Tsarina by Ellen Apsten is an expansive tale of the events and culture of early 18th century Russia. It is excellent historical fiction, obviously well-researched with attention to detail that brings the settings to life. There is also enough passionate romance and intrigue to satisfy readers of those genres, also. This novel chronicles the life of Catherine I of Russia, someone of whom I knew very little. Born out of wedlock as a serf in Livonia (Baltic states), Marta, as she was known, grew up in an area that was in turmoil, fought over and ruled at various times by powers like Sweden, Germany and Russia. War and hardship were familiar and frequent. We follow Marta’s journey from her childhood (late 1600s) through her teen years as a servant. Then, with this as background, the meat of the novel chronicles her meeting and subsequent romance and life with Tsar Peter the Great. Told by Marta in the first person throughout, her energy, enthusiasm and resourcefulness are apparent. The times were extremely difficult for a woman and a serf, and Marta sustains herself by any means she can to survive and elevate herself to the consort of the Tsar Peter. In times when men ruled absolutely, she ultimately gained their respect. This time in Eastern Europe apparently was very dark and, it seems, lagged behind the cultural advances of early 18th century Western Europe. The author includes the frequent disputes, killings, war crimes, palace intrigues and the abject poverty of the serfs. According to history books, Tsar Peter and Catherine began the process of modernizing Russian practices and education. Ironically, she remained illiterate all her life. The author’s descriptive abilities are outstanding. I really liked the first person narrative of Marta/Catherine. It gave the whole story a liveliness and believability that this woman was really someone remarkable: a survivor, a passionate lover and supporter of her husband Peter the Great, and ultimately, an Empress.