Title: Queen of Someday
Series: A Stolen Empire Novel
Author: Sherry D. Ficklin
To Be Published: October 7th, 2014
Publisher: Clean Teen Publishing
Page Count: 262
Genre: YA Historical Romance
Content Warning: Mild violence, language, fade to black sexual content
Age Recommendation: 17+
~ Synopsis ~ ONE GIRL WILL BRING AN EMPIRE TO ITS KNEES…
Before she can become the greatest empress in history, fifteen-year-old Sophie will have to survive her social-climbing mother’s quest to put her on the throne of Russia—at any cost.
Imperial Court holds dangers like nothing Sophie has ever faced before. In the heart of St. Petersburg, surviving means navigating the political, romantic, and religious demands of the bitter Empress Elizabeth and her handsome, but sadistic nephew, Peter. Determined to save her impoverished family—and herself—Sophie vows to do whatever is necessary to thrive in her new surroundings. But an attempt on her life and an unexpected attraction threatens to derail her plans.
Alone in a new and dangerous world, learning who to trust and who to charm may mean the difference between becoming queen and being sent home in shame to marry her lecherous uncle. With traitors and murderers lurking around every corner, her very life hangs in the balance. Betrothed to one man but falling in love with another, Sophie will need to decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice in order to become the empress she is destined to be.
In a battle for the soul of a nation, will love or destiny reign supreme?
Sara's Review
I really want to read the sequel now, to find out how this story continues. From the opening chapter, I was swept away into this tale of Catherine the Great of Russia when she was younger.
I really like historical fiction, and this book is a great addition to the genre. What really drew me in to the story is Sophia/Catherine herself.
Her character is written in such a way that it was easy to like her and empathize with her at various points throughout the book. Words I can use to describe her would include brave, resourceful, and driven. I also thought she was very three-dimensional.
The book is written from a first person point of view, and the fact we saw her thought processes from that perspective I knew exactly what she was thinking and feeling. As far as other characters, Sergei became one of my favorites. He served as a voice of wisdom when she needed it, as well as Alexander. Peter, on the other hand, was a character I grew to dislike the further I read in the story.
This book is one I'd recommend to readers who enjoy strong female characters as well as historical fiction. My rating is 5/5 platypires.
About the Author
She is the author of The Gods of Fate Trilogy now available from Dragonfly Publishing. Her previously self-published novel After Burn: Military Brats has been acquired by Harlequin and will be released in 2014 with a second book in that series to follow. Her newest YA steampunk novel, Extracted: The Lost Imperials book 1, co-written with Tyler H. Jolley is now available everywhere books are sold and her newest YA novel, Losing Logan, is due for release in 2014 from Clean Teen Publishing.
Excerpt
He kisses me.
The moment our lips touch, the last fraying strands of my self-control snap and I reach up, clasping my hands behind his neck and pulling him against me. There’s no reason, no judgment—only gentle waves of relief. I’m lost in the ocean of his embrace, drowning in him. I could live a hundred lifetimes inside his kiss, and it would never be enough. One single thought surfaces through the tide of emotions.
“Of the entire universe, I only wanted you,” I whisper the words against his lips, a solemn pledge.
His hands slide up my back and into my hair, working it loose with his fingers until it falls in brown waves across my shoulders. I sigh against his mouth and he responds by pulling away just a bit, laying a kiss on the tip of my nose, my forehead, and beside my eye, before returning to my lips.
“You have ruined me,” he whispers against my mouth, his voice thick with desire.
Giveaway
Bob's Review
*Real rating is 3.5*
*The version of Queen of Someday that I read may differ from the finished product. I may read the official copy at a later date, and my review may change to reflect any changes I come across.*
This story is the life of young Queen Katherine as the author has imagined it might have been. It's an interesting tale, and I liked the character interactions.
I have a like/dislike feeling for Sophie, though. I love that she's spunky and feisty, but she's so wishy washy with her men. She sees the first one and fantasizes about him, but then oh no, there's her handsome prince. Oops, her feelings are running away with her dancing with another guy. Oh, there's her prince again. Back to the other guy, back and forth and back and forth. I wanted to smack her and scream at her to choose one already! And yes, I know there are people like this, but I don't have a lot of patience for them, either.
All in all, while I found the book a little slow and hard to get into, it was still interesting. I'll admit that it could have just been the reading mood I was in. I will re-read this when the final copy is published, and change my review accordingly.
Bob says: 3 Platypires