The Once Upon A Time series takes on the story of Anastasia Romanov in The Diamond Secret.
Told by Suzanne Weyn, Secret tells the story of Nadya, a young tavern woman with no memories before her time in a psychiatric ward. Ivan and Sergei, two young men with not-so-good intentions, decide to take up the challenge of reuniting Empress Marie with her long-lost granddaughter – for a fee, of course. Nadya may not have the makings of a Grand Duchess, but Ivan and Sergei plan to change that.
With no family of her own, Nadya agrees to go along with Ivan and Sergei, not knowing of the prize they will receive if they pull off the caper. When love gets in the way of the scheme, Ivan must decide whether to follow his heart or his greedy impulses.
Weyn follows the tradition of the other books in the series where she tells this tale through various perspectives. Nadya’s fun-loving, playful personality shines through no matter the perspective and she easily captures the hearts of readers. Ivan’s past has made him a cynical sort, but his good intentions are hidden underneath, making the reader hold on to the hope he will do the right thing. Sergei’s longing to find his vanished wife and son are clear, making him an endearing character whose true heart is apparent.
Again, this book is shorter than an average read, but it is jam-packed with tragedy, discovery, impulsive decisions, hope, and a mysterious past that encourages readers to finish the book in one sitting.
The anecdotes of Russian history dropped throughout the book are refreshing and give credit to the story. Although history has shown Anastasia Romanov died along with the rest of her immediate family at the hands of the Red Army in 1917, Weyn gives the youngest daughter of the Romanov clan the happy ending she deserved.
Told by Suzanne Weyn, Secret tells the story of Nadya, a young tavern woman with no memories before her time in a psychiatric ward. Ivan and Sergei, two young men with not-so-good intentions, decide to take up the challenge of reuniting Empress Marie with her long-lost granddaughter – for a fee, of course. Nadya may not have the makings of a Grand Duchess, but Ivan and Sergei plan to change that.
With no family of her own, Nadya agrees to go along with Ivan and Sergei, not knowing of the prize they will receive if they pull off the caper. When love gets in the way of the scheme, Ivan must decide whether to follow his heart or his greedy impulses.
Weyn follows the tradition of the other books in the series where she tells this tale through various perspectives. Nadya’s fun-loving, playful personality shines through no matter the perspective and she easily captures the hearts of readers. Ivan’s past has made him a cynical sort, but his good intentions are hidden underneath, making the reader hold on to the hope he will do the right thing. Sergei’s longing to find his vanished wife and son are clear, making him an endearing character whose true heart is apparent.
Again, this book is shorter than an average read, but it is jam-packed with tragedy, discovery, impulsive decisions, hope, and a mysterious past that encourages readers to finish the book in one sitting.
The anecdotes of Russian history dropped throughout the book are refreshing and give credit to the story. Although history has shown Anastasia Romanov died along with the rest of her immediate family at the hands of the Red Army in 1917, Weyn gives the youngest daughter of the Romanov clan the happy ending she deserved.