The Crown and the Crucible by Michael Phillips and Judith Pella is not my usual fare. I’m a reader of thrillers, sci fi, and fantasy, not historical romance. But I picked it up one day on a free promotion, and from the first page I got sucked in.
The book reads at a much slower pace than that to which I am accustomed. The reader is warned in an author’s note that the first part of the book is mostly history, and the main characters’ stories don’t begin until later. But my advice is to read the introductory Russian history stories — they’re fascinating, and made me feel like I was really being educated and entertained at the same time.
The heroine is a Christian, and the story ends with her faith making an inspiring difference in the lives of those around her.
For readers who normally go in for action, there’s an exciting battle scene at the end.
Overall, The Crown and The Crucible is a slow read, but one with characters who will attract and keep your interest. I recommend it.