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Moliere Racine Gulland brings the world of the theater alive and is extremely knowledgeable so this book was a delightful learning experience for me Claudette des Oiellets parents were veteran performers but life had not been kind to them financially leaving Claudette yearning for a better life She soon becomes acquainted with Athenais through the theater and becomes her closest confidante and servant Athenais blesses the King with a new child every year In the later months of pregnancy Claudette is expected to fill in for Athenais in the bedroom so the King s eye won t be tempted by the beautiful women at court Athenais has resorted to secretly mixing love potions obtained from the witch de Voisin into the King s food and drink The cruel.

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Is determined to bring her down The industrious Louvois learns through his spies that Athenais is consorting with the witch de Voison and Louvois doesn t waste time bringing this to the King s attention When questioned de Voisin admits to providing her with aphrodisiacs and had black masses performed in order to keep favor with the king over her rivals Was Athenais really guilty of performing child sacrifices and black masses to keep the king s love or was her known enemy Louvois guilty of false accusations Was de Voisin tortured when making these accusations This scandal now referred to as Affair of the Poisons is still being debated today. Epub the shadow queen free I would ve liked this book better if attention was paid to the outrageous Athenais instead of mainly focusing on the French theater and Claudette des Oiellets This is my only complaint but I still found this book enjoyable to read and appreciated the author s diligent research 0385537522 Find this and other reviews at Shadow Queen marks my first experience with author Sandra Gulland and I m kind of bummed to report it didn t exactly pan out the way I d hoped it would While not particularly bad.

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Those following the popular trend of royal mistress novels will find The Shadow Queen the newest member of this growing category strikingly different fare. The shadow queenj jjk In her previous excursions into French history Sandra Gulland had chronicled the stories of two court outsiders Empress Josephine and Louise de la Valli re who never expected to capture a monarch s heart Her fifth book depicts an even unlikely entrant to exalted royal circles Claude des Oeillets nicknamed Claudette a tall attractive woman with stagecraft in her blood In rich descriptive language she recounts her life story from her youth as a poor traveling player wandering the French countryside outside Poitiers with her parents and mentally disabled brother through her unwitting involvement in the notorious Affaire des Poisons during the Sun King s reign. Literature fiction the shadow queen series Claudette s rise in status is tethered to that of Mademoiselle de Tonnay Charente an aristocratic girl whose beauty is as ethereal as the moon and whose privileged life seems as unattainable Their lives intersect several times during Claudette s teen years In 1660 the desperate quest for work draws her family to Paris where she glimpses her dazzling counterpart as she passes by in her handsomely appointed carriage her golden earlocks adorned with ribbons a single strand of pearls tied at the back of her neck she looked like a creature from another world With these incandescent words Gulland illustrates Claudette s growing enchantment with the young woman who calls herself Ath na s a name that will surely register with devotees of the period This fervent almost romantic desire for Ath na s and her alluring world will cause the otherwise levelheaded Claudette to forsake her old life and will push her onto a glamorous and dangerous stage than the one she knows. Shadow of the dragon queen pdf download Claudette s heart and the novel s lies in the bustling world of the 17th century Parisian theatre This atmosphere pulses with activity the designing of sets the players pre show stresses and magnificent performances and the fierce rivalry among playwrights Corneille and Moli re and that troublesome newcomer Racine who has his own agenda These vivacious characters and scenes beg the question of why novelists haven t made use of this fabulous material As Claudette mends costumes and takes on minor roles she sees her widowed mother the fragile yet brilliant Alix achieve renown as a tragic actress another hidden from history tale which Gulland places before her audience. The shadow queen's cowl There was a downside to the acting life in this time and place though Performers were admired while in their element but elsewhere they were scorned by many the church included As such Claudette and her associates are forbidden the Eucharist and proper burial when the time comes unless they renounce the stage And so when Ath na s now married to the unpleasant Marquis de Montespan has need of someone she can trust Claudette trades her comfortable place in the theatre for a respectable position as Ath na s confidential maid. Shadow queen part 2 Through the story of Claudette s role as suivante to the temperamental Ath na s Louis XIV s favorite mistress both the opulence and hypocrisy of court life are laid bare The castle at Saint Germain en Laye is furnished with every luxury and the view from its turrets so breathtaking with the frozen Seine unfurled like a silver ribbon in and around the gentle hills clouded at times by wreaths of smoke that readers may find themselves lingering over that scene just to spend time there. The shadow queen book 2 However nearly everyone in this wondrous place hides their true selves behind a mask To her credit Ath na s is no snob and is generous to her maid but her obsession with eliminating competition for the king s favor leads them into dicey situations and leaves Claudette to find her own way out. The shadow queen's cowl Claudette is a sympathetic character over the 30 plus years that her tale extends though her eagerness to please can be overplayed She spices her narrative with parenthetical asides and interjections Ay me that are sometimes charming sometimes cloying Her servant s role doesn t give her a front row seat at the royal court which may dishearten fans looking for juicier intrigue but she s a perceptive storyteller nonetheless. The shadow queen's cowl Servants are granted a uniquely close up view of royalty and while King Louis intimidates Claudette through her eyes he s shown in a human light One episode in which she and his valet awkwardly wait outside Ath na s rooms during her noisy lovemaking session with the king shows the author s flair for comedy as well as drama Likewise while Claudette describes King Louis as a handsome well made man she can t help but observe that His Majesty was taller than most almost as tall as I was Both here and elsewhere Gulland s heroine proves to be a loyal valiant woman who can hold her head up high First posted at Reading the Past 0385537522 As an ardent Francophile I loved this story about Claude des Oeillets actress daughter maid and pawn in the court of the Sun King The theater scenes were particularly fascinating A rich and satisfying read 0385537522 I was so looking forward to the time period of the Sun King and just couldn t get disappointed. The shadow queen book It starts with a young Claudette and her family wandering the French countryside as acting troupe and searching for a town to display their talents By the time they arrive in Paris you d think the story would show some clear direction But it still is going somewhere and can t get there A lot of pages are dedicated to a show and what it evolves to make a good show. The shadow queen's cowl The first mention of the King and his Spanish Queen comes on page 99 and it s just a very brief introduction Then the story progresses with a friendship of Claudette and Athenais mistress of Louis XIV. The shadow queen age rating It seems as Claudette has the lead in the story but at the same time something continues to miss The depth to her character and her story She loves her brother clearly which is well presented but the story should be evolving around her and not her brother mother and friend FB BestHistoricalFiction 0385537522 Thank you to Netgalley and Doubleday for allowing me a copy to review. The shadow queen genre Yes I thought that I was going to be reading about this Shadow Queen but the truth is that the story was centered around her attendant Claudette des Oeillets Did this matter to me Not at all I found that the life of Claudette was so interesting that I forgot the title of the book right away. The queen shadow and bone Claudette was raised in poverty Her family was basically part of a travelling acting troupe who would find work wherever they could even if it be near a beheading where they knew there would be a crowd. Shadow queen characters When Claudette was a child by chance she crossed paths with the future mistress of Louis XIV Athenais de Montespan and once again as an adult They seemed to have some kind of innate bond and Athenais hires Claudette to be her assistant. Literature fiction the shadow queen series Claudette having been raised practically non existant in social circles jumped at the chance to live amongst the wealthy and powerful She soon learned that appearances aren t always what they seemed and the limit of her personal morals were soon to be tested How far would she go to provide for her family In my opinion this novel was very fulfilling and I appreciated that the character being impoverished most of her life took a stance in her life Claudette knew her moral and ethical stances and stood by them albeit still going a bit beyond what she was comfortable with at times It seems from other historical fiction that I have read that usually the poor will do just about anything to be amongst such powerful people and I appreciate Claude for her bravery and commitment. The shadow queen bato I would not only recommend this book for historical fiction lovers but also to those who appreciate non conformity although it may be stretched at times of a main character 0385537522 I loved this book It was gripping informative and well constructed It is told through the fascinating perspective of Claudette attendant and confidant of The Sun King s mistress It seductively intertwines the conflict between the theater royalty and the Catholic Church the lure of wealth and the illusion of power. The shadow queen literature fiction stories Sandra Gulland is an established writer with a following of her internationally bestselling Josephine B Trilogy Set against the gilded opulence of a newly constructed Versailles and the Franco Dutch War the book is a captivating mirror of court life sorcery and is a feast for theater lovers It is visually appealing with an attractive cover mirrored by icons beginning each chapter A cast of characters historical notes glossary and geneaology enrich the reader s understanding A readers guide for book clubs is provided on www. The shadow queen novel com 0385537522 From the author of the beloved Josephine B Trilogy comes a spellbinding novel inspired by the true story of a young woman who rises from poverty to become confidante to the most powerful provocative and dangerous woman in the 17th century French court the mistress of the charismatic Sun King. Is the shadow queen dead 1660 ParisClaudette s life is like an ever revolving stage set From an impoverished childhood wandering the French countryside with her family s acting troupe Claudette finally witnesses her mother s astonishing rise to stardom in Parisian theaters Working with playwrights Corneille Moli re and Racine Claudette s life is culturally rich but like all in the theatrical world at the time she s socially scorned A series of chance encounters gradually pull Claudette into the alluring orbit of Ath na s de Montespan mistress to Louis XIV and reigning Shadow Queen Needing someone to safeguard her secrets Ath na s offers to hire Claudette as her personal attendant Enticed by the promise of riches and respectability Claudette leaves the world of the theater only to find that court is very much like a stage with outward shows of loyalty masking devious intentions This parallel is not lost on Ath na s who fears political enemies are plotting her ruin as young courtesans angle to take the coveted spot in the king s bed Indeed Claudette s reputable new position is marked by spying illicit trysts and titanic power struggles As Ath na s becomes ever desperate to hold onto the King s favor innocent love charms move into the realm of deadly Black Magic and Claudette is forced to consider a move that will put her own life and the family she loves so dearly at risk Set against the gilded opulence of a newly constructed Versailles and the War of Theaters THE SHADOW QUEEN is a seductive gripping novel about the lure of wealth the illusion of power and the increasingly uneasy relationship between two strong willed women whose actions could shape the future of France The Shadow Queen3. The shadow queen historical fiction review 5 The title refers to Athenais de Montespan who for many years was said to have the power of a queen as the long term mistress of Louis XIV It has been many years since I have read anything about the Sun KIng and I don t remember ever reading about laude des Pellets who for a time was Athenais s servant and confidant. The shadow queen's cowl This is actually her story starting in the theater with her performing parents I loved reading about the early days of the theater the theater wars and the famous playwright Pierre Corneille The settings the infighting the competition between playwrights who were often given an endowment from the crown The scenes are vivid the descriptions wonderful. The shadow queen historical fiction review We are treated to a young Athenais her first love her famous temper tantrums her potions to strengthen the kings ardor and her jealousy always afraid of losing his favor and being replaced by someone younger The poison scandal the debates between theater government and the Catholic Church Claude see it all helps her mistress in procuring her various potions trying to care for her sick mother and her brother A woman who I thought took loyalty to a new level. The shadow queen aos A wonderfully entertaining read and as always I applaud the author for her notes that helps the reader know what is history and what is not 0385537522 The Shadow Queen is the 2nd book by Gulland set in the court of the Sun King Louis XIV which relates the tale of Athenais de Montespan his 2nd official mistress Louis s first love Louise de la Valliere became ill with what is now suspected to be Multiple Sclerosis which caused Louis s eyes to began to wander Athenais lady in waiting to Louise and one of her best friends didn t hesitate to steal Louis away from her breaking Louise s heart Athenais turns out to be a grasping greedy horror fighting tooth and nail to preserve her status as official mistress to the King She will soon resort to associating with Catherine de Voisin a Parisian witch known for her love potions and supposed occult skills. The shadow queen oracle card Athenais story is told from the POV of Claudette des Oiellets a two bit former actress and servant of Athenais Author s Note I Sandra Gulland was first enchanted with the world of seventeenth century French theater almost a half century ago Corneille arrogant and power hungry Athenais makes many enemies and soon Louis s chief minister of war Louvois it wasn t all that good and left me at a bit of a loss I think a lot of the hype surrounding this title is connected to Ath na s de Montespan as the jacket description gives her character significant prominence Thing is The Shadow Queen isn t about Ath na s It is about Claudette des Oeillets The story begins in 1651 where fourteen year old Claudette is introduced as a tumbler working alongside her parents for their daily bread For a time the family struggles happily along but when tragedy strikes she is forced into a very different role I m not in the business of recapping so if you want the story read the book Point is Gulland spends a significant portion of the next several chapters exploring theater culture and historic events related to various troupes and playwrights of the period It s great material but bear in mind Claudette sits on the sidelines for most of it making sets mending costumes watching the players studying their craft that sort of thing She rarely steps in front of an audience so in terms of movement there is just not much going on Now if you re rereading the description and thinking something doesn t line up you re right What of Claudette s life at Court The titanic power struggles What happened to that bit Good question my friends a very good question The reality here is that Ath na s lives in gilded opulence spying on her peers and scheming against her rivals while enjoying illicit affairs with the Sun King but our narrator does not bear witness to her rise to power which leaves us effectively in the dark In point of fact our heroine doesn t take a position in the royal household until Chapter 37 That s right it takes than half the novel to get our girl in the thick of things and not only that Claudette decides she can t take the heat and boogies by the end of Chapter 54 never to return To add insult to injury she attends no balls partakes in no political scheming and while she is manipulated into a few brief intrigues most of the intervening chapters are dedicated to the things she does away from the royal residence e. Literature fiction the shadow queen series g nursing her ailing mother attending to the needs of her younger brother and running errands for her mistress Again decent material but not what I was expecting given the description. Shadow queen coc animation Somewhere along the line I placed blame for this debacle with the marketing department but when I actually finished the book I found that Gulland s story in and of itself had me raising an eyebrow in confusion Structurally there were a lot of things I didn t understand about this novel Like the relationship between Claudette and Ath na s Can someone please explain this The first time they meet Claudette gives Ath na s a spell that naturally doesn t work Ath na s demands something stronger to which Claudette promises a poison in exchange for a favor The favor is granted but Claudette skips town and doesn t see Ath na s again for years Yet when next they meet the two are instantaneously thick as thieves sharing secrets like sorority sisters Did I miss something Where did the vote of confidence come from Kind of kills the basis of the book when you can t understand the very foundation of the story Gulland further confused me by incorporating several elements that seem entirely irrelevant What s the deal with the Bird Catcher And the scene with the stolen cloak how does that further the plot Claudette s brief and altogether inexplicable affection for Alexandre again what the heck Why waste time on this material I don t understand Maybe I am just the wrong reader in that I don t get Gulland s style or grasp what she was trying to say but when all is said and done I think this is one of those books I wanted to like than I actually did Great material but not what I was looking for in terms of storytelling 0385537522 A novel of 17th century France set in the time of the Sun King and fraught with religious conflict widespread war and a dizzying parade of innovation and intrigue in the world of theatre It s the age of the Great Corneille and the upstarts Moliere and Racine and from the halls of a new palace outside Paris Versailles the king s mistress spins her webs aided by her good hearted ex actress confidante Claudette Sounds like it would make for a good read eh No just no. The shadow queen book Sad because the first few pages had a sort of lyrical elegance and beauty of expression that I was looking forward to wallowing in for 300 pages I don t know what was going on in those pages but after about chapter 2 the quality drops off the text filling with strange parentheticals inappropriate colons and the protagonist saying Ay me to herself. The shadow queen anne bishop There s very little development of character or theme There are times when an interesting concept or person is thrown into the text in an offhand manner the protagonist claiming some familiarity and you wonderwhy didn t we hear about that 100 pages ago That would have made the novel interesting Conversely other concepts are introduced early on then abandoned as if forgotten such as the protagonist s interest in chivalry and the plight of young boys in Paris. Shadow of the dusk queen pdf Frustratingly the book flirts with non binary sexual orientation but only until it decides to just stop and introduce a heterosexual romance in the last 75 pages or so Sigh What was the point Some reviewers have been frustrated by the book s lack of focus on the titular Shadow Queen the Marquise de Montespan Louis XVI s mistress I have less of a problem with that the protagonist Claudette is just as historical a figure and seeing the court intrigue from her once removed POV plays nicely with the theme that it s all a sort of deadly stagecraft Unfortunately all the characters are paper thin We re given to understand that the Marquise Athenais has a rocky place in the French power structure with many influential figures coming after her But we re never given a sense of why she s considered a threat For all she s described as being the de facto queen of France it s never shown what that means she s not depicted as having any particular influence on policy or making any decisions that effect folks beyond the orbit of her and the king and then only in the bedroom It all adds up to a story without any stakes and characters with the thinnest of motivation. Historical fiction the shadow queen summary A final word What is with these books that are constantly jumping between little chunks of text This smacks of an author who is uncomfortable maintaining a scene You should ideally be able to go for a few pages before running out of narrative steam It s effective to jump around in sequences of high action or suspense I point you to the Wheel of Time chapter With the Choeden Kal deep in the heart of the series spoilers get to it when you get to it as an effective example but when you do it as a matter of course the strategy loses its impact and your novel feels like a sequence of disconnected pieces that you ve strung together Pro tip 0385537522 I loved this think the title is a little misleading because the story is actually about a girl who is a theater player getting caught in the web of the shadow queen Better title would ve been The Shadow Queen s Player but regardless it was fantastic Highly recommend 0385537522

The Shadow Queen By Sandra Gulland

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9780385537520

English

336

Hardcover

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Im the author of the JOSEPHINE B TRILOGY the internationally best selling novels based on the life of Josephine Bonaparte Napoleons wife The Trilogy has been published in 17 countries The Trilogy was followed by MISTRESS OF THE SUN and then THE SHADOW QUEEN a sister novel Both novels are set in the Court of Louis XIV the Sun King THE GAME OF HOPE a Young Adult novel about Josephine Bonapartes daughter and Napoleons stepdaughter has been published in Canada and the US I am now writing another Young Adult historical novel about a young falconer in Elizabethan England An American Canadian I was born in Miami Florida and lived in Rio de Janeiro Berkeley and Chicago before immigrating to Canada in 1970 to teach in an Inu I m the author of the JOSEPHINE B TRILOGY the internationally best selling novels based on the life of Josephine Bonaparte Napoleon s wife The Trilogy has been published in 17 countries The Trilogy was followed by MISTRESS OF THE SUN and then THE SHADOW QUEEN a sister novel Both novels are set in the Court of Louis XIV the Sun King THE GAME OF HOPE a Young Adult novel about Josephine Bonaparte s daughter and Napoleon s stepdaughter has been published in Canada and the US I am now writing another Young Adult historical novel about a young falconer in Elizabethan England An American Canadian I was born in Miami Florida and lived in Rio de Janeiro Berkeley and Chicago before immigrating to Canada in 1970 to teach in an Inuit village in northern Labrador Settling in Toronto I worked as a book editor for a decade before moving with my husband and two children to a log house in northeastern Ontario where in 1985 I began writing full time Our two children grown my husband and I now live half the year in Ontario and half in San Miguel de Allende Mexico For information about me my research and work go to my website at site_link www. The shadow queen aos After reading many books about Athenais I wouldn t put anything past her: The shadow critique I will admit that I don t know much about France in the 17th century so I was thrilled to get a copy of this novel: Literature fiction the shadow queen series It s a frustratingly simplistic book about a complex time that tries to convince the reader that it is in fact complex But it isn t, Epub the shadow queen free com I also write a blog and can be found on the Net in a number of locals Website site_link site_link site_link site_link site_link.

.The problem is the progression of the story.sandragulland.sandragulland