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How do I ever write an adequate review of this amazing book???? It's so good!

Romanov, starts in the middle of the tension. I was actually surprised at where it started at first. I expected it to start before the downfall of the Russian tsar, but instead it focuses on what happens when they are already under house arrest. Already suffering. And it works well for the book. It focuses the book on their final days, giving time to let the book fully tell the story of those last days of tension leading up to the infamous night in July.

The characters in this book are so adorable! Alexei, so determined and strong of will even if he isn't always strong of body. Nikolai is just about the best dad figure ever. I'm so glad the book focused so much as Nastya's relationship with him, even if it made the book all that much more heartwrenching. The sister-relationships were also so well done.

And Zash. His struggles. That moment when he...(well, that would be a spoiler). Argh! Poor guy!

I especially liked Nastya. She's my favorite kind of book main character. She can be funny and optimistic even in dark times. She still has very real struggles, but her strength comes from a strength of mind and a willingness to follow her father's example to be kind and forgiving even during times that are horrible and unforgiving.

The themes in this book were so well done. I appreciated how the Romanov family's faith was so subtly woven into the story, yet also so fundamental to who they were. It made me hurt all the more for the real historical people who suffered these events in real life.

I listened to the audiobook version of the book, and it was really well done. I'm not an expert on what a Russian accent should sound like, but I thought the narrator did a good job of using a hint of a Russian accent without making it sound too faked or forced or overwhelming.