The Shadow Queen

Gulland, Sandra

ISBN 10: 1482970236 ISBN 13: 9781482970234

Publisher: Blackstone Pub, 2014

Synopsis

Pulled by chance from her traveling actor family into service under Athāenačis de Montespan, the influential mistress of Louis XIV, Claudette spies on personal and political rivals only to question her loyalty in the wake of Athāenačis's fascination withdark magic.

About this title

Review:

""The Shadow Queen" is an epic feast for the senses with a cast of characters that includes Moliere, Racine, and the Sun King himself, Louis XIV. With this exhilarating exploration of the years of Louis's reign, full of exquisite details and memorable characters, Sandra Gulland proves herself a master of not only storytelling but stagecraft and illusion, as well."
--Melanie Benjamin, "New York Times" Bestselling author of "THE AVIATOR'S WIFE
"
"Fascinating and rich in historical detail, "The Shadow Queen" brings Claudette des Oeillets to full and vivid life as she makes the journey from hungry, roaming player to indispensable attendant of Louis XIV's mistress. A captivating glimpse into the theatre, court life and black arts of 17th Century Paris."
--Cathy Marie Buchanan, " New York Times" Bestselling author of "THE PAINTED GIRLS
"
"Sandra Gulland's latest will remind readers why they fall in love with the past. Gulland uses her meticulous research with consummate skill, rendering vivid the luxury and squalor of Louis XIV's France and breathing life into fully formed characters that tug at the heart. Masterful."
--Tasha Alexander, "New York Times" Bestselling Author of "DEATH IN THE FLOATING CITY
"
"Propelled by Sandra Gulland's brilliant storytelling and her unerring gift for reviving an historical era through dramatic scenes, "The Shadow Queen" is told through a fascinating perspective -- that of the personal attendant and closest confidante of Louis XIV's all-powerful mistress. The story straddles two worlds -- the competitive arena of 17th century French theater and the opulent yet treacherous court of the Sun King. The characters are magnetic and the pace will dazzle you."
--Adrienne McDonnell, author of "THE DOCTOR AND THE DIVA"
"A must-read for anyone passionate about the theater and hungry for more of Sandra Gulland's masterful depictions of life at the court of the Sun King."
-- Anne Easter Smith, author of "A ROSE FOR THE CROWN
""A quick-paced, captivating tale of 17th Century France--from the dramas and destitutions of life in the theatre, to the intrigues and ruthlessness of the royal court--and of the wrenching conflict between familial bonds and the sacrifices a young woman must make to survive and thrive. Through the trials and hard-earned triumphs of quick-witted Claudette, maid and confidante of aristocratic, alluring Athenais, Gulland shapes a world rich in historical detail and timeless in its exploration of divided loyalties, power struggles, and the consequences of remaining true to heartfelt ideals."
- Ania Szado, author of "STUDIO OF SAINT-EX
"
"Sandra Gulland is one of our most gifted historical novelists and once again, she does not disappoint. This vividly drawn tale of a young woman caught up in the dark intrigues of the beautiful, lethal mistress of the Sun King has all the ingredients readers love, blending passion, adventure, pageantry and danger into a heady brew as intoxicating as it is unforgettable."
--C.W. Gortner, author of "THE QUEEN'S VOW
"
"Sandra Gulland is at the top of her game in "The Shadow Queen" and that's saying a lot! From the first page you know you are in the hands of a master story teller. I just don't think anyone does it better than Gulland - this book is lyrical, fascinating and seeped in history, drama and emotion. Truly magnificent and an absolute joy to read."
--M.J. Rose, International Bestselling author of "THE BOOK OF LOST FRAGRANCES
"

"Truly magnificent and a joy to read. . . . You are in the hands of a master storyteller." --M.J. Rose, international bestselling author of "The Book of Lost Fragrances"
"A remarkably different and very interesting historical read." --"The Free Lance-Star"
"Vivid. . . .""A captivating glimpse into the theater, Court life, and black arts of seventeenth-century Paris." --Cathy Marie Buchanan, " New York Times" bestselling author of "The Painted Girls"
"An epic feast for the senses. . . . Sandra Gulland proves herself a master of not only storytelling but stagecraft and illusion, as well." --Melanie Benjamin, "New York Times" bestselling author of "The Aviator's Wife
"
"Will remind readers why they fall in love with the past. Gulland uses her meticulous research with consummate skill. . . . Masterful." --Tasha Alexander, "New York Times" bestselling author of "Death in the Floating City"

Truly magnificent and a joy to read. . . . You are in the hands of a master storyteller. M.J. Rose, international bestselling author of The Book of Lost Fragrances
A remarkably different and very interesting historical read. The Free Lance-Star
Vivid. . . . A captivating glimpse into the theater, Court life, and black arts of seventeenth-century Paris. Cathy Marie Buchanan, New York Timesbestselling author of The Painted Girls
An epic feast for the senses. . . . Sandra Gulland proves herself a master of not only storytelling but stagecraft and illusion, as well. Melanie Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of The Aviator s Wife

Will remind readers why they fall in love with the past. Gulland uses her meticulous research with consummate skill. . . . Masterful. Tasha Alexander, New York Timesbestselling author ofDeath in the Floating City

"

"Truly magnificent and a joy to read. . . . You are in the hands of a master storyteller." --M.J. Rose, international bestselling author of The Book of Lost Fragrances
"A remarkably different and very interesting historical read." --The Free Lance-Star
"Vivid. . . . A captivating glimpse into the theater, Court life, and black arts of seventeenth-century Paris." --Cathy Marie Buchanan, New York Times bestselling author of The Painted Girls
"An epic feast for the senses. . . . Sandra Gulland proves herself a master of not only storytelling but stagecraft and illusion, as well." --Melanie Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of The Aviator's Wife

"Will remind readers why they fall in love with the past. Gulland uses her meticulous research with consummate skill. . . . Masterful." --Tasha Alexander, New York Times bestselling author of Death in the Floating City

About the Author:

SANDRA GULLAND is the author of Mistress of the Sun and the Josephine B. Trilogy, which have collectively sold well over a million copies worldwide.

About this edition

• Publisher: Blackstone Pub
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1482970236
• ISBN 13: 9781482970234
• Binding: Audio CD