The Accidental Empress

February 15, 2015

Fifteen-year-old Elisabeth ("Sisi"), heroine of this second historical novel from Pataki (The Traitor's Wife), is utterly enchanted by her sister's intended fiance, Franz Joseph, the dashing young Emperor of the Habsburgs. Franz is equally attracted to her, and before long the free-spirited Sisi has married Franz and taken her sister's planned place as Empress, to her sister's relief but her controlling mother-in-law's horror. Unprepared for the realities of her new role, particularly the stifling rules of protocol and lack of control over her environment, Sisi repeatedly clashes with the wishes of both her mother-in-law and, more dangerously, her husband. VERDICT Sisi's story is still popular in Austria but is less well known outside of it, and this novel offers an engrossing introduction to this colorful 19th-century personality. Even historical fiction readers who have grown weary of "royal marriage" plots will find much to savor here in the striking depictions of the Viennese court and intriguing descriptions of the political maneuvers between Austria and Hungary. Highly recommended for fans of both Michelle Moran and Philippa Gregory. [For another fictional interpretation of Sisi's life, see Daisy Goodwin's The Fortune Hunter.--Ed.]--Mara Bandy, Champaign P.L., IL

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