4.1 (832 ratings)

The Witches of St. Petersburg: A Novel

Name: The Witches of St. Petersburg: A Novel
Rating: 4.1 (832 reviews)
Author: Imogen Edwards-Jones
ISBN: 0062848518

by Imogen Edwards-Jones

witches

About this book

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“Readers fascinated with the Romanovs and this tumultuous period in Russian history will be enthralled by this deliciously dark and memorable novel.” —Publishers Weekly

Inspired by real characters, this transporting historical fiction debut spins the fascinating story of two princesses in the Romanov court who practiced black magic, befriended the Tsarina, and invited Rasputin into their lives—forever changing the course of Russian history.

As daughters of the impoverished King of Montenegro, Militza and Stana must fulfill their duty to their father and leave their beloved home for St. Petersburg to be married into senior positions in the Romanov court. For their new alliances to the Russian nobility will help secure the future of the sisters’ native country. Immediately, Militza and Stana feel like outcasts as the aristocracy shuns them for their provincial ways and for dabbling in the occult. Undeterred, the sisters become resolved to make their mark by falling in with the lonely, depressed Tsarina Alexandra, who—as an Anglo-German—is also an outsider and is not fully accepted by members of the court. After numerous failed attempts to precipitate the birth of a son and heir, the Tsarina is desperate and decides to place her faith in the sisters’ expertise with black magic.

Promising the Tsarina that they will be able to secure an heir for the Russian dynasty, Militza and Stana hold séances and experiment with rituals and spells. Gurus, clairvoyants, holy fools, and charlatans all try their luck. The closer they become to the Tsarina and the royal family, the more their status—and power—is elevated. But when the sisters invoke a spiritual shaman, who goes by the name of Rasputin, the die is cast. For they have not only irrevocably sealed their own fates—but also that of Russia itself.

Publication Date: May 25, 2026
ASIN: 0062848518

Reader Reviews

The Witches of St Petersburg: A Novel

October 31, 2022

The Witches of St Petersburg, a novel by Imogene Edwards Jones, is an excellent example of historical fiction, telling a story of events that led to the downfall of the Romanov era of Russian history, including the effects of the infamous Rasputin and his powerful influence over the Romanovs. The “witches” are two sisters from a wealthy family from a neighboring country who marry into the Russian aristocracy; their background includes beliefs and the practice of supernatural events, and they...

Interesting historical fiction.

August 11, 2019

Good story. )

mostly depressing

April 6, 2019

This novel focuses on two sisters, Militza (the older) and Stana, princesses from the tiny east European country of Montenegro, whose parents sent them to the court of Russian Czar Nicholas and his new German bride, Alexandra (Alix) in the 1890s in the hope that they would make advantageous marriages and gain enough favor at court to help their impoverished homeland and their father, its ruler. They have learned a number of “witchy” folk practices from their mother and believe that in fact they...

LOVED this book

March 3, 2021

I realize it is a fictional book but the writer obviously spent a lot of time researching the history of Russia and of the Tsar's family and the goings-on at the time that Nicholas was Tsar. I loved the story of the witches. I had never heard of any witches in Russia during the time of Tsar Nicholas and it was so interesting. Also enjoyed reading about Rasputin. He was quite a character, that's for sure. I love how the story of the witches are intertwined with the lives of the Tsar and Tsarina...

An interesting look before the fall of the Romanovs

January 18, 2024

In this historical fiction we follow two sisters who marry into the Romanov Court of Russia. They are considered witches for dealing black magic. You get to see seances and some card play, as well as herbology. They befriend the Tsarina, trying to help her produce a male heir. You see them climb the social structure that is the Romanov Empire. They eventually welcome in Rasputin into their lives and into the court of Russia. From there the story gets rather crazy, with how fast Rasputin was...