The Mirrored World by Debra Dean takes the reader back to eighteenth century Russia and through Daria, Xenia's cousin, the reader learns about the trials and tribulations of Xenia, an outwardly appearing ordinary young women who would eventually become known through history as St. Xenia. Dean writes with an expert hand and through exquisite prose and an exceptional eye for detail effortlessly draws the reader into eighteenth century Russia. The readers will easily feel for Dean's characters and like this reader, be unable to set the book down. I highly recommend The Mirrored World to all who enjoy historical fiction. For those who do not think historical fiction is an enjoyable genre, I suggest giving The Mirrored World a chance.