Queen of Someday by Sherry D. Ficklin

October 2nd, 2014 Kimberly Review 60 Comments

2nd Oct
Queen of Someday by Sherry D. Ficklin
Queen of Someday
by Sherry D. Ficklin
Series: Stolen Empire #1
Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star

ONE GIRL WILL BRING AN EMPIRE TO ITS KNEES...Before she can become the greatest empress in history, fifteen-year-old Sophie will have to survive her social-climbing mother’s quest to put her on the throne of Russia—at any cost. Imperial Court holds dangers like nothing Sophie has ever faced before. In the heart of St. Petersburg, surviving means navigating the political, romantic, and religious demands of the bitter Empress Elizabeth and her handsome, but sadistic nephew, Peter. Determined to save her impoverished family—and herself—Sophie vows to do whatever is necessary to thrive in her new surroundings. But an attempt on her life and an unexpected attraction threatens to derail her plans. Alone in a new and dangerous world, learning who to trust and who to charm may mean the difference between becoming queen and being sent home in shame to marry her lecherous uncle. With traitors and murderers lurking around every corner, her very life hangs in the balance. Betrothed to one man but falling in love with another, Sophie will need to decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice in order to become the empress she is destined to be. In a battle for the soul of a nation, will love or destiny reign supreme?

I have enjoyed Sherry D. Ficklin’s previous novels; Extracted and Losing Logan, so I was very excited to read Queen of Someday. The cover is beautiful and when I discovered the setting was Imperial Russia I knew I had to read it. Queen of Someday was wonderful, and I quickly slipped into this world fraught with danger and laced in romance. Sophie is an amazing, kick-ass heroine who transforms in this novel, and I cannot wait to return in the next novel.

Five Reasons to grab a cup of Imperial coffee and lose yourself in Queen of Someday

  • The setting..Hello, it is Imperial Russia, with the court, the Queen, politics and balls. It made me giddy. I loved the tension, backstabbing, and plays for power. Now for those of you who aren’t big on historical fiction this tale isn’t weighted with lengthy details. In fact, my only complaint about the entire book is that I wanted more details regarding settings, customs, etc.
  • Sophie is fifteen when she and her mother travel to the Imperial Court, in St. Petersburg. The Queen favors her to marry the Prince. Sophie is brilliant, and a heroine you cannot help admire from the onset. The girl is kick-ass with a blade and arrow. She is also quick-witted and observant. She doesn’t whine when the world treats her cruelly; she stands up dusts herself off and takes action to strength her position. One of the things I admired about her, was that despite everything that occurs she holds her head high, lets go of her anger and still manages to treat those around her with compassion. Ficklin’s portrayal of Sophie was brilliant, and I cannot wait to see how she continues to grow.
  • Queen of Someday portrays a young Catherine the Great. For history buffs, who aren’t overly concerned with the details, the author offers up a clever, captivating tale about a girl who became Queen. Ficklin includes information in the back of this novel, and I am happy she chose to explore Catherine’s story.
  •  Romance in the Imperial Court is crazy, and Sophie is not immune. In fact, she has several suitors. It is complicated, wonderful, and heartbreaking. Filled with friendships and political moves these threads kept me on edge and showed many facets of a young queen in the making. The romantic threads will move you, make you swoon, and have you shedding a tear. But all of  it transforms Sophie.
  • Read Queen of Someday for the writing style. Despite wanting more details regarding the castle, surroundings and customs, Sherry Ficklin held me captive from page one. Her characters have depth, unique voices and show growth. Love them or hate them she weaves them into your heart. The tale moves at a nice clip with plenty of twists and turns keeping the reader fully engaged. Ficklin equally balances the lighter and the darker moments of the story, keeping the anticipation high without weighing down the readers overall mood.

Queen of Someday was a captivating interpretation of a young Catherine the Great and one I cannot wait to continue. Fans of strong, feisty protagonists and Imperial Russia will delight in Ficklin’s tale.

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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60 Responses to “Queen of Someday by Sherry D. Ficklin”

  1. Lorna

    I really liked Losing Logan, and didn’t know she had another book out. I haven’t read a historical in awhile, it just might be time to change that! Thanks 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I liked LL too, have you read her book Extracted? Fantasy-time travel it was fantastic!

  2. Cyn

    Haven’t heard of this one before, but I’m totally loving the sounds of it! A historical fiction/romance and it’s set in Russia and there’s royalty, definitely right up my alley! Glad to see this was a winner for you, great review, Kim!

  3. Lauren

    Ooh I love the sound of this one and your review has me convinced I’m going to love it! I hadn’t heard of this one, but I’m definitely going to look for a copy now. Thanks!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Enjoy Lauren, I look forward to hearing your take on it 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      thanks Michelle, I have really been enjoying this author’s works 🙂

  6. Michele

    I’ve been hearing great things about this one — so happy you enjoyed it! I love the cover, and I look forward to reading this author’s work!

  7. Ann Noser

    You did it again–picked yet another book on my eager to read list and gave me even more encouragement to do so! 🙂

  8. Mary

    The setting alone makes me want to pick up the book but I’m also interested in meeting Sophie!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      This was well done Mary and agree the time period is splendid.

  10. Rita H DuffyGal

    Nice one! I love Russian history all the way up to the overturn of the last Czar Nicholas and his family. This sounds interesting, and also I’m looking at the publisher’s name, Clean Teen Pub, haven’t seen that before. I guess you– who likes heat in your romances– could still enjoy a book that is labeled “clean teen”. Thanks for sharing a new one to me!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Yes, I am very eclectic in my taste and can deal with clean on occasion *winks*

  11. Tanja

    I have heard such amazing things about this one that I cannot wait to read it. I mean Imperial Russia! Who wouldn’t want to see some of that. Great review and thanks for sharing it with us! 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I truly enjoyed it Anna, and loved the author’s interpretation of a young Catherine.

  15. Amber Elise

    I’m TERRIBLE with Russian history, I’ll have to read this and learn something. *googles Catherine the Great*

    Amber Elise @Du Livre

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I love history, although admittedly I suck at names, and butcher pronouncing them. What is nice about this, is that it is light on historical details, and is the author’s imagined idea of a young Catherine. I really enjoyed it.

  16. Kristin

    Oh my gosh! This sounds fantastic! I need to see if this is on our radar for order at the library!!!!! What a great book to recommend when mom is standing right there 😉 History and romance!!! Done and DONE!!! Thanks, girlie – you’re hired!!! Tee, hee!!!

  17. Heidi

    Welcome back! I was gone last week on vacation as well, so I am still catching up. I read another review for this one and it totally caught my attention. I know so little about Russia during this era and I want to know more. I think the cover is gorgeous and the story sounds terrific.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Hope your vacation went well. The wedding was wonderful, but I am tired.

  18. Candace

    I have Extracted and still need to read it. But this book, I NEED it! It sounds exactly like something I would love!

  19. Asheley (

    I’ve seen this one floating around and that cover keeps drawing my eye! I’ve been reading quite a bit of historical fiction lately – I can’t seem to get enough. Not a ton of Russian, though. The more I see this one, the more I want to read it. I just added it to my wish list. Thanks for the review – I think it may have pushed me to finally add it to my list (:

    • kimbacaffeinate

      This would make a great intro, since it isn’t overly heavy with dates and names. I do love HF.

  20. Katherine

    Catherine the Great and Imperial Russia! So in! Love this time period and this sounds like such an unusual historical fiction. Just from the cover I thought it would be kind of sci-fi so I’m glad to see it isn’t!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Really, sci-fi. *goes and scans cover again* Hmm, ok maybe. To be honest I thought it was pretty but then saw Imperial Russia and began to drool..lol

  21. Braine Talk Supe

    Oh I love Catherine The Great and Imperial Russia! Yup, the cover is gorgeous and this is a rather “unique” historical romance in that there’s not a lot of CtG inspired stories out there.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Yep I am a sucker for Imperial Russia myself Braine. Not sure why, no ancestral ties but I find it fascinating.

  22. LuAnn Braley

    I don’t remember a lot about Catherine the Great, except that she was reputed to have voracious appetites. Sounds like my kind of read!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Not much is known about young Catherine, so it was neat to see Ficklin’s imagined version

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Thanks Debbie, it feels good to be back, although i am still very tired and behind on everything! LOL

    • kimbacaffeinate

      :snort: It was quite good, and you must read her novel Extracted.

  25. Jenny

    Oooo Imperial Russia you say? Count me in Kim!!! I think I would absolutely love this one:) I was lucky enough to get to visit Russia last year, and the history I learned was amazing. I can’t wait to see what Sherry does with a young Catherine!

  26. Red Iza

    I might have not have been interested in this novel at first, but what you say about the heroin really attracts me 🙂 On my list now !

    • kimbacaffeinate

      You really witness a Queen being born, and she is kick-ass

  27. Nick

    I’ve been hearing so many great things about this book, Kim! I definitely need to give this a shot and not just because of the pretty cover. I love that this is set in Imperial Russia. You have me convinced! I MUST read this book. 🙂
    Lovely review, Kim!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I had fun reading it Nick, and I love that she has written 3 different books and I have enjoyed them all

  29. Melanie (YA Midnight Reads)

    Imperial Russia? Sounds awesome already. I haven’t read many books at all from that time period so I am definitely intrigued already. SO glad that the writing was spectacular as well 🙂

    Fabulous review, Kimba! <33

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Thanks Melanie, I loved watching the heroine transform.

  30. Melliane

    You’re right, this cover is beautiful! I love the fact that it’s set in a Russian environment because it’s something I always to read about. Thank you for the lovely review.