Queen of Someday - Book Review

Queen of Somedayy - Book Review

Sherry. D. Ficklin

YA Historical

Book #1 in the Stolen Empire Trilogy

UK Publisher: Clean Teen Publishing

Synopsis:

One girl will bring an empire to its knees…

Before she can become the greatest empress in history, fifteen-year-old Sophie will have to survive her social climbing mother’s quest to put her on the throne of Russia - at any cost.

Imperial court holds dangers like nothing Sophie has ever faced before. In the heart of St. Petersburg, surviving means navigating the political, romantic and religious demands of the bitter Empress Elizabeth and her handsome, but sadistic nephew, Peter. Determined to save her impoverished family - and herself - Sophie vows to do whatever is necessary to thrive in her new surroundings. But an attempt on her life and an unexpected attraction threatens to derail her plans.

Alone in a new and dangerous world, learning who to trust and who to charm may mean the difference between becoming queen and being sent home in shame to marry her lecherous uncle. With traitors and murderers lurking around every corner, her very life hangs in the balance. Betrothed to one man but falling in love with another, Sophie will need to decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice in order to become the Empress she is destined to be.

In a battle for the soul of a nation, will love or destiny reign supreme?

Review:

I throughly enjoyed this book. It gives an imaginative interpretation on the younger years of a woman who grew to become one of Russia’s greatest historical figures, Catherine the Great. A truly page turning read.

When fifteen year old Sophie is sent to the Russian court, she knows the only hope she has to save her family from  destitution is to marry the Empresses nephew, Peter. But the Prince is a spoiled, selfish and temperamental young man, prone to playing cruel games - and Sophie is not the only contender for his heart.

But while she learns to weather and control Prince Peter’s erratic moods and tempers, she finds herself falling head over heels for his best friend. In a court full of spies and noblewoman competing for the throne, Sophie is too close to winning the game to let her eyes stray from the prize now. But with her heart and mind conflicted over what is right vs what she wants, Sophie must make the greatest decision of all. Duty to her family? or duty to her heart? But both paths will lead her down perilous roads…

I really liked this book. Jumping straight into the action, it hooks you into the story within a couple of pages, introducing you to Sophie, a brave and intelligent girl who knows the fate awaiting her should she fail to catch the Prince’s eye.

Sophie is a great heroine. She begins as a somewhat shy girl, naive to the courtly intrigues surrounding her. But she is a fast learner, and while she doesn't always make the best decisions, she never makes the same mistake twice. This is a girl who is forced to make life altering choices, and each trial she faces turns her into a more competent and stronger woman. 

However the book holds a great cast of characters. Sophie’s mother is a particularly interesting piece of work. Working to her own agenda, she often hinders Sophie’s chances at the throne and is both rude and pretentious, however she does add an undercurrent of embarrassed humour to the story. 

The Empress on the other hand is a much more maternal character… at least in the beginning, and I feel she often empathises with Sophie. Prince Peter on the other hand is a very sadistic and cruel man/boy who likes games and bad jokes. My heart went out to Sophie, knowing that she needed to marry such a man, which made everything even sadder when she fell for his kind and caring best friend. A much more suitable love interest, despite the hopelessness of their situation.

Yet all the characters in this story added something to the plot. Everyone from Sophie’s body guard, to her ladies in waiting, even to the gossipy madame who instructs Sophie in the sensual arts (loved that woman), they all add a little something to the story.

Otherwise the plot moves at a fast pace with plenty of ups and downs. Sophie is made to face many challenges, each one testing her dedication towards winning the throne. All in all, it made for a very good read. An Historical, YA Romance, I would give Queen of Someday 4 stars! Bring on the sequel!