitch. What follows is a descent into mysticism, as if there wasn't enough of that in the real Romanov palaces.
I didn't buy it. I didn't believe that Darya's powers came from the ambergris. I didn't believe she would stay in the same city where her beloved royal family was murdered. I didn't believe she would pine for her lost love (like some Russian Miss Havisham) for decades.
I can't tell you why I finished it. I think on some level I keep wanting the end of the story to be different. This book was unsatisfying on almost every level for me.
December 18, 2011
Perhaps this book was given to the wrong reviewer, because I opened the pages already thrilled with what I was about to read. To me, there is nothing more interesting than the end of the Romanov dynasty - Nicholas II and Alexandra meeting up with the mad monk, Rasputin. This particular true historical story is still one of the most fascinating to be found in fiction.
In 1991, Darya Spiridova receives a knock on her door. There, standing in front of her, is a man in uniform who has an official letter, telling her of a secret meeting that the Russian Nobility Association is going to have. These are the people, like Darya, who wish to bring Mother Russia back. In order to do so, they must find a descendant of the royal Romanov blood to put back on the throne.
Darya is not a normal modern-day Russian, nor was she normal back when she was a Romanov favorite and lived in the palace looking after their only son and the heir to the Russian throne. Yes, she is now one hundred and four years-old, and Darya looks as if she hasn’t aged a day. Although many believe she is a witch because of her one opal eye that sees all, she is far more than just that. She lives with her ‘Little Servant’ inside the old Entertainment Palace, where Nicholas and Alexandra held symphonies and ballets; the only Imperial residence that was not confiscated when Russia came to an end. The palace is surrounded by multiplying butterflies, which many see as the Romanov spirits that still haunt the land. And one of the conversation pieces of the book is the tiny Faberge egg that hangs around Darya’s neck, which gives off a scent that is beyond anyone’s imagination as to what it really is.
As the readers find themselves at this emergency meeting, they also begin to get the entire story of the Romanov’s - the birth of their only son - and the frightening end to the family as they got caught up in the world of Rasputin, and were finally killed to make way for a new Russia. Darya believes that the Tsar’s son was not killed that night in the House of Special Purpose, and she is intent on finding the young boy who suffered from hemophilia and was watched over by a monk who seemed to know Darya’s every thought.
Yes, I could go on and on forever, but the best sum-up of this incredible story is imaginative, thrilling, interesting, fast-paced - with characters that will have you glued to every page as you relive a historical time period that will always remain the perfect blend of myth, truth and fantasy. Enjoy!
Until Next Time,
Amy
In 1991, Darya Spiridova receives a knock on her door. There, standing in front of her, is a man in uniform who has an official letter, telling her of a secret meeting that the Russian Nobility Association is going to have. These are the people, like Darya, who wish to bring Mother Russia back. In order to do so, they must find a descendant of the royal Romanov blood to put back on the throne.
Darya is not a normal modern-day Russian, nor was she normal back when she was a Romanov favorite and lived in the palace looking after their only son and the heir to the Russian throne. Yes, she is now one hundred and four years-old, and Darya looks as if she hasn’t aged a day. Although many believe she is a witch because of her one opal eye that sees all, she is far more than just that. She lives with her ‘Little Servant’ inside the old Entertainment Palace, where Nicholas and Alexandra held symphonies and ballets; the only Imperial residence that was not confiscated when Russia came to an end. The palace is surrounded by multiplying butterflies, which many see as the Romanov spirits that still haunt the land. And one of the conversation pieces of the book is the tiny Faberge egg that hangs around Darya’s neck, which gives off a scent that is beyond anyone’s imagination as to what it really is.
As the readers find themselves at this emergency meeting, they also begin to get the entire story of the Romanov’s - the birth of their only son - and the frightening end to the family as they got caught up in the world of Rasputin, and were finally killed to make way for a new Russia. Darya believes that the Tsar’s son was not killed that night in the House of Special Purpose, and she is intent on finding the young boy who suffered from hemophilia and was watched over by a monk who seemed to know Darya’s every thought.
Yes, I could go on and on forever, but the best sum-up of this incredible story is imaginative, thrilling, interesting, fast-paced - with characters that will have you glued to every page as you relive a historical time period that will always remain the perfect blend of myth, truth and fantasy. Enjoy!
Until Next Time,
Amy
August 10, 2012
I usually give a book 100 pages before I give up. I nearly quit at page 71 on this story, but pressed ahead as it (momentarily) got interesting. I can't believe I read the whole thing.
A confused jumble. There's certainly a story in there somewhere, perhaps a good one, of the end of the Romanov royal family of Russia and potential (in a fantasy way) modern fallout. But the telling was not up to the concept. The primary stumbling block seems to be the author's inability to tell a story of a hundred years ago without such jarringly modern terms and characters that it kept knocking the reader out of the story. Clumsy. Too much back story. (Yeah, I know, the whole story was back story, but still...)
Phraseology: "…she lets loose laughter…", "plants a kiss", "…to live as one with wild life" (walking with a rifle over her shoulder, ready to blast said wildlife).
A thriving population of Aurochs in Russia in 1884? (They've been extinct since 1627.) The magical properties of ambergris? Sure, why not? "A clove of cinnamon"?
Likewise, while she manages to create a feeling of authenticity around the Romanovs, her fictional cast is too twenty-first century. Her Rasputin comes off more like a dirty old con man than either holy or crazy. Mossanen seems to have a good feeling for her characters, she just can't convey it into words.
Even two stars would be a gift. This could have been a really good read; it's not.
A confused jumble. There's certainly a story in there somewhere, perhaps a good one, of the end of the Romanov royal family of Russia and potential (in a fantasy way) modern fallout. But the telling was not up to the concept. The primary stumbling block seems to be the author's inability to tell a story of a hundred years ago without such jarringly modern terms and characters that it kept knocking the reader out of the story. Clumsy. Too much back story. (Yeah, I know, the whole story was back story, but still...)
Phraseology: "…she lets loose laughter…", "plants a kiss", "…to live as one with wild life" (walking with a rifle over her shoulder, ready to blast said wildlife).
A thriving population of Aurochs in Russia in 1884? (They've been extinct since 1627.) The magical properties of ambergris? Sure, why not? "A clove of cinnamon"?
Likewise, while she manages to create a feeling of authenticity around the Romanovs, her fictional cast is too twenty-first century. Her Rasputin comes off more like a dirty old con man than either holy or crazy. Mossanen seems to have a good feeling for her characters, she just can't convey it into words.
Even two stars would be a gift. This could have been a really good read; it's not.
December 2, 2012
If you know anything about Russian history, don't read this book, it will infuriate you with its stupidity and inability to collect simple facts which are available online. For a while, I tired to pretend that this was a fantasy novel, but it does not work on this level either.
Here is a quote from page 8:"The Entertainment palace in Ekaterinbourg was the only residence the communists and anti monarchists did not confiscate for fear of multiplying butterflies they regarded as the lingering spirits of the Romanovs." Well, it is a pity that some readers would think that this is "a well-researched historical novel." It pains me to imagine that somebody who is not familiar with Russian history would get introduced to the story of the Romanovs in such a contorted way.
Here is a quote from page 8:"The Entertainment palace in Ekaterinbourg was the only residence the communists and anti monarchists did not confiscate for fear of multiplying butterflies they regarded as the lingering spirits of the Romanovs." Well, it is a pity that some readers would think that this is "a well-researched historical novel." It pains me to imagine that somebody who is not familiar with Russian history would get introduced to the story of the Romanovs in such a contorted way.
November 10, 2017
Un fantasy storico trovato per caso nel reparto dell'usato al Libraccio, ma che ho acquistato quasi ad occhi chiusi dopo aver letto la trama.
Infatti, credo sia stato proprio un segno del destino perché mi è piaciuto tantissimo.
Consigliato a tutti coloro che hanno amato il film d'animazione Anastasia, poiché il libro è come se fosse la sua versione al maschile, in quanto l'erede scomparso dei Romanov non è la granduchessa, bensì Aleksej.
La protagonista è Darja, una donna di 104 anni che racconta di essere stata l'istitutrice del piccolo zarevic. Vive in un palazzo fatiscente, un tempo appartenuto alla famiglia reale, e tutti si chiedono come abbia fatto a sopravvivere alla strage del 1918, ma soprattutto come possa essere ancora così giovane, dato che non dimostra più di trent'anni.
Infatti, il romanzo si articola in flashback e scene ambientate nel presente in cui Darja vive, ovvero il 1991, anno della caduta dell'Unione Sovietica.
Un aspetto che ho apprezzato moltissimo è la fedeltà storica nei fatti narrati. Durante la lettura, ho ritrovato tutti gli avvenimenti studiati a scuola o che conoscevo per cultura personale, e si sono intrecciati in maniera perfetta alla storia che Darja (personaggio di fantasia) voleva raccontare.
L'ho trovato un libro completo: c'è la politica, l'aspetto artistico, la storia d'amore, la superstizione, grande protagonista nella famiglia Romanov.
Inoltre, penso che l'autrice sia stata molto abile nel caratterizzare i componenti della famiglia: la zarina Aleksandra, così devota alla religione, lo zar Nicola II, incapace di governare un Paese e ne segnerà la sua rovina anche dopo l'abdicazione. Da ciò che ho letto in giro, anche le granduchesse sono state riprodotte fedelmente all'interno del romanzo, dunque questo mi ha resa felice perché il tutto risultava credibile.
Poi c'è lui, il mio preferito: RASPUTIN.
Vi dirò, è stato strano leggere del mio alter ego, soprattutto perché non era quel rottame che cade a pezzi del film, bensì l'uomo viscido e promiscuo realmente esistito.
Tuttavia, la scrittrice è riuscita a trasmettere quel senso di inquietudine durante le sue scene, dunque gli ha reso giustizia lo stesso.
Darja mi è piaciuta come personaggio, ed è stato interessante scoprire da dove provenissero i suoi poteri.
Comunque, il romanzo mi ha trasmesso un po' di tristezza perché la storia della famiglia Romanov rimane la stessa in tutte le sue versioni, quindi non è stato facile leggere la scena dell'esecuzione o anche l'uccisione di Rasputin.
Infine, trovo che il finale sia giusto, poiché essendo uno stand-alone, mi sta bene che sia leggermente aperto e lasci libera immaginazione al lettore.
Nella mia mente, Darja ha ricominciato a invecchiare, e trascorre gli ultimi anni della sua longeva vita al fianco del piccolo (ma ormai grande) zarevic, Aleksej.
5 stelline più che meritate.
Infatti, credo sia stato proprio un segno del destino perché mi è piaciuto tantissimo.
Consigliato a tutti coloro che hanno amato il film d'animazione Anastasia, poiché il libro è come se fosse la sua versione al maschile, in quanto l'erede scomparso dei Romanov non è la granduchessa, bensì Aleksej.
La protagonista è Darja, una donna di 104 anni che racconta di essere stata l'istitutrice del piccolo zarevic. Vive in un palazzo fatiscente, un tempo appartenuto alla famiglia reale, e tutti si chiedono come abbia fatto a sopravvivere alla strage del 1918, ma soprattutto come possa essere ancora così giovane, dato che non dimostra più di trent'anni.
Infatti, il romanzo si articola in flashback e scene ambientate nel presente in cui Darja vive, ovvero il 1991, anno della caduta dell'Unione Sovietica.
Un aspetto che ho apprezzato moltissimo è la fedeltà storica nei fatti narrati. Durante la lettura, ho ritrovato tutti gli avvenimenti studiati a scuola o che conoscevo per cultura personale, e si sono intrecciati in maniera perfetta alla storia che Darja (personaggio di fantasia) voleva raccontare.
L'ho trovato un libro completo: c'è la politica, l'aspetto artistico, la storia d'amore, la superstizione, grande protagonista nella famiglia Romanov.
Inoltre, penso che l'autrice sia stata molto abile nel caratterizzare i componenti della famiglia: la zarina Aleksandra, così devota alla religione, lo zar Nicola II, incapace di governare un Paese e ne segnerà la sua rovina anche dopo l'abdicazione. Da ciò che ho letto in giro, anche le granduchesse sono state riprodotte fedelmente all'interno del romanzo, dunque questo mi ha resa felice perché il tutto risultava credibile.
Poi c'è lui, il mio preferito: RASPUTIN.
Vi dirò, è stato strano leggere del mio alter ego, soprattutto perché non era quel rottame che cade a pezzi del film, bensì l'uomo viscido e promiscuo realmente esistito.
Tuttavia, la scrittrice è riuscita a trasmettere quel senso di inquietudine durante le sue scene, dunque gli ha reso giustizia lo stesso.
Darja mi è piaciuta come personaggio, ed è stato interessante scoprire da dove provenissero i suoi poteri.
Comunque, il romanzo mi ha trasmesso un po' di tristezza perché la storia della famiglia Romanov rimane la stessa in tutte le sue versioni, quindi non è stato facile leggere la scena dell'esecuzione o anche l'uccisione di Rasputin.
Infine, trovo che il finale sia giusto, poiché essendo uno stand-alone, mi sta bene che sia leggermente aperto e lasci libera immaginazione al lettore.
Nella mia mente, Darja ha ricominciato a invecchiare, e trascorre gli ultimi anni della sua longeva vita al fianco del piccolo (ma ormai grande) zarevic, Aleksej.
5 stelline più che meritate.
January 13, 2012
Like its heroine’s inexplicable opal eye, THE LAST ROMANOV by Dora Levy Mossanen shimmers with tantalizing mystery and brilliance. Readers will delight in sharing the journey of the bold and self-possessed Darya through the corridors of the Russian Imperial palace during the final days of the Tsar’s reign as she cares for the young and sickly heir, finds herself the beloved muse of a celebrated Jewish artist, and grapples with Rasputin’s revelations about her ancient past. Filled with rich period detail, THE LAST ROMANOV is a testament to the enduring power of love and honor, but most of all, hope.
did-not-finish
December 11, 2011I yield, too much hocus pocus magic stuff for my blood and when I'm done.
July 6, 2019
This booked seemed to jump from event to an event, as if the author was just filling out an outline of plot points. The main character was an unlikeable snob who seemed determined to make herself a martyr and who lived in her own head rather than in reality. In fact, the characters were unlikeable. Not only that, but the writing style itself was disjointed and sometimes confusing.
January 20, 2012
Originally postsed at: http://www.longandshortreviews.blogsp...
What could happen in today’s Russia if there had been a surviving member of the Romanov family? This is the question that Dora Levy Mossanen asks in The Last Romanov. She takes you through the last years of the Imperial Couple’s rule, up to the moment of their execution… and possible survival of the teenaged Tsarevich, Alexis Romanov. Prepare yourself for one wild ride through history as Darya tells her tale and makes her search for the missing Tsarevich!
Darya believes it’s her divine destiny to guard and protect the young Tsarevich Alexis Romanov from everything that might possibly oppose his eventual ascension to the Imperial throne of Russia. She’s so focused on her duty to the royal family that she often sacrifices things important to her for their benefit. While this is an honorable and often required trait in a member of the royal household, it also shows a single-mindedness that might not always make for a good companion, either. She lets her care of, and eventual search for, Alexis Romanov consume the remainder of her life. Darya is, on the other hand, a loyal and caring caretaker to Alexis as well as a devout and dedicated soul.
Darya’s one distraction from the young Tsarevich and the Imperial Family is her one true love, Avram. Their romance is fiery and passionate, made even more so by the fact that he is a forbidden Jew. For someone of her standing to be involved with a commoner was unheard of at that time, but for this commoner to also be a Jew? It was pure scandal. Darya and Avram do not let this come between them, however, showing both grace and the strength of true love to overcome all obstacles. The way the keep finding one another, despite the odds and political crisis of the time, is both magical and hope for us all.
However, despite Darya’s complete obsession with the young Tsarevich and what became of him, her story is one of the most interesting I’ve read in a long time. This era of history, and the Romanov family itself, has long been a curiosity of mine. To find such an imaginative and intriguing story set during this time and involving this family was a happy surprise for me. Filled with both wild and the more sedate historical characters plus just a touch of the mystical, The Last Romanov brings magic and history together in a spectacular way.
The Last Romanov is a wonderfully well-written read for any lover of history or even just someone who believes in the impossible.
What could happen in today’s Russia if there had been a surviving member of the Romanov family? This is the question that Dora Levy Mossanen asks in The Last Romanov. She takes you through the last years of the Imperial Couple’s rule, up to the moment of their execution… and possible survival of the teenaged Tsarevich, Alexis Romanov. Prepare yourself for one wild ride through history as Darya tells her tale and makes her search for the missing Tsarevich!
Darya believes it’s her divine destiny to guard and protect the young Tsarevich Alexis Romanov from everything that might possibly oppose his eventual ascension to the Imperial throne of Russia. She’s so focused on her duty to the royal family that she often sacrifices things important to her for their benefit. While this is an honorable and often required trait in a member of the royal household, it also shows a single-mindedness that might not always make for a good companion, either. She lets her care of, and eventual search for, Alexis Romanov consume the remainder of her life. Darya is, on the other hand, a loyal and caring caretaker to Alexis as well as a devout and dedicated soul.
Darya’s one distraction from the young Tsarevich and the Imperial Family is her one true love, Avram. Their romance is fiery and passionate, made even more so by the fact that he is a forbidden Jew. For someone of her standing to be involved with a commoner was unheard of at that time, but for this commoner to also be a Jew? It was pure scandal. Darya and Avram do not let this come between them, however, showing both grace and the strength of true love to overcome all obstacles. The way the keep finding one another, despite the odds and political crisis of the time, is both magical and hope for us all.
However, despite Darya’s complete obsession with the young Tsarevich and what became of him, her story is one of the most interesting I’ve read in a long time. This era of history, and the Romanov family itself, has long been a curiosity of mine. To find such an imaginative and intriguing story set during this time and involving this family was a happy surprise for me. Filled with both wild and the more sedate historical characters plus just a touch of the mystical, The Last Romanov brings magic and history together in a spectacular way.
The Last Romanov is a wonderfully well-written read for any lover of history or even just someone who believes in the impossible.
September 17, 2012
This is another book I found out about through the Nook “Free Book Friday” program. I downloaded it a few weeks ago, but I hesitated to start it for a while – maybe because my knowledge of the Romanovs was limited to the animated movie “Anastasia” from 1997. Once I got started, though, I found the story fascinating.
The story is about an elderly woman, Darya, who is nearly a hundred years old and determined to find out if Alexi Romanov survived the night that the Bolsheviks slaughtered his parents and sisters. When Darya was a teenager, the Tsarina invited her to live with the royal family in order to look after Alexi, who had hemophilia. For over fifteen years, Darya makes Alexi the center of her world, and eventually she views the Romanovs as her family. It’s interesting to watch the historical events from 1903-1918 evolve from Darya’s perspective.
When I first started reading, I wasn’t sure what to make of the character Darya. The author describes her has having an “opal eye” and she’s followed everywhere by butterflies. She also has mysterious visions of the “Ancient One.” I didn’t know if I was supposed to believe that Darya was a witch or that she was crazy, but then I read an interview with Mossanen where she characterizes this book as a work of magical realism, and things made a little more sense. Mossanen’s description of life with the imperial family is so rich, and their lives seem like something out of a fairy tale. She does a great job of contrasting that style of description with the crude, violent reality ushered in by the Bolshevik revolution. There is a love story in the novel, but this is definitely not a “bodice ripper” historical romance. Overall, I thought this was a good read.
The story is about an elderly woman, Darya, who is nearly a hundred years old and determined to find out if Alexi Romanov survived the night that the Bolsheviks slaughtered his parents and sisters. When Darya was a teenager, the Tsarina invited her to live with the royal family in order to look after Alexi, who had hemophilia. For over fifteen years, Darya makes Alexi the center of her world, and eventually she views the Romanovs as her family. It’s interesting to watch the historical events from 1903-1918 evolve from Darya’s perspective.
When I first started reading, I wasn’t sure what to make of the character Darya. The author describes her has having an “opal eye” and she’s followed everywhere by butterflies. She also has mysterious visions of the “Ancient One.” I didn’t know if I was supposed to believe that Darya was a witch or that she was crazy, but then I read an interview with Mossanen where she characterizes this book as a work of magical realism, and things made a little more sense. Mossanen’s description of life with the imperial family is so rich, and their lives seem like something out of a fairy tale. She does a great job of contrasting that style of description with the crude, violent reality ushered in by the Bolshevik revolution. There is a love story in the novel, but this is definitely not a “bodice ripper” historical romance. Overall, I thought this was a good read.
March 29, 2012
THE LAST ROMANOV by Dora Levy Mossanen is an impressive historical fiction set in Russia. This is the story of the Romanov's,a Royal family and the orphan left behind. It is written with vivid descriptions and details that brings Imperial Russia,the Royal family and the Romanov's to life. A story of mystery,redemption,prophecy,myths,a royal family,murder,second changes,magic and tragedy. So sit back and enjoy your journey with "The Last Romanov" you will not regret it and will learn volumes. Ms. Mossanen has a way of drawing the reader into this story as she weaves history with mystery,and magic. I would recommend "The Last Romanov" to anyone who enjoys history,Russian history,fantasy,Empress Alexandra,Anastasia,Tudor fiction,and Russian Royals. A wonderful read for all! Received for an honest review from the publisher. Details can be found at Sourcebooks Landmark,the author's website,and My Book Addiction and More.
RATING: 4
HEAT RATING: SWEET
REVIEWED BY: AprilR,My Book Addiction and More
RATING: 4
HEAT RATING: SWEET
REVIEWED BY: AprilR,My Book Addiction and More
February 26, 2012
Rarely has a book captivated me the way this one has. The Romanov story has been told several times, but I can assure you never in this fashion. This book offers a fresh perspective as well as a healthy dose of Russian history. Intrigue, romance, violence...you couldn't ask for more. A strong beginning sucks you right in and each chapter leaves you craving more. I wasn't able to put it down until I'd devoured every page.
Instead of turning the era and mystery into a myth, Mossanen takes the Romanovs and those surrounding them and turns them into real people. Instead of focusing on Anastasia, we're focused on Darya, who some believe to be a sorceress. She is definitely one of a kind and worth reading the book for.
I strongly suggest this book for anyone interested in the Romanov era. Those who love history, art, mysteries, romance and the supernatural will adore this book as well.
Instead of turning the era and mystery into a myth, Mossanen takes the Romanovs and those surrounding them and turns them into real people. Instead of focusing on Anastasia, we're focused on Darya, who some believe to be a sorceress. She is definitely one of a kind and worth reading the book for.
I strongly suggest this book for anyone interested in the Romanov era. Those who love history, art, mysteries, romance and the supernatural will adore this book as well.
January 17, 2012
3.5
This book was an unusual read for me but I was interested because I have always been fascinated by the Romanov's. The books is interesting...even a little well weird at times but the story was engaging and you wanted to know what happens. The author writes quite differently from many others and it leads to an intriguing story.
This book was an unusual read for me but I was interested because I have always been fascinated by the Romanov's. The books is interesting...even a little well weird at times but the story was engaging and you wanted to know what happens. The author writes quite differently from many others and it leads to an intriguing story.
January 3, 2012
Darya Borodina Spiridova was born with the howls of wild aurochs echoing in the forest. These same great beasts brought tragedy and change to her life while she was still young. After her parents’ tragic deaths, Darya is taken in by the Nicholas and Alexandra Romanov and becomes part of the everyday life of the Imperial family.
Darya was born with one opal eye. This, along with a secret ingredient kept in a locket, seem to give her special healing powers. These gifts are no match for the congenital disease that affects the heir to the Russian throne. Does Darya bring ruin to the royal family when Rasputin is brought in to heal the Tsarevich, or is it fate? After witnessing, yet miraculously escaping, the execution of the Imperial family, Darya believes Alexei has also survived. She spends the rest of her long life looking for the “last Romanov” in hopes of bringing back the glory of Russia before the Bolsheviks.
The author takes a true historical story that has fascinated both scholars and everyday readers for years and adds a twist of magic realism. I have not always been a big fan of magic realism, but it is perfect for this novel.
The horrific scenes of real life history are balanced by the vivid, lyrical descriptions of aurochs, butterflies, birds of paradise and lovely jewels.
Darya is a fascinating heroine who is capable of great passion and unconditional love. Her quest for justice and personal redemption is told as the author weaves a story back and forth in time over a period of 104 years.
Dory Levy Mossanen is the author of two other historical novels, HAREM and COURTESAN. I will be adding these to my to be read pile. I know they will captivate me, just as THE LAST ROMANOV did.
January 6, 2012
Author Dora Levy Mossanen will have a wide audience for this book, the mystery behind the royal Romanov deaths is fascinating to so many. The author weaves a captivating tale starring Darya, a woman close to the Imperial Family. Early on, Rasputin imparts a disturbing prophecy to Darya...one that keeps Darya on her toes for decades. Constantly in search for Tsarevich Alexis, Darya's entire life is devoted to that one goal.
Darya's character is interesting. She isn't the normal character one finds in books, she is intriguing to readers outside of the story and to characters inside of the story. Darya has a special place in her heart for Alexis as she looked after him in the Palace. She has one opal eye that apparently sees all and appears not to have aged a day. Darya's reasons for bringing back Alexis are not entirely selfish, she wishes to restore Mother Russia to her former glory. Her sheer determination and steely perseverance are traits to be admired and that will astound the reader. The other characters on not focused upon so much as characters in a history book, they are described and developed very well-the reader will feel close to many of them.
The events in this book are exciting and fit together like puzzle pieces. The reader will be surprised by the twists and surprises in this novel. This book is recommended to young adult/adult readers.
May 16, 2012
I love to read novels about the Romanovs, but unfortunately The Last Romanov fell flat for me. I don’t like to stop reading books, but I gave The Last Romanov one-hundred pages to capture my attention and it failed. The novel was very jumpy with almost fragments of story. It made it hard to pay attention to the plot. Darya is a distant relative of the last Czar of Russia, Nicholas II and his family. She has a romantic childhood marred by tragedy and becomes a nanny to the Tsarevich, Alexei. The story flashes forward to the future where a 104 year old Darya is obsessed with finding Alexei and restoring the Romanov dynasty.
I usually like magic in books, but this one was too mystical and strange for me. I know Darya possessed mystical powers, but I had a hard time believing that a 104 Darya would be so sharp and spry. I was also bothered by the historical inaccuracies. In particular, the hunting of “aurochs” plays a key role more than once in the plot. The only problem is that the species was extent hundreds of years before this book takes place.
Book Source: Review Copy from Sourcebooks.
My review was originally posted at:
http://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2012/...
I usually like magic in books, but this one was too mystical and strange for me. I know Darya possessed mystical powers, but I had a hard time believing that a 104 Darya would be so sharp and spry. I was also bothered by the historical inaccuracies. In particular, the hunting of “aurochs” plays a key role more than once in the plot. The only problem is that the species was extent hundreds of years before this book takes place.
Book Source: Review Copy from Sourcebooks.
My review was originally posted at:
http://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2012/...
July 11, 2012
Darya Borodina Spiridova is 104 years old, and this may be the last Romanov claimant she gets to meet and check out. Believing herself responsible for the massacre of the royal family, she’s been safeguarding relics and treasures belonging to the Romanovs so she can return them – and hopefully earn her redemption.
The story flows between the current-day events and those in the past – including her parents’ fateful meeting, and her rise to the role of healer to the Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, and her eventual transfer to caretaker to the heir, Alexei Nicolaevich.
Born with hemophilia, the young boy’s life is constantly in danger, especially when the court has a bubble of silence around his ailment. After all, a weak heir to the throne would just invite all kinds of trouble, wouldn’t it? Darya eventually invites the monk Rasputin to court to attempt to heal Alexei, not knowing that the invitation would set into motion a chain of events even she couldn’t foresee.
Dora Levy Mossanen’s The Last Romanov is a vividly told story, and her descriptions evoke the lushness of the Russian court – along with all the misconceptions and misperceptions of its royal family. It is an engrossing read, but it does drags at times.
drey’s rating: Pick it up!
The story flows between the current-day events and those in the past – including her parents’ fateful meeting, and her rise to the role of healer to the Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, and her eventual transfer to caretaker to the heir, Alexei Nicolaevich.
Born with hemophilia, the young boy’s life is constantly in danger, especially when the court has a bubble of silence around his ailment. After all, a weak heir to the throne would just invite all kinds of trouble, wouldn’t it? Darya eventually invites the monk Rasputin to court to attempt to heal Alexei, not knowing that the invitation would set into motion a chain of events even she couldn’t foresee.
Dora Levy Mossanen’s The Last Romanov is a vividly told story, and her descriptions evoke the lushness of the Russian court – along with all the misconceptions and misperceptions of its royal family. It is an engrossing read, but it does drags at times.
drey’s rating: Pick it up!
March 6, 2016
I had high hopes cos I really liked the other book I read by her, and reading on I still had high hopes. But, I never truly connected and time just moved so fast and I had not time to breathe and know anyone.
Darya's mum was a noble woman from a diamond family. Her dad was a Russian noble. Darya was really speshul and had an opal eye that made her hallucinate. See saw some kind of Goddess and she also saw her old reincarnation. Oh and other stuff. Then Darya became a nurse at 17 to the ...whatever, crown prince. Cos she could heal and had that freaky eye.
All good so far.
But somewhere along the rode I just felt that the magic took too much place. Her with her ambergris and seeing that goddess. Being all chummy with Rasputin. Not liking Rasputin later on as 7 years had gone by and I was all what? Time moved too fast, I never felt like I knew why people did anything.
The romance part was botched up too. That could have been so much better. Everything could have been so much better.
So..ok read, cos the beginning had promise. The rest was a mess
Darya's mum was a noble woman from a diamond family. Her dad was a Russian noble. Darya was really speshul and had an opal eye that made her hallucinate. See saw some kind of Goddess and she also saw her old reincarnation. Oh and other stuff. Then Darya became a nurse at 17 to the ...whatever, crown prince. Cos she could heal and had that freaky eye.
All good so far.
But somewhere along the rode I just felt that the magic took too much place. Her with her ambergris and seeing that goddess. Being all chummy with Rasputin. Not liking Rasputin later on as 7 years had gone by and I was all what? Time moved too fast, I never felt like I knew why people did anything.
The romance part was botched up too. That could have been so much better. Everything could have been so much better.
So..ok read, cos the beginning had promise. The rest was a mess
April 3, 2012
Like a lot of people around the world, I’ve always been fascinated by the story of what became of the Romanovs. When I saw The Last Romanov by bestselling author Dora Levy Mossanen, I knew I had to read it. I remember as a teen being convinced that one of the daughters, Anastasia, had survived. Every time a new potential Anastasia was found, I held my breath and crossed my fingers in hopes that it was true. I was sure she was out there somewhere. Read the rest of my review at http://popcornreads.com/?p=3525.
March 5, 2012
Three stars, a lot of dead weight filler pages, unfulfilled and superfluous supernatural elements and a eye-catching, lovely cover pretty much make up the basis for The Last Romanov. I am highly disappointed in this historical fiction jaunt into one of the most interesting times in Russian history. There was a lot of potential left unfulfilled from this book - it could be a much tighter, engrossing read, but as is, the ARC leaves much to be desired. Full review to follow.
January 1, 2012
A different kind of love story, I think. The love of a woman for her country, for her royal family, and for her soul mate. A very interesting and engaging read as well.
February 24, 2012
http://theprettygoodgatsby.wordpress....
The Romanovs are a huge interest of mine and regardless of how many books come out with the same plot (one or more of the children survived and must be found) I will never tire of reading about it. I love it, I love it, I love it. So when I first heard about this book, I was ecstatic and couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy. Much to my surprise (and utter delight!) I received an ARC and immediately began reading.
Darya Borodina Spiridova is not like most girls. She has a certain gift, the ability to heal. Combine that with her odd eye - a cracked translucent opal - and you have the makings of a legend. Few people are able to look her in the eyes without terror and many people think of her as a witch. Her mother, Princess Sabrina, only sees her gifts as good and takes comfort knowing her daughter has a king of second sight.
From the very beginning I was a little disheartened. Nowhere in the summary did it mention The Last Romanov had paranormal elements (although I knew there would be at the very least some mysticism due to Grigori Rasputin). Unfortunately, paranormal is not a genre I enjoy and would have loved to have known what I was getting into before I started.
The story jumps through time a lot. With each chapter it seems. In 1991, Darya is 104 and somehow still looks young and vibrant and as though she hasn't aged a day (a day from what I'm not sure; it's never fully explained). She lives in the crumbling ruins of one of the imperial palaces and takes to wearing the Tsarina's old gowns.
Darya is a firm believer that one of the Romanov children, namely Alexei, survived that awful night and she's hellbent on finding him. A group formed for the purpose of restoring the monarchy has been formed and when they discover a living relative, Darya is brought in to determine whether or not the allegations are true. Darya would know better than anyone: after her parents were killed, the Tsarina offered Darya a place to live and she became the childrens' nanny.
The main bulk of the book takes place during the final years of Nicholas's reign. I loved reading the scenes with the family and the imagery of the opulence of the palace and the jewels was stunning. However, those moments were few and far between.
At one point the Tsarina decides to host a salon for Russia's most renowned artists. There were moments when this sub-plot was enjoyable to read about, but then Darya became involved with one of the artists and while romance would add to the plot, it seemed as though it went nowhere. The man was Jewish; their trysts had to be managed with the utmost secrecy! It should have been exciting, but fell flat for me. I felt more for her lover, particular at the end when Darya learned what became of him.
Rasputin's prophecy wasn't revealed until the latter half of the book and suddenly past lives come into play. Up until this point I was on the fence with the story, but when Darya has her flashback to 440BC, I had a hard time remaining interested.
In the end I came out wishing I had liked The Last Romanov far more than I actually did. Even though the settings and descriptions were gorgeous, the paranormal elements were a disappointment surprise.
The Romanovs are a huge interest of mine and regardless of how many books come out with the same plot (one or more of the children survived and must be found) I will never tire of reading about it. I love it, I love it, I love it. So when I first heard about this book, I was ecstatic and couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy. Much to my surprise (and utter delight!) I received an ARC and immediately began reading.
"You are special, my darling. Different than other girls. You'll change our world one day."
Darya Borodina Spiridova is not like most girls. She has a certain gift, the ability to heal. Combine that with her odd eye - a cracked translucent opal - and you have the makings of a legend. Few people are able to look her in the eyes without terror and many people think of her as a witch. Her mother, Princess Sabrina, only sees her gifts as good and takes comfort knowing her daughter has a king of second sight.
From the very beginning I was a little disheartened. Nowhere in the summary did it mention The Last Romanov had paranormal elements (although I knew there would be at the very least some mysticism due to Grigori Rasputin). Unfortunately, paranormal is not a genre I enjoy and would have loved to have known what I was getting into before I started.
The story jumps through time a lot. With each chapter it seems. In 1991, Darya is 104 and somehow still looks young and vibrant and as though she hasn't aged a day (a day from what I'm not sure; it's never fully explained). She lives in the crumbling ruins of one of the imperial palaces and takes to wearing the Tsarina's old gowns.
Darya is a firm believer that one of the Romanov children, namely Alexei, survived that awful night and she's hellbent on finding him. A group formed for the purpose of restoring the monarchy has been formed and when they discover a living relative, Darya is brought in to determine whether or not the allegations are true. Darya would know better than anyone: after her parents were killed, the Tsarina offered Darya a place to live and she became the childrens' nanny.
The main bulk of the book takes place during the final years of Nicholas's reign. I loved reading the scenes with the family and the imagery of the opulence of the palace and the jewels was stunning. However, those moments were few and far between.
At one point the Tsarina decides to host a salon for Russia's most renowned artists. There were moments when this sub-plot was enjoyable to read about, but then Darya became involved with one of the artists and while romance would add to the plot, it seemed as though it went nowhere. The man was Jewish; their trysts had to be managed with the utmost secrecy! It should have been exciting, but fell flat for me. I felt more for her lover, particular at the end when Darya learned what became of him.
Rasputin's prophecy wasn't revealed until the latter half of the book and suddenly past lives come into play. Up until this point I was on the fence with the story, but when Darya has her flashback to 440BC, I had a hard time remaining interested.
In the end I came out wishing I had liked The Last Romanov far more than I actually did. Even though the settings and descriptions were gorgeous, the paranormal elements were a disappointment surprise.
April 15, 2012
I received this book for free on Goodreads' First Reads giveaway.
I enjoyed this book all the way through. I've always been fascinated by personal tales and/or fictional literature that cover historical tragedies. This covered both quite nicely. I thought I might enjoy this because of my like for the movie "Anastasia", and it struck me as similar, however much more historically accurate. It is written in a very airy, romantic manner - including many asides that are very fantastical in nature.
It starts out a little confusing, as the first several chapters bounce back and forth along the timeline of the story. Once we get into permanent "past" mode, the going gets a little easier. I did not entirely appreciate the allusions to the Ancient One (causing the story to delve quite a bit further into the realm of fiction), but did like seeing how her tale tied into the plot line.
I never did understand Darya's opal eye. Is it really stone? Is it functional? I thought the description could have used some clarification. It was fun seeing the bits and pieces of history that I actually knew tied in. The nature of Rasputin's death, for example. (Thank you, Cracked!) It is certainly a curiosity & a marvel of the human condition.
The last few chapters wrapped everything up quite nicely, although I wasn't really sure that was the way to go. I was kind of confused by the fire scene. Darya always seemed a bit too accepting of everything that I would expect her to react differently to.
I did like the conversation with the presumptive heir. I recall seeing the report of the Romanov bodies having been exhumed and identified, and the craze and curiosity that followed afterward. I also read a book last year that covered precisely the maternal genetics topic discussed, as well as the specific case mentioned in The Last Romanov, so that was also interesting to see tied in.
Overall, an enjoyable read, if not a bit long and a little too fantasy-driven.
I enjoyed this book all the way through. I've always been fascinated by personal tales and/or fictional literature that cover historical tragedies. This covered both quite nicely. I thought I might enjoy this because of my like for the movie "Anastasia", and it struck me as similar, however much more historically accurate. It is written in a very airy, romantic manner - including many asides that are very fantastical in nature.
It starts out a little confusing, as the first several chapters bounce back and forth along the timeline of the story. Once we get into permanent "past" mode, the going gets a little easier. I did not entirely appreciate the allusions to the Ancient One (causing the story to delve quite a bit further into the realm of fiction), but did like seeing how her tale tied into the plot line.
I never did understand Darya's opal eye. Is it really stone? Is it functional? I thought the description could have used some clarification. It was fun seeing the bits and pieces of history that I actually knew tied in. The nature of Rasputin's death, for example. (Thank you, Cracked!) It is certainly a curiosity & a marvel of the human condition.
The last few chapters wrapped everything up quite nicely, although I wasn't really sure that was the way to go. I was kind of confused by the fire scene. Darya always seemed a bit too accepting of everything that I would expect her to react differently to.
I did like the conversation with the presumptive heir. I recall seeing the report of the Romanov bodies having been exhumed and identified, and the craze and curiosity that followed afterward. I also read a book last year that covered precisely the maternal genetics topic discussed, as well as the specific case mentioned in The Last Romanov, so that was also interesting to see tied in.
Overall, an enjoyable read, if not a bit long and a little too fantasy-driven.
April 9, 2012
Darya Spiridova is born out of love with an opal eye and a special gift for seeing the future. After her parents tragic death, she is taken in by the Romanov Tsarina for her calming nature and healing gifts. After predicting the birth of Tsarevich Alexei, Darya becomes his godmother and caregiver. Mother Russia is a hostile place and Darya tries to ignore the anti-Imperial sentiments. However, the become more apparent after Darya falls in love with a Jewish Court Painter, a man far below her station. She hides her love, living two separate lives. When the Imperial Mood finally breaks and the family is taken hostage, she accompanies the family and leaves her lover. After the family is murdered, Darya and her lover are reunited. Broken and Haunted, Darya believes Alexi survived. And now, a 104 year old woman with a faberge egg living in the old Entertainment Palace, she refuses to give up the search for the heir.
The Last Romanov is an interesting blend of myth and history. Darya is a wonderful narrator. Her devotion to Alexei is heart warming and heart breaking all at once. Mossanean gave the Imperial Family a certain humanity. I was touched in one scene where hemophiliac Alexei falls and begs Darya not to tell his parents, as he will be certainly sent to bed.
The mysticism was a turn off to some, but I enjoyed it. This time in Russian history is shrouded in mystery, with tragic results. I loved how the author gave each time period a distinctive feel. The past glittered and simmered, while the present was depressive and heavy. The end wrapped up all the loose ends in a way that made me happy.
The Last Romanov is an interesting blend of myth and history. Darya is a wonderful narrator. Her devotion to Alexei is heart warming and heart breaking all at once. Mossanean gave the Imperial Family a certain humanity. I was touched in one scene where hemophiliac Alexei falls and begs Darya not to tell his parents, as he will be certainly sent to bed.
The mysticism was a turn off to some, but I enjoyed it. This time in Russian history is shrouded in mystery, with tragic results. I loved how the author gave each time period a distinctive feel. The past glittered and simmered, while the present was depressive and heavy. The end wrapped up all the loose ends in a way that made me happy.
March 28, 2012
The Romanovs are not a subject I'm particularly interested in, but I do like the time period, which is why I decided to read The Last Romanov.
It's told through the eyes of a woman named Darya, both as a young woman in Imperial Russia and as a 104 year-old woman in 1991 Russia. Since 1918, Darya has spent her life believing that Alexei Romanov did not die that fateful day along with his family, and dedicates her life to finding him and putting him on the throne.
Now, it's obvious to all of us now that every member of the Romanov family was killed that day, so obviously this storyline wasn't realistic, but yet, I was intrigued by it. I was intrigued of how Darya was so dedicated to this purpose of finding the boy (now man) who she had helped take care of.
There's a bit of magic thrown into the story, which isn't mentioned in the summary. However, I didn't mind it because I like a little fantasy in my historical fiction, just as long as it isn't overwhelming. The Last Romanov had just the right amount, I thought, and added to the story rather than distracting from it.
There was a romance, between Darya and a Jewish painter who, despite the long romance, we never get a good grip on who he is- his personality and such.. The romance was heartbreaking, as was most of the book, really. Everything was doomed from the start.
A decent and interesting take on the Romanov tragedy.
It's told through the eyes of a woman named Darya, both as a young woman in Imperial Russia and as a 104 year-old woman in 1991 Russia. Since 1918, Darya has spent her life believing that Alexei Romanov did not die that fateful day along with his family, and dedicates her life to finding him and putting him on the throne.
Now, it's obvious to all of us now that every member of the Romanov family was killed that day, so obviously this storyline wasn't realistic, but yet, I was intrigued by it. I was intrigued of how Darya was so dedicated to this purpose of finding the boy (now man) who she had helped take care of.
There's a bit of magic thrown into the story, which isn't mentioned in the summary. However, I didn't mind it because I like a little fantasy in my historical fiction, just as long as it isn't overwhelming. The Last Romanov had just the right amount, I thought, and added to the story rather than distracting from it.
There was a romance, between Darya and a Jewish painter who, despite the long romance, we never get a good grip on who he is- his personality and such.. The romance was heartbreaking, as was most of the book, really. Everything was doomed from the start.
A decent and interesting take on the Romanov tragedy.
August 9, 2012
Hmm... I had a hard time rating this book.
It's quite the story and I imagine was a quite a feat for the author. While I'm not certain, I imagine there was an immense amount of research that went into this story and while the author took several authorial liberties, this book has a lot of historical fact when it comes to the Romanov's. That, in my opinion, is very well done.
Darya is a very likeable heroine and Avram is her counterpart in every way. Their story is heart breaking while at the same time so genuine, you find yourself rooting for them until the very end...even if you feel a tragic outcome may be in store. Without giving too much away, no matter what you imagine, you will be surprised. I liked that. I liked their story... I do however, wish it was a larger focus.
The real love story, in my opinion, was between Darya and Alexei. True devotion, such as Daria displays toward Alexei, you are hard pressed to find. I believe that if the author would have focused more on Avram and Darya, I would have enjoyed the story that much more.
So why three stars overall?
While I enjoyed this book in the sense I learned a lot and I liked the overall premise, the book was unbelievably slow in the beginning. It was so slow I almost felt like giving up and I was only a few chapters in!
So, all in all, if you can get through the first part of the book, you will be pleasantly surprised.
3 stars.
It's quite the story and I imagine was a quite a feat for the author. While I'm not certain, I imagine there was an immense amount of research that went into this story and while the author took several authorial liberties, this book has a lot of historical fact when it comes to the Romanov's. That, in my opinion, is very well done.
Darya is a very likeable heroine and Avram is her counterpart in every way. Their story is heart breaking while at the same time so genuine, you find yourself rooting for them until the very end...even if you feel a tragic outcome may be in store. Without giving too much away, no matter what you imagine, you will be surprised. I liked that. I liked their story... I do however, wish it was a larger focus.
The real love story, in my opinion, was between Darya and Alexei. True devotion, such as Daria displays toward Alexei, you are hard pressed to find. I believe that if the author would have focused more on Avram and Darya, I would have enjoyed the story that much more.
So why three stars overall?
While I enjoyed this book in the sense I learned a lot and I liked the overall premise, the book was unbelievably slow in the beginning. It was so slow I almost felt like giving up and I was only a few chapters in!
So, all in all, if you can get through the first part of the book, you will be pleasantly surprised.
3 stars.
November 14, 2012
No matter your thoughts on the Romanov dynasty's own contribution to their demise, you have to admit the tragedy and barbarity of murdering an entire family. Many novels have been written about the Tsar and his family's last days and this one goes over the same ground. It does stand out by having a protagonist whose character seems to illustrate the superstition, extreme religiousity, and isolation that prevented Nicholas from dealing with the practicalities of ruling before it was too late.
Darya Spridova, a noblewoman, is sent to the palace after her parents' death. She is considered to be a witch with great healing powers by many because of an unusual birthmark. Extremely loyal to the family, she is understandably distrustful of Rasputin's hold on the family. Her character incorporates mysticism into the storyline very effectively.
The story told alternating between the past and the year 1991 surrounds the long held belief that the Tsaravich or at least one of the grand duchesses survived the murder.
Similar to The Kitchen Boy which I would strongly recommend as well.
Darya Spridova, a noblewoman, is sent to the palace after her parents' death. She is considered to be a witch with great healing powers by many because of an unusual birthmark. Extremely loyal to the family, she is understandably distrustful of Rasputin's hold on the family. Her character incorporates mysticism into the storyline very effectively.
The story told alternating between the past and the year 1991 surrounds the long held belief that the Tsaravich or at least one of the grand duchesses survived the murder.
Similar to The Kitchen Boy which I would strongly recommend as well.
October 18, 2012
Very few events in history intrigue me as much as the downfall of the Romanov family. So, when I found this book at my local library, I was anxious to get started with it. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement.
I was hopeful that I would be reading something that grabbed my attention the way The Kitchen Boy did. Instead, this book has a mystical character, Darya, who is extremely unlikeable and possess an opal eye that has some kind of magic. It was obviously unbelievable, and made little sense to the story of the downfall of the Romanov family. I also felt like the author chose to great a length of time to cover to adequately tell the story. The first part of the story spanned nearly 30 years, often skipping 5-6 years between chapters, leaving out key events to the story.
Finally, we all know that the bodies have been exhumed proving that the entire family did in fact die on that tragic night. This book, that was published very recently, tells of a very different ending that had me disappointed. It seemed like it was going to end with a believable ending, but did not deliver. Instead, I finished feeling like she just wanted to be done with it.
I was hopeful that I would be reading something that grabbed my attention the way The Kitchen Boy did. Instead, this book has a mystical character, Darya, who is extremely unlikeable and possess an opal eye that has some kind of magic. It was obviously unbelievable, and made little sense to the story of the downfall of the Romanov family. I also felt like the author chose to great a length of time to cover to adequately tell the story. The first part of the story spanned nearly 30 years, often skipping 5-6 years between chapters, leaving out key events to the story.
Finally, we all know that the bodies have been exhumed proving that the entire family did in fact die on that tragic night. This book, that was published very recently, tells of a very different ending that had me disappointed. It seemed like it was going to end with a believable ending, but did not deliver. Instead, I finished feeling like she just wanted to be done with it.
May 23, 2012
This is a very ethereal book. I found it hard to get into the story because Darya, herself, is a difficult character to initially relate to. There were also moments when I thought to myself, I don't think I can read anymore of this. But I stuck it out to the end and was pleased with the work as a whole, but still found myself not really relating to the story. I love history and I loved the detail and embellishments that were in the text, but the magical elements were strange to me. Especially the Ancient One. I did however like the treatment of Rasputin as something more than purely evil or corrupt. I felt like Darya lived through a lot of tragedy with no real gains. The only other really annoying thing was how the author foreshadowed the Romanov's fate. When it came from Darya or Rasputin, I was fine with the knowledge, but sometimes the information was delivered from the narrator and serves no purpose to the story other than to increase my sense of "oh we are nearing the execution scene" which is not how the author intended it, I'm sure. All in all, it was ok to read, but not my favorite.
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