Before Versailles

March 7, 2011
It's good to be the king, but also lonely and dangerous, according to Koen's lively historical about Louis XIV's efforts to establish himself as a model monarch. The novel begins in 1661, when Cardinal Mazarin's death leaves the superintendent of finance, Nicolas Fouquet, chomping at the bit to take over the most powerful job in France. Unfortunately for him, 22-year-old Louis relies on self-taught Jean-Baptiste Colbert rather than self-serving Fouquet, taking on royal cash-flow problems, civil strife, and international and bedroom politics, only to discover the greatest threat comes from within his own family. Meanwhile, 16-year-old Louise de la Baume le Blanc tries to keep the honor in maid-of-honor, not an easy task when serving Henriette d'Orleans, though Louise is far more interested in a mysterious boy in an iron mask. Thinking about Henriette, Louis comes across Louise. Thinking about the boy, Louise comes across Louis. The rest is history. Following solidly in the footsteps of Dumas, Koen (Dark Angels) reveals independent-spirited Louise to be a modern heroine in period costume, and, with her focus on the time just before Louis becomes the unrivaled Sun King, she finds the era ripe for intrigue and romance, not to mention possible sequels.

November 1, 2011

This fictionalized account of a four-month period in the life of the young Louis XIV and the intrigues of his court is based on documented events, with imaginary details filling in color and drama. Koen, who scored a New York Times best seller with Through a Glass Darkly, captures the push and pull of life at court, the political balancing act required of the new and inexperienced ruler, and the romantic entanglements that could have cost Louis his kingdom. Well read by Grover Gardner, this audiobook will appeal to fans of historical fiction. ["A focused retelling of the emergence of the handsome and charismatic Sun King that will attract fans of Henry Tudor and Francophiles alike," read the starred review of the Crown hc, LJ 4/1/11.--Ed.]--Joanna Burkhardt, Univ. of Rhode Island Libs., Providence

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