Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Review: Mistress of the Sun by Sandra Gulland


Book Info:
Mistress of the Sun by Sandra Gulland
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Touchstone (April 7, 2009)
ISBN-13: 9780743298926
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 4.5/5


Set against the magnificent decadence of the seventeenth-century French court, Mistress of the Sun begins when an eccentric young Louise falls in love with a wild white stallion and uses ancient magic to tame him. This one desperate action of her youth shadows her throughout her life, changing it in ways she could never imagine.

Unmarriageable, and too poor to join a convent, Louise enters the court of the Sun King, where the king is captivated by her. As their love unfolds, Louise bears Louis four children, is made a duchess, and reigns unrivaled as his official mistress until dangerous intrigue threatens her position at court and in Louis's heart.

A riveting love story with a captivating mystery at its heart, Mistress of the Sun illuminates both the power of true and perfect love and the rash actions we take to capture and tame it.




Most of the historical fiction I've read has centered around common people, instead of royalty. This was a wonderful change of pace for me and I loved every minute of it.

Petite, as she's called, is a great character. She fun and interesting, without the all arrogance that some members of the court seem to have. I also loved her adventures with the different horses in her life. Also, since we met Petite at such a young age I really felt I got to know her as she grew up and changed.

Petite's relationship with the King was very interesting. I can't imagine trying to sustain a relationship amid all the scrutiny and regulations. I thought the King was aloof and little unlikeable, but he had so many other duties that it made it hard to get to know him.

The descriptions of the Court were amazing. I can't imagine the opulence and excess; it seemed everyone had a maid. The inclusion of the medical treatments of the times (bleeding and purging) were fascinating too. While it's a wonderful to "visit" such a time in books, I think I much prefer modern life.

If you enjoy historical fiction, do yourself a favor and pick this one up! You won't be disappointed. I have to admit, I've had the Josephine trilogy languishing on my shelves for quite a while. But now, after Mistress of the Sun and all of Ms Gulland's wonderful guest posts on this tour, I'm hooked. 4.5 stars

******

The Giveaway:

I have an extra copy of Mistress of the Sun to give away to one lucky reader. This giveaway is open to the residents of the US and Canada. Sorry, but my postage budget only allows for international giveaways occasionally.

Now onto the rules:
--Leave a comment here for one entry
--Blog about the giveaway and link back here for a second entry
--Follow me or add me to your Google Reader for a third entry. Current subscribers are eligible for this too.

**Please leave a separate comment for each entry as I will be using the numbered comments to pick my winner. If you leave more than one entry in a comment, it won't be counted.

Please make sure you have a email address listed in your comment or on your profile. If I can't reach you, your entry won't count.

This contest will run until midnight May 12 and the winner will be chosen by random and posted on May 13.

43 comments:

Melissa O. said...

Looks like I'm first to enter!

I'm also a follower :-)

mlb108[at]gmail[dot]com

Sandy Nawrot said...

I'm not a big historical fiction person, not because I don't want to be, just that I haven't invested the time. Perhaps next year I need to push myself to enroll in a reading challenge with this genre! Anyway, why not start now? Please put my name on the list! rnawrot at cfl dot rr dot com

Jules said...

Looks like an interesting book. I'm in!

E-mail is dobson.j.m(at)gmail(dot)com

Bridget said...

Just posted this on Win A Book; no need to enter me.

Minding Spot said...

Great review! Sounds intriguing :)

Please enter me!

wendyhines (at) hotmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

sounds like a good one, please enter me into this giveaway contest.

thanks,
jake.lsewhere(AT)gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I'd like to be entered. I love historicals.

jaam121388 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I'm a follower.

jaam121388 at yahoo dot com

nfmgirl said...

I'd love this book! Please count me in. Thanks so much!

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

Rachel said...

Thanks for the giveaway!

I have you on my Google Reader!

Rachelhwallen@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Sounds good, I'd like to be included! tWarner419@aol.com

The Tome Traveller said...

Don't enter me, I'm just stopping by on the tour. I loved this one and the Josephine B. trilogy, too.

Valorie said...

I'd love a chance to win. :)

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

Valorie said...

Blogged: http://www.morbid-romantic.net/2009/05/04/book-giveaways-0504-0510/

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

Valorie said...

Follow on Google Reader.

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

teabird said...

I follow you on Bloglilnes - this books sounds wonderful! Thank you for holding this giveaway --

teabird 17 AT yahoo dot com

Chris said...

Thanks for this giveaway - Mistress of the Sun sounds like an amazing book!

danunepthys(at)hotmail(dot)com

wendy elizabeth said...

great review, can't enter I'm in Australia but there is something here for you

Northernmama-Angela said...

I love historical fiction! Please count me in!
northern_mama@yahoo.ca

Northernmama-Angela said...

I'm a follower!
northern_mama@yahoo.ca

Kaye said...

Hi Princess Melissa, I've given you an award. Stop by for the logo when you get a chance. Have a great day!

Irene said...

Would love to win this one! Please enter my name. Thank you.

cyeates AT nycap DOT rr DOT com

Irene said...

I am a new follower!!

Anonymous said...

love historical fiction!
mbrown@hcps.us

Amber said...

Please enter me - I adore historical fiction.
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

scottsgal said...

Sounds like a wonderful book - please count me in

msboatgal at aol.com

scottsgal said...

I also am a follower

msboatgal at aol.com

Zibilee said...

I am so excited about this book and would really like a chance to win a copy! Please enter me in this contest.

zibilee@figearo.net

Zibilee said...

I am also a follower of this blog.

Cassie said...

Sunny(nospace)Lea at gmail dot com

Cassie said...

Also, I follow!

Darlene said...

Don't enter me Melissa. I just wanted to say that you wrote a great review. This is a great book-I really enjoyed it too.

CherylS22 said...

I'd love to win this book - please count me in!

Thanks,
megalon22 at yahoo dot com

Belinda M said...

I would love to read this book. Please enter me in the giveaway

"Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Fun:
CoolCanucks.ca"

Belinda M said...

I follow and subscribe

"Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Fun:
CoolCanucks.ca"

Gaby317 said...

Pls enter me in this contest! The book sounds like a really fun read!

gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com

Gaby317 said...

I'm a follower too.
thx!

gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com

Gaby317 said...

I've posted this contest on my blog's sidebar. Thx again!

gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com
www.startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com

Gaby317 said...

i also follow via googlereader as well as subscribing to posts.

i'm sort of new to this, so learning about the feeds and posts...

thx!

gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com

Renee G said...

I've read a number of reviews on this book, and would love to read it.

rsgrandinetti(at)yahoo(dot)com

renee said...

I wouls loce to read this, please enter me
reneetaylor@sympatico.ca

L said...

This sounds like a great book. Enter me please!

I'm a follower.

lovinfitch@aol.com

LoveMyCoffee said...

I really enjoyed your review. I would love to win this book.
Subscribe by googlereader

Dutchlvr1(at)aol(dot)com