The Rebel Daughters

by Cecil Cameron

An epic historical love story of freedom, courage and passion

“It was the season of the beliye nochi when the sun never set and days slipped effortlessly into pearlescent nights. Tiny stars appeared, clusters of yellow in a paper sky. When you looked again, they were gone…”

Young Anna Brianski has led a charmed life between St Petersburg and the peace of the Russian countryside, until one terrible day in December 1825. It’s a day that starts with winter sun and ends with blood on the ice. Until now, the only thing Anna has risked has been her naïve heart. But one day – the Decemberist Revolt – changes everything. Her family, her freedom and her friends are all at in grave danger, as she sees the caprice and cruelty of the Tsar at first hand.

Sweeping from high society to the frozen gulag, from the embrace of a lover to the tears of friends separated friends, The Rebel Daughters tells the story not just of the brave women who defied everyone by following the revolutionaries into the wilds of Siberia, but also how courage comes in many forms, the price we pay for defiance and how love can be greatest rebellion of all.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical

320 pages, Hardcover

Published January 16, 2025

Reviews

[Loubie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This the most wonderful book and I just could not put it down. I thoroughly enjoyed Cecil Camerons last book An Italian Scandal but The Rebel Daughters is another level of joy. It is a must read. I wish there could be a follow up to these wonderful characters. An inspiring story beautifully told.

[Lori Desrosiers · Rating 3 out of 5]

although I live learning about Russian history, and I did learn some things the storyline of this book was disappointing. Basically a 16 year olds brain who has a crush, makes rashes decisions as 16 year old girls with crushes do, but Siberia really? There were no adults in her life that thought she should just be told no. and then of course older gentleman rescues her and of course she is really actually in love with him. or did he take advantage of a child...ick. I felt the first halfbof the book was slow at best and then the second half better storyline but then didn't really give information or closure as to how Russia came out of the situation. but you know she's in love now so everything will be okay. blech.

[Jennifer N · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I found this really hard to get into but I think it was just trying to sort out the Russian names. Anna is a teenager girl whose family is well off. She is in love with her brother's friend but too young to get married. She doesn't seem him for awhile and then sees him on a date with a girl she knows and then finds out that they are engaged. Her brother and his friends are rebels and think that sefdom should be abolished. When the Tsar dies they try rebellion against the new one, are caught and punished to a lifetime of work in Siberia. Her brother's pregnant wife (Anna's friend) and the other wives decide they must go with them and petition the Tsar. Anna decides to go too, in theory to take care of her sister in law but in reality because of the guy.
This read very much like YA. These women wouldn't have had the freedom to make these stupid decisions so it just wasn't realistic enough.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Set against a vivid backdrop of snowy landscapes, glittering high society of St Petersburg and the harsh realities of Siberian exile, The Rebel Daughters is a sweeping historical romance that immerses you in the tumultuous world of 1825 Russia. The story is as much about courage and defiance as it is about love, as the women risk losing all they have in search of their revolutionary loved ones imprisoned in the frozen wilderness.
The themes of loyalty, rebellion, and the price of freedom resonate deeply, making this more than just a poignant tale of love and resilience. I can't recommend it enough.

[Tiffany E-P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had never heard of the Decemberists before. I’ve read a bit about the Romanovs and the murder of Nicholas II and his family. The time period in this story describes the roots of the Bolshevik revolution. Which is relevant right now because it feels like we are on the cusp of an uprising of the working class to protest the kakistocracy pervading the world.

[Ngu · Rating 2 out of 5]

this turned out to be a high-end Harlequin romance, with an ending that was not realistic.

[Jue · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of love and resilience , with themes of loyalty, rebellion and the price of freedom, based on the true facts of the decemberists in Russia 1825.