Time for a rare episode of “What did Aaron just finish reading?” I love a good alternate history “What if?” novel. So naturally, when Upstream Reviews covered The Romanov Rescue by Tom Kratman, Justin Watson, and Kacey Ezell, I had to pick it up.
Granted it took me about a year to actually read the book, but that probably just says more about my current amount of free time, combined with my Pile of Shame.
Set during the waning of World War I, The Romanov Rescue crafts a fascinating, plausible alternative where a few more Germans recognize the danger inherent in the Bolshevik revolution. An airship doesn’t blow up crossing the Mediterranean Sea. With just a little better timing, things break very differently in 1918 Russia.
Make no mistake, this isn’t a book where everything goes smoothly for the good guys. Bad breaks do happen. Not enough to end the book, obviously, but not everything goes according to anyone’s plan. Furthermore, it’s absolutely unflinching in its portrayal of the evils of the Russian communists. They rape, murder, and terrorize with historical accuracy. This can make for some squeamish reading at times, but it’s good to remember that these guys were VERY bad guys. Lenin and Trotsky weren’t heroes, and anyone claiming otherwise is either historically ignorant, or a moron. Or both.
The story starts slowly. More than half the book is spent working through the logistics and training for the titular rescue operation. Interspersed with camp logistics and team selections, we get little glimpse into what the daily lives of the Romanovs were probably like while they were in captivity.
When we finally get to the action, it’s well written and viscerally intense. Bullets fly and men die by bullets, bayonets, grenades, flames, and various other violent options. The weapons themselves are also well researched (as one would expect by this author group), highlighting a collection that might require watching a few C&Rsenal videos to fully appreciate.
If I have one major criticism for the book, it’s that although the end brings the story to a satisfying conclusion, I want more. What’s the next step in this world? With the Russian Revolution now in turmoil, what might happen next? The Romanov Rescue came out in 2021, and we’re nearing the end of 2023 without a sequel. That’s not a criticism that should put anyone off from this book, however, as it is a solid, self-contained story. I just want more alt-history in this world.
Purchases made from the author’s Amazon link will provide a small payment to me.