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A review by sarah_moynihan
The Empress by Gigi Griffis
3.0
‘The year is 1853, and Princess Elisabeth “Sisi” of Bavaria has been very clear: She will wait for the head-over-heels love the poets speak of, or she will have no love at all. Just because her older sister, Helene, is eagerly heeding their mother’s advice and preparing to marry Emperor Franz of Austria does not mean Sisi must also subject herself to such a dutiful existence. Sisi knows there is more to life than luncheons and corsets—if only someone would let her experience it all firsthand.
Meanwhile, in Austria, the emperor is recovering from an assassination attempt that left him wounded and scared. In a bid to keep the peace, Franz has recommitted himself to his imperial duties—and promised to romance the pliant Helene of Bavaria at his upcoming birthday celebration. How better to unite the empire than with the announcement of a new empress? But when Sisi and Franz meet unexpectedly in the palace gardens, away from the prying eyes and relentless critique of the court, their connection cannot be denied. And as their illicit conversations turn into something more, they must soon choose between the expectations of their families and standing up for what they truly believe in . . .’
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I’ve read other books about Empress Elisabeth of Austria and this is overall a good read, even if it is less true to the history. The cover, which I understand is from the Netflix show, gave the impression that it would be a gritty and unpolished truth of the story of Emperor Franz and Empress Elisabeth, but I would say that it was a bit of a misdirection. It reads a bit fluffier and glossed over on some of the harsher details. It felt like a more YA version of Allison Pitaki’s The Accidental Empress, which is a great read if you want to read a less filtered telling of Franz and Elisabeth’s story. As well as the sequel, Sisi: Empress on Her Own. Both are great.
But I digress, back to the book that this review is about. This is a decent read, if a bit filtered on the history and the telling is slightly choppy. But if you’re curious about Empress Elisabeth or interested in the Netflix show, then it is worth a read. If you’re looking for a deeper retelling, then there are other retellings.
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I would like to thank NetGalley and Zando Projects for sharing an eARC of The Empress by Gigi Griffis. This is my honest review.
Meanwhile, in Austria, the emperor is recovering from an assassination attempt that left him wounded and scared. In a bid to keep the peace, Franz has recommitted himself to his imperial duties—and promised to romance the pliant Helene of Bavaria at his upcoming birthday celebration. How better to unite the empire than with the announcement of a new empress? But when Sisi and Franz meet unexpectedly in the palace gardens, away from the prying eyes and relentless critique of the court, their connection cannot be denied. And as their illicit conversations turn into something more, they must soon choose between the expectations of their families and standing up for what they truly believe in . . .’
_____________________________
I’ve read other books about Empress Elisabeth of Austria and this is overall a good read, even if it is less true to the history. The cover, which I understand is from the Netflix show, gave the impression that it would be a gritty and unpolished truth of the story of Emperor Franz and Empress Elisabeth, but I would say that it was a bit of a misdirection. It reads a bit fluffier and glossed over on some of the harsher details. It felt like a more YA version of Allison Pitaki’s The Accidental Empress, which is a great read if you want to read a less filtered telling of Franz and Elisabeth’s story. As well as the sequel, Sisi: Empress on Her Own. Both are great.
But I digress, back to the book that this review is about. This is a decent read, if a bit filtered on the history and the telling is slightly choppy. But if you’re curious about Empress Elisabeth or interested in the Netflix show, then it is worth a read. If you’re looking for a deeper retelling, then there are other retellings.
_____
I would like to thank NetGalley and Zando Projects for sharing an eARC of The Empress by Gigi Griffis. This is my honest review.