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DNF.

Please do not mistake the lengthy ramblings below for "I-read-the-whole-book-and-here-are-my-thoughts," but rather, "I-decided-not-to-continue-and-here's-why."

*deep breath* *cracks knuckles*

Romanov is a historical fantasy novel starring 16-year-old Anastasia Nikolaevna, daughter of the last Tsar of Russia. We learn within the first few pages that Anastasia, or "Nastya," aspires to become a Russian 'spell master' (i.e., practitioner of an ancient brand of magic that lets you speak special words & thereby receive powerful favors). We also learn that Nastya's teacher/mentor in the basics of this art was none other than Grigori Rasputin.

There's a lot to unpack there, so let's start from the beginning.

First off, this type of "spell magic" is the exact same thing that got so many Christians so upset about Harry Potter. Now, for the record, I don't have a problem with HP; mainly because HP to my mind is clearly not intended as a representation of our real world. Howeverrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, I do think spells like these become a lot more--shall we say--Murky when they're introduced into a real-world, historical setting [like the Russian revolution] and when they involve real, historical practitioners of black magic [like my man Rasputin over here].

Because that's who Rasputin WAS. You can't get around that part of his reputation. And you definitely can't convince me that his historical reputation as "Powerful, Successful Dabbler in the Occult" wasn't a big part of the reason why he was chosen for the fictional role of "Powerful Magic Teacher" in the first place.

I was, as I say, disturbed. But I was willing to continue reading to learn more about what sorts of things this fictional magic system does. I soon found out.

On page 11:

"Thirteen years ago, I'd watched Mamma and Papa open a layer of that painted doll and release the now-forbidden spell that brought us Alexei."

[Alexei being her younger brother.]

Yes. You read that right. These people have a magic spell that allows them to conceive a human baby.

And not [if I'm reading this correctly] to 'help' conceive, not to cure dysfunction or whatever; but to literally, directly conceive a child. To create new life where none existed.

Do you See *rubs nose pensively* do you Begin to See where the Problem might lie, Jeeves?

Real talk: I am not comfortable with seeing the power to create life allocated to human beings, through magic, even in a fantasy world with no God. But, this ISN'T a fantasy world with no God!!! This is our real, historical world, populated with real historical figures who profess to believe in God and Jesus and the Bible; and yet, when they wanna make a baby, they turn to magic and not to prayer. Which is . . . disturbing. The fact that this magic [allegedly, according to the story logic] ACTUALLY WORKS is 1000x more disturbing.

Like. Would you mind telling me, Mr. and Mrs. Romanov--would you mind telling me just WHO you imagine sent you this baby; and WHAT he/she/it/they might stand to gain in return?

Moreover, I'm not at all comforted by Nastya's assurances that this baby-creating spell is now "forbidden." Sure, maybe they don't use it any more; but they used it at least once? And it worked?? And now they have this living, breathing kiddo walking around who (by their own admission) was FedEx'd to their parents' bedroom from Somewhere in the Cosmos, and definitely not from the Big Fella Upstairs??? I can't get on board with that, people. I just can't.

The ONLY WAY I could continue reading this book with a clear conscience is if I had assurances that the whole point of the story would be overthrowing the magic system--if Nastya's character arc were aimed at her realizing that Rasputin had led her whole family astray and that she should never touch any of these spells, ever again. That, however, isn't the impression I get from other readers. In fact--I've been told that the climax involves Nastya using a spell to (view spoiler)[resurrect dead folks. Which is just . . . whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!?! Now you have power over life AND death, apart from God's power?? Just who do you think you are???? (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[EDIT: I've been given more information about the dead-people thing and honestly I feel MORE disturbed than before: So, basically, Nastya uses a spell that allows you to remove your own soul from your body, for 'safekeeping' if someone's trying to kill you, and then have the soul return to the body [with all physical damage erased] by using the spell again after the danger is passed. One could argue that this doesn't equal "resurrection from the dead," since the person doesn't technically "die"; but I would argue that's EXACTLY what it equals, given that the definition of 'death' is separation of soul from body, and the definition of 'resurrection' is reunion of soul with body. If Nastya is using a spell which allows her to reanimate her own, previously soulless body . . . then that is self-resurrection in a nutshell, since it's precisely what Jesus Christ did on Easter Sunday. And that, my dudes, is what we call Theologically Problematic.
(At least from my point of view.) (hide spoiler)]

Life is sacred. There is a reason we mere mortals don't get to control it. It should stay that way. Even in fantasy, I believe, it should stay that way.

And Rasputin was horrible.

Thanks for coming to my TED talk.

*peace out*