I received this book for free from Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tour in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Enemies of Versailles (The Mistresses of Versailles Trilogy #3) by Sally Christie
Pages: 416
Published by Atria Books
Publication Date March 21st 2017
Genres: Historical Fiction
Goodreads
In the final installment of Sally Christie’s “tantalizing” (New York Daily News) Mistresses of Versailles trilogy, Jeanne Becu, a woman of astounding beauty but humble birth, works her way from the grimy back streets of Paris to the palace of Versailles, where the aging King Louis XV has become a jaded and bitter old philanderer. Jeanne bursts into his life and, as the Comtesse du Barry, quickly becomes his official mistress.
“That beastly bourgeois Pompadour was one thing; a common prostitute quite another kettle of fish.”
After decades suffering the King's endless stream of Royal Favorites, the princesses of the Court have reached a breaking point. Horrified that he would bring the lowborn Comtesse du Barry into the hallowed halls of Versailles, Louis XV’s daughters, led by the indomitable Madame Adelaide, vow eternal enmity and enlist the young dauphiness Marie Antoinette in their fight against the new mistress. But as tensions rise and the French Revolution draws closer, a prostitute in the palace soon becomes the least of the nobility’s concerns.
Told in Christie’s witty and engaging style, the final book in The Mistresses of Versailles trilogy will delight and entrance fans as it once again brings to life the sumptuous and cruel world of eighteenth century Versailles, and France as it approaches inevitable revolution.
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Review
I am always looking for one more historical fiction author who can transport me to another time and Sally Christie has filled that slot. With The Enemies of Versailles she has taken me to a time a place that is not typically on my go-to list and after reading this novel I cannot get enough of it! The Sisters of Versailles trilogy reminds me of Philippa Gregory’s Tudor series. It is a set that works well together but is also wonderful as a stand alone. Also, the intrigue of court is superb and is the glue that holds the book together.
Adelaide and Jeanne are our protagonists and could not be more different from another. Adelaide is royal, well brought up and slightly bitter of her father’s dalliances. In contrast, Jeanne has led a difficult life, having to work her way through the streets to become that dalliance. Due to the king’s roaming eye, tension is created that could be cut with a knife and I must say I love it.
However, Adelaide did bore me. There are only so many ways one can condone and “humph” at another’s actions and while it was an interesting look at the other side I felt it slowed down the story. Perhaps it is my preference towards plots with a romantic rendezvous but I much prefered Jeanne’s sections of the book and read each word greedily. There was more depth to her story and enjoyed her rags to riches tale.
Despite the fact that The Enemies of Versailles is the last in a trilogy it can easily be read on its own. Sally Christie has fanciful writing and breathes life into the palace of Versailles and, effortlessly creates a story that takes little effort to be drawn into. Overall, The Enemies of Versailles is a novel I would recommend to lovers of historical fiction set in the grandeur of France or for anymore who enjoys a good romance with a little spice.
Praise for The Sisters of Versailles
“Such an extraordinary tale makes for compelling reading and, as the lead book in a planned trilogy, will draw in readers who are interested in royal lives before the French Revolution….historical fiction fans, unfamiliar with the history of the Nesle sisters, will be intrigued.” (Library Journal)
“Sally Christie’s The Sisters of Versailles is an intriguing romp through Louis XV’s France. Filled with lush backdrops, rich detail, and colorful characters, fans of historical fiction will enjoy this glimpse into the lost golden era of the French monarchy.” (Allison Pataki, author of THE ACCIDENTAL EMPRESS )
“A stunning breadth of period detail, offered in a fresh, contemporary voice.” (Juliet Grey, author of the acclaimed Marie Antoinette trilogy )
“Tantalizing descriptions and cliff-hangers will leave the reader rapidly turning the pages in anticipation… A wickedly delightful read.” (New York Daily News)
About the Author
Sally Christie is the author of The Sisters of Versailles and The Rivals of Versailles. She was born in England and grew up around the world, attending eight schools in three different languages. She spent most of her career working in international development and currently lives in Toronto.
Visit SallyChristieAuthor.com to find out more about Sally and the Mistresses of Versailles trilogy.
You can also find her on Facebook, Goodreads, and Amazon.
Blog Tour Schedule
Wednesday, March 15
Review at Historical Fiction Obsession
Interview at T’s Stuff
Thursday, March 16
Review at Leeanna.me
Review at The Lit Bitch
Friday, March 17
Review at To Read, Or Not to Read
Review at History From a Woman’s Perspective
Spotlight at What Is That Book About
Saturday, March 18
Review at Jorie Loves a Story
Spotlight at Books, Dreams, Life
Sunday, March 19
Spotlight at Passages to the Past
Monday, March 20
Review at A Chick Who Reads
Tuesday, March 21
Review at Book Lovers Paradise
Wednesday, March 22
Review at First Impressions Reviews
Review at Oh, for the Hook of a Book!
Thursday, March 23
Review at Broken Teepee
Friday, March 24
Review at Ageless Pages Reviews
Sunday, March 26
Review at The Gadoury Dreamer
Review & Interview at Clarissa Reads It All
Monday, March 27
Review at The Reading Queen
Tuesday, March 28
Review at Book Nerd
Review at Luxury Reading
Review at Svetlana’s Reads and Views
Wednesday, March 29
Review at Impressions in Ink
Review at A Bookaholic Swede
Thursday, March 30
Review at Curling up by the Fire
Friday, March 31
Review at Bookramblings
Review at CelticLady’s Reviews
Giveaway
Five copies of The Enemies of Versailles are up for grabs during the blog tour! To enter, please see the Gleam form below.
Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on March 31st. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to residents in the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
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