I read "The Russian Concubine" first and found it quite enjoyable but I was fascinated with Valentina's character from the beginning and when I found this book was about her I was extremely pleased. On occasion I felt there was poor writing in this novel but otherwise the plot was fairly well written and intertwined with historical events which I know a little about. Based in Russia before the Tsars abdication and as the workers are rising up in a revolt against the monarchy for treating them so badly Valentina is an upper class rich girl. Yet she certainly develops as the novel progresses. I quite enjoyed reading about her character and her background, her relationship with Jens Friis and her family. I adored her sister Katya yet while I was upset about her death I don't feel enough was written about it to stir any strong emotions, I wanted to be in tears about it but it was such a short moment which Furnivall just passed over that I never really accepted it, just as it was with deaths in "The Russian Concubine". My favourite character was again Liev Popkov the big Russian peasant whom I had a soft spot for. He's a significant character to me for one who had few spots in the sunlight. The story upset me mostly because I knew of the fate of Valentina and while I haven't yet read "The Girl from Junchow" I know a little of the fate awaiting everyone. I was disgusted in Valentina's mother for sleeping with a man who had caused her family such heartache and trouble, I can't understand why she would stay with him. Arkins POV was unnecessary in this book but it did help a little with the development of the novel. Overall this book is definitely worth the read but read it before you read the other two novels, it gives you more understanding of some of the characters and their reasons for everything that they do. You will witness, first hand, the demise of an obsolete system through protest, revolt and terror. With the dawn of the twentieth century, Russia lags far behind the rest of Europe in the changes to industrialization and social reform. The hated serf system has been formally abolished but still exists in towns and cities where the peasants have migrated to from the country. Low wages, filth, ignorance and poverty keep the two class social system at opposite ends of the spectrum. Young Valentina Ivanova is a beautiful and wealthy member of the aristocratic class. Shopping, teas and balls form her day. As piano virtuosi she has made quite a reputation in St. Petersburg and is the toast of the town. Her parents expect her to marry well and add to their wealth and influence. Valentina, however, has other ideas for her future. From the first moment she saw the young Danish engineer Jens Friis she knew that she would be his wife. This is a romance set in the icy glitter of Russia’s second greatest city. Seeds of revolution have been sowed and the writing is clearly on the wall. It is only a matter of time before the streets will run red with blood and the cry of violent change will echo throughout the world. This marks the beginning of the end of a way of life that was too corrupt and tainted to survive. This is a story of the victims on both of the gamut. It will surely appeal to anyone looking for action and romance.
Do You like book The Jewel Of St. Petersburg (2010)?
Loved this tidbit of Historical Fiction - part of a 3 book series - all are out. Very well written
—Mim
Loved the story until I got to the end.
—Biebslovexx
