I was introduced to Grand Duchess Elizabeth last year when I saw the docu-drama 'Royal Mob', and immediately found myself frustrated that the view of Tsarina Alexandra I was taught at school was so narrow that I didn't even know she had sisters, let alone that they all loved such fascinating lives. Elizabeth is Alix's second-eldest sister, and married into the Russian royal family first - she was married to Nicholas II's uncle, Serge, while Alix was still a girl. 

This book takes you through Ella's life, from her arrival in Russia and being heralded as one if the most beautiful women in the world to her experiences at the hands of Bolshevik revolutionaries. It's narrative is clear and concise, focusing on those moments in time where there is something of importance to note, but at the same time all of the characters (and there are quite a lot) are well drawn and come to life very easily. I will admit to getting a little confused on a couple of occasions as to who was who, but there's a very handy spotters guide at the front of the book which helps a bit. 

I haven't got a huge amount of knowledge about them, but from what I have seen and read about Elizabeth and Serge's relationship I can imagine there are many theories out there about it. In this case, the author paints their marriage as one built on a foundation of love, even if Serge fails spectacularly at showing his affection in public, and is unwilling or unable to enter into a physical relationship in private. I rather like this take as, even when he is being overbearing and wielding his authority over his wife, there is this little speck of insight that there might be a reason behind it. It gives his character a whole other dimension, which I can imagine is missing from other sources who paint him purely as a man who rules his home with an iron fist. 

Ella's religious development is also very interesting. Again, somehow the author manages to make her struggle with converting from Lutheranism to Orthodoxy feel like the reader's own, and the steady realisation and solid, deeply held beliefs that follow are wonderfully illustrated. Her devotion to her religious and charitable works is amazing, and it is clear her genuine calling was to do good and help those in need. In turn, this makes the tragic aspects of her life even more so.

Outside of the main character, it has certainly highlighted for me the depth of Alix's shift in personality, and yet at the same time it illustrates so well her stubbornness and desire to cling to what she believes in. From the shy but beautiful girl who was Queen Victoria's favourite and totally willing to give up the man she loved to avoid turning her back on her faith, to the seemingly cold Empress who is so far removed from her people and willing to endure humiliation to keep 'Our Friend' by her side; I've never really understood her as a person, but this book really does make you question what she was thinking a lot of the time. 

There are a few formatting issues with the text on Kindle and the odd typo, but nothing that takes away from your enjoyment of the book too much. I would say there are probably a couple of moments where the focus is on secondary characters that could have been excised to save a bit of confusion, but generally this was a very good read and I would highly recommend.