Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. I enjoyed the novel that is part fantasy and part historical fiction set in revolutionary France. The main character Camille does an amazing job taking care of her sister using magic. I'm glad the ending was one that I wanted. There is romance in this book too. I would recommend this author to others and would read future works by this author.

I’ll be honest and say the main reason why I requested this book was because the main character and I share the same name. Camille isn’t a very popular name and I haven’t yet read another book that featured a main character that had my name. There were also some other, equally beautiful and uniquely named characters in this story. I’m certainly not an expert on the French Revolution, but I know more about it than a regular person does and I thought historical facts were woven in well throughout the plotline. The magical elements were also well thought out and the ending was justifiable. I would recommend this book if asked.

Enchantée transports you right to the heart of 18th Century France. The comparison to Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell is quite apt. Practically nothing differentiates Trelease's Paris and Versailles from those of history, except a fine thread of magic that runs through all manner of places, people, and things. Camille, if you'll pardon the expression, enchants. A perfectly ordinary girl, she must learn quickly to survive and thrive in Marie Antoinette's court. She and Lazare have wonderful chemistry together that stretches through the entire book, but ultimately this is a story about every part of Camille's life. Enchantée will immerse you in the contradictions of France during the waning days of Marie Antoinette's reign: the luxury and poverty, the manners that gloss over all manner of cruelty. It's a lovely and indulgent story that soars just like Lazare's hot air balloon!

Full review + links coming February 2019!

*Spoiler free*

Books that take place in Paris will also catch my attention. There's just something about it that makes me turn my head and seem so magical. Plus, this book takes place in 1789 which was just more incentive for me read it! I was lucky enough to get an e-ARC from the publisher (!!!!!! I know! My first time getting an ARC from a publisher!!!) and was looking forward to reading it.

I'm pretty sure this is one of the first historical fiction books that I didn't feel stifled by the time period. I also get stuck on the etiquette of the time and usually get bored or uninterested. This book features such a strong cast of characters, that I think the time period wasn't such a big deal for me. They are all so well rounded and interesting that I wanted to know more about them.

Camille was strong, but incredibly flawed and human. She was just trying her best, but her decisions weren't always the best. Sophie was the the freaking cutest ever. She didn't have a huge role, but she still managed to capture my heart. Lazare didn't show up as much I would have liked him to and his struggles seemed very back ground to me, but he still seemed very well rounded.

This book takes a soft approach. There's nothing face-paced about and it takes things at a slow pace. This softness both hurt and helped the story. It was able to capture the heart of Paris and Versailles beautifully. It was able to pack a punch without fast paced action around every corner. Swings are taken with words, not with swords.

I found that were multiple plots lines and themes running through the book. They never seemed to intertwine enough and none of them seemed to take the lead. So many things were very subtle, such as the magic system, the court games, and the sense of feeling trapped in your own life. They were all there and done well, but none of them stood out. This book didn't have an overwhelming theme and things just didn't connect enough for me.

Despite this, I fell in love with Camille and 1789 Paris. It was interesting to see significant historical events that I vaguely remember taking place haha. There are also French words scattered throughout the writing, which I thought was really fun! I took French two years ago and it was cool to use my very limited knowledge here.

This story was so vivid. The writing is beautiful and the setting comes to life. I loved reading about hot air balloons and the struggles that Camille went through. I wish her, Sophie, Lazare, and friends the best life, cause they certainly deserve it.

Magic, History, and Paris all flow together to make this one beautiful historical adventure. The magic development fit in perfectly with the era and you could see all of the research that went in to make this book possible. It had all of the elements a historical fantasy should.
My only downside was the beginning was a bit stale for me. It took about 6 chapters before I was interested in the book and committed to the characters.

The only way Camille Durbonne knows how to provide for her and her sister after her parents die of smallpox is through magic. But anything she makes, her brother Alain steals away to quell his gambling addiction. So Camille has to take more drastic measures: use her magic to trick her way into Versailles to win back the money they have lost. But France is becoming more tumultuous for aristocrats as the French revolution brews within the city. As Camille gets caught up in the glamour of the rich, she learns the dark secrets behind the palace of Versailles. She must decide if she wants to keep up her glamour or join the revolution.

I received an eARC of this from NetGalley and and Flatiron books in exchange for my honest review. What a wild ride this book was! I'm not usually a fan of historical fiction, but Gita Trelease put a magical spin on the era of the French Revolution that will have you absolutely enchanted (pun intended). 

While, for me, the beginning of the book was a bit slow, once Camille makes her entrance in Versailles, I didn't want to put the book down. This book has almost everything that you could want: magic, intrigue, romance, revolution, the taking down of the powers in charge. Though it's set in history, the book reflects the current politics of the United States, which will make it all the more relatable to teens when it's released in February.

Trelease's writing reflects the subject matter of the book as well; including French phrases (with a key at the back of the book) adds to the magic and intrigue of the story. Her lyrical style transports the reader to the magical version of historical France that she has created, making the book even more enjoyable.

The addition of Lazare and the hot air balloons also showed readers a different side of the aristocrats, showing that not everyone has to fall into what they were bred to be. This fantastical retelling of the French Revolution will have readers spellbound.

A more honest rating would probably be closer to 3.5.

If there's one word to describe this book, it's "rich." Rich writing, a richly-drawn world, and richly-layered characters. This is the kind of book that I know, objectively, is fabulous. Solid writing, great characters, and a world that sparkles off the pages. To begin with, I'll say that I've never truly been a fan of historical settings, but I really loved the setting of this one. There was a sharp contrast between the poorer parts of the city the protagonist and her sister lived in, and the glittering world of the Palace. It was so well-written I felt I was actually there. The plot and character is where it fell thin for me, for a handful of reasons. This is a deeply character-driven novel, which I didn't realize at first glance, and unfortunately, I struggled to connect with any of the characters. I'm not sure why. Camille was not an unlikeable character, but I couldn't connect with her, and I didn't know why. I just...didn't, and if you don't like the main character of a book, I feel like that does taint your enjoyment a bit. The slow-burn romance was great, though. In terms of plot...I felt like there wasn't much? This book consisted of worrying over their financial situation (understandable, of course), worrying over the use of magic, gambling, dry court politics (which usually I would LOVE, but it was. so. dull)...and not a whole lot else. It did pick up a bit by the end, and it's clear that Ms. Trelease is a fabulously talented writer, and I can tell why it's getting so many lovely reviews...but not for me.

Title: Enchantée
Author: Gina Trelease
Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5 stars
Summary
Enchantée is about a girl named Camille who lives orphaned with her sister Sophie in 1700s France. They struggle paying their bills and staying alive, but they have one secret: Camille is a magician. Her powers are the only thing that can save her and her sister. Camille soon discovers the Palace of Versailles and the mysteries and magic that float through the palace. She meets a few interesting characters along the way and gets caught up in the Revolution.

Likes
The number one thing that roped me into this novel was the setting. Anyone who knows me knows that I love France and Paris and historical fantasy novels. So this was kind of a perfect harmony for me. I found the writing to be enchanting and I could barely put it down! I finished it in two sittings. Camille was a fantastic female lead: she was strong and resourceful, but also witty and likable. I thought that the historical setting was weaved in very well and I liked how it showed the budding of the revolution, which is one of the most fascinating historical events in France for me. The magic was also really awesome; in some ways, it reminded me a little bit of Caraval, because of the two sisters and the magical nature of the story. I think it was believable and Lazare was one of my favorite characters, too. I thought the aeronaut storyline was interesting and played in well with the entire story.

Dislikes
As evidenced by my rating, there isn't much I didn't like. I would have liked a little more historical perspective on the Palace of Versailles because I absolutely love that place, and more revolution weaved into it. I didn't absolutely love it which is why it's only 4 stars but I rarely give 5 star ratings. I was able to devour this book and it was a somewhat quick read, too, which is always a plus.

Recommendation
I would recommend this book to fans of historical fiction as well as those who enjoy a fantasy magical element. I thought it was done so well and this was a fantastic debut for this author!

Happy reading! ~ Taylor

I had been looking forward to reading this one since it's compared to Caraval, but the first two chapters didn't draw me in. I would have continued regardless to see if the storyline changed, but the formatting repulsed me from the first page. I received a digital ARC and at least two times per page there were lines filled with words squished together without spaces. That frustrated me and was the primary reason I stopped after two chapters.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

My copy was a little messed up like some of the ones mentioned. I really hope to read it when it's published as a final copy.

*I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

3.5 stars. I was initially drawn to the book for a few different reasons: 1) a story set in historical France, right before the French Revolution, 2) magic! and 3) knowing this was #ownvoices rep. As I read, it became evident that Trelease did her research in regards to the historical setting and the world-building of a magic system from that time period. Though the story was fairly predictable, what kept me going was the diversity of characters—in their socioeconomic status, sexual orientation and ethnic background. More specifically, Lazare’s narrative was hugely personal for me. It was liberating to feel represented in his character development. Throw in a sisters storyline, dual identities, a triangle for two, adventures at the Palace of Versailles and Enchantee is a combination of many things that I love!

The idea of this book sounded wonderful, I was so excited to receive an early copy! It promised magic and was set in 18th century France during the time of Marie Antoinette, what's not to love? The atmosphere was wonderful throughout the book, the author did a great job of describing the class differences and social issues that were going on right before the Revolution in Paris. However I though the first half of the book was hard to get into. The build up was slow, the magic was a bit hard to understand, and I contemplated not finishing the second half. I read on in hopes that the ending would be more exciting, while it definitely was, I thought this book left a lot to be desired. It took me a week to read and I started and finished another book while reading this because it just wasn't holding my attention.
Overall giving this book 3 stars because I did love the idea of it and enjoyed the time period/atmosphere of this story.

Enchantée by Gita Trelease is a great historical fiction story with an amazing plot throughout and great characters.

*Actual rating is a 3.5*

Paris provides a vibrant setting for Camille's story as she attempts to save her and her sister from poverty by disguising herself as a noble and gambling at Versailles. There's lots of random French words and an enduring sense of whimsy. The magic system was unlike anything I'd read before. I found Camille's challenge to make sense of her two identities interesting and compelling. Also, Lazare was swoon-worthy.

The pacing was a bit slow for me but by the end, I found <i>Enchantée</i> impossible to put down.

Not to be too cliché... but I was "enchanté " by this amazing book! I expected to be transported to the world of the French Revolution, Marie Antoinette and Versailles; but I did not expect to be so immersed in a world of romance, aeronauts and magic! This book took a spin from others I have read set during the French revolution. Being thrown into the aristocratic realm provided me with a different view of the rising revolution and the various sides of the historic happening. Throw in some well placed magical interpretations, descriptive and alluring settings, and of course, wonderful relationships and romance, and this book had me hooked. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a historical fiction, young adult romance with a bit of fantasy intertwined. What a great book debut for Trelease- I will be sure to look for more by her in the future.

I loved this one!

It's a beautiful mix between historical fiction and fantasy, and it's easy to get lost right alongside Camille - a girl struggling with poverty - as she uses magic to thrust herself into the glittering world of the French Court. In fact, what I loved most about Enchantee was not only the high stakes that will keep you on the edge of your seat, but the constant tension thrust into every scene. I found myself turning those pages like none other.

Camille is a fantastic MC - mostly because she's perfectly imperfect. She's an older sister, who has the weight of caring and providing for her younger sister on her shoulders. Both girls - along with their horrible older brother - were left with nothing when their parents died. And while the brother * could * have provided for the girls with his position in the military, he gambles everything he makes away. Thus, Camille is left with the one thing she does have from her family - a mysterious magic box. And while she knows it is dangerous, she'll do anything to get her and her sister out of poverty's choking grasp.

Turns out, the box has a little something special that allows Camille to not only transform her appearance to that of a courtier, but she learns the art of illusion in full - including how to change the face of cards. Which means she can gamble... and win. The problem? The cost might be too high for Camille to play as she learns the consequences of her magic.

I don't want to say much more, but alongside the high stakes, there's a romance behind the scenes that I quite enjoyed, and of course, when things get messy - they get REALLY messy.

Overall, I loved exploring this world, and I'll definitely be hoping for another book from the author one day soon!

I love so many things about this book!

How the introduction pulls you into the time period and magic system with a fun, light glimpse of a candle maker searching for his missing wig and finding the coins in his till are nothing but bewitched scraps of metal.
How it deepens, introducing the reader to the thief, Camille, and the magic she uses as she struggles to keep herself and her ailing sister off the streets following their parents’ death from small pox.

How it pivots, to show us a different side of Camille as she sprints across a field to save a handsome aeronaut when his hot air balloon flounders, at the same time introducing the revolutionary science of the time.

How it deepens again, as Camille’s last remaining food and money are stolen, forcing her to turn to a more dangerous magic to pay the rent, and to more risky marks – the aristocrats at Versailles.

Then pivots again, and again until the reader is fully enmeshing in the politics at the brink of the French Revolution.

Trelease’s writing is cinematic in its detail, the characters are fresh and diverse, the historical aspects of the book researched with great care, and the plot is always moving forward. Enchantée is a stand-out, perfect for readers who love fantasy, love historical fiction, or simply love a worthwhile story well told. It makes pre-revolutionary Paris relevant to today’s teens.

Highly Recommended!

I'm posting this to Goodreads now, will post to The Winged Pen in early January, and will post to Amazon and Barnes and Noble on pub day.

Thanks for the arc!

I don’t typically read young adult novels but the subject matter in this book particularly interested me, so I gave it a try. It was very well written and interesting. It was easy to follow and not very childish so both teens and adults can enjoy. Overall I enjoyed this novel and recommend it!

Enchantée is really good. I don't even like historical fiction, but I didn't want to finish this book so that I could just stay afloat in the magic of Camille.

Camille was willing to do what was needed (use magic to transform herself into a baroness) to support her sister, Sophie. The magic in itself is quite intriguing, and I appreciated that it didn't come for free that payment comes in the form of sorrow.

Early on, Camille saves/meets Lazare, the balloonist, who was definitely swoon worthy. There is an instant attraction between them, but they both guard their truths, which they are not willing to share initially.

The book is filled with so many people's lies! It is an intriguing slow burn that is well put together!

LES MISERABLES can take the backseat. I am simply in LOVE with ENCHANTEE. Trelease's world-building in pre-revolutionary France is both lush and intoxicating. The glittering decadence of Versailles leaps from the page, particularly when juxtaposed with dark underbelly of Paris. I was entranced from the very beginning. Camille is a compelling and likable, if somewhat tragic, lead, while Lazare the aeronaut is a tantalizing mystery, equally as intriguing. Without spoiling anything, it's very clear that Trelease carefully plotted her story from beginning to end; hints from the start of the novel gradually build and pay off in the novel's conclusion. Though hefty, ENCHANTEE is beautifully plotted and paced. I had to force myself to stop flipping ahead on multiple occasions. While I've never read anything quite like this, I would recommend ENCHANTEE to anyone who is a fan of magical realism, historical fiction, and romance.