This is a fairly easy read for non-fiction detailing the last month or so of the Romanov family. The author writes each chapter as though it is a day leading up to the tragedy, but she talks about the history of a person throughout the chapter that clearly covers more than that day - a style I found awkward and distracting. I would have preferred more history of the family and less of every other person they came into contact with. Some of it grew tedious. As other reviewers have pointed out, this book does assume some knowledge of the Russian Revolution, which was not a problem for me but would be confusing for someone with no knowledge of the events and attitudes surrounding this event. I admired the Romanovs' devotion to each other and God as well as the willingness of their servants to follow them into the situation. The scene of their murder is written like an investigative report without emotion but one cannot help but feel emotion when reading it. Such a horrible tragedy among many occurring throughout Russia during that time. As Nicholas said, "We are not a constitutional country and dare not be; our people are not educated for it."
