Book Review: The Accidental Empress by Allison Pataki

Pages: 512

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: February 17, 2015

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "New York Times bestselling author Allison Pataki follows up on her critically acclaimed debut novel, The Traitor’s Wife, with the little-known and tumultuous love story of “Sisi” the Austro-Hungarian Empress and captivating wife of Emperor Franz Joseph. 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. Franz Joseph reneges on his earlier proposal and declares his intention to marry Sisi instead.  Thrust onto the throne of Europe’s most treacherous imperial court, 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, bewitching characters, The Accidental Empress offers a captivating glimpse into one of history’s most intriguing royal families, shedding new light on the glittering Hapsburg Empire and its most mesmerizing, most beloved “Fairy Queen.”

Sisi, otherwise known as Elizabeth, has grown up as the daughter of a Bavarian duke, but she's grown up in an unconventional way. She's free to roam around outside, ride her horses, and partake in other "un-lady" like activities.  When her older sister, Helene, is summoned by the Hapsburg Court in Vienna as a possible love-match to their cousin, Franz Joseph, their lives change forever.  Helene is not interested in becoming an Empress. She is shy, a bookworm, and wants to be a nun.  But when the Emperor and his mother, Aunt Sophie, summon you, you must go.  Helene makes the trek to Vienna along with Sisi and their mother.  Right away they find out that Aunt Sophie is still very much overbearing, opinionated and controlling.  As more time goes on, Franz realizes that the love match isn't so much with boring Helene, but rather with vivacious and charismatic Sisi, much to his mother's dismay.  A wedding occurs and Sisi realizes that this is the life she has dreamed of; she never thought she would make a match this great, let alone become an Empress.  However, things aren't what they seem at court, especially with her aunt breathing down her neck and whispering in Franz's ear.  Allison Pataki's The Accidental Empress is a fascinating story about Sisi as well as the Hapsburg Empire.

I loved fifteen year old Sisi in The Accidental Empress. She was the kind of girl that threw caution to the wind. She was athletic and larger than life. Of course she would overshadow Helene, whose initial interaction with Franz and Aunt Sophie was so painful. She didn't even talk when she first met them. So, of course, Franz was interested in Sisi, especially when he found out she loved to ride horses.  After their first date on horseback, Franz knew that Sisi was the girl for him, but he had to convince his mother, of course.  

Once they are married and she is at court, things were painful at times. Because Sisi is so young and inexperienced, she put up with a lot from both Franz and Aunt Sophie. I can't tell you how many times I wanted to punch Sophie in the jugular. That woman is a nightmare of epic proportions.  I could see why Sisi wanted to escape court.  

I don't want to give too much away regarding Sisi's story, but it's so very fascinating. Pataki did an excellent job researching Sisi's life and including many details in The Accidental Empress.  Also, Pataki did a superb job bringing the time period to life as well as the glittering Hapsburg Court. 

I was left chomping at the bit at the end of The Accidental Empress. Pataki left us with a bit of a cliffhanger, so I am happy there will be a book two that will tell us what happens to Sisi. I'm dying to know if she finds happiness. 

Fans of historical fiction will thoroughly enjoy The Accidental Empress, especially if you are like me and have always been interested in learning more about the Hapsburg Empire and love stories of royalty.

Book Review - Sisi: Empress on Her Own by Allison Pataki

Pages: 464

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: March 8, 2016

Publisher: Dial

Source: LibraryThing Early Reviewers

Other Books By Author: The Accidental Empress

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Married to Emperor Franz Joseph, Elisabeth—fondly known as Sisi—captures the hearts of her people as their “fairy queen,” but beneath that dazzling persona lives a far more complex figure. In mid-nineteenth-century Vienna, the halls of the Hofburg Palace buzz not only with imperial waltzes and champagne but with temptations, rivals, and cutthroat intrigue. Feeling stifled by strict protocols and a turbulent marriage, Sisi grows restless. A free-spirited wanderer, she finds solace at her estate outside Budapest. There she rides her beloved horses and enjoys visits from the Hungarian statesman Count Andrássy, the man with whom she’s unwittingly fallen in love. But tragic news brings Sisi out of her fragile seclusion, forcing her to return to her capital and a world of gossip, envy, and sorrow where a dangerous fate lurks in the shadows. Through love affairs and loss, dedication and defiance, Sisi struggles against conflicting desires: to keep her family together, or to flee amid the collapse of her suffocating marriage and the gathering tumult of the First World War. In an age of crumbling monarchies, Sisi fights to assert her right to the throne beside her husband, to win the love of her people and the world, and to save an empire. But in the end, can she save herself? Featuring larger-than-life historic figures such as Bavaria’s “Mad King Ludwig” and the tragic Crown Prince Rudolf, and set against many of Europe’s grandest sites—from Germany’s storied Neuschwanstein Castle to England’s lush shires—Sisibrings to life an extraordinary woman and the romantic, volatile era over which she presided."

Sisi: Empress on Her Own picks up where The Accidental Empress left off and while you don't really need to read the first book to enjoy this one, I highly recommended it if you want a full picture of Sisi's extraordinary life.  At this point, Sisi is frustrated at not having truly raised her eldest daughter and son, thanks to her domineering mother-in-law, but now that she has had her youngster daughter, Valerie, she is determined to not let her out of her sight.  She often takes her away from court to her various country homes so she can not only be with her alone, but also ride her beloved horses.  All this time away from home has put a strain on her relationship with her eldest son, Rudolf.  When her daughter Gisela writes saying that she is concerned about Rudolf's tutor, Sisi packs up and heads home to Vienna. Things are always much different at court though. There are people who gossip about her relationship with Count Andrassy as well as her time apart from her husband.  While there, Sisi longs to escape on her next adventure and is torn between her duty as Empress and doing what is best for herself.  As time goes by there is even more in store for Sisi and her family.  Rudolf struggles as he comes into his own as the Crown Prince, her youngest daughter is ready for marriage, and then there's always her shaky relationship with the Emperor.  Fans of Allison Pataki won't be disappointed by Sisi: Empress on Her Own; it's definitely a sweeping and entertaining saga about one of the most fascinating people in history.    

I have this love hate relationship with Sisi.  On one hand, I admire that she is, essentially, a modern woman trapped in a different time.  She longs to be independent and has really grown up in  Sisi: Empress on Her Own.  On the other hand, she spends so much time away from her two eldest children that it is sort of heartbreaking. I get that she loves her horses and the country, but she is often found escaping court for very long periods of time. This obviously impacts her children, especially Rudolf.

The turn of events, especially in the second half of the novel are unbelievable. I often had to remind myself that  Sisi: Empress on Her Own is based on real-life events, not from the author's imagination. She lived through many ups and downs. I knew of Sisi's fate, but it still broke my heart to see how things ended for her and her family.  Nonetheless, Pataki does an excellent job incorporating historical events while still keeping readers interested and invested in Sisi's personal life.

Also, the various settings in  Sisi: Empress on Her Own were outstanding. I loved the gorgeous Habsburg court, the English countryside, the Irish countryside, and especially her depictions of the famous Neuschwanstein Castle.  Pataki brought it all to life expertly.

Sisi's story is a fascinating one and I highly recommend The Accidental Empress and  Sisi: Empress on Her Own to those who enjoy historical fiction and stories about royals.  I know I will be on the look out for Pataki's next project.

August Confessions

Is it me or does summer get shorter every year? I can't believe August is over and before we know it there will be pumpkins, mums, and falling leaves. Even some of the leaves on the trees in my backyard are starting to turn colors and fall. While this is all very pretty, the summer girl in me is devastated. I could use a few more months of summer! Anyway, I had a pretty good reading month.  There wasn't a book that was especially stellar; in fact, there were a lot of middle of the road books. I guess not every book can be five stars, right?

Books Read in August:
1.  The Blue by Lucy Clarke - 4 out of 5 stars
2.  The Accident Season by Moira Fowley-Doyle - 3.5 out of 5 stars
3.  The Accidental Empress by Allison Pataki - 4 out of 5 stars
4.  Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #4) by Sarah J. Maas - 4 out of 5 stars
5.  If You Only Knew by Kristan Higgins - 3.5 out of 5 stars
6.  Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead - 3.5 out of 5 stars (review to come)
7.  The Sisters of Versailles by Sally Christie - 3.5 out of 5 stars (review to come)
8.  Tiny Little Thing by Beatriz Williams - 4 out of 5 stars (review to come)
9.  The Appearance of Annie van Sinderen by Katherine Howe - 3.5 out of 5 stars (review to come)

Did Not Finish:

• Everybody Rise by Stephanie Clifford and Until Friday Night by Abbi Glines - For my reasons why, check out my It's Not You, It's Me post
• Anne & Henry by Dawn Ius - I just couldn't. This contemporary retelling of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII did not shine for me. I couldn't get past the casting of Katherine of Aragon as a blonde devious cheerleader. That's not how I see her at all. She's more like a Catholic schoolgirl, if you ask me, but more on this later.

1.  Favorite Book: Tiny Little Thing by Beatriz Williams - Although I didn't love this one as much as A Hundred Summers and The Secret Life of Violet Grant, I still thoroughly enjoyed this Kennedy-esque tale.  Review to come in September.

2.  Biggest Surprise: The Accidental Empress by Allison Pataki - I really enjoyed learning more about the Hapsburg Court and Empress Sisi. Fascinating stuff!

3.  Biggest Disappointment: There were three books I DNF this month.  They definitely are my biggest disappointments. I just don't have time for books that don't immediately draw me in. I want to be "wowed" and that doesn't seem to be happening much lately.

4.  Favorite Post: If You Love Stories About Royals...

5.  Favorite Part of August: My favorite part of August would have to be pushing myself to get back into running.  It feels good to hit some goals, especially when you didn't think you could do it. I love proving myself wrong! 

So, what is your favorite book that you read this month? What was your favorite part of August? Are you looking forward to September? Let me know!

Books To Read If You Love the Royals

 

With the recent passing of the incomparable Queen Elizabeth II, there's been a lot of focus on the British Royal Family.  I've received some questions about what books to read if you love stories about royals, so I thought I would update my list, which, believe it or not, hasn't been updating since 2015! I've linked my review when possible and include a wide variety of Royal stories, not just the British Royal Family!

The British Royal Family:

 

The People's Princess by Flora Harding - This one focuses on Lady Diana and her engagement to Prince Charles.

The Woman Before Wallis by Bryn Turnbull - The lesser known story of Thelma Morgan and her relationship with Prince Edward.

In Royal Service to the Queen by Tessa Arlen - The story of Queen Elizabeth II's beloved governess.

The Other Windsor Girl by Georgie Blalock - This historical novel is all about Princess Margaret, the Queen's sister.

 

 

Diana: Her True Story in Her Own Words by Andrew Morton - I listened to this audio book and was totally sucked in! It's a great companion to the latest season of The Crown.

Before the Crown by Flora Harding - This novel focuses on Elizabeth and Philip's courtship.

 

HRH: So Many Thoughts on Royal Style by Elizabeth Holmes - If you are a Royal style enthusiast, this is the go-to book filled with a ton of beautiful photographs.

 

 

Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch by Sally Bedell Smith - A fascinating biography of Elizabeth II. I really enjoyed it!

Victoria by Daisy Goodwin - A historical novel about the intriguing life of Queen Victoria just as she arrives to the throne. If you enjoy the TV show Victoria, this is a must read!

Lady Catherine, the Earl and the Real Downton Abbey by Fiona Carnarvon -If you love Downton Abbey, you'll enjoy this book about the real people that resided there.

Georgiana: Duchess of Devonshire by Amanda Foreman - I adored this biography about Georgiana Spencer, the great-great-great-great-aunt of Diana.  A fascinating woman!

 

 

War of the Roses:

(Books 1-7 are from Philippa Gregory's Cousins' War series)

 

 

1.  The White Queen - This is my favorite novel of the series. If focuses on Elizabeth's Woodville's rise at court and the War of the Roses.

2.  The Red Queen - This novel is from Lady Margaret Beaufort's perspective and she is one bad ass lady.  She will do anything to put her son Henry Tudor on the throne. 

3.  The Lady of the Rivers - This book reads like a prequel to The White Queen. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about Jacquetta, Elizabeth Woodville's mother, and her "second sight."

4.  The Kingmaker's Daughter - The story follows Anne Neville, who is the daughter of the Earl of Warwick, otherwise known at The Kingmaker. He uses his daughter as a chess piece, which makes for an entertaining novel. 

5.  The White Princess - This novel focuses on Elizabeth of York, who is the daughter of Elizabeth Woodville (The White Queen) and mother to the infamous Henry VIII.  It's a captivating glimpse into her life as well as her political marriage.

6.  The King's Curse - When compared to the other books in the series, I thought this book was just ok. It is from Lady Margaret Pole's perspective, cousin to Elizabeth of York, so it's interesting to see how everything played out at court through someone on the sideline's view point.  This novel also focuses on the alleged Tudor curse. 

7.  Women of the Cousins' War  - A nonfiction read about the women involved in the War of the Roses.

 

 

 

8.  The Last White Rose by Alison Weir - A book focusing on Elizabeth of York, the mother of Henry VIII. 

The Tudors:

The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory - This is one of my favorite novels from the series. It focuses on Katherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife.  We all know what happened, but getting it from Katherine's perspective is very interesting. 

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory - This is one of Gregory's best novels focusing on the infamous Anne Boleyn and her sister, Mary.  

 

 

 

The Taming of the Queen by Philippa Gregory - It's all about Kateryn Parr, who is forced to marry Henry VIII.

 

Three Sisters, Three Queens by Philippa Gregory - This historical tale focuses on Katherine of Aragon, Margaret Tudor, and Mary Tudor.

 

The Six Wives by Henry VIII by Alison Weir - A non-fiction book, but a fascinating read! I mean does it get more entertaining and unbelievable than Henry VIII?

 

The Last Tudor by Philippa Gregory - The story of Lady Jane Grey and her sisters.

Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir - Another novel focusing on Lady Jane Grey, the Nine Days' Queen.

Queen's Gambit by Elizabeth Fremantle - A novel all about Katherine Parr, Henry VII's last wife.

 

A Dangerous Inheritance by Alison Weir focuses on Lady Katherine Grey, Lady Jane's younger sister, and also deals with the mystery surrounding Princes in the tower.

Other Royal Families: 

 

The Summer Queen by Elizabeth Chadwick - It's the first novel in a trilogy about Eleanor of Aquitaine, a 12th century icon.

The Accidental Empress  by Allison Pataki - This historical novel focuses on Empress Elizabeth of Austria; it's a fascinating glimpse into her life.

 

Sisi: Empress on Her Own by Alison Pataki - Book two in the Sisi series following her marriage to Franz.

 

Inspired By The Royals:

 

 

 

The Royal We and The Heir Affair by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan - A modern day royal tale inspired by Kate Middleton and Prince William's real-life romance).

American Royals Series by Katharine McGee - A re-imagining of the United States if we had a Royal family stemming from the Washingtons.

 

 

 

On the TBR List: 

 

 

The Queen's Secret by Karen Harper
Elizabeth and Margaret by Andrew Morton

 

 

 

The Palace Papers by Tina Brown
The Empress by Gigi Giffis 

 

So, what do you think? Have you read some of these Royal reads? Do you have any recommendations for me? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Book Review: The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki

Pages: 400

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: February 15, 2022

Publisher: Ballantine

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author:  The Accidental Empress, 

and Sisi: Empress on Her Own

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

 

 

Goodreads says, "Mrs. Post, the President and First Lady are here to see you. . . . So begins another average evening for Marjorie Merriweather Post. Presidents have come and gone, but she has hosted them all. Growing up in the modest farmlands of Battle Creek, Michigan, Marjorie was inspired by a few simple rules: always think for yourself, never take success for granted, and work hard--even when deemed American royalty, even while covered in imperial diamonds. Marjorie had an insatiable drive to live and love and to give more than she got. From crawling through Moscow warehouses to rescue the Tsar's treasures to outrunning the Nazis in London, from serving the homeless of the Great Depression to entertaining Roosevelts, Kennedys, and Hollywood's biggest stars, Marjorie Merriweather Post lived an epic life few could imagine. Marjorie's journey began gluing cereal boxes in her father's barn as a young girl. No one could have predicted that C. W. Post's Cereal Company would grow into the General Foods empire and reshape the American way of life, with Marjorie as its heiress and leading lady. Not content to stay in her prescribed roles of high-society wife, mother, and hostess, Marjorie dared to demand more, making history in the process. Before turning thirty she amassed millions, becoming the wealthiest woman in the United States. But it was her life-force, advocacy, passion, and adventurous spirit that led to her stunning legacy. And yet Marjorie's story, though full of beauty and grandeur, set in the palatial homes she built such as Mar-a-Lago, was equally marked by challenge and tumult. A wife four times over, Marjorie sought her happily-ever-after with the blue-blooded party boy who could not outrun his demons, the charismatic financier whose charm turned to betrayal, the international diplomat with a dark side, and the bon vivant whose shocking secrets would shake Marjorie and all of society. Marjorie did everything on a grand scale, especially when it came to love. Bestselling and acclaimed author Allison Pataki has crafted an intimate portrait of a larger-than-life woman, a powerful story of one woman falling in love with her own voice and embracing her own power while shaping history in the process."

 

C.W. Post makes a fortune for his family when he invents cereals, such as Grape-Nuts.  His family goes from living an average life to becoming very wealthy and this changes his only child, Marjorie, greatly.  She attends a very good boarding school and brushes shoulders with influential people. However, she watches her parents' marriage falls apart and this breaks her heart. Some of the changes coming from this are good, but many are difficult for her.  As she gets older, she helps turn her father's company into General Foods, yes the General Foods, and impacts the way Americans eat. Cue frozen food! But Marjorie wants to be more than just a wife. She has plans. She not only wants to help run her father's company, but she also wants to contribute to society. And that she does! Whether she was building a new hospital, a soup kitchen, or donating her yacht to war efforts, she was always a wonderful philanthropist throughout the many years of her life.  That's not to say she didn't like to indulge. She had priceless jewels and she built Mar-a-Lago!  The one thing she never could seem to do was to secure a happy marriage though.  Allison Pataki's latest novel, The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post is a compelling and interesting glimpse into a woman who deserves to be remembered.

I was familiar with Post cereal, but I knew nothing about the Post family. The story opens with C.W. attending a sort of health retreat by none other than the Kellogg family, which made me raise my eyebrow.  That's where he gets his inspiration for his "health food." He tweaks the cereals and --boom-- he is the mastermind behind the food revolution that changed American breakfasts.  C.W. suffered from stomach issues his whole life and some of the cereals and health drinks he invented apparently helped him.  However, C.W. isn't perfect and has an affair. This impacts Marjorie greatly. It takes her awhile to bounce back from this betrayal to her mother, and then C.W.'s life ends tragically and unexpectedly. Marjorie finds herself as sole heiress.

Marjorie fights for the company from C.W.'s second wife and once she gains the rights, the rest is history in The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post.  She  came up with the idea to buy Birdseye Frozen Foods, as well as other food companies like Jell-o, and call her "new" company General Foods.  These acquisitions makes her company even more successful.  I also appreciated her philanthropic spirit.  She was always helping America out with the war, building hospitals, soup kitchens, fundraising, and so much more.  I respected her so much for that.  Even at the end of her life, she wanted to donate Mar-a-Lago to the government as a Winter White House.  If only she could see what it's being used for now. 

Marjorie also lived an interesting life when it came to her opportunities through marriage. One of her husband's was the ambassador to the Soviet Union, so this proved to be very interesting. Living in the Soviet Union was difficult, but Marjorie wanted to do her part for America.  While there, she came across some amazing Russian antiques and paintings for sale that she was able to purchase they ended up being on display in her Washington D.C. mansion.  She had to deal with traveling from the Soviet Union and the threat of u-boats, war breaking out, and so much more upheaval at the start of World War II.  Lastly, Marjorie was quite a host and her parties were well-known. She entertained royalty, presidents, and so many influential people.   I couldn't believe she built Mar-a-Lago. How did I not know this? One would think her life was all rainbows and sunshine, but her love life was a disaster.

She married many times and I don't want to give anything away, but each marriage was worse than the one before in The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post. I would have given up years ago, but I think Marjorie was a romantic at heart and also she maybe had trust issues from how her father handled himself, not to mention many men were intimidated by show much she was worth. It just goes to show you, you really can't have it all; however, she did get three beautiful daughters out of her marriages.

I found Marjorie's life to be so very entertaining in The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post. I loved learning more about this new-to-me woman and I couldn't believe more people don't talk about her life and her contributions.  If you love books about strong women, I encourage you to pick up The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post

So, are you a fan of Allison Pataki? Have you read The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post? Is it on your TBR list?  Let me know in the comments below. 

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Queen's Fortune

Can't Wait Wednesday is hosted by Wishful Endings and helps us spotlight upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating!

The Queen's Fortune by Allison Pataki 

Pub. Date: February 11, 2020

Goodreads says, "A sweeping novel about the extraordinary woman who captured Napoleon’s heart, created a dynasty, and changed the course of history—from the New York Times bestselling author of The Traitor's Wife, The Accidental Empress, and Sisi.  As the French revolution ravages the country, Desiree Clary is faced with the life-altering truth that the world she has known and loved is gone and it’s fallen on her to save her family from the guillotine.  A chance encounter with Napoleon Bonaparte, the ambitious and charismatic young military prodigy, provides her answer. When her beloved sister Julie marries his brother Joseph, Desiree and Napoleon’s futures become irrevocably linked. Quickly entering into their own passionate, dizzying courtship that leads to a secret engagement, they vow to meet in the capital once his career has been secured. But her newly laid plans with Napoleon turn to sudden heartbreak, thanks to the rising star of Parisian society, Josephine de Beauharnais. Once again, Desiree’s life is turned on its head.  Swept to the glittering halls of the French capital, Desiree is plunged into the inner circle of the new ruling class, becoming further entangled with Napoleon, his family, and the new Empress. But her fortunes shift once again when she meets Napoleon's confidant and star general, the indomitable Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte. As the two men in Desiree’s life become political rivals and military foes, the question that arises is: must she choose between the love of her new husband and the love of her nation and its Emperor?  From the lavish estates of the French Riviera to the raucous streets of Paris and Stockholm, Desiree finds herself at the epicenter of the rise and fall of an empire, navigating a constellation of political giants and dangerous, shifting alliances. Emerging from an impressionable girl into a fierce young woman, she discovers that to survive in this world she must learn to rely upon her instincts and her heart.  Allison Pataki’s meticulously researched and brilliantly imagined novel sweeps readers into the unbelievable life of a woman almost lost to history—a woman who, despite the swells of a stunning life and a tumultuous time, not only adapts and survives but, ultimately, reigns at the helm of a dynasty that outlasts an empire."

I adored Pataki's previous novels, so I am excited to check this one out. It sounds like the perfect historical read to curl up with this winter. What do you guys think?