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booksbybindu's review against another edition
5.0
I wasn’t sure what I was really expecting from this book as there have been a host of celebrities releasing books this year but it was the premise that hooked me into giving it a go - theatre based in the 1920s, which is my favourite era for historical novels! I was extremely surprised to find a book that was filled with warmth, fun, brilliant characters and a plot that kept you engaged! For a debut novel this was a great start to Michael Ball’s writing career and he has used his experience from his amazing theatre life to aplomb. I also read the whole book with his voice and I can see why he also narrated the audiobook as I can’t imagine anyone else doing it. It’s clear that Michael has taken his passion and love from the theatre and thrust it into this story and it works exceedingly well!
When Jack returns from his war experience, his parents having died with the Spanish flu he finds himself at a loss. He is directed to ask at The Empire theatre for work as his late mother once worked with the owner Lady Lassiter. Jack arrives during a rehearsal and is instantly mesmerised by it. Not just with the acting but the people behind the scenes and the life in general! There are the stars Stella and Lance but it seems that it is Grace who basically runs the show who has stolen Jack’s heart. However, the Empire is struggling since Sir Lassiter died and it rivals are hitting where it hurts. Will Jack and Grace save the day and more importantly admit their feelings…
Who couldn’t love the characters in this book?! We have a mix of social strata’s ranging from the Lassiter’s down to Jack and Grace. There are a lot of them, there is a handy guide at the start of the book, but once you grasp onto them you don’t let go! But it was the way that the social issues of the day were weaved into the stories of the characters that I loved. We have the spunky flapper types - independent, fun and fierce in their ambitions, the lasting affects of the war on Jack and Danny and we even have nods to the increase of machinery in factories leading to the lose of jobs. It’s clear someone has done their research!
I flew through this book and it can only be a testimony to how much I enjoyed it! I’m hoping that this may turn out to be a series but even if it doesn’t I enjoyed my time at the Empire.
When Jack returns from his war experience, his parents having died with the Spanish flu he finds himself at a loss. He is directed to ask at The Empire theatre for work as his late mother once worked with the owner Lady Lassiter. Jack arrives during a rehearsal and is instantly mesmerised by it. Not just with the acting but the people behind the scenes and the life in general! There are the stars Stella and Lance but it seems that it is Grace who basically runs the show who has stolen Jack’s heart. However, the Empire is struggling since Sir Lassiter died and it rivals are hitting where it hurts. Will Jack and Grace save the day and more importantly admit their feelings…
Who couldn’t love the characters in this book?! We have a mix of social strata’s ranging from the Lassiter’s down to Jack and Grace. There are a lot of them, there is a handy guide at the start of the book, but once you grasp onto them you don’t let go! But it was the way that the social issues of the day were weaved into the stories of the characters that I loved. We have the spunky flapper types - independent, fun and fierce in their ambitions, the lasting affects of the war on Jack and Danny and we even have nods to the increase of machinery in factories leading to the lose of jobs. It’s clear someone has done their research!
I flew through this book and it can only be a testimony to how much I enjoyed it! I’m hoping that this may turn out to be a series but even if it doesn’t I enjoyed my time at the Empire.
bertielyman's review against another edition
4.0
I found this book quite tricky to get into - with so many characters and subplots, it was tricky to get hooked - but I’m glad I stuck with it because I really enjoyed it!
Michael Ball obviously writes from years of experience in the theatre, and it was so fun to get a backstage look at the magic! I also felt the historical research was done very well and the setting in time added a lot to the story.
On the flip side, I felt the writing in this wasn’t the greatest. I felt that the pacing was off - squeezing 3 different productions into one book was a bit much! I also feel that the twist about Jack and Lillian was presented in a way that made it sooo obvious from the moment it first came up, so when it was ‘revealed’ I was left unimpressed.
For me, the ending with the fire and all the excitement and drama that brought really saved the story, and changed my rating from a 3-4.
I will most likely read another book if Michael chooses to publish another!
Michael Ball obviously writes from years of experience in the theatre, and it was so fun to get a backstage look at the magic! I also felt the historical research was done very well and the setting in time added a lot to the story.
On the flip side, I felt the writing in this wasn’t the greatest. I felt that the pacing was off - squeezing 3 different productions into one book was a bit much! I also feel that the twist about Jack and Lillian was presented in a way that made it sooo obvious from the moment it first came up, so when it was ‘revealed’ I was left unimpressed.
For me, the ending with the fire and all the excitement and drama that brought really saved the story, and changed my rating from a 3-4.
I will most likely read another book if Michael chooses to publish another!
cerim's review against another edition
2.0
Anyone who knows me know I am a huge fan of the theatre so on paper this seems like a book I would adore. I saw that it was available on audiobook via my local library so downloaded and was quite excited for it.
Unfortunately, I didn’t particularly enjoy it. There were far too many characters to keep track of or care about and the story seemed rambling and completely pointless.
Disappointing and I won’t be reading the sequel.
Unfortunately, I didn’t particularly enjoy it. There were far too many characters to keep track of or care about and the story seemed rambling and completely pointless.
Disappointing and I won’t be reading the sequel.
kirstyreviewsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
The Empire by Michael Ball
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Welcome to The Empire theatre
1922. When Jack Treadwell arrives at The Empire, in the middle of a rehearsal, he is instantly mesmerised. But amid the glitz and glamour, he soon learns that the true magic of the theatre lies in its cast of characters - both on stage and behind the scenes.
There's stunning starlet Stella Stanmore and Hollywood heartthrob Lancelot Drake; and Ruby Rowntree, who keeps the music playing, while Lady Lillian Lassiter, theatre owner and former showgirl, is determined to take on a bigger role. And then there's cool, competent Grace Hawkins, without whom the show would never go on . . . could she be the leading lady Jack is looking for?
When long-held rivalries threaten The Empire's future, tensions rise along with the curtain. There is treachery at the heart of the company and a shocking secret waiting in the wings. Can Jack discover the truth before it's too late, and the theatre he loves goes dark?
My Opinion
When I learned that Michael Ball had written a book, I was eager to find out just how good it would - I am always sceptical when I see a great review for a book written by a celebrity as you never know how genuine the review is.
I have mixed feelings about this, there is a large cast list at the beginning of the book which was daunting, but overall it is a well-written with a good structure and some likeable characters. There is a lot of drama and a fast pace that will help you fly through the book. I feel like Michael's love of theatre really comes across in this book.
This will appeal to fans of the theatre and historical fiction.
Rating: 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Welcome to The Empire theatre
1922. When Jack Treadwell arrives at The Empire, in the middle of a rehearsal, he is instantly mesmerised. But amid the glitz and glamour, he soon learns that the true magic of the theatre lies in its cast of characters - both on stage and behind the scenes.
There's stunning starlet Stella Stanmore and Hollywood heartthrob Lancelot Drake; and Ruby Rowntree, who keeps the music playing, while Lady Lillian Lassiter, theatre owner and former showgirl, is determined to take on a bigger role. And then there's cool, competent Grace Hawkins, without whom the show would never go on . . . could she be the leading lady Jack is looking for?
When long-held rivalries threaten The Empire's future, tensions rise along with the curtain. There is treachery at the heart of the company and a shocking secret waiting in the wings. Can Jack discover the truth before it's too late, and the theatre he loves goes dark?
My Opinion
When I learned that Michael Ball had written a book, I was eager to find out just how good it would - I am always sceptical when I see a great review for a book written by a celebrity as you never know how genuine the review is.
I have mixed feelings about this, there is a large cast list at the beginning of the book which was daunting, but overall it is a well-written with a good structure and some likeable characters. There is a lot of drama and a fast pace that will help you fly through the book. I feel like Michael's love of theatre really comes across in this book.
This will appeal to fans of the theatre and historical fiction.
Rating: 4/5
bookedandwatched's review against another edition
4.0
The Empire is a romp of a read. Often historical fiction books can be long and drawn out but not this one.
The large cast of characters keep you interested throughout without you getting lost in a who's who for each segment you read. The audiobook is read by Michael himself who, ever the performer, does a fantastic job of bringing you in to each scene and character in a way that can be hard with such a large number of characters.
This book is sad, happy, funny and romantic all rolled into one. It is set in 1920s Highgate and I can't tell you how nice it was to hear a story set in Northern England with Northern accents.
This really was a pleasure to listen to.
The audiobook was provided to me by NetGalley, Bonnier Audio UK and Zaffre in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The large cast of characters keep you interested throughout without you getting lost in a who's who for each segment you read. The audiobook is read by Michael himself who, ever the performer, does a fantastic job of bringing you in to each scene and character in a way that can be hard with such a large number of characters.
This book is sad, happy, funny and romantic all rolled into one. It is set in 1920s Highgate and I can't tell you how nice it was to hear a story set in Northern England with Northern accents.
This really was a pleasure to listen to.
The audiobook was provided to me by NetGalley, Bonnier Audio UK and Zaffre in exchange for a fair and honest review.
portybelle's review against another edition
4.0
First of all, I liked the way this book was structured. The various sections are named as if they were parts of a play from the overture and beginners call, through the various acts to the interval, finale and the curtain calls.
There is a large cast of characters who I admit were at first difficult to keep in my head. There is a cast list at the beginning which would be very helpful with a physical copy but not as easy with kindle. However, I soon got to know the main players, notably Jack the stage door manager who works his way up to company manager, Grace the assistant to the theatre manager Alexander Mangrave, theatre owner Lady Lillian Lassiter, Billy Barlow a music hall performer, Usher Barton the director and so many more.
There is a lot going all in this book and we get to see all aspects of theatre life from backstage, to performers, to front of house to patrons. We get to see how a theatre production arrives at the smooth show we see on stage. It’s not all plain sailing backstage with drama, danger, secrets, tantrums and under-handedness. But there’s friendship, loyalty, determination, dedication and love too. With the book taking place post WW1, we see the continuing effects of the war on people both physically and mentally. In some of the most damaged characters we see courage and willingness to speak up for what is right.
Michael Ball has packed a lot into his story and it’s written with the good-natured and cheerful humour I associate with him. His own insight into the theatre business has been used to good effect in the book. His love for the theatre industry is clear. With glitz and glamour, twists and turns I think this would make a terrific Sunday evening period drama if it was adapted for tv. As a book, I found it a really warm and entertaining read. I hope the curtain rises again at The Empire and we get to find out what happens next for Jack and Grace and the whole cast.
There is a large cast of characters who I admit were at first difficult to keep in my head. There is a cast list at the beginning which would be very helpful with a physical copy but not as easy with kindle. However, I soon got to know the main players, notably Jack the stage door manager who works his way up to company manager, Grace the assistant to the theatre manager Alexander Mangrave, theatre owner Lady Lillian Lassiter, Billy Barlow a music hall performer, Usher Barton the director and so many more.
There is a lot going all in this book and we get to see all aspects of theatre life from backstage, to performers, to front of house to patrons. We get to see how a theatre production arrives at the smooth show we see on stage. It’s not all plain sailing backstage with drama, danger, secrets, tantrums and under-handedness. But there’s friendship, loyalty, determination, dedication and love too. With the book taking place post WW1, we see the continuing effects of the war on people both physically and mentally. In some of the most damaged characters we see courage and willingness to speak up for what is right.
Michael Ball has packed a lot into his story and it’s written with the good-natured and cheerful humour I associate with him. His own insight into the theatre business has been used to good effect in the book. His love for the theatre industry is clear. With glitz and glamour, twists and turns I think this would make a terrific Sunday evening period drama if it was adapted for tv. As a book, I found it a really warm and entertaining read. I hope the curtain rises again at The Empire and we get to find out what happens next for Jack and Grace and the whole cast.
frogetteno1's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
rubyrobin's review against another edition
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lucydyson's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5