I am so excited to share this book with you today and I hope you will enjoy it as well.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Paperback edition 377 pages William Morrow paperbacks March 12,2024 publication date
From the author of A Most English Princess comes a rich novel about young Princess Alix of Hesse—the future Alexandra, last Empress of Imperial Russia—and her sister, Princess Ella. Their decision to marry into the Romanov royal family changed history.
They were granddaughters of Queen Victoria and two of the most beautiful princesses in Europe. Princesses Alix and Ella were destined to wed well and wisely. But while their grandmother wants to join them to the English and German royal families, the sisters fall in love with Russia—and the Romanovs.
Defying the Queen’s dire warnings, Ella weds the tsar’s brother, Grand Duke Serge. Cultivated, aloof, and proud, Serge places his young wife on a pedestal for all to admire. Behind palace gates, Ella struggles to secure private happiness.
Alix, whisked away to Russia for Ella’s wedding, meets and captivates Nicky—heir apparent to the Russian throne. While loving him deeply, Alix hears a call of conscience, urging her to walk away.
Their fateful decisions to marry will lead to tragic consequences for not only themselves and their families, but for millions in Russia and around the globe.
The Romanov Brides is a moving and fascinating portrait of two bold and spirited royal sisters, and brings to vivid life imperial Russia—a dazzling, decadent world on the brink of disappearing forever.
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MY THOUGHTS
I don’t read many books about royalty. The last being about two years ago, but when I saw this book, I knew I had to read it as it sounded fascinating.
I am always eager to read historical fiction based on facts as this book is. This material presented in this book has been thoroughly researched for which I am very appreciative.
I am always ready to learn from what I read. There were many characters in the book, some with a brief mention and others playing a much larger role in the book. I enjoyed getting to know the characters, they all felt very realistic in the situations and speech they were presented with.
I thoroughly enjoyed “meeting” the four sisters of Hesse. Following the brides from childhood through their marriages and beyond. After their mother’s death, Queen Victoria, their grandmother is there to guide them in what she considers appropriate marriages to English or German royal families. Despite her best, two of the sisters fall in love with Russia, and Romanovs.
I so much enjoyed entering the world of the royalty and was captivated as I read. Just like us these are flawed people, and their choices have consequences as well. There is much happiness in their lives, but tragedy also comes to visit. These are very strong people who persevere.
I loved the elegant writing style of the author and will be reading more when she writes it. I want to personally thank the author for writing this book. I learned so much and found it fascinating.
Pub Date 12 Mar 2024
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Before turning to fiction, Clare McHugh worked as a journalist, magazine editor, and history teacher. She chose as the subject of her first novel the eldest daughter of Queen Victoria—known to her family as Vicky. To tell the dramatic and tragic story of this precocious princess, who later become the mother of Kaiser Wilhelm and the Empress of Germany, the author dove into the archives and studied the letters exchanged by Vicky and Queen Victoria. When not in the library, McHugh enjoys cooking, travel and reviewing books. Born in London, she grew up in the US and graduated from Harvard with a degree in European history. The mother of two grown children she lives in Washington DC and Amagansett NY with her husband, a fellow writer and editor.
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