Carolyn Meyer's young royals books are a must-buy for me and have been since I was a kid. The problem with still reading them as an adult is that they definitely show their age. This one is billed as a continuation of her Royal Diaries entry, with Anastasia and her sisters older and dealing more with emotions and the trauma of their situation. However, I don't think she succeeds. Much of the story, particularly the first part, tell instead of show. And there are some odd moments where the narration seems to be told from a distance, like she's reciting a letter even as she experiences events. Stick with the Royal Diaries version, honestly. ( )

I couldn't decide whether to give this four stars or 3 1/2, but went with four because of the historical value of it. The book is the fictional diary of Anastasia, the daughter of the last Tsar of Russia, during the period of WWI up until she and her family were executed. It didn't read like an authentic diary, but as a prop to let the reader know what their last years were like -- first the adulation, parties, and mansions, then the house arrest and fear. However, I learned about this important history and am glad I read it. ( )