I think I remember reading this way way back a hundred years ago, give or take. I was not impressed.
First, as I recall, the plot was near indecipherable. Then the character development was poor at best and the scenery painted in the prose was friggin awful.
I tried to remember any romance scenes but nothing stands out especially since the plot couldn’t be followed. Dull as sin, or rather dull as “no sin” (lol).
I think I'd rather something with some real meat to it, like a plot, some characters, a bit of romance and maybe a little sex.
Stop Tzar Vladimir the Condemned!