title: Before Versailles: A Novel of Louis XIV
author: Karleen Koen
genre: historical fiction
published: 2011
pages: 460
first line: Intelligent, virile, handsome, a man who made himself master of all he surveyed, Louis XIV was the foremost figure of his age.
source: TLC Book Tours
rated: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars
Louis XIV is one of the best-known monarchs ever to grace the French throne. But what was he like as a young man—the man before Versailles?
After the death of his prime minister, Cardinal Mazarin, twenty-two-year-old Louis steps into governing France. He’s still a young man, but one who, as king, willfully takes everything he can get—including his brother’s wife. As the love affair between Louis and Princess Henriette burns, it sets the kingdom on the road toward unmistakable scandal and conflict with the Vatican. Every woman wants him. He must face what he is willing to sacrifice for love.
Before Versailles centers around the first four months of Louis XIV's reign. You get to read about the women in the king's life and his decision making, as well as palace life in general. The story of a young Louis XIV was an interesting one.
The mystery, the romance and the going's on at the French court all kept me entertained.
Within the first pages there's a boy in an iron mask and a musketeer, my attention was captured instantly.
This is my first time reading about King Louis and I enjoyed author Karleen Koen's captivating storytelling. I felt like I was right there at the King's court. One thing I love about historical fiction is getting to learn a bit as you read. I now want to visit the Gardens of Versailles!
There was a certain listlessness to the evenings with Madame still absent. On this particular one, ladies were spread out near the queen on rugs and cushions, and the queen was content to sit in the suspended garden while her dwarves irritated courtiers by stealing fans or other trifles and dropping them into the water of the carp pond. Louis and his friends were on the water racing gondolas again.
p. 215
Special thanks to Lisa over @ TLC Book Tours.
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About Karleen Koen:
Karleen Koen is the author of Now Face to Face andThrough a Glass Darkly, which was a New York Timesbestseller and featured a much older Alice Verney (known in that novel as the Duchess of Tamworth). The author lives in Houston, Texas.
Connect with Karleen at her website, karleenkoen.net, and on Facebook.
