The Empress: A Novel

by Gigi Griffis Narrated by Ellie Rose Boswell, Dominic Burgess

Overview

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 exis¬tence. 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. 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 . . .

Editorial Reviews

OCTOBER 2022 - AudioFile

Narrators Ellie Rose Boswell and Dominic Burgess transport listeners to the 1853 court of Emperor Franz of Austria. To fulfill his duties to the Habsburg Empire and please his domineering mother, Franz has agreed to consider Princess Helene of Bavaria to be his bride. When Franz meets Helene, he also meets her sister, Princess Elisabeth. After an accidental encounter in the gardens, Franz and Elisabeth feel a physical and intellectual attraction that throws everyone’s well-made plans into turmoil. Boswell gives Elisabeth a light, lively attitude. Her voice is melodic, and her accents accurately reflect her status. As Franz, Burgess sounds appropriately regal, but he also makes Franz very human. With chapters alternating between Franz’s and Elisabeth’s observations, a complicated love story unfolds. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

From the Publisher

Sumptuous . . . Griffis lends her leads admirable strengths and forgivable flaws and colors them in with plenty of lush period detail. She also brings dramatic flair to the political intrigue before satisfyingly tying up the plot’s burning questions. Nothing in this story disappoints.” —Publishers Weekly

“A fresh, fast-paced take on a legendary woman and one of Europe's most notorious royal love stories—guaranteed to win Sisi new fans.” —Evie Dunmore, USA Today bestselling author of Bringing Down the Duke

“I absolutely loved Gigi Griffis's The Empress—history combined with fiction with a real sense of people, time, and place. Fascinating!” —Heather Graham, New York Times bestselling author

“In an era where marriages were rarely about love and largely about country, The Empress brings us the irresistible beginning to an unexpected romance, that begs the question: what would you do for love? Fans of Daisy Goodwin's Victoria, The Crown, and Reign will delight in the coupling of Sisi and Franz." —Jenni L. Walsh, author of Becoming Bonnie and The Call of the Wrens

“A gem of a novel with a compelling feminist bent, The Empress blends political machinations and high-stakes family drama to craft a treat both for the head and the heart.” —Vaishnavi Patel, New York Times bestselling author of Kaikeyi

“Quite simply delightful. In The Empress, Gigi Griffis has given us two sisters so spunky and unconventional that we want to crawl into the pages to join them, and palace intrigue enough to keep us turning pages late into the night.” —Meg Waite Clayton, international bestselling author of The Postmistress of Paris

“In The Empress, Gigi Griffis, with her elegant prose, has woven a mesmerizing tapestry of romance and court intrigue. From start to finish, I was held enthralled.” —Lorraine Heath, New York Times bestselling author

OCTOBER 2022 - AudioFile

Narrators Ellie Rose Boswell and Dominic Burgess transport listeners to the 1853 court of Emperor Franz of Austria. To fulfill his duties to the Habsburg Empire and please his domineering mother, Franz has agreed to consider Princess Helene of Bavaria to be his bride. When Franz meets Helene, he also meets her sister, Princess Elisabeth. After an accidental encounter in the gardens, Franz and Elisabeth feel a physical and intellectual attraction that throws everyone’s well-made plans into turmoil. Boswell gives Elisabeth a light, lively attitude. Her voice is melodic, and her accents accurately reflect her status. As Franz, Burgess sounds appropriately regal, but he also makes Franz very human. With chapters alternating between Franz’s and Elisabeth’s observations, a complicated love story unfolds. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940174931480
Publisher:	Dreamscape Media
Publication date:	09/15/2022
Edition description:	Unabridged

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