Books Inspired by the Grand Duchess Anastasia

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For years, I have loved the movie Anastasia. It’s not hard to see why—a long lost princess and a dashing con man that set out on the adventure of their lives, what isn’t there to love? I also adore the songs and the magic. When I learned about the Broadway musical, Anastasia, part of that love was reignited. Although the musical focuses on creating a more realistic tale, where there is no magical curse and instead the politics of the Russian Revolution serve as the antagonizing force of the story, it clearly took a lot of inspiration from the 1997 film. And as with any hyperfixation, I quickly found myself looking for more. If you love Anastasia like I do, you should check out these books!

Romanov by Nadine Brandes

In this standalone retelling, the Romanovs have been exiled to Siberia, and Anastasia “Nastya” is given a dangerous task. The ancient magic she has smuggled in her suitcase might be the only thing that can save her family. Nastya has a choice: she can release the magic and risk the dangerous consequences, or she can get help from a soldier who doesn’t seem like the others in the Bolshevik army. Her family is the most important thing to Nastya, and she will do anything to keep them safe, even as they are hunted by the Bolsheviks.


Last of Her Name by Jessica Khoury

Last of Her Name by Jessica Khoury is a science fiction retelling. Sixteen years after a rebellion topples the Leonov empire’s rule of the galaxy, the new government sends out ships to find the youngest princess, who escaped the execution of her family. When Stacia Androva’s DNA confirms that she is the missing princess, Anya, her friends, Pol and Clio, attempt to help her run. However, only Pol escapes with her, while Clio ends up in the hands of the Union. Now, Stacia must rescue Clio, and somehow stay safe from an entire galaxy that is out to get her. 


The Heart of Iron Duology by Ashley Poston

The Heart of Iron duology, by Ashley Poston, is another story set in space, but quite different from the one mentioned before. Ana is an outlaw that calls a menacing captain and his crew her own. When D09, one of the last sentient androids, begins glitching, Ana begins searching for a way to fix him. Found by the android when she was a child, she is desperate to help him. She thinks she might have a solution, but it is ripped from her by an unexpected adversary, Robb, only for both of them to end up as fugitives on the run. I would say that these books are more loosely inspired by Anastasia than some of the others, allowing for multiple character perspectives and plots to grow throughout the story. 


The Diamond Secret by Suzanne Weyn

Suzanne Weyn’s The Diamond Secret is more down-to-earth than the other novels mentioned. The book does not have spells or curses, but has similar dreams and yearning that made me love the Broadway musical. In this story, Nadya works in the kitchen of a Russian tavern with no idea of who she was before she lost her memory. After two young men come to Nadya and tell her that they have been sent by her grandmother to bring her to safety, she agrees to go to Paris with them. Weyn’s book closely follows an accurate history, relating more to the reality behind the Russian Revolution and the deaths of the Romanovs, but also gives a plausible way that Anastasia might have survived. 


The Storyteller by Kathryn Williams

The Storyteller by Kathryn Williams is not exactly a retelling of Anastasia, but it has such a captivating twist on the tale that I couldn’t help but include it. This story follows Jess Morgan, who has recently discovered that her late great Aunt Anna might have actually been the missing Russian princess. Teaming up with a local college student, Jess begins piecing her aunt’s diaries into history. While she tries to work out if these diaries are accurate, Jess might come to realize things about herself that she isn’t ready for. With the interchanging timelines and perspectives between Jess and Anna, this book is such an interesting take on the legend that Anastasia might have survived. 


I will admit that while writing this blog, I did listen to the Anastasia musical. It was a good reminder of the real reason I love the idea that Anastasia might have lived. As a kid watching the movie, I knew little about the Romanov family, but as I grew and learned more, I was heartbroken at the reality, especially after finding out that they did eventually discover the remains of the entire family. However, it made me love the movie even more. Instead of only loving the fantastical elements, I began to love the compassion that is preserved in the movie. I find it beautiful that even while we all know that Anastasia did not escape, there are still kernels of hope in the stories that she has inspired. 


Hannah Goerndt, Pine Reads Review Writer

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