In the Shadow of the Sun

December 16, 2019
“We were royals. Our happiness was irrelevant.” Castellan, a Wattpad author, threads lively magical details into her historical tale of French royal life during 1661. When 17-year-old English princess Henriette marries Philippe, younger brother to the newly crowned Sun King, Louis XIV of France, she never expects to be mired in scandal and heartbreak. But between the embarrassment of Philippe’s devotion to his lover, Armand de Gramont, and the expectations of her cold and calculating mother-in-law, she finds herself thus while attempting to maintain her status as “everyone’s favorite” and keep her ability as a Source, a wellspring of magic, private. Throughout France, Sources are being hunted and killed for their enchantment, but no one knows who is behind the attacks. Despite her caution, the King—a known magicien, who can wield a Source’s power—discovers Henriette’s secret, and she must decide whether his grandiose visions, including the remaking of Versailles, are worth her loyalty. Castellan craftily infuses enchantment in every scene alongside romance and intrigue among the royals and their court, while luxurious descriptions and quick-witted dialogue make for a captivating read. Ages 12–up. Agent: Carrie Pestritto, Laura Dail Literary Agency.

January 17, 2020

Gr 7 Up-Henriette, an English princess, is set to marry Philippe, the younger brother of Louis XIV. In this tale, a mash-up of historical fiction and fantasy, magicians and Sources have a symbiotic relationship-Sources possess magic but cannot use it; magicians have no magic and must draw on a Source. Someone is killing Sources, and Henriette, a Source, must conceal her status. She spends her time dealing with court gossip and her bisexual husband's male lover. When Louis XIV, who is a magician, has an emergency, Henriette reveals she is a Source to help him. The two decide to continue hiding her abilities, and Henriette offers to aid Louis in building a great palace at Versailles. However, now the Sources of court magicians are dying, and Henriette and Louis, with help from trusted courtiers, must locate the killer. Henriette struggles to save her marriage and assist Louis without jeopardizing her health. The descriptions of court events and politics, and the relationship between Sources and magicians, are fascinating. The few love scenes hint at further activities without being explicit. This would be an excellent companion for readers who liked Gita Trelease's Enchantée. VERDICT Full of court events, gossip, and the intrigue of murder, magic, and secrets, this is a good general purchase.-Tamara Saarinen, Pierce County Library, WA

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