The Empress: A Novel

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The first half of the ‘re-imagining’ was compelling. The second half, more of a harlequin romance, I skim read.

This book gives more of an overview of the universe they preside over and more of the politics. There is much death, destruction and cruelty. At times it feels like all hope is lost and then there are the twists and turns. No-one can be trusted! Nemesis’ character continues to evolve and her love for Tyrus never waivers.A gem of a novel with a compelling feminist bent, The Empressblends 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

Half a lifetime of dedication, love, and effort, and it was demolished in a second. The universe was so cruel. What a fool I’d been to forget it.” Nemesis is such a wonderful protagonist to follow. This book is written entirely from her first-person POV, and while I would have loved to read from Tyrus's first-person POV, it was just fine to have her narrative alone. She grows even more in this book, with having to make so many difficult decisions. She and Tyrus fight alongside each other and really learn their limits. While Tyrus is intelligent and clever, Nemesis is loyal and stubborn. I didn't love a few of her decisions, but at the same time, I put myself in her position and there is a good chance I'd do the same.It is definitely worth taking a voyage to see this sensational production of The Empress and its spectacular cast– West End Best Friend Tyrus’s role in this ceremony was brief. He stepped forward, and the men and women knelt before him, displaying their pitifully bared heads, where they’d shaved away their hair to exhibit their faith. He spoke the short litany of pardon, and then the vicar took it from there.

In fact the science aspect of the story in general is cool, in all parts. The time passage thing is neat but this whole story is sci-fi, set among various planets and starships and among the stars as Tyrus and Nemesis hop into hyperspace to travel across the galaxy. I love YA sci-fi, so I was really happy about how science-heavy this book was. Not enough to be off-putting to non-sci-fi-loving people, I promise! Tyrus planted the question about me with one of his allies, and then gave his prepared answer: “My fiancée will be a symbol of the new era we begin here today. Her name is Nemesis dan Impyrean. Some will be scandalized that I have no intention of wedding a member of this Empire’s elite. I say, let them be scandalized, for I love Nemesis above any other. She is the most honest, courageous, and worthy candidate I can imagine as the Empress of this galaxy, and I know you will come to admire her as I have.” Speaking of Tyrus, I adored him. He is so clever and "Type A", always thinking ahead and planning and overthinking. I connect with him on that level, although he is more masterminded than me. He plays the long game, and suffers as he does it, but he endures. His strength of mind and iron will are so impressive. I'm rooting for him in book three. A tale of people traveling across oceans to build a new life in the UK, only to be met with hostility and exploitation, has surely grown more relevant – The Guardian I am interested to see where the rest of the story goes from here since I left the end wondering "what next."

She destroyed one of my favourite aspects of the story and even if it's objectively one hell of a powerful plot twist, I lost some of the love I have for this trilogy. I really hope this will be fixed in the last book but I'm not keeping my hopes up. The galaxy received just that glimpse of me, enough to set the Excess on their planets across the empire wondering who I could be, wondering what story lay behind my appearance in public life. Tyrus believed the best way to strip a secret of its power was to glare a shining light on it from the angle of choice, to exhibit it fearlessly rather than seek to hide it. He followed up on that first glimpse by introducing me as his future Empress—and a Diabolic—at his first Convocation.

Sisi is a well-known character in the history. The descriptions of the settings in the Bavarian mountains are really drawing attention and the whole romanticised story will get the attention of fans of historical romance. 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 . . . The Empress takes place shortly after the events in the first book, the Diabolic (a book that I must preface saying that I ADORED) with Tyrus and Nemesis figuring out how to rule. We have a new problem added to the mix-a sceptar that controls and unifies the Chrysanthemum that can only be turned on with both the blood of a Domitirian and the vicar. With Nemesis besides Tyrus, the vicar refuse to support so they must find another way to get the sceptar working. The Empress was a fantastic sequel to the excellent Diabolic. The first book actually had the feel of a standalone novel but I'm glad the series got expanded into a trilogy as this sequel proves that there was more worthwhile stories to be told in this world and that S.J. Kincaid had more than enough cool ideas to keep the story fresh and exciting!

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Sissi is een begrip en als kind was ik helemaal gek van haar. Meermaals keek ik de films met Romy Schneider in de hoofdrol en genoot ik telkens weer. Toen Keizerin uitkwam, voelde ik het kriebelen om dit boek te gaan lezen en gelukkig was ik bijna jarig en kreeg ik het cadeau! Keizerin focust op drie hoofdpersonen – Sissi, Franz en in mindere mate ook op Helene en het is dus vooral op die eerste 2 personen gericht. We lezen hoe Sissi en Franz elkaar ontmoeten en als een blok voor elkaar vallen. Hun liefde is echter onmogelijk want Franz wordt geacht om te trouwen met Helene, de zus van Sissi. Maar toch is dat niet wat hij wil… De focus ligt dus op de heimelijke ontmoetingen, het verzet tegen hun familie en de uiteindelijke uitkomst van dit alles. Het boek gaf me enkele zeer vermakelijke uurtjes aan leesgenot en ik heb er echt van genoten. Het was één van de betere boeken die ik vorige maand las en een aangename afwisseling tussen al de lugubere thrillerverhalen die ik soms lees. Keizerin krijgt dus met verve 4.5 sterren! Still reeling from the events of the last quarter of the book. I'm angry and frustrated...but I suppose that's to be expected? Definitely looking forward to seeing how this all plays out.