This was a hard book, not going to lie. It was indeed very sad and at times I almost wanted to stop reading because of the way it made me feel but I persisted and made it through. It was very well written that’s for sure, but it does take place during a very hard time in Russian history. I learned quite a few new things about the Romanov family that I had never heard before so that was nice. I do love a book where the story is intriguing but I learn something at the same time! So here is a brief synopsis of The Kitchen Boy.
Leonka is working for the Romanov family as their kitchen boy. He helps with the cooking, cleans the dishes, interacts with Alexi, and delivers secret messages to the former Tsar. It’s a hard life. He was one of the few that went along with Nicholas and his family to the depths of Siberia. They are under close supervision by the Red Army during their captivity in the Ipatiev house (The house of Special Purpose). And they all have their secrets. Not many people know exactly what happened on that terrible night of July 17th, 1918. Not many eyewitness accounts survived. But Leonka did. And it would haunt him till the day he dies. He saw so many things, witnessed so many secrets, and at last he couldn’t keep them to himself. So many decades after the murders he decides that it is time to tell all, time to let someone else know of all the pain, hurt, and horror. Time to let someone know the story of the last days of the last Royal Imperial family of Russia.
There is at least one rather graphic scene, I knew there would be because I have heard the story of the Romanov’s before. And there is one section in the book that uses some pretty foul language. So I would not recommend this book to any readers under the age of 12 or 13. This also depends on the maturity of the reader and what kinds of books they have previously read. But I would recommend The Kitchen Boy to lovers of literature who enjoy stories about Russia, the Revolution, and other bits of history. I did like the book, but not in a happy good feeling kind of way. It made me sad, but that’s fine sometimes. So go to the nearest library and check out this book as soon as you like.
Happy Reading!