Lover,mother,murderer,Tsarina.
1699: Illegitimate,destitute and strikingly beautiful,Marta is sold into labour at the age of fifteen - where in desperation she commits a crime that will force her to go on the run.
Cheating death at every turn,she is swept into the current of the Great Northern War. Working as a washer woman at a battle camp,she catches the eye of none other than Peter the Great. Passionate and iron-willed,Peter has a vision for transforming the traditionalist Tsardom of Russia into a modern,Western empire.
With nothing but wits,courage and formidable ambition,Marta will rise from nothing to become Catherine I of Russia. But it comes at a steep price and is tied to the destiny of Russia itself.
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLCISBN: 9781526606440Number of pages: 496Weight: 346 gDimensions: 198 x 129 mm
MEDIA REVIEWS
'Alpsten's colourful narrative does full justice to her extraordinary career'- Sunday Times
'With its sprawling canvas and huge cast...it's an entertaining romp through the endless intrigue,violence and debauchery of court life.'- Mail on Sunday
'The extraordinary life of Catherine I of Russia is brought to life in Alpsten's colourful novel.'- Sunday Times,Summer Picks
'This is the ultimate Cinderella story of an illiterate peasant girl who becomes the empress of Russia. It makes Game of Thrones look like a nursery rhyme.'- Daisy Goodwin
'As detailed as the jewels and enamel inlay on the creations of Fabergé...(a) crisp,elegant fictional account of history,woven with emotion and brio.'- Adriana Trigiani
'Luscious...Alpsten has clearly done some brilliant research. It reads like Game of Thrones without the dragons.'- Natasha Pulley
'(Alpsten) recounts this remarkable woman's colourful life and times.'- Count Nikolai Tolstoy
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