My rating:
ONE GIRL WILL BRING AN EMPIRE TO ITS KNEES...
Before she can become the greatest empress in history, fifteen-year-old Sophie will have to survive her social-climbing mother’s quest to put her on the throne of Russia—at any cost.
Imperial Court holds dangers like nothing Sophie has ever faced before. In the heart of St. Petersburg, surviving means navigating the political, romantic, and religious demands of the bitter Empress Elizabeth and her handsome, but sadistic nephew, Peter. Determined to save her impoverished family—and herself—Sophie vows to do whatever is necessary to thrive in her new surroundings. But an attempt on her life and an unexpected attraction threatens to derail her plans.
Alone in a new and dangerous world, learning who to trust and who to charm may mean the difference between becoming queen and being sent home in shame to marry her lecherous uncle. With traitors and murderers lurking around every corner, her very life hangs in the balance. Betrothed to one man but falling in love with another, Sophie will need to decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice in order to become the empress she is destined to be.
In a battle for the soul of a nation, will love or destiny reign supreme?
Before she can become the greatest empress in history, fifteen-year-old Sophie will have to survive her social-climbing mother’s quest to put her on the throne of Russia—at any cost.
Imperial Court holds dangers like nothing Sophie has ever faced before. In the heart of St. Petersburg, surviving means navigating the political, romantic, and religious demands of the bitter Empress Elizabeth and her handsome, but sadistic nephew, Peter. Determined to save her impoverished family—and herself—Sophie vows to do whatever is necessary to thrive in her new surroundings. But an attempt on her life and an unexpected attraction threatens to derail her plans.
Alone in a new and dangerous world, learning who to trust and who to charm may mean the difference between becoming queen and being sent home in shame to marry her lecherous uncle. With traitors and murderers lurking around every corner, her very life hangs in the balance. Betrothed to one man but falling in love with another, Sophie will need to decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice in order to become the empress she is destined to be.
In a battle for the soul of a nation, will love or destiny reign supreme?
It's a good thing I don't know much about the Russian monarchy, or else, I wouldn't have liked this book. Because honestly, the end is what actually made me like this book, if it wasn't for that, I would probably have hated this. And here are the following reasons why, I was so sure I was going to hate it.
1. Insta-love. Oh yes. And not once, but twice? trice?
2. To make matters worse... there was
a love triangle
no scratch that... love square... yes... oh the horror!!!
That's just two... but they're my ultimate pet peeves when it comes to books. I don't like insta-love. They're a bunch of crap. But could forgivable on some instances (which is not so often). To add to the insta-love, a love square... and that's even worse than a love triangle! I mean come on, the main character really has to have that much admirers? Really? So... I was so ready to hate this book.. Surprisingly though, after I got passed those things on the first part of the book... I started to enjoy it , thus the 4 star rating. And that ending...oh boy.
So here's a little summary of what this book is about.
Everything changed when i turned fourteen. Though still a girl by any accounts, Mother was desperate to see me wed. I didn't learn until much later of our family's dire financial situation, or that Father was in danger of forfeiting his family properties.
Princess Sophie, being in the position that her family is at the moment, is required to marry either her old uncle or her cousin, Peter, heir to the throne of Russia. Sophie always had the favor of the Empress of Russia. So when the Empress sent her an invitation for her to visit the Russian Court, Sophie's mother didn't waste time to making sure she gets there.
On the way to the Russian court, Sophie and her mother's carriage was unexpectedly held up.
There are sounds of scuffle, and the unmistakable ring of a steel blade being drawn from its sheath. The sled rocks sideways as someone knocks into it.
They were being attacked by unknown assailants and their guards were no match for them.
Quickly, I lift the hem of my brown wool gown and slip a knife from my boot. Mother opens her mouth, I'm sure to chastise me for being such an unladylike thing as having a knife hidden on my person, but I silence her with a finger to my lips.
Sophie knew she has to defend herself and her mother somehow. Being trained by her father to handle herself in times like this, she was determined to fight back. After having the assailant chase after her for what seems like a long time, someone came to her rescue.
"Princess Sophia? I'm Sergei Salkov of Her Majesty's Imperial Court. I'm here to rescue you."
Sophie and her mother were escorted by Sergei and his men to court. She then finds out that not a lot of people were happy with the alliance that would be forged between Russia and Perussia. There are people against this merge. Therefore, there will be people who would show her dislike, or worse, threaten her life, just so that the union between her and Peter doesn't happen.
"It's not Peter's heart you should be concerned with. You must win the heart of the empire.
To regain the honor of her family, she must do whatever it takes to not only get the heart of Peter, but also the whole Russian empire. But could she?
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WARNING: This part might contain minor or major spoilers... If you have not read this, please skip this part of the review to my final ramblings.
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LET'S TALK ABOUT THE CHARACTERS
Sophia/Catherine: She's one of those characters you either love, hate, or have mixed feelings over. And I honestly, could not determine whether I like her or not. For one, that insta-love thingy she had going on for almost all of the guys she got introduced to... except maybe her Uncle, who was disgustingly old, and was not in the book only mentioned in passing.... just annoyed the shit out of me. I mean what the hell? She was googly eyes on all three of them.
For Sergei:
Sergei smiles, winking at me behind her back. I catch his eye, and a small warmth forms in my belly.
That line right there already had my eye rolling. That was on the first chapter. I think there was a few more times with two other people: Alexander and of course, Peter. I don't want to quote all of them, but honestly, they were a bit annoying.
So putting the insta-love aspect aside, Sophie was strong-willed and smart, qualities I love in my female protagonist. Given the situation she was in, she made the most out of it. Despite her disinterest in the crown, she was willing to do it for her family and also for herself. And really towards the end, is when I really fell in love with her. I liked how she showed the bastard Peter who was boss.
Sergei: Oh boy. Did this guy surprise me. I liked how loyal he was to Sophie. I'm just not exactly sure what his relationship really was with the Empress, but as far as with Sophie, he had always been there for her, even with the little stunt she made with Alexander. He remained by her side... I'm just not sure how long on the second book, because after I read the summary of Catherine the Great's life... he seem to have vanished at some point... Anyways, I loved him on this book. But it wasn't him I was exactly rooting for.
Alexander: Now I love this guy. Seriously. First time I met him, I was smitten. I loved that he loved books and could easily quote from them. It was a bit cheesy at times, but what the heck? I love my guy sweet and cheesy and all that. Reading through this book, I felt that he was the one who sincerely love Sophie the most. When the conflict came, I was heartbroken really. The way everything had been forced on bother Sophie and him... I was brokenhearted for them both. But being the gentleman that he was, he accepted it without complain. Oh boy. I fell for this guy.
Peter the fucktard Great: Oh do I hate this guy. There are some villans that you'd love to hate but couldn't. But there are also some villans that despite not wanting to hate them, you'll hate them tremendously. And Peter belong to the latter. I strongly hate this guy. One, he's a fucking brute. Two, he thinks he's everything. Three, he's so immature. Four, he's a future king who would probably leave Russia in ruins. Five, he's a pig. Six, he's an asshole. Seven, he's a douche. Eight, do I really need an eight????
Supporting Characters: I liked the Empress, but hated Sophie's mom who was a selfish and spoiled. She wanted things for herself and not for her daughter. I could not even believe it. I could not. I get that maybe, during those times, your daughter being married to a future king might be a priviledge, but *shakes head* I could not even begin to explain how angry her mother made me feel.
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Thumbs Up:
1. The last few chapters. Oh boy. There weren't any fight scenes mind you, but the exchange of words, the revelation. Oh boy I loved it. But like I said on the start of this review, if I'd known more of the story of Catherine the Great, I probably wouldn't have been too surprised. So lucky for me, I didn't read about Catherine the Great until after reading so... This book was good for me.
2. Sophie's character development. She started out as this girl who was too busy looking at boys, to a girl who manipulated the situation to her advantage.
Thumbs Down:
1. Like I said, insta-fucking-love.
2. Love-triange-of-doom
3. Peter i really hate youuuuu!!!!
4. The first few chapters of the book
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FINAL RAMBLINGS:
Like what my friend Lola said in her review, this book is not for everybody. And I definitely agree with her on that. For those very familiar to Catherine's story, they probably wouldn't like it as much as I did, because they knew what will happen, or at least have a clue. I went into this historical fiction blind. Basically, not knowing anything what will happen so I was at the tip of my toes the entire time. I think I won't be able to say the same for others who knew about Catherine the Great.
I would have to say that the twist towards the end made this book for me more than anything else. I probably would have rated this book a 2, if it wasn't for that, and also the way Sophie's character evolved into more than just the an innocent girl who was chucked into court by her mother for marriage.
A good character development and a wicked plot twist is enough for me to disregard an unrealistic insta-love and a stupid love square.
Would I recommend this? I would probably just recommend this to people who love an easy historical fiction read, who don't mind a love triangle and insta-love.
If you've read this, please comment below on what you thought about it.
I have heard such mixed reviews on this book. The idea of insta-love kind of kills it for me as well as the love-square. But, knowing me, I'll probably cave in a few months and read it anyways :-)
ReplyDeleteTrue. I hated the insta-love and love-square but really... The rest of it was pretty good. Looking forward to your thoughts about this if ever you get around to reading it. :D
DeleteOoh sounds pretty good (besides the insta-love part) I think I'll give this a try!
ReplyDeleteLovely review, Sandee! :D
~Carina @http://myaddictionbooks.blogspot.com
Thanks Carina! :)
DeleteGreat review, I'm thinking about reading this :)
ReplyDeletehttp://enchantedbyya.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/teaser-tuesday-18.html
I've been hearing such mixed things about this book. Either people love it or they hate it with a passion. By the way, I've tagged you in the Opposites Book post if you want to do it. :-) http://tarabelletalking.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-opposite-book-tag.html
ReplyDeleteI'll give the opposites tag a go when I could. :)
DeleteThanks for tagging me Britt! :)
I tagged you to do the Creatures of the Night Tag, and you can see more on my post: http://enchantedbyya.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/creatures-of-night-tag.html
ReplyDeleteI've seen this book around a bit and I was kind of unsure. Your review is great and gives a lot of insight into the book but for some odd reason I feel more compelled to read it now :P Go figure!
ReplyDeleteHey! I nominated you for the Liebster Award! Congratulations! You can check out my post here : http://bringontheink.blogspot.com/2014/11/three-birds-with-one-stone.html
ReplyDelete