Romanov | Nadine Brandes

Welcome back! Today, I'm excited to talk about one of my favorite novels, Romanov by Nadine Brandes, a top author of mine. This was my second time reading Romanov, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Just writing the blurb below makes me want to read it a third time!

I discovered Romanov after reading another of Nadine Brandes' works, Fawkes, and decided to look up the author to borrow more of her books from the library. The stunning cover of "Romanov" convinced me to request it, and it didn't take long for me to devour the story. Now, less than a year later, I've read it again. So, let's dive in!

(This review is spoiler-free)

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The history books say I died.

They don’t know the half of it.

Anastasia “Nastya” Romanov was given a single mission: to smuggle an ancient spell into her suitcase on her way to exile in Siberia. It might be her family’s only salvation. But the leader of the Bolshevik army is after them, and he’s hunted Romanov before.

Nastya’s only chances of saving herself and her family are to either release the spell and deal with the consequences, or enlist help from Zash, the handsome soldier who doesn’t act like the average Bolshevik. Nastya has only dabbled in magic, but it doesn’t frighten her half as much as her growing attraction to Zash. She likes him. She thinks he might even like her.

That is, until she’s on one side of a firing squad . . . and he’s on the other.

I grew up watching the 1997 film Anastasia, and I have to say, if you are going into Romanov thinking it is anything like that movie, you are very wrong. I believe Nadine Brandes was basing her story off of the actual history rather than the movie. Although I am no historian or expert in the Russian Revolution, I know Nadine Brandes took many places, people, and events that actually happened and made those the guide to her story. She focused heavily on the time Anastasia was with her family, whereas the film's adaptation of the story imagined what happened to the Grand Duchess after her family was executed.

Characters

All of the characters were very well written, each with their arcs, virtues, and vices. Nastya does so much growing throughout the book as she struggles with forgiveness, trust, and patience. Zash, the male lead, has a wonderful arc as well- although explaining it would bring spoilers! Each of the characters was different from each other in realistic ways.

Plot

The plot moves at a medium pace- building suspense and emotion before it snaps and takes off, which happens almost exactly midway through the book. But even then, the pacing is realistic and tense rather than unrealistically action-packed and fast.

Emotion

Romanov is full of vibrant emotion: anger, pain, joy, love, grief, fear, and everything in between, making the novel incredibly enthralling and deep. If you are faint of heart I would not suggest this book, due to the heavy amounts of violence and the darkness the Romanovs endured. However– without spoiling anything– I will say that the book does not leave off on a depressing note. It is sad, but hope endures to the very last chapter. Fair warning, though: you may shed some tears.

Christianity

Nadine Brandes writes from a Christian worldview. The characters in Romanov appeal to Iisus (Jesus) and the Romanov family are firm in their commitment to forgive and show love to all men, no matter how awfully they are treated in return. This was really beautiful, however, I would have liked to have seen the faith portion come through stronger, for the characters to seek the Lord's guidance and depend in Him more than their magic.

Magic

There is a lot of magic in this book, but it is executed differently than most fantasy I have read. There are "spell masters" who specialize in magic and creating "spell ink." Spell ink is the passage through which most spells can be created. It either has a special purpose already infused in it, or one gives it its purpose by writing a spell word with the ink. When the word is spoken or applied to an object, the spell is used. We don't get to read much about the workings behind the magic- whether it is limited by rules or restrained by God; however, we are told that through the use of a spell, a couple were able to conceive a long-desired son. I have seen others express concern over this, and while I understand that putting magic in Christian novels needs to be very carefully done, I don't believe Nadine Brandes meant to in any way replace the power of God with magic, or make magic an idol. Nonetheless, this is a tricky issue that may bother some, and although I was okay with it, others may not be at ease.

So! does Romanov deserve a spot in my excellent library?

Definitely: my personal rating is 5/5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved the themes in Romanov, the biggest of which were redemption and forgiveness. The premise is sad, but at the same time, so full of light and hope, and I am so proud to have recently acquired my own copy of Romanov to join my other beloved books. ♡

Let me know- Have you read Romanov or plan on doing so? If you have, what did you like and what did you not like?

Thank you for reading and catch you next time!

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Content Warnings

(I listened to Romanov on audiobook, so I was therefore unable to mark all the content warnings; apologies if I miss anything!)

Violence:

4/5

If you are sensitive to violence, guns, and blood, this book is not for you. It is very intense at times and the main character is very emotionally connected to these events.

(Minor spoilers. Big spoilers will be at the very bottom, so do not read that portion if you wish to avoid them)

~Lots of guns in-scene, carried by Bolshevik soldiers. Gunshots can be heard echoing from executions in the city every day.

~A character is executed by bullet. Not graphic, but very emotional.

~War violence is talked of and feared.

~Characters have their necks slit, are struck, beaten, stalked, and attacked. Semi-graphic.

~Characters endure pain from minor-major injuries. Lots of blood, pain, and injuries.

~A main character suffers from hemophilia so his blood doesn't clot and his injuries take a long time to heal. He suffers constantly from this.

~The topic of suicide is dealt with- see spoilers at the bottom for details.

Romance and sensuality:

3/5

~In an extra chapter at the end of the book, two characters kiss multiple times. Not detailed.

~Romantic tension prevails throughout the book, with some flirting.

~Two side characters fall in love, flirt, hug, and kiss. Not overly sensual, but crucial to the plot.

~Rumors circulate that a married character was in a romantic relationship with another man. This proves to be false.

Language:

1/5

~Childish language including "dumb"

~Mentions of side characters shouting profanities and cursing.

Drinking, drugs, and smoking:

1/5

~A side character is often drunk.

~Mentions of side characters smoking.

Magic:

3.5/5

Nastya wishes to become a spellmaster. See Magic above.

VIOLENCE SPOILERS

~The entire Romanov family is taken to a basement where they are executed by a firing squad. However, a magic spell is cast to save Nastya and her brother from death. This spell transforms them into ghosts, allowing them to witness the aftermath of the execution.

As ghosts, Nastya and her brother watch their physical bodies being loaded into a truck alongside the other deceased members of the Romanov family. The scene is intense and graphic. The bodies are later dumped into a cavern and acid is poured over them to dispose of the remains.

Crucially, the spell was cast before the physical bodies were killed. This means that even though their bodies are dead now, the ghostly forms of Nastya and her brother can re-enter to their physical bodies without suffering from any injuries that occurred after the spell was enacted.

This comes into play again, later, when two other characters are converted into ghost form along with Nastya and her bother as they enact the spell again. They see their bodies laying on the ground. Two of them have their necks slit, the other is dying from a brain bleed, and the fourth has been terribly beaten. None of these characters die after re-entering their bodies. but this scene is graphic and intense.

~A character suffers from a brain-bleed. He almost dies. this is quite intense as well. the swelling and pain are described graphically

~A character turns a gun to himself fully intending to commit suicide as he prays to Jesus for forgiveness. He is moving to pull the trigger before he is stopped.