The Oracle Glass - Softcover

Riley, Judith Merkle

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1402270585 ISBN 13: 9781402270581

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark, 2012

Synopsis

New York Times and USA Today Bestseller!

"An outstanding historical novel of 17th-century France ... based on a real-life scandal known as the Affaire des Poisons, this tale is riveting from start to finish."--Library Journal

Her ability to see the future may prevent her from living in the present...

For a handful of gold, Madame de Morville will read your future in a glass of swirling water. You'll believe her, because you know she's more than 150 years old and a witch, and she has all of Paris in the palm of her hand. But Madame de Morville hides more behind her black robes than you know. Her real age, the mother and uncle who left her for dead, the inner workings of the most secret society of Parisian witches: none of these truths would help her outwit the rich who so desperately want the promise of the future. After all, it's her own future she must control, no matter how much it is painted with uncertainty and clouded by vengeance.

More Praise for The Oracle Glass:
"Absorbing and arresting."--New York Times
"Fascinating and factual."--Los Angeles Times
"Chilly, witty, and completely engrossing ... great, good fun."-- Kirkus Reviews
"Take a full cup of wit, two teaspoons of brimstone, and a dash of poison, and you have Judith Merkle Riley's mordant, compelling tale of an ambitious young woman who disguises herself as an ancient prophetess in order to gain entry into the dangerous, scheming glamour of the Sun King's court. Based on scandalous true events, The Oracle Glass brims with our human foibles, passions, and eccentricities; it's a classic of the genre and unlike any historical novel you have ever read."--C. W. Gortner, author of The Confessions of Catherine de Medici

About this title

Review:

"Open the pages and out comes a whiff of brimstone, as The Oracle Glass transports you to the Paris of kings and witches, on a guided tour of corruption, love and sorcery." - Diana Gabaldon

"This historically accurate, exciting novel -- and a true-crime story with the flavor of Umberto Ecco's The Name of the Rose and a little Mary Stewart thrown in -- is a remarkable tour de force and a compelling read. Don't miss this one! " - Jean M. Auel, author of The Clan of the Cave Bear series

"Take a full cup of wit, two teaspoons of brimstone, and a dash of poison, and you have Judith Merkle Riley's mordant, compelling tale of an ambitious young woman who disguises herself as an ancient prophetess in order to gain entry into the dangerous, scheming glamour of the Sun King's court. Based on scandalous true events, The Oracle Glass brims with our human foibles, passions, and eccentricities; it's a classic of the genre and unlike any historical novel you have ever read." - C.W. Gortner, author of The Confessions of Catherine de Medici

"The Oracle Glass was a wonderful, magical read. " - She Reads Novels

"Historical fantasy is one of my favorite sub-genres, and it's so hard to find good books that fit, but this one was great!" - Readin and Dreamin

"This book is packed full of treachery, murder, deceit, revenge, mystery, and secrets." - Romance Book Junkies

"The bottom line, I would definitely recommend the book if you enjoy the genre, or if you're looking for a really cheap trip to Paris and have a good imagination. And should I come across another of Riley's books in the future, I won't hesitate to add it next to The Oracle Glass on my book shelf." - Leslie's 2 cents

"It feels like peering behind the curtain of a great stage play to see what's really happening." - The Gilmore Guide to Books

"I truly enjoyed the story" - That's What I'm Talking About with Twimom227

About the Author:

Judith Merkle Riley (1942-2010) held a Ph.D from the University of California at Berkeley, and she taught in the department of government at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, CA. From 1988 to 2007, she wrote six historical novels: The Oracle Glass, The Master of all Desires, A Vision of Light, In Pursuit of the Green Lion, The Water Devil, and The Serpent Garden.

About this edition

• Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1402270585
• ISBN 13: 9781402270581
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 544