Published by Diversion Books

Purchase on Amazon

Purchase on Barnes & Noble

Purchase on iBooks

Purchase on Kobo

In this dazzling first book in the EMPRESS CHRONICLES series by the author of THE MOMENT BEFORE, one courageous girl seeks keys to the past to unlock the future…

When city girl Liz is banished to a
rural goat farm on the outskirts of Portland, the 15-year-old feels her life spiraling out of control. She can’t connect to her father or his young girlfriend, and past trauma adds to her sense of upheaval. The only person who seems to keep her sane is a troubled boy who is fighting his own demons. But all of this changes in one historical instant.

*

One-hundred fifty years earlier, Elisabeth of Bavaria has troubles of her own. Her childhood is coming to a crashing end, and her destiny is written in the form of a soothsaying locket that has the ability to predict true love. But evil is afoot in the form of a wicked enchantress who connives to wield the power of the locket for her own destructive ends.

*

When Liz finds a timeworn diary, and within it a locket, she discovers the secrets and desires of the young Bavarian princess who will one day grow up to be the legendary Empress of Austria. It is in the pages of the diary that these two heroines will meet, and it is through their interwoven story that Liz will discover she has the power to rewrite history—including her own…

Readers of books like Rachel Harris’s MY SUPER SWEET SIXTEENTH CENTURY will love THE EMPRESS CHRONICLES

Review

Only a few days short of the 116th anniversary of The Empress Elisabeth’s death, I was excited to get my hands on what turned out to be a creatively crafted novel!

Although I’m an avid Historical Fiction fan, I’m very open-minded with the avenues an author can take. It’s hard not to become immersed completely when a story steps out of the norm and leads you into the unknown. I love the fact that Vitello paired the famous beauty “Sisi”, known for her eccentricities, with a young woman from present day who suffers as she did. This tale takes the reader on a mystical journey full of sorcery, love, and aristocracy. It suits the Empress, as she herself was a mystical force on her own!

The Bonus material at the end is always a favorite of mine, as well. The author gives background on one of the focal points that connects the two heroines, and interesting tidbits about some of the characters.

I rather enjoyed this read and I’m quite curious as to where the author will take it from here.

About This Literary Chef

Suzy Vitello is a proud founding member of a critique group recently dubbed The Hottest Writing Group in Portland, and her short stories have won fellowships and prizes (including the Atlantic Monthly Student Writing Award, and an Oregon Literary Arts Fellowship).

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/suzyvitello

website: http://www.suzyvitello.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuzyVitelloBooks

Twitter: @suzy_vitello