Publisher's Synopsis
Perfect for readers of Hilary Mantel, Alison Weir, and Philippa Gregory,Empress of the Nightis Eva Stachniak's engrossing new novel, told in the voice of Catherine the Great as the Romanov monarch reflects on her ascension to the throne, her rule over the world's greatest power, and the sacrifices that made her the most feared and commanding woman of her time.
A critically acclaimed historical drama and instant #1 international bestseller,The Winter Palacebrilliantly reimagined the
rise of Catherine the Great through the watchful eyes of her clever servant Varvara. Now, in Eva Stachniak's enthralling new novel, Catherine takes center stage as she relives her astonishing ascension to the throne, her rule over an empire, and the sacrifices that made her the most feared and commanding woman of her time.
As the book opens, the charismatic monarch is in her final hours. From the fevered depths of her mind, Catherine recalls the fateful trajectory of her turbulent life: her precarious apprenticeship as Russia's Grand Duchess, the usurpers who seek to deprive her of a crown, the friends who beg more of her than she was willing to give, and her struggle to know whom to trust and whom to deceive to ensure her survival.
"We quarrel about power, not about love," Catherine would write to the great love of her life, Grigory Potemkin, but her days were balanced on the razor's edge of choosing her head over her heart. Power, she learns, is about resolve, strategy, and direction; love must sometimes be secondary as she marshals all her strengths to steer her volatile country into a new century and beyond-to grow the Romanov empire, to amass a vast fortune, and to control a scheming court in order to become one of history's greatest rulers.
Gorgeously written with vivid detail and lyrical prose,Empress of the Nightis an intensely intimate novel of a woman in charge of her fortunes, who must navigate the sorrows, triumphs, and hopes of both her soul and a nation.
Praise forEmpress of the Night
"[Eva] Stachniak'sabsorbingnovel opens readers' hearts to an extraordinary and misunderstood woman. . . .Wonderfully, lyrically written, Stachniak's storyvibrates with passion, drama and intrigue. This is a feast for fans."-RT Book Reviews
"Stachniak's insight into the opulent lives of Russia's rulers continues in this reflective second novel. . . . Historical fiction fans will appreciate thispersonal account of a formidable and, indeed, infamous ruler."-Library Journal
"The book takes on a dreamlike quality. . . .Ambitious. . .moving. . . structurally complex and psychologically intense . . .vividdescriptions."-Quill & Quire
"Stachniak brings to life one of the mostfascinating-and controversial-female rulers of all time."-DuJour
"Empress of the Nightcasts light on Catherine's life withunflinching honesty and intimacy. This fun novel of lovers, intrigue, and malicious and manipulative nobilitykeeps readers enthralled with every page."-Virtuoso Life
