A review by magnetgrrl
Empress of the World by Sara Ryan

5.0

Sara Ryan has her fingers on the pulse of teen emotion. The characters in this book were smart and messy and intense and throwing themselves around just like I remember doing in high school, hoping to stick to anything, or that something would stick to me. And the way Sara Ryan describes them is just brilliant - she knows exactly which details to focus on in the background to give the right echo of their emotional states, so that whether they are talking or not, everything is electrified with the intensity of their emotions. This book feels urgent, which is how I remember everything feeling in high school. Part of the reason I loved it so much I am sure is because the main character Nicola Lancaster reminded me somewhat of myself, but beyond that, her relationship with Battle Davies has some elements to it that I think everyone, no matter their age, could relate to. I just don’t think I can say enough to do it justice.