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eslismyjam's review
4.0
Slow, but solid. I was interested in the occult underworld during the court of the Sun King that Merkle Riley presents in this book. The Shadow Queen was really something and I was shocked to learn that she was a real woman, who was burned at the stake! This author did a great job tying the historical figures with the fictional story of the marquise de Morville. What an interesting character! I don't really want to get into the plot, not because it is spoilery, but honestly it was fun watching Genvieve go through her various transformations.
There is a *hint of a love story here. It didn't realize satisfy me, I would have like a bit more in that department, but this book works well as a solid historical. There is enough intrigue here to keep you turning the pages and wondering how the police force led by de la Reynie will eventually catch up with the underground witches of Paris who deal in everything from black masses, to abortions, to fortune-telling to poisons. However, I found I wasn't really overly concerned with the fate of Paris witches in the book. I'm not sure why, but there was very little suspense for me in the book, though the author does attempt to build it in various ways. There is a confrontation at the start of the book between the marquese de Morville and the police chief to set off the action and then the author includes short chapters throughout from the perspective of the police officers, but neither device had me gripping the pages.
No, what kept me turning the pages was the incredible and unbelievable world that Merkle Riley paints of the French aristocracy and their intrigues seen not through the ballroom but through the eyes of a woman who through her role as fortune-teller was able to see all of its sordid inner workings.
There is a *hint of a love story here. It didn't realize satisfy me, I would have like a bit more in that department, but this book works well as a solid historical. There is enough intrigue here to keep you turning the pages and wondering how the police force led by de la Reynie will eventually catch up with the underground witches of Paris who deal in everything from black masses, to abortions, to fortune-telling to poisons. However, I found I wasn't really overly concerned with the fate of Paris witches in the book. I'm not sure why, but there was very little suspense for me in the book, though the author does attempt to build it in various ways. There is a confrontation at the start of the book between the marquese de Morville and the police chief to set off the action and then the author includes short chapters throughout from the perspective of the police officers, but neither device had me gripping the pages.
No, what kept me turning the pages was the incredible and unbelievable world that Merkle Riley paints of the French aristocracy and their intrigues seen not through the ballroom but through the eyes of a woman who through her role as fortune-teller was able to see all of its sordid inner workings.
alicias_books's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
laphenix's review
4.0
I loved the well-portrayed, complex society, and the characters, often multidimensional (at least a little), but the plot, good as it was, I'd expected to be a little more complex and surprising.
hezzann's review
5.0
This has got to be one of my all time favorite books! I love the setting, the characters and the dark humor that abounds in this novel. I now own every one of Riley's novels, and it all began with this wonderfully entertaining book.
morawynsmom's review
5.0
One of the best books I have ever read. Intriguing, descriptive, beautifully written, a strong and interesting female protagonist. I never had any interest in the history of Paris until I read this book. I will be searching out her other books as well. Give this book a try, it is remarkable.
plumeriade's review
3.0
i don't KNOW how i feel about this. on the one hand, i like Genevieve, the premise is fantastic, i enjoyed most of the story, and also spoiler alert two of the witches are LESBIANS. but there are also parts that just didn't do it for me. i know Genevieve is only a teenager but the romance drama, omg, please save me from it--and d'Urbec transforms from basically the nerdy philosopher in the corner to suddenly a suave genius, lol okay. and this is based on real stuff so maybe this is accurate, but i found it hard to believe that if these women really had ALL this power, they'd spend most of it on fights between the king's mistresses.... anyway, overall i liked it??
ktfish's review
4.0
Fascinating historical fiction read, with a marvelous touch of the arcane arts.
Abortions are very prevalent in this book because it's a society that has sex and no access to birth control, FYI.
Abortions are very prevalent in this book because it's a society that has sex and no access to birth control, FYI.