mary_r_m's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to netgalley and Scholastic for allowing me access to this title.
As a default genre, I love historical fiction. This one offered such a different view of the French Revolution, it was very interesting.
It was well written, and drew me into the story. It makes me want to research more about the royal family and the young princess.
As a default genre, I love historical fiction. This one offered such a different view of the French Revolution, it was very interesting.
It was well written, and drew me into the story. It makes me want to research more about the royal family and the young princess.
missprint_'s review against another edition
3.0
Marie-Therese Charlotte is the Child of France despite never setting foot outside the palace. As the daughter of Louis the XVI and Marie Antoinette, Marie-Therese lives a life of luxury and isolation save for her dear friend Ernestine.
When the two girls realize they are strikingly similar in appearance, Marie-Therese hatches a plan to see the real Paris once and for all. But what Marie-Therese sees outside the palace is a shock. People are hungry and angry at the royal family. There is talk of revolution everywhere. After befriending a boy she meets in Paris, Marie-Therese is no longer sure who is right or even what to believe.
But as revolution rages and the Terror cuts a bloody path through Paris, Marie-Therese will be forced into hiding while Ernestine holds the princess' place as a captive. Taking refuge with Henri at a well-known wax exhibit, Marie-Therese will learn that she is not the only one in Paris with a secret. Even the wax figures themeselves may be hiding something in Faces of the Dead (2014) by Suzanne Weyn.
Weyn delivers a powerhouse novel with high appeal and lots of action in a slim and easy to read volume. Although Marie-Therese often comes across as immature and naive, it generally makes sense in the context of the story and her origins.
A supernatural twist with wax figures and historical characters add a fun layer to this story as Weyn draws out real details to fantastical conclusions. Although the romantic element here is not always the most convincing, Faces of the Dead remains a solid story that serves as a fine introduction to both voodoo and the French Revolution.
An author's note at the end of the story separates fact from fiction and highlights the real figures from history who feature in the story for further reading options.
*A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for review*
When the two girls realize they are strikingly similar in appearance, Marie-Therese hatches a plan to see the real Paris once and for all. But what Marie-Therese sees outside the palace is a shock. People are hungry and angry at the royal family. There is talk of revolution everywhere. After befriending a boy she meets in Paris, Marie-Therese is no longer sure who is right or even what to believe.
But as revolution rages and the Terror cuts a bloody path through Paris, Marie-Therese will be forced into hiding while Ernestine holds the princess' place as a captive. Taking refuge with Henri at a well-known wax exhibit, Marie-Therese will learn that she is not the only one in Paris with a secret. Even the wax figures themeselves may be hiding something in Faces of the Dead (2014) by Suzanne Weyn.
Weyn delivers a powerhouse novel with high appeal and lots of action in a slim and easy to read volume. Although Marie-Therese often comes across as immature and naive, it generally makes sense in the context of the story and her origins.
A supernatural twist with wax figures and historical characters add a fun layer to this story as Weyn draws out real details to fantastical conclusions. Although the romantic element here is not always the most convincing, Faces of the Dead remains a solid story that serves as a fine introduction to both voodoo and the French Revolution.
An author's note at the end of the story separates fact from fiction and highlights the real figures from history who feature in the story for further reading options.
*A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for review*
lady_nett's review against another edition
3.0
This book was an enjoyable read for what it was. You have to give up any yearn for historical accuracy but if you can manage that it can be enjoyable. The one thing it was really lacking for me was the last of characterization. The book had wonderful characters but had I not known them from history I would barely know anything about them.
scottyreadsstuff's review against another edition
4.0
It was pretty good, it just didn't have the 5-star quality I was hoping for.
emilygrn's review against another edition
3.0
Could have been longer; develop the story more. There were a lot of gaps....
peachy_dreamy's review
2.0
I decided to read this because I enjoyed Weyn's Distant Waves, but the pace was too fast detached. I liked the characters, but the love story happened too fast and wasn't very deep or riveting. It was more like it was decided at the last minute to make this short book a little longer. The entire thing seemed kind of half-assed, like "hmm, I want to write a book!" Minus all the research and things that go into a historical fiction, of course. It feels like something a friend of mine would write -- she's very dear, but she doesn't write very well. Was this book revised at all? Would not recommend.
tja055f6's review
3.0
Received from:Scholastic
Received Via: NetGalley.com
THE REVIEW
Why this book?
I always been interested in the French Revolution
What I thought
I always been interested in Marie Antoinette, so seeing this was supposed to be about her daughter I didn't hesitate to request it. The premise was interesting and the story moved on rather quickly but at parts it was lacking. Like the romance I just didn't feel the connection. I also couldn't connect with with the characters and all the voodoo stuff I thought was ridiculous. I thought I was reading historical fiction not supernatural. I liked this book but didn't love it, it held my attention till the end nonetheless.
Received Via: NetGalley.com
THE REVIEW
Why this book?
I always been interested in the French Revolution
What I thought
I always been interested in Marie Antoinette, so seeing this was supposed to be about her daughter I didn't hesitate to request it. The premise was interesting and the story moved on rather quickly but at parts it was lacking. Like the romance I just didn't feel the connection. I also couldn't connect with with the characters and all the voodoo stuff I thought was ridiculous. I thought I was reading historical fiction not supernatural. I liked this book but didn't love it, it held my attention till the end nonetheless.
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