The Empress

Thank you NetGalley, Zando Projects, and Gigi Griffis for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! I truly loved this book so much and it’s one of my favorite historical fiction novels that I’ve read.

This book follows Princess Elisabeth “Sisi” of Bavaria, her sister Helene, and Emperor Franz of Austria as Helene waits to marry Franz. However, things do not go as planned when Sisi and Franz start to become close…

I loved Sisi as a character and how the real person has been reflected in the book. It depicts her relationship with her family and Franz in a beautiful way and I thought the writing style was stunning. It truly described what falling in love is like, as well as what it’s like to feel jealous, sad, or left out.

Overall, I think historical fiction/romance fans will really enjoy this one. I’m so excited for it to be on Netflix and I hope to read more from this author in the future!


5 stars.

This book got me so incredibly excited for the fact that this is going to be a Netflix special. I can wait to see how true to book it ends up being.

I really enjoyed this book! It was captivating and beautiful, and I just really enjoyed reading this one.

An absolute must read for historical fiction fans! When I saw this book I was immediately excited. The podcast Noble Blood had done an episode on Princess Sisi and I was excited to learn more about her, knowing of course that much of this is fictionalized.
I don't have any criticism for this book. It was well written and the execution of it plot is very strong. Additionally, the characters are written in a very compelling manner.
While it's not my favorite genre, this book is definitely a winner!

Talk about steam! 🔥 This was a beautiful story about love and passion and I absolutely devoured it! The chemistry between the main characters, Franz and Sisi just jumps off the page and you can’t help rooting for their love. I also appreciated the fact that the story focuses on another relationship that I consider just as important, and that is the one between Sisi and her sister Helene. Having two sisters myself I really connected to their story and how the relationship between siblings can evolve and grow.

I feel like a lot of historical fiction books can be slow but this one was fast paced and very entertaining. I’m not too familiar with this part of history so it was a nice change from the usual WWII novels you see so often in this genre. If you’re a fan of historical fiction or romance (or both 😆) this is the book for you as it perfectly combines them into the story. Check out this book when it’s out in October!

Thank you to the publisher for this advanced copy and to the author for such an enjoyable read!

It had been a long time since I had read any historical fiction, and The Empress did not disappoint ! Elizabeth and Franz have an effortless and beautiful love that overcomes so many obstacles. They both have duties to their country and family that cannot be ignored., but love always prevails The dynamic of both of their families is interesting and heartbreaking with addition of Helene's point of view. I wanted to read this initially because it was a series on Netflix, then to discover it is not in English, if it has subtitles I will give it a try. After finishing I looked up Franz and Elizabeth's actual history and it was an interesting that some real aspects were incorporated as fictions. I love historical fiction based on real people and this was a good one to read!

An interesting take on Empress Sisi. This book appears to be part of a series as it ends right after her wedding. There is much more to her story. Fast paced and a very good harmony between narrative and dialogue. I look forward to more from this author. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publishers for an e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley for the free ebook in exchange for my honest opinion.

Imagine a world where two sisters who are completely different one Helene the oldest who is ready to be married off to whomever her parents chose. While her younger sister Elisabeth is the wild child who wouldn’t mind marrying someone but only if its for love and not obligation. Luckily for Elisabeth its Helene who’s hand has been asked for from an emperor who is only marrying for obligation and duty more than for himself. Both sisters whom are best friends must now live their own lives apart but not as they originally thought. Also Emperor Franz must figure out how to go on marrrying Helene when he no longer wants to go with that obligation his mother has set upon him.

I completely fell in love with this story and each of the characters. The author had me hooked on Elisabeth and her story from the very beginning. This was a 1 day read for me which is how I know a book is worth it. I got lost in the story and needed to know how it played out. Also since this book will soon be coming to Netflix I can’t wait to relive this story and see it come to life like it did in my mind. The only reason I’m rating this a 4.5 star and not 5 star read is because I felt like I wanted to know more about Franz and what he calls his nightmare. I would have liked to hear more about that situation. Maybe this will be a series of books and not just the single read.

Historical fiction is my new favorite genre and this book certainly did not disappoint. From the beginning I was hooked and intrigued by the storyline. Elisabeth was a well rounded individual and I love how she spoke her mind. I finished this book in less than a day and loved every page. I did not realize this would be a Netflix show as well and just saved this to my list. I can’t wait to read more books by this author. Thank you net galley and publishers for the advanced copy. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. I feel as though there needs to be another book so we can learn more about their love story.

Reading this because I heard it's going to be a netflix show and I love royalty shows! Actually getting into it, it's easily readable and reading from the perspective of the fiery Elisabeth got me on board SO QUICK! Excellent work~

a beautiful telling of this story of Franz and Elisabeth. It wasn't love at first sight but lust that only grew more powerful. Beautiful story of finding yourself and taking the leap and not being afraid.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC. I did request the book because of the cover and the Netflix sticker because I knew it was something I would watch. I am a firm believer that the book is always better than the movie. I was not expecting to be pulled in so soon. I completely loved this story! I am rooting for the Empress and her Emperor. I am even rooting for her sister! I hope there will be a second book and I cannot wait for the show!

Wonderful well written historical novel about family, jealousy and love vs duty. I this is a story that hooks you in and keeps you there until the very last page.

Gigi Griffis has created a sweeping narrative with a sumptuous setting and complex characters that totally sucked me in! You can't help but root for Sisi as she navigates love, loss, and the political intrigue of 1800s Austria -- and did I mention the steamy romance? Griffis is now an auto-buy for me!

Gorgeous and evocative. I was particularly interested in the show and was excited to receive an arc from netgalley. My students will be able to read this as an aside to their courses on Bavaria and the region, finding the romance fun and enjoyable and heart wrenching while learning about Sisi, an important figure for the region. It's a great addition to what will likely be an interesting show.

I requested this title because I love The Great on Hulu, and was intruiged by the new show coming to Netflix.

I know nothing about Elisabeth of Bavaria or her engagement to Franz, the emperor of Austria. I don't read a ton of historical fiction, and when I do, I don't have any requirements that it be accurate. I was hoping for a good story with interesting characters, and that is exactly what this book delivered! I saw some reviews that wanted a story that was more accurate to true events, but I really enjoyed this adapation! Can't wait to see the show!

I loved the authors writing style and her ability to bring this era to life!

I couldn’t put it down! Aside from my love of all things historical fiction, it was such a great story! Beautiful and well written. Full of hope, and dreams, and love. Elisabeth is the second daughter. Allowed to be free and run wild in her Royal Bavarian household. Helene, her older sister has been chosen to marry the Emperor and is all things an Empress should be. But when Franz, the Emperor, and Elisabeth meet by chance, love is instant. Elisabeth risks losing her sister to marry for love. Can she be tamed in order to be an Empress? I loved this story!!

The Empress by Gigi Griffs is a great take on royal love story. I have to say I had never heard of Princess Elisabeth “Sisi” of Bavaria and her life. So everything about the book was interesting. I enjoyed the setting. The time period. The wows of women in the time period. It is a page turner. The writer style is amazing and keep you on the edge of your seat until her wedding. It appears the book is a series from how the book ended but definitely worth a read. If you love historical love stories and lives of the past you will love this book.

I really enjoyed this so much I absolutely can not wait to watch the TV show I'd it's anything like the book it will be amazing

I loved this story! It was fast paced, well written and a sweet love story. I immediately looked up the history regarding them as soon as I finished this book. Elisabeth's sister, Helene is chosen to marry the Emperor Franz. Excited over their upcoming engagement they travel to meet the Emperor and his family. However, Franz and Elisabeth keep meeting unexpectedly and the sparks are flying. What will happen?!?

Reading this book is like stepping back in time. The fashion, food, and locations in this story scream for it to be made into a movie. This spellbinding cinematic storytelling ignites the dreams of everyone that ever wanted to be a princess or Empress.

With chemistry that jumps off the page and has you fanning yourself the passion between Elizabeth and Franz ignites, they discover each other and themselves as only they could.

While Elizabeth feels she's found her true match in Emperor Franz she can't help but have certain feelings regarding her family and his.

Mesmerizing in its beauty and thought-provoking in its relationships with the perfect balance of light-hearted and soul-wrenching moments this book has everything you could hope for in a romantic drama and even more you didn't know you wanted.

Thank you to NetGalley and Zando Projects for providing a copy of this ebook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read and review an early copy of this book!

I love historical fiction books so when I found out I got an ARC of this novel I was so excited. Honestly I still am, it was so good. The romance, plot, the writing style, and the characters. I really enjoyed reading about the sisters especially and reading the family’s dynamic. I have nothing bad to say about this novel, overall a 5/5! :)

This book was absolutely everything. I loved this epic story about this fascinating tale of a remarkable woman.

This book was everything I wanted it to be. It had me turned pages without even realizing. It was so good!