I really enjoyed this audio - I do always like it when the male and female characters have separate narrators, I find you can immerse yourself in their points of view much more easily. I think Franz’s narrator did a good job of capturing his stiffness of court expectations well versus his vulnerability with Elisabeth and when he’s reflecting on his own experience.

The story itself while based on real historical figures gave me Bridgerton vibes - the family dynamic similar in ways to Kate and Antony - just without the angst! I enjoyed the complexities of the court dynamics - Sophie is a force to be reckoned with and Maxi is certainly a delicious complication! I thought Helena’s point of view added an extra dimension to the story that plays perfectly into the drama and complications that Elisabeth faces and would undoubtedly face in the future. There’s lots of potential to develop this story further alongside the tv series.

I think this companion to the series certainly intrigues enough that you’d want to see more of their married life, the dynamics between Sophie and Elisabeth and how Elisabeth manages to navigate court life.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy of the audio.

Loved the Netflix series so was excited to see how the audiobook compares…..From the very first page of this book, I was stunned, mesmerised. Written with a ferocious passion that'll knock the wind out of you!
I’m so sad it's over. I could have read another sixty chapters . . . A fantastic read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

THE EMPRESS is a novelisation of the Netflix show. I haven't watched it, nor do I know much (basically anything) about this period of Austrian-Hungarian history, and that was what drew me to this book, a chance to get a glimpse at it (even if it's not entirely accurate.)

This book feels, first and foremost, like a romance. In terms of major beats, the book falls pretty much into the standard pattern down to % where these events happen. That's not necessarily a bad thing - it's just that this means I didn't entirely trust the accuracy of the book as it felt a tad too convenient that these things happened as they did. However, it does make for a compelling tale. Meeting your sister's intended, falling in love, getting betrothed, hitting trouble, finding a way out together. It's a tried and tested formula for a reason.

There are three narrators in the book - Franz and Sisi (the romantic couple) and Helena, Sisi's sister and the woman Franz is supposed to marry. Having Helena gave a voice to the anger and betrayal of Franz and Sisi's actions, and gave the book an avenue to explore more than just the romance, which was nice.

There were, however, only two narrators. While the pair (Ellie Rose Boswell for Sisi and Helena and Dominic Burgess for Franz) did a good job at bringing the book alive, I would have liked two different narrators for the girls, to make it easier to work out who was talking (it took me a while to work out that Helena had a POV when she first arrived.)

I have no idea if this is going to get a sequel. I think the Netflix show has another season announced and Maxi (Franz's brother) looks like he could stir up a lot of trouble. Plus there's all of Franz's plans that could be explored. However, this book also wraps up neatly with a happily for now ending to the romance (though there's probably rockiness to come in the early days of the marriage.) I would not object to another book.

I had no prior knowledge of Elisabeth and Franz of Austria so I don't know how historically accurate this is but it was an enjoyable if flimsy plot. The characters, although the author has tried to flesh them out, feel one-dimensional and repetitive. It actually feels like a YA novel. Its definitely more cheesy than steamy!

The narrators were suitable and both did a good job with what they had to work with.

I listened to this at the perfect time, before watching the Netflix series but after seeing the German film Corsage, which looks at Sissi’s later life with Franz. The Empress took me back to where it all started, and fully fed my cravings for Sissi-lore! I’m a fan of Sissi but Griffis shows us her less iconic, more human side as well - I hadn’t known that Franz and Empresshood was planned for Helena, not her younger sister! Also, fab narration with different narrators for Sissi and Franz.