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| Final Rating: 5/5 |
You may swear you hear notes of Imperial violins by the end of this sparkling and grand tale.
The Accidental Empress is Historical fiction at its finest and most elegant form. A stunning marriage of fact and romance straight from the pages of history, that shares with the reader the story of a Duchess who "accidentally" captured the heart of an Emperor and ultimately became a celebrated figure. The forgotten love story of Elisabeth of Bavaria and Emperor Franz Joseph I is brought to life by Ms. Pataki's incandescent storytelling that sweeps the reader into the gold-gilded halls of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine and ultimately into the mind and heart of a young woman who may have been renowned for beauty, wit and charm but battled personal demons, incredible tragedy and to have her voice heard. This novel spans from 1853-1867 with interwoven scenes of reflections of choices, fate and possible future ventures. Reminiscent in styling of classics such as Katherine and Forever Amber with its attention to historical detail and captivating atmosphere- the reader may swear they hear notes of Imperial violins by the end of this sparkling tale.
In the end, I can't recommend this title enough. This was a spectacular read that found that delicate balance between historical facts, romance and even some surprising undertones. The Accidental Empress was that rare find for this reader that I didn't want the experience to end. The departing notes shares with the reader the research, honest creative liberties that were taken with this novel (miniscule in a novel so thick and those that are imaginative fiction blend so seamlessly that I could have sworn they were facts) and clearly hints at a sequel and I cannot wait for that gorgeous encore.
* I would like to thank Howard Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and enjoy The Accidental Empress.
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