Novel Maven

Trigger warnings: rape, suicide, miscarriage, murder, slavery, physical abuse Summary: Peasant girl Marta goes through a long series of misfortunes before ending up in a Russian military camp and becoming the mistress of Tsar Peter of Russia. After almost a decade of being his mistress, she marries him and becomes Catherine. After Peter's death, she schemes to become Tsarina. Ellen Alpsten  creates an epic story following almost the whole of Marta's life. She goes from simple peasant girl to servant with benefits, then lives with a clergyman and his family, then is taken by a Russian general, which is how she comes to the tsar's attention. She frequently miscarries the tsar's children while hoping to provide him with a son and heir. I received an electronic galley copy of this title from the publisher through  Netgalley  in exchange for an honest review. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my  Disclosure Policy  for more infor...