Book Review: Wicked Mafia Prince by Annika Martin

Author: Annika Martin

Title: Wicked Mafia Prince

Series: Dangerous Royals #2

Genre: Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, 

Format: ebook

Pages: 317

Published: July 26, 2016

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

Who is the nun who never shows her face?

Ever since killing the love of his life, the beautiful and fierce mafia assassin named Tanechka, Viktor has lived in utter torment.

Now, years later, he comes upon a nun who will never show her face.

Viktor is sure this is Tanechka herself — that she has improbably, impossibly survived. Is it obsession? A figment of a guilty conscience? Or is this their second chance?

Review:

Read book 1 a long time ago and I remember really liking it. I honestly forgot about this series. Life man....always getting in the way and my old lady brain just forgets. 

Here we have Viktor and Tanechka. They were in love and happy, but Viktor had to do the unthinkable when it came out that she was an assassin and traitor. After killing her, he lived his life in misery until years later,  there is a nun who never shows her face. Is this her? It has to be so he will do what he can to get her back and help her remember who she is. 

I struggled with this especially with the amnesia parts and Viktor trying to make her turn away from her religion. Plus I couldn't forgive him for trying to kill her years ago. I don't think, if I was Tanechka, would trust him again. I can get he did what he did, but as her....no. Sorry. If there is a seed of doubt again would you try and kill me again?

Nah fam. 

This one just wasn't for me. I didn't buy the romance at all. 

The mystery and suspense was fun. But yeah. No. 

I'll give this 2 stars. Like I said there were a couple of bits that were good. 

Favorite Character(s): no one

Least Favorite Character(s): Viktor and our main baddie

 Challenge(s):

- Cloak & Dagger #24

Book Review: Bonds of Justice by Nalini Singh

Author: Nalini Singh

Title: Bonds of Justice

Series: Psy-Changeling #8

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, UF, SciFi

Format: ebook

Pages: 348

Published: July 6, 2010

Where I Got It: Library

Summary: 

Max Shannon is a good cop, one of the best in New York Enforcement. Born with a natural shield that protects him against Psy mental invasions, he knows he has little chance of advancement within the Psy-dominated power structure. The last case he expects to be assigned is that of a murderer targeting a Psy Councilor’s closest advisors. And the last woman he expects to compel him in the most sensual of ways is a Psy on the verge of a catastrophic mental fracture . . .

Sophia Russo is a Justice-Psy, cursed with the ability to retrieve memories from men and women so twisted even veteran cops keep their distance. Appointed as Max’s liaison with the Psy, she finds herself fascinated by this human, her frozen heart threatening to thaw with forbidden emotion. But, her mind filled with other people’s nightmares, other people’s evil, she’s standing on the border between sanity and a silken darkness that urges her to take justice into her own hands, to become judge, jury . . . and executioner . .

Review:

One day I'll be all caught up ;) 

Okay...so here we have Max who is a cop. One of the best in New York Enforcement. He was born with a natural shield that protects him from Psy mental invasions. Sophia is a Justice-Psy with the ability to retrieve memories from people so twisted that even veteran cops keep away. She is appointed as Max's liaison with the Psy but her mental state is unwinding from all of the people's evils. The two will work together to take justice into their own hands. 

Please note - you shouldn't skip the other books...there is a lot of story and character build-up that you will need to understand what is going on. 

This started off well enough. Enjoying both of these characters and seeing the drama unfold. It's been a minute since I left off from the last book so I had to try and remember what happened last. I had to read my last review and summary of the last book to remember. Whoops. 

Things did stale a little bit for me. Mainly because of the slow unwinding of the story and romance. Things got better by the end, but yeah...a good chunk dragged by.

The romance was lovely and they did have great chemistry so I'm happy there. 

I didn't buy Sophia's recovery (no spoiler here - it's a romance you know it happens). It seemed....easy?

I would like a break from Psy women though. We have had so many. So cold, so unfeeling. I'm super excited for the next book which is two shifters. Yayy!

All-in-all, I enjoyed some parts while other parts seemed to drag a lot for me. Maybe I need a break from the Psy women. But I did LOVE their chemistry here and I loved the backstories. I'll stamp this with 3 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Mixed

Challenge(s):

-  Library Love #13

Book Review: Kent and Katcha by Larry & Rosemary Mild

Author: Larry & Rosemary Mild

Title: Kent and Katcha

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Romance

Format: ebook

Published:  February 21, 2024

Where I got It: My shelf (given to me by the author/publisher for my unbiased opinion)

Summary: 

Larry and Rosemary Mild breach the deeper cover and higher intrigue to bring you a fictional novel full of spy-craft, espionage, and adventure drawn from Larry’s former association with real agents and their spook agencies. The year is 1992. The Soviet Union has collapsed, but danger persists. Young Kent Brukner, a freshly trained American spy, arrives in Moscow for a high-risk to infiltrate and compromise a Russian Federation Army facility. Under an alias, in a military uniform, he plies his skills—unprepared for the brutal confrontations and irrational consequences. Kent meets the innocent and passionate Katcha, daughter of a British expatriate and a Russian dissident. Together the lovers embark on a near-impossible journey, beginning in the foothills of the Ural Mountains. Stalked by the evil Major Dmitri Federov, they must escape from St. Petersburg to Helsinki, Finland, or face life in a Russian prison.

Review:

I couldn't resist picking this up. You guys know how much I loveeeee spies and all that!

The year is 1992 and the Soviet Union has collapsed, but there is still danger and instability. Kent is a freshly trained spy who is sent to Moscow to infiltrate and compromise a Russian Federation Army facility. While there he meets Katcha who is the daughter of a British expatriate and a Russian dissident. Together they will work together and fall in love. They must escape from St Petersburg to Finland or they could face life in a Russian prison. 

This literally has everything I could want. Mystery, espionage, love, and a good baddie. *chef kiss*

I loved over characters. They were fun and obviously perfect for each other. You can't help route for those crazy kids. I did have to wonder why such a new spy was sent out. This seemed like a big task for the guy. But hey...I guess the best way to learn is to sink or swim. That is how I learned to swim....

The Russians are scary so I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I had no idea what was going to happen and if they would make it with both of their lives intact. 

Now, I will say the beginning was slow for me. It took me a few chapters to truly be invested. There is some build-up so I get it. However, keep that in mind. It was worth it! I didn't want to stop reading! I stayed up WAY TOO LATE to finish it because I couldn't leave our characters were they where. 

The ending was good. I feel like there will be more, but it ended where you feel content. 

All-in-all, I really enjoyed this. It was for sure hitting all the buttons for me minus the slow beginning. There are spies and love and baddies that will make you shake your fist! I'll give this 4 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Exciting

Challenge(s):

- Cloak and Dagger - #11

Movie Review: Napoleon (2023)

Title: Napoleon

Length: 2h 49m

Released: 2023

Genre:  Historical Fiction, Action/Adventure, Biography
Rating: R
Where I Got It: Theater 

SUMMARY:

An epic that details the checkered rise and fall of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and his relentless journey to power through the prism of his addictive, volatile relationship with his wife, Josephine.

Trailer

REVIEW:

The moment I first saw the trailer I KNEW I had to see this in theaters. There was no other option for me. The cast....the director....the subject matter? Yes. 

This is about the infamous Napoleon Bonaparte. We get to witness his rise and fall politically and with Josephine. While he conquered the world....Josephine conquered his every waking thought. 

The reviews of this are SO polarized. Which is fitting for Napoleon. In his life and even today he is either loved or hated. Makes sense the film would settle in the hearts of people differently. 

Personally....I ended up LOVING this movie. It was really good. I will admit that it was a slow, slow burn...........but it oddly fit. I loved watching the tension rise and rise until everything shattered at the Battle of Waterloo. Damn, that was a scene. 

The cast was brilliant and I loved watching them. I honestly couldn't take my eyes off Napoleon and Josephine. They were captivating in their portrayals and if they don't win SOMETHING I would be utterly shocked.

Lots and lots of people are mad since there were some liberties taken like the first scene with Marie Antoinette. Many claim Napoleon was not there. Well..........do we know 100% for sure? Who knows. And yes I could spot a couple of historical inaccuracies but you have to take Hollywood historicals with a grain of salt. The creators will change things and for lack of a better phrase...butter up the screen. Now there is a fine, fine line to be careful of and I found that they did a good job on that line. Historically accurate enough for History Nerds like me to enjoy it, but still have it be entertaining enough for people like my husband who is meh about history. *chefs kiss* Very nice. 

But yesssssss I loved it. It was good. I wouldn't mind a re-watch one day. I think it's going on the Apple Streaming Service (boo), so I may have to buy it on DVD one day. 

5 stars for sure. I for sure recommend this BUT be warned that there is a lot of blood. It is a war film at the end of the day.

Book Review: The Siberia Job by Josh Haven

Author: Josh Haven

Title: The Siberia Job

Genre: Historical Fiction, Thriller

Format: Paperback

Pages: 384

Expected publication June 6, 2023

Where I Got It: My shelf (Publisher/author for my unbiased and honest opinion)

Summary: 

After the demise of the Soviet Union, the newly established Russian government privatized its industry by issuing vouchers to all of its citizens, allowing them the chance to be shareholders in the country’s burgeoning businesses. The slips are distributed among the population, and auctions are arranged where they can be exchanged for actual shares. For the country’s rural populations living in abject poverty, the vouchers appear to be little more than pieces of paper, totally separated from the far-off concept of potential future fortunes. 

But for Texas businessman John Mills and his Czech companion, Petr Kovac, the seemingly valueless chits suggest a lucrative potential, worth much more than what the current owners are willing to sell them for. They travel to the farthest, coldest reaches of the country to acquire vouchers for the country’s national oil company, Gazneft, roving from town to town with suitcases full of cash. But they quickly learn that the plan has complications--for example, the fact that the auctions at which these vouchers are traded for actual shares have been planned at the most remote, inaccessible locations possible to deter outsiders from buying in. When the Russian mafia and the oligarchs in charge of Gazneft catch wind of their successes, the stakes become suddenly more deadly.

Review:

After reading the summary I knew I had to check this one out. 

The story follows John and Petr and their journey. They see a lucrative potential in Russia after the demise of the Soviet Union. They will quickly learn that their plan will have some serious complications and even some danger. 

I will admit this took me a while to really get into it. The beginning was a hair slow for me. However, once it got its hooks into me....I was absolutely hooked. I stayed up WAAAAAY too late. Whoopsies. But totally worth it being tired at work the next day. 

What made this extra thriller-ish for me is knowing that this was based on a true story and I was able to resist temptation to look anything up. I quite literally had zero idea so I had to know what was going to happen! There was a moment near the end that brought a tiny tear to my eye. Didn't see that coming. 

What really surprised me was the sprinkle of humor. There was one scene that had me laugh so hard!!!! It was a nice surprise. There is a lot of serious-ness, drama, and financial talk so the humor moments helped lighten the mood. 

There were some financial talk but the author did a good job simplifying it so readers, like me, could follow along enough and not be bogged down by complicated stuff. 

Overall, I enjoyed this. The beginning was a little rough for me. It took a bit for me to really get into the story, but once I was I became invested! This was pretty good and I recommend it to those that like a little financial danger mixed with physical danger and a splash of humor. I'll stamp this with 4 stars. 

Book Review: Beautiful Assassin by Michael White

Author: Michael C. White

Title: Beautiful Assassin

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller.

Format: paperback

Pages: 480

Published: November 30, 2009

Where I Got It: Dollar Tree

Summary: 

World War II seems lost for the beleaguered Soviets as they struggle to hold back the rising German tide at Sevastopol. But a fearless female sniper inspires hope during her nation's darkest hour. Word of the extraordinary Soviet heroine, Tat'yana Levchenko, reaches American First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who invites the beautiful assassin to tour the United States with her. For the Russians, Tat'yana's visit is an opportunity to gain support and valuable U.S. intelligence. But Tat'yana knows she is a pawn in a deadly game of treachery and deceit, forced to question the motivations of everyone around her . . . even the dashing and sympathetic American captain assigned as her translator. And then, as suddenly as she rose to international fame, Tat'yana vanishes without a trace.

Her strange disappearance will remain a mystery for decades—until a determined journalist stumbles across Tat'yana's story . . . and uncovers the astonishing truth.

Review:

Finally dusted this bad boy off to ready. Been a long time! I think I bought this in like 2015.

Here we follow Tat'yana who was a war heroine. She was deadly and killed over 300 Nazis with her sniper rifle. After being injured, she was asked to be the face of Soviet Russia and visit America to gain support from the Americans. Little does she know she would be forced to be the pawn of a deadly game of treachery and deceit. After vanishing without a trace, her story went with her. Until decades later when a journalist stumbles upon this story and finds the woman herself to hear the story of the Beautiful Assassin. 

We pretty much start right in the middle of the story. The journalist has tracked down this missing heroine and gets her to tell her story. Tat'yana is at first reluctant but she has nothing left to lose than to tell her story. She is old now and a widow. 

I enjoyed this story quite a bit. I wish that the story was a hair more linear. I would've liked to see Tat'yana as a youth, grow up, marry, and then join the Army. I would've liked to see more of her stories of valor on the Frontline. And then see her be shipped to America to be the pretty killer to make Americans want to join the fight. I think it would've been more impactful to see her as a youth...lose her innocence....see her fight up the ranks and the body count...and then lose more innocence as she is asked to lie and spy. 

Besides that, I did enjoy this. I grew to adore Tat'yana and I just wanted her to find happiness and love. She really deserved that after everything she went through. Oh! I did have a tear about a certain character. I feel like that wasn't fair for that character and for Tat'yana. It really made some parts of the plot anti-climatic. But war is Hell. 

One scene made me cheer! I know it will end badly for a certain someone, but what a redemption. No spoilers from me ;) 

Overall, I did enjoy this. There is some romance, war, and espionage. I wish the format and narrative were told a little differently, but at the end of the day, I still enjoyed following Tat'yana. You can't help but want the best for her but war is Hell. I'll give this 3 stars.  

Challenge(s):

- TBR Reading Challenge (#10)

 

Book Review: Vasilisa by M.L. Farb

Author: M.L. Farb

Title: Vasilisa

Genre: Fantasy
Format: ebook

Pages: 272

Published:  May 18th 2020 

Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Summary: 

Vasilisa has always been strong. She’s strong enough to break the arm of the bully that daily taunts her. She won’t because she and her mother are servants at the Orlov manor, and her mother would be punished for her retaliation. Instead Vasilisa bides her time until she is sixteen and can return to the forest.

Only Staver, the master’s son, shows her kindness. His friendship pulls as strong as the forest, but their classes are divided forever by law. She is a forest born, fatherless servant and her future at the manor holds mockery filled drudgery.

War threatens. The forest calls. Will she stay to protect the one who can never be more than a friend, or flee to the peace that the forest offers?

Review:

I've enjoyed other books by the author so I was super excited to check this one out. 

The story follows Vasilisa who is much stronger than anyone in the village. She could easily break the arm of her bullies, but she won't because she and her mother are servants at the Orlov manor and they would be punished. Vasilisa is just bidding her time until she is sixteen and is ready to return to the forest and live free. The master's son, Staver, is her only friend and this love has a huge pull as well as to why she waits to run away. There could be more between them but there is no hope because of their class difference. 

I really adored this! I loved Vasilisa and I felt so bad for her but I never worried for her. She is strong and smart and clever. She is a great character and I can see teen Carole looking up to her. I did worry, though, about what she was going to do. Should she stay at the manor but be terrorized by the mistress and the village....but she would someday be free when Staver takes over OR she can try and escape to the forest with her mom and have to hunt for her own food and survive out there....and never see Staver again.

The beginning was a little slow for me because I was a little unsure of where everything was leading to. I was unsure of Staver myself. I fell for him eventually especially after helping Vasilisa. Love him! 

The Russian lore mixed with fantasy and romance worked really well and it made the story so much fun! The author did fantastic with blending everything together. 

That ending was awesome! I was on the edge of my seat! 

I hope to see more of these two! They were fantastic and I loved this world. More please! 

Overall, I'll give this 4 stars! A great YA fantasy for the Holiday season.

 

Time for TV Tuesday: The Great (Season 1)

Recently Finished:

The Great (season 1)

Through: Hulu

"A royal woman living in rural Russia during the 18th century is forced to choose between her own personal happiness and the future of Russia, when she marries an Emperor." - IMDb

The summary really does nothing to describe this show. We follow the story of Catherine the Great in her early years and when she first arrives to Russia to marry Peter. She is young and naïve but she realizes that Peter is useless as an Emperor soooooo she should take the crown herself and lead this nation. 

This had humor and had drama. And as they proclaim this is occasionally true and accurate. They don't try to hide that they had some fun with the story and characters sometimes. Which worked for the story. 

Oooooooooo this was funny and sad all at the same time. 

I had a hard time hating Peter all the time. He's just a dumb, spoiled dude. The actor is adorable too so it makes it hard fully hating him all the time. But then there were times I wanted to stab him myself and be done with it. Loved the actor for this role. 

Poor Catherine. I was a little worried about who they casted to play her, but it worked well and she did excellent. 

I just loved the overall cast. It was fun. 

BF even started watching with me when he realized how fun this was. 

Yes, be prepared for some historical inaccuracies, but it was overall enjoyable and I want to rewatch it. I hope they do a season 2 soon. This ended a little open-ended. If you don't know the real history you wouldn't know. And I was a sobbing mess!!! SOBS! SEASON 2 PLEASE!!!

5 stars of course ;) 

Audiobook Review: Silver Silence by Nalini Singh

Author: Nalini Singh
Narrator: Angela Dawe
Title: Silver Silence
(Psy-Changeling #16, Psy-Changeling Trinity #1)
Genre: UF, Paranormal, Fantasy
Format: Audiobook 
Pages: 434  
Published: June 13th 2017
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)



Summary: Control. Precision. Family. These are the principles that drive Silver Mercant. At a time when the fledgling Trinity Accord seeks to unite a divided world, with Silver playing a crucial role as director of a worldwide emergency response network, wildness and chaos are the last things she needs in her life. But that's exactly what Valentin Nikolaev, alpha of the StoneWater bears, brings with him.

Valentin has never met a more fascinating woman. Though Silver is ruled by Silence--her mind clear of all emotion--Valentin senses a whisper of fire around her. That's what keeps him climbing apartment buildings to be near her. But when a shadow assassin almost succeeds in poisoning Silver, the stakes become deadly serious...and Silver finds herself in the heart of a powerful bear clan.

Her would-be assassin has no idea what their poison has unleashed...

Review:

Been meaning to read more by this author and this magically popped up as a suggested audiobook. SOOOO yes. 

The story follows Silver who is ruled by Silence - her mind and life clear of all emotion - in order to save her from being overcome by all voices. Valentin is the alpha of his bear pack and cannot get Silver out of his mind. When an assassin tries killing Silver, Valentin gets his chance to get to know Silver better when she stays in his bear clan for protection. 

I really enjoyed this. This is not your typical romance. Silver cannot feel emotions and Valentin is FULL of emotion being a bear shifter. I was worried I was going to bored, but I ended up enjoying watching Silver slowly gain emotion and Valentin working himself to death to get her to be his mate. Loved it. 

I do want to know more about this world and the people in it. I need to read more of the Psy-Changeling series. This is technically #16 of that series. I need to track down book 1 for my own curiosity. Don't get me wrong, this did an excellent job catching the reader up since this is book 1 of the Psy-Changeling Trinity series. But I do feel there is a lot of history and characters I am missing out on. Especially some of the side characters. I wonder if they are there? We shall see. 

I am excited about book 2! 

The narrator was fun. Her Russian accents made me giggle a little bit since it was so stereotypical, but it worked and did the job and everyone had their own voices. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this. I loved Silver and Valentin. The narrator did a good job overall. I'll give this 4 stars. 

Challenge(s):
- #31 for Audiobook Challenge

Audiobook Review: The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons

Author: Paullina Simons
Narrator: James Langton

Title: The Bronze Horseman
(The Bronze Horseman #1)

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance
Pages: Audiobook
Published: July 17th 2000
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)



The golden skies, the translucent twilight, the white nights, all hold the promise of youth, of love, of eternal renewal. The war has not yet touched this city of fallen grandeur, or the lives of two sisters, Tatiana and Dasha Metanova, who share a single room in a cramped apartment with their brother and parents. Their world is turned upside down when Hitler's armies attack Russia and begin their unstoppable blitz to Leningrad.

Yet there is light in the darkness. Tatiana meets Alexander, a brave young officer in the Red Army. Strong and self-confident, yet guarding a mysterious and troubled past, he is drawn to Tatiana—and she to him. Starvation, desperation, and fear soon grip their city during the terrible winter of the merciless German siege. Tatiana and Alexander's impossible love threatens to tear the Metanova family apart and expose the dangerous secret Alexander so carefully protects—a secret as devastating as the war itself—as the lovers are swept up in the brutal tides that will change the world and their lives forever.

I picked this up because it sounded like a good tragic romance and it fits one of the reading challenges. 

The story follows Tatiana and Alexander in Soviet Russia. Tatiana meets Alexander who is a young officer in the Red Army. They are drawn together, but he is dating Dasha who is Tatiana's sister and he has secrets. War is coming and things are changing. 

I knew this was going to be long. Heck 20 something hours of audio and like 900 pages. I was prepared for that but I wasn't prepared for how long everything took. Yes, I loved following the two fall in love slowly...but it took forever. Everything took forever. It dragged on and on but I was invested in the characters and dealt with it. But oh.my.god stop describing ice cream. I wish I had read this instead of listening so I could skim some parts easier. 

Poor Tatiana. Everyone sucks. Her parents are jerks and dumb. Her sister is rude. Her friend was a jerk. Alexander loves her and all, but he is dumb too. Gah, I wanted to shake Alexander. WHY ARE YOU SO DUMB????? He obviously loves Tatiana but he keeps on dating Dasha....okay. Idiot boy. *grumbles* I just want Tatiana to be happy darnit!

This was really sad in a lot of spots even though Alexander is a dummy, he really loves her and it melted my cold heart. Oooo that ending. My poor heart! I know there are two more books, but still. 

Oooo I love the narrator. He did well here like normal. But even he couldn't fix how slow this was. Sad. 

Now....do I want to read/listen to the next one? I don't know. Maybe someday. 

In the end, I kept going because I was invested in the characters and I wanted to know what was going to happen. My only and biggest issue was not because it was long, but because it dragged on and took forever for things to happen. AND there are two more books after this. I'm undecided. We shall see. I'm going to stamp this with 2 stars. Just too slow for me. 

Russia

Time for TV Tuesday: The Last Czars (2019)

Recently Finished:

The Last Czars

Through: Netflix

I finished this show in just a couple of sittings. Darn work and having to sleep!

The show is about Nicholas and his downfall of the Czar dynasty. What makes this show unique and different than other shows is that it is a blend of a documentary and a show-show. We get the historical facts from the professional historians. But we also get to see the drama. They have real actors acting out the scenes and making it entertaining and you get to become more attached to certain characters. It was a historically accurate show but also entertaining at the same time. 

BF even liked this show and watched a few episodes with me. He was so enthralled that we stayed up late watching the last 2 episodes together. We were sure tired the next morning, but he wanted to know what happened at the end (even though I spoiled it previously – but we all know what happens. Common knowledge). He was so mad at those them killing the family. Especially the kids. So tragic. 

This was a very sad tale and I knew that going in, but it is always tears me up. I feel for the family. I feel for the people. It was sad all around. It could’ve ALL been avoided. Russia could be like England today.  Heck…sometimes I feel bad for that Mad Monk. He was mad and insane and it wasn’t ALL his fault at the ruination of the dynasty. They all were to blame. Except for the kids. Ugh!!! FEELS!

Some of the characters didn’t look like who they were portraying, BUT they did so well at the roles that it didn’t bug me too much. I also really liked that they added legit film from the time, but we got the actors too. I do wish they ALL had the appropriate accents. The peasants and lower-class people had them, but the royalty didn’t. Annoying. 

Honestly, it was a perfect blend of all the real film, acting, and narration. The people they got to narrate and explain were awesome. They were not stuffy boring history types that but a dark-stain on us history buffs *laughs at own joke*. They were entertaining themselves. I even learned a LOT! There was a lot I knew, but then there was a lot I didn’t. So fun to learn new things. 

Oooo that ending. I cried. I knew what was going to happen. But ugh. The feels. I hope they bury Alexei and Maria soon. They need to join their family and let it be done. 

Now…I will say that there is a small piece of my brain and heart that say someone survived. Maybe it wasn’t Anastasia. Maybe they can’t bury Alexei and Maria because they did survive. Who knows? Can we really trust the Russian government and their scientists? I mean…they have SO much to gain if the family is dead. Everyone has a price. Even scientists. With them all dead there is no chance for any to come back and make a play at the throne. Sure. It would likely never happen. BUT Russia is SO unstable even today. Better to keep the past dead. The only ones who know for sure are the people who were in that room. 

All-in-all, this was a good show. It hit all the emotions, but you also get to learn. I really enjoyed it and I hope we get more shows like this in the future from Netflix. It makes history entertaining even for us history nuts. I'll stamp this with 4 stars.