Book Review - The Romanov Prophecy by Steve Berry

I have always been fascinated by the rich Russian history and the Romanovs, so I was delighted that one of my favorite authors wrote a book them. I love Steve Berry books because of all the research he puts into his stories. (Research he shares with you on his website.) He entwines the real life history with modern day fictional characters to produce a novel that makes the reader hold on to their seats for an unimaginable ride.

There has always been controversy over what really happened on the night of July 16, 1918 and what happened to the two children, whose bodies were never found. It has long been debated whether the missing bodies belonged to Maria and Alexei or Anastasia and Alexei. Over the years, false "Anastasia's" have come forward only to be proved impostors. There have been numerous books and movies made based on the theories of what happened that fateful night and if there were survivors what became of them. For many Russians there will always be the desire to see a tsar and more specifically a Romanov returned to the throne. There is actually an organization devoted to just such a cause, The All-Russian Monarchist Assembly. In The Romanov Prophecy, Steve Berry delves into that what if.


The Romanov Prophecy starts off with an intriguing prologue that invites you into an intimate view of the lives and minds of the Romanovs leading up to their execution. Berry then throws the reader head first into the life of Miles Lord, an African American lawyer from Atlanta, GA., whose love of the Russian culture could lead to his downfall or triumph. Berry choice in Mile's race shows us a side a side of Russia that few who have not visited or lived there would have considered. In present day Moscow, Communism has fallen, attempts at a stable government have failed and the people have voted to bring back the tsars. Miles and his boss, Taylor Hayes, are in Moscow to perform a background check on the distant relatives of Nicholas II before the new tsar will be crowned. Corrupt Western businessmen have a candidate they want in power, but is there a closer living relative to Nicholas II? Miles will be chased across multiple countries to survive and find the rightful heir. Are he and Russian circus performer, Akilina Petrov part of a prophecy written by Rasputin to Nicholas' wife, Alexandra? Did the real heir survive the bloody massacre and can they find the heir or the descendant in time to prevent the wrong man from being crown?

Berry keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout by giving the reader insight into characters in Mile's life, while keeping him in the dark until the end. He weaves a masterful suspense that will have you screaming warnings to Miles. For anyone who loves a good mystery, a fast paced thriller or political intrigue, this book is a must read. I give it five out of five Faberge Eggs!