What do you think?
Rate this book
The Empress of Tempera
The feud began forty years ago. On one side: one of the wealthiest families in America. On the other: an artist known as Qi, heralded as the next Andy Warhol. After an acrimonious falling out, a Cold War began between these two families, and very few people remember the artist at all. Until a piece by Qi appears in New York.
Outside the Fern Gallery, a man stabs himself in the heart while staring at the last Qi, a painting of a young Chinese empress. Paire Anjou, a young art student fresh to the city, stands so close, her dress is freckled with blood. The resurgence of Qi’s art stirs up widespread curiosity and attention. Much like Michelangelo’s David, the portrait evokes powerful reactions from people. Patrons pass out, write love letters, and try to vandalize it. Since the day she saw it, Paire can’t stop ruminating about the painting.
The descendants of both families converge, and Paire, who covets the Empress, is woven into an escalating blood feud. Paire Anjou is herself a descendent of criminal parents with a predilection for theft. And she has decided that she needs to possess the Qi for herself.
Outside the Fern Gallery, a man stabs himself in the heart while staring at the last Qi, a painting of a young Chinese empress. Paire Anjou, a young art student fresh to the city, stands so close, her dress is freckled with blood. The resurgence of Qi’s art stirs up widespread curiosity and attention. Much like Michelangelo’s David, the portrait evokes powerful reactions from people. Patrons pass out, write love letters, and try to vandalize it. Since the day she saw it, Paire can’t stop ruminating about the painting.
The descendants of both families converge, and Paire, who covets the Empress, is woven into an escalating blood feud. Paire Anjou is herself a descendent of criminal parents with a predilection for theft. And she has decided that she needs to possess the Qi for herself.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 13, 2016
4 people are currently reading
422 people want to read
About the author
Alex Dolan
3 books78 followersAlex Dolan is the author of The Euthanist and The Empress of Tempera, both published by Diversion Books. He also hosts the show “Thrill Seekers,” part of the Authors on the Air Global Radio Network, which reaches more than 3.5 million listeners. His short fiction is featured in the anthology The Swamp Killers (Down & Out Books), and he is the creator of the audio drama “The Patron Saint of Suicides,” produced in partnership with Audiohm Media. Visit www.alexdolan.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
August 5, 2019
The Empress of Tempera is the tale of Paire Anjou, a 20-year-old Maine native running from her past turned art student in New York City. Two years after fleeing her traumatic upbringing, she has successfully reinvented herself and bagged a famous artist boyfriend, has landed a job at an art gallery and become obsessed with the gallery’s main attraction, a vivid painting by a Chinese artist whose flash of fame was all too brief and mysterious. In finding herself and understanding her obsession with The Empress, Paire becomes entangled in dangerous artistic heists and embroiled in uncovering the story of an artist shrouded in as much shadowy family history as Paire herself.
All in all, The Empress reminded me of The Last Painting of Sara de Vos more than I’d hoped to admit (see the link to that review here: my link text), the first half of the read at least. There was the same young woman running from her past, a painting that captivated her, a link between two distinctly different time periods and cultures. There were art galleries and soliloquys on brush stroke techniques and how the painting in question, the novel’s namesake, stood apart from others of its time period. Add to that a dash of danger, a few scenes of violence and a 20th century Chinese artist (rather than 17th century Dutch) and you’ve got yourself an Empress of Tempera.
But, sigh sigh sigh, the main thread that definitively connected these two reads in my mind was that Alex Dolan's Empress also offered the same vaguely clinical tone narrating it all, like a nasally, monotone fly buzzing in my ear throughout. The characters were borderline flat, though I could tell that they weren’t intended to be so. They had motivations, but I didn’t always buy them, and even when I did, they weren’t as affecting, dramatic or climactic as they were meant to be by a long shot. Even the effect that the painting, The Empress Xiao Zhe Yi, Seated, had on its viewers, the very foundation for this novel, seemed manufactured, inauthentic.
It didn’t seem plausible that someone would stab themselves over that painting . Fainting at the painting’s feet. Swooning at the sight of it. Why?Is it foretelling the coming of Christ? Is it depicting a cultural phenomenon; has it become a Mecca-like beacon for radical jihadists? SOMETHING? No, it was just a portrait of a beautiful woman, seated. That’s it; that’s all. Show’s over folks. Nothing to see here. Nothing. It was just there. And I, in turn, was just bored.
The passively omniscient narrator’s voice sounded unmistakably amateur, guessing as to why the characters’ motives were what they were. “Paire suspected Kasson had chosen this time because he knew Mayer wouldn’t be there.” Every other page it was, “She suspected this.” “She probably did it because of this.” As a reader, I felt cheated of learning what made the characters tick, a novice mistake in a writer’s hand, if you ask me. “At this point Kasson must have understood that she was not going to help him.” Smh and the soul of writing slowly dies.
Dolan’s Empress was slow and arduous for the most part. And not particularly in a poignant, character-peeling sort of way either. There were a few times that I skimmed and several times that I considered putting her down. But, like a true reader, I just had to press on, to see if a turn would re-ignite my fire. You know, I just had to go into the haunted house, even though my subconscious was telling me not to. But it didn’t work out the way I’d hoped. (Does that ever?)
I won’t even delve into how the artistic heists were all borderline pointless, definitely juvenile and founded on motives shaky at best. I won’t harp on how you could run a freight train through the plausibility of them.
So, with that in mind, I started to give The Empress 3 stars, to say that it was average. But it’s only fair that I stick to my grading scale, isn’t it? And this one didn’t quite make it into the “Liked” pile. Instead, I’ll give it a “Meh” and a half. 2.5 stars. **
* I received an advance-read copy of this book from the publisher, Diversion Publishing, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
FOLLOW ME HERE:
Art + Deco Agency Book Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Art + Deco Publishing Agency
All in all, The Empress reminded me of The Last Painting of Sara de Vos more than I’d hoped to admit (see the link to that review here: my link text), the first half of the read at least. There was the same young woman running from her past, a painting that captivated her, a link between two distinctly different time periods and cultures. There were art galleries and soliloquys on brush stroke techniques and how the painting in question, the novel’s namesake, stood apart from others of its time period. Add to that a dash of danger, a few scenes of violence and a 20th century Chinese artist (rather than 17th century Dutch) and you’ve got yourself an Empress of Tempera.
But, sigh sigh sigh, the main thread that definitively connected these two reads in my mind was that Alex Dolan's Empress also offered the same vaguely clinical tone narrating it all, like a nasally, monotone fly buzzing in my ear throughout. The characters were borderline flat, though I could tell that they weren’t intended to be so. They had motivations, but I didn’t always buy them, and even when I did, they weren’t as affecting, dramatic or climactic as they were meant to be by a long shot. Even the effect that the painting, The Empress Xiao Zhe Yi, Seated, had on its viewers, the very foundation for this novel, seemed manufactured, inauthentic.
It didn’t seem plausible that someone would stab themselves over that painting . Fainting at the painting’s feet. Swooning at the sight of it. Why?
The passively omniscient narrator’s voice sounded unmistakably amateur, guessing as to why the characters’ motives were what they were. “Paire suspected Kasson had chosen this time because he knew Mayer wouldn’t be there.” Every other page it was, “She suspected this.” “She probably did it because of this.” As a reader, I felt cheated of learning what made the characters tick, a novice mistake in a writer’s hand, if you ask me. “At this point Kasson must have understood that she was not going to help him.” Smh and the soul of writing slowly dies.
Dolan’s Empress was slow and arduous for the most part. And not particularly in a poignant, character-peeling sort of way either. There were a few times that I skimmed and several times that I considered putting her down. But, like a true reader, I just had to press on, to see if a turn would re-ignite my fire. You know, I just had to go into the haunted house, even though my subconscious was telling me not to. But it didn’t work out the way I’d hoped. (Does that ever?)
I won’t even delve into how the artistic heists were all borderline pointless, definitely juvenile and founded on motives shaky at best. I won’t harp on how you could run a freight train through the plausibility of them.
So, with that in mind, I started to give The Empress 3 stars, to say that it was average. But it’s only fair that I stick to my grading scale, isn’t it? And this one didn’t quite make it into the “Liked” pile. Instead, I’ll give it a “Meh” and a half. 2.5 stars. **
* I received an advance-read copy of this book from the publisher, Diversion Publishing, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
FOLLOW ME HERE:
Art + Deco Agency Book Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Art + Deco Publishing Agency
March 17, 2017
Alex Dolan is the author of THE EUTHANIST and THE EMPRESS OF TEMPERA. After just finishing, The Euthanist, and loving it, I was anxious to start his new novel, The Empress of Tempera.
I have to say that I really didn’t know what to expect from this book, and did not realize that it involves the art world. Not being drawn to the art world, when I have purchased a painting, it is because I like the picture, or something attacks me to the picture. I either like it…or I don’t. I definitely don’t have any knowledge or history about art. I find it is very unclear the genre to classify this novel.
The Empress of Tempera is about art and how specific pieces of art can influence a person, that it changes their behaviour. The Empress is a painting that fascinates all those that view it.
The novel begins with Paire Anjou is a young woman with a shady past, is in the process of changing her birth name, Kate Novis, to Paire Anjou. With her legal name now changed, she walks to the Gallery where her boyfriend, Derek Rosewood has an exhibition.
As she walks up to the gallery, she sees an older man gazing at the window, where a painting of The Empress, is on display. And then suddenly, he takes a knife from his pocket and stabs himself in front of the painting. Paire is in shock. Why would someone do this?
Over time, as Paire starts work at the gallery, we see her more and more obsessed and drawn to the painting. She researches the history of the painting and finds out that the artist was named Qi. And that this was his surviving painting….and everyone was drawn to it.
This novel starts off slow, but stick with it. There are many twists and admissions as Paire’s obsession with the painting leads to death and ruin. I wasn’t drawn to any of the characters, for some reason but maybe because I am not involved in the art world. This novel is well written and will appeal to a different audience.
I received a copy of this book from Booklover Catlady Publicity and the author. Many thanks.
I have to say that I really didn’t know what to expect from this book, and did not realize that it involves the art world. Not being drawn to the art world, when I have purchased a painting, it is because I like the picture, or something attacks me to the picture. I either like it…or I don’t. I definitely don’t have any knowledge or history about art. I find it is very unclear the genre to classify this novel.
The Empress of Tempera is about art and how specific pieces of art can influence a person, that it changes their behaviour. The Empress is a painting that fascinates all those that view it.
The novel begins with Paire Anjou is a young woman with a shady past, is in the process of changing her birth name, Kate Novis, to Paire Anjou. With her legal name now changed, she walks to the Gallery where her boyfriend, Derek Rosewood has an exhibition.
As she walks up to the gallery, she sees an older man gazing at the window, where a painting of The Empress, is on display. And then suddenly, he takes a knife from his pocket and stabs himself in front of the painting. Paire is in shock. Why would someone do this?
Over time, as Paire starts work at the gallery, we see her more and more obsessed and drawn to the painting. She researches the history of the painting and finds out that the artist was named Qi. And that this was his surviving painting….and everyone was drawn to it.
This novel starts off slow, but stick with it. There are many twists and admissions as Paire’s obsession with the painting leads to death and ruin. I wasn’t drawn to any of the characters, for some reason but maybe because I am not involved in the art world. This novel is well written and will appeal to a different audience.
I received a copy of this book from Booklover Catlady Publicity and the author. Many thanks.
August 16, 2016
Vengeful art collectors, the skullduggery of street artists, theft, murders, obsessive passion inspired by the work of a long lost Chinese artist: "The Empress of Tempera" gradually built all of these complex elements into an exhilarating and extremely satisfying mystery novel. As the suspense increased and more was revealed about the characters chasing the fabulous painting, "The Empress Xiao Zhe Yi, Seated" by Qi, it was impossible to put down the riveting story. You don't have to be an art aficionado to love this book!
It takes time for the plot to be organized, with the diverse backgrounds of its characters so crucial to the marvellous finale. Midway, the novel slowed and was sidetracked a bit with the street artist pranks, Rosewood's analyzing and Paire Anjou's redoubled angst. That minor drawback in the writing was more than redeemed when suddenly everything came together and made perfect sense.
I highly recommend Alex Dolan's novel; its complexity will appeal to the readers of Sharon Bolton, Laura McHugh and John Hart and make it a book not to be missed.
4.5 stars. My style of mystery.
* A recent live NetGalley webcast that I attended gave pointers on what publishers want in the reviews we post to them. What was stressed: OPINIONS, OPINIONS, OPINIONS! Summaries, they said, are already there. It is our opinion which is significant. 3 -4 paragraphs if possible. So, I'm going to try revising my style, brevity being the "company" request.
Thank you to Diversion Books, NetGalley and author Alex Dolan for an free advance copy. My opinions are my own.
It takes time for the plot to be organized, with the diverse backgrounds of its characters so crucial to the marvellous finale. Midway, the novel slowed and was sidetracked a bit with the street artist pranks, Rosewood's analyzing and Paire Anjou's redoubled angst. That minor drawback in the writing was more than redeemed when suddenly everything came together and made perfect sense.
I highly recommend Alex Dolan's novel; its complexity will appeal to the readers of Sharon Bolton, Laura McHugh and John Hart and make it a book not to be missed.
4.5 stars. My style of mystery.
* A recent live NetGalley webcast that I attended gave pointers on what publishers want in the reviews we post to them. What was stressed: OPINIONS, OPINIONS, OPINIONS! Summaries, they said, are already there. It is our opinion which is significant. 3 -4 paragraphs if possible. So, I'm going to try revising my style, brevity being the "company" request.
Thank you to Diversion Books, NetGalley and author Alex Dolan for an free advance copy. My opinions are my own.
September 16, 2016
Review copies available now! Just released! Email: booklovercatlady@gmail.com.
I had loved Alex Dolan's novel The Euthanist
which was non-stop action from start to finish, so forgive me for thinking that this, his second novel would be of a similar style. Not so. So the first thing I would say to those considering reading this book is go in expecting the wonderful, don't compare to the first novel and look for the subtleties that rest in the words of this quite beautiful book.
I am not an art fanatic by any means, I am a fan of surrealism - you know, that stuff Salvador Dali painted with dripping clocks and what-not? I painted my own form of surrealism in high school, didn't quite pull it off with the buildings dripping blood. The Empress of Tempera is about how certain work of art can impact a human being so profoundly that they act in bizarre, emotive and unusual ways.
There is a painting in a gallery of a Chinese Empress and all that set eyes on her seem to be mesmerised, changed, impacted and the painting is desired by all and everyone. Or is it? What is the secret of the painting? This was the burning question I had reading this novel. Willing to die for a picture? Really? I must read on.
Paire Anjou is a young woman who is running (escaping) a past that she wants to shake off and shed like snakeskin. She is determined to make herself into a woman who suits the name Paire and lives the life that resonates with it. Paire and The Empress meet. Life will never be the same again once she has set eyes on this painting. Do you know how much I wanted the author to have had a full colour illustration of this painting from the novel in the book? LOTS! I wanted to be impacted too!
Don't expect a fast paced read. Take this novel and indulge, read it word for word. Don't rush, take your time, escape into a story that ripples along like the gentle ripples of a river of silk. In fact, for the first 40% I was being an impatient reader, so let me share this - don't give up on this book early! Keep reading, honest, just trust me. It can seem to be a slow burner but the journey is so very worth it and it's time to stop to smell the paint anyway.
With desire for something or someone often comes greed, jealousy, fear, passion and the willingness to take unexpected risks. This indeed washes over Paire and other characters in the novel, some that I loved to hate, others that I wanted to have over for afternoon tea. I have a favourite character but I am not telling who. I think she is the prize jewel of the book, I loved her light and shade. Paire was a character that at times seemed so young and immature then at other times worldly and strong. It was interesting how she flitted between the two.
This for me is a book that has made me think a lot after reading it. I asked Alex, the author a lot about it and was fascinated to hear background stories to real pieces of art worldwide that have impacted human beings in profound and excessive ways. I need to get out of the house more quite obviously. Being a cat loving bookworm has it's downsides. I still ponder it all days after finishing the book.
I could not even put this book into a genre, literary fiction? Not quite...art thriller? Not exactly. It's just going to remain unclassified in my bookshelf but you know what? The Empress of Tempera is still having it's sway over me, and I have a bizarre yearning to want this painting to be hung somewhere so I can go and stand and look.
A very different read that took me on a journey into the words and places I never knew and has left it's mark on me with an after effect that is somewhat exciting, dangerous even. I think what I really am trying to say is that I wanted to be in the book. A book that I believe requires savouring, like a delicious cold drink on a hot day or a warm soft kiss from the one you love. The word comes to mind for this book - beautiful. Then again, I may just be under the spell of The Empress of Tempera (if only).
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair, honest review.
Thanks for reading my review! For more of my book reviews, plenty of awesome books to win, author interviews and features come over to join me for book fun at: https://www.facebook.com/BookloverCat...
To follow me on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/promotethatbook
To enquire about joining my reviewers team: http://goo.gl/forms/GWMOvlofZg
Finally to enquire about my book publicity services: http://goo.gl/forms/eVwa2HFKnK
I had loved Alex Dolan's novel The Euthanist
which was non-stop action from start to finish, so forgive me for thinking that this, his second novel would be of a similar style. Not so. So the first thing I would say to those considering reading this book is go in expecting the wonderful, don't compare to the first novel and look for the subtleties that rest in the words of this quite beautiful book.I am not an art fanatic by any means, I am a fan of surrealism - you know, that stuff Salvador Dali painted with dripping clocks and what-not? I painted my own form of surrealism in high school, didn't quite pull it off with the buildings dripping blood. The Empress of Tempera is about how certain work of art can impact a human being so profoundly that they act in bizarre, emotive and unusual ways.
There is a painting in a gallery of a Chinese Empress and all that set eyes on her seem to be mesmerised, changed, impacted and the painting is desired by all and everyone. Or is it? What is the secret of the painting? This was the burning question I had reading this novel. Willing to die for a picture? Really? I must read on.
Paire Anjou is a young woman who is running (escaping) a past that she wants to shake off and shed like snakeskin. She is determined to make herself into a woman who suits the name Paire and lives the life that resonates with it. Paire and The Empress meet. Life will never be the same again once she has set eyes on this painting. Do you know how much I wanted the author to have had a full colour illustration of this painting from the novel in the book? LOTS! I wanted to be impacted too!
Don't expect a fast paced read. Take this novel and indulge, read it word for word. Don't rush, take your time, escape into a story that ripples along like the gentle ripples of a river of silk. In fact, for the first 40% I was being an impatient reader, so let me share this - don't give up on this book early! Keep reading, honest, just trust me. It can seem to be a slow burner but the journey is so very worth it and it's time to stop to smell the paint anyway.
With desire for something or someone often comes greed, jealousy, fear, passion and the willingness to take unexpected risks. This indeed washes over Paire and other characters in the novel, some that I loved to hate, others that I wanted to have over for afternoon tea. I have a favourite character but I am not telling who. I think she is the prize jewel of the book, I loved her light and shade. Paire was a character that at times seemed so young and immature then at other times worldly and strong. It was interesting how she flitted between the two.
This for me is a book that has made me think a lot after reading it. I asked Alex, the author a lot about it and was fascinated to hear background stories to real pieces of art worldwide that have impacted human beings in profound and excessive ways. I need to get out of the house more quite obviously. Being a cat loving bookworm has it's downsides. I still ponder it all days after finishing the book.
I could not even put this book into a genre, literary fiction? Not quite...art thriller? Not exactly. It's just going to remain unclassified in my bookshelf but you know what? The Empress of Tempera is still having it's sway over me, and I have a bizarre yearning to want this painting to be hung somewhere so I can go and stand and look.
A very different read that took me on a journey into the words and places I never knew and has left it's mark on me with an after effect that is somewhat exciting, dangerous even. I think what I really am trying to say is that I wanted to be in the book. A book that I believe requires savouring, like a delicious cold drink on a hot day or a warm soft kiss from the one you love. The word comes to mind for this book - beautiful. Then again, I may just be under the spell of The Empress of Tempera (if only).
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair, honest review.
Thanks for reading my review! For more of my book reviews, plenty of awesome books to win, author interviews and features come over to join me for book fun at: https://www.facebook.com/BookloverCat...
To follow me on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/promotethatbook
To enquire about joining my reviewers team: http://goo.gl/forms/GWMOvlofZg
Finally to enquire about my book publicity services: http://goo.gl/forms/eVwa2HFKnK
September 22, 2016
I don't know a lot about art ... but I know what I like when I see it. That's probably the sentiment of a lot of us. We look at a painting and see colors, or images of people that look familiar to us, or all the beautiful scenery around the world. we like what's pleasing to the eye...not necessarily caring who the artist is.
But what if there was a painting that inspired anger, violence, hate, rage, greed, lust?
Paire Anjou came to New York to be an artist. Her boyfriend is the noted Derek Rosewood. On the way to one of his showings, she encounters an old man. He seems to be fixated on a particular painting. Then he does the unthinkable. He pulls out a knife and stabs himself in the chest.
The painting is of an empress, dressed in red, the last known painting of a Chinese artist named Qi. Many, many people start flocking to this gallery to gaze upon the Empress.
Paire is one of those who becomes obsessed with the Empress. As she investigates the history of this painting, she finds an extraordinary story of betrayal and vengeance.
FROM THE BOOK BLURB: She also sets in motion the painting's final heist, a swirling morass of bribery, theft, and murder, drawing Paire deeper and deeper into the underside of the art world, where the greatest works inspire the most vicious of crimes.
While the story line is unique and compelling, it seems to have moved rather slowly. There are moments of fast-paced movement, but you have to wait for it. It does get a bit better toward the end. The characters didn't do a lot for me. Paire is a woman running from her past ..she changes her name, her way of dressing, hair color and thinks she has become a new person. But has she, really? Isn't what we are more a matter of what's inside, rather than the outside covering?
Many thanks to the author / Booklover Catlady Publicity who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Also a thank you to Diversion Publishing / NetGalley who also sent a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
But what if there was a painting that inspired anger, violence, hate, rage, greed, lust?
Paire Anjou came to New York to be an artist. Her boyfriend is the noted Derek Rosewood. On the way to one of his showings, she encounters an old man. He seems to be fixated on a particular painting. Then he does the unthinkable. He pulls out a knife and stabs himself in the chest.
The painting is of an empress, dressed in red, the last known painting of a Chinese artist named Qi. Many, many people start flocking to this gallery to gaze upon the Empress.
Paire is one of those who becomes obsessed with the Empress. As she investigates the history of this painting, she finds an extraordinary story of betrayal and vengeance.
FROM THE BOOK BLURB: She also sets in motion the painting's final heist, a swirling morass of bribery, theft, and murder, drawing Paire deeper and deeper into the underside of the art world, where the greatest works inspire the most vicious of crimes.
While the story line is unique and compelling, it seems to have moved rather slowly. There are moments of fast-paced movement, but you have to wait for it. It does get a bit better toward the end. The characters didn't do a lot for me. Paire is a woman running from her past ..she changes her name, her way of dressing, hair color and thinks she has become a new person. But has she, really? Isn't what we are more a matter of what's inside, rather than the outside covering?
Many thanks to the author / Booklover Catlady Publicity who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Also a thank you to Diversion Publishing / NetGalley who also sent a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
September 26, 2016
This story centres around the portrait of a Chinese empress, which seems to be unnaturally alluring and seems to cast a spell over people. The protagonist, an art student who has changed her name to escape her family's past, becomes embroiled in the tale of this painting when she visits an art gallery, which is also showing her boyfriend's work, and witnesses a man stabbing himself in front of the portrait.
If it hadn't been for my stubbornness to finish what I start I would have happily put this aside. The first 60% were an arduous chore. The plot moves at a very slow pace and on top of that, I couldn't engage with any of the characters. The last 40% were a bit more interesting, but unfortunately, the characters remained rather flat. The author kept alluding to the protagonist's mysterious history, which isn't fully revealed until quite late in the book, and once revealed, it was rather underwhelming. There was an incident involving two people in the art gallery which was about the only time I felt something towards any of the characters, but as the story progressed that incident just fell by the wayside.
I was invited to read this book by the publisher, for which I am grateful, but sadly, it simply was not my type of book. However, I think (and the ratings seem to indicate) that this would appeal to readers who enjoy descriptive writing, love art, and enjoy the setting within the art world.
If it hadn't been for my stubbornness to finish what I start I would have happily put this aside. The first 60% were an arduous chore. The plot moves at a very slow pace and on top of that, I couldn't engage with any of the characters. The last 40% were a bit more interesting, but unfortunately, the characters remained rather flat. The author kept alluding to the protagonist's mysterious history, which isn't fully revealed until quite late in the book, and once revealed, it was rather underwhelming. There was an incident involving two people in the art gallery which was about the only time I felt something towards any of the characters, but as the story progressed that incident just fell by the wayside.
I was invited to read this book by the publisher, for which I am grateful, but sadly, it simply was not my type of book. However, I think (and the ratings seem to indicate) that this would appeal to readers who enjoy descriptive writing, love art, and enjoy the setting within the art world.
April 13, 2019
I really didn't know what to expect with this book. I think the title was a bit misleading, I was kind of expecting a real empress from some place called tempera but it soon became apparent that the tempera referred to a type of paint using egg white. I did know about that but didn't make the connection (I had the book on my Kindle for ages and didn't re-read the blurb). Anyway - this book was a slow burn. But if you have patience it will be rewarded with a delicious tale of obsession and revenge. It all takes place in the art world so its a bit different to your standard thriller.
Paire Anjou has changed her name and life and moved to New York to try and make it in the art scene. She gets herself an artist boyfriend who is a little controversial and she works part time in a gallery where she can learn about a broader range of art. Her life is turned upside down when a unique new painting lands in the gallery for the window display. The painting - The Empress Xiao Zhe Yi, Seated is the only remaining known work by the elusive painter known as Qi. The painting has a bizarre effect on some people. An old man staring at it in the gallery window for some time plunges a knife into his chest. A dramatic gesture that ensures maximum publicity for the gallery. The Empress held quite a few people in its sway, including Paire Anjou. There was also bad feeling between the artist's family and his benefactor's. Eventually the obsession with the painting and the drive to own it at all costs leads to tragic consequences where it does not end well for everyone in a climactic conclusion. I enjoyed it a lot.
Paire Anjou has changed her name and life and moved to New York to try and make it in the art scene. She gets herself an artist boyfriend who is a little controversial and she works part time in a gallery where she can learn about a broader range of art. Her life is turned upside down when a unique new painting lands in the gallery for the window display. The painting - The Empress Xiao Zhe Yi, Seated is the only remaining known work by the elusive painter known as Qi. The painting has a bizarre effect on some people. An old man staring at it in the gallery window for some time plunges a knife into his chest. A dramatic gesture that ensures maximum publicity for the gallery. The Empress held quite a few people in its sway, including Paire Anjou. There was also bad feeling between the artist's family and his benefactor's. Eventually the obsession with the painting and the drive to own it at all costs leads to tragic consequences where it does not end well for everyone in a climactic conclusion. I enjoyed it a lot.
September 29, 2016
"The woman in the painting was a beacon for lost souls."
I want to thank Mr. Alex Dolan himself for supplying me with a copy of his latest book for this review! It is a tremendous honour to be able to illustrate my opinion and knowing it's appreciated!
I will start by saying, this book did have it's differences from The Euthanist, but it also had it's similarities. Those common factors were the parts that I actually admired most about both stories which is what made my rating what it was. They both shared a unique mystery, I felt. The characters in both stories were veiled until the story was taken apart a little better, which also allowed me to connect and enjoy the experience more.
"Memory's a powerful thing."
All Paire Anjou is interested in is blending in with the high impact crowds of New York and just becoming who she feels she was meant to be.
Her blissful imaginings of an innocent future and assimilating into the artistic world are smashed to pieces when she witnesses a man gazing at a painting before stabbing himself in the chest.
The painting, Paire soon realized, holds exactly what every artists wishes to portray in their work: feeling. And she realizes too soon that she is not the only one who sees that.
She becomes fascinated with the history of this painting and the emotions it brings out in people. She sees everything from fainting spells to lust and greed. This sends her on an adventure to uncover the mystery behind the Empress of Tempera.
"a piece of art only has value because of what people ascribe to it."
Like I said, the characters in these books always fascinate me. Kali was just....an absolute dream. Her story was intriguing and amazing.
Paire is similar, but she appears more normal and more human, if that makes sense. Her character felt easier to connect to, in a way.
What I loved about both characters was they were so bold and just so badass! It definitely helped out while reading the story that Paire was a sass machine.
I wasn't disappointed with this book! It lived up to the hype I imagined it would!
This is something you should definitely be proud of, Mr. Dolan! Great research to make a wonderful end product!
I want to thank Mr. Alex Dolan himself for supplying me with a copy of his latest book for this review! It is a tremendous honour to be able to illustrate my opinion and knowing it's appreciated!
I will start by saying, this book did have it's differences from The Euthanist, but it also had it's similarities. Those common factors were the parts that I actually admired most about both stories which is what made my rating what it was. They both shared a unique mystery, I felt. The characters in both stories were veiled until the story was taken apart a little better, which also allowed me to connect and enjoy the experience more.
"Memory's a powerful thing."
All Paire Anjou is interested in is blending in with the high impact crowds of New York and just becoming who she feels she was meant to be.
Her blissful imaginings of an innocent future and assimilating into the artistic world are smashed to pieces when she witnesses a man gazing at a painting before stabbing himself in the chest.
The painting, Paire soon realized, holds exactly what every artists wishes to portray in their work: feeling. And she realizes too soon that she is not the only one who sees that.
She becomes fascinated with the history of this painting and the emotions it brings out in people. She sees everything from fainting spells to lust and greed. This sends her on an adventure to uncover the mystery behind the Empress of Tempera.
"a piece of art only has value because of what people ascribe to it."
Like I said, the characters in these books always fascinate me. Kali was just....an absolute dream. Her story was intriguing and amazing.
Paire is similar, but she appears more normal and more human, if that makes sense. Her character felt easier to connect to, in a way.
What I loved about both characters was they were so bold and just so badass! It definitely helped out while reading the story that Paire was a sass machine.
I wasn't disappointed with this book! It lived up to the hype I imagined it would!
This is something you should definitely be proud of, Mr. Dolan! Great research to make a wonderful end product!
August 3, 2016
Having read and enjoyed The Euthanist, I was looking forward to reading Alex Dolan’s new novel.
The Empress is a painting that captivates and almost entrances those who see it. Paire Anjou is a young woman with a dark past that she is desparate to leave behind, but which haunts her every day. She is in the process of transforming herself from her birth name, Kate Novis, to the more exotic and artistic, Paire Anjou, when the book opens.
As she leaves the court with her legal name change secured, she is walking to the Fern Gallery where her boyfriend, Derek Rosewood has an exhibition of his art due to open.
As she walks up to the gallery, she sees an older man staring at the window, transfixed, where a painting of The Empress, a young Chinese woman, is on display. He drops a pair of glasses and then suddenly takes a knife from his pocket and stabs himself in front of the painting.
Shocked by the event, and covered in the man’s blood, Paire goes into the gallery and thus begins the start of an obsession with the painting that will take root and alter the course of not just her life, but many others besides.
This is not just a story about the transformative power of art; it goes deeper into what it is that we value and why we do so.
Paire herself tries to stand back from the painting, but as she starts work at the gallery she finds herself drawn more and more to the painting, which seeps into her waking and dreaming consciousness.
She is obsessed with the painting, and as she learns more about the artist, a dissident painter named Qi, who’s other works seem to have been lost for ever, she is drawn into a feud that goes back more than 4 decades when a wealthy American signed the artist in China and gained the rights to all his paintings. Qi’s The Empress is the last surviving painting and it has an astonishing effect on many who see it.
Dolan crafts his story with the art of a fine tapestry maker. Nothing is quite what it seems and no-one’s motives are as pure as they might seem. There are many twists and revelations as Paire’s obsession with the painting leads to death and destruction. It is a complex story of love, deceit, cruelty and avarice.
Ultimately though, this is a story about what values we live by and how we live up to them.
Well written and thought provoking, this is a book well worth reading.
The Empress is a painting that captivates and almost entrances those who see it. Paire Anjou is a young woman with a dark past that she is desparate to leave behind, but which haunts her every day. She is in the process of transforming herself from her birth name, Kate Novis, to the more exotic and artistic, Paire Anjou, when the book opens.
As she leaves the court with her legal name change secured, she is walking to the Fern Gallery where her boyfriend, Derek Rosewood has an exhibition of his art due to open.
As she walks up to the gallery, she sees an older man staring at the window, transfixed, where a painting of The Empress, a young Chinese woman, is on display. He drops a pair of glasses and then suddenly takes a knife from his pocket and stabs himself in front of the painting.
Shocked by the event, and covered in the man’s blood, Paire goes into the gallery and thus begins the start of an obsession with the painting that will take root and alter the course of not just her life, but many others besides.
This is not just a story about the transformative power of art; it goes deeper into what it is that we value and why we do so.
Paire herself tries to stand back from the painting, but as she starts work at the gallery she finds herself drawn more and more to the painting, which seeps into her waking and dreaming consciousness.
She is obsessed with the painting, and as she learns more about the artist, a dissident painter named Qi, who’s other works seem to have been lost for ever, she is drawn into a feud that goes back more than 4 decades when a wealthy American signed the artist in China and gained the rights to all his paintings. Qi’s The Empress is the last surviving painting and it has an astonishing effect on many who see it.
Dolan crafts his story with the art of a fine tapestry maker. Nothing is quite what it seems and no-one’s motives are as pure as they might seem. There are many twists and revelations as Paire’s obsession with the painting leads to death and destruction. It is a complex story of love, deceit, cruelty and avarice.
Ultimately though, this is a story about what values we live by and how we live up to them.
Well written and thought provoking, this is a book well worth reading.
September 1, 2016
This review originally appeared on my blog at www.gimmethatbook.com.
Thanks to Diversion Books for gifting me this book for review!
EMPRESS is the kind of book that has a dark undercurrent running through it. The darkness may ebb and flow, but it’s always there. Paire is a character who may be sympathetic at times, and other times she will make you cringe and wonder what you ever saw in her in the first place.
The titular Empress is the sun around which everyone’s world revolves. Dolan’s description of her is so precise, so fawning, that it makes you wish you could see her for yourself and become obsessed. As Paire slowly sinks into lustful infatuation with the Empress, the darkness flows into her and also makes her stronger. Paire gets involved with illegal activities, all the while with the painting at the back of her mind.
The darkness envelops other characters as well, and begets betrayal, or violence. It seems as though the painting is like a Rorschach drawing; people see what they want to see, while the image affects them all differently. I especially enjoyed this aspect of the book – watching everyone decompensate is a delicious, voyeuristic experience.
Another enjoyable facet of this story is the art and artist setting. New York is the perfect backdrop for this beleaguered gallery and its employees. There also was a great deal of authentic art discussion that taught me things and enriched the reading experience. Any time I can learn something from a book, it’s a plus for me. This shows that the author is not just trying to create a story; he is doing his hardest to immerse the reader in a believable world where things occur because of the setting, not despite it.
THE EMPRESS OF TEMPERA was a compelling and brilliantly conceived story. I loved it! Definitely a must read this year.
Thanks to Diversion Books for gifting me this book for review!
EMPRESS is the kind of book that has a dark undercurrent running through it. The darkness may ebb and flow, but it’s always there. Paire is a character who may be sympathetic at times, and other times she will make you cringe and wonder what you ever saw in her in the first place.
The titular Empress is the sun around which everyone’s world revolves. Dolan’s description of her is so precise, so fawning, that it makes you wish you could see her for yourself and become obsessed. As Paire slowly sinks into lustful infatuation with the Empress, the darkness flows into her and also makes her stronger. Paire gets involved with illegal activities, all the while with the painting at the back of her mind.
The darkness envelops other characters as well, and begets betrayal, or violence. It seems as though the painting is like a Rorschach drawing; people see what they want to see, while the image affects them all differently. I especially enjoyed this aspect of the book – watching everyone decompensate is a delicious, voyeuristic experience.
Another enjoyable facet of this story is the art and artist setting. New York is the perfect backdrop for this beleaguered gallery and its employees. There also was a great deal of authentic art discussion that taught me things and enriched the reading experience. Any time I can learn something from a book, it’s a plus for me. This shows that the author is not just trying to create a story; he is doing his hardest to immerse the reader in a believable world where things occur because of the setting, not despite it.
THE EMPRESS OF TEMPERA was a compelling and brilliantly conceived story. I loved it! Definitely a must read this year.
August 4, 2016
I like mysteries, and I love art. So this book looked like it would be great for me. I was hesitant to get it, but decided to anyway.
Yes, it is slow. Really slow for a while. If you push through that, it starts to tell a story that gets more interesting. Think of it like a painting, which this book is about. Sometimes you have to prime the canvas before you paint. The book has layers, that you could compare to colors being added until the painting is complete.
So, Kate Novis has a past she needs to shed. She has changed her name, legally, to something exotic. Now Kate is Paire Anjou. That should work for being more artist. What better way to shed your past than totally, legally change your name and get a new life moving forward. No Kate and Derek, Paire and Derek. Frankly, I liked Kate a lot better as a name.
Dereck is an artist as well, and he has a showing. At the showing is a painting. This painting is of a young Chinese Empress. The work is simply mesmerizing. However, that isn't its strongest power. The painting, or is the people who become obsessed with it, do things. For starters, the guy starting at it, he ups and stabs himself! Yes, just from staring at it, or is that really why? Turns out an artist named Qi painted it and he did several works. This is the only one that survived that they know of.
This book has lots of things happening. Can Kate really figure herself out? What happened so long ago with Qi and these paintings? Part sudo mystery, part a journey of Kate finding herself, and lots of art, this book does take some time and energy to read, but overall was worth it.
My copy came from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.
Yes, it is slow. Really slow for a while. If you push through that, it starts to tell a story that gets more interesting. Think of it like a painting, which this book is about. Sometimes you have to prime the canvas before you paint. The book has layers, that you could compare to colors being added until the painting is complete.
So, Kate Novis has a past she needs to shed. She has changed her name, legally, to something exotic. Now Kate is Paire Anjou. That should work for being more artist. What better way to shed your past than totally, legally change your name and get a new life moving forward. No Kate and Derek, Paire and Derek. Frankly, I liked Kate a lot better as a name.
Dereck is an artist as well, and he has a showing. At the showing is a painting. This painting is of a young Chinese Empress. The work is simply mesmerizing. However, that isn't its strongest power. The painting, or is the people who become obsessed with it, do things. For starters, the guy starting at it, he ups and stabs himself! Yes, just from staring at it, or is that really why? Turns out an artist named Qi painted it and he did several works. This is the only one that survived that they know of.
This book has lots of things happening. Can Kate really figure herself out? What happened so long ago with Qi and these paintings? Part sudo mystery, part a journey of Kate finding herself, and lots of art, this book does take some time and energy to read, but overall was worth it.
My copy came from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.
September 20, 2016
Paire is an art student. She sees a man kill himself when looking at a picture in the window of an art gallery, and through a set of circumstances ends up with a job there. The picture is rather a mystery, but why does it have a hold on several people? Paire is in a relationship with an artist and together they start to enjoy “guerrilla installations” and all that is involved in the subterfuge of this.
This is an enjoyable descriptive book following Paire’s life with some insight into her past more of which is revealed as the book moves along. Although not a fast pace, it moves along with enough about it that you are intrigued at this woman and what has gone before. She appears a little raw, maybe even naïve in some ways and hence you feel sympathy or empathy for her. There is an interesting twist which I didn’t see coming and made me smile. I won’t give away the plot, just enjoy the relaxed pace of this art world book which encompasses crime, art theft and a whole lot more.
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an open and honest review
This is an enjoyable descriptive book following Paire’s life with some insight into her past more of which is revealed as the book moves along. Although not a fast pace, it moves along with enough about it that you are intrigued at this woman and what has gone before. She appears a little raw, maybe even naïve in some ways and hence you feel sympathy or empathy for her. There is an interesting twist which I didn’t see coming and made me smile. I won’t give away the plot, just enjoy the relaxed pace of this art world book which encompasses crime, art theft and a whole lot more.
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an open and honest review
Read
September 12, 2016DNF I was expecting a little more action from this book according to the blurbs. I read about 25% of the book and there was no action. It was pretty much the main character who I just could not connect with talking about her life and what else pretty much had my eyes glazed over. I do know that she kept mentioning some traumatic event that happened earlier in her life. I'm pretty sure she mentioned this at least a couple of dozen times. I'm not sure what that trauma was and I wasn't even intrigued enough to find out about it. I was frankly, tired of hearing about it.
I apologize to the author. I know you have put a lot of work into this book. However, I was given a free e-galley from Diversion Books and Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. Due to the fact that I did not finish the book, I feel it's not really fair for me to rate the book. Others may really like it.
I apologize to the author. I know you have put a lot of work into this book. However, I was given a free e-galley from Diversion Books and Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. Due to the fact that I did not finish the book, I feel it's not really fair for me to rate the book. Others may really like it.
June 1, 2016
The novel starts slowly. A woman is living in NY and has had her name legally changed because she is trying to forget her past. She is living with an established artist who is setting up a showing of his work at a nearby gallery. When they get there she sees a painting of an Asian woman that completely amazes her. When she returns home she begins sketching the various parts of the painting. Eventually she begins working at the gallery and is entranced by the painting. This is only the onset of the story and a brief background of the protagonist. It becomes much more complex and there are a series of unnatural deaths all of which involve her. The ending is twisted and very satisfying. This was good reading that captivates the reader's interest. Thanks to Net Galley and Diversion for an ARC for an honest review.
September 12, 2016
A wonderful view of the passion ignited by art! But is that really what is happening? I didn't really expect this to be such the mystery that it was. The Empress of Tempera has theft, murder, double-crossing, love, mayhem, sex, etc. Paire Anjou just thought she was escaping her horrible childhood by moving to New York and pursuing a career in art. Instead she finds herself magnetically drawn to a portrait and thrust into the history of the artist. Without giving away secrets and plot lines, let's just say this book has a lot to offer a variety of readers! And, I was excited to see references to an art installation that I recently viewed first hand at a local art gallery as well as learned about painting with tempera.
A preview copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Diversion Books in exchange for an honest review.
A preview copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Diversion Books in exchange for an honest review.
June 16, 2016
*** I received an advanced e-copy from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion
A girl with a tragic past changes her name and moves to New York to study art. One day, as she is walking towards the gallery that will be showing her boyfriend's art, she sees a man staring at a painting in the window. As she watches the man stabs himself and dies. She herself becomes obsessed with the painting "The Empress". My only complaint about this book is that it spent 90% of the book hinting at Paire Anjou's tragic past and dancing all around it, which was distracting from the overall story I felt. Otherwise this a good story, with lots of twists and turns.
A girl with a tragic past changes her name and moves to New York to study art. One day, as she is walking towards the gallery that will be showing her boyfriend's art, she sees a man staring at a painting in the window. As she watches the man stabs himself and dies. She herself becomes obsessed with the painting "The Empress". My only complaint about this book is that it spent 90% of the book hinting at Paire Anjou's tragic past and dancing all around it, which was distracting from the overall story I felt. Otherwise this a good story, with lots of twists and turns.
July 16, 2016
A piece of fine art is at the center of a whole series of evolving mysteries. As the story progresses, tiny revelations build to a stunning climax. New York City is on display as the stage for most activity. The many plot threads keep the reader interested but not overwhelmed. The characters are developed as a part of the ongoing mysteries. The role of art as a stimulus to many kinds of action comes across throughout the story.
August 4, 2017
Good quality thriller with an art twist. Several unexpected plot complications that I didn't see coming (always a good thing).
March 16, 2017
The author Alex Dolan very kindly sent me this book, his second, as an ARC, I read his other book The Euthanist from netgalley a while back and it is fantastic. This is soooo different writing style, while I did enjoy it I found it a little slow for my current frame of mind. The writing itself is superb, there are some amazing descriptions, details of the paintings and the life of Paire, I just found that this wasn’t the time to read this. It is a book to savour, read slowly enjoy. Please dont let my review put you off. But bear in mind that if you have read The Euthanist you will find this to be totally different but very engaging.
September 3, 2016
Please read all of my reviews at http://ultraviolentlit.blogspot.ca!
As this novel begins, Katie Novis has just renounced her former identity and is now Paire Anjou. It is a ridiculous name, but perfectly suits her new persona and her ambition to become an artist in New York City. She has left behind her unhappy past and her dysfunctional, criminal parents to pursue a future with her up and coming artist boyfriend, Derek Rosewood.
On her way to Derek’s showing at the Fern Gallery, Paire stops outside to admire a striking painting of an empress dressed in red, staring defiantly out at the viewer. Beside her is a man who is staring at the empress and sobbing – before Paire has a chance to react, he pulls out a letter opener and stabs himself in the chest. This is her first introduction to the painting that will change her life.
The painting is the last known work of a Chinese dissident artist named Qi. When Paire is offered a job at the Fern Gallery, she witnesses the vast crowds of people who swarm to the gallery to see the painting that inspired the suicide – and Paire becomes obsessed with the painting as well. Meanwhile, her life veers towards her family’s criminal past as Derek introduces her to his world of illegal, Banksy-style public art installations. As their crimes escalate, Paire and Derek plan an ambitious heist of the empress painting, but their harmless prank goes terribly wrong.
When the painting disappears completely, Paire is led down a dangerous path into the backstory of Qi, his family, and his artistic career. Her journey leads to bribery, death threats and eventually a gruesome murder. Although it takes a while for the story to coalesce, it eventually becomes more complex than I expected. In the first half, the characters are one-dimensional, but they gradually become more real and interesting. Paire is somewhat sympathetic, but often frustrating and unlikeable – there was a lot of angst about her past that should have been explained early on instead of being dragged out throughout the novel.
You definitely don’t need to be an art expert to enjoy this novel, although a rudimentary understanding of the art world may help you get more out of it, especially the technical details and historical aspects. I wouldn’t call this a thriller, but it is certainly action-packed, and it kept me reading despite the flawed characters. While it started out slow, it quickly got more interesting and I’m glad I stuck with it until the shocking end.
I received this novel from Diversion Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
As this novel begins, Katie Novis has just renounced her former identity and is now Paire Anjou. It is a ridiculous name, but perfectly suits her new persona and her ambition to become an artist in New York City. She has left behind her unhappy past and her dysfunctional, criminal parents to pursue a future with her up and coming artist boyfriend, Derek Rosewood.
On her way to Derek’s showing at the Fern Gallery, Paire stops outside to admire a striking painting of an empress dressed in red, staring defiantly out at the viewer. Beside her is a man who is staring at the empress and sobbing – before Paire has a chance to react, he pulls out a letter opener and stabs himself in the chest. This is her first introduction to the painting that will change her life.
The painting is the last known work of a Chinese dissident artist named Qi. When Paire is offered a job at the Fern Gallery, she witnesses the vast crowds of people who swarm to the gallery to see the painting that inspired the suicide – and Paire becomes obsessed with the painting as well. Meanwhile, her life veers towards her family’s criminal past as Derek introduces her to his world of illegal, Banksy-style public art installations. As their crimes escalate, Paire and Derek plan an ambitious heist of the empress painting, but their harmless prank goes terribly wrong.
When the painting disappears completely, Paire is led down a dangerous path into the backstory of Qi, his family, and his artistic career. Her journey leads to bribery, death threats and eventually a gruesome murder. Although it takes a while for the story to coalesce, it eventually becomes more complex than I expected. In the first half, the characters are one-dimensional, but they gradually become more real and interesting. Paire is somewhat sympathetic, but often frustrating and unlikeable – there was a lot of angst about her past that should have been explained early on instead of being dragged out throughout the novel.
You definitely don’t need to be an art expert to enjoy this novel, although a rudimentary understanding of the art world may help you get more out of it, especially the technical details and historical aspects. I wouldn’t call this a thriller, but it is certainly action-packed, and it kept me reading despite the flawed characters. While it started out slow, it quickly got more interesting and I’m glad I stuck with it until the shocking end.
I received this novel from Diversion Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 18, 2016
Katie Novis legally changes her name to Paire Anjou because her family’s name is notorious for a horrible criminal event. She’s very artistic and bohemian in taste and thinks her life in New York as a new artist is bound to be new and refreshingly clean of nefarious doings. Her life with her boyfriend Derek Rosewood is exciting as he is a graffiti-guerrilla style artist who wants to both shock viewers and awaken them to social consciousness about troubling issues. There’s an element of crime in the way he places his paintings but nothing that causes harm to anyone. That’s all about to change for this young, vibrant couple.
Paire is unfortunate enough to observe a man staring into a storefront window of Fern Gallery. She is entranced when looking at the painting the man is staring at so intensely he doesn’t even notice her presence. But all of a sudden, before she can do anything about it, this man quickly dies. The turmoil that follows is almost sidelined by shock and Paire’s realization that this painting is so intense as to enchant the viewer to obsessive looking.
This is the story then of “The Empress Xiao Zhe Yi, Seated” by a Chinese artist Qi. It turns out this is the one remaining painting from his entire life that is being shown for the first time. The woman in the painting actually is supposed to represent a real woman, but the reader will discover her real story, a tale of bribery, greed and obsession that pulls in a financier, a gallery owner and his lover, Paire and Derek, and the artist’s sculptor daughter.
Although the characters are rather stereotypical, the reactions of viewers to this painting are both exaggerated and yet mesmerizing in their intensity. One wonders how viewers could faint or become so enamored of this woman that it elicits their most lustful feelings? Deny it but admit it’s temporarily mesmerizing! One wonders if this is how some viewers saw “The Mona Lisa” when it was first displayed to the public?
The plot will progress to attempts of theft and the effects will be disastrous for several characters. Paire discovers that she is not so different from her family, a background that is also gradually revealed, and that her lover’s innocent acts shock even him into realizing how art reflects life’s most noble but also baser passionate aspects.
The Empress of Tempera is a great read that will move a large, wide audience and rightfully so! Nicely crafted, Alex Dolan!
Paire is unfortunate enough to observe a man staring into a storefront window of Fern Gallery. She is entranced when looking at the painting the man is staring at so intensely he doesn’t even notice her presence. But all of a sudden, before she can do anything about it, this man quickly dies. The turmoil that follows is almost sidelined by shock and Paire’s realization that this painting is so intense as to enchant the viewer to obsessive looking.
This is the story then of “The Empress Xiao Zhe Yi, Seated” by a Chinese artist Qi. It turns out this is the one remaining painting from his entire life that is being shown for the first time. The woman in the painting actually is supposed to represent a real woman, but the reader will discover her real story, a tale of bribery, greed and obsession that pulls in a financier, a gallery owner and his lover, Paire and Derek, and the artist’s sculptor daughter.
Although the characters are rather stereotypical, the reactions of viewers to this painting are both exaggerated and yet mesmerizing in their intensity. One wonders how viewers could faint or become so enamored of this woman that it elicits their most lustful feelings? Deny it but admit it’s temporarily mesmerizing! One wonders if this is how some viewers saw “The Mona Lisa” when it was first displayed to the public?
The plot will progress to attempts of theft and the effects will be disastrous for several characters. Paire discovers that she is not so different from her family, a background that is also gradually revealed, and that her lover’s innocent acts shock even him into realizing how art reflects life’s most noble but also baser passionate aspects.
The Empress of Tempera is a great read that will move a large, wide audience and rightfully so! Nicely crafted, Alex Dolan!
September 8, 2016
The Empress of Tempera by Alex Dolan is a highly recommended thriller/mystery set in the art world of NYC and challenges the value and meaning of art.
In the opening of The Empress of Tempera, Katie Novis legally changes her name to Paire Anjou. Paire, who is attending the Manhattan School of Art and Design, MSAD, adopts her new name In an attempt to distance herself from her past spent in Maine being tormented by classmates over a terrible act her parents committed. Now, legally Paire and the girlfriend of an up and coming graffiti/guerilla type artist, Derek Rosewood, she is headed to the Fern Gallery where Rosenwood has an opening exhibit being installed. Outside the gallery window is an old man sobbing, staring through the window. He fatally stabs himself in front of Paire while staring at the painting "The Empress Xiao Zhe Yi, Seated" by Chinese artist Qi. It is the only known work by Qi on exhibit anywhere, and may be the only known existing work by him.
Paire ends up getting a job at the Fern Gallery where she is obsessed with the painting along with the many others who stop to stare at it. Rosenwood's wealthy benefactor is the supremely obnoxious Abel Kasson. Kasson, who arranged for the exhibit at the gallery, is also obsessed with the painting but for other reasons. Paire begins to accompany Rosenwood on some of his illegal guerilla installations, which eventually leads them to even more dangerous stunts.
The writing is good and the plot moves quickly after a slow start. Although some of the characters seem more one dimensional caricatures than flesh and blood people, Dolan sets up the story, describing what captivates and intrigues connoisseurs about Qi and "The Empress Xiao Zhe Yi, Seated," and then keeps the action moving swiftly to an almost inevitable conclusion. The risks people will take for art, to create it or possess it, is captured. Dolan does make a few leaps in the plot and leaves explaining what Paire's parents actually did until the very end, where it loses it's impact after all the other action that has taken place. Still, The Empress of Tempera will grab your attention and hold it to the end.
Disclosure: My advanced reading copy was courtesy of the publisher for review purposes.
In the opening of The Empress of Tempera, Katie Novis legally changes her name to Paire Anjou. Paire, who is attending the Manhattan School of Art and Design, MSAD, adopts her new name In an attempt to distance herself from her past spent in Maine being tormented by classmates over a terrible act her parents committed. Now, legally Paire and the girlfriend of an up and coming graffiti/guerilla type artist, Derek Rosewood, she is headed to the Fern Gallery where Rosenwood has an opening exhibit being installed. Outside the gallery window is an old man sobbing, staring through the window. He fatally stabs himself in front of Paire while staring at the painting "The Empress Xiao Zhe Yi, Seated" by Chinese artist Qi. It is the only known work by Qi on exhibit anywhere, and may be the only known existing work by him.
Paire ends up getting a job at the Fern Gallery where she is obsessed with the painting along with the many others who stop to stare at it. Rosenwood's wealthy benefactor is the supremely obnoxious Abel Kasson. Kasson, who arranged for the exhibit at the gallery, is also obsessed with the painting but for other reasons. Paire begins to accompany Rosenwood on some of his illegal guerilla installations, which eventually leads them to even more dangerous stunts.
The writing is good and the plot moves quickly after a slow start. Although some of the characters seem more one dimensional caricatures than flesh and blood people, Dolan sets up the story, describing what captivates and intrigues connoisseurs about Qi and "The Empress Xiao Zhe Yi, Seated," and then keeps the action moving swiftly to an almost inevitable conclusion. The risks people will take for art, to create it or possess it, is captured. Dolan does make a few leaps in the plot and leaves explaining what Paire's parents actually did until the very end, where it loses it's impact after all the other action that has taken place. Still, The Empress of Tempera will grab your attention and hold it to the end.
Disclosure: My advanced reading copy was courtesy of the publisher for review purposes.
June 26, 2017
The theme for my summer reading selection seems to be "wouldn't have read this normally but so glad I did!"
The Empress of Tempera is a great mystery, centered in the world of art, artists, art students/schools/museums, with much page-turning suspense in every chapter. Throw in a little romance, a lot of intrigue, US-China political drama, and excellent writing, and you have a book I couldn't wait to continue reading, and was sad to finish!
I am NOT a huge suspense/mystery reader, but this book is oh-so-fun with many twists and turns.
I have almost NO art appreciation or knowledge of the art world, but it didn't matter in this art-heavy story. And, I totally appreciated how you could be moved beyond words/actions by art, as by the shocking art-inspired action in the starting chapter of this book; fondly remembering my own extreme near-fainting reaction to David in Florence...
Background story - recently my friend Stephanie Olson shared that her friend
Alex Dolan just had a book published. I am happy to support a local author who is a friend of a friend, and added this book to my Goodreads list... then Goodreads emailed me suggesting I enter the giveaway for this book on my To Read list. And I did, and I won an advance copy! Sat on my bedside table for a while, but once I started it, I finished it 3 days later!
Fun to have a male author write in a woman's voice (he did it well - and sounds like his next book is too, by the excerpt at the back of the book.) My only quibble is the main character's choice of name when she re-invented herself, I kept laughing inappropriately whenever I saw Paire Angou spelled out, even after I read of the welcoming (& later inspirational) pear orchards she climbed in as a girl. But a great book! Highly recommended.
The Empress of Tempera is a great mystery, centered in the world of art, artists, art students/schools/museums, with much page-turning suspense in every chapter. Throw in a little romance, a lot of intrigue, US-China political drama, and excellent writing, and you have a book I couldn't wait to continue reading, and was sad to finish!
I am NOT a huge suspense/mystery reader, but this book is oh-so-fun with many twists and turns.
I have almost NO art appreciation or knowledge of the art world, but it didn't matter in this art-heavy story. And, I totally appreciated how you could be moved beyond words/actions by art, as by the shocking art-inspired action in the starting chapter of this book; fondly remembering my own extreme near-fainting reaction to David in Florence...
Background story - recently my friend Stephanie Olson shared that her friend
Alex Dolan just had a book published. I am happy to support a local author who is a friend of a friend, and added this book to my Goodreads list... then Goodreads emailed me suggesting I enter the giveaway for this book on my To Read list. And I did, and I won an advance copy! Sat on my bedside table for a while, but once I started it, I finished it 3 days later!
Fun to have a male author write in a woman's voice (he did it well - and sounds like his next book is too, by the excerpt at the back of the book.) My only quibble is the main character's choice of name when she re-invented herself, I kept laughing inappropriately whenever I saw Paire Angou spelled out, even after I read of the welcoming (& later inspirational) pear orchards she climbed in as a girl. But a great book! Highly recommended.
May 2, 2016
"Art can be seductive, powerful, transformative. It can also tempt, lie, destroy. Alex Dolan's gripping The Empress of Tempera reveals the dark side of beauty through a story of knife-sharp suspense full of wicked surprises."
—Andrew Pyper, bestselling author of The Demonologist and The Damned
"From the first page till the last, I was mesmerized by this novel. Much like watching a painter, each stroke is a joy to watch, the full image coming into focus at the moment you least expect it. With a fascinating cast, rich backstory, and page-turning action—I couldn't put this book down.”
—Alessandra Torre, New York Times bestselling author of The Girl in 6E
"A mysterious painting, dark family secrets, and a decades-old vendetta intertwine in Alex Dolan’s lush art-world thriller, The Empress of Tempera. An engrossing and fascinating tale with a shocking conclusion that I didn’t see coming.”
—Laura McHugh, award-winning author of The Weight of Blood and Arrowood
"Alex Dolan’s amazing literary thriller, The Empress of Tempera is edgy, smart, and full of twists that left me gasping. Incredibly vivid, totally engrossing—I highly recommend this book.”
—Jennifer Kincheloe, author of The Secret Life of Anna Blanc
"Alex Dolan has written a genuine page-turner, with invention and audacity befitting the New York art world. The Empress of Tempera pounces on the reader and never lets them go."
—Christopher J. Yates, author of Black Chalk
—Andrew Pyper, bestselling author of The Demonologist and The Damned
"From the first page till the last, I was mesmerized by this novel. Much like watching a painter, each stroke is a joy to watch, the full image coming into focus at the moment you least expect it. With a fascinating cast, rich backstory, and page-turning action—I couldn't put this book down.”
—Alessandra Torre, New York Times bestselling author of The Girl in 6E
"A mysterious painting, dark family secrets, and a decades-old vendetta intertwine in Alex Dolan’s lush art-world thriller, The Empress of Tempera. An engrossing and fascinating tale with a shocking conclusion that I didn’t see coming.”
—Laura McHugh, award-winning author of The Weight of Blood and Arrowood
"Alex Dolan’s amazing literary thriller, The Empress of Tempera is edgy, smart, and full of twists that left me gasping. Incredibly vivid, totally engrossing—I highly recommend this book.”
—Jennifer Kincheloe, author of The Secret Life of Anna Blanc
"Alex Dolan has written a genuine page-turner, with invention and audacity befitting the New York art world. The Empress of Tempera pounces on the reader and never lets them go."
—Christopher J. Yates, author of Black Chalk
September 22, 2016
I received a free copy from the author and Booklover Catlady Publicity in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much!
Too bad Qi is not a real painter because his portrait of a Chinese Empress sounds fantastic! This book tells the story of a masterpiece and the passions it arouses in everybody who's around it. At its heart, there is a mystery (what happened to Qi and where are all his paintings?); there is a heist that raised my blood pressure to dangerous levels and there is a cast of characters who are flawed but relatable. Paire Anjou changed her name and moved to New York to escape her past. Her boyfriend Rosewood is a successful artist who broke free from his military family (I'd also pay good money to see either one of his exhibits, or one of the installations that he sneaks into public places with the help of a team of badasses). Paire finds a job at the Fern Gallery, where she will meet many other artists and art lovers. All the ins and outs of the art business are also fascinating. And the ending... what a good way to cap a very enjoyable story.
Too bad Qi is not a real painter because his portrait of a Chinese Empress sounds fantastic! This book tells the story of a masterpiece and the passions it arouses in everybody who's around it. At its heart, there is a mystery (what happened to Qi and where are all his paintings?); there is a heist that raised my blood pressure to dangerous levels and there is a cast of characters who are flawed but relatable. Paire Anjou changed her name and moved to New York to escape her past. Her boyfriend Rosewood is a successful artist who broke free from his military family (I'd also pay good money to see either one of his exhibits, or one of the installations that he sneaks into public places with the help of a team of badasses). Paire finds a job at the Fern Gallery, where she will meet many other artists and art lovers. All the ins and outs of the art business are also fascinating. And the ending... what a good way to cap a very enjoyable story.
June 5, 2016
I wouldn't really classify this as a mystery or thriller book. It has some action in the second half, but there really isn't a strong sense of mystery. However, the book is well written and art lovers would definitely enjoy the book. The story starts out slow and a lot of focus is put on the main character's history. I think it is emphasized too much.
I see this story more about a young woman learning who she really is. That part of the book is very good. The descriptions and word choice used by the author pull you into the story. The art portion of the book is fascinating especially the back-story of the artist of the empress painting.
I really loved the ending as well.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I see this story more about a young woman learning who she really is. That part of the book is very good. The descriptions and word choice used by the author pull you into the story. The art portion of the book is fascinating especially the back-story of the artist of the empress painting.
I really loved the ending as well.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
September 6, 2016
Paire Anjou moved to New York to become someone else. She moved in with a popular artist boyfriend and started art school. One day, standing in front of the gallery her boyfriend was showing in, a man stares in the front window at another artist on display in the gallery. It is the last known Qi painting; an ancient empress stares at the viewer. It is compelling. The man stares, enraptured, as he stabs himself in the chest.
The painting is an object of obsession, and the center of the book's drama. People kill for it, die for it. Paire grows and changes, with the painting as catalyst. A fascinating drama, with an interesting and compelling cast of characters. An enjoyable fall read.
The painting is an object of obsession, and the center of the book's drama. People kill for it, die for it. Paire grows and changes, with the painting as catalyst. A fascinating drama, with an interesting and compelling cast of characters. An enjoyable fall read.
October 12, 2016
You had me at Paire Anjou!
Thank you for bringing me into an intriguing journey of art and murder. I could see a the Empress as you described her beauty and having travelled to China and understanding the complexity of its relationship with modern day artists, made the historical narrative of the painting even more magical. I loved your first book, this one and look forward to more!
Thank you for bringing me into an intriguing journey of art and murder. I could see a the Empress as you described her beauty and having travelled to China and understanding the complexity of its relationship with modern day artists, made the historical narrative of the painting even more magical. I loved your first book, this one and look forward to more!
October 8, 2016
After reading the Euthanist from the same Author I was eager to start this book but sorry to say i just didn't like it that much.This book is about the Art world and the story just didn't interest me that much sorry.
Thank you to the Author Netgalley and publisher for a chance to read this book.
Thank you to the Author Netgalley and publisher for a chance to read this book.
January 16, 2017
Lyrical, literary, and totally fresh. I was captivated by this novel, which deftly manages to be both a thriller and an exploration of the meaning and power of art.
The premise is brilliant, the characters deeply interesting. It has one of the most exciting endings EVER.
The premise is brilliant, the characters deeply interesting. It has one of the most exciting endings EVER.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews