About the Author

Allison Pataki is the New York Times bestselling author of The Traitor's Wife and The Accidental Empress. The daughter of former New York State governor George E. Pataki, she was inspired to write about Sisi by her family's deep roots in the former Habsburg empire of Austria-Hungary. She graduated cum laude from Yale University with a major in English. Pataki is the co-founder of the nonprofit organization ReConnect Hungary, regularly contributes to The Huffington Post and FoxNews.com, and is a member of the Historical Novel Society. She lives in Chicago with her husband and their daughter.

Reviews

"[Allison] Pataki successfully juggles numerous political and personal plot lines while maintaining her focus on a fascinating central character. Extensive notes reveal the author's attention to detail and explain where the novel diverges from the historical record. . . . Readers of Pataki's first book will want to know the rest of Sisi's story, but this novel stands on its own for historical fiction fans."--Library Journal

"Sisi is a deeply moving book about a complex character."--BookPage

"A satisfying saga of the late Habsburg period."--Kirkus Reviews

"Pataki's extensive historical research is evident as she deftly explores the complex life of a woman who was both loved and hated by those whom she ruled. . . . Pataki brings richness and relevance to the story of the woman who worked tirelessly to protect the face of an empire."--Publishers Weekly "Allison Pataki simply stuns me with each new book. I savor each page. Sisi is her best yet!"--Kathie Lee Gifford "Readers will enjoy the glorious dilemma of whether to turn the pages swiftly, breathlessly following Empress Sisi from one astonishing, heartbreaking adventure to the next, or to linger and luxuriate in Allison Pataki's vivid, sumptuous descriptions of the Habsburg court."--Jennifer Chiaverini, New York Times bestselling author of Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker "This entire novel is irresistible--completely impossible to put down! Pataki reimagines the reign of the nineteenth-century Princess Diana in this stunning book."--Michelle Moran, internationally bestselling author of Rebel Queen "Emotional, exuberant, masterly, Sisi swept me into the glittering, treacherous world of the waning Habsburg empire. Allison Pataki's understanding of the Empress Elisabeth is nothing short of miraculous. A must-read."--Lynn Cullen, bestselling author of Mrs. Poe "Sisi delivers on all fronts: intrigue, love triangles, deception, heartbreak, and triumph. This is a wonderful read."--Deeanne Gist, international bestselling author of Tiffany Girl "The tumultuous world of mid-nineteenth-century royalty comes to stunning life in this sweeping novel about the courageous, defiant empress who sought her own survival amid rivalry, betrayal, and tragedy."--C. W. Gortner, internationally bestselling author of The Vatican Princess "From luscious moonlit gardens to sumptuous castles, the settings of Sisi are as dazzling as those of Vienna's Imperial Court. Pataki resurrects the unforgettable Empress Elisabeth in a rich and exquisite tragedy of passion and heartbreak--a true tour de force."--Erika Robuck, bestselling author of Hemingway's Girl "Beautifully written, meticulously researched, and powerfully evocative, Sisi humanizes one of the great female figures of history."--Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie, authors of America's First Daughter "Allison Pataki has written a nuanced and compelling account of that ever-glamorous heroine, Empress Elisabeth of Austria, immortalized as 'Sisi.' Pataki's sublimely readable prose is the perfect vehicle for a tale that spans thirty years and settings from Corfu to Hungary to Ireland. The glamour and the heartache of Sisi's life will keep you riveted."--Carol Wallace, author of Leaving Van Gogh

[Allison] Pataki successfully juggles numerous political and personal plot lines while maintaining her focus on a fascinating central character. Extensive notes reveal the author s attention to detail and explain where the novel diverges from the historical record. . . . Readers of Pataki s first book will want to know the rest of Sisi s story, but this novel stands on its own for historical fiction fans. "Library Journal"
""
"Sisi" is a deeply moving book about a complex character. "BookPage"
""
A satisfying saga of the late Habsburg period. "Kirkus Reviews"
""
Pataki s extensive historical research is evident as she deftly explores the complex life of a woman who was both loved and hated by those whom she ruled. . . . Pataki brings richness and relevance to the story of the woman who worked tirelessly to protect the face of an empire. "Publishers Weekly"
Allison Pataki simply stuns me with each new book. I savor each page. "Sisi" is her best yet! Kathie Lee Gifford
Readers will enjoy the glorious dilemma of whether to turn the pages swiftly, breathlessly following Empress Sisi from one astonishing, heartbreaking adventure to the next, or to linger and luxuriate in Allison Pataki s vivid, sumptuous descriptions of the Habsburg court. Jennifer Chiaverini, "New York Times" bestselling author of "Mrs. Lincoln s Dressmaker"
This entire novel is irresistible completely impossible to put down! Pataki reimagines the reign of the nineteenth-century Princess Diana in this stunning book. Michelle Moran, internationally bestselling author of "Rebel Queen"
Emotional, exuberant, masterly, "Sisi" swept me into the glittering, treacherous world of the waning Habsburg empire. Allison Pataki s understanding of the Empress Elisabeth is nothing short of miraculous. A must-read. Lynn Cullen, bestselling author of "Mrs. Poe"
"Sisi" delivers on all fronts: intrigue, love triangles, deception, heartbreak, and triumph. This is a wonderful read. Deeanne Gist, international bestselling author of "Tiffany Girl"
The tumultuous world of mid-nineteenth-century royalty comes to stunning life in this sweeping novel about the courageous, defiant empress who sought her own survival amid rivalry, betrayal, and tragedy. C. W. Gortner, internationally bestselling author of "The Vatican Princess"
From luscious moonlit gardens to sumptuous castles, the settings of "Sisi" are as dazzling as those of Vienna s Imperial Court. Pataki resurrects the unforgettable Empress Elisabeth in a rich and exquisite tragedy of passion and heartbreak a true tour de force. Erika Robuck, bestselling author of "Hemingway s Girl"
Beautifully written, meticulously researched, and powerfully evocative, "Sisi" humanizes one of the great female figures of history. Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie, authors of "America s First Daughter"
Allison Pataki has written a nuanced and compelling account of that ever-glamorous heroine, Empress Elisabeth of Austria, immortalized as Sisi. Pataki s sublimely readable prose is the perfect vehicle for a tale that spans thirty years and settings from Corfu to Hungary to Ireland. The glamour and the heartache of Sisi s life will keep you riveted. Carol Wallace, author of "Leaving Van Gogh""

Advance praise for "Sisi"
Allison Pataki simply stuns me with each new book. I savor each page. "Sisi" is her best yet! Kathie Lee Gifford
Readers will enjoy the glorious dilemma of whether to turn the pages swiftly, breathlessly following Empress Sisi from one astonishing, heartbreaking adventure to the next, or to linger and luxuriate in Allison Pataki s vivid, sumptuous descriptions of the Habsburg court. Jennifer Chiaverini, "New York Times" bestselling author of "Mrs. Lincoln s Dressmaker"
This entire novel is irresistible completely impossible to put down! Pataki reimagines the reign of the nineteenth-century Princess Diana in this stunning book. Michelle Moran, internationally bestselling author of "Rebel Queen"
Emotional, exuberant, masterly, "Sisi" swept me into the glittering, treacherous world of the waning Habsburg empire. Allison Pataki s understanding of the Empress Elisabeth is nothing short of miraculous. A must-read. Lynn Cullen, bestselling author of "Mrs. Poe"
"Sisi" delivers on all fronts: intrigue, love triangles, deception, heartbreak, and triumph. This is a wonderful read. Deeanne Gist, international bestselling author of "Tiffany Girl"
The tumultuous world of mid-nineteenth-century royalty comes to stunning life in this sweeping novel about the courageous, defiant empress who sought her own survival amid rivalry, betrayal, and tragedy. C. W. Gortner, internationally bestselling author of "The Vatican Princess"
From luscious moonlit gardens to sumptuous castles, the settings of "Sisi" are as dazzling as those of Vienna s Imperial Court. Pataki resurrects the unforgettable Empress Elisabeth in a rich and exquisite tragedy of passion and heartbreak a true tour de force. Erika Robuck, bestselling author of "Hemingway s Girl"
Beautifully written, meticulously researched, and powerfully evocative, "Sisi" humanizes one of the great female figures of history. Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie, authors of "America s First Daughter"
Allison Pataki has written a nuanced and compelling account of that ever-glamorous heroine, Empress Elisabeth of Austria, immortalized as Sisi. Pataki s sublimely readable prose is the perfect vehicle for a tale that spans thirty years and settings from Corfu to Hungary to Ireland. The glamour and the heartache of Sisi s life will keep you riveted. Carol Wallace, author of "Leaving Van Gogh""

Advance praise for "Sisi"
From luscious moonlit gardens to sumptuous castles, the settings of "Sisi" are as dazzling as those of Vienna s Imperial Court Theatre, and the drama enacted on its pages is no less impressive. Allison Pataki resurrects the unforgettable Empress Elisabeth in a rich and exquisite tragedy of passion and heartbreak a true tour de force. Erika Robuck, author of "Hemingway s Girl"
The tumultuous world of mid-nineteenth-century royalty comes to stunning life in this sweeping novel about the courageous, defiant empress who sought her own survival amid rivalry, betrayal, and tragedy. Allison Pataki draws back Sisi s romantic veil to reveal her inner struggles and yearnings in a time careening toward irrevocable change. Fans of historical fiction will revel in this sumptuous account of a legendary woman. C. W. Gortner, internationally bestselling author of "The Vatican Princess"
Allison Pataki has written a nuanced and compelling account of that ever-glamorous heroine Empress Elisabeth of Austria, immortalized as Sisi. Pataki s sublimely readable prose is the perfect vehicle for a tale that spans thirty years and settings from Corfu to Hungary to Ireland. The glamour and the heartache of Sisi s life will keep you riveted. Carol Wallace, author of "Leaving Van Gogh"
Beautifully written, meticulously researched, and powerfully evocative, "Sisi" brings to life the story of the embattled Habsburg Empress Elisabeth of Austria-Hungary, humanizing one of the great female figures of history. Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie, authors of "America s First Daughter""