The Master Craftsman: A Novel

This was a great book full of adventure, growth, and love, from an unexpected treasure hunt.Kelli Stuart uses a split timeline technique in this book. By using this technique, she is telling two stories in one book; one being present day, and the other being in the 1900’s, all taking place mainly in Russia.Although following both stories was confusing at times, the pace of the book picked up and became an extremely fascinating story to follow, as both stories were constantly giving you the clues that were needed to solve the mystery that was surrounding the piece of treasure that was being hunted.The characters kept the story moving along as they were relatable. Their experiences were something that many are familiar with and that people could even connect with.Throughout the story, conflicts and challenges are thrown at the characters. The characters face the challenge of overcoming pain, along with important decisions that occur multiple times throughout the novel.The characters escape from their lives in Florida and take on an adventure in Russia to look for an old piece of art. This treasure hunt creates a reunion of a family which leads you on an emotional rollercoaster.The imagery that Kelli Stuart uses completes the novel in the way that it provides a picture for each character, item, and destination that is mentioned throughout this story.I would recommend this book to anyone who likes being taken on an adventure, but who also enjoys mystery and love, both romantic and familial love.

I think that this book was interesting. Before reading this book I didn’t know much about Russian history, and the Faberge Eggs. As well I learned about Faberge the person. So good job to the author educating the reader about the Faberge Eggs. I liked how the author revealed the eggs location, as well I did not really suspect one of the characters becoming a bad guy. So the author made a really interesting treasure story, mixed in with actual history. It was also cool to see it go from history to a modern day plot.  So this book deserves a 4/5 star.-Andrew

The author appears to be a decent writer who unfortunately has a pathetic editor. Mistakes abound, most notably in calling the imperial family royal. They are imperial, not royal. Russia never had a king, only a Tsar, Grand Duke or Emperor, Alexander the second was dead several years before Imperial eggs were commissioned and therefore could have not started the tradition of the imperial eggs as stated, the figure of Alexander III is on a blue lapis base, not blue nephrite (is there such a thing as blue nephrite?). And what what is the significance of the horses on the Anichkov bridge which was mentioned numerous times? This could’ve been an interesting piece of the story but it was just….nothing. And why on earth would people leave pictures of an egg in empty boxes? Clearly this is all just the setting for the next book where pathetic Ava looks for the egg. I couldn’t be less interested.

This is one of my most favorite books I’ve had the privilege to read. The character development is great and the story leads you on a journey where you palpably feel the emotions of the characters and as if you are a part of their journey. The attention to detail is fantastic and I love that the ending wasn’t predictable but showcased what really matters in life. This story is a feel good reminder of the inherit worth of people and importance of relationships.

I absolutely loved this book. It’s split time, alternating between the present and Russia just before and after the revolution. The last follows Alma Pihl, a master craftsman at the House of Faberge. The characters in both timelines are so well drawn. The plot is tight and filled with twists and turns. You won’t believe the ending. It captured my attention from the start and I could hardly put it down. Highly recommend it.

Just finished reading this book. I highly recommend it.

Ava Laine is the only child of archaeologist and treasure hunter Nick Laine (think Indiana Jones meets James Bond, with all the gadgets). But Nick left when she was a child, unable to tie himself down to the mundane life of father when there was treasure to be found. Now he’s dying, and he’s asked Ava to visit … and participate in one last treasure hunt. To find the previously unknown Fabergé egg.Fabergé eggs? That got me hooked. I don’t know where I first learned about Fabergé eggs, but they’ve always fascinated me. And when I realised this was a split-time story and the historical aspect was centred around the House of Fabergé , this was a must-read.I was immediately fascinated by the historical portion, not just because of the Fabergé eggs but because one of the main characters was Alma Phil, a female designer in the House of Fabergé, Royal Jeweller to the Imperial Family. The House of Fabergé produced more than the famous (infamous?) eggs.The historical portion of the story is fascinating in a macabre kind of way. While it starts in 1894, time marches forward and we know 1918 is going to arrive all too soon. Yes, knowing history can be both a blessing and a curse when it comes to reading historical fiction (including split time). Knowing does heighten the suspense, but can also make for hard reading (who will live? Who won’t?). I will admit that I stopped reading a couple of times to try and delay the inevitable, and distracted myself with “researching” Fabergé eggs and Alma Phil on Wikipedia (which was also fascinating).The modern portion was also full of suspense, in quite a different way. What started as a potentially risky search for something that may or may not exist quickly escalated into the kind of full-on suspense befitting Indiana Jones or James Bond, but with Ava at the centre. There was a touch of romance, with two men vying for Ava’s affections – nick, the good-looking treasure hunter, and Zak, the nerdy IT guy who lives in Amy’s building, who she ropes into helping at the last minute.The past story all takes place in Russia, and I enjoyed the virtual visit. I’ve been to Moscow and St Petersburg and visited places in the story, like Khodynka Meadow and the Tsar’s palace (now the State Hermitage Museum). The present story moves from the USA to Russia, to find if the rumoured egg exists and where it might be. This is where the suspense kicks in, and Ava has to work out who she can trust.The best split time fiction has two equally compelling plots. The Master Craftsman certainly meets that standard. Recommended for fans of split time fiction, especially romantic suspense, and those who enjoyed The Russians series by Michael Phillips and Judith Pella.Thanks to Revell Publishing and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

Mainly set in St Petersburg, this dual timeline story covers both the period in 1917 leading up to the Communist takeover in Russia and the consequences afterwards, particularly for Peter Karl Fabergé, the official jeweller to the Tsar and whose craftsmen were responsible for the famous Fabergé eggs given to senior members of the Russian Imperial Family. I kept going down rabbit holes whilst reading, I couldn’t resist Googling the eggs as they were described – apparently no expense was spared in their making with precious jewels and metals and each one contained an exquisitely created miniature surprise inside; with so many ordinary Russian people struggling to survive, such extravagance was considered an outrage and when the Bolsheviks seized power they had anyone associated with the Tsar in their sights, and that included Fabergé and his business.In present day Florida, Ava Laine will become a treasure hunter, following in her estranged father’s footsteps by trying to locate a missing Fabergé egg which has never been accounted for. Whilst excited at the prospect, Ava really has no idea of what she is getting into or how dangerous the mission could be and this is where the story shifts from historical to one of adventure/mystery with some surprises along the way. I did feel for Ava, a complicated family backstory had led to an estrangement and now the pressure is on her to fulfil her father’s ambition and make him proud of her.I thoroughly enjoyed The Master Craftsman and found the historical part especially interesting. I knew of Fabergé of course but the story behind the name was fascinating and I also learned a little more about Russian history. There is a significant level of detail throughout and the author has used this to create an intriguing fiction story around historical events. Alma Pihl, Fabergé’s young protégé, who is at the heart of the missing egg in this story, was responsible for some stunning creations, including The Winter Egg and it is her footsteps that Ava and her fellow hunters have to follow.The Master Craftsman gives some fascinating insights into the history of Fabergé – his personal and professional life and its place during the Communist revolution. There is intrigue, suspense and betrayal with an added poignancy to the story resulting from the characters circumstances. I’m very glad I read it and have no hesitation in recommending to readers interested in this period of history.

Loved it but the ending was lame