The Accidental Empress: A Novel

This is a wonderful book enabling escapist historical novel time travel. It whetted my appetite to learn more about Sisi and the era. Some more editing would have been helpful though - titles like "her/your majesty" / "her/your highness" (for example) are incorrectly used interchangeably when they are specific to rank. Also the author uses the term "tuxedo" in places to describe men's formal wear ....again, "tuxedo" is a specific, tail-free garment that one would not have seen at the Austrian court, and not a synonym for formal wear. Nit-picking aside, this is a great read!

I loved her first book and was very excited to read this, her second book. It does not disappoint. She is a wonderful story teller and each time I find myself wanting to find out more about her subjects.

Unfortunately, too much of this novel is dedicated to describing this stuff: palaces, hair styles, gowns, etc., ad nauseum. There are two types of historical fiction, those based on events and those based on personalities. This story is the latter, more gossip than history. If romance stories, in the broadest sense, are your preference, you may enjoy this novel. If you want to learn something about the Austrian Empire and its role in 19th century Europe, look elsewhere.

Unfortunately, too much of this novel is dedicated to describing this stuff: palaces, hair styles, gowns, etc., ad nauseum. There are two types of historical fiction, those based on events and those based on personalities. This story is the latter, more gossip than history. If romance stories, in the broadest sense, are your preference, you may enjoy this novel. If you want to learn something about the Austrian Empire and its role in 19th century Europe, look elsewhere.

This novel is not the sort to be read for great literary quality, though the writing is adequate. This is just a wonderfully interesting tale of a young girl who becomes Empress over much of Europe in the nineteenth century. It is a story of love and court intrigue as well as a painless history lesson. Much of the book, even some minor detail, is based directly on historical record. I look forward a sequel!

This novel is not the sort to be read for great literary quality, though the writing is adequate. This is just a wonderfully interesting tale of a young girl who becomes Empress over much of Europe in the nineteenth century. It is a story of love and court intrigue as well as a painless history lesson. Much of the book, even some minor detail, is based directly on historical record. I look forward a sequel!

It was an interesting read as it was based on real life characters. It was sad in a way as we think royals are so very lucky and happy, but this shows the dark side of that life. I would like to see a sequel to learn what happened to the main character as she grew older as the story ended when she was still quite young and Europe would be lead into a very tumultuous period during her lifetime.

This book is an interesting read. It is very bleak most of the way through, which is to be expected considering the background of the people the book is based on. I don't plan to ever read it again; but, if there is a sequel I'm sure I will read it.

This book is an interesting read. It is very bleak most of the way through, which is to be expected considering the background of the people the book is based on. I don't plan to ever read it again; but, if there is a sequel I'm sure I will read it.

I enjoy historical fiction because you are reading a history lesson; however it's in novel form. You realize that everything isn't completely true but you get the basic plot in an enjoyable format. Ms Pataki has a way of making you feel that you are with the characters, wherever they may be along with their emotions. I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen to Sisi and I wasn't disappointed. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the novel.

I found this book tiresomè and repetitive. The reader is so far ahead of the main character who appears dimwitted. The same ill treatment over and over by her mother in law with no end in sight. The empress was unlikeable and empty headed. Skip this one.

An enjoyable story, well researched and rather nicely told. I found it a little simplistic and not quite shallow, but emotions were rather skimmed over. If the author writes a follow on to this story I will definitely be reading it

The Austrian is rich, but stiff and formal, the Hungarian is tousled and sexy, and the Bavarian heroine is impulsive and emotional. Which stereotype will she choose? And which dress will she wear? Fun to read but puh-leeese.

I liked it, I just didn't love it. I suppose many spoiled Monarch lack substance, this Emperor definitely did. Talk about a butterfly caught in a web, she certainly was. I was disappointed in the story line and its outcome. If it's based on fact then, sadly, it was the right outcome.

I was disappointed because she was protrayed differently than she really was. After I read about her real life etc, I did not finish the book. Should have just been on a totally fictitious person I think

I heard about this book on the Today show, heard it got great reviews. However, I found it to be very predictable and flat out boring. It reminded me of the Gothic romance novels that I read in high school. I really, really dislike paying this kind of money on a book that failed to entertain. Do yourself a favor, wait for the paperback and then only purchase used as it is not worth the money to purchase new.

This is nothing more than a romance novel. When I purchased this I was looking for serious historical fiction. This is anything other than that. It is just romance dialogue loosely based around common knowledge and inns in the most unsatisfactory manner.