Empress of the Night by Eva Shachniak

As Catherine the Great lays dying, she spends her final hours reliving her life. Taking readers on a quest from her young life. Beginning with her training to become Empress, Catherine recounts her rise to total power. Along the way, we meet her lovers, friends, enemies and most of all, Catherine herself. 

I liked this book, but not as much as The Winter Palace. Catherine is a hard ruler, mother, grandmother and narrator. Forced to make hard choices, Catherine is always faithful to her head, leading to painful relationships. I did like seeing Catherine in her most vulnerable, but she is not always kind. However the book is a good book that shows just how dedicated to Russia Catherine was. 

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy.