The Tsarina's Daughter - by Ellen Alpsten (Paperback)

About the Book

"Originally published in 2021 in the United Kingdom by Bloomsbury Publishing"--Title page verso.

Book Synopsis

Ellen Alpsten's stunning novel, The Tsarina's Daughter, is the dramatic story of Elizabeth, daughter of Catherine I and Peter the Great, who ruled Russia during an extraordinary life marked by love, danger, passion and scandal.

Born into the House of Romanov to the all-powerful Peter the Great and his wife, Catherine, a former serf, beautiful Tsarevna Elizabeth is the envy of the Russian empire. She is insulated by luxury and spoiled by her father, who dreams for her to marry King Louis XV of France and rule in Versailles. But when a woodland creature gives her a Delphic prophecy, her life is turned upside down. Her volatile father suddenly dies, her only brother has been executed and her mother takes the throne of Russia.

As friends turn to foe in the dangerous atmosphere of the Court, the princess must fear for her freedom and her life. Fate deals her blow after blow, and even loving her becomes a crime that warrants cruel torture and capital punishment: Elizabeth matures from suffering victim to strong and savvy survivor. But only her true love and their burning passion finally help her become who she is. When the Imperial Crown is left to an infant Tsarevich, Elizabeth finds herself in mortal danger and must confront a terrible dilemma - seize the reins of power and harm an innocent child, or find herself following in the footsteps of her murdered brother.

Hidden behind a gorgeous, wildly decadent façade, the Russian Imperial Court is a viper's den of intrigue and ambition. Only a woman possessed of boundless courage and cunning can prove herself worthy to sit on the throne of Peter the Great.

Review Quotes

"Political intrigue abounds....fans of historical fiction based on real people will devour this rich repast." -Booklist

"Alpsten's gifts at laying on evocative period detail and engendering empathy for her characters will keep the pages turning." --Publishers Weekly

Praise for Tsarina:

"Astonishing...the ultimate Cinderella story." --Daisy Goodwin, bestselling author of The Fortune Hunter

"A fascinating and extraordinary ride." --Booklist (starred)

"Alpsten shines." --Publishers Weekly

"As detailed as the jewels and enamel inlay on the creations of Faberge." --Adriana Trigiani, bestselling author of The Shoemaker's Wife

"Masterfully researched and beautifully written." --Nancy Goldstone, author of Rival Queens

"Intrigue, rivalry, and sumptuous decadence leap to vivid life." --C.W. Gortner, author of The Romanov Empress

Game of Thrones without the dragons." --Natasha Pulley, author of the international bestseller The Watchmaker of Filigree Street

"Tsarina should come with a health warning--once you start reading, it's impossible to stop." --Hannah Rothschild, bestselling author of House of Trelawney

"Alpsten's colourful narrative does full justice to [Catherine's] extraordinary career." --Sunday Times (UK)

"An entertaining romp through the endless intrigue, violence and debauchery of court life." --Mail on Sunday (UK)

"A vivid page-turner of a debut." --The Times (UK)

About the Author

ELLEN ALPSTEN was born and raised in the Kenyan highlands. Upon graduating from L'Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris, she worked as a news anchor for Bloomberg TV London. Whilst working gruesome night shifts on breakfast TV, she started to write in earnest, every day, after work and a nap. Today, Ellen works as an author and as a journalist for international publications such as Vogue, Standpoint and CN Traveller. She lives in London with her husband, three sons and a moody fox red Labrador. She is the author of Tsarina.