I did not expect to fall in love with this book the way I did. I’m definitely a history lover and a fantasy junkie but not so much a romance gal. I thought I’d like it, sure. But I was entranced. The blend of history and fantasy was seamless and I’m here for it.
At the same time it made me sad because I know the actual history. So I could feel my heart breaking when the story deviated from history because I know where and what the end actually is.

This follows the story of Anastasia, last of the Romanov princesses and youngest child of Russia’s Tsar Nicholas. It takes us thru her childhood all the way to the beginnings of the Bolshevik revolution. In the shadows lurks Rasputin, whispering in the ears of the Romanov family, bewitching them with his uncanny ability to heal their sickest child. But in this version, magic is in the air and in the people. How will that change the outcome of history?

A love story, a tragedy, and a ray of hope all rolled into one.
I absolutely loved the artwork in this book. I felt like it really added to the story.
I also thought the inclusion of not only a recommended reading playlist but the inclusion of suggestions about where to listen to which song in the actual book was inspired. It can change the way you feel about certain scenes, help you feel the emotions of the characters.

Meadows adequately relates the first book to “coming out” and then beautifully describes this one as “what happens after you come out”. But I feel like the message resonates beyond that. I saw someone learning to deal with trauma and grief while simultaneously trying to empathize with someone else experiencing the same things from a different source. I saw someone who struggles to admit that they love someone when they have a hard time even loving themselves. I saw the characters waffle between self loathing and self acceptance so many times it made my head spin. But it was so beautifully written, so eloquently portrayed that I FELT every moment.

We continue to follow Vel and Cae as they try to come to terms with their shared grief and shoulder their new responsibilities. All this while still trying to get to know each other in the first months of their marriage. Political intrigue and sly courtly games are even more prevalent in this book in a much different setting. Assassins, intrigue, murder, lust, and quiet possibly love.

I always love high fantasy with tons of crazy intrigue and interconnected politics. It was one of my favorite things about the first book and it was amplified in this one. That being said, this one was very light on the fantasy (minimal mentions magic, mostly healing).
And I forgot that both books are told from multiple POVs! Definitely one of my favorite writing tools. And I feel like I got more of Cae’s POV this time which was awesome! He’s definitely my favorite….after Markel