3.75/5 **Come on GR! How do you not have at least half star ratings!!!**

Okay thankfully my education in Russian history didn't wreck this for me. I think some of that is because Anastasia has been sort of this mystical...played with...being for my entire life. I GREW up on Anastasia (the Fox now Disney princess). Also, could Disney get its crap together and remake the animated film in live adaptation--but like Aladdin level! None of this shit they're pulling with the Mulan movie (fight me but there's no music and apparently no Mushu now sooooooooo)

I like how this book took the ill fated Romanov's and gave Anastasia a character. A personality. Sure, the plot and history and politics seemed VERY romanticized and one sided but Brandes actually included quite a few historical facts and events into the plot pretty seemlessly. I liked especially getting to see the Romanov's act as a family while in exile before their murders. I do really really REALLY wish there would've been more Rasputin (but that's a total personal taste and interest thing).

Just like Fawkes, I do really find this book frustrating though with how little the magic system is developed. I hope this is something the author works on for future publications.

The pros and cons together, I still plan on re-reading this when I'm interested in something Russian. It's a pretty light and quick read without making myself start rereading Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone series (which I love but it's massive lol).