What really happened to Anastasia Romanov?
Anastasia Romanov thought she would never feel more alone than when the gunfire started and her fa... read full description
reviews
Aug 04, 2011
Amanda
rated it: 
I want to preface this by saying I really hate hurting anyone’s feelings, so it might be best if those who love this book (or the author, if she happens to come by) don’t read any further. This will be a negative review. I will do my best to remain neutral and polite, but I will still tell everyone what bothered me about this book. Remember also that I read through a writer’s or an editor’s lens, not a reader’s.
Minor spoilers to follow.
First, let me start with the positive: t More...
Minor spoilers to follow.
First, let me start with the positive: t More...
5 comments
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(6 people liked it)
Jun 11, 2010
Kate
rated it: 
I am not going to lie, I had HUGE expectations for this book. And I am very happy to report, Preble did not disappoint me. The book features an intriguing premise that is sure to captivate any reader with an interest in Russia history and folklore. This book drew me in rather quickly, and did not let go. The plot is very well paced. It is not too fast, but not too slow. In addition, every aspect regarding Anastasia and her life has been wonderfully researched and blends together seamlessly in th
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Apr 16, 2011
Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids
rated it: 
I was drawn to the book by it's cover and the premise of the story. It's a great mix of Russian folklore, historical fiction, romance and supernatural powers. I felt that Joy was able to capture all these wonderful elements and weave them together into a great modern day story. I liked that the book is from three points of views. Anne, Ethan and Anastasia's. Through each of their points of views, we get to learn more about them. I enjoyed that through Anastasia's pov, we learn more about the Rus
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Oct 31, 2011
Kevin
rated it:
Sadly, I had high expectations for Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble. I say sadly because had my expectations been twice as high, Ms. Preble would have exceeded them easily.
This was my first time reading a YA novel. I picked it up because the premise of the book sounded intriguing. The blurb alone gave a clue to the treatment of the subject and on that basis I launched into it.
I didn’t expect much from the genre especially the genre handled by a début novelist. With luc More...
This was my first time reading a YA novel. I picked it up because the premise of the book sounded intriguing. The blurb alone gave a clue to the treatment of the subject and on that basis I launched into it.
I didn’t expect much from the genre especially the genre handled by a début novelist. With luc More...
Oct 21, 2011
Emily
rated it: 
From Books and Threads.
This was an odd little book that, despite the subject of Anastasia Romanov, really felt completely original as I read it. Perhaps it’s in part because there are so few retellings of Russian fairy tales – or Russian influence on typical young adult paranormal books, but while some of the elements were familiar, the story as a whole was incredibly fresh.
We start with Anna, a modern Chicagoland teenager, who’s having weird dreams of another teen girl trap More...
This was an odd little book that, despite the subject of Anastasia Romanov, really felt completely original as I read it. Perhaps it’s in part because there are so few retellings of Russian fairy tales – or Russian influence on typical young adult paranormal books, but while some of the elements were familiar, the story as a whole was incredibly fresh.
We start with Anna, a modern Chicagoland teenager, who’s having weird dreams of another teen girl trap More...
Sep 17, 2011
Lisa
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
May 12, 2011
V.E.
rated it:
This book had so many wonderful elements that could have made the book work perfectly, but the plot was not able to make them stick together properly.
Things I got excited about:
Russia (I have a lasting obsession with this country)
A Matroyshka doll
Folklore - with witches and metal teeth
Hot guy (who is also Russian)
Magic
But sadly they didn't work because the plot did not allow for any deep reflection or self-realization. Also, the shifting perspectives di More...
Things I got excited about:
Russia (I have a lasting obsession with this country)
A Matroyshka doll
Folklore - with witches and metal teeth
Hot guy (who is also Russian)
Magic
But sadly they didn't work because the plot did not allow for any deep reflection or self-realization. Also, the shifting perspectives di More...
Feb 24, 2011
WilowRaven
rated it:
The possibility of Anastasia Romanov surviving the horrific murder of her family in that dark basement so many years ago is a tale most of us have heard before. The story that Joy has created in Dreaming Anastasia is one I'm sure you have never heard before. Straight out of fantasy - a fantasy that involves a secret bloodline, magic spells and the witch Baba Yaga, Dreaming Anastasia was an absorbing read for me.
Set against the backdrop of modern day Chicago we meet Anne. A seemingly More...
Set against the backdrop of modern day Chicago we meet Anne. A seemingly More...
Jan 24, 2011
Linda
rated it:
I've always been a sucker for books, both biographical and fiction, involving the Romanovs, the last royal Russian family, who were brutally murdered in 1918. I've always been especially fascinated with Anastasia, the fourth and youngest daughter who caused so much controversy a few years ago when a woman claimed to be her, escaped from assassination. I bought this book hoping it would be about that Anastasia and it is! Anne, a present time girl of 16 dreams about Anastasia and then a handsome H
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Dec 09, 2010
Terri
rated it: 
Everybody’s read about the Russian aristocracy and the Romanov family. Anyone who hasn’t read about it has seen the animated version from 1997 (Meg Ryan, John Cusack, it’s super).
Joy Preble’s debut novel uses the history and the legend of Anastasia and the 1918 murder of the last sovereigns of Imperial Russia as the background of the story that plays out in the present day. Anne Michaelson is struggling to live her everyday life after the death of her brother, and has begun having More...
Joy Preble’s debut novel uses the history and the legend of Anastasia and the 1918 murder of the last sovereigns of Imperial Russia as the background of the story that plays out in the present day. Anne Michaelson is struggling to live her everyday life after the death of her brother, and has begun having More...
Oct 25, 2010
Ana-lauren
rated it:
I rarely take the time to write negative reviews, as with most books even if I don't enjoy them I can understand how someone else might appreciate them. For this book I am making an exception because it was just so awful. Fair warning, I did not finish this book. I am merely commenting on the reasons I couldn't force myself to continue.
The sad part is that the idea behind it was really intriguing to me. I think the history of the Romanov's and the mystery that surrounded Anastasia is More...
The sad part is that the idea behind it was really intriguing to me. I think the history of the Romanov's and the mystery that surrounded Anastasia is More...
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(1 person liked it)
Apr 01, 2010
Sami
rated it:
Anastasia Romanov thought she would never feel more alone than when the gunfire started and her family began to fall around her. Surely the bullets would come for her next. But they didn't. Instead, two gnarled old hands reached for her. When she wakes up she discovers that she is in the ancient hut of the witch Baba Yaga, and that some things are worse than being dead.
In modern-day Chicago, Anne doesn't know much about Russian history. She is more concerned about getting into a good More...
In modern-day Chicago, Anne doesn't know much about Russian history. She is more concerned about getting into a good More...
2 comments
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(3 people liked it)
Feb 06, 2010
Lexie
rated it:
The story of the last daughter of the Romanov clan is probably one that most young girls hear at an early age. A lost princess, rumors that she survived and is in the world somewhere, and the demonic Rasputin who defied attempts to control and kill him--its a true modern fairy tale. Preble's take on the mystery and legend is unique and enthralling, mixing the few facts we know, Russian folk lore and modern day.
The inclusion of Baba Yaga, the proverbial witch in the woods of Russian More...
The inclusion of Baba Yaga, the proverbial witch in the woods of Russian More...
Jan 31, 2010
Endochick
rated it:
I LOVE this book! "Dreaming Anastasia" is seriously off the charts excellent! I couldn't put it down. Just like the cover says, it has magic, love, power, and dreams - and is every bit as romantic as Twilight. This is one of my favorite books of all time - and I am an avid reader!
One day, at Barnes and Noble (again with my neice), I came across "Dreaming Anastasia" (also in the Young Adult section). I've always been interested in Russian romances, the lore More...
One day, at Barnes and Noble (again with my neice), I came across "Dreaming Anastasia" (also in the Young Adult section). I've always been interested in Russian romances, the lore More...
0 comments
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(3 people liked it)
Dec 17, 2009
Arielle
rated it:
I am a huge fan of anything that has to do with Anastasia, so when I spotted this book at Borders I just knew I had to read it. The premise of the whole novel was intriguing and I couldn't wait to see how Joy Preble wrote it all out. I liked reading this and I couldn't put this book down and found myself turning the pages in anticipation to see what would happen to the characters. I found this novel to be a great read for the most part. But to every great read, there has to be some buts. To be c
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(2 people liked it)
Oct 09, 2009
Katie
rated it:
Reviewed from purchased copy.
Anne’s normal life — filled with college choices, ballet classes, and family issues — is turned upside down when mysterious stranger Ethan walks into her life. Ethan’s world revolves around Anastasia Romanov, the mystery of her disappearance, and Anne. Anne would love to ignore Ethan’s requests and presence…if it weren’t for the detailed dreams that she’s been having. Dreams that she’s pretty sure are all about Anastasia.
I really enjoyed this book More...
Anne’s normal life — filled with college choices, ballet classes, and family issues — is turned upside down when mysterious stranger Ethan walks into her life. Ethan’s world revolves around Anastasia Romanov, the mystery of her disappearance, and Anne. Anne would love to ignore Ethan’s requests and presence…if it weren’t for the detailed dreams that she’s been having. Dreams that she’s pretty sure are all about Anastasia.
I really enjoyed this book More...
Sep 27, 2009
Michelle
rated it:
Dreaming Anastasia was an enjoyable read from start to finish. So enjoyable, in fact, that it’s gotten me interested in reading more about the Romanov’s and their history. I, of course, know vague high school level details of the events but the plot in this story fictionalized elements so interestingly that I’m intrigued to find out more. This is a testament to Preble’s ability to interweave fact with fiction thus making it entirely believable that this young princess was swept away by magic to
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Sep 19, 2009
Books and Literature for Teens
rated it:
With a mixture of paranormal fantasy, contemporary and historical fiction, Dreaming Anastasia is a magical tale of dreams, folklore, and of course, Anastasia.
I enjoyed Dreaming Anastasia not just for the unique build on the mysterious disappearance of Anastasia Romanov, but for the stunning writing and backdrops of this book. From the streets of Chicago to the forest of Baba Yaga, Preble did a fantastic job on her debut novel!
The characters were well created and I really loved reading what three More...
I enjoyed Dreaming Anastasia not just for the unique build on the mysterious disappearance of Anastasia Romanov, but for the stunning writing and backdrops of this book. From the streets of Chicago to the forest of Baba Yaga, Preble did a fantastic job on her debut novel!
The characters were well created and I really loved reading what three More...
Sep 03, 2009
Katie(babs)
rated it:
When Anne and her best friend Tess attend the Sunday matinee of Swan Lake, she never expected to catch the eye of a hunky older boy who watches her all through the performance. Anne finds his staring to be very uncomfortable. What Anne doesn’t know is that her stalker, as she names him, needs her because she is the answer to a century old mystery regarding the doomed Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov. The history books tell of the Romanov family being assassinated in 1918 and of the Tsar’s lost da
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Aug 20, 2009
Jennifer
rated it:
Reviewed by Marta Morrison for TeensReadToo.com
Anne is a typical American high school student. She is more worried about what college she will get into than Russian history.
But she keeps having a strange dream over and over again. This dream is about Anastasia, the youngest daughter of Tzar Nicholas. Nicholas was the last reining Tzar of Russia and his whole family was gunned down in the basement of their house.
Then in walks Ethan. He is an attractive stranger More...
Anne is a typical American high school student. She is more worried about what college she will get into than Russian history.
But she keeps having a strange dream over and over again. This dream is about Anastasia, the youngest daughter of Tzar Nicholas. Nicholas was the last reining Tzar of Russia and his whole family was gunned down in the basement of their house.
Then in walks Ethan. He is an attractive stranger More...
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(1 person liked it)
Feb 15, 2011
Kari
rated it:
From my blog:
The Past
Anastasia Romanov was a daughter of the last Tsar of Russia. History tells us that the entire Romanov family was brutally massacred. But, in a strange and magical series of events, Anastasia is alive. Held captive by the evil witch Baba Yaga in an unknown hut that's in an unknown forest, she is trapped in a timeless prison where she doesn't age and cannot escape. She knows that somewhere in the future, a girl will be found that holds the key to her freedom More...
The Past
Anastasia Romanov was a daughter of the last Tsar of Russia. History tells us that the entire Romanov family was brutally massacred. But, in a strange and magical series of events, Anastasia is alive. Held captive by the evil witch Baba Yaga in an unknown hut that's in an unknown forest, she is trapped in a timeless prison where she doesn't age and cannot escape. She knows that somewhere in the future, a girl will be found that holds the key to her freedom More...
Aug 21, 2011
Hope
rated it:
This is another book that I got from my local library. The reason I picked up this book is because of the title, I love Russian history and one of my favourite time periods are the Romanov’s. I was always interested in Anastasia and her family. I also read a lot of non-fiction books, which I do not review, but this time I though it would be interesting to read some fiction about Romanov’s.
This book was not that good, first this it was written in first person and it just did not More...
This book was not that good, first this it was written in first person and it just did not More...
Feb 28, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
I have always had a dread fascination with the demise of the Romanov dynasty, most especially with the Crown Prince and mysterious Anastasia. For a YA novel (which I don't read much of these days, I'll admit) I enjoyed this a lot more then I thought I would. Written from three different points of view (which I found a little distracting because only two were absolutely necessary) Anastasia, Anne, and Ethan (Ethan's point of view could have been left out or combined with Anne's honestly). I think
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May 07, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
So like I said in my bio, I am a huge historical fiction buff. I don't know if you could consider this a historical fiction, but I thought this channeled some historical background. Personally, I always believed that Anastasia was alive. Though not in the way that Joy Preble describes. This is a very creative piece of work. I think the characters were thought out as well as the plot. I really got into the story and was saddened towards the end. You truly realize all the pain and suffering the Ro
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Mar 06, 2011
Michelle
rated it:
Although it took awhile to get going I really enjoyed Dreaming Anastasia. Ive always been intrested in the Romanov murders and enjoy reading all the mystery that hung around the posiblity of Anastasia somehow making it out of the ordeal alive. Preble weaves an intresting tale of magic and mystery to a new take on what happened to the grand duchess. I loved the characters of Ethan a member of the Brotherhood, a Russian monk group whose mission is to save the trapped Anastasia from Russian witc
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Mar 11, 2010
Ali
rated it:
I really, really, really wanted to love this book.
I've always adored the story of Anastasia Romanov and Dreaming Anastasia promised to be a wonderful contemporary Russian fairy tale. But somehow, the story just didn't come together for me the way I'd hoped.
It's a good book, a great story, and the writing was also good ... so what was missing? I'm not sure.
I thought the voice was excellent. Joy Preble does a great job with the teen voice, it was well edited, More...
I've always adored the story of Anastasia Romanov and Dreaming Anastasia promised to be a wonderful contemporary Russian fairy tale. But somehow, the story just didn't come together for me the way I'd hoped.
It's a good book, a great story, and the writing was also good ... so what was missing? I'm not sure.
I thought the voice was excellent. Joy Preble does a great job with the teen voice, it was well edited, More...
Aug 23, 2009
Debbie
rated it:
I was really excited when I saw this book because I took Russian language and Russian History in high school and always was interested in the idea that Anastasia Romanov actually escaped that fateful night. The story had a wonderful premise mixing modern day, magic and Russian fairy tales but I felt like sometimes the story took the easy way out. There was great build up and then I was left with a feeling of let down at several parts of the book. For instance, I loved hearing about Anne and
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(2 people liked it)
Sep 13, 2011
Gina
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Sep 13, 2009
Karin
rated it:
Anne is sixteen-years-old and even though her family is still recovering from the loss of her brother to cancer two years ago, she still maintains a typical teenage life. She hangs out with her best friend, Tess, stresses over school work, and takes an advanced ballet class. While attending a performance of Swan Lake, she learns that not everything in the world can be explained. From this night on, she is thrust into a world involving danger, betrayal, and magic.
Ethan is a member More...
Ethan is a member More...
Nov 18, 2011
Chloe
rated it:
I initially picked this book up because I won a contest from the author and I felt guilty that I hadn't read any of her books-not for lack of wanting, but because my library didn't have them. So I found a copy in another system and finally got to it!
I think "I liked it" is the best description of this book. It wasn't bad, it wasn't great, but I liked it. None of the characters were super relatable, I laughed a couple times, the premise was interesting, the pacing was a littl More...
I think "I liked it" is the best description of this book. It wasn't bad, it wasn't great, but I liked it. None of the characters were super relatable, I laughed a couple times, the premise was interesting, the pacing was a littl More...
