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A review by bethany_t
Mistress of the Sun by Sandra Gulland
4.0
I love this book like no other book before. I am always afraid to read novels like this because I’m sure they’ll either consist entirely of steamy, ridiculous sex scenes or clinical, dull writing worthy of the dryest of history books. This one was nothing like either! It was actually very demure concerning sex scenes despite focusing on the life of a mistress of King Louis XVI. And the novel itself was highly interesting. I loved the beginning as it reflected on bone magic and other rituals/superstitions common in that time period.
I was last exposed to (fictionalized) details of this time period via the Canal+ TV show “Versailles,” which took place after Petite’s time in court. So this was a refreshing look at the rule of Louis XVI. And Louise de la Vallière, or Petite, was just plain cool, for lack of a better term. I loved her fierce spirit and her sort of rags-to-riches story. She was treated with respect over her hunting skills instead of with contempt, and her passion for horses was what helped her connect with Louis XVI. She never let her limp, caused by a childhood riding accident, dissuade her from her interests.
I suppose I do have two complaints: (1) the many ways in which characters are referred and (2) multiple points of view. Characters are referred to by ever-changing titles, nicknames, middle names, etc. It was difficult to keep track of the many names of any individual. Also, my dislike of poorly executed multiple POVs rears its ugly head yet again! Most of this book was told through Petite’s POV, and it was jarring whenever it shifted, usually abruptly and for a section only a few paragraphs long. I wish it had just stuck with telling the story through Petite.
Verdict
I read about 100+ pages in one day at one point. This is a quick, enjoyable read.
So, who would enjoy this book?
Historical fiction lovers who won’t be too upset over a novel focusing on a consort but containing very little focus on sex scenes. Those who might not enjoy reading depictions of occult-linked rituals or superstitions may want to proceed with caution. (My sister is inexplicably sensitive about such topics and won’t even dare to look at the artwork of tarot cards! She was very upset after reading the first third of this book.) So if you have the same sensitivity regarding such depictions, this book isn’t for you.
I was last exposed to (fictionalized) details of this time period via the Canal+ TV show “Versailles,” which took place after Petite’s time in court. So this was a refreshing look at the rule of Louis XVI. And Louise de la Vallière, or Petite, was just plain cool, for lack of a better term. I loved her fierce spirit and her sort of rags-to-riches story. She was treated with respect over her hunting skills instead of with contempt, and her passion for horses was what helped her connect with Louis XVI. She never let her limp, caused by a childhood riding accident, dissuade her from her interests.
I suppose I do have two complaints: (1) the many ways in which characters are referred and (2) multiple points of view. Characters are referred to by ever-changing titles, nicknames, middle names, etc. It was difficult to keep track of the many names of any individual. Also, my dislike of poorly executed multiple POVs rears its ugly head yet again! Most of this book was told through Petite’s POV, and it was jarring whenever it shifted, usually abruptly and for a section only a few paragraphs long. I wish it had just stuck with telling the story through Petite.
Verdict
I read about 100+ pages in one day at one point. This is a quick, enjoyable read.
So, who would enjoy this book?
Historical fiction lovers who won’t be too upset over a novel focusing on a consort but containing very little focus on sex scenes. Those who might not enjoy reading depictions of occult-linked rituals or superstitions may want to proceed with caution. (My sister is inexplicably sensitive about such topics and won’t even dare to look at the artwork of tarot cards! She was very upset after reading the first third of this book.) So if you have the same sensitivity regarding such depictions, this book isn’t for you.