As with my last read, I'm really debating over a two- or three-star rating. I might change this one a couple times.

Why? Because as much as I can't get over "The Second Empress"'s many flaws, it ended up being a little addictive. (Much like Moran's super flawed "Nefertiti".)

"The Second Empress" tells the tale of a chunk of history I know very little about: Napoleon's reign, and specifically his second marriage. Truth be told, I didn't even know the name of Napoleon's second wife until I heard about this novel. Let's be honest: Marie-Louise is hardly the interesting Bonaparte woman. Not compared to Napoleon's flamboyant sister Pauline (a narrator here) or his great love Josephine. See, now I have to look out for a good book centered on Napoleon's first marriage--because it's clear that the true passion of his life was with Josephine (and what an interesting marriage they had).

Okay, so: I'm going to tackle the bad here first, because there is a lot of it. Although I'm no expert on Napoleon's reign, some quick research has revealed that while this novel lacks many glaring inaccuracies, the characterization of Marie-Louise was, as I suspected, a bit off. Here she's presented as the morally upright yet strong-willed and smart (*cough*self-righteous*cough*) wronged woman, disgusted with Napoleon and his Evil Family. In reality, Marie-Louise seemed much more conflicted and even somewhat loyal to Napoleon. It seems that though he was at the end of the day a brute, he treated her fairly well. (Moran also inserts Marie-Louise's future paramour into the book way before he ever came into the real picture. Which seems like a bit of a cop-out, if you ask me.)

A more realistic and compelling Marie-Louise, a conflicted Marie-Louise, would have been a welcome break from this narrator. It's not that I didn't like her. I just wasn't overly attached to her. She knew what was wrong and what was right, never really strayed from the path, and cast Napoleon as the villain of her life. And maybe he was! But I would have related more to a woman who was drawn in by Napoleon's web of lies as was everyone else around him.

See, what Moran misses in THAT characterization (that of Napoleon's) was that the guy, despite what his portraits may imply, was incredibly charismatic. People don't just follow a nobody from Italy for no reason. He was also quite brilliant, a fact that Moran chooses to tell without showing. I mean, I get that the novel centers more on his weaker years, but the guy had to get to a seat of absolute power somehow, right?

Another issue is the inclusion of the narration of Paul Moreau, Pauline Bonaparte's chamberlain. Frankly, I don't know what to think about this. I can't help but feel that the novel would have been stronger if it had focused on Marie-Louise and Pauline, their contrasts and their rivalry. (The rivalry touted in the book's jacket never really came to be, as the two characters barely interact.) While I enjoyed Paul's narration and his complex relationship with Pauline, he kind of got on my last nerve towards the end. (Mainly because he propelled a large part of the novel's ambition = evil + slut-shaming undertone. I don't think that Moran was going for this, so I give her the benefit of the doubt.)

The book's way too short in general and ends just when the party is getting started. The wrong things are given emphasis (Paul and Pauline's relationship vs. Marie-Louise/Napoleon or Napoleon/Pauline or hell, Pauline/Marie-Louise). Also, Moran's writing in general, though improving, has its moments of "meh"-ness. She info-dumps a lot and tends towards a very modern tone with some anachronistic language.

Wait, you say. What about the good?

Well, "The Second Empress" has a sort of bodice-rippery feel--without graphic sex, unfortunately--that reminds me of a cotton candy. It's not good for you, but it's fun. And the main thing that makes the novel fun is Pauline.

Pauline! I knew I'd like her and her delusional, incestuous ways as soon as the novel began. I wish I'd seen more of her. Yes, there are a lot of problems with her characterization too--we never really got to the meat of her and there was this unfortunate tendency to equate her promiscuity with badness. However, she still managed to charm with her crazy.

Furthermore, Moran's strongest when she delves into Pauline and Napoleon's relationship. There should have been more of that. Their desperate devotion to one another and resulting conflict fascinates. As does, of course, the unending presence of Josephine in Napoleon's life. Josephine isn't really a character, but she does make an appearance through her correspondence with Napoleon. All of this drives him Moran's point: that nobody, not even Pauline, could top Josephine.

Could this thing have been improved upon? YES. I wouldn't spend money on it. However, it's a fun little romp. If, you know. You're willing to shut down your brain and ignore all its issues.

I'm still debating this rating.