Mundie Moms

Thursday, February 25, 2010

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.

Thoughtful Thursday- Operation Smile


Today's thoughtful Thursday spotlights one amazing organization aimed at making Children around the world, feel more confident as they give them hope and a reason to smile. Operation Smile travels around the globe going into some of the poorest countries and villages to fix broken smiles and mend broken hearts.

I'm in awe over people who volunteer their services to help make the world a better place, one child at a time. Operation Smile's team of medical volunteers do just that. They have been fixing smiles on children's faces for over 27 years and in over 50 countries. You can go here to read some of the amazing stories from those they have helped-http://www.operationsmile.org/living_proof/

Their Mission:
Operation Smile mobilizes a world of generous hearts to heal children's smiles and transform lives across the globe.

We believe that all children deserve to live their lives with dignity. And for those suffering from cleft lip, cleft palate or other facial deformities, dignity begins with a smile.

Driven by our universal compassion for children, we work worldwide to repair childhood facial deformities by delivering safe, effective surgical care directly to patients. The global partnerships we create, the knowledge we share and the infrastructure we build leave a legacy that lives well beyond our medical missions, making a lasting difference in our world.

Our impact is felt not just through the children we heal, but through the daily transformation of donors, volunteers and staff as we fulfill our shared vision and see immediate, life-changing results.

To donate and learn about how you can get more involved in this wonderful organization, please visit here-http://www.operationsmile.org/ways_to_give/

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