When they took everything from her, they didn’t count on her fighting to get it back…
Born into the House of Romanov to the all-powerful Peter the Great and Catherine I, beautiful Tsarevna Elizabeth is the world’s loveliest Princess and the envy of the Russian empire. Insulated by luxury and as a woman free from the burden of statecraft, Elizabeth is seemingly born to pursue her passions.
However, a dark prophecy predicts her fate as inexorably twined with Russia. When her mother dies, Russia is torn, masks fall, and friends become foes. Elizabeth’s idyllic world is upended. By her twenties she is penniless and powerless, living under constant threat. As times change like quicksand, an all-consuming passion emboldens Elizabeth: she must decide whether to take up her role as Russia’s ruler, and what she’s willing to do for her country—and for love.
Like most of the country, I’ve been stuck in lockdown for the last couple of weeks and longing for an escape. That changed when I picked up The Tsarina’s Daughter by Ellen Alpsten. From the moment I cracked open this sumptuous historical epic, I was whisked away to the dangers and splendours of the 18th century Imperial Russian court.
Alpsten’s critically acclaimed debut Tsarina, which was released in 2020, followed the extraordinary life of Catherine I, an illiterate serf who became the first Empress of Russia. Now she returns to similar territory with The Tsarina’s Daughter, which follows the life of Catherine’s daughter, Elizabeth. But don’t be daunted if you haven’t read the seriously addictive Tsarina, because both books can definitely be read as standalones.
The novel brings to life the story of Elizabeth Petrovna Romanova, who would go on to become one of Russia’s most popular monarchs. But before she became the Empress, she had to survive life at court, which is easier said than done as Alpsten’s Russian Court is a dangerous viper den, rife with enough violence, sex, and political intrigue to rival even Kings Landing.
Over the course of the novel, Elizabeth transforms from a naïve young girl to a strong and capable woman who is determined to save her country, no matter the cost. Hers is an extraordinary life marked by love, danger, passion, and scandal. Alpsten allows Elizabeth to tell her own story here, giving a voice to this impressive female ruler.
Meticulously researched and vividly imagined, The Tsarina’s Daughter is a lavish, sweeping historical epic and the perfect lockdown read. Fans of Game of Thrones, The Great, and Outlander will be captivated by this dark, dramatic, and compelling series.
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