From 1917, the world has always been fascinated by the family of Nicholas II, the last Tsar of Russia, and in particular what fascinates people the most is a what-if question: what if one of his four daughters survived the terrible massacre that came upon them on July 17th, 1918?

For a while, there was a thought that Anastasia Romanoff, the youngest daughter of the Tsar has survived, especially with many claiming to actually be her. Anastasia's possible survival has inspired so many novels and movies - even a cartoon version - that she easily overshadowed her older sisters: Olga, Tatiana, and Maria. While this is my first Gill Paul novel, she has written an earlier tale of Romanoffs, a companion book titled THE SECRET WIFE, which is a tale of Tatiana Romanoff, and which I think would be beneficial to read before this one. THE LOST DAUGHTER tackles another daughter of the tsar, Maria, who was only sixteen years of age at the time of her imprisonment.

Although I was born in Russia and lived there eight years, I know very little about Tsar Nicholas II's family and its tragic end, yet THE LOST DAUGHTER has inspired me to learn more. THE LOST DAUGHTER includes plotlines that alternate between Maria's life and the life of Val Doyle in the 1970s. Their connection isn't learned until the very end, which was frustrating at times. I also found myself strongly connecting with Maria and constantly desiring to go back to her story than Val's storyline. However, for a reader who wants to learn more about Russia as well about one of the lesser-known Romanoff Daughters, THE LOST DAUGHTER by Gill Paul is an inspiring and wonderful read that will linger long after the last page is turned.