Anastasia Forever

Gr 8 Up–Anne and Ethan are now dating but happily ever after will have to wait. Anne’s magical powers have increased, yet controlling them is a challenge. Ethan begins to feel that his own powers might have a frightening darkness in them. The mixture of Romanov family history, Russian folklore, and modern-day American teen angst makes an intriguing combination. Anastasia’s unrest is tragic and pitiable. Legendary Baba Yaga is nuanced and richly drawn. Tess, Anne’s hip, sassy BFF, while a willing participant in Anne’s time travels, is a solid connection to the 21st century. Scene for scene, Preble packs a punch. Vivid settings and thrilling action sequences are captivating. The frigid air in wintertime Russia and the nauseating confusion of unexpected time travel are palpable. Romantic scenes are tender and engaging. What is lacking is overall cohesion. The story is told from the alternating viewpoints of Anne, Ethan, and Tsar Nicholas’s son Viktor. Even though each chapter is labeled accordingly, their voices (and those of the secondary characters) sound alike, so it is hard to keep the narratives straight. In addition, frequent location and era changes add to the confusion. Oblique references to the first two novels do little to get readers up to speed, so this title does not stand alone. Consider purchasing where the first two books are popular.-Jennifer Prince, Buncombe County Public Library, NC