Wednesday, October 15, 2008

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.

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



10 comments:

  1. I really loved the whole Josephine B trilogy. I am hoping to read this one shortly. I have had it out of the library a couple of times, but haven't managed to actually read it yet.

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  2. I still haven't read any of hers, but I already have 2 of the Josephine B books in the TBR...

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  3. Oh you really need to read them Ana!

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  4. I loved the Josephine B trilogy! I've been eagerly awaiting this - I don't normally buy hardcovers so I'm waiting for paperback. Glad to know it's so good!

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  5. I just checked, can you believe the ones I have are nº 2 and 3? I still have to find nº 1... :-(

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  6. I'm also looking forward to reading the Josphine B. Trilogy. I have the first one here as we speak!

    Lezlie

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  7. I think you will really like it Lezlie.

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  8. Thanks for the review - it sounds great! I have the Josephine trilogy at home and have also heard great things about that.

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  9. Thanks for all the comments! I am truely looking forward to reading the Josephine trilogy!

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