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artemismatchalatte's review against another edition
5.0
It's been a long time since I've read a book in one sitting but that's what I did with Betsy and The Emperor . I've actually been excited for this book for a while and I'm glad that I've finally been able to read this. I am a bit of a history buff and for some reason or another, I've always loved Napoleon Bonaparte so I may be a little biased when it comes to rating this book high.
The story itself was beautifully crafted from start to finish. It made me feel almost as though I were Betsy. Clearly you understood how important and deep their friendship was. Napoleon's character is strange and loveable. There was constant action but it never distracted from the plot. This story makes me want to read the real Betsy's accounts of her life on St. Helena as Napoleon's friend.
I would recommend this book to anyone, history-lovers or not. It is such a wonderfully written story.
The story itself was beautifully crafted from start to finish. It made me feel almost as though I were Betsy. Clearly you understood how important and deep their friendship was. Napoleon's character is strange and loveable. There was constant action but it never distracted from the plot. This story makes me want to read the real Betsy's accounts of her life on St. Helena as Napoleon's friend.
I would recommend this book to anyone, history-lovers or not. It is such a wonderfully written story.
madamereads's review against another edition
5.0
SO. MANY. FEELINGS. This is a spectacular story, one of the best historical fiction books I've ever read.
I started out with no expectations. I plucked it from the shelf at my local recycled bookstore and thought "Hey, this looks interesting," and went from there. Oh my sweet Mother Mary am I glad I did!
First of all, I love Betsy. She is a likable, headstrong heroine, but doesn't come off as your run of the mill "oh, I'm an independent, stubborn heroine that doesn't every want to fall in lo- OH MY WORD A BOY". She struggles with the confines of her gloomy home and family relationships.
Speaking of relationships, I completely adore how the author portrays Napoleon, and his friendship with Betsy. In this story the reader sees a completely different, kinder side to the Emperor that is rarely shown in any books or movies about him. He and Betsy have one of the sweetest, most wonderful friendships I have ever read in my life. They clearly grow to care very much about each other and it shows as the book goes along. Later the reader sees Napoleon's love for Betsy is a little more than merely platonic, but I think it makes there relationship that much sweeter.
In the end, I think the epilogue was the perfect touch to complete the story. I don't want to spoil anything, so I won't elaborate, but again I say, it was perfect.
I started out with no expectations. I plucked it from the shelf at my local recycled bookstore and thought "Hey, this looks interesting," and went from there. Oh my sweet Mother Mary am I glad I did!
First of all, I love Betsy. She is a likable, headstrong heroine, but doesn't come off as your run of the mill "oh, I'm an independent, stubborn heroine that doesn't every want to fall in lo- OH MY WORD A BOY". She struggles with the confines of her gloomy home and family relationships.
Speaking of relationships, I completely adore how the author portrays Napoleon, and his friendship with Betsy. In this story the reader sees a completely different, kinder side to the Emperor that is rarely shown in any books or movies about him. He and Betsy have one of the sweetest, most wonderful friendships I have ever read in my life. They clearly grow to care very much about each other and it shows as the book goes along. Later the reader sees Napoleon's love for Betsy is a little more than merely platonic, but I think it makes there relationship that much sweeter.
In the end, I think the epilogue was the perfect touch to complete the story. I don't want to spoil anything, so I won't elaborate, but again I say, it was perfect.
heaven29's review against another edition
4.0
A delightful and emotional teen novel. I remember reading it the first time I read and and I had a good time going done memory lane.
holtfan's review against another edition
1.0
I think Anna will agree with me when I say reading this book was a little like death. I couldn't stand the main character, and I went from indifferent respect for Napoleon to pretty much hating him. His character was like gross
I think the writing might have been good...it was a few years ago that I read this book. Anna brought it to mind the other day though, so I decided to delve into that memory a little xP yeah. Not my favorite Sonlight read....
I think the writing might have been good...it was a few years ago that I read this book. Anna brought it to mind the other day though, so I decided to delve into that memory a little xP yeah. Not my favorite Sonlight read....
shilo1364's review against another edition
4.0
Loved the story, but at times was almost jarred out of it by the mediocre writing. The characters were fully developed and believable, the story was pure magic - but more fluid prose would have carried it much farther for me. If only Robin Mckinley had written it....
misskeesa's review against another edition
5.0
This book made me cry. I wish it could have had a different ending, but unfortunately, that's the problem with historical fiction....there's only so much you can make up.
Just a word of warning, there are a couple of places where you would have to explain certain words to young readers, words which you might prefer not to explain, especially in regards to Betsy's sister's conduct.
Just a word of warning, there are a couple of places where you would have to explain certain words to young readers, words which you might prefer not to explain, especially in regards to Betsy's sister's conduct.
rubyslippersreads's review against another edition
3.0
A somewhat far-fetched story about Betsy Balcombe's friendship with Napoleon, with a touch of The Wizard of Oz and a dash of National Velvet.