This book had a very interesting structure that alternated back and forth in time. It was difficult to dive in at first, but then I began to really like the way it was presented -- the structure was a great way to keep the mystery going through the whole book. I have been fascinated by the story of Anastasia and the Romanovs since I was a kid, and I think this book treated them with respect but also a reality that made the story much more believable. Of course children growing up in the royal household of the Emperor of Russia would be naive and entitled!