Tsarina
Author: J. Nelle Patrick
Series: None
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Release Date: February 27, 2014
Publisher: Razorbill
Summary:
But Natalya’s first love and heir to the Russian throne, Alexei Romanov, whispers a secret in her ear: Hidden within the Winter Palace lies a Faberge Egg enchanted by the powerful mystic Rasputin. With it, the Romanovs will never fall from power. The Reds will never triumph over the Whites. And one day, Alexei will ascend the throne and Natalya will be beside him – the tsarina of Russia.
But when the Reds raid the Winter Palace, the egg vanishes and the Romanovs are captured. Natalya must find the egg to save Alexei, her way of life, and her royal future. She’s forced to ally herself with an enemy – a young Red named Leo who wants the egg for his own purposes. As they brave a war-battered landscape of snow and magic, Natalya realizes that the world isn’t as simple as it seemed back in Saint Petersburg. Nothing – not friends, not politics, not even love – is as clear as Red and White.
First Sentence: The rioters at the gates were loud, but no match for the music inside the Winter Palace.
My Review:
As the negative and meh reviews for Tsarina piled up the week of its release, it didn’t decrease any of my interest in reading the book. For some reason, the cover of Tsarina just draws me in, making me want to get the book in my hands asap. I didn’t really care about anything else about Tsarina – I didn’t know the book was set during the Russian Revolution, that the book is about the tsar and his family, and that there were eggs mentioned in the book. All I just cared about was the cover. Yes, I know that makes me sound like a fairly shallow person, but I just could not get over the gorgeous colors and that beautiful font on the cover. Three months later after Tsarina‘s release, I finally gave in to the tempatation and borrowed the book from the library, hoping the book would be as good as its cover.
How could a city so full of people feel so void of souls? Emilia and I didn’t dare go out while the mob had dispersed, packs of Red roamed the street like wolves. They broke into stores, destroyed everything in their path, tipped carriages and stole horses. (65)
As I was reading Tsarina, I found myself really enjoying the historical aspects of the book. The setting was rich, detailed, and so vivid. While reading, I felt like I was actually in Russia during the Russian Revolution – that’s how powerful the setting and the whole situation was. It was like watching everything unfold in front of my eyes. I also loved reading about the different points of views of what was happening and discovering what each side really wanted. Reading Tsarina made me want to read more books focused on the Russian Revolution since it is such an interesting part of history, so if you have any recommendations on young adult books set during the time of the Russian Revolution, let me know.
There is romance in Tsarina like the summary of the book indicated, but it is a complicated romance because while there is love triangle, at the same time, there also isn’t a love triangle. It all depends on perspective. Basically, Alexei and Natalya were together at the beginning of Tsarina, got split up, Natalya and Leo meet, get to hang out together, and slowly fall in love while Alexei is completely out of the picture. I wasn’t sold on Natalya and Leo’s romance – I barely felt any sparks between them when they were together – but on the other hand, I really felt for Alexei and Natalya’s bittersweet romance despite how little time they spent together. The romance in Tsarina ended on an iffy note and, well, I wanted some definite answers.
They were a swarm of locusts with a never-ending hunger for destruction and the tireless chant for land, peace, bread. Land, peace, bread. Land, peace, bread. The words were beaten into my brain so hard that they hardly sounded like words at all anymore. (65)
The ending of Tsarina was…weird. It made me a little confused, ultimately solved nothing, and left the book on an unfinished note. I don’t know if J. Nelle Patrick purposely wanted to make us feel that way like Lauren Oliver, to leave us with an open ending, but again, it just didn’t work out for me. There’s a little part of me whispering in my brain saying that after reading that ending, reading Tsarina was a waste of time while the other part of my brain was glad I read the book anyway.
Overall, despite the fact that I enjoyed reading Tsarina, it was missing that ultimate “umph” factor that made me like the book even more. Don’t get me wrong, Tsarina is a great read, but ultimately, it doesn’t impress me much. If you’re looking for a book set during the Russian Revolution, I would definitely recommend Tsarina, but other than that, I don’t see what’s really that special about the book.
While my studies were with a different war (military history major, heeey~), the Russian Revolution & Imperial Russia has always been near and dear to my heart. Honestly, despite my initial interest, a part of it stuck out as odd – I even asked the author about it! When Alexei was executed, he was only 13. I wasn’t entirely sure how the whole romance aspect would work out and was curious if the author simply didn’t know her history or was playing fast and loose with it. Apparently she chose to take some liberties with the timeline/characters’ ages.
I have this one on request at the library, & am still looking forward to it. I’m sorry to hear it was missing that spark for you!
Leah recently posted…my week in pictures: mother’s day!
WAIT, WHAT?! ALEXEI WAS ONLY 13 WHEN HE DIED?! Tsarina doesn’t mention his age at all and even the notes in the back doesn’t tell you how old Alexei was when he died, just that he didn’t really have a girlfriend. -stares at Tsarina, stunned-
I hope you’ll enjoy this one Leah! The history element of the book was really rich, but it just didn’t have that spark.
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Tsarina – J. Nelle Patrick
yep! He was born in 1904 & died a month before his 14th birthday in 1918!
Leah recently posted…Bellweather Rhapsody by Kate Racculia
I enjoyed aspects of Tsarina but overall it was missing the spark for me as well. I could never connect with the MC so that could have been where my problems started. I did enjoy the backdrop of Russia though. Great review Kelly! I’m glad it was a fun read for you but sorry it was missing the umph for you as well.
Kristen@My Friends Are Fiction recently posted…Stacking the Shelves
I didn’t connect with the Natalya either, but she was fun to read about so there’s that. I was trying to figure her out throughout the book.
At least we’re not alone in that we think Tsarina was missing that spark/umph feeling!
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Tsarina – J. Nelle Patrick
I’ve heard about Tsarina here and there on the blogosphere, but I never really put too much attention to it. Maybe because the story is based on a historical event or something around those lines and history always makes me look the other way. I liked that I could comprehend the story a little more and it’s plot because of your review so thank you! I’ll think about reading this book, but I’m sure I won’t read it. If what’s most important is the Russian Revolution than I’ll gladly let this one pass on by. Though one day I’ll probably read it just because :)
I’ve heard so many negative things about Tsarina’s ending, so I’m going to pass on it! I do own Patrick’s (Jackson Pierce) Sister Red so I’ll be reading that one instead!!
Scott Pilgrim recently posted…Stacking The Shelves #46
I think the setting has me more intrigued that the actual story line
Missie @ A Flurry of Ponderings
Missie recently posted…Review of Percy Jackson – The Lightning Thief Book
I never read any book related to Russia, but this seems like a good way to start!
Clarisse recently posted…Book Review – Torment by Lauren Kate
I love books set in historical settings. I too am fascinated by the cover. It looks like I’m going to need to pick this up on my next trip to the library. Thanks!
Chanpreet recently posted…Promo Blitz and Giveaway: Strings of the Heart by Katie Ashley
my main reason for wanting to read this is actually because that’s my name on the title (Tsarina = Czarina).. anyway, it’s a bit disappointing how it doesn’t really seem somethings special for you but still, it doesn’t really sound exactly bad and the setting sounds beautifully written :D
czai recently posted…[Top Ten Tuesday] Books I Almost Put Down But Didn’t
Don’t worry, there is not ONE book lover out there that doesn’t let covers effect what they buy xD I’ve been known to suffer from the affliction as well. It made me find some INCREDIBLE reads, and some… not so much. It’s a gamble.
I don’t like the sound of the romance here, though it’s definitely on the better side of love triangles. I can believe and love those kind of triangles, as opposed to “in love with two people at the same time, while both are there” type of triangle, which makes me want to rip my hairs out. However, the whole “no chemistry” is a little… daunting. As well as the no conclusion kind of thing. Never a fan of that, if it’s TOO much no conclusion. Makes me wonder why I read the book, if even the author itself isn’t “sure” how it ended… you know?
Great review, as always! <3
Nitzan Schwarz recently posted…Review: My Love Lies Bleeding by Alyxandra Harvey
Oh MY Gosh! After watchinh Anastasia as a kid I fell in love with the Romanovs! I was madly excited about this book for that very reason! Its’ a pity that you only gave it three watermelons.
I’ve always been obsessed with history and one of my favorite topics has been the October Revolution. I just love reading literature inspired by that particular moment in Russian history. And I just loved watching Anastasia when I was little so that’s a definite bonus. The cover is gorgeous and I’m hoping that the story doesn’t disappoint :)
I really want to read Tsarnia, anything about Russia interests me, and great review.
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