The Sovereign's Daughter
Susan May Warren and Susan K. Downs
Barbour, Jan 2008, $9.97
ISBN: 9781597899833
In 1917 in Alexander Palace just south of Petrograd, Tsar Nikolai Romanov gives state secrets to his faithful twenty something chambermaid Oksana Terekhova. Though he trusts God will protect her, the Russian ruler assumes she has a better chance of survival than he and his royal family from overzealous revolutionaries especially the Bolsheviks, but still fears for her life. As such to keep Oksana and the secrets safe, he asks visiting Mennonite Anton Klassen to escort her to a safe haven; although dangerous the young Mennonite accepts the assignment that will bring honor to him and his family. Anton decides to hide Oksana inside his family on a South Russian farm.
As the Mennonite and the servant travel together, they begin to fall in love. However, dangerous adversaries seem to know that Oksana carries state secrets and make efforts to capture her so they can torture the information out of her. As the peril grows Anton begins to realize the state secrets he assumes his companion possesses is not what is the enemy wants; it is the woman that he vowed to his sovereign he will protect with his life who their adversaries vigorously pursue.
Using the Bolshevik Revolution as the impetus to this superb inspirational historical tale Susan May Warren and Susan K. Downs provide an interesting look at the turmoil of 1917 Russia. The key couple makes for a fascinating story as they flee for their lives heading from royalty to a Mennonite farm while revolutionaries pursue them. Each learns the hard way how difficult it truly is to trust God when you don't understand why bad things are happening to good people. Historical and inspirational fans will fully appreciate this fine saga and seek more collaborative works by the two Susans (see Heirs of Anton trilogy).
Harriet Klausner
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