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    Congress of Secrets
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    Congress of Secrets
    Unavailable
    Congress of Secrets
    Ebook435 pages5 hours

    Congress of Secrets

    By Stephanie Burgis

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    In 1814, the Congress of Vienna has just begun. Diplomats battle over a new map of Europe, actors vie for a chance at glory, and aristocrats and royals from across the continent come together to celebrate the downfall of Napoleon…among them Lady Caroline Wyndham, a wealthy English widow. But Caroline has a secret: she was born Karolina Vogl, daughter of a radical Viennese printer. When her father was arrested by the secret police, Caroline's childhood was stolen from her by dark alchemy. Under a new name and nationality, she returns to Vienna determined to save her father even if she has to resort to the same alchemy that nearly broke her before. But she isn’t expecting to meet her father's old apprentice, Michael Steinhüller, now a charming con man in the middle of his riskiest scheme ever. The sinister forces that shattered Caroline's childhood still rule Vienna behind a glittering façade of balls and salons, Michael’s plan is fraught with danger, and both of their disguises are more fragile than they realize. What price will they pay to the darkness if either of them is to survive? From the Trade Paperback edition.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPyr
    Release dateNov 1, 2016
    ISBN9781633882003
    Unavailable
    Congress of Secrets
    Author

    Stephanie Burgis

    Stephanie Burgis grew up in East Lansing, Michigan, but now she lives in Wales with her husband (fellow writer and ebook cover designer Patrick Samphire), their two sons, and their very vocal tabby cat, Pebbles (who basically owns Steph's Instagram account). She writes wildly romantic historical fantasy for adults (most recently, Scales and Sensibility, Good Neighbors, and the Harwood Spellbook series) and fun, funny MG fantasy adventures for kids (most recently, The Raven Heir and the Dragon with a Chocolate Heart trilogy).

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    Reviews for Congress of Secrets

    4/5

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    • 4/5
      *I received an e-ARC of this novel through Edelweiss and Pyr in exchange for an honest review*Stephanie Burgis wrote a very entertaining enjoyable read with characters that jump right off the page. “Congress of Secrets” is a great period drama with a very intriguing plot occurring at the Congress of Vienna hosted by the Emperor Frances in 1814 after Napoleon had fallen. Ms. Bugis used real historical events and characters interwoven with the fictional creating a captivating story of political intrigue, dark alchemy, with a touch of romance and humor. She builds and builds this well researched story with twists and turns and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end. There are several characters in this story but not so many that you loose track of who is who. The two main well developed fictional characters are Caroline Wyndham a British noble a.k.a. Karolina Vogl, and Prince Kalishnikoff of Kenova a.k.a. Michael Steinhüller who are both separately trying to pull of the con of their life. Here is where the humor comes in, they both knew each other when they were Karolina and Michael. Caroline/Karolina is not happy with the Prince/Michael for what happened when they were younger blaming him for what happened to her and her father. Karolina’s and Michael’s early story is revealed slowly as the story develops, and their romance progresses as they slowly tell each other what happened on that day. Also we have additional fictional characters, Peter Riesenbeck and his theatrical troupe, who are in Vienna hopefully to make their fame and fortune. Politically there are several true historical nobles, ambassadors and royalty figures all vying for Emperor France’s favor to obtain property lost to Napoleon during the war. Then we have last but not least The Count of Pergen, Emperor France’s right had man or whatever he truly is practicing dark dark alchemy. My favorite historical character was Prince de Ligne the confidant of both Caroline/Karolina, and Prince/Michael.Ms. Burgis brought the Congress of Vienna to life, in “Congress of Secrets” using the language and formality of the times in this intriguing delightful European historical story with an ending like not other. Historical fiction lovers this is one to add to your to read list, you will not be disappointed.
    • 5/5
      It is 1814 and the Congress of Vienna has made Vienna the place to be for schemers of all sorts. The kings, emperors, and diplomats are scheming to divide up Europe now that Napoleon has been deposed. The well-to-do from all over Europe are gathering to be part of the social scene.Two others have come to Vienna again for their own purposes. Caroline, Lady Wyndham, is searching for her father who was arrested for political dissent when she was eleven. She fell under into the control of the Austrian Emperor's head of the secret police. Count Pergen used her in his alchemical experiments and kept her imprisoned for four years. At fifteen, she was sold to an English Alchemist. She has managed to build a life for herself as an English peer. Now widowed and with the war in Europe over, she can finally travel to Vienna to try to find and rescue her father. Michael Steinhuller has also come to Vienna to try to make his fortune. He has spent the years since his master was arrested for sedition living as a con man. Now, he wants one final score to secure his future. However, the secret police are still looking for him. One other prominent fictitious character is Peter Riesenbeck who is the owner of a theatrical troupe and who hopes that Vienna will be the place where they can make their fortunes. Michael uses them to smuggle him into Vienna. His use of them brings Peter to the attention of the secret police.Another fictitious character is Charles Weston who is Caroline's secretary and a student of Alchemy. When Caroline disappoints his hopes, he throws himself in with Count Pergen. The story is also filled with historical figures from Emperor Francis to Talleyrand to the Prince de Ligne who have large parts in this story and countless diplomats and society people who make up the background characters. The setting was well-developed and the atmosphere was a nice combination of the paranoia of the age and the frenetic energy of people who were running all sorts of schemes. I enjoyed the story.