Sandra Gulland

Light Paperback (1 lb or less)

Michigan

From the author of the beloved Josephine B. Trilogy comes a spellbinding novel inspired by the true story of a young woman who rose 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.

1660, Paris: Claudette's life is like an ever-revolving stage set. Following an impoverished childhood spent wandering the French countryside with her family acting troupe, she witnesses her mother's astonishing rise to stardom in Parisian theatres. Working with playwrights Corneille, Moliere and Racine, Claudette leads a culturally rich life, but like all in the theatrical world at the time, she's socially scorned.

A series of chance encounters pulls Claudette into the alluring orbit of Athenaïs de Montespan, mistress of Louis XIV and reigning "shadow queen." Needing someone to safeguard her secrets, Athenais offers to hire Claudette as her personal attendant.

Enticed by the promise of riches and respectability, Claudette leaves the world of the theatre only to find that court is very much like a stage, with outward shows of loyalty masking more devious intentions. This parallel is not lost on Athenaïs, who fears that 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 Athenaïs becomes ever more desperate to hold on to the king's favour, her innocent love charms begin to delve into the realm of deadly black magic, and Claudette is forced to consider a move that will put her life--and the family she loves so dearly--at risk.

Set against the gilded opulence of a newly constructed Versailles and the cut-throat Parisian "war of the theatres," 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 Queen

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For fans of historical-fiction, royalty, romance, betrayal, etc.. Used to be a library book!#hardcover #historical #historical-fiction #paris  #romance #queen #theater #magic#hardcover #hardcover 

Hardcover (1 to 2 lbs)

California

A Novel

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

Category - Fiction / Historical Fiction

Format - Paperback

Condition - Like New

Listed - 4 months ago

Views - 3

Ships From - Michigan

Est. Publication Date - Apr 2015

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The Shadow Queen

ISBN: 9781554687824

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Category - Fiction / Historical Fiction

Format - Paperback

Condition - Like New

Listed - 4 months ago

Views - 3

Ships From - Michigan

Est. Publication Date - Apr 2015

Additional Information

The Shadow Queen

ISBN: 9781554687824

Publisher Description

Tags

The Shadow Queen

By:

$7.00

Meet the seller

Discover more

The Shadow Queen

By: Sandra Gulland

More from this seller

Additional titles by Sandra Gulland

'The Shadow Queen' readers also enjoyed:

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