While I’m not opposed to fiction that runs toward the melodramatic, I do prefer that a book be well-written and consistent regardless, which, unfortunately, are not traits I can ascribe to The Emperor’s Conspiracy. Though I’d previously enjoyed Michelle Diener’s fiction, this book was far too silly and nonsensical, being neither a romance or a mystery, but rather being a fluffy, telenovela-esque combination of both.The protagonist, Charlotte Raven, is something of a Mary Sue. A former street urchin who happened to have been adopted by a widowed society woman, she is universally admired by the British aristocracy. Her love interest, Lord Durnham, is a bland, nondescript fellow who serves as a knight in shining armor, but doesn’t make much of an impression on the reader.Any and all plot in The Emperor’s Conspiracy is confused and haphazard, and this book seems to be severely unorganized at best. Charlotte’s involvement in the unveiling of a smuggling ring seems highly coincidental, and she really doesn’t seem to do much to help solve the mystery. Actually, nobody really solves this mystery, since it’s so easily and neatly laid out for the leading couple. By merit alone, this is not at all a worthwhile mystery novel. It isn’t suspenseful or well-crafted in this slightest.Though this is set in Regency England, the reader might be hard-pressed to know that, since Diener doesn’t capitalize on her historical context as much as she might. I got the vague sense that this was happening in the Regency era, but there was no definite grounding at any point in The Emperor’s Conspiracy.Basically, this book is just a soap opera with petticoats, and not a good one, either. There was no substance to this book at all, and I felt very much that I was biting on air as I read this, rather than something filling. The Emperor’s Conspiracy tries, but does not succeed, to be memorable and worth my time. This is my second Michelle Diener read and so far I am impressed. Her characters are well developed and interesting, particularly her heroines (in this case Charlotte) who is strong, independant, confident and intelligent. I like that Charlotte isn't ashamed of her past on the streets and accepts who she is. I also really like the fact she is consistently intelligent and does not make TSTL decisions like so many supposedly smart heroine in other novels. Michelle manages to create a story with enough tension and danger caused by external factors that inexplicably stupid actions on the part of the heroine are not necessary to move the story along. Bravo!! Every character, even those with minor roles come alive and add something tothe story. While the story does have some romance it is quite understated (which I enjoyed) for me the stand out was the complicated relationship between Charoltte and Luke.
What do You think about The Emperor's Conspiracy (2012)?
She didn`t even finish the story. It ends in the middle of a climax.
—Allsn
I found the story tedious and the characters boring.
—Waterbuffalo58
