Sailing in a Sea of Words

Book: The Last Romanov

Author: Dora Levy Mossanen

Genre: Fiction/Historical Fiction/Supernatural

Summary: She was an orphan, ushered into the royal palace on the prayers of her majesty. Yet, decades later, her time is spent in the embrace of the Romanovs haunts her still. Is she responsible for those murderous events that changed everything? If only she can find the heir, maybe she can put together the broken pieces of her own past - maybe she can hold on to the love she found. Bursting to life with the rich and glorious marvels of Imperial Russia, The Last Romanov is a magical tale of second chances and royal blood. - Sourcebooks, 2012.

Can you guess why I picked this book out? If you answered the cover, you’re mostly right. It’s gorgeous cover art and I was immediately drawn to it when I saw it. I also enjoy reading anything about the Romanovs, regardless of whether it is fiction or nonfiction. Thus, this purchase was meant to be.

Spoilers will be kept to a minimum.

The plot is rather dense and it features a flashback within a flashback at times. Regardless, the story is very good. It tells the tale of Alexi Romanov’s nanny. The woman is the daughter of one of the Czar’s friends. She joins the Romanov family after her parents are tragically killed. The rest of the novel travels along the timeline of the Romanov rule, ending the flashback once she finishes explaining how she survived the massacre. The rest of the story focuses on what might have happened that fateful night. Did Alexi Romanov really die? Or did he somehow survive? That’s the question to be answered.

There are some supernatural elements in play, but they aren’t too ridiculous or far-fetched and mainly pertain to Alexi’s health. I’d say the powers she has are more those of a healer/medicine woman than an actual witch. 

The story can be a tad melodramatic at times, especially when Mossanen is giving exhibition. These moments are few in number, so they can be forgiven.

Some of the flashbacks and supernatural moments are awkwardly placed within the narrative as well, making the time of the flashback or vision hard to place and difficult to differentiate between reality and fantasy. This only happens once or twice so it’s not a huge problem.

Overall, it’s an enjoyable read. If you like the Romanovs and don’t mind the fictional element, you’ll like this book.

I give The Last Romanov an A.

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