The Second Empress
Empress Josephine's family has been called to Napoleon's court for the terrible news that he intends to divorce his barren wife of thirteen years and take a younger bride, the Austrian Princess Marie-Louise. For Josephine's daughter, Hortense, this means she is free to leave her husband, Napoleon's brother, having given the Bonapartes three heirs. As she looks for love, she must support her mother through the terrible grief of Napoleon's betrayal. For his new wife, it is a terrible duty she must take on in her father's name. She has nothing in common with the strange, older man she has married and can find little in her life to enjoy. But an unlikely friendship with Hortense will bring her much comfort, especially as she must fight for her own happiness. For Napoleon's sister, Pauline Bonaparte, it is yet another woman stealing her brother's attention and affection. Having spent years attempting to control his power and his influence, she must fight harder and dirtier if she is to win...
My thoughts:
So far I have not read a Moran book that disappointed me, and I happy to say that one was just as good as the rest.
Through out the whole book there was this easy flow to it, I took it up and started reading and suddenly I found myself 1/3 through the book. So I did what any booklover would do, I finished it in one day. I really liked the flow, the book felt light by it.
The book itself spans over 6 years and has 3 POVS. Princess Marie-Louise who have to marry Napoleon. She is not happy but will do her duty. Then we have Napoleon's sister Pauline who is a piece of work, but still, she has issues too. And last Pauline's chamberlain Paul. They all give an insight and we get to see more than we would have since with just Marie-Louise around.
I like how Moran presents everyone, even with their faults she makes me see that there might be something behind all of it. Well except Napoleon, that guy was just crazy. But every man needs a vision.
The book felt different from the ones before, maybe because of the lightness, it was not that long either. She wove in the historical facts without making them heavy or making them too many.
Conclusion:
I could go on and on. In the end, all I want to say is that I really enjoyed reading this book and that I recommend it to all. It's the kind of historical fiction you just fall in love with.
Cover:
Nice
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 358
Published; July 5th 2012
Publisher: Quercus
Source: For review
I've enjoyed the two Moran novels I've read so I'm glad to hear you liked this one! Adding it to my list.
ReplyDeleteI have read all of her books, she is just awesome!
DeleteI have been wanting to read this book, the cover is beautiful. Thanks for the great review, I am going to see if I can pick this one up soon!
ReplyDeleteI do like the cover, simple and yet not. Pretty :)
DeleteAnd a great novel underneath
I have two of her books but as usual have not read them. Loved your thoughts on this one and how easy it flowed!
ReplyDeleteYou must read them! She is just so good at what she does
DeleteHistorical Fiction is a great genre to get lost in for a few hours if done right! Great Review!
ReplyDeleteI even wished I could have been there..well hidden since it was not the best of times
DeleteI love it when I start a book and lose track of time. Glad you enjoyed and thanks for review,
ReplyDeleteBrandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog
It is the best feeling ever :)
DeleteI've read two of her books and they did not disappoint! this one sounds a sure fire winner as well.
ReplyDeleteIf you liked her other books then I promise you'll like this one too :)
DeleteSounds like a quality historical read, it's always nice to find an author who consistently writes books and characters you enjoy:)
ReplyDeleteEven with authors I love I get disappointed here and there *trying not to jinx it* Luckily that has not happened here
DeleteYay for a good read! :)
ReplyDeleteYay :D
DeleteI've been wanting to read this author for a while and I never get to it. This one sounds great. Nice review!
ReplyDeleteYou must try her then! I recommend all of her books
DeleteSounds great. I'll keep an eye out for it. Great review.
ReplyDeleteI hope that you find it :)
DeleteI haven't enjoy any Moran novel so far but this one might be the first! ;p
ReplyDeleteNoo, you must love her books :/
DeleteYou are going to get me into her books, aren't you. Haven't found one you haven't liked? I gotta know!
ReplyDeleteHihi, nope, I have read 4 (now 5) and all were good :D
DeleteEveryone loves her books - I still need to try one.
ReplyDeleteThey are just that good
DeleteI love a book with multiple POV's and the fact that the flow was so good you finished it a day has me checking out this author and book. Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteI just could not put it down and it was so easy to read. I love that cos I just want to be swept away
DeleteI've loved her books but haven't read Madame Tussaud yet. I don't care that much about France and and I'm not fan of Napoleon but since this is Moran I'll give it a shot :D
ReplyDeleteI was unsure too, first about Tussaud, which I ended up loving and then about this one. I thought, will it really be interesting (not a fav period of mine), and well it's Moran and I ended up loving it too :)
Deleteyeah I won that book and I still have yet to read it...I'm not sure. The Napoleon France isn't my favorite setting ever. I like the era, but he bugs me. lol
DeleteOoooooooh Napoleon. He was....well...an interesting fellow. lol
ReplyDeleteI am not a fan either, but Moran makes anything and everything fantastic
DeleteI love Moran’s novels as she always picks such interesting figures as subjects and makes history come alive.
ReplyDeleteNext up for her is India :D I can't wait
DeleteSo glad you really enjoyed it. I don't think you can go wrong with Moran. Must get my hands on this one!
ReplyDeleteSo true :D I hope she continue being just as awesome
DeleteSounds like a good read. Glad you like it.
ReplyDeleteNow I just have to wait until she writes a new novel :)
DeleteThe only historical fiction I have read, was in my teens when I discovered Jean Plaidy. I loved her books, my favourite is Catherine de Medici.
ReplyDeleteI have never read a Plaidy book..shocking I agree
Deleteyou know what I really don't read a lot oh historical fiction. Well I have some but I don't think it's my fav genre. I like one from time to time.
ReplyDeleteI like it but then I have always been a historylover :)
DeleteAnother one I'm adding to my TBR...
ReplyDeleteI just added the book to my tbrlist. I need to read this one, it sounds so good and I like reading books with the genre: historical fiction.
ReplyDeleteHis fic is just awesome :D And Moran writes it so good. You def need to read her
Delete"But every man needs a vision."
ReplyDeleteLOL! So very true. The reason I usually avoid HF is because it tend to be heavy. This one sounds appealing to me because, as you said, it's light. I think that's great!
It does tend to be heavy sometimes, but this one is the opposite, light, even with the detail it still brings
DeleteIs this book part of a series?
ReplyDeleteNope, a one book story
Deletehahaha I just posted my review and said the same thing about Pauline ... what a piece of work. Michelle Moran is at the top of my fave historical fiction author list, glad you loved it too!!
ReplyDeleteLOL! Well she sure was something else. But I understood her *coughs* at times
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