Customer Reviews

Empress of the World

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Publisher's Weekly is usually a reliable, objective source, which makes the review above all the more disturbing: this is one of the most competently written & deftly characterized young adult novels for lesbians I've seen in a long while. (I've been reading such books for 30+ years.) It's a shame the review is so out of step with the book's tone, given how influential it gets to be just by virtue of sitting here, on Amazon. The reviewer claims the characters are flat & the dialogue 'over-scripted' (huh? oh please) yet gives only 1 (very peripheral) example--which in context works quite well, as it happens. And as for "painfully detailed descriptions of their clothes"--I'd bet money the (anonymous) reviewer was a man: this is a book about teenaged girls, hello?

Ryan's characters are both distinct and quite believable; the language she uses is specific to each character, a pretty impressive accomplishment for any book but especially a Y/A one; and the (fairly low-key) trials of the two lead girls feel real without the tedious melodrama of so much teen writing. It's a refreshing and well-told story with a credible ending: as a debut novel, it's terrific. This business about 'one-dimensional' characters strikes me as either a writer so unfamiliar with the genre he had no business reviewing this, or as just plain old poorly-masked homophobia: if you don't want to read about gay teens then... don't. If you do, give this book a try--especially if you're interested in writing about Y/A lesbian subject matter. Heaven knows such books are and remain scarce on the ground. This is one of the good ones.

An endearing look about a young lesbian (she is still coming to terms with her sexuality), and her friends at a gifted youth program. It is a coming of age story, and the main character, Nicola, writes journals about her friends, and her feelings. I enjoyed the book, and I felt that the author did a terrific job in identifying with the age group.

I picked up this book at [a local store] thinking it looked alright, but really, it was so much more for me than just "an enjoyably read." The discription is almost magical in that it is stark, not wordy or "lacey" but simple, getting the point accross simply and elegantly. It doesn't shy away from anything; it's confronting and outspoken, something i like. something i noticed and appreciated were the small little details of the main character's thought process, for instamce, "I look at the carpet. It's dull gray with black diamonds. Probably they picked it because it wouldn't show the dirt. I wonder how many diamonds there are per square foot." This remark would seem desultory and entirely non-sequitorial, but actually, it demonstrates quite well what you you do when you're awkward: you hook on to the nearest most insignificant thing possible, and become apparently inerested. things like this in writing enforce a kinship with the book from the reader; if the author uses experiences that aren't strangely far from our own experience, then the reader can sympathize, understand, and get more enjoyment out of the book. Though the plot may seem sad or daunting sometimes, there is never a failing of comic releif; again stark, simple, and allowing the reader to empathize. this book is wonderful, addressing highly argued issues, (issues that need to be addressed and thought about!!) in a way that isn't boringly and passively diplomaitc, but not altogether with a "you are stupid, i am right" attitude either. this is one of those books that enables you to get more out of life. it is an understatement to say i reccomend it!

Empress of the World by Sara Ryan won the Oregon Award in 2002 and for good reason too. As a guy, reading about the summer trip of a teenage girl, I was compelled to keep reading, even though, Nic's character was not someone that I could relate to.
Sara Ryan's book centers around Nic, a teenage girl who spends the summer in a school for the gifted in order to study her lifelong passion, archaeology. During the summer she finds out more about herself and her sexuality. She goes into the school thinking that she is straight, having crushes on guys, but encounters Battle, a beautiful girl, whom Nic falls in love with. Even though the novel's main focus is on the relationship between Nic and Battle, we learn about the other friendships that Nic has made during her stay. Sara includes a barrage "Field Notes" from Nic's journal, telling the reader what exactly is going on between Nic and her new found friends.
Even though this book contains homosexual themes, and some people might find this uncomfortable, I would recommend this book to anyone. When I first read the description on the back cover, I was a little skeptical that this was going to be a story that I would enjoy reading... "What do you do when you think you're attracted to guys, and then you meet a girl who steals your heart?" However as I got into the book I felt like the characters and relationships were very real even though the main character ended up being bisexual. It was a quick read too. It can be read in one sitting. The writing is fast paced and through constant intense situations you want to keep reading.

...Not many writers could write a first novel this beautiful and touching. The characters are all totally believable wonderfully three-dimensional, from manic, computer obsessed, nicotene addict Katrina to genius composer Kevin to San Francisco Jew Isaac they all have theirstengths and weaknesses and many-faceted personalities.

And it's about two girls... who FALL IN LOVE. With each other. And Sara Ryan manages to tread on this dificult territory without making the book sound dumb or preachy, something very difficult to pull off.

Sara Ryan makes her literary debut in this refreshing teen novel about a girl's summer fling with another female student during college courses. Nic, the 16-year old protagonist, isn't sure of anything in her life: she's never had any close friends and she's not sure what she wants to be when she grows up (archaeologist or no?). And when Nic starts having feelings for blonde, beautiful Battle, things only get more confusing. Isn't she supposed to fall for GUYS? Coupled with confusions over her sexuality are Nic's fears about discrimination from homophobes and her exasperation in helping two heterosexual friends hook up.

While "Empress of the World" makes for an interesting, light summer read, I can't say it's a fantastic book. The action is a bit too breezy and "fluff" to thorougly enjoy, and the reasoning behind some character's actions isn't explained. The plot isn't that engaging, but it's still great to find a novel that forages into the new territory of teenage homosexuality. It's sure to at least help answer a few people's perplexed questions about their own orientation. However, the best part of the book is that there are no easy answers, thus making it seem all the more realistic.

Everyone's heard of the teacher that, come September, makes you write an essay about your summer break. Still more know about the paperbacks chronicling summer romance and heartaches. In this artfully crafted novel, Sara Ryan explores the difficulties that arise as today's teens try to figure out their true identities.
Ryan presents the reader with the usual plot - teen goes to summer camp, teen falls in and out of love while at summer camp - but the unique main characters keep one by turn giggling uncontrollably and sobbing as if the world will soon end. Nicola Lancaster, an artistically inclined teen and an aspiring archaeologist, is carted off to The Siegel Summer Institute for Gifted Adolescents. Instead of confirming her career choice, Nicola is forced to realize that the world isn't always so predictable after she falls in love with one of her female compatriots - a subject the author treats with a completely unbiased sense of tact. The captivating, uncannily realistic dialogue is truly the work of a master who knows what they're doing.
All students attend a preliminary assembly before camp. Nicola's seatmates become instant friends - particularly a unique girl named Battle. Battle, a native of North Carolina, has a preacher for a father, a "slight sweet drawl," and a torn family that has had more than its share of loss. The more time Nicola and Battle spend together, the more they realize that they aren't just friends, they're soul mates.
Ryan weaves her elegant plot through a mixture of Nicola's life and her diary entries, adding bit by bit the various intricacies of teenage summers, culminating in a fully developed world just waiting to be explored. The need for editing is barely apparent. Although some sentences are rather shaky, they are quickly smoothed over, presenting a nearly flawless work.
Ryan's wholly new and fresh writing style captivates the reader and makes her book impossible to put down. As Nicola's life takes many unexpected twists, her voice rings true for teens across the world. Arguments and break-ups with Battle wound Nicola's spirit and create extra tension, especially when Battle rejects her handmade gift - a puppet Nicola likes to call the Empress of the World - and seems to take interest in another of their mutual friends. The ups and downs of a teen's summer experience are entirely accurate, so any adolescent, whether they're lesbian, straight, or just not sure yet, can easily relate to her troubles. Ryan's masterpiece, Empress of the World, is a revolutionary novel exploring what it means to find your identity in a very categorized and intolerant world.

I loved this book when I read it the first time (and the second and third time). All of the characters are truly interesting, and you can't help but find yourself rooting for the two main characters of the novel- you want them to be in love forever. It's similar to books like "Keeping You a Secret" and "Annie on my Mind", so if you enjoyed those books, this is a sure deal.

Nicola Lancaster has it hard enough at a camp where high-school students take college-like courses, but now she's she's got to deal with the pressures of trying to hold up a complicated and confusing relationship.
On Nic¡¦s first day at the Siegel Institute she befriends two other girls, redheaded and outgoing Katrina, as well as Battle, who posses electric green eyes and who Nic calls ¡¥Beautiful Hair Girl,¡¦ though only in her mind. The three also make friends with Kevin, an aspiring composer and Isaac, funny and nice even though he's just...confusing. They all care for one another like friends do; when Nic falls on a hike and twists her ankle, they all want to make sure she¡¦s okay. But after a little while she wants to go moving around more and the only one who doesn't feel ¡§it¡¦s her ankle, let her do what she wants¡¨ is Battle.
The situation is believable,it sounds as if this is how it would go with teenagers in real life. It isn¡¦t straight out forward how Battle truly feels for Nic, it doesn¡¦t even seem apparent to Battle. When Nic catches a fever Battle comes to comfort her and their relationship starts with a kiss, like almost all relationships in teen romance novels. Though everything goes wrong when Nic decides to make Battle gift.
Sara Ryan touches a subject few people want to talk about, gayness, with an excellent flair. Empress of the World is great book choice for someone looking for an alternative to traditional teen-romance novels. n

Empress of the World by Sara Ryan is a quick, thought provoking read. Though Ryan seems to be catering specifically for teens, this book's message is important for adults as well. The interesting writing style and fresh perspective on same sex relationships set Ryan's work apart from the usual teen romances.
The plot of Empress of the World pulls you into Nic's world right away and keeps you interested throughout. In the beginning, Nic, the main character, views herself as a normal teenage girl, but when she meets a beautiful young woman named Battle at a summer program, her life becomes complicated. As Nic and Battle become closer, their relationships with others are affected in ways they could never have expected.
Empress of the World is written as a first person narrative with interspersed diary entries. The diary sections are likely to appeal more to teenage girls than other age groups, but the self-questioning and emotional venting which fill the "field journal" of Nic are unusually perceptive for a teenage romance. Rather than pouring out her feelings Nic's journal leads us deeper into her character by centering on serious self examination, making a more sophisticated and challenging read. She struggles with her need to label everything about both herself and others, which becomes difficult with the slow realization that she is romantically interested in females. Because Ryan carefully keeps Nic's personality and sexuality from being exaggerated or stereotyped in the journal the transitions between the narrative and diary entries are smooth.
Though sub-relationships between Nic and her three secondary friends aren't fleshed out and the changes in her relationship with them seem forced and clumsy at times. On the first day, Nic meets Kevin and becomes his friend, but later she inexplicably ends all contact with him. The relationship between Nic and Battle on the other hand is masterfully written. Surprisingly, Ryan doesn't dwell on the issue of sexual orientation which makes Nic's affection for Battle seem realistic and natural. This book raises the issue of homosexuality in a down-to-earth way that is relevant for anyone having doubts about their sexuality. Empress of the world is an intriguing and clarifying book highly recommended for teens.