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Queen's Fortune: A Novel of Desiree, Napoleon, and the Dynasty That Outlasted the Empire
Queen's Fortune: A Novel of Desiree, Napoleon, and the Dynasty That Outlasted the Empire | Allison Pataki
13 posts | 9 read | 17 to read
A sweeping novel about the extraordinary woman who captured Napoleon's heart, created a dynasty, and changed the course of history--from the New York Times bestselling author of The Traitor's Wife, The Accidental Empress, and Sisi. As the French revolution ravages the country, Desiree Clary is faced with the life-altering truth that the world she has known and loved is gone and it's fallen on her to save her family from the guillotine. A chance encounter with Napoleon Bonaparte, the ambitious and charismatic young military prodigy, provides her answer. When her beloved sister Julie marries his brother Joseph, Desiree and Napoleon's futures become irrevocably linked. Quickly entering into their own passionate, dizzying courtship that leads to a secret engagement, they vow to meet in the capital once his career has been secured. But her newly laid plans with Napoleon turn to sudden heartbreak, thanks to the rising star of Parisian society, Josephine de Beauharnais. Once again, Desiree's life is turned on its head. Swept to the glittering halls of the French capital, Desiree is plunged into the inner circle of the new ruling class, becoming further entangled with Napoleon, his family, and the new Empress. But her fortunes shift once again when she meets Napoleon's confidant and star general, the indomitable Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte. As the two men in Desiree's life become political rivals and military foes, the question that arises is: must she choose between the love of her new husband and the love of her nation and its Emperor? From the lavish estates of the French Riviera to the raucous streets of Paris and Stockholm, Desiree finds herself at the epicenter of the rise and fall of an empire, navigating a constellation of political giants and dangerous, shifting alliances. Emerging from an impressionable girl into a fierce young woman, she discovers that to survive in this world she must learn to rely upon her instincts and her heart. Allison Pataki's meticulously researched and brilliantly imagined novel sweeps readers into the unbelievable life of a woman almost lost to history--a woman who, despite the swells of a stunning life and a tumultuous time, not only adapts and survives but, ultimately, reigns at the helm of a dynasty that outlasts an empire.
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lissafraser
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I will be honest with you. This is my first book about napoleon. I really enjoyed reading it. During the day I kept thinking about getting back to that story! I found the characters interesting. I even did some research on the characters and the art mentioned in the book. This book made me want to go and visit France. If you like historical books.. read this one!!

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coffees
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Pickpick

Just finished!! I felt it was a really long read and I often wondering "am I almost done?" But once I was, I came to think "that was a good one". I found all the historical tidbits really educational and insightful, in fact, now I want to go do some research! But I can see how the slow pace could turn someone off. Desiree was also a very interesting lead, esp since IRL not many know of her #historicalfiction #romance

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coffees
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I'm very upset, my coffee was made wrong, it's too sweet, I can't drink it 😠 a waste 😢, let's see if some reading will cheer me up, haven't picked this one up since Saturday

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coffees
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Idk man, this chapter...it suspiciously sounds like they're trying to steal her kid...but I don't even want to think the sister would do something like that but...HMMM #midyearrush #historicalfiction #romance

update: woah I was way off, I'm glad but also can't blame me, the dramas out there 🤣

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coffees
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IGNORE HIS IGNORANT BUTT ugh, what does he want with her now, go back to your crazy wife 🙄🙄 #historicalfiction #romance #midyearrush

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coffees
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I guess the "bad" thing about reading at work is that I get moved around the different stores and sometimes (rarely but it happens), the stores don't have the book I'm currently reading. This happened yesterday so I started a new book! ? Interesting in the typical #historicalfiction sense. Let's see where they put me today ? How many books are you all reading? With this one I'm at 3 active reads #midyearrush

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lowellette
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Pickpick

How did I not know about this woman? This story is amazing and Pataki does a solid job bringing it to life.

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Crazeedi
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Thanks to #ballantinebooks and #netgalley for the opportunity to read #thequeensfortune
The author tells the story of Desiree Clary, who was Napoleon's first love. I never read anything about her, and this was a fascinating tale about her life. Her sister marries Napoleon's brother, and so she remains close to Napoleon as he rises in power. She witnesses his marriage to Josephine and actually becomes a friend to her. Desiree marries Bernadotte,⬇️

Crazeedi and has a son. Bernadotte becomes an adversary to Napoleon when he sees Napoleon seize power over the republic. When Napoleon offers Bernadotte the king of Sweden, this appointment changes the course of Desiree's life. The current royalty in Sweden are direct descendants of Desiree and Bernadotte. An interesting book, recommend. 5y
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Crazeedi
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"When the snow falls at midnight, blanketing the cobbled streets, sugaring the gothic bell tower of the Storkyrkan church, it becomes easy to imagine." (Tagged book)
#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl
Thanks for thinking of me @gradcat !

gradcat @Crazeedi Lovely...and I‘m STILL thinking of you, by the way. 🥰 5y
Crazeedi @gradcat you are so very special to me 5y
gradcat @Crazeedi 🥰 Thank you so much! 😉😍😘 5y
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catebutler
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I‘m already making a list of books I want to read in March, and high up on my list is this novel. I have a feeling I‘ll be researching and learning more about the real life characters as I read this book, something I actually really enjoy doing as I read. Is this something you enjoy doing to?

rubyslippersreads I do this a lot. 5y
Nute Yes! I love to do that! Any book based on real life people, any book based on an actual place, any book that fictionalizes a real event puts me in research mode! We are kindred spirits!😃 5y
catebutler @rubyslippersreads I‘m so glad to hear this! It just adds to the reading experience, in my opinion. 5y
catebutler @Nute We truly are! I just love going down those rabbit holes, when a subject really catches my interest. It does make my reading process a bit longer, though! 😂 5y
rubyslippersreads @catebutler @Nute Rabbit hole is the perfect term for it. (In fact, even reading Alice in Wonderland made me want to learn more about the real Alice. 😊🐰) 5y
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ReadingisMyPassion
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Mehso-so

You know when Allison Pataki releases a historical fiction novel there have been years of extensive research put into it. I loved “The Accidental Empress”, “Sisi: Empress on Her Own”, “The Traitor‘s Wife” (my favorite), and “Where the Light Falls”. But I didn't find Desiree Clary's story very interesting. I saw her more as a follower than a leader.

Erinsuereads I loved the accidental empress! 5y
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theladygreer
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This gorgeous book comes out tomorrow -- and you can read SOLD ON A MONDAY author Kristina McMorris's rave review on #read99women today! http://www.greermacallister.com/blog/2020/2/10/read99women-kristina-mcmorris

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Rhondareads
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Historical fiction at its best loved Alison Patakis‘ earlier novels can‘t wait to read her new novel.