The theme of this book, in my opinion, is to tell the story of Anastasia Romanov, who, as the title states, was, "The Last Grand Duchess," of Russia. This book tells about the life of this young grand duchess, from a fictional standpoint. It portrays her from the time she was thirteen, until the time of her death at seventeen. It shows how palace life could have been dull and dismal, but how it could occasionally be fun and interesting.
The main character's name is, as the title states, Anastasia Romanov. From the picture on the front of the book, she appears to be very beautiful, with long brown hair. From the way the suthor portrays this books, she enjoyed writing plays. Even though she enjoyed writing plays, she didn't enjoy going to balls and dances at the beginning of this book.
Some of the numerous non-fictional characters include, Nicholas Alexandrovitch Romanov, tsar and Anastasia's father, Alexandra Feodorvna Romonov, tsaritsa and Anastasia's mother, Olga, grand duchess and Anastasia's sister, Tatiana, grand duchess and Anastasia's sister, Marie, grand duchess and Anastasia's sister, and Alexi, tsarevitch and Anastasia's brother. Sice their are far less fictional characters, I will go ahead and list them here. Dunyasha, who was Olga's maid, Natasha, Dunyasha's daughter, Vladya, Natasha's fiance, Miss Kropotkin, the children's music teacher, Lieutenant Boris, who was Anastasia's dancing parter, Mrs.Phelps, who was an English visitor, Officer Saltikov, who was Tatiana's dancing parter, Lutka, a servant, Sonia Petrovna Izvolsky, a servant, and Kremikov, the court photographer. A few more nonfictional characters include, but are not close to being limited to, Father Grigory (Rasputin, who was a holy man and advisor to the tsaritsa, Wilhelm II, Kaiser (Cousin Willy), who was the tsaritsa's cousin, Nicholas Dmitrievitch Demekov (Kolya, who was Mashka's friend, Shura, who was Anastasia's nurse-governess, Madame Gheringer, who was the supplier of scarves, gloves, etc., General Kornilov, who was a respected leader who informed the tsaritsa of arrest, Commandant Yurovsky, who was the head of Secret Police, Mathilde Kschessinka, who was prima ballerina assoluta of the Imperial Ballet, and Prince Felix Yussupov, who was husband of the tsar's niece, Irina and who was assassin of Rasputin. Their pets included Vanka, Alexi's donkey, Eira, the tsaritsa's Scottish terrier, Ortino, Tatiana's French bulldog, Joy, Alexei's spaniel, and Jimmy, Anastasia's spaniel.
This book is set in 1914 and goes up to 1918, covering a span of four years. Geographically, it is set in Russia, among a few other places. Politically, they were in the middle of a war.
I think the major problem in this sotry was the war. It also included how to win the war. The resolution of this problem doesn't really come, because before the war ends, the whole family is killed.

I have always been interested in the story of the Romanovs, and this is only one of the many books about them that I have read. It is an awesome book, but since the true story can be scary for younger kids (though that isn't included in the book) they might not want to read it.

My mom bought me this book at the mall, and I couldn't put it down! I'm sort of a history and reading geek, and I liked how her name matched mine. It's very interesting, filled with facts about Anastasia's life and such. It's written for a younger, pre-teen audience, so just be aware of this, but it's still a great book!

this book I think is more suited for a younger reading audience.I think that there is insufficient factual facts submitted in the read.

We have really learned history from the Royal Diary series. It gives a wonderful time frame to set history in. It really helps you to remember what you need to know!

I'm a fan of the Royal Diaries series, and this is the best of the books. I read this book over and over again. I liked the way that you could tell that the children, especially Anastasia and Alexei, grew up throughout the four years that the novel took place. I also liked the glimpse it gave of the lavish lifestyle that the Romanovs led, and I was extremely saddened to learn of their fate. I do not believe that Anna Anderson was really Anastasia. I think that Anastasia died along with her family that fateful day in July. But if you would like to read the Royal Diaries series, this is a great book to start off with.

I'm a fan of the Royal Diaries series, and this is the best of the books. I read this book over and over again. I liked the way that you could tell that the children, especially Anastasia and Alexei, grew up throughout the four years that the novel took place. I also liked the glimpse it gave of the lavish lifestyle that the Romanovs led, and I was extremely saddened to learn of their fate. I do not believe that Anna Anderson was really Anastasia. I think that Anastasia died along with her family that fateful day in July. But if you would like to read the Royal Diaries series, this is a great book to start off with.

But don't accept this as history. Obviously, the woman know as 'Anna Anderson' was Anastasia Romanov. DNA tests done of specimens found in a hosptial and on a book shelf are not conclusive evidence.

It's very good for people just starting to get interested in Anastasia and her family, and good for people who are experts on Anastasia who want to just read and relax. If you read it, just know that it's fiction, and that it isn't Anastasia's real diary. It's only based on true events and people. That aside, it's worth reading over and over again.