Tsarina by Ellen AlpstenMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Tsarina is a breathtaking epic historical novel about the rise of Empress Catherine the First of Russia. She is born a poor girl named Marta who is taken into a German home to work. She is always a beautiful girl and then woman and when she manages to flee to claim her independence, she catches the eye of the Tsar of Russia, Peter.
This story is full of a richness of atmosphere and detail that lets the reader truly feel compassion and understanding for the choices Marta makes throughout her life. She has many struggles and joy throughout her life. She becomes the partner to Peter and has many pregnancies, fewer living children before he even marries her. She allows Peter to “rename” her, Catherine, when they begin to have a relationship. She essentially has to decide how much she is willing to give of herself in order to be the wife to Peter. Peter is a complex character who can be a loving man to his partner but he is also a tyrant who does terrible, spiteful acts as well. He has very little emotional control and she often bears the brunt of his rage. She alone is often the person most able to tell him difficult facts. These facts sometimes sway his plots and other times do not. The atrocities he committed, as well as the lavish lifestyle were often issues that weighed heavily on Catherine.
Ultimately, Marta/Catherine is a fascinating figure who became the first Empress of Russia. She also remained true to her roots and was a real person who understood the hardships of her people.
This is absolutely a must read for historical fiction lovers, especially anyone interested in the history of Russia.
Beautifully written.
#Tsarina #Netgalley #StMartinsPress
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