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BOOKWORM REVIEW: The Empress by Gigi Griffis


RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
STEAM: 🔥🔥🔥

It is sometimes hard to review fictionalized retellings about historical events or people, because you have to figure out how to approach the reading. Do you compare it to what actually happened and assess how far off the story is? Or do you just simply enjoy the ride?

Not knowing much about Elisabeth and Franz of Austria's story, I decided to take the latter approach and found myself enjoying the book. It reminds me a lot of The Other Boleyn Girl but this time, the more unconventional girl not only takes the man but also wins in the end. 

Emperor Franz of Austria has decided to marry. Between fulfilling his royal duties and recovering from an attempt at his life, it was just time. He travels to Bavaria to meet his promised bride Helene, but along the way, his heart gets stolen by Sisi -- who turns out to be his bride-to-be's sister.

Sisi definitely did not expect a love like this. Sure, she has been coveting this kind of love, much to the chagrin of her practical mother and sister. She even scoffed at the arranged marriage between Helene and the Emperor. Isn't it ironic that the love of her life turned out to be the man her sister was promised to be wed to?

I loved the arc of Franz and Sisi's clandestine romance. Gigi Griffis does a great job of developing their intellectual and emotional connection from the get-go, and we get a nice angsty ride as they struggle between duty and love. There are definitely spicy moments in this historical read, but if you've known me long enough, you know that isn't a problem for me at all. 😅 #bringontheheat

I do feel like the ending just seems like it got cut off, and while I get that we could always hit the history books to find out what happens next, a little epilogue or notes of some sort would have been helpful to know what happens with their HEA.

** I am voluntarily reviewing an advance copy of this book. Thank you to Gigi Griffis, Zando Projects, and NetGalley for providing an ARC. **

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Empress is a dazzling reimagining of the courtship between one of history's most iconic and beloved couples: Sisi and Franz of Austria.

The year is 1853, and sixteen-year-old Elisabeth "Sisi" of Bavaria has been very clear: she will wait for the sweeping, head-over-heels kind of love the poets speak of, or she will have no love at all. It is not her fault Mother refuses to listen. After all, just because her older sister Helene has chosen the line of duty, and is preparing to marry Emperor Franz of Austria, does not mean Sisi also needs to subject herself to such a passionless, regimented existence. Sisi knows there is more to life than corsets, luncheons, and woefully unfashionable dukes . . . if only someone would give her the chance to experience it 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 Bavarian princess, Helene, at his upcoming birthday celebration. How better to unite the country 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 their families, their connection cannot be denied. And as their illicit conversations turn into something more, they must soon choose between the expectations of the court, and the burning desires of their hearts . . .

Epic, captivating, and deliciously steamy, The Empress is a remarkably contemporary tale of falling in love and finding one's voice. To the fans of Bridgerton, The Crown, Sarah MacClean, and Lisa Kleypas: this one is for you


MEET GIGI GRIFFIS

Gigi Griffis is the author of the creepy YA horror The Wicked Unseen (coming summer 2023!) and The Empress (as seen on Netflix), among other things.

She’s a sucker for little-known histories, “unlikable” female characters, and all things Europe. After almost ten years of semi-nomadic life, she now lives in Portugal with an opinionated Yorkie-mix named Luna and a fancy blender that cost more than her couch.

Connect with Gigi
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