The Witch of Painted Sorrows

Originally Posted Over At fANGIRLconfessions -- http://fangirlavue.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-witch-of-painted-sorrows-review.html

As humans, we all know there's a big difference between loving something or someone, and being in love with that something or someone. Often times people blur the lines of both emotions, but not I. Whether it's in real life, or within this book community, I know that while one brings me great joy, the other rattles my bones, flushes my cheeks, and will have me on cloud 9 until I wish to come down. So when it comes to The Witch Of Painted Sorrows . . .

People, I am in love.

Beautiful Nightmare

Don't become like me. Don't light any fires . . . too easily the flames leap out and lick you.

I adore Adult Fiction, but I show more will admit -- I've been neglecting the genre. Not intentionally or anything, but for some reason I've been reading more YA & NA than anything. Thank goodness at the last minute I was able to review this novel, because this is most definitely a story you can NOT pass up.

The Witch Of Painted Sorrows, is one of the most incredibly written books I've read in all of my blogging career. It's written in a fairy-tale like manner, blending fact with fiction so magically, you'll question your own mental state in determining what was real and fake. We jump right into the story alongside our main character, Mademoiselle Sandrine Verlaine. In an attempt to discreetly leave her awful husband, she flees to Paris, France to reside with her grand-mere, with great hope she'll be kept safe. Things take an interesting turn, when we discover that Sandrine's grand-mere doesn't want her in Paris. She's quick to convince Sandrine to return back to the states to her husband, in fear that she'll fall victim to both the power and passion that the city holds. But it's not only Paris her grand-mere is afraid of.

The story switches gears, and as we begin to plummet into the darkness of La Lune, I couldn't help but to hold on for dear life.

Shall we dance, dear La Lune?

And as I drew, I heard words . . . her ruby-red words flowing . . . flowing like blood . . . as she whispered to me. I understood the words, but not their meaning, but I used them as part of the composition, weaving each letter of each word into her long curls, into the fabric of her elaborate skirt. Finally to love. Finally to end the pain. Finally to find the secrets of my soul.

I believe in spirits. I also believe that older homes, house the spirits of those who used to occupy it. As I moved deeper into the story, and began dusting off the secrets of the Maison De La Lune, (grand-mere's house) and Sandrine's ancestry, it was no surprise that I found myself completely fascinated by the witch's character. The creep factor was cranked up high, as Sandrine began to be possessed by the firery La Lune. Once a frail, frigid woman, she now was a lively character, filled with confidence, passion, and even lust for a man, although betrothed to another woman. This very possession allowed her to take risks -- to find herself -- to know what it means to love with your very soul . . .

but when the darkness of La Lune slowly took over Sandrine's innocence, it wasn't long before we knew who she was up against, and how this spirit would stop at nothing to get what she wanted . . .

Make of a powder, life everlasting . . .

When I went a day without him, I felt actual pain, like hunger pangs you suffer when you've gone too long without food. While this kind of feeling was new and marvelous, it was terrifying to be in it's grip.

I'm such a contemporary junkie -- especially one that enjoys a great romance no matter the genre, and because of this, I CRAVED Sandrine and Julien's relationship. Yes it was a bit scandalous, (who doesn't like a great scandal?) but the fire between these two were inextinguishable -- the passion undeniable. I felt like a little kid reading their scenes . . . eyes wide -- mouth open, giddy because I knew why Sandrine was hungry for this love, and even though it was wrong, and also kind of weird, it felt perfectly right. The amateur level of swoon in the YA & NA novels I've been reading, couldn't hold a candle to what I experienced with these two characters. No offense.

This book opened my eyes to the very realization -- I've been missing the beauty that comes with novels like this. The Witch Of Painted Sorrows consisted of writing so rich, flawless, and impeccably executed. An engrossing storyline/plot with subtle twists that still left you on the edge of your seat. Gripping characters, two of whom ignited an explosive romance, and one who created the darkness for this story, raising a few hairs on my arms.

If you ask me for a recommendation . . .

The Witch Of Painted Sorrows will be my answer every time. show less

Sandrine Salome runs away from her home in New York and manipulative husband after a tragedy. She returns to her Grandmother’s mansion in Paris; as a famous courtesan her Grandmother still maintains influence and wealth. When Sandrine arrives, she finds the mansion empty. Her Grandmother has moved away and plans to abandon her home and turn it into a museum. Sandrine is wrought with grief for her father and fear that her husband will find her when she arrives. However, she feels a pull towards her Grandmother’s mansion and the curse of La Lune that resides within. Finding the architect Julien Duplessi within the mansion, Sandrine and Julien unlock the force of Sandrine’s ancestor, La Lune and all of the dark powers that accompany show more La Lune’s restless spirit.
Addicting and spell-binding I felt pulled into the story as Sandrine was taken over by La Lune. I was completely captivated by the plot and Sandrine’s story. From the very beginning, there is a feeling that something is off. Sandrine ran away from more than just a loveless marriage, her Grandmother’s house is mysteriously unoccupied and her presence in France and especially at the mansion seems unwanted. The combination of the arts and the occult in Bel-Epoque Paris was evocative and mixed the paranormal with history in an exciting way. The mystery of La Lune had me fascinated as Sandrine was taken ahold by the spirit; at first it seemed a helpful agent in Sandrine’s life enhancing her sensuality and causing her to take a leap into becoming the first woman artist accepted into the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. However, as La Lune gained power Sandrine’s loved ones become increasingly endangered. Overall, this was a gripping, unique and suspenseful story that blended the right amounts of history, paranormal, romance and suspense.

This book was provided for free in return for an honest review. show less

Sandrine Salome flees New York for her grandmother’s Paris mansion to escape her dangerous husband, but what she finds there is even more menacing. The house, famous for its lavish art collection and elegant salons, is mysteriously closed up. Although her grandmother insists it’s dangerous for Sandrine to visit, she defies her and meets Julien Duplessi, a mesmerizing young architect. Together they explore the hidden night world of Paris, the forbidden occult underground and Sandrine’s deepest desires.

I think this book was exactly what I needed after the romp that was the last two books of the Leviathan Wakes series. It's quiet and arty and introspective. It was mythological and historical and magical and subtle above all else, show more and I really loved it. show less

Sandrine is a difficult character to categorize. On the one hand, she has the backbone necessary to leave her husband and even contemplate divorce, all at a time when it was unthinkable to do so. She pursues an education at the premier art school in all of Paris, even though they do not admit women as students. One could say she really does find herself in Paris and is ahead of her time when it comes to women’s rights.

Yet, Ms. Rose makes it well-known to the reader that most of Sandrine’s bold actions are not of her own making. In fact, she quite literally tells readers that this confidence is not Sandrine’s. One does not know the precise moment La Lune becomes more than a passive observer but it is obvious that it occurs fairly show more early into the story. All too quickly, one does not know where Sandrine’s thoughts and desires end and La Lune’s begin. While this may be the point, readers will find themselves wishing there was a bit less witch and more human to Sandrine’s character because of the glimpses of fierce independence and determination she shows when she first arrives in Paris. This knowledge diminishes everything Sandrine manages to accomplish, making her a much weaker character than one wants or expects because

Belle époque Paris is always a fascinating setting for a novel, and it does not disappoint in this one. Paris, particularly its bohemian artistic side, simply comes alive as Sandrine attends to her studies. Everything about the city, from its food to its air, is bright and intense, making Paris a true siren’s song. Separate from that though is Sandrine’s past and immediate present. Her worries about her estranged husband and the constant checks she does to remain hidden from his search seemingly have no place in such a vibrant city. Those moments when Sandrine’s past haunts her are jarring because of how grey and utterly opposite they are compared to her present.

The story itself is equally puzzling. First, there is the eroticism of the novel. Frankly, these scenes, of which there are many, are unnecessary to Sandrine’s overall story. Readers already understand that she is behaving in a way that is not typical for her; to continually show readers just how different she is behaving is overkill. In fact, these scenes feel gratuitous rather than vital, and readers will quickly tire of the rapidity at which they dissolve into a sex scene of some form. By the end, they are nothing more than the proverbial hammer with which Ms. Rose drives home the point of Sandrine’s odd behavior and potential possession.

Then there is the issue of just what Ms. Rose is trying to accomplish. One will not be able to decide whether The Witch of Painted Sorrows is a gothic ghost story, historical fiction, or historical erotica. It may indeed be all three, which is confusing in and of itself. Also, there are many unanswered questions that puzzle readers rather than entice them to continue the story. While one should expect a fair number of lingering questions in the first novel of any series, there are an alarming number of key issues without explanation, context, or hints. Sandrine never asks the questions readers want her to ask, and no one else offers much-needed answers.

The Witch of Painted Sorrows is interesting in much the same way people like watching disaster films or monster truck rallies. There is something so inexplicably bizarre about the story, its inability to fit neatly into a category, and its very nebulous purpose, that it is difficult for readers to turn away from it. The beautiful setting and strong writing displayed by Ms. Rose do help improve the experience, but even that will only get readers so far before the perplexing nature of the story becomes almost hypnotizing in its oddity. The novel ends in such a way that one could perceive it as a slight cliffhanger. For the right reader, it is enough to pique one’s interest in continuing the series. For others, though, it will be just one more quirk in a novel filled with them and a continuation of the frustrating lack of answers and closure the entire novel provides. show less

The setting creates an amazing ambiance – belle epoque Paris stirs the peruses attention, conjures the imagination. Rose takes full advantage and fulfills expectations with unbridled intent.

Rose manipulates language in such an enticing manner, enhancing the entire narrative, hypnotizing, sultry whatever the label it is lush. Her prose seduces the reader.

The characters offer sophistication, nimble not short of corporeal. All enchanting with their individuality and role.

With the perfect blending of supernatural, romance and mystery, all marrying to create a sensual reading exploration. The plot is involved, down right spellbinding, intoxicating with the turn of every page.

The ending leaves you craving more, your thirst not quite show more satiated while it is teased with one suspense filled ending inciting a riot of anxiety until the next sequel.

Provocative, opaque with a metaphysical presence, rousing. Highly recommend this wonderfully sculptured novel. Rose succeeds again, not surprising due to her unlimited talent and exceptional creativity. show less

M.J. Rose breathes to life a glimpse into the beauty and mysticism of 1890s Belle Époque Paris. With her beautiful prose, M.J. Rose paints a portrait nearly as striking as the artwork hanging in the Louvre. The breathtaking cover of The Witch of Painted Sorrows promises, in itself, something mysterious, yet stunning in a gothic, artistically erotic backdrop.

“I did not cause the madness, the deaths, or the rest of the tragedies any more than I painted the paintings.”

It wasn’t only the style that was admirable. The flaws in each character, Sandrine, her grandmother, to Julien each had such humanness that they were tragically beautiful or rather beautifully flawed. Even when I didn’t really like every choice the characters made, show more it only served to make them more real in the end.

If you enjoy books related to France and beautiful historical fiction with elements of love, magic, and art, The Witch of Painted Sorrows is a book to read. show less

The cover and the description of this book lured me in like a witch's spell of compulsion...

I have to admit that I'd previously read one other book by this author, and I really didn't like it very much. This one is silly and melodramatic to the extreme - but I enjoyed it.

Sandrine Salome Verlaine (the name right there tells you a lot about what this book is like) arrives in Paris, fleeing personal tragedy and a bad marriage. Arriving unexpectedly upon the doorstep of the grandmother she hasn't seen since she was fifteen, she expects a loving welcome.

However, her grandmother, a famed though aging courtesan, seems oddly trepidatious about Sandrine being in Paris. And when Sandrine starts pursuing a newfound love of art, she becomes even show more more apprehensive.
Little does she know that, against her directives, Sandrine is secretly snooping around her childhood home and associating with the handsome young architect she's hired for a renovation.

Soon, Sandrine is caught in a swirl of secrets and sex; mixed with occult rituals and the legends of her family concerning a long-dead courtesan and (it is rumored) witch, known as La Lune...

Will Sandrine's grandmother save her from the arcane influences that are sweeping her away? Does she even want to be saved?

As I said, the melodrama is on full display. There are plot events that happen for no reason at all other than the drama. We're not aiming for a realistic depiction of France or the time period, here. However, I have to award extra points for Gustave Moreau as an art professor!

Recommended for those in the mood for a sexy, fun read with a dark occult element.



Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria books for the opportunity to read. As always, my opinions are my own. show less