
My Thoughts About the Book:
By far one of the most powerful, rich and incredible books that I’ve read. I could see, hear, smell and feel all the sights and sounds that Sisi experienced as if I was right there with her. My heart hurt so deeply at times for her and yet I was also encouraged and empowered by such a beloved historical figure.
Whomever said that history was boring has clearly never dug into the stories of royalty and peeled back the layers of intrigue, drama and family propriety. I love Allison Pataki not only shares the story of the Accidental Empress, she does so in a way that sweeps you right off your feet. I could not put it down and could not wait to do a little digging into the history of Hadsburg Empire on my own.
About the book:
The year is 1853, and the Habsburgs are Europe’s most powerful ruling family. With his empire stretching from Austria to Russia, from Germany to Italy, Emperor Franz Joseph is young, rich, and ready to marry.
Fifteen-year-old Elisabeth, “Sisi,” Duchess of Bavaria, travels to the Habsburg court with her older sister, who is betrothed to the young emperor. But shortly after her arrival at court, Sisi finds herself in an unexpected dilemma: she has inadvertently fallen for and won the heart of her sister’s groom. Intrigued by Sisi’s guileless charm and energetic spirit, not to mention her unrivaled beauty, Franz Joseph reneges on his earlier proposal and declares his intention to marry Sisi instead.
Plucked from obscurity and thrust onto the throne of Europe’s most treacherous imperial court, Sisi has no idea what struggles and dangers—and temptations—await her. Sisi upsets political and familial loyalties in her quest to win, and keep, the love of her emperor, her people, and of the world.
With Pataki’s rich period detail and cast of complex, compelling characters, The Accidental Empress offers a captivating glimpse into the bedrooms and staterooms of one of history’s most intriguing royal families, shedding new light on the glittering Habsburg Empire and its most mesmerizing, most beloved “Fairy Queen.”
Watch the trailer for the Accidental Empress -> https://youtu.be/ZOaHsIe59qk
You can purchase a copy of the Accidental Empress here: http://allisonpataki.com/books/the-accidental-empress/
About the Author:
ALLISON PATAKI is the New York Times bestselling author of the historical novels The Traitor’s Wife and The Accidental Empress. She graduated Cum Laude from Yale University with a major in English and spent several years writing for TV and online news outlets.
The daughter of former New York State Governor George E. Pataki, Allison was inspired to write The Accidental Empress by her family’s deep roots in the former Habsburg empire of Austria-Hungary. Allison is the co-founder of the nonprofit organization, ReConnect Hungary. She is a regular contributor to The Huffington Post and FoxNews.com, and is a member of The Historical Novel Society. Allison lives in Chicago with her husband.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”