The Embroidered Book - Kate Heartfield

Genre: Historical Fiction | Retelling

Release Date: 17th February 2022

Publisher: HarperCollins UK

1768 - Two Queens with a powerful secret will enchant the age.

When sisters Charlotte and Antoinette were just young girls, they found a book. A book that would not only change their lives, but the lives of everyone around them. A book of real, powerful magic that could do amazing thing but came with terrible consequences. As they grow up, Charlotte is sent away to marry Ferdinand of Naples and Antoinette is sent to France to marry the man who will one day become Louis XVI. Now known as Marie Antionette, her and her sister soon rise in power to become Queens of their new countries but as the times turn to unrest and revolution, the sisters soon find themselves opposed for the first time ever, and their rivalry could prove to be more dangerous than any war.

"Power is not something you are given. Power is something you take."

A stunningly visceral retelling of a pivotal moment in human history, Heartfield has blurred the lines between beautifully real 18th century Europe and spellbinding magic, reality and fantasy melting into one.

This story is pushed ahead at full speed by the strong characters and their impeccably intricate settings, both sisters exuded power and strength and I couldn't help but to love and fear both of them. And of course, if you're already a fan of French History you'll know some of the tragedy that took place which made every page you turn hurt just a little more as you're wondering just if their power will let them escape the history we know.

At around 700 pages, this book might look a little daunting when you first see it, but immediately the reader is enchanted and each character and place comes to life before your eyes - there isn't any 'filler' chapters as everything moves the story along and shows the characters as the evolve.

Aside from the beautifully rich storytelling, this story also shows us insights into live in 18th century high society that we might not have known - from how the courts work, to the important and etiquette about wigs.

This truly is a magical book.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I was gifted an advanced reviewers copy of this title in return for an honest review.

Note from the author:
This book includes some discussion of arranged marriage, partner violence, child illness and death, miscarriage, endemic disease, racism, colonialism, imperialism, accusations of pedophilia, and mutilation of corpses.

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