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Stolen Empire #3
Queen of Always
If her time at court has taught Catherine anything, it's that there is no room for weakness in Imperial Russia. With the Empress' health failing and rumors of a change in the line of succession, her place in the royal line is once more in jeopardy. Tormented by her sadistic husband and his venomous mistress, Catherine must once more walk the fine line between pleasure and politics—between scandal and survival.
When her young son becomes the target of those rebelling against Peter's reign, Catherine will have to rise up to protect herself, her child, and her nation from his unstable and potentially catastrophic rule. This means putting herself at odds with the most dangerous man she's ever known, trusting those who once proved to be her enemies, and turning a nation against its sovereign. In the ultimate battle for the crown, new alliances will be forged, loyalties will be tested, and blood will be shed.
Don't miss this breathtaking conclusion to the Stolen Empire series!
Queen of Tomorrow is a YA historical fiction based on the life of young Catherine the Great. Fans of the hit TV show REIGN will devour this scandalous glimpse into the life of one of the most dynamic women in history.
When her young son becomes the target of those rebelling against Peter's reign, Catherine will have to rise up to protect herself, her child, and her nation from his unstable and potentially catastrophic rule. This means putting herself at odds with the most dangerous man she's ever known, trusting those who once proved to be her enemies, and turning a nation against its sovereign. In the ultimate battle for the crown, new alliances will be forged, loyalties will be tested, and blood will be shed.
Don't miss this breathtaking conclusion to the Stolen Empire series!
Queen of Tomorrow is a YA historical fiction based on the life of young Catherine the Great. Fans of the hit TV show REIGN will devour this scandalous glimpse into the life of one of the most dynamic women in history.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2015
83 people are currently reading
1091 people want to read
About the author
Sherry D. Ficklin
44 books669 followersSherry is the author of over a dozen novels for teens and young adults including the best selling Stolen Empire series. She can often be found browsing her local bookstore with a large white hot chocolate in one hand and a towering stack of books in the other. That is, unless she's on deadline at which time she, like the Loch Ness monster, is only seen in blurry photographs.
Sherry also writes contemporary romance under the pen name SJ Noble. You can find her at her official website, www.sherryficklin.com, or stalk her on her Facebook page www.facebook.com/sherry.ficklin.
Sherry also writes contemporary romance under the pen name SJ Noble. You can find her at her official website, www.sherryficklin.com, or stalk her on her Facebook page www.facebook.com/sherry.ficklin.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
February 10, 2015
This is my book, so of course I ADORE it. It is, unapologetically, mature in nature. Much more so than the first book, Queen of Someday. Our little Sophie is all grown up, and she is making some tough choices. Hope you will all love this finale as much as I do.
Happy Reading!
~S
Happy Reading!
~S
July 23, 2019
FOR MY ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS, READ MY REVIEW OF QUEEN OF TOMORROW
Yeah, there's not much more to say about this series than what I have already said. There is one good thing, though - it's short, so you're done very quickly.
THE THINGS I DISLIKED
Danish or Dutch?: Apparently, the author is unaware that Danes and Dutchmen don't come from the same country. So let this be an education - Danes are from Denmark, Dutchmen are from The Netherlands. Those are not, and have never been, the same thing!
Catherine: Okay, yes, Catherine the Great is a complex, hard character. And I get it, the author wanted to portray her evolution into the figure we know her as today. But honestly, it was uncalled for to give her such a horrible character arc to the point where you can't even like her anymore...
FOLLOW MY BLOG FOR MORE BOOK GOODNESS
Yeah, there's not much more to say about this series than what I have already said. There is one good thing, though - it's short, so you're done very quickly.
THE THINGS I DISLIKED
Danish or Dutch?: Apparently, the author is unaware that Danes and Dutchmen don't come from the same country. So let this be an education - Danes are from Denmark, Dutchmen are from The Netherlands. Those are not, and have never been, the same thing!
Catherine: Okay, yes, Catherine the Great is a complex, hard character. And I get it, the author wanted to portray her evolution into the figure we know her as today. But honestly, it was uncalled for to give her such a horrible character arc to the point where you can't even like her anymore...
FOLLOW MY BLOG FOR MORE BOOK GOODNESS
September 26, 2015
This is a YA historical fiction based on the life of young Catherine the Great, one of the most dynamic women in history.
In this third and final installment, Catherine approaches the world realistically, no longer the naive pawn Peter would hope her to be. In this book, I found Catherine stronger than most women, forced to be that way because of her situation as the despised wife of the most powerful man in Russia who openly flaunts his mistress before the royal court. But Catherine does not allow the pity that so many must have viewed her with to undermine her confidence. See the rest of my review on my blog at http://blog.lrwlee.com/2015/09/23/rev...
In this third and final installment, Catherine approaches the world realistically, no longer the naive pawn Peter would hope her to be. In this book, I found Catherine stronger than most women, forced to be that way because of her situation as the despised wife of the most powerful man in Russia who openly flaunts his mistress before the royal court. But Catherine does not allow the pity that so many must have viewed her with to undermine her confidence. See the rest of my review on my blog at http://blog.lrwlee.com/2015/09/23/rev...
October 17, 2015
http://www.platypire.com/j-hooligan/q...
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was so excited when I had this on my kindle. Am I the only person who gets so excited about a book that they're afraid to read it? Because that's how I was with this one. I adored the last two, and I was worried I had hyped myself up too much.
Then I started it. I couldn't put it down, and it was finished that same day.
I know the story of Catherine the Great, so it wasn't even as if I shouldn't have been expecting certain things... but I found myself so immersed in this world that Ficklin created that there were many times what I knew of her story was far from my mind. I let the story captivate me, and it did a fantastic job.
Much like the last two books in this series, there is a lot going on. The protagonist is trying to stay alive and keep as much of herself as she can, despite the overwhelming amount of hardships she struggles with. There is really not a dull moment.
I felt this to be a wonderful retelling of Catherine the Great, and I highly recommend it to lovers of historical fiction.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was so excited when I had this on my kindle. Am I the only person who gets so excited about a book that they're afraid to read it? Because that's how I was with this one. I adored the last two, and I was worried I had hyped myself up too much.
Then I started it. I couldn't put it down, and it was finished that same day.
I know the story of Catherine the Great, so it wasn't even as if I shouldn't have been expecting certain things... but I found myself so immersed in this world that Ficklin created that there were many times what I knew of her story was far from my mind. I let the story captivate me, and it did a fantastic job.
Much like the last two books in this series, there is a lot going on. The protagonist is trying to stay alive and keep as much of herself as she can, despite the overwhelming amount of hardships she struggles with. There is really not a dull moment.
I felt this to be a wonderful retelling of Catherine the Great, and I highly recommend it to lovers of historical fiction.
December 15, 2015
Catherine, my girl, you are fierce. She was put through so much by so many people and I'm so glad she literally came out on top in the end. Peter is a freaking monster and I had a much more gruesome death in mind for him, but hey, a dead Peter is good enough for me. Catherine had to make choices that would darken anyone's soul, but heavy is the head that wears the crown right? The only thing I didn't like was the subtle love triangle. But great book and great ending.
September 13, 2015
On the one hand Queen of Always is the best book in this trilogy so far, but on the other hand my heart is broken into a thousand little pieces due to some events towards the end of the story, which I won't reveal for the sake of spoilers.
I'm not even sure where to begin with this review. I don't want to give too much away of the story but again so much happened in such a short time. The book read super fast, I couldn't stop reading so that's definitely the prove of some damn good writing on the author's part.
A lot of crazy things happened in the story like people getting set on fire and even freaking threesomes. I'm not sure how I felt about that but at least it was entertaining. That's for sure.
I can't say I've ever really liked Catherine but I thought it was great that in this book she finally made some tough choices and stuck by them. Especially towards the end. Her journey from book one to book three has been such a huge one and you can definitely tell she changed and developed.
So yeah, this book was good and in some ways definitely exceeded the other two but still I can't give it four stars. Just like the previous books it's a solid three stars for me.
I'm not even sure where to begin with this review. I don't want to give too much away of the story but again so much happened in such a short time. The book read super fast, I couldn't stop reading so that's definitely the prove of some damn good writing on the author's part.
A lot of crazy things happened in the story like people getting set on fire and even freaking threesomes. I'm not sure how I felt about that but at least it was entertaining. That's for sure.
I can't say I've ever really liked Catherine but I thought it was great that in this book she finally made some tough choices and stuck by them. Especially towards the end. Her journey from book one to book three has been such a huge one and you can definitely tell she changed and developed.
So yeah, this book was good and in some ways definitely exceeded the other two but still I can't give it four stars. Just like the previous books it's a solid three stars for me.
April 14, 2017
She's ruthless, because she has to be…she's loved because she's fair. She's the queen because she took it.
OVERALL RATING: 4.3/5 STARS (GRADE=A-)
OVERALL RATING: 4.3/5 STARS (GRADE=A-)
♪♫My Pick For Book Theme Song♫♪
Leader of the Broken Hearts by Papa Roach --Catherine is tasked with some difficult decisions that leave her not so lucky in love. Ultimately, she did it all for Russia…♫And now I finally know what it feels like
To risk everything and still survive
When you’re standing on the battlefield
And all the pain is real
That’s when you realize
That you must’ve done something right
'Cause you’ve never felt so alive♫
*note: all the lyric video's for this song were not right, this ones the best…but some of the lyrics are wrong.
⇝My Thoughts⇜
A stunning conclusion to the Stolen Empire Series…a sometimes poignant, sometimes encouraging, with some serious OMG moments leading up to her stealing the crown from her asinine (and that word doesn't even cover it) husband, Peter. For such a short book it really packs a punch.
⇝Sex Factor⇜ This is older ya for sure because of the graphic content and the sex. Especially, one scene in particular…wow (maybe a little TMI).
⇝Ratings Breakdown⇜
Plot: 4/5
Main Characters: 4.3/5
Secondary Characters: 4.5/5
The Feels: 4.3/5
Addictiveness: 4.2/5
Theme or Tone: 4/5
Flow (Writing Style): 4.5/5
Backdrop (World Building): 4/5
Originality: 4/5
Book Cover: 5/5
Ending: 4/5 Cliffhanger: No
Will I read more from this Author? Yes, I would
September 21, 2015
Our Catherine is a clever, clever girl. She is also ruthless, passionate and at times calculating. Forced into marriage and ripped from the arms of her lover; she has suffered lost, is tormented and yet she is forever a lady. Never showing weakness beyond the walls of her quarters.
“I have done dreadful things, Dash. I have made mistakes that I will never be able to atone for, and I have allowed myself to be selfish in ways you might never understand.” The bitter memory of sprinkling the poison in the Empress’ tea floats into my mind. I think of every lie I’ve told, of every misstep I’ve made. “I’m not proud of my choices, but neither would I retract a single one,” I say finally."-Catherine, Queen of Always
Catherine quickly finds her position in jeopardy as Peter’s mistress sinks her teeth further into him. His radical ideals threaten the court, the church and Russia. As she builds alliances, she also must face the two men she loves.The romance was rather interesting, and young Catherine is quite bold. Can she choose between them?
Ficklin weaved a suspenseful tale as Catherine makes moves to secure life for her and those of her son. Queen of Always is darker than its predecessors as tension rises and danger lurks. Politics, religion, betrayals, and threats made for a page-turning read. The author managed to have me holding my breath, dropping my chin in shock and even shedding a tear.
A mention of coffee..had me smiling!
“.......There’s a cup of what looks like pitch black tea. I pick it up, examining the contents. It smells burnt somehow. “What on earth is this?”
She nods to it, “That’s a new drink the cook thought you might enjoy. It’s called coffee. It can be bitter so there is cream you can add to it. She says it’s all the rage at French Court.”
“Coffee? Odd.” I take a sip and nearly gag. It’s strong, so much more bitter and heavy than tea, but, still…
I take another sip.
“It’s quite good, I think.” I say, admiring the warmth of the cup in my hand.
Dashka beams. “I thought you’d enjoy it.”
As we begin the tedious process of dressing and grooming, I sip on the beverage, asking for a second cup soon after the first. Soon I feel my heart speed up, my face flushes, and I feel more awake and alive than I’ve felt in weeks.
At times, Catherine is ruthless and her hands have blood on them, yet she is equally compassionate. Even though it causes her to suffer she does not bend in her convictions. Even as she works to secure her place in Russia, she looks to the people and their needs. The balance between her ruthlessness and compassion never ceased to amaze me. Ficklin’s interpretation of Catherine provides a strong heroine that readers will connect with. For all that she endures, she holds her head high and presents a strong reassuring presence. She is someone whom you respect, even as you guard your back.
Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer
“I have done dreadful things, Dash. I have made mistakes that I will never be able to atone for, and I have allowed myself to be selfish in ways you might never understand.” The bitter memory of sprinkling the poison in the Empress’ tea floats into my mind. I think of every lie I’ve told, of every misstep I’ve made. “I’m not proud of my choices, but neither would I retract a single one,” I say finally."-Catherine, Queen of Always
Catherine quickly finds her position in jeopardy as Peter’s mistress sinks her teeth further into him. His radical ideals threaten the court, the church and Russia. As she builds alliances, she also must face the two men she loves.The romance was rather interesting, and young Catherine is quite bold. Can she choose between them?
Ficklin weaved a suspenseful tale as Catherine makes moves to secure life for her and those of her son. Queen of Always is darker than its predecessors as tension rises and danger lurks. Politics, religion, betrayals, and threats made for a page-turning read. The author managed to have me holding my breath, dropping my chin in shock and even shedding a tear.
A mention of coffee..had me smiling!
“.......There’s a cup of what looks like pitch black tea. I pick it up, examining the contents. It smells burnt somehow. “What on earth is this?”
She nods to it, “That’s a new drink the cook thought you might enjoy. It’s called coffee. It can be bitter so there is cream you can add to it. She says it’s all the rage at French Court.”
“Coffee? Odd.” I take a sip and nearly gag. It’s strong, so much more bitter and heavy than tea, but, still…
I take another sip.
“It’s quite good, I think.” I say, admiring the warmth of the cup in my hand.
Dashka beams. “I thought you’d enjoy it.”
As we begin the tedious process of dressing and grooming, I sip on the beverage, asking for a second cup soon after the first. Soon I feel my heart speed up, my face flushes, and I feel more awake and alive than I’ve felt in weeks.
At times, Catherine is ruthless and her hands have blood on them, yet she is equally compassionate. Even though it causes her to suffer she does not bend in her convictions. Even as she works to secure her place in Russia, she looks to the people and their needs. The balance between her ruthlessness and compassion never ceased to amaze me. Ficklin’s interpretation of Catherine provides a strong heroine that readers will connect with. For all that she endures, she holds her head high and presents a strong reassuring presence. She is someone whom you respect, even as you guard your back.
Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer
September 19, 2015
Stakes are truly high in the enthralling conclusion to The Stolen Empire Series. Boundaries are no longer being tested, but are being run through with an all-consuming power, motivated by self-preservation, greed, and the desire for stability.
In Queen of Always, we find each character stretched beyond their limits. No longer do they have the luxury of redemption. All that is left, is to press further into the destruction and devastation of their own making, with only their hope and faith that someday, they can once again find their way back to their humanity.
To say that in their own way that the characters lost touch with their sanity would be a vast understatement. The Empress’ condition has remained the same, if not steadily declined, out of sheer spite towards Catherine, refusing to relinquish her power. Because of the miscalculated expiration of the Empress, Catherine is now left to endure Peter’s antics singularly. Since Peter’s desire for the thrown has gone unquenched, his tantrums have only begun to metastasize, infecting the whole of the court with his ill-conceived policies.
It quickly becomes apparent to Catherine that she can no longer devote her passions to simply ensuring her happiness with Serguei and Alexander. It has now fallen upon her to save herself, her lovers, her son, and the whole of Russia.
Sherry Ficklin has done an impeccable job concluding this series. In Queen of Tomorrow, we were taken on a journey in which the characters were presented with several options, yet chose the more difficult options more often than not. In Queen of Always, she cemented the decisions by showing that they had each backed themselves up against a wall of their own making, their only hope for survival being to simply bear the unbearable. In one way or another, the weight of such a life broke each one of them, yet Catherine was able to thrive in the one way that mattered. Even through her misdeeds, she left the crucible stronger than when she entered.
Ficklin’s ability to take historical events and wrap them into a captivating tale is remarkable. She took the lives of those we now find ourselves so removed from and made them relatable. Even though I am separated by centuries and nobility from Catherine, I feel that I have learned something from her, specifically in this portrayal. I matters not whether her character in this work is more fictional than accurate. What does matter is that she illustrates a strong woman, who when faced with the unthinkable, still perseveres.
In Queen of Always, we find each character stretched beyond their limits. No longer do they have the luxury of redemption. All that is left, is to press further into the destruction and devastation of their own making, with only their hope and faith that someday, they can once again find their way back to their humanity.
To say that in their own way that the characters lost touch with their sanity would be a vast understatement. The Empress’ condition has remained the same, if not steadily declined, out of sheer spite towards Catherine, refusing to relinquish her power. Because of the miscalculated expiration of the Empress, Catherine is now left to endure Peter’s antics singularly. Since Peter’s desire for the thrown has gone unquenched, his tantrums have only begun to metastasize, infecting the whole of the court with his ill-conceived policies.
It quickly becomes apparent to Catherine that she can no longer devote her passions to simply ensuring her happiness with Serguei and Alexander. It has now fallen upon her to save herself, her lovers, her son, and the whole of Russia.
Sherry Ficklin has done an impeccable job concluding this series. In Queen of Tomorrow, we were taken on a journey in which the characters were presented with several options, yet chose the more difficult options more often than not. In Queen of Always, she cemented the decisions by showing that they had each backed themselves up against a wall of their own making, their only hope for survival being to simply bear the unbearable. In one way or another, the weight of such a life broke each one of them, yet Catherine was able to thrive in the one way that mattered. Even through her misdeeds, she left the crucible stronger than when she entered.
Ficklin’s ability to take historical events and wrap them into a captivating tale is remarkable. She took the lives of those we now find ourselves so removed from and made them relatable. Even though I am separated by centuries and nobility from Catherine, I feel that I have learned something from her, specifically in this portrayal. I matters not whether her character in this work is more fictional than accurate. What does matter is that she illustrates a strong woman, who when faced with the unthinkable, still perseveres.
October 29, 2015
With Queen of Someday, Sherry Ficklin began a trilogy of books about a very young Catherine the Great and her rise to becoming the Empress of Russia. Born with the name Sophie, she soon found herself embroiled in the political machinations and scheming of court life, dealing with Empress Elizabeth and Peter. With each book, I was drawn further in to the tale, and I think I even remarked on the fact I thought the character development was great in my review for Queen of Tomorrow. This book continues that trend, and with this book, it comes to its full maturity, as does Catherine.
In Queen of Always, Catherine knows exactly what she wants, what her goals are, and what must be done to get there. Something she doesn't shy away from at all, and I don't recall her ever questioning herself, so she has a tremendous amount of mental fortitude and courage. She sees the path that Russia is on with Peter as the emperor, and knows something must be done. Building up a network of supporters, she finally takes the steps needed, not only for herself but for Russia as well.
Of course, she still has romantic ties to both Sergei and Alexander, and she's faced with some difficult decisions when it comes to them. Then there's Peter. From the very first book it seemed like he was on a downward spiral, and that is fully on display in this book, along with his mistress Elizavetta. I think that's all I really need to say about that aspect. Overall though, I had a smile on my face when I came to the conclusion of this series.
This book was relatively short, so it was a fast read, but one I enjoyed tremendously. Queen of Always is on my list of favorite books read in 2015. In addition, I'd rank the Stolen Empire series as being among my favorite trilogies. My rating is 5/5 platypires.
In Queen of Always, Catherine knows exactly what she wants, what her goals are, and what must be done to get there. Something she doesn't shy away from at all, and I don't recall her ever questioning herself, so she has a tremendous amount of mental fortitude and courage. She sees the path that Russia is on with Peter as the emperor, and knows something must be done. Building up a network of supporters, she finally takes the steps needed, not only for herself but for Russia as well.
Of course, she still has romantic ties to both Sergei and Alexander, and she's faced with some difficult decisions when it comes to them. Then there's Peter. From the very first book it seemed like he was on a downward spiral, and that is fully on display in this book, along with his mistress Elizavetta. I think that's all I really need to say about that aspect. Overall though, I had a smile on my face when I came to the conclusion of this series.
This book was relatively short, so it was a fast read, but one I enjoyed tremendously. Queen of Always is on my list of favorite books read in 2015. In addition, I'd rank the Stolen Empire series as being among my favorite trilogies. My rating is 5/5 platypires.
March 22, 2018
Wow i loved the way the Author did the finally to the Stolen empire books, and the ending was devastating and unexpected. We journey with Catherine/Sophie while she tries to cope with her sadistic husband while thinking of her country, people and her personnel life, i loved all the books thank you so much for giving such an amazing read!!!!!
September 17, 2015
Check out this and other reviews on my blog, Here to Happy Endings!
If you haven't read the first two books in this series, go read them now. Really, go read them. I'll be here when you get back.
All finished? Great! Now, weren't they absolutely fantastic?!
I mean, that beautiful cover alone is enough to make me want to pick up the whole series and just sit down and binge read them in one weekend. And now that the trilogy is complete, you can!
I fell in love with this series a while back when I got an ARC of the first book, Queen of Someday. As soon as I had finished the first one, I got the second book, Queen of Tomorrow, from NetGalley, and I read that one in less than a day. So I was obviously over-excited for the third and final book in the series, Queen of Always.
I definitely wasn't disappointed.
Writing a review for this book will be difficult because I don't want to give away any spoilers for those of you that haven't read the first two books (didn't I tell you to go read them?), so this won't be long and detailed.
Queen of Always picks up one year after Queen of Tomorrow left off. It doesn't begin on a light note, and I'm not going to lie, I needed some tissues by the end of the first chapter. We still have Catherine, who is busy dealing with Peter (who is immature and annoying as ever, of course), his mistress (who is one of those characters you want to reach right through the page and slap), and her own lover, Sergei. Things are complicated for Catherine, especially while the empress is still alive and making her life a living nightmare.
While dealing with the many issues she faces in her life, some new twists come to light that cause her life to be, well, even a tad bit more complicated (as if the poor girl hasn't been through enough already), and it's interesting to see where things go.
This book has the same powerful heroine, Catherine, and the other characters that made the previous books so addicting. Ms. Ficklin did a marvelous job of wrapping up the story, and didn't really leave any loose ends or problems (the only real problem was the fact that this series is just a trilogy...why did it have to be over so fast?).
Note: I received an ARC copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
If you haven't read the first two books in this series, go read them now. Really, go read them. I'll be here when you get back.
All finished? Great! Now, weren't they absolutely fantastic?!
I mean, that beautiful cover alone is enough to make me want to pick up the whole series and just sit down and binge read them in one weekend. And now that the trilogy is complete, you can!
I fell in love with this series a while back when I got an ARC of the first book, Queen of Someday. As soon as I had finished the first one, I got the second book, Queen of Tomorrow, from NetGalley, and I read that one in less than a day. So I was obviously over-excited for the third and final book in the series, Queen of Always.
I definitely wasn't disappointed.
Writing a review for this book will be difficult because I don't want to give away any spoilers for those of you that haven't read the first two books (didn't I tell you to go read them?), so this won't be long and detailed.
Queen of Always picks up one year after Queen of Tomorrow left off. It doesn't begin on a light note, and I'm not going to lie, I needed some tissues by the end of the first chapter. We still have Catherine, who is busy dealing with Peter (who is immature and annoying as ever, of course), his mistress (who is one of those characters you want to reach right through the page and slap), and her own lover, Sergei. Things are complicated for Catherine, especially while the empress is still alive and making her life a living nightmare.
While dealing with the many issues she faces in her life, some new twists come to light that cause her life to be, well, even a tad bit more complicated (as if the poor girl hasn't been through enough already), and it's interesting to see where things go.
This book has the same powerful heroine, Catherine, and the other characters that made the previous books so addicting. Ms. Ficklin did a marvelous job of wrapping up the story, and didn't really leave any loose ends or problems (the only real problem was the fact that this series is just a trilogy...why did it have to be over so fast?).
Note: I received an ARC copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
March 1, 2016
I was so happy to get the third paperback for my birthday. I needed to finish up this series because after my Bestie finished all three books in a week, she's been badgering to talk to me about the third one.
Stuff gets real in the third installment of the Stolen Empire series. This is definitely not one for more sensitive readers. The steamy romance is taken to a level I never expected and is also shadowed by domestic abuse - something I can only tolerate because of the culture of the time period and setting, and because our heroine eventually comes out on top. Bestie and I both felt like the heightened sensuality was unnecessary and took away a bit from what we loved about this series in the first place; the spectacular story and writing.
I can't say I agree with everything Catherine does, or the choices she's forced to make. But it's through those choices that she becomes the strong heroine that she is. Because she's hardened so much, I don't feel a kinship to her that I did in the last two books, or that I've found with other characters. I don't feel like I would be her best friend in real life, but I definitely would be one of her trusted ladies that keeps all of her scandalous secrets.
Queen of Always wasn't my favorite in the series, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world. I'm glad I got to get up close and personal with all the drama that is Catherine's train wreck of a life. The ending was tragically beautiful. More bitter than sweet, but complete and leaving me sad that it was all over. I especially liked the letter to her children slipped into the epilogue. Overall, the Stolen Empire series is rich and elegant, and I highly recommend it if you want to really connect with a story.
Stuff gets real in the third installment of the Stolen Empire series. This is definitely not one for more sensitive readers. The steamy romance is taken to a level I never expected and is also shadowed by domestic abuse - something I can only tolerate because of the culture of the time period and setting, and because our heroine eventually comes out on top. Bestie and I both felt like the heightened sensuality was unnecessary and took away a bit from what we loved about this series in the first place; the spectacular story and writing.
I can't say I agree with everything Catherine does, or the choices she's forced to make. But it's through those choices that she becomes the strong heroine that she is. Because she's hardened so much, I don't feel a kinship to her that I did in the last two books, or that I've found with other characters. I don't feel like I would be her best friend in real life, but I definitely would be one of her trusted ladies that keeps all of her scandalous secrets.
Queen of Always wasn't my favorite in the series, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world. I'm glad I got to get up close and personal with all the drama that is Catherine's train wreck of a life. The ending was tragically beautiful. More bitter than sweet, but complete and leaving me sad that it was all over. I especially liked the letter to her children slipped into the epilogue. Overall, the Stolen Empire series is rich and elegant, and I highly recommend it if you want to really connect with a story.
October 21, 2015
This is a series that has been fantastic from book one, i love how Ficklin can take a character that is rooted in history and mix in her own dash of how that story should play out. Their where parts where i cheered as the character got what they deserved, other times where my heart was in my thoart as i was scared and frightened, and of course lots of tears where shed. This is a series that will take you all the way to depth of everything you can possibly feel and it so good to get lost in a story that when you look up you realize the whole day has gone by while you been traveling around Russia. Nicely done Sherry nicely done.
October 19, 2015
I was debating on whether or not to give this 2 or 3 stars. I can't say all that I want to without giving spoilers, but I will say a few things.
The Author took an intriguing, good book and made you hate the main character in the end. I admired Catherine for being a strong leader and also for being so good and choosing the right thing to do. All of that good was stripped away in this book. She became way too selfish of a character for me, and for that reason I only gave it 2 stars. Along with the horrible morals. Its was too much.
The Author took an intriguing, good book and made you hate the main character in the end. I admired Catherine for being a strong leader and also for being so good and choosing the right thing to do. All of that good was stripped away in this book. She became way too selfish of a character for me, and for that reason I only gave it 2 stars. Along with the horrible morals. Its was too much.
February 25, 2016
Queen of Always is the third and final book of the Stolen Empire series by Sherry Ficklin and while I was super excited to get my hands on this book, I am also sad it is over. I love historical and Ficklin does a great job of mixing some fact in with a story she has built out and added her own twist to.
Book three begins immediately with a storyline that pulled me back in. Catherine has been separated from everyone she loves and just waiting for the Empress to die. Sergei has been gone for over a year at the Empress’s command, her son is still living away from her and Peter, and her best friend, Rina, is now dying. All of this adds up to it being an unsettling time for Catherine and almost immediately the state of things – both personal and political - shift when Rina and the Empress pass away.
When Empress Elizabeth dies, Catherine sees this as an opportunity to solidify her role in supporting Peter as the new Emperor and she tries really hard to forge a connection with him by providing advice and support. Unfortunately for Catherine, Peter is only willing to take the advice when he agrees with it and this puts Catherine in a position where she is continually trying to figure out where she should speak up and where she shouldn’t. Add to this the fact that he continues to throw his relationship with Elizavetta in her face and there is a real threat that things could end up badly for Catherine.
Catherine has definitely grown up in this series and this novel shows it more than anything. I think the most notable thing is that I don’t even really identify her as Sophie any longer – she is Catherine and that in itself shows the true change. Catherine isn’t willing to be a pawn any longer and instead is looking to create her own path, with or without Peter. It is clear she has allies and knows the political landscape which if Peter were smart, he could have used that to his advantage.
This book of the series is definitely for a slightly more mature audience due to the violence and romantic relationships that Catherine has but I have to say they are done in a way that wouldn’t raise any flags for me. Of course, I don’t get offended by much so…there’s that. Speaking of romantic relationships, as I mentioned, Rina dies at the beginning of the book and that means Alexander is no longer married. It doesn’t take long for him and Catherine to find their way back to each other, especially since Sergei is gone. The twist comes when Sergei finally makes it back to Catherine and she has to decide what to do with both of these men who carry a piece of her heart. I’m not giving anything away but I thought the way Ficklin handled it was well done.
One other thing I wanted to note around the characters was that the secondary characters are done well. The friendship and overall closeness/trust that Catherine has with/in Dasha and Grigori is important. It felt like they were the glue that held her together through a lot of the challenges in her life and I loved reading about the relationships Catherine had with these two.
So hopefully I gave you just enough detail to get you interested in this one. If you are looking for something that has some romance, danger and political intrigue, and some interesting characters, definitely consider checking this series out. And if you still aren’t sure about historical, this is a great series to start out with because while it is about a figure in history, it doesn’t feel heavy with dates, times, places, and events. Don’t get me wrong…it’s there but the story helps move things forward it’s hardly even noticeable if that isn’t your thing.
Catherine the Great isn’t someone I know a lot about and outside of the story blurb, I think that is what caught my attention -- Ficklin’s storytelling is what kept me reading. I am glad I crossed paths with this series and will definitely be checking out more books by Ficklin in the future.
Thank you to the author for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review!
Book three begins immediately with a storyline that pulled me back in. Catherine has been separated from everyone she loves and just waiting for the Empress to die. Sergei has been gone for over a year at the Empress’s command, her son is still living away from her and Peter, and her best friend, Rina, is now dying. All of this adds up to it being an unsettling time for Catherine and almost immediately the state of things – both personal and political - shift when Rina and the Empress pass away.
When Empress Elizabeth dies, Catherine sees this as an opportunity to solidify her role in supporting Peter as the new Emperor and she tries really hard to forge a connection with him by providing advice and support. Unfortunately for Catherine, Peter is only willing to take the advice when he agrees with it and this puts Catherine in a position where she is continually trying to figure out where she should speak up and where she shouldn’t. Add to this the fact that he continues to throw his relationship with Elizavetta in her face and there is a real threat that things could end up badly for Catherine.
Catherine has definitely grown up in this series and this novel shows it more than anything. I think the most notable thing is that I don’t even really identify her as Sophie any longer – she is Catherine and that in itself shows the true change. Catherine isn’t willing to be a pawn any longer and instead is looking to create her own path, with or without Peter. It is clear she has allies and knows the political landscape which if Peter were smart, he could have used that to his advantage.
This book of the series is definitely for a slightly more mature audience due to the violence and romantic relationships that Catherine has but I have to say they are done in a way that wouldn’t raise any flags for me. Of course, I don’t get offended by much so…there’s that. Speaking of romantic relationships, as I mentioned, Rina dies at the beginning of the book and that means Alexander is no longer married. It doesn’t take long for him and Catherine to find their way back to each other, especially since Sergei is gone. The twist comes when Sergei finally makes it back to Catherine and she has to decide what to do with both of these men who carry a piece of her heart. I’m not giving anything away but I thought the way Ficklin handled it was well done.
One other thing I wanted to note around the characters was that the secondary characters are done well. The friendship and overall closeness/trust that Catherine has with/in Dasha and Grigori is important. It felt like they were the glue that held her together through a lot of the challenges in her life and I loved reading about the relationships Catherine had with these two.
So hopefully I gave you just enough detail to get you interested in this one. If you are looking for something that has some romance, danger and political intrigue, and some interesting characters, definitely consider checking this series out. And if you still aren’t sure about historical, this is a great series to start out with because while it is about a figure in history, it doesn’t feel heavy with dates, times, places, and events. Don’t get me wrong…it’s there but the story helps move things forward it’s hardly even noticeable if that isn’t your thing.
Catherine the Great isn’t someone I know a lot about and outside of the story blurb, I think that is what caught my attention -- Ficklin’s storytelling is what kept me reading. I am glad I crossed paths with this series and will definitely be checking out more books by Ficklin in the future.
Thank you to the author for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review!
October 2, 2015
Someone please slap me! I'm going into a book coma after this AMAZING final book in this series! Ficklin weaves a deft tale of a girl who rises to become one of the greatest Queens Russia has even seen. Throughout the whole series, we get to watch our main character, twist, grow, bloom, and harden. She makes tough choices, loses so much, and gain even more at times.
This final book was perfect. It was exactly what I wanted. I was conflicted coming into this final novel, what did I want at the end? What did Sophie/Catherine deserve? She has done so much leading up to this final moment. And Ficklin did not let us down, this book still held all the drama and suspense of the previous books, but ended in such a perfect way. You didn't have to choose in this book, she gave us the ending that Catherine deserved, and the ending she needed. I'm terribly sad to see this series end, because the author created characters and a world so incredibly real for the reader that I feel like I'm losing friends. I feel like I'm getting commanded to leave the Imperial Palace as well, and I truly do not want to. I have to say that there's a really great thread of morality, and right and wrong in this book, and coming to terms with how something might be both right and wrong at the same time. I love that the author created characters that could stand tall in that grey area without taking a moral highground. They are flawed, realistic individuals, and there's so much behind each decision they make, that you begin to understand all the choices that led Catherine to the crown.
Fantastic book. I can't praise it enough. It blew me away. I laughed, I cried, I screamed, and I hated people for Catherine. I loved with her. This book needs to be next on your To Be Read list. It's a three part book series, and book one is FREE. There's no reason not to give this book a try. You won't be disappointed. Ficklin has all the skills to back up her fantastic storyline, and there's nothing out of line from the Cover to the ending. It's one of the best books I've read this year, the series ranks among my all time favorites. Do yourself a favor, take your next day off, grab the first book, and join us at the Imperial Palace in Russia! I'll be waiting (cause I'm never leaving!)
*I was given a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.
This final book was perfect. It was exactly what I wanted. I was conflicted coming into this final novel, what did I want at the end? What did Sophie/Catherine deserve? She has done so much leading up to this final moment. And Ficklin did not let us down, this book still held all the drama and suspense of the previous books, but ended in such a perfect way. You didn't have to choose in this book, she gave us the ending that Catherine deserved, and the ending she needed. I'm terribly sad to see this series end, because the author created characters and a world so incredibly real for the reader that I feel like I'm losing friends. I feel like I'm getting commanded to leave the Imperial Palace as well, and I truly do not want to. I have to say that there's a really great thread of morality, and right and wrong in this book, and coming to terms with how something might be both right and wrong at the same time. I love that the author created characters that could stand tall in that grey area without taking a moral highground. They are flawed, realistic individuals, and there's so much behind each decision they make, that you begin to understand all the choices that led Catherine to the crown.
Fantastic book. I can't praise it enough. It blew me away. I laughed, I cried, I screamed, and I hated people for Catherine. I loved with her. This book needs to be next on your To Be Read list. It's a three part book series, and book one is FREE. There's no reason not to give this book a try. You won't be disappointed. Ficklin has all the skills to back up her fantastic storyline, and there's nothing out of line from the Cover to the ending. It's one of the best books I've read this year, the series ranks among my all time favorites. Do yourself a favor, take your next day off, grab the first book, and join us at the Imperial Palace in Russia! I'll be waiting (cause I'm never leaving!)
*I was given a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.
December 20, 2015
I am always stuck when doing a review of a book that's not the start of a series! How much do you give away of the story? You don't want to spoil the books before to others who haven't read them yet. So I try to be vague about the actual story and rather try and tell you what my feelings are on the book!!
I absolute loved this book!! Well not just this book but the whole series. I don't know much about historical fiction but u am now a big fan.
In book 3 everything is stepped up a notch. Peters hate gets to a new high, he has been tormenting Catherine trough all of them but in this book it left me speechless, broke my heart and made me cry.
Catherine's heart is still as big as always. Her love life is still one to shout about and its a story completely on its own. But what is most amazing about Catherine is to see how much she has grown. What an amazing, strong, fair, proud and courageous women she has become. Long gone is the shy and naive girl that arrived at court in the first book. She will have to make choices that would have seemed impossible for her at first. She is an amazing heroin.
Like the books before I thoroughly enjoyed this one too, it's a fast paced page turner. A great quick read which I am very sad is over.
I always feared if I read anything historical I might find it hard to understand some parts. But never in this series, you don't, in any way have to be knowledgable. It doesn't dwell on the actual history. It's much more then a story about Catherine becoming the queen of Russia. It's about all the struggle and heartache on her way to the throne. About growing into a true queen.
I can't recommend this series enough. A total emotional roller coaster.
I absolute loved this book!! Well not just this book but the whole series. I don't know much about historical fiction but u am now a big fan.
In book 3 everything is stepped up a notch. Peters hate gets to a new high, he has been tormenting Catherine trough all of them but in this book it left me speechless, broke my heart and made me cry.
Catherine's heart is still as big as always. Her love life is still one to shout about and its a story completely on its own. But what is most amazing about Catherine is to see how much she has grown. What an amazing, strong, fair, proud and courageous women she has become. Long gone is the shy and naive girl that arrived at court in the first book. She will have to make choices that would have seemed impossible for her at first. She is an amazing heroin.
Like the books before I thoroughly enjoyed this one too, it's a fast paced page turner. A great quick read which I am very sad is over.
I always feared if I read anything historical I might find it hard to understand some parts. But never in this series, you don't, in any way have to be knowledgable. It doesn't dwell on the actual history. It's much more then a story about Catherine becoming the queen of Russia. It's about all the struggle and heartache on her way to the throne. About growing into a true queen.
I can't recommend this series enough. A total emotional roller coaster.
July 16, 2016
2.5 stars
With the Empress's health failing and her relationship with Peter on the verge of catastrophe, Catherine soon realizes that her troubles are not only within her own court. There are those outside that want Peter off the throne of Russia, which puts both Catherine and her young son in danger. Soon Catherine is going to have to decide if she is strong enough to wield her own power among so many she cannot trust. Amid wars and plauge from without and conniving and hatred from within, there is really only one way she can win - the questions is if she is willing to sacrifice what it will take to get there.
Catherine's love life has always been an important part of the books, which I understand, and this one is no different. But this one was my least favorite, especially after she threw a very unrealistic threesome into the mix. It felt very unbelievable and like the author was just trying to be scandalous. The plot is fast-paced, again, and I believed in her political frustration, ambition and lack of options, Catherine's choices were always made with such high stakes and the lack of morality among all the characters was sometimes frustrating - Elizabeth, especially, would stop at actually nothing. It entertained me and wrapped things up well enough but I didn't love it. What it did make me do is go and learn more about the real story and I do appreciate that the author did base a lot of big happenings on fact, more or less.
With the Empress's health failing and her relationship with Peter on the verge of catastrophe, Catherine soon realizes that her troubles are not only within her own court. There are those outside that want Peter off the throne of Russia, which puts both Catherine and her young son in danger. Soon Catherine is going to have to decide if she is strong enough to wield her own power among so many she cannot trust. Amid wars and plauge from without and conniving and hatred from within, there is really only one way she can win - the questions is if she is willing to sacrifice what it will take to get there.
Catherine's love life has always been an important part of the books, which I understand, and this one is no different. But this one was my least favorite, especially after she threw a very unrealistic threesome into the mix. It felt very unbelievable and like the author was just trying to be scandalous. The plot is fast-paced, again, and I believed in her political frustration, ambition and lack of options, Catherine's choices were always made with such high stakes and the lack of morality among all the characters was sometimes frustrating - Elizabeth, especially, would stop at actually nothing. It entertained me and wrapped things up well enough but I didn't love it. What it did make me do is go and learn more about the real story and I do appreciate that the author did base a lot of big happenings on fact, more or less.
September 20, 2015
Ugh! I should probably not review this book while the wounds are fresh... But here it is... I loved this series from the beginning, Catherine's character, her intentions, her strong will and ability to put maneuver her opponent in every chess game... The other characters, Peter, Sergei, Elisvetta, Rina, we're all major attributes to overall success of the series. However I know the authors intention was to make you see her growing darkness and hardened heart (though with good reason) and hence her arrival into the ruler she needed to be... But she was such a spoiled rotten brat, just as the prince and queen were before her, that I quit rooting for her in the end... And then to take up with Grigori? And still make no attempt to be with her children...I hated the ending... To the point where I cannot recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2016
Honestly I was a tad disappointed with this one. I know it's based off of Catherine's life which is not the happiest of tales, but I wish it weren't so dreary. Sherry's writing is continually engaging as is the fast-moving plot. Catherine's transformation from the beginning of the series to the end is well executed and probably the most tremendous element. I really enjoyed this series, and I'm sad it's over!
September 21, 2015
Tragic, emotionally stupid, and a pinch of politics. I should have listened to the reviews of the first book. I liked the first book, but this was too messy. The book just felt like a rehash of how scandalous her life was.
September 3, 2015
Full review and more available at: http://oneguysguidetogoodreads.blogsp...
*****
My Thoughts:
It isn't many times in a readers life that they can read a story and can honestly say it forever sets a higher bar for all of their future readings. As readers we often are in constant search of our next favorite. But what does one do when the saga comes to a close? Welcome to my predicament. When Sherry Ficklin unleashed Sophie's story on the world, my bookish world was changed forever. When history, suspense, and romance collide in the most unique and creative of ways, Ficklin has written the Stolen Empire series to perfection.
Saying goodbye to Catherine and the gang has proved to be harder for me than any other review I have written. Over the course of three novels now, I have bonded so intimately with this series and these characters. Being a historian myself, I love a great historical read. Unfortunately there really aren't all that many of them out there. History is amazing in itself, but in most cases, it doesn't make for the best of stories without tweaking it within another genre (paranormal, historic fantasy, etc).
While Always, along with the other two novels in the series, closely follows the story of young Catherine the Great of Russia, Ficklin was able to take a few liberties with the written history in order to tweak it to make this series really stand out above the crowd. Catherine the Great is one of the most intriguing figures in all of written history: strong, independent, intelligent, and more. Her life is also clouded in mystery as historians have flocked to examine every facet of this remarkable leader's life over the years. With such mystery has become legends surrounding Catherine's personal life, her children, and her eventual death. While the public may never know the full truth of Catherine the Great, Ficklin has done an incredible job making her a more realistic figure for audiences of all ages, earning her major kudos in my book.
Much like the first two novels in the series, Ficklin hits the ground running with Queen of Always and the action does not end until the final pages. I couldn't put it down, seriously. I've read Queen of Always twice now trying to formulate my thoughts and I've realized that no words I can write will ever truly do this series justice. In Always, Sophie-now-Catherine is well on her way to becoming the monarch history will remember. She's amassed a following, and now has plotted to overthrow more than one regime. What started out as hopes to secure a peaceful life for her family has turned into so much more. No longer the timid, hesitant girl she started, Catherine is a woman on a mission. Her heart still full of longing and confliction, will Catherine be able to put aside her heart's desires to serve her Mother Russia?
As anyone who has read the first two novels will tell you, Ficklin really pushes the envelope with this series. Life in the Imperial Russian court is not for the faint of heart. Crippled with violence, death, abuse, oppression, and heartbreak, Ficklin has created a true-to-life tone that will leave you shaking with anger and tears flowing with sadness at the truth and raw honesty of the situations. One thing I was actually glad to see was the extremely progression of tone in this installment, almost pushing it into the 'new adult' genre. There are a few scenes of extreme violence that made me wince and a few extremely steamy scenes (including one that may have become my favorite 'adult content' scene of all time if only because of the pure shock factor).
While I won't spoil the ending (though Wikipedia will), I will tell you that I was left absolutely speechless, Ficklin hit me with every feel imaginable, and then some more!
Being the series finale, Ficklin didn't really introduce a plethora of new characters into the mix, but the few that were introduced played extremely into the final act. This final story was a reunion of sorts as we see the return of some of the series' most important characters in some of the saddest and most creative ways possible. Seeing as character specifics play a huge role in the 'shock and awe' factor of the story, I'm going to refrain from saying too much, but rest assured that each cast member of this series gets their dues. By the novels end, most every characters story is accounted for, wrapping up the series in the most perfect of ways for the fans.
Set in eighteenth century Russia, Ficklin pulls out all the stops. From Oranienbaum to Catherine's Palace, to Cathedrals. to the vast forests of Russia, each setting is beautifully crafted with just the right amount of description to set the tone of the novel. I was very clearly able to close my eyes and imagine myself in the palace of the Empress Elizabeth, right alongside Sophie and the gang. Everything from Russian architecture to food was described in such a fantastic way as to leave the reader more than impressed.
I can honestly say that I am in absolute awe of Sherry Ficklin. Never before in my bookish history have I seen an author go to such lengths for a story. The research Ficklin has done on every facet of Russian history and culture is sure to please even the harshest of critics. It is noted in the novel multiple times that this is a historic fiction and that Ficklin has taken some liberties in interpreting the tale. In all honesty, I believe that Ficklin's tale is probably closer to the truth than the history books have led us to believe, plus they give these historical figures a story for an entirely new generation of learners. Save a spot on your bookshelf of favorite, Ficklin has more than earned that empty space!
As you can clearly see, I haven't the first negative thing to say about Queen of Always, it was everything I was wanting from a series finale, and more! Our journey was completely wrapped up within the chapters, then a gripping and emotionally powerful epilogue really ended the trilogy on a touching note. This novel was literary perfection at its' finest. Remarkably entertaining and powerful, Queen of Always is Ficklin's most spectacular achievement to-date!
This all being said, it should come as absolutely no surprise that I am granting Queen of Always by Sherry D. Ficklin a near-perfect 5+-star review. I highly recommend this series to all readers of YA, historical, and romance novels. Please be advised that due to violence and extreme adult situations, this read has been rated at the highest disclosure level Clean Teen Publishing has offered to-date. I would recommend this read to all mature-YA readers and up. I can assure you it's nothing like anything you've ever read before. Don't miss this opportunity to add this incredible novel to your TBR today!
*****
*****
My Thoughts:
It isn't many times in a readers life that they can read a story and can honestly say it forever sets a higher bar for all of their future readings. As readers we often are in constant search of our next favorite. But what does one do when the saga comes to a close? Welcome to my predicament. When Sherry Ficklin unleashed Sophie's story on the world, my bookish world was changed forever. When history, suspense, and romance collide in the most unique and creative of ways, Ficklin has written the Stolen Empire series to perfection.
Saying goodbye to Catherine and the gang has proved to be harder for me than any other review I have written. Over the course of three novels now, I have bonded so intimately with this series and these characters. Being a historian myself, I love a great historical read. Unfortunately there really aren't all that many of them out there. History is amazing in itself, but in most cases, it doesn't make for the best of stories without tweaking it within another genre (paranormal, historic fantasy, etc).
While Always, along with the other two novels in the series, closely follows the story of young Catherine the Great of Russia, Ficklin was able to take a few liberties with the written history in order to tweak it to make this series really stand out above the crowd. Catherine the Great is one of the most intriguing figures in all of written history: strong, independent, intelligent, and more. Her life is also clouded in mystery as historians have flocked to examine every facet of this remarkable leader's life over the years. With such mystery has become legends surrounding Catherine's personal life, her children, and her eventual death. While the public may never know the full truth of Catherine the Great, Ficklin has done an incredible job making her a more realistic figure for audiences of all ages, earning her major kudos in my book.
Much like the first two novels in the series, Ficklin hits the ground running with Queen of Always and the action does not end until the final pages. I couldn't put it down, seriously. I've read Queen of Always twice now trying to formulate my thoughts and I've realized that no words I can write will ever truly do this series justice. In Always, Sophie-now-Catherine is well on her way to becoming the monarch history will remember. She's amassed a following, and now has plotted to overthrow more than one regime. What started out as hopes to secure a peaceful life for her family has turned into so much more. No longer the timid, hesitant girl she started, Catherine is a woman on a mission. Her heart still full of longing and confliction, will Catherine be able to put aside her heart's desires to serve her Mother Russia?
As anyone who has read the first two novels will tell you, Ficklin really pushes the envelope with this series. Life in the Imperial Russian court is not for the faint of heart. Crippled with violence, death, abuse, oppression, and heartbreak, Ficklin has created a true-to-life tone that will leave you shaking with anger and tears flowing with sadness at the truth and raw honesty of the situations. One thing I was actually glad to see was the extremely progression of tone in this installment, almost pushing it into the 'new adult' genre. There are a few scenes of extreme violence that made me wince and a few extremely steamy scenes (including one that may have become my favorite 'adult content' scene of all time if only because of the pure shock factor).
While I won't spoil the ending (though Wikipedia will), I will tell you that I was left absolutely speechless, Ficklin hit me with every feel imaginable, and then some more!
Being the series finale, Ficklin didn't really introduce a plethora of new characters into the mix, but the few that were introduced played extremely into the final act. This final story was a reunion of sorts as we see the return of some of the series' most important characters in some of the saddest and most creative ways possible. Seeing as character specifics play a huge role in the 'shock and awe' factor of the story, I'm going to refrain from saying too much, but rest assured that each cast member of this series gets their dues. By the novels end, most every characters story is accounted for, wrapping up the series in the most perfect of ways for the fans.
Set in eighteenth century Russia, Ficklin pulls out all the stops. From Oranienbaum to Catherine's Palace, to Cathedrals. to the vast forests of Russia, each setting is beautifully crafted with just the right amount of description to set the tone of the novel. I was very clearly able to close my eyes and imagine myself in the palace of the Empress Elizabeth, right alongside Sophie and the gang. Everything from Russian architecture to food was described in such a fantastic way as to leave the reader more than impressed.
I can honestly say that I am in absolute awe of Sherry Ficklin. Never before in my bookish history have I seen an author go to such lengths for a story. The research Ficklin has done on every facet of Russian history and culture is sure to please even the harshest of critics. It is noted in the novel multiple times that this is a historic fiction and that Ficklin has taken some liberties in interpreting the tale. In all honesty, I believe that Ficklin's tale is probably closer to the truth than the history books have led us to believe, plus they give these historical figures a story for an entirely new generation of learners. Save a spot on your bookshelf of favorite, Ficklin has more than earned that empty space!
As you can clearly see, I haven't the first negative thing to say about Queen of Always, it was everything I was wanting from a series finale, and more! Our journey was completely wrapped up within the chapters, then a gripping and emotionally powerful epilogue really ended the trilogy on a touching note. This novel was literary perfection at its' finest. Remarkably entertaining and powerful, Queen of Always is Ficklin's most spectacular achievement to-date!
This all being said, it should come as absolutely no surprise that I am granting Queen of Always by Sherry D. Ficklin a near-perfect 5+-star review. I highly recommend this series to all readers of YA, historical, and romance novels. Please be advised that due to violence and extreme adult situations, this read has been rated at the highest disclosure level Clean Teen Publishing has offered to-date. I would recommend this read to all mature-YA readers and up. I can assure you it's nothing like anything you've ever read before. Don't miss this opportunity to add this incredible novel to your TBR today!
*****
May 19, 2020
Welp....that was unexpected
Pretty good read!
I'm sorry I know my latest thoughts and reviews, if I even write anything, are crap haha.
It's been well over a year since I could sit down and properly enjoy a book, much less write about it and pour my heart out in my once-boisterous manner. Life has been propelled in a way that has derailed my path from my old Goodreads ways. I still try to enjoy a good book every now and then.
That, at least, I will try not to lose
*cue sad smile*
Pretty good read!
I'm sorry I know my latest thoughts and reviews, if I even write anything, are crap haha.
It's been well over a year since I could sit down and properly enjoy a book, much less write about it and pour my heart out in my once-boisterous manner. Life has been propelled in a way that has derailed my path from my old Goodreads ways. I still try to enjoy a good book every now and then.
That, at least, I will try not to lose
*cue sad smile*
September 15, 2015
While I've read a couple of books lately that have made me laugh, rage and feel so much in-between it is impossible to not have a special place in my heart for them, 'Queen of Always' and the rest of Sherry's 'Stolen Empire' series is literally one of those that made me cry (like fat drops of tears spilling onto my pillow type cry).
I am in honest awe over this series; the strength its heroine displays throughout most of all. Sophie is faced with situations I dare not imagine a person capable of facing and moving forward. I mean, she had some tough choices to make! And while I can't agree with every decision of hers I found myself understanding and respecting them because of the way she reasons through it. Seriously, I praised this girl-turned-young-woman for her cunning, humanity, and inner strength.
Just, thank you, Sherry! It was a true marvel to read and experience your take on Sophie's journey/transition into becoming Catherine the Great. By no means was it an easy read because there were definitely more than a few hair-pullings and tear-sheddings. Regardless, I relished the joyful, smart and victorious moments even more because of it.
This series will haunt me, but I have no regrets. Long live the Queen!
I am in honest awe over this series; the strength its heroine displays throughout most of all. Sophie is faced with situations I dare not imagine a person capable of facing and moving forward. I mean, she had some tough choices to make! And while I can't agree with every decision of hers I found myself understanding and respecting them because of the way she reasons through it. Seriously, I praised this girl-turned-young-woman for her cunning, humanity, and inner strength.
Just, thank you, Sherry! It was a true marvel to read and experience your take on Sophie's journey/transition into becoming Catherine the Great. By no means was it an easy read because there were definitely more than a few hair-pullings and tear-sheddings. Regardless, I relished the joyful, smart and victorious moments even more because of it.
This series will haunt me, but I have no regrets. Long live the Queen!
September 20, 2015
That was such a quick read I'm still not fully sure what happened. Catherine is back in this final installment to prove once and for all who the true rightful ruler of Russia is. What's a story of royalty rising to their throne without threesomes.... Hold up that didn't come out right. I meant the love of their people.
Well whatever I read it was an OK ending, that never needed a third full book for. This last story could have been folded into the second book and there would be no complaints.
Well whatever I read it was an OK ending, that never needed a third full book for. This last story could have been folded into the second book and there would be no complaints.
October 17, 2015
The entire series is wonderful. I'm a sucker for historical fiction in general, because it makes history so much better when you get to feel like you're experiencing it first hand. The romance is beautiful, but the heartbreak hits harder when it's based on reality. Catherine stands tall as a pillar of strength through all the heartbreak and betrayal, and her story gives you hope for the future of imperial Russia.
October 4, 2015
This book was not nearly as good as the first two. I'm disappointed in her love choice (or lack thereof) and the ending was not nearly as huge as I have come to expect after the first two books. But, it's still an incredibly good book! Still has a tough queen, crazy king and lots of swoon worthy characters. If she had chosen one man, I would have loved it. But the story got weird with her... "choice"
August 18, 2015
Full review to come soon. Start this series now, so you're ready to read the last book. It's amazing and intense and I'm at a loss for words at the moment.
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