Empress of the Night: A Novel of Catherine the Great

Written by:
Eva Stachniak
Narrated by:
Beata Poźniak

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
6
Narrator
5
Release Date
March 2014
Duration
18 hours 50 minutes
Summary
Perfect for readers of Hilary Mantel, Alison Weir, and Philippa Gregory, Empress of the Night is 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 Palace brilliantly 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 Night is 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 for Empress of the Night
 
“[Eva] Stachniak’s absorbing novel opens readers’ hearts to an extraordinary and misunderstood woman. . . . Wonderfully, lyrically written, Stachniak’s story vibrates 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 this personal account of a formidable and, indeed, infamous ruler.”—Library Journal
 
“The book takes on a dreamlike quality. . . . Ambitious . . . moving . . . structurally complex and psychologically intense . . . vivid descriptions.”—Quill & Quire
 
“Stachniak brings to life one of the most fascinating—and controversial—female rulers of all time.”—DuJour
 
“Empress of the Night casts light on Catherine’s life with unflinching honesty and intimacy. This fun novel of lovers, intrigue, and malicious and manipulative nobility keeps readers enthralled with every page.”—Virtuoso Life
Reviews
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Kate E.

The narrator is terrible. She had a very thick accent which alone wouldn’t be bad, but it seems like shes confused about the English she’s reading: She adds random inflections that don’t seem to be relevant and is halting in a way jolts me out of the story. Also the book itself seems to be poorly written.

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Anonymous

The narrator did a good job. I read The Winter Palace first and really liked it. This one...not so much. I had a tough time following it as there are a lot of characters and you don't get to know them well before the book moves on. I agree with the other reviewer that you don't really sympathize with the main character much, which is the opposite of the way it was in the first book. I think it would have been better to focus on her flaws, insecurities, inner turmoil, etc rather than on all the other characters. As a reader and a woman, I could have related to that more.

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Alexis Ransom

I really enjoyed the narration, she did a wonderful job. I didn't enjoy this book as much as her other book The Winter Palace. This book was good, I just didn't sympathize with the main character as much as I did for the main character of Winter Palace.

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