The Romanov Prophecy

Another historical book for the year completed, but at least this is on a different topic. Besides WWII-era, the Revolution of 1917 and the Romanovs were a great topic of historical interest to me. Their whole story, both relationally and politically speaking, has been interesting to learn and relearn.

Miles Lord is on a highly extensive job in Russia to be a part of bringing the Tsarship back to Russia. The Tsar Commission will have a committee vote on given nominees, all technically Romanovs, but not direct ties to Imperial family. That is, until Miles finds evidence in a government document library that someone(s) may have survived. He is then sent on a National Treasure-esque mission to find the truth of this. all the while trying to not be killed by Russian mafia members hired by a group of secret rich ass douchebags.

From all the historical novels I have read so far, especially this year, have been predominantly woman, so having read something written by a man really makes the difference. Berry’s writing is more basic with not much for description, but I think that worked for this plot and amount of pages. Just say what you need to say to keep the plot moving forward. It was refreshing to read.

I enjoyed this take on what happened to the missing bodies. For the cliff notes version, when Nicholas II was forced to abdicate the throne in 1917, the Red Army moved the family to Tsarskoe Selo followed by moving to Yekaterinburg, where they would be killed by firing squad due to the White Army’s impending arrival into the area. When the remains were found in ’79 and identified in ’07, they came up two bodies short; in the years following the discovery, many impersonators came forward claiming they were Anastasia, or Alexei. To incorporate the both of them and the flashbacks to that experience were the only times that Berry gets into more detailed writing and gives a well thought out theory to their survival.

I think this was a one-and-done read for me, but I would be interested in reading more from Berry as well. So definitely a reminder for myself as well. If you are interested in reading The Romanov Prophecy, you will be able to find it here.

8/10