Karleen Koen

I’ve always had a soft spot for the antics of the French court even more so than the English courts and I’m the type of person who can’t turn down a story about the Tudors. In books revolving around the monarchy, whether French or English, one can’t have a story without a mistress and let’s all agree that’s what makes the story. Isn’t that why these books are so much fun? Oh, it is and Koen doesn’t disappoint.

Cardinal Mazarin, the French prime minister, is dead and Louis XIV, show more only twenty-two years-old, is now king of France and a king with power. That power is not yet firmly grasped but he’s intent on learning to yield it fully. Unaware of many of the financial arrangements his mother and the Cardinal made while ruling in his stead, he’s in for a surprise when he finally takes it upon himself to investigate. Unsure of his financial minister’s monetary affairs and how mingled they are with the crown’s accounts, he has suspicions and employs a faithful counselor to help him sort through the courtly promises and financial advice being offered.

To add another distraction, Louis has fallen in love with his brother Philippe’s wife, Princess Henriette, a woman captivating not only the king but the entire French court. A man not used to being denied, Louis attempts to make Henriette his mistress against the wishes of not only his brother but also his mother who believes it will be his downfall. Married to a woman he greatly admires for her breeding and royal pedigree, unfortunately, he doesn’t truly love her and is looking for a distraction she can’t provide. He knows it’s the idea of passion and surprise that comes from his illicit affair with Henriette but Louis can’t help himself. To calm the court, Henriette suggests he flirt with one of her maids; a shy but very pretty young woman named Louise. Then something happens he didn’t expect --- Louis finds he might have fallen in love.

Before Versailles started slowly for but it was almost as if it was waiting for Louis to find his footing as king and once he found his confidence, so did the story. While the affair between Louis and Henriette is more intense, the affair with Louise is completely the opposite but in a way more satisfying. All the court intrigue requirements needed for a story like this are met and then some. Oddly, the financial scandal is also quite good, adding a harder edge to what is mostly a love story. It’s a nice contrast for Louis as he grows into his role as a king and what he’s dealing with on the political level makes you see why he craves love in the quieter parts of his life. I was happy to see the political elements here. In stories about kings and mistresses it sometimes gets pushed to the side and becomes background noise. Here that doesn’t happen and it’s refreshing. There is a small side story involving Louise that feels slightly out of place but it’s the only stumble in an otherwise entertaining book.

I read a lot of historical fiction and I love when authors find a way to make well-known figures interesting and intense characters that allow you to imagine another life for that person. Koen does that with Louis XIV. I finished wanting to know more about the king that would build the palace of Versailles. That can be difficult to accomplish sometimes. show less

I read this book originally two years ago and just listened to it again, this time as a book on tape. It's wonderful historical fiction and probably paints the best picture of court intrigue during the time of Louis XIV of any book I've read.

The book covers four pivotal months in Louis's reign, when he is 22 and eager to assume complete power after growing up under the shadow of his mother and Cardinal Mazarin, who has recently died when the book begins. Louis's queen is expecting their show more first child, he becomes infatuated with his brother's new wife, Henriette, and the mystery of the man in the iron mask is about to unfold. The book also covers the early days of Louis's love affair with Louise de la Valliere, who is the clear heroine of the book in my mind.

But what's wonderfully described is the environment of deceit that surrounds the King, as people try to gain royal favor. Friends, relatives, even confessors -- very few can be trusted. The side stories of the building of Vaux-le-Vicomte and the fall of finance minister Nicolas Fouquet are both delicious. The reader gets the clear sense of how lonely it truly is to be a king. show less

I read this book originally two years ago and just listened to it again, this time as a book on tape. It's wonderful historical fiction and probably paints the best picture of court intrigue during the time of Louis XIV of any book I've read.

The book covers four pivotal months in Louis's reign, when he is 22 and eager to assume complete power after growing up under the shadow of his mother and Cardinal Mazarin, who has recently died when the book begins. Louis's queen is expecting their show more first child, he becomes infatuated with his brother's new wife, Henriette, and the mystery of the man in the iron mask is about to unfold. The book also covers the early days of Louis's love affair with Louise de la Valliere, who is the clear heroine of the book in my mind.

But what's wonderfully described is the environment of deceit that surrounds the King, as people try to gain royal favor. Friends, relatives, even confessors -- very few can be trusted. The side stories of the building of Vaux-le-Vicomte and the fall of finance minister Nicolas Fouquet are both delicious. The reader gets the clear sense of how lonely it truly is to be a king. show less

My first worry upon starting this book was that the Duchess of Tamworth might no longer be with us......she is! Alive and kicking and more astute and ornery than ever.

In this book, new characters are introduced and old characters take on more dominant roles. We start out with Barbara's New World adventures, which could be subtitled 'Lady Devane Grows Up'. Barbara is at last pitched forcefully from the cocoon of her sheltering life and her focus on her own needs and desires. She becomes a show more socially conscious young woman and begins to take an active role. She learns much about life and love, as well as land and tobacco crops and slave labor. She experiences a tragic loss. She returns to England.

We also have the treat of a fascinating historical backdrop for the action. Back home the throne of George I is being threatened by rumors of invasion; the Stewart claimant to the throne is said to be putting together an army to come to England. The situation is tense, as no one truly knows which side anyone else might be aligned with. Barbara soon finds herself in a precarious situation; she has to balance her position at court with her love for a Jacobite spy; meanwhile her mother, Diana, is sharing her bed with Robert Walpole, a man who poses great danger to Barbara.

Barbara's childhood friend, Jane Ashford Cromwell, along with Jane's husband, Augustus Cromwell, and her father, Sir John Ashford come to the forefront of the action in this book. Their story is action packed and very good; although not tragedy free.

For me the true stars of this novel were Alexander "Lumpy" Pendarves and Louisa, Lady Shrewsbury. Their December romance is funny and sweet. And how about that reveal.....I wanted to high-five Aunt Shrew at the end of the book; what an awesome crazy old broad she was!

From here we have a prequel of sorts in "Dark Angel", which tells the tale of Lady Alice Varney as a young lady at the court of Charles II. Good, because I'm not sure I would want to read any books in this series without her......she should always be a character. show less