3.5/5 Thank you to Net Galley and the author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

An interesting, well researched tale about a few people in France before and during the Revolution. Descriptions of the times and the way people lived were quite vivid.

Pretty Veronique’s family falls on hard times after her printer father dies and her mother is forced to sell her into service. Little does Veronique know that she has been bought by the King’s own servant to be one of his “Deer Park Girls”; prepubescent girls trained and brought to King Louis XV for his pleasure. Veronique is quite taken with her benefactor who calls her “little mouse”. She believes him to be a Polish count and it doesn’t take long before she is pregnant with his child and is removed from his service. She is set up to be cared for, the bastard is named Marie-Louise and is taken away to be raised by others.

The story then switches to Marie-Louise’s upbringing. As a young child, she is ridiculously obsessed with who her unknown parents are. Her childhood is not well written and I became bored at this point.

Luckily, the story picks up as Marie-Louise is removed from her childhood home and is sent to live with a midwife who becomes known to her as Aunt Margot. Aunt Margot is kind but firm and straightens out this wayward young girl. Mary-Louise studies with Aunt Margot and becomes a certified midwife herself. She marries a lawyer who is paid her dowry from Versailles. He is quite involved in the French Revolution and the source of this dowry becomes an issue against him.

Later, Marie-Louise’s curiosity leads her to look through some of late Aunt Margot’s papers which leads her to her birth mother. Unfortunately, Veronique is in the throes of dementia and thinks that Marie-Louise is her long lost sister. Marie-Louise takes Veronique in when royal support is no longer available for her due to the revolution.

The French Revolution was not kind to many people, but the story ends with the promise of a new start for Marie-Louise and Veronique and leaves the reader with a good feeling about how these very different women will continue to survive despite their hardships.

The School of Mirrors was the first book I’ve read by Eva Stachniak. She was born in Poland but moved to Canada in the 1980s so we’ve kind of claimed her as our own. She’s been writing for years so when I was intrigued by her latest release, I thought it was time to give her books a try. Um. It did not go well. I finished the book but…probably shouldn’t have. The history – Versailles! – wasn’t enough and the characters and the way the story was written really didn’t work for me.

Here’s the book’s description:
During the reign of Louis XV, impoverished but lovely teenage girls from all over France are sent to a discreet villa in the town of Versailles. Overseen by the King’s favorite mistress, Madame de Pompadour, they will be trained as potential courtesans for the King. When the time is right, each girl is smuggled into the palace of Versailles, with its legendary Hall of Mirrors. There they meet a mysterious but splendidly dressed man who they’re told is merely a Polish count, a cousin of the Queen. Living an indulgent life of silk gowns, delicious meals, and soft beds, the students at this “school of mirrors” rarely ask questions, and when Louis tires of them, they are married off to minor aristocrats or allowed to retire to one of the more luxurious nunneries.
Beautiful and canny Veronique arrives at the school of mirrors and quickly becomes a favorite of the King. But when she discovers her lover’s true identity, she is whisked away, sent to give birth to a daughter in secret, and then to marry a wealthy Breton merchant. There is no return to the School of Mirrors.
This is also the story of the King’s daughter by Veronique—Marie-Louise. Well-provided for in a comfortable home, Marie-Louise has never known her mother, let alone her father. Capable and intelligent, she discovers a passion for healing and science, and becomes an accredited midwife, one of the few reputable careers for women like her. But eventually Veronique comes back into her daughter’s life, bringing with her the secret of Marie-Louise’s birth. But the new King—Louis XVI—is teetering on his throne and it’s a volatile time in France…and those with royal relatives must mind their step very carefully.
I had read and loved a series about the mistresses of King Louis XV a few years ago (they’re by Sally Christie and I HIGHLY recommend them) so my hopes were high that I would enjoy the historical part of this story. I did feel like I was in France during that tumultuous time but it wasn’t enough to hold my interest. Especially because there was such a huge amount of time covered in this book. It starts with the opulence of Versailles when the King was still in his prime and ends with the French Revolution and his grandson (and many, many others) being beheaded by the guillotine. Yeah, there was a lot going on.

The way this story was written was really strange. Veronique’s sections (there are no real chapters in this book – I didn’t mind but I know others found it really irritating) were in the first person. But there were third person sections from a few other characters, such as Madame de Pompadour. And then there’s another part and all of a sudden Veronique is gone and we’re following Marie-Louise around, also in third person. It was odd.

The strongest part of the story for me was the history about midwifery that Stachniak includes. There’s a scene when Angélique du Coudray arrives at Versailles to teach Louis XV and his fans about birthing with the help of The Machine she had invented (look her up – it’s fascinating and amazing what she did throughout her lifetime). Then, Marie-Louise is raised by a midwife and eventually learns the trade herself. The reader gets to learn about the process of apprenticing and testing which I quite enjoyed.

I can’t say I’d recommend The School of Mirrors by Eva Stachniak. I didn’t enjoy my time reading the book – even with the interest I had in the time period and the surprising tidbits about midwifery – but maybe I’m an anomaly. It’s a shame, though, as this cover is absolutely stunning!

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Doubleday Canada (Penguin Random House of Canada), via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Sadly the review I'm leaving is that although this book has an amazing premise, it unfortunately did not hook me within the first hundred pages. I'm a fan of historical fiction but I think this book starts too slowly- maybe I'll try it again one day, but for now it isn't reeling me in enough to keep me invested.

My file only contained the first 60 pages--I think it might have been corrupted. But I really enjoyed what I did read and I'm invested enough to go and purchase a copy myself! I found the characters interesting and the premise is unique.

This is a beautifully written, well-researched historical novel set in a tumultuous time in French history, following the story of two women and their incredible story.

This novel tells the story of two women: Veronique, an unwitting mistress to the King, and Marie-Louise, their daughter. It is a touching tale of mother and daughter, as well as a story of the limitations of society on women at the time.

The story progresses, capturing readers with its excellent prose, atmosphere, intrigue and characters. At times very descriptive and somewhat slow-paced, but beautifully done.

I recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction, French history, and tales of women overcoming societal struggles.

I was slightly interested in this book based on the description, but unfortunately I could not finish it as the child abuse was just too triggering and disturbing. I had thought I’d be able to handle it, but it was making me too depressed and uncomfortable, so I quit reading. Life is too short to be reading something that makes you sad.

Read if you like: French Revolution history.
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This book looks at the time period before and during the French Revolution. First we have Veronique, who at a young age is sent to the town of Versailles to provide certain services to the king. This arrangement is quite horrific but something that happened. Then we have Marie Louise, who becomes a midwife and then her family experiences the Revolution.
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An interesting glimpse into a famous event but an aspect that is not talked about as much. Showed how lower class families who lost the sole provider really had no other options but to resort to selling their daughters for the pleasure of the upper class.
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CW: sexual harassment and assault, sexual content, forced adoption, death of a child, death of a minor, childbirth, miscarriage.

The School Of Mirrors captivated me right from the very beginning. Young girls in France were hand picked and sold off by their families, and taught how to behave and catch the eye of the Count of Poland. At least this is what Veroninque believes. The Count takes her as his Mistress, but when she becomes pregnant, he quickly moves on to someone else. The Count, is actally King Louis XV., and this has happened many times before.
After her baby is born, a girl ,she names Marie-Louis, she is married off to someone else and her baby taken away.

This is the story of Veroninque, her daughter Marie-Louis and what befalls them both in 18th Century France. How do you get over your daughter being taken away and a daughter who wonders who her real oarents are,as she is passed around to different caregivers?

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. I actualy learned quite a bit about the history of France in that time period.
I give this a 4 out of 5.

CW: child sexual assault
A generational saga and a meditation on motherhood.
Set in Pre-Revolution France, the novel unfolds adjacent to the glittering court of Versailles, the royal family, their courtiers and their servants all seen through the eyes of a poor young girl beautiful enough, and unlucky enough, to be groomed as a potential bedmate for the self-indulgent, all-powerful king. Details of her family life weave a grim tapestry of single parenthood and its endless striving to gain some slight advantage in life even if it means selling a child into royal prostitution.

Part two follows the unwitting offspring of that grooming process—one of many bastards sired on young girls by the aging king with the contrivance of his valet & his official mistress—as she grows up ignorant of her true parentage, passed from guardian to guardian in accordance with the payments and orders flowing from the palace. Through her years of training as a midwife we see the growing discontent of France’s burgeoning middle class and the seeds of revolution landing on fertile soil. What danger does her bastard royal blood present when the enemies of the king get the upper hand?

The novel is beautiful and disturbing, an angle on the French Revolution that is both intimate and panoramic. The language is polished, the details rich with texture. In this age of #MeToo, its grooming of young girls is a particularly disturbing element in a deeply compelling story.

This book is perfect for those who love Historical Fiction, royalty, and for those allow to be swept up in a time of indulgences and turmoil. Not ideal for those who want a quick read, as The School of Mirrors reads like a much bigger novel even though it is only 320 pages. After all, there’s much to uncover in it’s almost four decades.

1755 France| Veronique Roux is only 13 when her mother sells her to a man looking for young girls who’d be trained in “service” work. Coming from very humble beginnings, Veronique is shown a whole different world, and it turns out that she would not be trained in service work after all. But instead, is one of many girls who are groomed to be the next mistress of Louis XV. During their first meeting, she becomes one of the King’s favourites; but as is the custom, is sent away when she becomes pregnant. She is forced to marry another, while her infant daughter, Marie-Louis (now the illegitimate child of Louis XV), is taken away from her and raised in a private and protected environment left to imagine who her parents might be.

Divided into 2 parts and spanning decades, this book is the story of Veronique and her daughter Marie-Louis, on the backdrop of 18th century France and during a time of decadence and war.

Although this book may not be for everyone, I loved it and was totally intrigued by this mother/daughter story. Written in a romantic sort of way, I found I was easily swept up in the extravagant and indulgence of 18 century France, and as I type this, I know this story will not be easily forgotten in my mind.

4 Stars!

Set before and during the French Revolution this is the story of mother and daughter, ending and beginnings. This is an excellent depiction of the tumultuous times of France as the revolution begins and continues. Being told from the viewpoint of a woman makes it that much more interesting. An excellent read.
#TheSchoolofMirrors#NetGalley

This is a story based on history in France, before and during the revolution. Veronique goes into service for the King, but ultimately is being groomed to be Louis XV mistress. A story all to common and real for women. The story is well written and enjoyable. I could not download it to my Kindle though, so that was a disappointment.
Thank you NetGalley for providing this copy. The opinion in this review is solely my own.

I was not as interested in the subject matter as I thought I would be. It was just not my cup of tea. I was feeling inconvenienced by the fact I couldn't download it to my kindle app, it was very difficult to read on the NetGalley App. I also found it very slow going. I just couldn't finish it. I don't really read historical fiction and I just wanted to dip my foot in to see if I would like this book but I couldn't finish the first chapter (which was very long).

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read The School of Mirrors.

Although the book delivered what was promised, I found that it wasn’t for me. I enjoyed the beginning, mostly part one, and I wish the whole book was about the young girls that were groomed for Louis XV. Or just Veronique! It was intriguing and interesting. But once Veronique gave birth to Marie Louise, everything just went downhill for me. Many parts were too depressing for me as well, which also affected my rating and enjoyment.

It is very obvious the author put a lot of work and history into this book, but I wish the focus was on one character or group. There was constant switching between characters/point of views and time jumps, thus giving us little of each, and it all simply left me unsatisfied.

It’s far from being a bad book, I’m confident many readers will enjoy it, I just wanted more of one thing and less of others.

Thank you once again.

Beautifully written book about France in the 1700’s, particularly the court of Louis XV. Interesting to read about the revolution from a different perspective, I can’t believe that they changed the calendar!
The characters were well developed and interesting. My only gripe would be the length - the first 200 pages were so drawn out, I felt myself getting bogged down at times but then it did become a very interesting read.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada, NetGalley and Eva Stachniak for the ARC

This is a historical fiction novel, based on real events.

The story spans several decades in 18th century France beginning in Versailles in 1755, featuring a young Veronique Roux. A man arranges for Veronique to go into service thinking she will be trained to be a maid, instead Veronique is groomed to become one of King Louis XV mistresses.

In the second half of the book we meet Marie-Louise, Veronique’s daughter. She is a spirited child who creates the most fantastical stories of her parents and where they might be.

The story is told by changing the point of view between the characters to give all sides of the story.

It was an enjoyable read.

In usual Eva Stachniak style, this book engaged me and taught me a great deal about a particular era of history by focusing on women's lives and perspectives. I I found it very interesting and, at times, heartbreaking, and I'll definitely recommend it to fans of historical fiction.

Thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for the opportunity to read it in advance of publication!

I enjoyed the first half of the book, and had the style/writing been consistent throughout I would likely have given the book 4 stars. I thought the pacing, the attention to historical detail in the first half that focused on Véronique were very good. I did however, feel that maybe everything about her was presented superficially, in that I never felt that I 'knew' her and wasn't invested in her future.

Once the narrative becomes the story of Marie-Louise, I feel like the pace suddenly accelerated and there were repeated time leaps that I thought could have been better handled. I felt even less invested in Marie-Louise as a character.

I wonder, with hindsight, if the intention of this novel was to present a polyphonic picture of the last days of imperial France, with its focus on Madame de Pompadour, the King and his Valet. But if that was the intent, I think the execution wasn't great. If this was just supposed to be the story of two 'common' French women, I think their voices were lost in all of the Royal Hooplah.

I was really excited and interested by the premise of this book! THE SCHOOL OF MIRRORS is set in Versailles, France during the 18th century. It’s told in the perspective of two women, Veronique and Marie-Louise. It sounds like it would be right up my alley of reading interests! I got about 15% before calling it quits. I just couldn’t get into the story nor the characters.

<i>I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Penguin Random House Canada & Doubleday Canada, of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own. Upon publishing of this novel, I will also be posting my review to Amazon Canada.</i>

This is a historical fiction book set in 18th century France. While the premise of the novel showed promise, I found some parts long and arduous, other parts interesting and yet other parts difficult to read. I was not ready for the historical aspects of abuse and exploitation of the young women and this seemed to shadow this book for me. The structure of the first part of the book was slow going and long and at times I considered putting it down. I feel that much research on the topic content was done by the author and perhaps someone who truly loves historical fiction may like the book more.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this eARC.