Customer Reviews:
 Charming, but not earth-shattering November 23, 2008
"Empress of the World" is a nice little novel that showcases Sara Ryan's potential as a writer, but doesn't quite come across as the finished article. The book is charmingly (if unfussily) written and well-observed in places and is very highly readable, but lacks polish in the writing and characterisation.
The story concerns two teenage girls who find romance together at a summer camp for gifted children. Our heroine is very likeable and is an engaging voice for this story, but this relatively slight tale is need of more incisive observation and well-drawn characters. In places, the narrative drifts, and none of the characters has a really strong identity. On the plus side, I did like the fact that towards the ending, the book acquires a thoughtfully realistic tone in terms of what happens in the relationship. Certain crises during the course of the romance might sound somewhat familiar to lesbian readers, and others will resonate with those who have been in love or thought that they might be, regardless of sexuality.
The difficulty is that the book does just not make enough of an impact. Were the romance depicted a heterosexual one, the book may not have found an audience at all. A nice start from Sara Ryan but I think she might be coming out with some truly insightful fiction in a few books' time.
 Book description April 14, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
What do you do when you think you're attracted to guys, and then you meet a girl who steals your heart?. Sara Ryan tells the story of a teenage girl coming to terms with who she really is, despite who she thought she was.
Nicola Lancaster is spending eight weeks at the Siegel Institute Summer Program for Gifted Youth, a hothouse of smart, articulate, intense teenagers. She soon falls in with Katrina (Manic Computer Chick), Isaac (Nice-Guy-Despite-Himself), Kevin (Inarticulate Composer) ... and Battle. Battle Hall Davies is a beautiful blonde dancer, and everything Nic isn't. The two become friends--and then, startlingly, more than friends.
 This book is amazing! September 17, 2003
21 out of 34 found this review helpful
I am a bisexual and this book just explains the experience of being a girl inlove with a girl. I know the feeling well. I love you munkey!
Its the story of Nicola and Battle two girls who meet at a Gifted and Talented Camp. First they become friends then more then friends. Its a beautiful love story thats been needed for along time.
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