Customer Reviews

Anastasia's Secret

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Nearly a hundred years ago the Czar of Russia was forcibly removed from his throne and taken prisoner by Russian soldiers; at that time his youngest daughter, Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov, was sixteen. From being the ruling family of the country, the Romanovs slipped into increasingly tight imprisonment though never for one moment did the parents or their five children lose their deep love for each other. It was a tragic circumstance for a girl so enchanting and full of life that her story and its legends have been told again and again.

Now in a particularly touching way, Susanne Dunlap has written a gentle romance for the brave Anastasia: a young man Sasha of plain birth who gives her his balalaika and shows her the country's poverty. He meets her secretly in gardens and cellars and even in the snows of Siberia and tries to warn her when her family is in danger.

The Romanov family is as close and loving as any large family can be today; as they are dispossessed of their titles, palaces, jewelry, even toys and books, their close servants and even proper food and heat, they cling together bravely. In the midst of this tragedy, Anastasia is concerned to keep the existence of Sasha from her sisters who begin to guess. A beautiful book about a young girl from a great fallen family who, in the midst of her worry for them and the privations they suffer, finds a love of her own.

I am the author of MARRYING MOZART and CLAUDE & CAMILLE: A NOVEL OF MONET.

As the youngest daughter of the last Tsar of Russia, Anastasia had a very sheltered and isolated childhood. So when at twelve years old she meets Sasha, a young soldier, in the garden of her palace, she is intrigued - he is very different than anyone she is permitted to be friends with. But soon he must leave to fight in World War I. Anastasia is later reunited with him while helping to care for the wounded soldiers, and now that she is fourteen, hopes he will see her as a young woman, and not a child.

But everything in Anastasia's world is about to change forever. In the aftermath of a costly war, the people of Russia are increasingly angry with their ruler. She must grow into a young woman as everything around her falls apart. After a revolt by the people, Anastasia and her family lose their wealth and status, and are eventually exiled to Siberia. In these dark days, Anastasia's growing love for Sasha still brings her hope and joy. But there is little hope for their future together.

Anastasia's Secret is a romantic and tragic story of what might have been, and brings Anastasia to life as a regular teenager with hopes and dreams, experiencing all the emotions of a teenage girl, although she grew up in a time very different than our own. It was hard to read the book at times knowing what the outcome would be and I so wished it could have ended differently. For readers who love historical fiction or who are fascinated by the Romanovs, I highly recommend this book, but be forewarned, you may need tissues at the end.

Disclosure: Review copy provided by publisher

I would rate this book at 3.5 stars.

I've had a fascination with Anastasia Romanov ever since I learned about the Romanov's in my Russian History class back in high school. The mystery behind her death and if it was possible that she actually survived this tragedy captured my imagination. Not only is this story fascinating but I also enjoyed reading more about what the rest of the family might have been like. I never knew much about the tsar's wife or the rest of the children other than that Alexei had hemophilia.

Dunlap creates a romantic story that follows Anastasia for a few years as she grows older, meets a young soldier who just might be able to save her life in the end. Watching the relationship between Anastasia and Sasha grow was fascinating and the story keeps you wondering will Sasha save Anastasia or will his head be turned by the rising beliefs of the Bolsheviks. To find out you will need to read the book.

Anastasia's Secret was not what I was expecting. That's not to say it wasn't good, because it was. I love historical fiction and Anastasia's Secret is at the top of my list. Susanne Dunlap did an amazing job with it!

This is my first Susanne Dunlap book and I really liked her writing style. It was super east to read and it helped make the book seem a lot quicker. The writing was just beautiful and the story was even better.

The characters were definitely the best part of the book. The Romanov family was full of very likable people and there friends were great too. I felt so bad for all of them and I hated all the horrible things that they had to go through. Sasha was also really great, but in a completely different way. =]

I have to say that the plot dragged a bit. There was a lot of talk and not a lot of action. I had some trouble getting through the parts where nothing was happening but I did manage and enjoyed the book tremendously.

I won't tell you how it end, obviously, but I will say that it is historically correct. If you know the story of the Romanov family, then you know how it ends. It wasn't the ending I was hoping for but I was glad Susanne Dunlap stuck with what really happened.

Overall, Anastasia's Secret is definitely on my list of recommendations for fans of historical fiction. Susanne Dunlap succeeded in writing a fantastic story that practically transported me to Russia. You know it's a good book when you feel like you are a part of it!

Anastasia Romanov may be royalty, but that doesn't mean she doesn't have problems. Her brother, Alexei, is dealing with the life-threatening disease of hemophilia, which has no known cure. Her older sisters are dealing with the likes of men and society, while she's stuck in a time-warp of 'little girl' proportions. Tsar Nicholas the Second, her father, is worrying about a revolution going on in Russia, all the while watching his wife become entranced by the workings of 'holy man' Grigory Rusputin. Behind the scenes, a friendship with a soldier named Sasha also threatens to shatter the fragile piece of the family....

And then war is imminent. Battle lines are drawn, and the people of Russia are ready to take up arms. Sasha and Anastasia's relationship, which is barely able to be kept, is laced with feelings of something more. Grigory's influence on Alexandra and her son, Alexei, is growing tighter, and the governing of the country is becoming harder and harder to maintain. How is a girl supposed to grow up knowing the harshness of war, when she only knows what goes on in her own little world of royalty?

The characters that make up the pages of a historical novel are the hardest part to work out. History shows us a factual face, personal accounts give us a general personality, and rarely, we have diaries or journals that show the true mind of the figure. Anastasia had the first two down, and thus she's been pictured as a tom-boy with a lot of spunk and a mindset unlike the rest of her family. I always loved her general personality, and thus I'm really picky about how people depict her. Dunlap gives her a fresh face, keeping her rambunctious attitude and coupling it with the thought processes of a teenage girl on the brink of adulthood when she just isn't ready for it. The depth showed great apt for characterization. Anastasia constantly worries about things that we all can relate to, such as her relationship with Sasha, and things that we can never imagine, like the Bolshevik uprising in Russia. Her family is also depicted stunningly, with great personalities that are flexible yet true to what history tells us. Sasha didn't appear much, which disheartened me. His whole relationship with Anastasia was pretty thread-bare compared to the rest of the story. It was marketed as being more of a love story, so I felt cheated in that respect. The various servants and such also got confusing, but they were interchangeable, and more for historical accuracy than for characterization.

Plot and historical accuracy are also important. Being an Anastasia fan-boy, I naturally had an above-basic knowledge of what went on with the Romanovs, and I was immensely pleased to see a ton of historical fact and care used in the novel. Basic facts were there (i.e. the Romanov's various pets, the political cartoons about Rusputin and the Romanov women), but she got everything down to the time of events(though Dunlap admitted to lightly moving some around to fit the character's needs, which was understood). The plot moved fast for me, and the interest in what would happen with Sasha and with Anastasia's handling of the war kept me going strong, though I could see how a reader less history-minded would get bored at some intervals.

Rating a historical novel is really hard, but as a fan of the time period, character, and history of events, I can't help but love this book. Dunlap did everything right in her research, and it comes out as a beautiful tapestry dedicated to a teenage girl often placed as a little kid. I'll admit I never really realized the impact of Anastasia's real age at the time of the events - and Dunlap gave me a lot to think about with that. Even her ending note provided a great website to go to about the Romanovs, as well as some insight as to how the novel got started. The relationship with Sasha and some lack of interest in day-to-day events will dissuade readers who don't normally read the genre, but the writing is great, Anastasia is fresher than ever, and Dunlap just does too much right for me to not tell others to consider reading this book.

Reviewed by: John Jacobson, aka "R.J. Jacobs"

Susanne Dunlap has written a wonderfully romantic and tragic novel about the final days of Anastasia Romanova, more formally known as the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nicholaevna Romanova, the youngest daughter of the last czar of Russia. Told in the first person by Anastasia herself, the self-appointed fun-loving practical joker of the Romanov children, the novel starts at the time of the outbreak of World War I, when Anastasia's idyllic childhood begins to change forever. Dunlap intersects into Anastasia's story a fictional member of the family's guard, a soldier named Sasha, whom Anastasia befriends and sees secretly until he is sent to the front. Although at first Sasha sees Anastasia as no more than a silly child, when he returns from the war their friendship blossoms into young romance, even leading to secret meetings in pantries where the lovers exchange more than just kisses.

As the situation for the royal family deteriorates, their life of parties and balls evaporates and Anastasia and her sisters spend their time instead nursing and visiting casualties from the front and knitting stockings for soldiers. Soon the czar is forced to abdicate and the royal family is imprisoned in their own palace. The faithful young Sasha manages to get himself stationed nearby, always keeping an eye on his beautiful duchess. Anastasia trusts that Sasha will help keep her safe, but can he help the duchess and her family escape their doom?

Initially I was a bit bothered by the insertion of Sasha, an entirely fictional romantic interest for Anastasia, into this novel which is otherwise populated by actual historical figures. In an afterword, the author explains that Sasha and one or two servants are the only characters that came "entirely from my imagination. Everyone else--including the pets--had documented roles in the family's life."

But as the novel develops, the character of Sasha provides a method for the author to expose Anastasia (and thus the reader) to situations and conversations that help to move the story along and also provide useful background for the reader. For example, in one scene, Anastasia sneaks out of the palace at night to accompany Sasha to a filthy campground which houses thousands of poor people, living in unimaginable squalor not far from the ultra-privileged life of the young duchess. This provides background for the reader on the dire economic circumstances in Russia at this time, which would undoubtedly be hidden from the duchess. Also, there is no doubt that Sasha provides a dashing, brave romantic interest which adds tremendously to the already dramatic story.

An epilogue explains to readers how the royal family was eventually executed in Yekaterinburg, Siberia, but that since the secret graves where the bodies were dumped were not found until the 1990's, for many years speculation ran rampant that Anastasia and possibly her brother, the heir, may have escaped alive. Recent DNA testing from 2009 on the remains has finally put these long-standing rumors to rest.

The powerful Russian tsar has a German wife, four daughters and one son. Being the youngest daughter, Anastasia is often dismissed or forgotten. She likes to play the role of a clown to make her family laugh. But even being in this position has its privileges. Anastasia's world is safely wrapped up in a luxurious package, tightly bound with family love. She enjoys the finest clothes, private tutors, rich cuisine, and plenty of armed guards to keep her safe. She has all the material things a girl could ask for, plus she's blessed to live in the shine of her family's love. The royal family is very close and supportive of each other, with the sisters being the best of friends and everyone adoring the youngest, Alexi, the next in line for the throne. When Alexi falls ill with one of his frequent attacks, the entire family joins forces to aid in his recovery.

One day, Anastasia slips unnoticed into the garden and discovers someone else who has crept away for some quiet time. His name is Sasha, and he is a young guard in the tsar's army. Anastasia and Sasha bond right away, but their newly-formed friendship must remain hidden. She relishes her secret and her new friend, and it becomes a game to find ways to communicate and arrange meetings with him. Sasha also opens her eyes to life outside of the palace --- to the poverty, the starvation, the political opinions. He tells her the truth of the world, and as the years pass, the two begin to fall in love.

As their love grows, Russia starts to fall apart into violent pieces. War erupts. Some begin to doubt Anastasia's mother's loyalty as she was born German. Then some in the Russian rebellion take control and place the royal family under arrest. Anastasia and her family are now prisoners who fear for their lives. And Sasha is one of their guards.

Susanne Dunlap has brought history to life in ANASTASIA'S SECRET. She tackles this work of historical fiction with grace and honesty, accuracy and conviction. She sticks to the historical facts as closely as possible and then fills in the fiction with an intuitive imagination. The story moves along at a steady pace; the secretive and romantic meetings with Sasha add a flair of mystery and excitement, as the family's downfall implores sympathy and concern. Dunlap does a great job maturing Anastasia from a little girl to a young woman; readers will connect with the character, feeling both her heartaches and elations. The author writes with an elegant and classy style, right in the running with Louisa May Alcott and Jane Austen.

ANASTASIA'S SECRET is Dunlap's second novel, and with her vast writing talent, it certainly won't be her last.

I was really disappointed in this book, thought it was poorly done. I had bought this book for my daughter to read who is 12. I was shocked at the expliciet nature of this book. Anastasia is all of hours of being 16 when she has sex. If I could give this book a 0 that would be my rating. I wish publishers would come out with some way of rating books so I don't have to waist my money on trash. I read alot of teen books and this has been the first to be so expliciet. Hope this will help other moms.

In the authors note at the end of Anastasia's Secret, Susanne Dunlap said she was scared to be writing in first person point of view of an actually historical character but she had absolutely no to reason to be. Susanne did an outstanding job, most of the time I felt like I was reading from a diary that Anastasia herself wrote.


I've read and watched so many different things about Anastasia, but Susanne Dunlap is by far one of my favorites. Her novel was more about what actually happened (with a fictional romance thrown in) then most stories about the myths and mysteries. Anastasia's Secret was very historically accurate with a few things moved around for the plot, which Susanne even tells you about in her Author's Note at the end.

I loved the romance, but I wish I new more about Sasha, the soldier Anastasia falls for. He's also the one that gives her the information about what's actually going on in Russia. While he's a huge part of the story you don't actually know much about him as a person, but I guess there never was too much time to talk about their feelings in the secret romance. They had to be so careful about their meetings, and couldn't let anyone find. Especially toward the end of the book, it's what keeps the reader on the edge and flipping through the pages.

I really enjoyed this Anastasia's Secret. It held my attention from the beginning to the very end. Even though I cried, since it's a historically actuate book if you know the story of the Romanov's you know how it ends. But just incase you live under a rock and slept through your history classes, I'll keep by mouth shut. (Well I guess I mean I'll keep my fingers from typing.)

Perfect timing! We just finished our unit on Russian history at school, so I couldn't wait to jump into Anastasia's Secret. I have been interested in her story since I watched the animated Anastasia movie.

I love every single thing about Anastasia's Secret. All of it!

The historical references are accurate and complete with detailed descriptions. The perfect amount of background information (including how to understand the elaborate Russian names) is included at the beginning to set the stage. Susanne Dunlap clearly presents events from this time period without sounding like she is teaching a history lesson.

Oh, Anastasia is such a wonderful character. I love how her day-to-day life is described, both in the royal palace and in Siberia. The romance that grows between Anastasia and her guard, Sasha, is sweet and believable. I know this relationship is fictional, but I like how it is used to move the story along and tie things together.

I knew ahead of time how Anastasia's life was going to turn out, and I appreciate how Susanne Dunlap handles it. While the story ends as Anastasia must make a choice, the final outcome is left for an epilogue. Nicely done.

Anastasia's Secret offers a look into the fascinating story of this Russian princess along with a secret and forbidden romance.

RATING

5 Loved

COVER COMMENTS

While very simple, this cover captures Anastasia perfectly. Her royal standing is obvious by her lace sleeve, pearl necklace, and styled hair. She is looking off to the side, perhaps at Sasha.