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Romanov #3
The Romanov Bride
The bestselling tale of Romanov intrigue from the author of The Kitchen Boy
Book groups and historical fiction buffs have made Robert Alexander's two previous novels word-of-mouth favorites and national bestsellers. Set against a backdrop of Imperial Russia's twilight, The Romanov Bride has the same enduring appeal. The Grand Duchess Elisavyeta's story begins like a fairy tale-a German princess renowned for her beauty and kind heart marries the Grand Duke Sergei of Russia and enters the Romanov's lavish court. Her husband, however, rules his wife as he does Moscow-with a cold, hard fist. And, after a peaceful demonstration becomes a bloodbath, the fires of the revolution link Elisavyeta's destiny to that of Pavel-a young Bolshevik-forever.
Book groups and historical fiction buffs have made Robert Alexander's two previous novels word-of-mouth favorites and national bestsellers. Set against a backdrop of Imperial Russia's twilight, The Romanov Bride has the same enduring appeal. The Grand Duchess Elisavyeta's story begins like a fairy tale-a German princess renowned for her beauty and kind heart marries the Grand Duke Sergei of Russia and enters the Romanov's lavish court. Her husband, however, rules his wife as he does Moscow-with a cold, hard fist. And, after a peaceful demonstration becomes a bloodbath, the fires of the revolution link Elisavyeta's destiny to that of Pavel-a young Bolshevik-forever.
306 pages, Paperback
First published April 17, 2008
60 people are currently reading
3044 people want to read
About the author
Robert Alexander
132 books281 followersRobert Alexander is the author of the bestselling novels Rasputin's Daughter, The Kitchen Boy, and the forthcoming The Romanov Bride. He has spent over thirty years traveling to Russia, where he has studied and also worked for the U.S. government. He speaks frequently to book clubs, and the schedule for his live video webcasts can be found at his website: http://www.robertalexanderbooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 404 reviews
July 12, 2022
The Romanov Bride was one of those books that I jumped into for a certain challenge. It was honestly never on my radar until recently. Which was weird because the Romanov history has always fascinated me. I have so many books on my TBR but for some strange reason, this wasn't there.
In this, we will meet Ella and Pavel. She is Alexandra's older sister and a pretty interesting character. Don't get me wrong, Pavel was equally interesting to me. Mostly because of how they handled and reacted to certain information. They do have something in common though. Both are dealing with grief due to the unexpected deaths of their significant others.
Somehow, in their own way, they hope and dream for a better Russia. At times, it felt like things were being dealt with realistically and other times it seemed a little far-fetched. Not sure how much of this actually happened and what was made up to make things a bit more interesting. Either way, I was intrigued to see what they were going to do and what was going to happen after.
In the end, it definitely held my attention. It was interesting to learn something new about a Romanov and I look forward to next one. Whether it's by this author or someone else.
In this, we will meet Ella and Pavel. She is Alexandra's older sister and a pretty interesting character. Don't get me wrong, Pavel was equally interesting to me. Mostly because of how they handled and reacted to certain information. They do have something in common though. Both are dealing with grief due to the unexpected deaths of their significant others.
Somehow, in their own way, they hope and dream for a better Russia. At times, it felt like things were being dealt with realistically and other times it seemed a little far-fetched. Not sure how much of this actually happened and what was made up to make things a bit more interesting. Either way, I was intrigued to see what they were going to do and what was going to happen after.
In the end, it definitely held my attention. It was interesting to learn something new about a Romanov and I look forward to next one. Whether it's by this author or someone else.
June 28, 2012
I invoked the Rule of 50, and therefore only read the first 53 pages. It was really all I could stomach. This man writes like a fourth-grader--he clearly has no understanding of the way people talk, or if he does, his idea of how people spoke at the turn of the century is just laughable. It's very stilted and contrived dialogue.
I can't tell if he had a good story on his hands or not, because I was too distracted by the awful dialogue and the unnecessary descriptions of people's clothing. It's really, really odd that he spends so much time describing trivial things or moments and then bolts past moments that are actually important to the story. For example, why weren't we shown Pavel's meetings with the terrorists plotting Grand Duke Sergei's murder? That would've actually been interesting!
Also, he clearly has no idea how women think of themselves. We don't say to ourselves 'I think I shall push my fair hair from my eyes, dab at my tears with my embroidered handkerchief and straighten my puffy pink afternoon gown, embroidered with small diamonds in the shape of orchid leaves!' Also, women don't cry nearly as often as he seems to think they do (which is, apparently, every five minutes).
Maybe it's just how he chose to tell the story--in small first-person chunks, as though Pavel and Grand Duchess Ella are trading stories back and forth--because something clearly was not working. Maybe if he'd tried third-person, and actually showed these scenes taking place, it might have worked better. As it is, this is a rushed mess, with unbelievable caricatures of human beings swapping lines they hope sound Shakespearean and describing everything about themselves even though no one cares. I am completely serious when I say it reads like a fourth-grader wrote it. It seems like a youngster's first try at a novel, and if that's what it is, Robert Alexander should've left it in his box of keepsakes or else rewritten it before inflicting it on an unsuspecting public.
I can't tell if he had a good story on his hands or not, because I was too distracted by the awful dialogue and the unnecessary descriptions of people's clothing. It's really, really odd that he spends so much time describing trivial things or moments and then bolts past moments that are actually important to the story. For example, why weren't we shown Pavel's meetings with the terrorists plotting Grand Duke Sergei's murder? That would've actually been interesting!
Also, he clearly has no idea how women think of themselves. We don't say to ourselves 'I think I shall push my fair hair from my eyes, dab at my tears with my embroidered handkerchief and straighten my puffy pink afternoon gown, embroidered with small diamonds in the shape of orchid leaves!' Also, women don't cry nearly as often as he seems to think they do (which is, apparently, every five minutes).
Maybe it's just how he chose to tell the story--in small first-person chunks, as though Pavel and Grand Duchess Ella are trading stories back and forth--because something clearly was not working. Maybe if he'd tried third-person, and actually showed these scenes taking place, it might have worked better. As it is, this is a rushed mess, with unbelievable caricatures of human beings swapping lines they hope sound Shakespearean and describing everything about themselves even though no one cares. I am completely serious when I say it reads like a fourth-grader wrote it. It seems like a youngster's first try at a novel, and if that's what it is, Robert Alexander should've left it in his box of keepsakes or else rewritten it before inflicting it on an unsuspecting public.
July 21, 2008
What I love about Robert Alexander is the fantastic historical detail he includes in his novels. I love that he uses the diaries and letters of his characters so that he can use their actual words and language in his novels.
I also love that he presents such a tumultous time in history in such an even handed way. He doesn't portray the Tsar and other Royals as perfectly evil or perfectly innocent. Neither does he portray the revolutionary activists as perfectly innocent or perfectly evil. He really shows the good and bad of each side....and shows just how tragic it all was.
This book is yet another excellent offering from Robert Alexander.
I also love that he presents such a tumultous time in history in such an even handed way. He doesn't portray the Tsar and other Royals as perfectly evil or perfectly innocent. Neither does he portray the revolutionary activists as perfectly innocent or perfectly evil. He really shows the good and bad of each side....and shows just how tragic it all was.
This book is yet another excellent offering from Robert Alexander.
May 23, 2008
This is the third book from Robert Alexander, and like the two previous books, it is set during the turmoil of the Russian Revolution. This book follows the paths of two victims of tragedy; Pavel, the worker turned revolutionary assassin, and Ella, sister to the Empress Alexandra and Romanov princess.
Alexander explores the two very different paths taken. For Pavel, the murder of his wife and unborn child leads him to revenge and hatred. At many times, he seems to be acting purely through the direction and orders of others--perhaps that way he doesn't need to explore his conscience. He is almost machine-like in the way that he carries out his duties, but unlike a machine there is a deep rage and hatred the fuels his gruesome actions.
Ella, whose husband is assassinated, doesn't rage against those who killed him--instead she follows a path of love. She truly believes that the Russian people are like good children--obedient and loving but easily led by their emotions and ugly rumors. She makes it her life's mission to reduce the suffering of her adopted homeland and becomes a nun. Her duty is to all the wounded, suffering, dying, and orphaned--and their welfare influences her decisions.
In many ways, this book was depressing. Virtually every reader knows enough Russian history to know that the revolutionaries do overthrow the government, so reading sections where things could have gone differently or how the revolution resorted to blatant lies and manipulation to destroy the government (and the lives of so many innocents), was very difficult.
However, it is a book that provides much to think about/reflect on. The Russian Revolution is one of the critical eras that the world should not forget--this particular history need not repeat itself. This book made the suffering of the common people very real for me, and I sympathized with the starving, confused, and hurting masses.
Alexander explores the two very different paths taken. For Pavel, the murder of his wife and unborn child leads him to revenge and hatred. At many times, he seems to be acting purely through the direction and orders of others--perhaps that way he doesn't need to explore his conscience. He is almost machine-like in the way that he carries out his duties, but unlike a machine there is a deep rage and hatred the fuels his gruesome actions.
Ella, whose husband is assassinated, doesn't rage against those who killed him--instead she follows a path of love. She truly believes that the Russian people are like good children--obedient and loving but easily led by their emotions and ugly rumors. She makes it her life's mission to reduce the suffering of her adopted homeland and becomes a nun. Her duty is to all the wounded, suffering, dying, and orphaned--and their welfare influences her decisions.
In many ways, this book was depressing. Virtually every reader knows enough Russian history to know that the revolutionaries do overthrow the government, so reading sections where things could have gone differently or how the revolution resorted to blatant lies and manipulation to destroy the government (and the lives of so many innocents), was very difficult.
However, it is a book that provides much to think about/reflect on. The Russian Revolution is one of the critical eras that the world should not forget--this particular history need not repeat itself. This book made the suffering of the common people very real for me, and I sympathized with the starving, confused, and hurting masses.
March 31, 2020
a book with and about the Russian revolution from the perspective of Ella and Pavel. a book with potential that makes you want to do more research on the subject (so I found out that the Kremlin is a fortress and exists in several cities) but far too long on the subject. The descriptions take you with the eyes of the mind to Russia and have an ironic tint (God is the ruler of the world and the Tsar is the ruler of Russia)
December 28, 2018
I was reminded of Nancy Pearl's "character, plot, writing, or setting" theory a lot during this reading. While I really didn't love the writing style and rolled my eyes several times, I thought that the way that Alexander brought Ella to life pulled the narrative into a fascinating historical fiction that brought to the forefront history, the foment of the Revolution, and Ella's ever deepening faith.
So, clearly I'm a character reader.
So, clearly I'm a character reader.
April 11, 2009
If I hadn't been sitting in an airport with nothing to do, I wouldn't have bothered finishing this. It would be okay for someone who hasn't read tons and tons about European monarchy and the Russian revolution. It wasn't historically inaccurate, just intellectually scaled down for a precocious fifth grader.
April 9, 2008
I loved working on this book and I hope it shows. I'll be talking about it on my live webcasts:
http://www.sitestories.com/theromanov...
http://www.sitestories.com/theromanov...
May 8, 2015
As much as I loved The Kitchen Boy, I have to say I mostly endured The Romanov Bride. I have read many stories of the more famous Romanovs — Nicholas, Alexandra and their children — but had only heard of this older sister of the Empress as a passing mention in some of the other books. So I was intrigued by the chance to read a story focused on the lesser-known sister.
Perhaps if the book had focused solely on "Ella" (as the heading of her chapters dubbed her), it would have been a better story. I did at least enjoy some of those chapters, although the style felt too simple. (On the other hand, that helped enhance the pace of the pushing-through-to-the-end. Yes, I am one of those readers who almost never leaves a book unfinished...unless it is just morally offensive, and I tend to filter those out fairly accurately before I ever bring them home. But I digress.) The chapters devoted to Pavel were largely uninteresting and completely predictable. Granted, he was of an uneducated and obviously lower class than the Grand Duchess, but the writing felt like that which I was reading in upper elementary school -- and the potty "humor" written for the revolutionaries felt grade school as well. Other than the few occasions where the two main characters crossed each other's path, Pavel's chapters added nothing of consequence to the story.
I was therefore not overly surprised to read the author's note at the end that indicates many of the diaries and letters of the Grand Duchess were used in sharing her actual words and inner thoughts for the book. She simply came off the page, for the most part, as a more fully-formed individual.
It has been at least a few years (and many, many books) since I read The Kitchen Boy, so I don't claim to remember my thoughts on it unerringly... but I do not remember feeling irritated by a simplistic and uninspired writing style. And I do remember quite clearly being kept guessing — and being surprised — by its ending. With The Romanov Bride, I was simply glad to see the ending.
This book will NOT be finding a home on my bookshelf. It will go from the "to be read" pile right back to my local used book store. (Thank goodness I did not pay retail for this one.)
Perhaps if the book had focused solely on "Ella" (as the heading of her chapters dubbed her), it would have been a better story. I did at least enjoy some of those chapters, although the style felt too simple. (On the other hand, that helped enhance the pace of the pushing-through-to-the-end. Yes, I am one of those readers who almost never leaves a book unfinished...unless it is just morally offensive, and I tend to filter those out fairly accurately before I ever bring them home. But I digress.) The chapters devoted to Pavel were largely uninteresting and completely predictable. Granted, he was of an uneducated and obviously lower class than the Grand Duchess, but the writing felt like that which I was reading in upper elementary school -- and the potty "humor" written for the revolutionaries felt grade school as well. Other than the few occasions where the two main characters crossed each other's path, Pavel's chapters added nothing of consequence to the story.
I was therefore not overly surprised to read the author's note at the end that indicates many of the diaries and letters of the Grand Duchess were used in sharing her actual words and inner thoughts for the book. She simply came off the page, for the most part, as a more fully-formed individual.
It has been at least a few years (and many, many books) since I read The Kitchen Boy, so I don't claim to remember my thoughts on it unerringly... but I do not remember feeling irritated by a simplistic and uninspired writing style. And I do remember quite clearly being kept guessing — and being surprised — by its ending. With The Romanov Bride, I was simply glad to see the ending.
This book will NOT be finding a home on my bookshelf. It will go from the "to be read" pile right back to my local used book store. (Thank goodness I did not pay retail for this one.)
January 23, 2021
A noiva Romanov é a primeira obra de Robert que tive a oportunidade de ler. Antes deste livro desconhecia por completo a obra do autor sobre a revolução russa, um tema sobre a qual se incidem as suas obras.
Foi uma obra agradável de se ler e tenho de ficar por aqui. Em níveis históricos não foi dos melhores que li, de longe. Esta obra narra a vida de Elisabete, irmã da czarina russa e dum ex-agricultor revolucionário responsável pela sua morte, focando-se maioritariamente nestes 2 personagens e no período conturbado da revolução. Apesar de dar para relembrar aspectos históricos e algumas aprendizagens sobre a vida desta Grã duquesa, a escrita deixa a desejar com uma linguagem quase quotidiana (dos dias de hoje quero dizer) mesmo nas camadas sociais mais elevadas e com uma ou outra palavra russa que pouco ou nada contribui para ambientar o leitor na época, uma melhor descrição dos costumes, sentimentos, roupas, hábitos teria ajudado mais neste aspecto; palavras e expressões russas parecem descontextualizadas. Para além do mais, as personagens pareceram pouco dimensionais ou muito pretas, ou muito brancas, em momentos ou todas são fúteis e de repente passam a ser pacatas e frugrais, ou muito inocentes que de repente passam a personagens negras; o desenvolvimento das personagens poderia ter sido mais trabalhado e sem dúvida aprofundado.
Foi uma obra agradável de se ler e tenho de ficar por aqui. Em níveis históricos não foi dos melhores que li, de longe. Esta obra narra a vida de Elisabete, irmã da czarina russa e dum ex-agricultor revolucionário responsável pela sua morte, focando-se maioritariamente nestes 2 personagens e no período conturbado da revolução. Apesar de dar para relembrar aspectos históricos e algumas aprendizagens sobre a vida desta Grã duquesa, a escrita deixa a desejar com uma linguagem quase quotidiana (dos dias de hoje quero dizer) mesmo nas camadas sociais mais elevadas e com uma ou outra palavra russa que pouco ou nada contribui para ambientar o leitor na época, uma melhor descrição dos costumes, sentimentos, roupas, hábitos teria ajudado mais neste aspecto; palavras e expressões russas parecem descontextualizadas. Para além do mais, as personagens pareceram pouco dimensionais ou muito pretas, ou muito brancas, em momentos ou todas são fúteis e de repente passam a ser pacatas e frugrais, ou muito inocentes que de repente passam a personagens negras; o desenvolvimento das personagens poderia ter sido mais trabalhado e sem dúvida aprofundado.
July 29, 2017
What an AMAZING book!
I so enjoyed reading this and tried to devour it in one sitting but sleep claimed me before I finished. ;-)
After chores, a walk and breakfast I finished it, sobbing into the pillow held tightly to my chest as I read the last 2 chapters!
Poignant, touching, heartbreaking, yet gloriously uplifting.... so many emotions!
This is seriously an amazingly wonderful book! I look forward to reading the other books by this same author. :-)
I so enjoyed reading this and tried to devour it in one sitting but sleep claimed me before I finished. ;-)
After chores, a walk and breakfast I finished it, sobbing into the pillow held tightly to my chest as I read the last 2 chapters!
Poignant, touching, heartbreaking, yet gloriously uplifting.... so many emotions!
This is seriously an amazingly wonderful book! I look forward to reading the other books by this same author. :-)
January 13, 2021
In all the reading about the Romanovs I have done over the years, Alexandra's older sister "Ella" was what I thought a fascinating character, but always somewhere in the background. I was delighted to learn there is a novel focusing on her. Inititally I was disappointed to find the narrative alternating between Ella & the fictional young revolutionary Pavel. Later I found it interesting to view some events of the Russian Revolution thru the eyes of both the Romanovs & the working class.
November 13, 2018
This book was pretty good. I didn’t hate it, I didn’t love it. It held my interest enough that I finished the audiobook fairly quickly. I liked that I learned a lot about a time period that has always interested me but I didn’t know that much about.
It was basically about the time that led up to the killing of Anastasia and her family. What led up to the revolution. It focused on a revolutionary and the sister of the czarista. I liked the two points of view. I was able to understand both views. Although I didn’t support the actions of the extremist revolutionaries I obviously understand why they’d want to revolt.
The monarchy side of it is hard. They live based on traditions that had been around for hundreds maybe even thousands of years. And from this book it seems like at least Ella was trying to be a decent person through it all no matter what she did or felt needed to be done. At least she wasn’t supporting murder.
I don’t know HOW accurate these events were. (I read reviews that other books by this author weren’t entirely accurate and were biased) I’m hoping it’s mostly accurate as far as the major events anyway. I felt like I learned a lot and I’m hoping it wasn’t made up.
It was basically about the time that led up to the killing of Anastasia and her family. What led up to the revolution. It focused on a revolutionary and the sister of the czarista. I liked the two points of view. I was able to understand both views. Although I didn’t support the actions of the extremist revolutionaries I obviously understand why they’d want to revolt.
The monarchy side of it is hard. They live based on traditions that had been around for hundreds maybe even thousands of years. And from this book it seems like at least Ella was trying to be a decent person through it all no matter what she did or felt needed to be done. At least she wasn’t supporting murder.
I don’t know HOW accurate these events were. (I read reviews that other books by this author weren’t entirely accurate and were biased) I’m hoping it’s mostly accurate as far as the major events anyway. I felt like I learned a lot and I’m hoping it wasn’t made up.
July 16, 2023
2.5 stars
This book follows two main characters: Ella, the sister of Alexandra (the last Tsarina of Russia); Ella was married to another high-ranking Russian royal; and Pavel, a peasant who becomes a revolutionary. Pavel’s wife is killed early in the revolution, and he becomes involved enough to help take the life of Ella’s husband.
I might not have that exactly right. I listened to the audio and missed much of it. It just didn’t hold my interest most of the time. I did appreciate two different people doing each character. I also liked the person narrating Pavel has a Russian accent. I don’t think I knew anything about Ella before. I did find it interesting that she later created a nunnery. I shouldn’t have been surprised at the end, but I was.
This book follows two main characters: Ella, the sister of Alexandra (the last Tsarina of Russia); Ella was married to another high-ranking Russian royal; and Pavel, a peasant who becomes a revolutionary. Pavel’s wife is killed early in the revolution, and he becomes involved enough to help take the life of Ella’s husband.
I might not have that exactly right. I listened to the audio and missed much of it. It just didn’t hold my interest most of the time. I did appreciate two different people doing each character. I also liked the person narrating Pavel has a Russian accent. I don’t think I knew anything about Ella before. I did find it interesting that she later created a nunnery. I shouldn’t have been surprised at the end, but I was.
October 19, 2025
Set in Imperial Russia. 306 pp (default edition). This, for me, was back to the level of book 1 of the series. The parallel lives lived by Elisavyeta and Pavel are each intensely interesting. I really enjoyed reading this book, and the audiobook narrators added a lot with their narration.
The Romanov Bride (A Romanov Novel Book 3) by Robert Alexander
The Romanov Bride (A Romanov Novel Book 3) by Robert Alexander
September 23, 2017
Uma Familia que foi dizimada, um País em Revolução, mais uma lição de história desconhecida, e actual.
June 23, 2019
It was very slow. The writing was too much, there was plenty that wasn't necessary. It did however make me Google some things about the Russian revolution that were interesting.
May 16, 2025
Terribly written, character as thin and flat as a sheet of paper.
March 9, 2017
Mais uma vez fiquei rendida à história dos Romanov. Neste livro seguimos a história da irmã da czarina Alexandra, que foi uma pessoa bastante importante para o povo russo, através do seu ponto de vista. Não temos muito acesso a outros elementos da família, mas conseguimos ficar com uma noção de como a Revolução começou e de como foi ser um Romanov naquela época, perseguido e eventualmente fuzilado. É uma história ficcionada, mas o autor dá-nos bastantes factos históricos e deu voz às personagens de uma forma que senti ser muito real. A outra personagem principal é um revolucionário vermelho, por isso, deu para entender um pouco sobre o outro lado. Também gostei bastante desta personagem, apesar das coisas horríveis que ele fez pela Revolução. Não dá para escolher um só lado com este livro e dizer que "grupo" estava certo, porque, pelo que entendi, ambas as partes queriam o melhor para a Rússia e o que fizeram foi lutar por isso. Mas é muito interessante conhecer os seus pontos de vista. Acho que o próximo livro que lerei sobre os Romanov será de não ficção para conhecer mais a fundo a sua história. Estou a ficar apaixonada pela Rússia do início do século XX.
March 12, 2012
Book No: 7
The fall of the Romanov’s has provided endless fascination among both authors and readers for many years. In this book Robert Alexander takes a look at one of the lesser-known Romanov’s, Elizabeth, sister to the Czarina and wife of Grand Duke Serge of Russia. While the life of this princess is indeed interesting, the execution is not as interesting as I had hoped.
I had heard good things about this author so I was looking forward to this book, but I was very disappointed. First the title is a bit misleading, since the story of Ella and Serge’s marriage is barely mentioned before it is twenty years later, so she is not exactly a ‘bride’ anymore. Very little of either of the two’s lives are explored and the story loses something in understanding the character of Ella. Why did they marry? What was Ella’s relationship to Nicolas and her sister Alexandra like before they assumed power? It is glossed over that Serge was possibly homosexual and likely an abusive husband, but a lot of what would have made this story interesting is barely touched upon.
The second problem was the alternating stories of Ella and Pavel, a young Russian man who becomes a revolutionary. This is an entirely fictional character and most of his dialogue and musings seem like a step-by-step guide to revolution and most of his ideas read like a propaganda manual. The fact that he was involved in so many aspects of the assassination of Serge when he was such a minor and low level radical and kept crossing paths with Serge and Ella seemed very far-fetched. I found most of his chapters tiresome to read, and except for one scene I felt no connection to him at all.
I found the dialogue flat and the characters rather uninteresting despite the fact that this is a fascinating time in history. The whole book felt like someone standing to the side explaining everything they saw without any real depth or emotion.
Despite hearing that Alexander’s other books are better after this book I am far less likely to give them a shot.
The fall of the Romanov’s has provided endless fascination among both authors and readers for many years. In this book Robert Alexander takes a look at one of the lesser-known Romanov’s, Elizabeth, sister to the Czarina and wife of Grand Duke Serge of Russia. While the life of this princess is indeed interesting, the execution is not as interesting as I had hoped.
I had heard good things about this author so I was looking forward to this book, but I was very disappointed. First the title is a bit misleading, since the story of Ella and Serge’s marriage is barely mentioned before it is twenty years later, so she is not exactly a ‘bride’ anymore. Very little of either of the two’s lives are explored and the story loses something in understanding the character of Ella. Why did they marry? What was Ella’s relationship to Nicolas and her sister Alexandra like before they assumed power? It is glossed over that Serge was possibly homosexual and likely an abusive husband, but a lot of what would have made this story interesting is barely touched upon.
The second problem was the alternating stories of Ella and Pavel, a young Russian man who becomes a revolutionary. This is an entirely fictional character and most of his dialogue and musings seem like a step-by-step guide to revolution and most of his ideas read like a propaganda manual. The fact that he was involved in so many aspects of the assassination of Serge when he was such a minor and low level radical and kept crossing paths with Serge and Ella seemed very far-fetched. I found most of his chapters tiresome to read, and except for one scene I felt no connection to him at all.
I found the dialogue flat and the characters rather uninteresting despite the fact that this is a fascinating time in history. The whole book felt like someone standing to the side explaining everything they saw without any real depth or emotion.
Despite hearing that Alexander’s other books are better after this book I am far less likely to give them a shot.
May 21, 2008
Robert Alexander returns again to the Romanovs in his most recent novel, The Romanov Bride. This time, he focuses on the Grand Duchess Elisabeth “Ella” Fyodorovna, the older sister of Tsarina Alexandra, and Pavel, a fictional revolutionary.
The book alternates chapters between Ella and Pavel’s perspectives. Ella reacts to the Russian Revolution and the assassination of her husband, the Governor General of Moscow, by retreating from her aristocratic roots and founding an abbey, hospital, and orphanage. Pavel reacts to the poverty of the peasant and the murder of his wife by becoming a revolutionary and assassinator.
Although Ella and Pavel come from different worlds and follow different paths, Alexander presents them both realistically and sympathetically. Ella ultimately devotes herself to charity, yet she spent most of her life surrounded by extreme opulence while the common man rotted in poverty around her. Pavel hopes for a better, more equal Russia yet murders gratuitously to achieve this goal.
With Bride, Alexander once again crafts a fascinating historical narrative in the likes of The Kitchen Boy and Rasputin’s Daughter. In this case, though, he remains more faithful to the historical record and avoids the surprise endings of his previous novels. I was disappointed by Alexander’s manipulation of truth in these novels, but in this case, I hoped for a happy ending that simply does not exist.
I am continually intrigued by the tragic nature of Russian history. Millions have suffered—or inflicted suffering—whether governed by tsar or dictator. Considering the current political situation, I can’t help but wonder how much has really changed.
The book alternates chapters between Ella and Pavel’s perspectives. Ella reacts to the Russian Revolution and the assassination of her husband, the Governor General of Moscow, by retreating from her aristocratic roots and founding an abbey, hospital, and orphanage. Pavel reacts to the poverty of the peasant and the murder of his wife by becoming a revolutionary and assassinator.
Although Ella and Pavel come from different worlds and follow different paths, Alexander presents them both realistically and sympathetically. Ella ultimately devotes herself to charity, yet she spent most of her life surrounded by extreme opulence while the common man rotted in poverty around her. Pavel hopes for a better, more equal Russia yet murders gratuitously to achieve this goal.
With Bride, Alexander once again crafts a fascinating historical narrative in the likes of The Kitchen Boy and Rasputin’s Daughter. In this case, though, he remains more faithful to the historical record and avoids the surprise endings of his previous novels. I was disappointed by Alexander’s manipulation of truth in these novels, but in this case, I hoped for a happy ending that simply does not exist.
I am continually intrigued by the tragic nature of Russian history. Millions have suffered—or inflicted suffering—whether governed by tsar or dictator. Considering the current political situation, I can’t help but wonder how much has really changed.
August 14, 2016
Gostei muito de ler A Noiva Romanov, pois sempre me fascinou muito a história dos czares da Rússia, que é a época retratada neste livro.
A história é-nos contada pela mão de duas personagens: Isabel (Ella), a irmã da czarina Alexandra e cunhada do czar Nicky e Pavel, um simples camponês a quem foi tirado a mulher e o filho, ainda por nascer, por culpa do imperador Nicolau II (no episódio do "Domingo Sangrento" em 1905) e devido à sua miséria e vontade de mudança vai abraçar a revolução. Somos assim transportados para uma União Soviética frágil, à beira da rutura e da revolução.
Através de personagens tão distintas, Alexander, o autor, mostra-nos os dois lados das opiniões face ao governo do czar: na perspetiva de Pavel, a Rússia necessita urgentemente de mudança, pois o império de Nicolau não está a dar resposta aos problemas da sociedade. Por outro lado, na ótica de Ella, o povo está a cometer um grande erro ao seguir os radicais revolucionários, pois não percebem que o czar e a czarina amam e fazem o que acham ser melhor para a sua Rússia.
Assim, é com alguma impotência que vamos assistindo aos preparativos de Pavel e dos seus amigos revolucionários para eliminar todos os Romanov, incluindo Ella e culminando no massacre do assassínio da família real, que o autor explora melhor no livro The Kitchen Boy: A Novel of the Last Tsar que anseio por ler! :D
Este é um livro que recomendo a todos os amantes de romances históricos, principalmente se o tema for a história da Rússia! :)
A história é-nos contada pela mão de duas personagens: Isabel (Ella), a irmã da czarina Alexandra e cunhada do czar Nicky e Pavel, um simples camponês a quem foi tirado a mulher e o filho, ainda por nascer, por culpa do imperador Nicolau II (no episódio do "Domingo Sangrento" em 1905) e devido à sua miséria e vontade de mudança vai abraçar a revolução. Somos assim transportados para uma União Soviética frágil, à beira da rutura e da revolução.
Através de personagens tão distintas, Alexander, o autor, mostra-nos os dois lados das opiniões face ao governo do czar: na perspetiva de Pavel, a Rússia necessita urgentemente de mudança, pois o império de Nicolau não está a dar resposta aos problemas da sociedade. Por outro lado, na ótica de Ella, o povo está a cometer um grande erro ao seguir os radicais revolucionários, pois não percebem que o czar e a czarina amam e fazem o que acham ser melhor para a sua Rússia.
Assim, é com alguma impotência que vamos assistindo aos preparativos de Pavel e dos seus amigos revolucionários para eliminar todos os Romanov, incluindo Ella e culminando no massacre do assassínio da família real, que o autor explora melhor no livro The Kitchen Boy: A Novel of the Last Tsar que anseio por ler! :D
Este é um livro que recomendo a todos os amantes de romances históricos, principalmente se o tema for a história da Rússia! :)
May 27, 2009
My perfect idea of a vacation is what I have experienced so far over the last three days: a beautiful beach, good food, and unlimited historical fiction. The Romanov Bride is not the best piece of literature I have ever read, but it was an absorbing easy beach read. I had never heard of The Grand Duchess Elisavyeta who was the sister of doomed Tsarina of Russia at the time of the Revolution and was married to the Tsar’s uncle, the Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich. Her story is so tragic yet gripping. After her husband is blown to bits by revolutionaries in 1905, Ella experiences a religious conversion as she realizes how much the poor were alienated from the aristocracy. Thus she sells everything in her household and begins a new order of monastic women. She petitions the Russian Orthodox Church several times before they allow her to ordain the new order. Russian nuns were usually cloistered and Ella wished to have her sisters serve the impoverished community around them in Moscow, a fairly radical idea at the time.
With historical facts like that, how can you not end up with a great story? Especially given we all know what fate lay in store for all the Romanovs, even one who had been a nun for several years by the time of the October Revolution in 1917. Ella was eventually canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church for her work with the poor and sick. If you enjoy learning about extraordinary women in history and/or about the Russian Revolution, I recommend this novel.
With historical facts like that, how can you not end up with a great story? Especially given we all know what fate lay in store for all the Romanovs, even one who had been a nun for several years by the time of the October Revolution in 1917. Ella was eventually canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church for her work with the poor and sick. If you enjoy learning about extraordinary women in history and/or about the Russian Revolution, I recommend this novel.
January 8, 2026
Have read this book multiple times & I love it. It depicts the Russian Revolution from two different perspectives - royal and revolutionary.
———
“For the first time in the history of Mother Russia we were not bound to the land and our destined were not controlled by our masters, and there we were, thousands of us flooding the cities, hope dangling right before us like a big carrot.” (18)
“However, this was Russia, a country ever so slow in awakening.” (19)
“You have declared war on the people, and we have accepted the challenge!” (104)
“You must have suffered a great deal to take this decision.” (118)
“Why do they talk to me only after I have committed murder?” (118)
“The Revolutionist is a doomed man. He has no private interests, no affairs, sentiments, ties, property nor even a name of his own. His entire being is devoured by one purpose, one thought, one passion- the revolution.” (142)
“Post, which had ceased to function.” (149)
“The two most beautiful women in Europe were the two Elisabeths, myself and Sisi, the Empress Elisabeth of Austria-Hungary.” (156)
“Obitel- that’s right, a cloister, a women’s monastery - dedicated to prayer, labor, and charity.” (161)
“Such convents were wonderfully efficient aids to civilization in the Middle Ages, and I don’t think they should have been allowed to disappear.” (196)
“For a soul is a soul no matter from what country.” (220)
“You and I really aren’t so very different.” / “Trust me, for if we look into the lore of every human being we discover that it is indeed full of miracles.” (285)
———
“For the first time in the history of Mother Russia we were not bound to the land and our destined were not controlled by our masters, and there we were, thousands of us flooding the cities, hope dangling right before us like a big carrot.” (18)
“However, this was Russia, a country ever so slow in awakening.” (19)
“You have declared war on the people, and we have accepted the challenge!” (104)
“You must have suffered a great deal to take this decision.” (118)
“Why do they talk to me only after I have committed murder?” (118)
“The Revolutionist is a doomed man. He has no private interests, no affairs, sentiments, ties, property nor even a name of his own. His entire being is devoured by one purpose, one thought, one passion- the revolution.” (142)
“Post, which had ceased to function.” (149)
“The two most beautiful women in Europe were the two Elisabeths, myself and Sisi, the Empress Elisabeth of Austria-Hungary.” (156)
“Obitel- that’s right, a cloister, a women’s monastery - dedicated to prayer, labor, and charity.” (161)
“Such convents were wonderfully efficient aids to civilization in the Middle Ages, and I don’t think they should have been allowed to disappear.” (196)
“For a soul is a soul no matter from what country.” (220)
“You and I really aren’t so very different.” / “Trust me, for if we look into the lore of every human being we discover that it is indeed full of miracles.” (285)
May 16, 2013
Isn't this a sad book? A sad piece of history, that just keeps getting repeated throughout history, different players, same story.
This is the story of the Grand Duchess Elisavyeta, sister of the wife of Tsar Nicholas; and a peasant turned terrorist for the sake of the revolution after his wife is killed on Bloody Sunday.
The Grand Duchess was a good person (she has since been made a saint), most of the royals were, they were just born into their place in life as were the peasants. But the peasants were like children, greedy and immature, and the royals were somewhat removed and had way too much wealth for their own safety. The peasants had lived under the heel of their masters as serfs for many years. So they were either passive or explosive, not much in between. There were bad people of course but they were mostly those behind the scenes of the revolution, the ones controlling the agitators. And so death and death and more death.
I don't know how many terrorists actually repent of their acts in the end. Pavel has his regret and sorrow at the end.
"He had thought he would receive satisfaction from his revenge, but all that was delivered unto him was torment. He had thought that he had killed to keep the Revolution rolling forward, so that the sins of their masters would never be repeated, but now he saw that the fury of upheaval was doomed only to repeat itself again and again."
It is the history of the world isn't it?
December 10, 2015
I've already read one of Robert Alexander books, the first he published.
I loved the fisrt one, but this one had a special touch.
His books tell us about the times of the Russian Revolution, which is a very interesting topic. It were times of mystery, war, richness and poverty, wonderfull princesses and the Tsars!
As the other book, "The Romanov Bride" also takes place during the proletarian revolution. The reader is able to observe the two diferent factions of this "war" through the Grand Duchess Isabel and a landsman named Pavel.
In my opinion, i thought it was particulary interesting seeing the two different points of view. We see how the russian people were starving, and working like "beasts" in the factories, and we also notice the growing fear of inovation from the Tsars, to take new measures on such an huge empire.
Made me sad to see, what was necessary to make this revoltion, the anger, the hate. It's easy to understand why, but in the end of the story, i can't stop questioning myself, how people are capable to kill inocent people, especially Ella, which in fact was an Romanov, but addopted her brithish manners on taking care of the poor and the sick and defended all those russian who hated her so much for nothing, just because of her family, not because of her action.... The Grand Duchess even builted a monestery.
Good book, a story full of passion,hate, but full of hope and changes.
I loved the fisrt one, but this one had a special touch.
His books tell us about the times of the Russian Revolution, which is a very interesting topic. It were times of mystery, war, richness and poverty, wonderfull princesses and the Tsars!
As the other book, "The Romanov Bride" also takes place during the proletarian revolution. The reader is able to observe the two diferent factions of this "war" through the Grand Duchess Isabel and a landsman named Pavel.
In my opinion, i thought it was particulary interesting seeing the two different points of view. We see how the russian people were starving, and working like "beasts" in the factories, and we also notice the growing fear of inovation from the Tsars, to take new measures on such an huge empire.
Made me sad to see, what was necessary to make this revoltion, the anger, the hate. It's easy to understand why, but in the end of the story, i can't stop questioning myself, how people are capable to kill inocent people, especially Ella, which in fact was an Romanov, but addopted her brithish manners on taking care of the poor and the sick and defended all those russian who hated her so much for nothing, just because of her family, not because of her action.... The Grand Duchess even builted a monestery.
Good book, a story full of passion,hate, but full of hope and changes.
January 6, 2010
This is the story of the life of Princes Elisavyeta, Grand Duchess in the tsarist Russia. It was helpful that I had read "King Kaiser Tsar" prior to this book. What makes it so fascinating is the relationships that exist between all the characters. Ella (her "English" name is also the sister of the Tsarina Alexandra and both of them were graddaughters of Queen Victoria and hence first cousins of Kaiser Wilhelm!!!
Princess Ella lives through the great Russian Revolution that occured during World War I. After her husbands death she experiences a tremendous spiritual reawakening and not only becomes a nun but founds her own order!!! Sigh! what a difference it would have made if her bil, the Tsar, had adopted some of her generosity.
This is a two part story because intertwined with Ella's tale is that of the Bulshevik revolutionary Pavel! Hence we see both sides of the fight--the poverty and anger of the poor and the wealth and hypocricy of the ruling rich!!!
It was a well written book. Maybe Ella comes across as just too good but I can't explain her actions except by the fact that she was just "too good!"
Princess Ella lives through the great Russian Revolution that occured during World War I. After her husbands death she experiences a tremendous spiritual reawakening and not only becomes a nun but founds her own order!!! Sigh! what a difference it would have made if her bil, the Tsar, had adopted some of her generosity.
This is a two part story because intertwined with Ella's tale is that of the Bulshevik revolutionary Pavel! Hence we see both sides of the fight--the poverty and anger of the poor and the wealth and hypocricy of the ruling rich!!!
It was a well written book. Maybe Ella comes across as just too good but I can't explain her actions except by the fact that she was just "too good!"
May 2, 2009
Historical novel based on the real-life Grand Duchess Elisabeth Romanov. She was the older sister of the Tsarina Alexandra and her husband, Sergei Alexandrovich, was the Tsar's cousin. After her husband's death, she became a nun. After the Bolshevik revolution, she, along with other members of the Romanov family, was killed in 1918.
The novel is told in alternating viewpoints--Elisabeth or "Ella"--and Pavel, a fictional revolutionary whose life becomes entwined with Elisabeth's.
The history of the Romanovs and the Russian Revolution is fascinating and tragic, and Elisabeth herself is a particularly compelling figure. Unfortunately, the history and personalities are stronger than the writing, which is merely average.
The novel is told in alternating viewpoints--Elisabeth or "Ella"--and Pavel, a fictional revolutionary whose life becomes entwined with Elisabeth's.
The history of the Romanovs and the Russian Revolution is fascinating and tragic, and Elisabeth herself is a particularly compelling figure. Unfortunately, the history and personalities are stronger than the writing, which is merely average.
February 5, 2017
This book was not as interesting as it could have been. I didn't mind that the story shifted viewpoints from the Grand Duchess to the poor revolutionist. The contrasting viewpoints were the most interesting part of the book. I think I'm in the minority here, but I preferred Pavel's storyline more. There was more action to his story, where Ella's storyline dragged a lot for me. She spent most of the story whining about her life with the Grand Duke, until she had her "epiphany". Then she became a "saint" who didn't want to be called a saint, but really wanted to be a martyr to her cause. The only time I cared about her was when Pavel was describing her at the end of the story. I have read that this is not Alexander's best work so I'll probably try another one.
October 31, 2013
If you want a fictionalized biography of Grand Duchess Elizabeth of Russia, this is not it. I was kind of hoping that this would be it, but alas, it was not... The going back and forth between the character of a fictitious revolutionary and bits and pieces of Elizabeth's life was rather distracting and did not work as far as I was concerned. I read it anyway, but I wasn't very happy with it. Try "The most beautiful princess" by Christina Croft.
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