Sherry Ficklin's Stolen Empire Series is the story of Princess Sophie Friederike Auguste von Anhalt-Zerbst-Dornburg and her journey to becoming Catherine the Great of Russia.
While the subject matter itself is extremely exciting and I was really looking forward to some Historical Fiction set in Russia, however Sherry's treatment of the subject is more reminiscent of Reign (featuring Queen of Scotland Mary Stuart), than The Tudors or The Borgias.
An innocent naive child thrown into the political intrigue of the Imperial Russian Court as a possible suitor for Peter the III, with a mother spying for the Germans, an aging Empress wanting to secure her own line, young and old men attracted to her beauty and an unreliable and slightly manic Royal suitor.
This book might appeal to a younger audience, but for me personally I wished that it had a little more substance than romantic dalliances.
I loved the concept of a youtube video link at the end of some chapters, that showed original paintings of the time and an actress playing the role of Catherine. However, I would not be picking up any more books in this trilogy.
Rating : 3/5
#100BooksPact 10/100
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