Book Review : Anastasia's Secret by Susanne Dunlap

 

Anastasia's Secret by Susanne Dunlap

Available on The Book Depository

Synopsis

For Anastasia Romanov, life as the privileged daughter of Russia's last tsar is about to be torn apart by the bloodshed of revolution. Ousted from the imperial palace when the Bolsheviks seize control of the government, Anastasia and her family are exiled to Siberia. But even while the rebels debate the family's future with agonizing slowness and the threat to their lives grows more menacing, romance quietly blooms between Anastasia and Sasha, a sympathetic young guard she has known since childhood. But will the strength of their love be enough to save Anastasia from a violent death?

Review

Anastasia's Secret is a book that adheres to the history with precision (besides Anastasia's budding romance with a barrack soldier named Sasha), but sadly I don't see much imagination and creativity. The familial ties were quite touching, though. They stayed together until the end even though they knew it may mean imminent death. There was little appearance of the mysterious "holy man" called Rasputin, and the author dismissed him easily by proceeding quickly to his death. 

I had hoped the author would take a more daring approach to the storytelling rather than sticking to the safe zone. As the fate of the Grand Duchess Anastasia is still a mystery, I would appreciate it if Susanne Dunlap had injected a portion of her wild imagination and ended the story with a twist.

I would say that Anastasia's Secret is rather well-written, but there is still much room for improvement. And a kind note of reminder, the summary at the back cover of the book should only describe happenings within 50 pages of the novel. You never want to give too much away - always keep your best card until the end.

 Rating:

About The Author

Susanne Dunlap is the author of six works of historical fiction. Two are for the adult market (Emilie's Voice and Liszt's Kiss, both published by Touchstone books of Simon & Schuster). Three are for the young adult market (The Musician's Daughter, Anastasia's Secret, In the Shadow of the Lamp, and the forthcoming The Academie, published by Bloomsbury). A graduate of Smith College with a PhD in Music History from Yale University, Susanne grew up in Buffalo, New York and has lived in London, New York and Northampton, MA. She now divides her time between Brooklyn and Northampton, has two grown daughters, two granddaughters, and is an avid cyclist and dog lover.

http://www.susannedunlap.com

Book Review: Trust: A New Beginning by Cristiane Serruya

                      Trust: A New Beginning by Cristiane Serruya

Trust: A New Beginning

Author: Cristiane Serruya

ISBN 13: 978-1480236295

Format: Ebook and Paperback, 395 pages.

Genre: Contemporary romance.

Buy The Book (Like seriously, go get it):
                                          Amazon.com

From Goodreads

They are beautiful. They are rich. They are strong willed and successful. They have everything, but love. And each one of them has a dark secret looming in their past.

Sophia is a 25 year old Brazilian widow. Intelligent and ravishing, she flees from her own country after a tragic incident. Hiding from everyone and everything, she remains alone, torn between the love for a dead man, the torment of living without part of her memory and the fear of moving on. 

Ethan is one of the most important tycoons in the steel industry. As the memory of an awful evening in his adolescence haunts him night and day, he keeps looking for an elusive woman whom he could love - and who would love him - as he never has in all his 35 years... Until he finds Sophia. 

Alistair is a 34 year old powerful banker, searching for one–night stands with women who will warm his bed. And that he can punish physically to abate his anger for his late wife's black deeds and his own guilt for being such a debauched man for so many years. Any woman will do, and he has many to choose from, as they all fall instantly for his manly, devilish charming ways.

In Europe, in the months after October 2009, their paths will cross and clash. Who will win the prize of love?

First of all, I’d have to say that this is definitely a great series. Never have I ever read a book with so much description in it. Everything was written with so many details that I was able to clearly imagine the scenes in my head. In my opinion, this is the kind of story that will keep a person reading all night long, not wanting to stop because you just have to know what happens next.

However, pages upon pages of what the characters wear, what they have for lunch and dinner, which does nothing to move the plot kind of made it feel a little bit draggy. But aside from that, I’d say that it was a pleasant read for me, especially after going through the second half of the book where the plot started to develop and I get to know the real story of each of the main character.

This is a story that revolves around three extremely rich, powerful and GOOD LOOKING people in search of the one thing they lack in life, which is love. And oh, not to forget, the hot sex scenes were finely written. It was very, very hard for me to read it in public as I’d have to stop reading it few minutes before I was able to get up of my seat and walk away, if you know what I mean. Hehe

Personally, I think that this story proves the saying that ‘Money can’t buy you happiness’ as although all of the main characters are ridiculously wealthy, there will always be that emptiness inside them that could only be filled by love.

Lastly, I do have to say that ending the book the way Cristiane did was a bit annoying as I was just starting to really get into the book. I do understand that it was a cliff hanger, though, and as I’ve told her before, if the next book is not going to come out anytime soon, I would be really really upset.

So yeah, I totally recommend all of you readers out there that are looking for a good romance series to get this book ASAP and start reading it because I assure you that it is definitely worth reading. 

                                                Good!!

                                                     

                                            Note of Thanks
 Thank you soooo much Cris for the wonderful signed, paperback copy of Trust: A New Beginning! 

Cristiane Serruya is a lawyer living in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with her husband and two daughters, who specializes in cases of sexual abuse and violence against children and women. She also have a Masters in Business Law and a BA in Fine Arts.

 

"I've always loved to read, write and listen to music. I lived and studied in England, France, Italy and Switzerland. Traveling is one of my passions - as is keeping fit and healthy. 

After twenty-two years of practicing law, I decided to give writing a go. And - amazingly - it was just the piece that was missing in my life."- Cris

Book Review : Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1) by Sarah J. Maas

Synopsis

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.

Her opponents are men—thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the kings council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she’ll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom.

Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she’s bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it’s the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

Review

 

I read this freaking book in one sitting, for a straight 8 hours, when I should be revising for my end-of-the-semester tests! I’m crazy!

Alright, over with the mindless ramble. Let’s get on to the review for Throne of Glass!

At first I didn’t really like the author’s writing style because it was somewhat strange and clipped, but I started to adapt to it after a few chapters. Initially, Celaena Sardothien did not appeal to me as the most-feared assassin, because everything was all talk and no show.

The first few chapters were a little boring because pretty much nothing happened except for the initial “ice-breaking sessions”.

However, as the story progresses, I found out that Celaena is much more than meets the eye. Her inner strength, resilience and sharp wits are among the characteristics which I found deeply inspiring, especially after what she has gone through in her life. Adarlan’s Assassin is a soubriquet most fitted for her.

Prince Dorian. I did not have good feelings for this man although he was portrayed as a handsome, debonair heir of the throne mainly because 1) he is a womanizer and 2) his reckless and devil-may-care attitude irks me. His growing relationship with Calaena slowly brings out a different side of him: a soft soul, a man who hates war and destruction and a boy wanting to change his father’s bloodlust ways of conquering foreign nations. And so, I slowly came to understand him and the motives behind his self-indulgence. I quite enjoyed his banter with Calaena, although I’m still not in love with him.

Chaol, on the other hand, is someone who always stands quietly by Celaena’s side, offering her friendship and guidance.  He obviously has some buried feelings for Calaena, but he fears that he might lose his heart to the most notorious killer in the country. Or risk his friendship with Prince Dorian, who has a growing affection towards the girl as well. I might say that he may be a little too dull for my liking, even though he has displayed his courage and loyalty towards those he cared.

Overall, Throne of Glass is an accomplished debut novel; it has action, drama, plot twisters and the unforgettable element of romance. Put it simply, this is a book that teens would immensely enjoy. Fans of Maria V. Snyder and Cassandra Clare, I would heartily recommend you to pick up a copy of Throne of Glass!

Rating:    
Sarah J. Maas lives in Southern California, and over the years, she has developed an unhealthy appreciation for Disney movies and bad pop music. She adores fairy tales and ballet, drinks too much coffee, and watches absolutely rubbish TV shows. When she's not busy writing YA fantasy novels, she can be found exploring the California coastline.