Sourcebooks, Inc
302 pgs. (ARC)
Summary
Anne keeps having these weird nightmares. She swears these people are real, it's like she's really there. They want her to do something but it's not making any sense. Then she meets Ethan. What is this connection they have? Could Anastasia Romanov really be alive? Is Ethan crazy...or is Anne?
My Thoughts
Dreaming Anastasia had me looking up more information about the Romanov's while reading parts of the story aloud to my daughter. I thought Joy Preble brought in just enough history - it didn't impede the flow of the story nor did it take the story over.
I enjoyed the relationship between Anne and Ethan. Anne remembered that Ethan was immortal and over 100 years old. They fought their attraction to each other as they tried to understand what was this mystery that brought them together. Their alternating voices telling the story enhanced my awareness of their growing relationship.However, Anne's friend Tess didn't ring true. I didn't buy her as strong but more as an unfunny girl obsessed with her ex.
I would love to know more about the sources Preble used for her Baba Yaga story and for her information on the Romanovs. I not only want to see what happens to Ethan and Anne, especially since Ethan is now mortal again - which is a great twist - I also want to know more about the betrayal and why it happened. Dreaming Anastasia is a great addition to any middle school library and will be joining ours.
About the Author
Preble grew up in Chicago, though she moved to Texas and inexplicably began listening to country music, which she claims she didn't like until then. She has an English degree from Northwestern University, and she teaches high school English. Dreaming Anastasia is her first novel. She can be found online at www.joypreble.comOther Tour Sites
September 24
Ms. Bookish
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Lori Calabrese Writes
Mrs. Magoo Reads
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Ramblings of a Teenage Bookworm
Fantasy Book Critic
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Into the Wardrobe
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BookLoons.com
September 25
Lori Calabrese Writes
Mrs. Magoo Reads
September 26
Ramblings of a Teenage Bookworm
Fantasy Book Critic
September 27
Into the Wardrobe
In the Pages
September 28
Beth Fish Reads
Reverie Book Reviews
BookLoons.com
I really enjoyed this book. I too found myself drawn into the Romanov history and found particular interest in the way Preble fused in the folklore of Baba Yaga. I'm hopeful we get a second story to further explore both Ethan and Ann as they had a very dynamic relationship that was only able to be explored so far because of circumstances.
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