Daughters of a Dead Empire is a fast-paced and gritty story of two girls who initially couldn’t seem more different. In this alternate history, Anna and Evgenia find themselves on opposite sides during the Russian Revolution. When they are forced to work together for mutual survival, they learn some universal things that bind together. But Anna is keeping a very important secret- one that will be devastating if it gets out.

I’m always interested in stories that relate to Anastasia, I think because for so long people really believed that there was a possibility she could be alive. While sadly this was proven not to be true in 2007, there’s still something that makes one wonder “What if?” This is a well-paced and action-packed story that considers some of the very real obstacles that the real Anastasia would have had to face. In addition, O’Neill tackles the inequality and systemic issues that were problems during the Russian Revolution.

Daughters of a Dead Empire would be the perfect book for anyone interested in learning more about the Russian Revolution, Anastasia, and thrilling historical fiction. I’m looking forward to seeing what Carolyn Tara O’Neill writes next! Thank you so much to Carolyn Tara O’Neill, Roaring Brook Press, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

*Do check the TWs or message me, as there are some brutal and violent (historically accurate) scenes.