Anastasia: The Last Grand Duchess, Russia, 1914 by Carolyn Meyer (author) (US edition)

From diamonds and rubies to revolution and murder: a life story to stun and sadden you. Anastasia’s life starts like a fairy tale. As the youngest daughter of the Russian king, Czar Nicholas II, she is used to a life of luxury. Ice skating, dancing lessons, games in the snow. Grand parties where Anastasia wears priceless jewels. But everything changes when the First World War breaks out. As Russia launches into battle, the peasants face poverty and hunger. They are starving, while the royal family squanders the country’s wealth on finery. When the people turn on the royal family, Anastasia and her family are imprisoned by the Bolsheviks. Witness all her spark and spirit in this fact-based diary, which takes you from the luxury of her royal days to her tragic fall from power.