About This Book
Reach for this book when your teen is beginning to notice that the world is rarely divided into simple heroes and villains. It is perfect for the reader who is questioning their own upbringing or grappling with how to reconcile their personal identity with a family legacy they didn't choose. Set against the brutal backdrop of the 1918 Russian Revolution, the story follows Anna, a committed Bolshevik, and Nastya, a girl who might be the Grand Duchess Anastasia, as they are forced to rely on one another to survive. Beyond the historical intrigue, this is a deep dive into the psychology of empathy and the way shared trauma can bridge even the widest political divides. While it contains the intensity and violence inherent to a survival story in a war zone, the narrative is grounded in the developing trust between two girls who have been taught to hate each other. It is a powerful choice for fostering critical thinking about history, justice, and the courage it takes to change one's mind.
