Sorry kids, no feet.

I am having the worst luck with books right now. I put aside a bad book to pick up this book. About fifty pages into this book, I had to put it aside. This book was not good. It wasn't completely abysmal and that is why it's getting two stars instead of only one.

Eva Stachniak's previous book [b:The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great|11149173|The Winter Palace A Novel of Catherine the Great (Catherine, #1)|Eva Stachniak|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320493850s/11149173.jpg|15853254] was an ok book. I didn't think it was fantastic but I did think Catherine, as portrayed in that novel, had potential to be great in her own novel. This was not the case. My biggest problem with this book was the manner in which it was written. The author is constantly jumping around without really telling the reader what is going on. There is a point where the story goes from five years into Catherine's reign to twelve years into Catherine's reign in a matter of seven pages. It makes the book difficult to read.

I get the impression that while the author might think Catherine the Great is a fascinating women, the author does not think Russia is such a fascinating place. It would have been nice to see a little more about what was actually going on in Russia during Catherine's reign. To be perfectly honest, I cannot tell you anymore than I already know about Russia at this time period. For those who don't know me, I know very little about Russia before Word War I. This book is about a woman who is remembered with the title "the Great". That title doesn't just get bestowed on past monarchs. It's kind of a big deal. Ask Peter. What made this woman so great? I can't imagine it was the string of "lovers" she had while Empress.

If you have read[b:The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great|11149173|The Winter Palace A Novel of Catherine the Great (Catherine, #1)|Eva Stachniak|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320493850s/11149173.jpg|15853254] and are looking to pick up this book thinking it will tie into the previous book, stop right now. Varvara is briefly mentioned. She is in no way a key character in this book, nor is Darya.

I feel like this review has been as random as the writing of the book. I really just don't know what to say. It was not a good book. I am not as familiar with Catherine the Great as I am other historical figures but I am sure there are other fictional novels out there. I am sure that most of those books are better than this one. If anyone knows of any, please let me know.