“Darya Borodina Spiridova was born with the howls of wild aurochs echoing in the forest. These same great beasts brought tragedy and change to her life while she was still young. After her parents’ tragic deaths, Darya is taken in by the Nicholas and Alexandra Romanov and becomes part of the everyday life of the Imperial family.
Darya was born with one opal eye. This, along with a secret ingredient kept in a locket, seem to give her special healing powers. These gifts are no match for the congenital disease that affects the heir to the Russian throne. Does Darya bring ruin to the royal family when Rasputin is brought in to heal the Tsarevich, or is it fate? After witnessing, yet miraculously escaping, the execution of the Imperial family, Darya believes Alexei has also survived. She spends the rest of her long life looking for the “last Romanov” in hopes of bringing back the glory of Russia before the Bolsheviks.
The author takes a true historical story that has fascinated both scholars and everyday readers for years and adds a twist of magic realism. I have not always been a big fan of magic realism, but it is perfect for this novel.
The horrific scenes of real life history are balanced by the vivid, lyrical descriptions of aurochs, butterflies, birds of paradise and lovely jewels.
Darya is a fascinating heroine who is capable of great passion and unconditional love. Her quest for justice and personal redemption is told as the author weaves a story back and forth in time over a period of 104 years.
Dory Levy Mossanen is the author of two other historical novels, HAREM and COURTESAN. I will be adding these to my to be read pile. I know they will captivate me, just as THE LAST ROMANOV did.”
bookworm51 wrote this review Tuesday, January 3, 2012.
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