jessica_flower's review against another edition
3.0
The book had a definite atmospheric start. We're introduced to Claude, familiarly known as Claudette to those close to her, and her family of 'players' or actors as we would know them now, as well as a beautiful young noble girl who becomes central to Claudette's story when she grows up. Claudette loves her profession, as does the rest of her family, with all the fun and dramatics in the plays they act out. But in 17th century France, the theatre, and professional acting in general, is regarded as sinful by the Catholic church and all actors are forbidden from taking full part in the faith ie. not being allowed Communion and being refused a proper funeral and burial, unless they formally renounce the stage on a legal document supervised by a priest. Claudette is bitter about this, especially when her father dies and by legal law, they can't bury him like he deserves.
So Claudette and her family go to Paris in hope of a better life, where they find work in the theatre and where we end up meeting the most famous playwrights of the time: Corneille, Molière and Racine. Her mother Alix becomes famous for her wonderful acting, and one night after her mother's performance, Claudette meets Athénaïs, the noble girl she'd met as a child. And from there the story with regards to the future "Shadow Queen of France" begins, as Athénaïs and Claudette grow closer. This novel's pacing is definitely a slow burn, but it's not that long.
From the moment Claudette meets her, she seems enraptured by Athénaïs' "heartstopping" beauty and allure, to the point where she's seriously attracted to her for a long time. She even calls her "my princess" in her head, though by how Claudette behaves when she's been around Athénaïs, she seems more like an enchantress (she's just as self-serving too). Claudette recognizes this, at one point even buying an amulet as so-called protection, but loses her resolve and ends up leaving her mother and brother to work as Athénaïs's "suivante", a personal attendant at Court. From there, it's a slow but slippery slope from one manipulation to another, all within the intrigues and extravagance of the court of Louis XIV and the machinations of his "Shadow Queen" Athénaïs, the Marquise de Montespan. Until Athénaïs and Claudette play the game too far . . .
The author did her research and it shows in the details she adds to the setting and Claudette's perception of the world. As a woman of common birth, Claudette's life is working, working, working to provide for her family. She carries this responsibility with her as she goes to Court with Athénaïs, sending money and needful goods to her family back in Paris. As the novel goes on, Claudette loses her naive admiring and idealization of the noble life, although she still longs for the material things they have: the food, the clothes, the certainty that they have a roof over their head their whole lives. That being said, she held true to herself when it mattered most at the end.
Overall, it's an alright novel, but the writing isn't for everyone. I was wanting more at times from the characters; I suppose my imagination and background knowledge of this time period provided the rest.
So Claudette and her family go to Paris in hope of a better life, where they find work in the theatre and where we end up meeting the most famous playwrights of the time: Corneille, Molière and Racine. Her mother Alix becomes famous for her wonderful acting, and one night after her mother's performance, Claudette meets Athénaïs, the noble girl she'd met as a child. And from there the story with regards to the future "Shadow Queen of France" begins, as Athénaïs and Claudette grow closer. This novel's pacing is definitely a slow burn, but it's not that long.
From the moment Claudette meets her, she seems enraptured by Athénaïs' "heartstopping" beauty and allure, to the point where she's seriously attracted to her for a long time. She even calls her "my princess" in her head, though by how Claudette behaves when she's been around Athénaïs, she seems more like an enchantress (she's just as self-serving too). Claudette recognizes this, at one point even buying an amulet as so-called protection, but loses her resolve and ends up leaving her mother and brother to work as Athénaïs's "suivante", a personal attendant at Court. From there, it's a slow but slippery slope from one manipulation to another, all within the intrigues and extravagance of the court of Louis XIV and the machinations of his "Shadow Queen" Athénaïs, the Marquise de Montespan. Until Athénaïs and Claudette play the game too far . . .
The author did her research and it shows in the details she adds to the setting and Claudette's perception of the world. As a woman of common birth, Claudette's life is working, working, working to provide for her family. She carries this responsibility with her as she goes to Court with Athénaïs, sending money and needful goods to her family back in Paris. As the novel goes on, Claudette loses her naive admiring and idealization of the noble life, although she still longs for the material things they have: the food, the clothes, the certainty that they have a roof over their head their whole lives. That being said, she held true to herself when it mattered most at the end.
Overall, it's an alright novel, but the writing isn't for everyone. I was wanting more at times from the characters; I suppose my imagination and background knowledge of this time period provided the rest.
missywinesalot's review against another edition
Couldn't get into the story. Seemed to be going nowhere. Characters lacked depth.
jasmyn9's review against another edition
4.0
The Shadow Queen delivered much more than I expected. Full of intrigue, scandal and secrets - religious cults and fantastic plays. The tale of Claudette begins as a poor player and spans many levels fame. From helping her mother become a famous actress to being the confidante of The Shadow Queen - with much in between.
As part of a family of players, Claudette leads a very interesting life surrounded by some very unique people. One of these people is knows as Athenais - met in a variety of ways throughout the year, Claudette finds herself the woman's confidante. This leads to quite an interesting series of events as Athenais tries to maintain her place as the king's favorite mistress. There was a surprising amount of action in this - duels, floods, missing people - at times the book got quite exciting for a historical fiction novel that wasn't about a war.
I loved the way the story was told. I really felt like I was there watching it all from a hidden little nook in the wall. The clothes, the rooms, the people - all come to life very nicely. The ending was very nice and I loved how Sandra Gulland wrapped up so many of the pieces so nicely and naturally. I don't know much about the time period, but she did include a little bit at the back covering where she too literary licence and what was considered fact which helped me understand the time even more.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2014/04/reviwe-shadow-queen-by-sandra-gulland.html#sthash.FgVlxUqk.dpuf
As part of a family of players, Claudette leads a very interesting life surrounded by some very unique people. One of these people is knows as Athenais - met in a variety of ways throughout the year, Claudette finds herself the woman's confidante. This leads to quite an interesting series of events as Athenais tries to maintain her place as the king's favorite mistress. There was a surprising amount of action in this - duels, floods, missing people - at times the book got quite exciting for a historical fiction novel that wasn't about a war.
I loved the way the story was told. I really felt like I was there watching it all from a hidden little nook in the wall. The clothes, the rooms, the people - all come to life very nicely. The ending was very nice and I loved how Sandra Gulland wrapped up so many of the pieces so nicely and naturally. I don't know much about the time period, but she did include a little bit at the back covering where she too literary licence and what was considered fact which helped me understand the time even more.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2014/04/reviwe-shadow-queen-by-sandra-gulland.html#sthash.FgVlxUqk.dpuf
cpikas's review against another edition
3.0
I've read a bunch of similar books and this was pretty unexceptional.
lazygal's review against another edition
3.0
Historical fiction that features real people as the main characters is difficult to do right, and this book does better than most. Because this was an ARC, some of the back matter was missing and it's lucky that I knew about the era and the lineages - without them, there will be some confusion.
What's interesting is that one might assume that the shadow queen mentioned here is the lead, Claudette, but it isn't - she's merely the confidante, midwife, medicine procurer and "alternate" for Athénaïs, King Louis XIV's current favorite (aka "shadow queen"). Their lives at court are less detailed here than Claudette's previous lives as a member of an travelling acting troupe, and then as seamstress to a troupe that includes Corneille and Racine (not to mention a rivallry with that upstart Moliere). At times it felt as though that part of Claudette's life was what really intrigued the author, far more than the intracacies of the King's court.
ARC provided by publisher.
What's interesting is that one might assume that the shadow queen mentioned here is the lead, Claudette, but it isn't - she's merely the confidante, midwife, medicine procurer and "alternate" for Athénaïs, King Louis XIV's current favorite (aka "shadow queen"). Their lives at court are less detailed here than Claudette's previous lives as a member of an travelling acting troupe, and then as seamstress to a troupe that includes Corneille and Racine (not to mention a rivallry with that upstart Moliere). At times it felt as though that part of Claudette's life was what really intrigued the author, far more than the intracacies of the King's court.
ARC provided by publisher.
nogenreleftbehind's review against another edition
4.0
The Shadow Queen delivered much more than I expected. Full of intrigue, scandal and secrets - religious cults and fantastic plays. The tale of Claudette begins as a poor player and spans many levels fame. From helping her mother become a famous actress to being the confidante of The Shadow Queen - with much in between.
As part of a family of players, Claudette leads a very interesting life surrounded by some very unique people. One of these people is knows as Athenais - met in a variety of ways throughout the year, Claudette finds herself the woman's confidante. This leads to quite an interesting series of events as Athenais tries to maintain her place as the king's favorite mistress. There was a surprising amount of action in this - duels, floods, missing people - at times the book got quite exciting for a historical fiction novel that wasn't about a war.
I loved the way the story was told. I really felt like I was there watching it all from a hidden little nook in the wall. The clothes, the rooms, the people - all come to life very nicely. The ending was very nice and I loved how Sandra Gulland wrapped up so many of the pieces so nicely and naturally. I don't know much about the time period, but she did include a little bit at the back covering where she too literary licence and what was considered fact which helped me understand the time even more.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2014/04/reviwe-shadow-queen-by-sandra-gulland.html#sthash.FgVlxUqk.dpuf
As part of a family of players, Claudette leads a very interesting life surrounded by some very unique people. One of these people is knows as Athenais - met in a variety of ways throughout the year, Claudette finds herself the woman's confidante. This leads to quite an interesting series of events as Athenais tries to maintain her place as the king's favorite mistress. There was a surprising amount of action in this - duels, floods, missing people - at times the book got quite exciting for a historical fiction novel that wasn't about a war.
I loved the way the story was told. I really felt like I was there watching it all from a hidden little nook in the wall. The clothes, the rooms, the people - all come to life very nicely. The ending was very nice and I loved how Sandra Gulland wrapped up so many of the pieces so nicely and naturally. I don't know much about the time period, but she did include a little bit at the back covering where she too literary licence and what was considered fact which helped me understand the time even more.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2014/04/reviwe-shadow-queen-by-sandra-gulland.html#sthash.FgVlxUqk.dpuf
halkid2's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a big fan of Sandra Guilland -- loved her three novel series about Josephine Bonaparte. This was also a quick and very enjoyable read!
Although this book is advertised as being about the court of Louis XIV and his mistress, Athenais de Montespan -- both are more peripheral, though important characters. The central protagonist is Claude des Oeillets as she moves in and out of Parisien theatre in the 1600s. The rivalries between Pierre Corneille and Moliere, followed by the appearance of Racine-- all of them vying for the king's favor -- make interesting reading. Claude, who comes from a family of actors, eventually finding her way into Athenais's service, where she is exposed to the brutal rivalries of court. These are similar in many ways to theatre, as is the competition between Louis's mistresses. It all makes for fascinating reading.
Although this book is advertised as being about the court of Louis XIV and his mistress, Athenais de Montespan -- both are more peripheral, though important characters. The central protagonist is Claude des Oeillets as she moves in and out of Parisien theatre in the 1600s. The rivalries between Pierre Corneille and Moliere, followed by the appearance of Racine-- all of them vying for the king's favor -- make interesting reading. Claude, who comes from a family of actors, eventually finding her way into Athenais's service, where she is exposed to the brutal rivalries of court. These are similar in many ways to theatre, as is the competition between Louis's mistresses. It all makes for fascinating reading.
districtreads's review against another edition
4.0
Much has been written about the gilded 17th century French court of Louis XIV, so I was extremely intrigued by the premise of The Shadow Queen, which was inspired by the true story of a woman who becomes the confidante and servant of an influential mistress of the Sun King, Athénaïs de Montespan. And yes, she is the “Shadow Queen” of the title. Deceptively, this novel is actually more about Athénaïs’s servant, Claudette. However, the story is so intriguing that I was actually pleased rather than disappointed.
Gulland sets the novel against the creation of Versailles, and the War of Theaters, a lesser-known event where French playwrights and playhouses competed for the king’s patronage. Claudette is the daughter of impoverished actors, and as she is wandering the countryside with her family looking for work, she meets a young “Shadow Queen,” Athénaïs. In return for suggesting that Claudette’s family perform for the Duke, her father, Athénaïs requests a dark favor. This dark favor, while unaccomplished, colors their relationship.
Claudette, years later, finds herself in Paris. When she leaves her life of theatre to work as Athénaïs’s confidante and right-hand, she realizes that there are many parallels between the stage and life at court. When Athénaïs, fearing that she has lost the King’s affection, moves from harmless charms to “Black Magic,” Claudette finds that she and her beloved family are in danger. The relationship between Claudette and Athénaïs is tense and conflicted, which makes this a breathtaking and quick read within a beautiful package.
Cross-posted to http://www.off-the-book.org/2014/07/face-in-book-book-reviews-sisters-of.html.
Gulland sets the novel against the creation of Versailles, and the War of Theaters, a lesser-known event where French playwrights and playhouses competed for the king’s patronage. Claudette is the daughter of impoverished actors, and as she is wandering the countryside with her family looking for work, she meets a young “Shadow Queen,” Athénaïs. In return for suggesting that Claudette’s family perform for the Duke, her father, Athénaïs requests a dark favor. This dark favor, while unaccomplished, colors their relationship.
Claudette, years later, finds herself in Paris. When she leaves her life of theatre to work as Athénaïs’s confidante and right-hand, she realizes that there are many parallels between the stage and life at court. When Athénaïs, fearing that she has lost the King’s affection, moves from harmless charms to “Black Magic,” Claudette finds that she and her beloved family are in danger. The relationship between Claudette and Athénaïs is tense and conflicted, which makes this a breathtaking and quick read within a beautiful package.
Cross-posted to http://www.off-the-book.org/2014/07/face-in-book-book-reviews-sisters-of.html.
gquintana's review
3.0
Don’t let the long synopsis fool you; this isn’t a deep book. The characters are shallow, the plot is thin and moves at a speed that nearly leaves you behind. The relationship between Athénaïs and Claudette is there because Gullard says it is, not because she actually shows much.
The main positive of this book is the look at Parisian theatre life during the reign of Louis XIV. I always enjoy reading about things in history that I haven’t thought of before, which is probably part of the reason I enjoy historical fiction so much. Parisian theatre life hadn’t even been a blip on my radar before I saw this book. I was happy to explore the life of Claudette as she went from member of a troupe to confidential maid of Athénaïs and then back to humble living.
I am quite sad that this novel was so short and shallow. I feel that the life of Athénaïs is an interesting one, and that she deserved much more of an exploration. I feel like this book could’ve been much better if given more development.
I wouldn’t recommend picking this up unless this is a favorite genre or period of yours.
Review also available on my blog.
The main positive of this book is the look at Parisian theatre life during the reign of Louis XIV. I always enjoy reading about things in history that I haven’t thought of before, which is probably part of the reason I enjoy historical fiction so much. Parisian theatre life hadn’t even been a blip on my radar before I saw this book. I was happy to explore the life of Claudette as she went from member of a troupe to confidential maid of Athénaïs and then back to humble living.
I am quite sad that this novel was so short and shallow. I feel that the life of Athénaïs is an interesting one, and that she deserved much more of an exploration. I feel like this book could’ve been much better if given more development.
I wouldn’t recommend picking this up unless this is a favorite genre or period of yours.
Review also available on my blog.