New York Times Bestseller - For readers of Philippa Gregory, Paula McLain, and Daisy Goodwin comes a sweeping and powerful novel by Allison Pataki. Sisi tells the little-known story of Empress Elisabeth of Austria-Hungary, the Princess Diana of her time, in a captivating historical novel that is also a thrilling page-turner. Married to Emperor Franz Joseph, Elisabeth – affectionately called Sisi – wins the hearts of her people as their "fairy queen," but behind this radiant facade lies a far more complex figure. In the mid-nineteenth century, the halls of the Hofburg Palace buzz not only with imperial waltzes and champagne but also with temptations, rivals, and bitter intrigues. Overwhelmed by strict protocols and a tumultuous marriage, Sisi becomes restless. As a freedom-loving wanderer, she finds solace at her estate outside Budapest, where she rides her beloved horses and enjoys life.