Book Review-Dreaming Anastasia

By Joy Preble

Published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Released on Sept. 1, 2009

Source: Bought

4 stars

What really happened to Anastasia Romanov?

Anastasia Romanov thought she would never feel more alone than when the gunfire started and her family began to fall around her. Surely the bullets would come for her next. But they didn't. Instead, two gnarled old hands reached for her. When she wakes up she discovers that she is in the ancient hut of the witch Baba Yaga, and that some things are worse than being dead.

In modern-day Chicago, Anne doesn't know much about Russian history. She is more concerned about getting into a good college—until the dreams start. She is somewhere else. She is someone else. And she is sharing a small room with a very old woman. The vivid dreams startle her, but not until a handsome stranger offers to explain them does she realize her life is going to change forever. She is the only one who can save Anastasia. But, Anastasia is having her own dreams…

I was drawn to the book by it's cover and the premise of the story. It's a great mix of Russian folklore, historical fiction, romance and supernatural powers. I felt that Joy was able to capture all these wonderful elements and weave them together into a great modern day story. I liked that the book is from three points of views. Anne, Ethan and Anastasia's. Through each of their points of views, we get to learn more about them. I enjoyed that through Anastasia's pov, we learn more about the Russian Forklore, and her history. The characters are wonderful, as I really loved the tension and chemistry Ethan and Anne had. I like Anne's best friend Tess and even the other minor characters in the story.

Anne is a normal teenage girl, who's best friend Tess is there for her no matter what. Anne has dealt with a lot recently. Her family is still dealing with the death of her older brother, who died of cancer, when her life will suddenly flip up side down with the appearance of Ethan. Tall, dark haired, with bright blue eyes, that seem to penetrate Anne to the core, Ethan's sudden appearance is no accident.

Anne's world shifts the moment she makes contact with Ethan. Everything she thought she knew about herself is about to change. Not only is Anne and Ethan connected in a magical way, but Anne is the only person who can save the Princess Anastasia that she's been dreaming about. Only problem is, how do you save a Princess who should have died over a century ago? Why after she touched Ethan, does she feel magic coursing through her body? Anne is about to embark on a journey with Ethan that is both dangerous and crazy, as she searches for these answers. Who thought dreams could be real and magic does exist. Anne and Ethan are in a race for their lives as they look for the clues they need to release Anastasia. Anne's about to find out that one Russian Fairytale isn't a fairytale after all.

This novel is about love, magic and the power of dreams. 

I really enjoyed being swept away in the book and the historical fiction of it. I do wish that Ethan and Anne's chemistry had been explored a little more. That still doesn't take away from the chemistry they had. There's more to Ethan and Anne's story that I'm dying to know. I hope there's a sequel.