The Romanov Empress

A Novel of Tsarina Maria Feodorovna

By: C. W. Gortner

Narrated by: Katharine Lee McEwan

Length: 17 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

For listeners of Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir comes a dramatic novel of the beloved Empress Maria, the Danish princess who became the mother of the last Russian tsar.

"This epic tale is captivating and beautifully told." (Lisa Wingate, New York Times best-selling author of Before We Were Yours)

Barely 19, Minnie knows that her station in life as a Danish princess is to leave her family and enter into a royal marriage - as her older sister, Alix, has done, moving to England to wed Queen Victoria’s eldest son. The winds of fortune bring Minnie to Russia, where she marries the Romanov heir, Alexander, and once he ascends the throne, becomes empress. When resistance to his reign strikes at the heart of her family and the tsar sets out to crush all who oppose him, Minnie - now called Maria - must tread a perilous path of compromise in a country she has come to love.

Her husband’s death leaves their son, Nicholas, as the inexperienced ruler of a deeply divided and crumbling empire. Determined to guide him to reforms that will bring Russia into the modern age, Maria faces implacable opposition from Nicholas’s strong-willed wife, Alexandra, whose fervor has led her into a disturbing relationship with a mystic named Rasputin. As the unstoppable wave of revolution rises anew to engulf Russia, Maria will face her most dangerous challenge and her greatest heartache.

From the opulent palaces of St. Petersburg and the intrigue-laced salons of the aristocracy to the World War I battlefields and the bloodied countryside occupied by the Bolsheviks, C. W. Gortner sweeps us into the anarchic fall of an empire and the complex, bold heart of the woman who tried to save it.

Praise for The Romanov Empress:

“Timely... [Gortner’s] ability to weave what reads as a simple tale from such complex historical and familial storylines is impressive.... Maria’s life as a royal reads like a historical soap opera.” (USA Today)

“Gortner, an experienced hand at recreating the unique aura of a particular time and place, will deftly sweep historical-fictions fans into this glamorous, turbulent, and ultimately tragic chapter in history.” [Booklist (starred review)]

“Mesmerizing... This insightful first-person account of the downfall of the Romanov rule...is the powerful story of a mother trying to save her family and an aristocrat fighting to maintain rule in a country of rebellion.” (Publishers Weekly)

“A twist on the tragic story you’ve heard many times before.” (Bustle)

©2018 C. W. Gortner (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“A lost age and a woman for the ages come to life in this epic tale. Gortner skillfully opens a window into the life of a woman who is both complex and entirely human, and sets the stage for the violent end of the Russian empire. Captivating and beautifully told, this story is a gem as rich as the opulent era it depicts.” (Lisa Wingate, New York Times best-selling author of Before We Were Yours)

“A sweeping saga that takes us from the opulence and glamour of tsarist Russia to the violent, tragic last days of the Romanovs. Brave and inspiring, Maria Feodorovna confronts assassinations, the Rasputin affair, and the Russian revolution. C. W. Gortner breaks new ground here, skillfully painting an intimate, compelling portrait of this fascinating empress and her family.” (Stephanie Dray, New York Times best-selling coauthor of America’s First Daughter)

“The Romanov Empress has all the glitter and mystery of a Fabergé egg. The waning days of a doomed dynasty are recounted by the vivacious but tough Danish princess who would become one of Russia’s most revered tsarinas, only to see her line end in war and revolution. Gortner pens a beautiful tribute to a lost world, weaving a tale as sumptuous as a Russian sable.” (Kate Quinn, New York Times best-selling author of The Alice Network)

Excellent!

This is excellent in all areas. I loved listening and the reader was excellent. The history was intriguing and I found myself researching the Romanov family. It was interesting to look at the pictures of the real people that I was reading (listening) about. I didnt realize how Tsarina Alexandra was so instrumental in causing the hatred displayed toward the family. What a sad story that unfortunately isnt fiction. Well worth the credit.

Riveting Historical Novel

Great character development; intriguing plot;beautifully written descriptions. I would recommend this book to book clubs and anyone interested in Russian history.

Inside the mind of an empress

The world of common people is far from the world of royalty. Royalty collapses when the two worlds collide and royalty pays the price. The author has done a brilliant job of bringing us into the lives of royalty but I can’t avoid the disgust I feel when contrasting this with my knowledge of the impoverished state of the common people. The author has succeeded so well in arousing sympathy for the ultimate fate of the royals and for the empress, throughout the story, that I almost suppress the joy which I want to feel, when they finally get their just deserts.when the fall into the hands of the Bolsheviks. Her sympathetic portrayal of the empress as a kind, motherly lady doesn’t manage to disguise her autocratic tendencies. I think that herein lies the brilliance of the author; every word of the story rings true and I feel grateful to the author for giving us such a beautiful story. It’s beauty lies in it’s truth, even though I’m aware that most of the story is the author’s imagination.

History

Even if we know the history of what happened in Russia I still enjoyed this book her life her losses
I also enjoyed the narration good job

Loved this account and amazing reader!

I learned so much about late 19th early 20th century history with the fictional telling of the life of this Russian Empress. The story was in her voice and the narrator made her life come to life! Quite a few characters by the end but you are subtly reminded who they are. I would say that maybe women might enjoy more but not really sure. It is a woman's voice of course. Just an amazing example of historical fiction.

Compelling

Fascinating story of how the Romanov dynasty came to an end. The narrator was wonderful.

Authentic and beautifully written and narrated

A beautiful depiction of a history seldom written so beautifully. You will become totally enveloped in the characters in this incredible book.

One of My Favorites

I'm a huge C.W. Gortner Fan, and, like another reviewer, re-read this book at least once a year. Everything about it is superb - the story, the pitch-perfect narration, the way Gortner makes you care intensely about his characters and what will happen next. As a writer myself, I am just in awe of his craft. If you love historical fiction, this is a must for your library.

LOVED IT!!!!

Wonderfully narrated, could not stop listening. New perspective on the Romanov history, will listen to this one again!

Wow. so good! I learned so much!

I learned so much about this period of history in Russia. It was an amazing story, and I Can't believe that it's all true.I highly recommend it.