The Book Courier: Queen of Someday (Stolen Empire, #1)

by Sherry D. Ficklin

Cover ~ A+

I mean seriously?! This cover is absolutely stunning!

Plot ~

To save her family's title, Sophie must enter the dangers of the Russian Imperial Court. In there heart of St. Petersburg, she must navigate the political, romantics, and religious demands of the Empress Elizabeth and her nephew and heir, Peter. She is determined to save her family and do anything necessary to thrive in her new and unfamiliar surroundings.

Alone in this new and dangerous world, Sophie must learn who to trust and who to charm. Traitors and murderer lurk in the shadows determined to eliminated her from the path to the crown. She finds herself betrothed to one man, but falling in love with another. What will she be willing to sacrifice in order to become the empress she is destined to be?

Characters ~

Sophie (aka Catherine the Great) is a Prussian princess. Although royalty, her family is poor and her mother is determined to put Sophie on a throne. Sophie is brave, clever, and courageous. To avoid marrying her creepy old uncle, she agrees to a marriage with Prince Peter, heir to the Russian throne.

*I will not spoil the love interests!*

Who will she choose: the one she trusts, the one she loves, or the one she's being forced to marry?

Writing ~

Before reading this, I was hesitant to start because of rumors of a love square. That's right a fucking square. But honestly, I wouldn't even consider it a love triangle! Yes there technically are 3 love interests, but the book progresses in a way that each guy is introduced at a different point in the book. As a reader, your feelings change right along Sophie's. You really feel a connection to this character. My heart broke with hers, as well as a growth of hatred. I will say, I was pleased with the outcome of the love interest; her was my chose!

I will admit some parts of the book dragged, and the romance was the main focus of the book. But the overall point of the book was how Sophie became Catherine the Great and the most fearsome and beloved female leader of Russia.

Peter has won their fear this day, but you have won their hearts.

Her love life at this age is going to play a large part in shaping her future self. That is what makes the book worth the read. Some of the historical events are actually accurate, so props to the author! Obviously a large portion of the book is fiction, but the fiction is needed to keep the reader engaged in the story. And boy were there a lot of twists and turns. The only thing that bugged me was the Empress/Emperor title. I am 99% sure that the was called Tsar during the Imperial rule.