Destinies by Karleene Morrow: A Gripping Historical Fiction Review

 

Take a blender. Add a generous dose of facts and fiction, some amazing characters, a dash of romance, a hint of conspiracy, a splash of violence, and plenty of suspense. Blend it all together, and you get Destinies by Karleene Morrow!

The protagonist of this novel is Catherine II, better known as Catherine the Great. One of Russia’s most renowned rulers, she reigned from 1762 until her death in 1796 and remains one of the country’s longest-serving female monarchs. Ms. Morrow has done a wonderful job of bringing her to life while staying true to the historical figure. Catherine is fierce yet generous, cruel yet loving, ruthless yet caring. She is a woman of many contradictions, and as a reader, I found myself loving and hating her in equal measure throughout the novel. It takes some skill to create a character who can inspire such conflicting emotions!

Another prominent character is Christian, a fictional character whose story we follow from the age of fourteen. When his parents decide to accept Catherine’s offer to settle in Russia, young Christian is understandably worried about leaving behind his best friend and his beloved horse. As the story progresses, we watch him grow and mature, and much of the novel is narrated through his eyes. His journey adds a personal dimension to the grand historical events unfolding around him.

For those of us who are a little weak on world history (guilty as charged!), Destinies is a real treat. It offers an engaging history lesson, transporting us back to Catherine the Great’s Russia and giving us a glimpse into the lives of the nobility and royal court. In the foreword, Ms. Morrow mentions that she has portrayed Catherine and certain members of the royal court as they lived. She has clearly put considerable effort into bringing these historical figures and their world to life.

What impressed me just as much was the way she builds and sustains suspense throughout the novel. The mix of historical facts and fiction, compelling characters, romance, conspiracy, and violence keeps the story moving and makes it difficult to put down.

An amazing, gripping page-turner!

Review Copy received from the Author



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Frequently Asked Questions About Destinies by Karleene Morrow

1. What is Destinies by Karleene Morrow about?

Destinies is a historical fiction novel centred on Catherine II, better known as Catherine the Great, and life in eighteenth-century Russia. Blending historical figures with fictional characters, the novel combines romance, conspiracy, violence, and suspense against the backdrop of the Russian royal court.

2. Is Destinies based on a true story?

Destinies blends historical facts with fiction. Catherine the Great was a real historical figure who ruled Russia from 1762 to 1796, and the novel portrays her alongside members of the royal court. Fictional characters and imagined events help bring the historical setting to life.

3. Who is Catherine the Great in Destinies?

Catherine the Great is the central historical figure in the novel. Karleene Morrow portrays her as a complex woman with seemingly contradictory qualities: fierce yet generous, ruthless yet caring, and capable of both cruelty and love.

4. Who is Christian in Destinies?

Christian is a fictional character introduced as a fourteen-year-old boy whose family decides to settle in Russia after accepting Catherine's offer. Much of the novel is narrated through his perspective, allowing readers to follow his growth as he navigates life in a world shaped by royalty, political intrigue, and historical events.

5. Is Destinies by Karleene Morrow worth reading?

If you enjoy historical fiction featuring real historical figures, complex characters, royal courts, romance, conspiracy, and suspense, Destinies is worth considering. Its blend of history and fiction makes it an engaging read, even for readers who aren't particularly well-versed in Russian history.