2.5 stars

This one just didn't do it for me. And the nudity was really unnecessary. You would be better off reading actual history than this graphic novel. This seemed to be more about shock and thrill than anything else. ( )

Though called "Death to the Tsar," this book is actually about an assassination plot against Tsar Nicholas II's uncle, Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich, Governor General of Moscow. The first half of the book focuses on Alexandrovich as he sets off a slaughter of his own subjects and learns he is targeted for retaliation. I found myself almost sympathizing with the little weasel as he cycled through the stages of grief, coming to terms with his looming death as the assassins close in with multiple attempts.

Unfortunately, halfway through the book the story backtracks in time and then follows the cell of assassins on Alexandrovich's trail, and they are far from idealistic, righteous or even sympathetic. And I guess that's sort of the theme of the book. Life is a muddle. The villains aren't all bad, and the revolutionaries trying to overthrow them aren't all good. It's pretty downbeat, but still well done overall. ( )