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thepetitepunk's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
I’m really surprised I didn’t like this one. It’s super faced paced, and although that’s usually something I enjoy in YA novels, I think the story ended up not feeling as fleshed out as it could have been. I didn’t think any components of the book were particularly memorable nor did it make feel anything special. I wasn’t expecting this to be an all-time favorite, but I’m still disappointed.
I’m really surprised I didn’t like this one. It’s super faced paced, and although that’s usually something I enjoy in YA novels, I think the story ended up not feeling as fleshed out as it could have been. I didn’t think any components of the book were particularly memorable nor did it make feel anything special. I wasn’t expecting this to be an all-time favorite, but I’m still disappointed.
stephen_arvidson's review against another edition
4.0
Author Sara Ryan deftly captures the sweetness and uncertainty of a young girl’s first love in her 2001 debut. Empress of the World celebrates adolescent romance and budding sexuality in all of its sticky, modern complexity.
While studying archeology at an academic summer camp, fifteen-year-old Nicola ‘Nic’ Lancaster becomes embroiled in an on-again, off-again romance with the implausibly named Battle Hall Davies, a beautiful North Carolinian wildflower with electric green eyes, blond hair, and a rebellious streak. Nic approaches her homosexual proclivities with surprisingly little angst and introspection, self-identifying as bisexual in light of past dalliances with boys. Save for a pair of overt homophobes in Nic’s archeology class, Nic’s and Battle’s same-sex liaison isn’t dogged by prevailing cultural forces. In fact, their closest peers hardly bat an eye and are quite supportive, while the more angst-addled pupils react with tacit approval. Things are going well until their fledgling relationship is curtailed by an ill-conceived gift that's coupled with Nic’s compulsion to dissect and categorize emotions. Turned off by her girlfriend’s taxonomic obsessions, Battle quickly resorts to dating Kevin, a spacey music geek and mutual friend of Nic’s. Teen drama naturally unfolds as the pair struggles to find balance in their relationship.
Perceptive and witty, Nic Lancaster is a likeable heroine whom the author depicts in language that's both respectful and accessible to teenage audiences. Ryan peppers the narrative with anxious musings—or “field notes”—from Nic’s diary, further evidencing the character’s strong sense of self and her need to deconstruct relationships in order to understand how they function. Refreshingly, Ryan doesn’t grapple with the issue of sexual orientation to the same extent as other like-minded novels, but rather the ordinary drama and anguish of teen romance—which makes Nic's affection for Battle seem organic and true-to-life.
Although unlikely to leave any lasting impressions, Empress of the World is well-paced and touching in its simplicity. Young readers with liberal social values will delight in this uplifting tale that’s streets ahead of the usual frothy summer romance fare.
While studying archeology at an academic summer camp, fifteen-year-old Nicola ‘Nic’ Lancaster becomes embroiled in an on-again, off-again romance with the implausibly named Battle Hall Davies, a beautiful North Carolinian wildflower with electric green eyes, blond hair, and a rebellious streak. Nic approaches her homosexual proclivities with surprisingly little angst and introspection, self-identifying as bisexual in light of past dalliances with boys. Save for a pair of overt homophobes in Nic’s archeology class, Nic’s and Battle’s same-sex liaison isn’t dogged by prevailing cultural forces. In fact, their closest peers hardly bat an eye and are quite supportive, while the more angst-addled pupils react with tacit approval. Things are going well until their fledgling relationship is curtailed by an ill-conceived gift that's coupled with Nic’s compulsion to dissect and categorize emotions. Turned off by her girlfriend’s taxonomic obsessions, Battle quickly resorts to dating Kevin, a spacey music geek and mutual friend of Nic’s. Teen drama naturally unfolds as the pair struggles to find balance in their relationship.
Perceptive and witty, Nic Lancaster is a likeable heroine whom the author depicts in language that's both respectful and accessible to teenage audiences. Ryan peppers the narrative with anxious musings—or “field notes”—from Nic’s diary, further evidencing the character’s strong sense of self and her need to deconstruct relationships in order to understand how they function. Refreshingly, Ryan doesn’t grapple with the issue of sexual orientation to the same extent as other like-minded novels, but rather the ordinary drama and anguish of teen romance—which makes Nic's affection for Battle seem organic and true-to-life.
Although unlikely to leave any lasting impressions, Empress of the World is well-paced and touching in its simplicity. Young readers with liberal social values will delight in this uplifting tale that’s streets ahead of the usual frothy summer romance fare.
jadeynk18's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
shhchar's review against another edition
2.0
My main dislike was the writing. It wasn't very polished, the plot lacked a lot, and I felt that way too many things were upper-cased that had no need to be.
briarhoes's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
allysonbogie's review against another edition
3.0
This book was mediocre, but I got it in an attempt to find and purchase more YA with lesbian romance as part of the story, as my students are asking for that genre and I have struggled to find much.
m0ssb0t's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
My review will be filtered through the lens of nostalgia, as I read it as a middle schooler when it was first published, and it became my favorite book for a decade.
Now, over two decades later, I still appreciate it, and I urge anyone with this book on their TBR list keep in mind that the book is written from the vantage point of a 16 year old girl who listens to opera at a deafening decibel she’s sad. I think this will address many of the other reviewers’ complaints about thin character development and uncertain narrative journeys - is this character one-dimensional, or are we only presented with as much as our young, naive, and (I say this lovingly) self-centered narrator knows and understands?
If you were a queer teenager in the US during the late 90s/early 00’s, I guarantee you will see your past self in this book. Regardless, open it ready to meet some sweet nerdy teens trying their best to figure out their lives while at summer camp.
Now, over two decades later, I still appreciate it, and I urge anyone with this book on their TBR list keep in mind that the book is written from the vantage point of a 16 year old girl who listens to opera at a deafening decibel she’s sad. I think this will address many of the other reviewers’ complaints about thin character development and uncertain narrative journeys - is this character one-dimensional, or are we only presented with as much as our young, naive, and (I say this lovingly) self-centered narrator knows and understands?
If you were a queer teenager in the US during the late 90s/early 00’s, I guarantee you will see your past self in this book. Regardless, open it ready to meet some sweet nerdy teens trying their best to figure out their lives while at summer camp.
flowersandstars24's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia and Biphobia
asangtani's review against another edition
2.0
The love story is meh and the writing feels incredibly childish.
biggiantloser's review against another edition
i’m learning that you really can’t trust the goodreads gays to rate content accurately.