Mistress of the Sun by Sandra Gulland
Rich Details and Decadence of 17th-Century Court
This is the story of real life Louise de la Vallière, mistress to France's King Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King. At a young age, Louise, lovingly nicknamed Petite by her father, uses bone magic to tame a wild stallion.
This is the story of real life Louise de la Vallière, mistress to France's King Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King. At a young age, Louise, lovingly nicknamed Petite by her father, uses bone magic to tame a wild stallion.
Though of minor nobility, her family doesn’t have enough money for her dowry to marry, let along to get into a convent. Thus she starts a new chapter in her life, that of maid in waiting to a princess of a bit higher nobility than herself. After the princess moves away, Louise moves to the court of the Sun King and is maid of honour to a high nobility princess. Soon after she becomes mistress to the king.
Set against the breathtaking background of France, this enchanting piece of historical fiction displays the extravagant opulence of the time of King Louis XIV’s reign.
Sandra Gulland has made me crave more of King Louis XIV. She must have suspected that this would be the case with some readers, as she suggests a book to learn more ‘Love and Louis XIV: The Women in the Life of the Sun King’ by Antonia Fraser. I have added this to my TBR (to be read).
This is the first book I have read by Sandra Gulland but it won’t be the last! I look forward, with great anticipation to reading her Josephine B. trilogy.
4/5
For more information on Sandra Gulland and her work including this book and her Josphine B Trilogy, see her Official Website.
Thanks to Harper Collins Canada for sending me this advance reader’s copy!
Note: If you have also reviewed this book, please feel free to post you link in the comments. I will then add it to the end of my review.
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Posts
Darn it! Who do I have to talk to around here to get a copy of this book! Glad you enjoyed it, and I am sure you will enjoy the Josephine B trilogy!
Marg said... June 2, 2008 at 2:11 AM
I've read the first of the Josephine B trilogy and am saving the others for when I really need them (if that makes any sense)! You'll enjoy them.
Pardon My French said... June 2, 2008 at 5:31 AM
You beat me to it! I still have about 50 pages left. It really is good! Nice review!
Lezlie
Lezlie said... June 2, 2008 at 5:36 AM
Marg,
You will enjoy it all the more when you finally do get it!
Pardon my french,
That totally makes sense to me!
Lezlie,
I'm glad your enjoying it as well!
Teddy Rose said... June 2, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Hopefully without giving anything away: (For those who have not read Mistress of the Sun: Potential Spoiler in the following question)
Didn't you just want to reach through the pages and strangle A. when you found out who the baby's father was???
L.
Lezlie said... June 2, 2008 at 11:28 AM
I was very excited last night. I went on to my library website last night and they finally have this book on order so I am no. 1 in the queue for it! And as an added bonus they have two other books that I have been waiting for for ages!
Marg said... June 2, 2008 at 1:22 PM
Lezlie,
I wanted to strangle A. and the father! LOL!
Marg,
That's awesome! I look forward to reading your review.
Teddy Rose said... June 2, 2008 at 2:48 PM
Oh this sounds really good. And you've reminded me that I have a couple of books by Antonia Fraser (The Weaker Vessel and Marie Antoinette) languishing in my stacks. I'm kind of in Asian mood for non-fiction lately but I will return to Europe at some point.
tanabata said... June 3, 2008 at 6:27 AM
I just posted my review and linked yours to it.
Lezlie
PS I cried at the end! What a great lady!!
Lezlie said... June 3, 2008 at 6:35 AM
Tanabata,
I think you will enjoy it, when you finally get to it.
Lezle,
Awesome review. I linked it to mine.
Teddy Rose said... June 3, 2008 at 3:38 PM
Wow, way to make people crave a little historical fiction! Great review. The book sounds really terrific.
Bookfool said... June 3, 2008 at 6:54 PM
Thanks Bookfool! I think you would enjoy it.
Teddy Rose said... June 3, 2008 at 9:36 PM
I can't WAIT to get my hands on this book! I loved the Josephine B. trilogy :-)
Aarti said... June 4, 2008 at 2:02 PM
Aarti,
I know you will enjoy it. I look forward to reading your review.
Teddy Rose said... June 4, 2008 at 9:36 PM
If you enjoy YA Fantasy, I have a contest on my blog for a superb book. The prize is a free advance copy of "Farworld," the startling new novel by J. Scott Savage, out this September.
Don't miss this one. Eat your heart out, Harry Potter!
Unknown said... June 7, 2008 at 4:38 PM
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