In the summer of 1918 a tragedy echoed across the world when the Russian Imperial Romanov family was murdered by communists leaving much of the country crying out in mourning. Yet, there was a myth that one daughter, the youngest daughter; the Grand Duchess Anastasia had escaped. Though many disbelieved, for some this would prove to be more than a rumor and it would change their lives forever. Annalisa Peterson, a senior in high school, is dying to get out and move as far away from her family as possible. Not that she has had a rough childhood, but she wants to get away from constantly being expected to be the perfect A student and consistently having to visit her great grandmother who doesn't seem to like her, and oh yeah, doesn't speak a word of English. One final class assignment could change everything that she's ever known, and could literally re-write history. To find out the truth about her family's history, it isn't long before she's digging through old papers, books, photographs, and even travelling to Russia; not to mention getting her heart tangled up with the enemy along the way. As Annalisa finds out more and more, she's quickly discovering that once the real truth is out, her entire life will be turned upside down, and life will become much more dangerous for her, and those around her. Secrets are revealed. Questions are answered. One thing is certain; Annalisa never thought that her senior year would end like this.

Following her father's sudden death, Ellie with her mother left the family home in the city and moved to her mother's sister in the province to start anew. From that day on, she tried to leave the past behind her except for an unopened gift her father left her before his death. But she always didn't have the nerve to open it for according to him, it bears all his secrets. Ellie was starting to let go of everything by changing schools and making friends with a boy from her classroom with the same first name as hers. Ironically without her knowlegde, she gradually unravels her father's past that occured twenty-two years ago and discovers herself develop love and affection towards her classmate, Ely.