Title: Daughters of a Dead Empire
Author: Carolyn Tara O’Neil
Publisher: Macmillan Children’s
Publication date: February 22, 2022
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Summary
Set in Russia during the first World War in Russia, Anna is running for her life. Her entire family was just massacred by the Bolshevik rebels, and now they’re after her. She will be safe if she can reach the Tsarist army. But first, she has to convince a girl to help smuggle her across communist territory.
Evgenia is that girl, desperately looking for money to help her brother who was injured in the Red army. She agrees to help Anna in exchange for jewels, but little does she know the danger she’s getting herself into. Now, Evgenia is on the run with Anna, with a Red commander close on their heels. In order to survive, they have to learn how to trust each other.
Review: Daughters of a Dead Empire
Thanks to Macmillan Children’s and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this to review! I think the publication date got pushed back a bit due to the chaos that is the world of publishing at the moment, but you’ll definitely want to keep an eye out for this historical fiction come February!
I don’t know how I missed it, but I didn’t really realize this was an Anastasia story until probably about halfway through the book. Maybe I’m just oblivious. The structure of the book, though, obscures Anna’s true identity for most of the book, giving you information in just bits and pieces. I think this helps to add to the overall tension of the story, quickly moving you through the dangerous Russian countryside.
Both of the main characters are equally fleshed out, and the way their relationship evolves throughout the story feels so effortless. Some of the side characters also help in providing context and giving you a good feel for the time period this is set in. I haven’t read a whole lot about this particular time in Russia, but the author gives you plenty of resources in the back of the book if you’re interested and want to keep reading.
This is a historical fiction novel, but it also reads a bit like a thriller. The tension is well-done throughout the book, making you want to keep reading to see what happens next. Fans of authors like Ruta Sepetys will definitely enjoy this new voice in YA historical fiction.
4/5 stars