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The Empress
Constantinople, 1179
Princess Agnes of France is thirteen when she marries the heir to Byzantium, an empire unmatched in wealth, power - and glamour.
But once she sets foot in the Queen of Cities, a decadent world where dazzling luxury masks unspeakable cruelty, she realises that her husband is a deluded mother’s boy with mighty enemies and treacherous allies.
Welcome to the City
As emperors rise and fall, Agnes learns to play the City's game – until she falls for a handsome rebel and finds that love is the most perilous game of all.
Glittering parties in marble palaces soon give way to bloody revolution, shipwreck and exile and Agnes discovers there is no limit to what she will do to survive.
A world in flames
But only when crusading knights from her homeland attack the City, does she finally understand what is truly worth fighting for.
Princess Agnes of France is thirteen when she marries the heir to Byzantium, an empire unmatched in wealth, power - and glamour.
But once she sets foot in the Queen of Cities, a decadent world where dazzling luxury masks unspeakable cruelty, she realises that her husband is a deluded mother’s boy with mighty enemies and treacherous allies.
Welcome to the City
As emperors rise and fall, Agnes learns to play the City's game – until she falls for a handsome rebel and finds that love is the most perilous game of all.
Glittering parties in marble palaces soon give way to bloody revolution, shipwreck and exile and Agnes discovers there is no limit to what she will do to survive.
A world in flames
But only when crusading knights from her homeland attack the City, does she finally understand what is truly worth fighting for.
512 pages, Paperback
First published March 14, 2013
1 person is currently reading
183 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 25, 2016
I was thrilled to read about the 12th and 13th centuries in Byzantine history that I didn't know much about. Until the last section the novel was disappointing. I was glad to read later most of the main characters really lived and went through such upheavals that the author described, although Agnes [aka Empress Anna] and Theo Branas were footnotes to history. The author seemed to really incorporate history, from the marriage of Agnes of France to the boy-emperor of Constantinople, the mama's boy Alexios II Komnenos, through her learning to cope with the duplicitous Byzantine court, through the reigns of seven emperors and ending with the 4th Crusade, Sack of Constantinople and travails of Agnes [1204].
I didn't feel the love interest between Agnes and Theo really caught fire until the last section--during the reign of Murzuphlus: Alexios [again!!] V Doukas; he was always away at war and when they were together, all they did was argue. I don't think the author tampered too much with history but I feel she changed the ages of some of the people. One thing I found: the Byzantines weren't terribly original in naming their children--I couldn't count all the Alexioses--no wonder their emperors all used their surnames! I was glad to read something other than the hackneyed Justinian-and-Theodora. I liked the author's touch in using the term Rôman, giving these people distance from classical Romans but still putting forth the idea that they were heirs of classical Romans.
Recommended.
I didn't feel the love interest between Agnes and Theo really caught fire until the last section--during the reign of Murzuphlus: Alexios [again!!] V Doukas; he was always away at war and when they were together, all they did was argue. I don't think the author tampered too much with history but I feel she changed the ages of some of the people. One thing I found: the Byzantines weren't terribly original in naming their children--I couldn't count all the Alexioses--no wonder their emperors all used their surnames! I was glad to read something other than the hackneyed Justinian-and-Theodora. I liked the author's touch in using the term Rôman, giving these people distance from classical Romans but still putting forth the idea that they were heirs of classical Romans.
Recommended.
September 29, 2015
I started out with such high hopes for this book. The time period is such a unique one, and any historical fiction that’s about an obscure female figure makes me a happy camper. However, ultimately, I was disappointed by this work. Not a great introduction to this author.
She got the time period down, at least. Her effort towards historical research and getting the details right show through. She chose a setting and historical period ripe with change and intrigue. The Byzantine Empire is on the verge of massive change, facing vast armies without and decay/breakdown within. The tale of this young girl thrown into this maelstrom of backstabbing and danger was enough to keep me reading. The author knows how to bring the Fourth Crusade and an empire in flux to vivid life.
I’m a bit ambivalent on the main character. At least I can say that she’s brave with all she faces, she can think on her feet sometimes, and is able to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances. However, more often than not, she is more of a reactionary character rather than one who actually takes action. She goes along with the events as they present without taking many actions to change outcomes. There are a few times where she takes action (Andronkis comes to mind), but the instances are too few to save her as a good main character.
The less said about the “love” between Agnes and Theo, the better. There is absolutely no chemistry between these two, except for friction. Any romantic connection has as much chemistry as distilled water, nothing. They have very few scenes together, and the ones they do have they are usually fighting in. More arguments happen than actual love connections. It makes any dramatic tension that might have resulted from the characters striving for each other and being motivated by each other disappear.
Overall, I was disappointed by this work. The author did a good job in setting and story, but her characters and their relationships need some work. There are a few good points but not enough to save that aspect of the story. For a book this size, there isn’t enough substance to make it a worthwhile read. If you’re looking for a rare time period or murky female historical figure, then maybe look this one up. Otherwise, I’d move along.
She got the time period down, at least. Her effort towards historical research and getting the details right show through. She chose a setting and historical period ripe with change and intrigue. The Byzantine Empire is on the verge of massive change, facing vast armies without and decay/breakdown within. The tale of this young girl thrown into this maelstrom of backstabbing and danger was enough to keep me reading. The author knows how to bring the Fourth Crusade and an empire in flux to vivid life.
I’m a bit ambivalent on the main character. At least I can say that she’s brave with all she faces, she can think on her feet sometimes, and is able to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances. However, more often than not, she is more of a reactionary character rather than one who actually takes action. She goes along with the events as they present without taking many actions to change outcomes. There are a few times where she takes action (Andronkis comes to mind), but the instances are too few to save her as a good main character.
The less said about the “love” between Agnes and Theo, the better. There is absolutely no chemistry between these two, except for friction. Any romantic connection has as much chemistry as distilled water, nothing. They have very few scenes together, and the ones they do have they are usually fighting in. More arguments happen than actual love connections. It makes any dramatic tension that might have resulted from the characters striving for each other and being motivated by each other disappear.
Overall, I was disappointed by this work. The author did a good job in setting and story, but her characters and their relationships need some work. There are a few good points but not enough to save that aspect of the story. For a book this size, there isn’t enough substance to make it a worthwhile read. If you’re looking for a rare time period or murky female historical figure, then maybe look this one up. Otherwise, I’d move along.
February 17, 2017
So often in history, women get overlooked, dismissed as if they existed solely to be married off and never did anything of note. This novel tells a very different story.
Only 13 when the novel starts, we see French princess Agnes sent off to Constantinople, where the ruling family sees itself as heir to the Roman empire, they believe themselves the most powerful people on Earth. Naturally, being so young, Agnes is nervous at first, but soon realises that she does not have to just content herself with sitting quietly in the corner. Reporting an incestuous affair draws her into plots against the throne - all of which she must navigate safely while trying to keep herself alive.
Part of the reason I loved this novel is that it is set in a time and period that I have almost no previous knowledge of. While we're all familiar with 12th century England, 12th century Constantinople and the Eastern Roman Empire is much less famous. I was able to read this book with a genuine sense of suspense because I honestly had no idea how things turned out. And it is very suspenseful, eventful - and detailed. As unfamiliar as the era may be to us, the author is perfectly familiar with all of it. Descriptions are vivid, characters are developed and sympathetic. There's even a family tree included to distinguish between the various Alexios's and others (medieval nobility were never very adventurous or imaginative with their names!). The female characters in particular are powerful, active women - a far cry from the typical medieval damsels we typically get served up in other books.
It is the sort of novel that, having enjoyed it and read the Historical Notes at the back, makes me want to open up some history books and find out more about the setting. And want to read the author's other work. I thoroughly recommend it for anyone looking for fresh historical fiction. It's certainly a welcome change from yet another book about Roman centurions or the Battle of Waterloo.
Only 13 when the novel starts, we see French princess Agnes sent off to Constantinople, where the ruling family sees itself as heir to the Roman empire, they believe themselves the most powerful people on Earth. Naturally, being so young, Agnes is nervous at first, but soon realises that she does not have to just content herself with sitting quietly in the corner. Reporting an incestuous affair draws her into plots against the throne - all of which she must navigate safely while trying to keep herself alive.
Part of the reason I loved this novel is that it is set in a time and period that I have almost no previous knowledge of. While we're all familiar with 12th century England, 12th century Constantinople and the Eastern Roman Empire is much less famous. I was able to read this book with a genuine sense of suspense because I honestly had no idea how things turned out. And it is very suspenseful, eventful - and detailed. As unfamiliar as the era may be to us, the author is perfectly familiar with all of it. Descriptions are vivid, characters are developed and sympathetic. There's even a family tree included to distinguish between the various Alexios's and others (medieval nobility were never very adventurous or imaginative with their names!). The female characters in particular are powerful, active women - a far cry from the typical medieval damsels we typically get served up in other books.
It is the sort of novel that, having enjoyed it and read the Historical Notes at the back, makes me want to open up some history books and find out more about the setting. And want to read the author's other work. I thoroughly recommend it for anyone looking for fresh historical fiction. It's certainly a welcome change from yet another book about Roman centurions or the Battle of Waterloo.
Read
July 29, 2025I picked up The Empress by Meg Clothier on a reading retreat where the author gave a talk - and she was awesome!
And, to begin with, I was really enjoying this book.
It follows Agnes, a princess of France in the late 12th century, who is sent to Constantinople at the age of 13 to marry the emperor's son.
I have to say, the writing and the protagonist's attitudes felt a lot more modern than I would have expected, given the setting, but I didn't feel that was necessarily a bad thing, since it made it a much more engaging and relatable read.
But around the 100-page mark, things took a definite turn - characters I'd liked started demonstrating terrible attitudes, making very poor decisions or doing bad things, Agnes started mooning over a very toxic man, and the whole thing got quite unpleasant in a lot of ways.
So, I unfortunately decided to stop reading it.
And, to begin with, I was really enjoying this book.
It follows Agnes, a princess of France in the late 12th century, who is sent to Constantinople at the age of 13 to marry the emperor's son.
I have to say, the writing and the protagonist's attitudes felt a lot more modern than I would have expected, given the setting, but I didn't feel that was necessarily a bad thing, since it made it a much more engaging and relatable read.
But around the 100-page mark, things took a definite turn - characters I'd liked started demonstrating terrible attitudes, making very poor decisions or doing bad things, Agnes started mooning over a very toxic man, and the whole thing got quite unpleasant in a lot of ways.
So, I unfortunately decided to stop reading it.
May 11, 2019
I never thought much of historical fiction as a genre. Then I saw the cover, read the synopsis and decided that I’d give it a go.
This novel was a lot of fun. I enjoyed the pacing, it moved with the events. I really enjoyed Agnes as a character; she was so sassy, charismatic and intelligent, I couldn’t help but to want to root for her. I loved the fact that she and the other characters made some really dumb decisions that seemed smart at the time. The world felt quite fleshed out and it felt as if everything fit within the time period it was set in.
I feel as if this was a great introduction to a relatively new genre for me and I look forward to trying more of it.
This novel was a lot of fun. I enjoyed the pacing, it moved with the events. I really enjoyed Agnes as a character; she was so sassy, charismatic and intelligent, I couldn’t help but to want to root for her. I loved the fact that she and the other characters made some really dumb decisions that seemed smart at the time. The world felt quite fleshed out and it felt as if everything fit within the time period it was set in.
I feel as if this was a great introduction to a relatively new genre for me and I look forward to trying more of it.
October 10, 2020
Much to my surprise I enjoyed this book, the writer managed to combine true history with her characters lives weaving the two together in such a way it was difficult to tell what was real and not.
November 10, 2016
I enjoyed this book, particularly as I learned about an unusual period of history I didn't know about. However I agree with other reviews that the characters weren't that easy to love, and the human interest wasn't really there.
July 26, 2013
It was a good book but there were parts that just dragged along and left me forcing myself to get to the interesting pages again
December 20, 2013
quite a good read but hard going in places.
July 6, 2015
This book has rave reviews on Amazon but I have only given it two stars. I like her style of writing, it's very descriptive, but I really struggled to keep up with the plot.
Want to read
December 1, 2015want to read because of Meg's other book
which was awesome.
which was awesome.
March 29, 2016
Really enjoyed. Will read the previous one. Recommend to my book group!
Read
July 11, 2017This book was wonderful, despite the fact that it dragged in some places and the names, gosh how I wish "great" lineages didn't use the same bloody name all the time! But that's history's fault more than the books haha. Agnes is what I would call a strong character and she has great character growth, as well as her male counterpart - Theo. Agnes was a child when we first meet her, she ages and triumphs and makes mistakes and she is very human. She becomes a very strong and wise woman. If you are looking for a book about Constantinople in the 1100's and want deceit, betrayal, so many people vying and taking the throne, and a rather enduring and real love story, then I would recommend this book to you.
I would also recommend the audiobook, which is what I used and really enjoyed listening to.
I would also recommend the audiobook, which is what I used and really enjoyed listening to.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews