The Enemies of Versailles continues the story of King Louis XV's reign through the lens of his last mistress. With this last look at the many women behind his throne, Sally Christie once again completely captivated me and had me dreaming of life at Versailles. If you're interested in starting from the beginning (I highly recommend it -- every detail is worth reading), you can find my review of the first and second on my blog (Top Shelf Text).

This series is one of those that managed to transport me -- while reading, there was little to distract me from the delicious details, incredible scandal, and suspense of the court of King Louis XV. In this third installment, Christie examines the last period of Louis XV's reign from the perspective of his final mistress, a woman named Jeanne Bécu. Jeanne eventually becomes the Comtesse du Barry, but her origins are far from noble. Early on in life, Jeanne was recruited to be a prostitute for wealthy men. Jeanne's charm and flirtatious manner win her the attention of friends to the king, and eventually she finds herself with an apartment in Versailles and the object of the king's adoration. 

There was a pretty stark difference between the Comtesse du Barry and the woman that came before her, the intimidating and powerful Marquise de Pompadour. (For more details on her, read the second book.) Jeanne was far more frivolous in nature, and therefore not as interested in controlling the throne, but she did have a significant adversary in the king's eldest daughter. The novel switches back and forth between the perspective of the mistress and the daughter, and that is what made it so interesting. The stark contrast between the pious, spinster daughter and the bold, flirtatious mistress highlighted the dissonance of Versailles -- a court that tried desperately to uphold tradition but was known for its outrageous parties and rampant infidelity. I also loved that this novel gave the reader a different perspective on the reign of Marie Antoinette and the decline of the nobility due to the revolution. 

Christie manages to make this reading experience one that's both entirely educational -- the scope of her research is clear -- and marked by heart-pounding scenes of suspense and scandal. I adore this series and predict that any historical fiction lover would not be able to resist this story after reading the first few pages.

I am always looking for one more historical fiction author who can transport me to another time and Sally Christie has filled that slot. With The Enemies of Versailles she has taken me to a time a place that is not typically on my go-to list and after reading this novel I cannot get enough of it! The Sisters of Versailles trilogy reminds me of Philippa Gregory’s Tudor series. It is a set that works well together but is also wonderful as a stand alone. Also, the intrigue of court is superb and is the glue that holds the book together.

Adelaide and Jeanne are our protagonists and could not be more different from another.  Adelaide is royal, well brought up and slightly bitter of her father’s dalliances. In contrast, Jeanne has led a difficult life, having to work her way through the streets to become that dalliance. Due to the king’s roaming eye, tension is created that could be cut with a knife and I must say I love it.

However, Adelaide did bore me. There are only so many ways one can condone and “humph” at another’s actions and while it was an interesting look at the other side I felt it slowed down the story. Perhaps it is my preference towards plots with a romantic rendezvous but I much prefered Jeanne’s sections of the book and read each word greedily. There was more depth to her story and enjoyed her rags to riches tale.

Despite the fact that The Enemies of Versailles is the last in a trilogy it can easily be read on its own. Sally Christie has fanciful writing and breathes life into the palace of Versailles and, effortlessly creates a story that takes little effort to be drawn into.  Overall, The Enemies of Versailles is a novel I would recommend to lovers of historical fiction set in the grandeur of France or for anymore who enjoys a good romance with a little spice.

This third book brings us into the latter years of Louis XV’s life, and the perspective in this story is provided by his daughter, Adelaide.  Unusual for the court (although not, perhaps, for the women of the day) Adelaide is prim, proper, uptight and perhaps more than a bit resentful of those who choose or dare to be otherwise.  

What I adore about this series, and this book, is Christie’s ability to present facts mingled with fiction in voices that are far from the normal speakers of history. Granted, each narrative voice has an agenda from minor and wanting to be heard, to elevating or preserving their own position in the court.  While you never really come to the story thinking “this is only from X perspective, now that the series has come to conclusion, it is easy to see just how well-planned the narrative voices were. 

None of the views present Louis as more than a spoilt child, more concerned with pleasures and lazy days fueling his hedonistic desires than fairly, or even halfheartedly, ruling his country. Most of the rule of Louis was performed by those interested in feathering their own nests, with cognizant or callous acquiescence of the king himself. Adelaide is different, seeking to persuade her father to reform and reframe at least the end of his reign in more than licentious behavior and bone-idle luxury. To no avail, his mistress Jeanne Becu is far more interesting than his daughter’s imprecations and constant questions.  

While the narrators of this series are not people I would want to spend time with, it is obvious that they had brains and talents, and even outlooks that were surprisingly astute: were they men in the era, they would have ruled, perhaps not to a different end than the bloody revolution, but perhaps been cognizant of the unrest and anger fermenting in their people.  It was an interesting, if foregone, conclusion in the revolution but the journey was more than worth the time. 

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.  

Review first appeared at <a href=”http://wp.me/p3OmRo-8QI”> I am, Indeed </a>

The whole Mistresses of Versailles Trilogy was made for me to be honest. I love historical fiction a lot, even though I don't read it that much. For one I'm obsess with royal history, I don't know why, it's my favorite type of historical fiction to read. Also, they're told in the prospective of the mistresses of King Louis XIV and I haven't heard of any books like that, though I'm sure there is some out there. 

I had never read a book bout Madame du Berry. Heck, I didn't know much about her besides her being a mistress of King Louis. This book dives into her history, on her childhood and how she became who we know her as.

Not only do we get Du Berry's POV we also get one of the King's daughter POV as well, oh and I didn't like her one bit, though I can see why she's angry, but still. I felt so bad for Du Berry even though I didn't care for as much.

This was a strong ending for this amazing series and I'm so sad to see it end. I can't wait to read more of this author works in the future.

Thanks Atria Books and netgalley for this ARC.

I've loved this whole series, so I can't wait to see what Sally Christie will write next. I know her novels are always historically researched treats with love, intrigue, adventure, and wit.

The Enemies of Versailles by Sally Christie is the third book in the Mistresses on Versailles trilogy. The trilogy focuses on the lovers of King Louis XV. The first book, The Sisters of Versailles, explores King Louis relationships with the sisters: Louise, Pauline, Diane, Hortense, and Marie-Anne. The second book, The Rivals of Versailles, Marie-Anne is threatened when the king is enamored by Marquise de Pompadour. And, of course, court life is never easy with all the scheming politicians and social climbers. Trying to keep the king interested is a full-time job.

I was anxious yet excited to read the third book in this series after coming such a long way with King Louis XV. King Louis is saddened after the death of Madame Pompadour. He's lonely and in want of company. Jeanne Becu is thrown into his path, and he's quickly overcome by her beauty. Jeanne becomes the king's lover, but she has a dubious past as a prostitute. The king's daughter, Adelaide, with the help of her sisters tries to persuade the king not to pollute the palace with a common prostitute. They even enlist the help of their nephew's new bride, Marie Antoinette, to help them.

The Enemies of Versailles follows Jeanne Becu's life from childhood all the way to the French Revolution. While she really doesn't even compare to the Pompadour, she has a sort of innocence and naivety that appeal to the king. The characters in this book are as fascinating as the turbulent historical time period in which it takes place. The Mistresses of Versailles is historical fiction at its best. 

Read more at http://www.toreadornottoread.net/2017/03/review-and-giveaway-enemies-of.html#yAy1qipvJASjTBRm.99

Here we are yet again with another book series reaching its conclusion! On the whole this has been a solid, well written, and interesting series and I was sad to see it coming to an end.

I had big expectations for this conclusion and overall I wasn’t disappointed.

Jeanne Becu, a woman of astounding beauty but humble birth, works her way from the grimy back streets of Paris to the palace of Versailles, where the aging King Louis XV has become a jaded and bitter old philanderer.

Jeanne bursts into his life and, as the Comtesse du Barry, quickly becomes his official mistress. “That beastly bourgeois Pompadour was one thing; a common prostitute quite another kettle of fish.”

After decades suffering the King’s endless stream of Royal Favorites, the princesses of the Court have reached a breaking point. Horrified that he would bring the lowborn Comtesse du Barry into the hallowed halls of Versailles, Louis XV’s daughters, led by the indomitable Madame Adelaide, vow eternal enmity and enlist the young dauphiness Marie Antoinette in their fight against the new mistress.


But as tensions rise and the French Revolution draws closer, a prostitute in the palace soon becomes the least of the nobility’s concerns.

There is something so elegant and magnetic about the French court…..at least for me. While my heart will always be in the British court, the French have an elegance and lure that is different than other books on royalty. Having enjoyed the other two books in the series, I was excited to see where this book would take us in the court.

I’ve read some books on royal mistresses so I know a little about the Comtesse du Barry before reading this story. Of all Louis’s mistresses, this was the one that intrigued me the most. Reading her story (albeit the historical fiction version) was insightful and intriguing. One of the things that I noted about Christie’s other books, was the way she portrays her female lead characters.

I’ve read a a lot of nonfiction books on royalty and that talk about the relationships Louis had with his mistresses, but none of the books made the mistresses stories as ‘real’, sexy, and yet modern as Christie has done in her books. And this installment was no different.

Christie keeps the dialogue modern, the text crisp, and the historical facts to the point and relevant. She doesn’t go off on tangents and I love that about her novels! The story alternates between Jeanne and Madame Adelaide’s perspectives which kept things interesting and moving along briskly.

The one things that bothered me at times throughout the novel was Madame Adelaide’s inner dialogue and thoughts. I felt like she was spoiled and arrogant and kind of annoying at times. Yes she was a princess and as other reviewers commented, her inner dialogue was a little over the top which I would agree with.

Overall I thought the account of their lives was believable and interesting. I wasn’t as invested in this one as I had been with the other books in the series but on the whole I felt like it ended on a high note. I liked how this book incorporated the Revolution as well as the having Marie Antoinette come into play. This is a well researched but yet fresh and modern novel with scandal and intrigue built it!

Kindle Copy for Review 

Once again we are swept away into the past in Sally Christie final book in her Mistresses of Versailles.  We are shown life of Louis XV and his daughters as well as his mistress.  In a world that people vie for power in court and out.

We are shown the rise of a young Jeanne who becomes a prostitute and then the Comtesse du Barry as she becomes the aging mistress to the jaded King.  She brings light into his world.

The princesses are not happy with the King behavior after suffering having had one of their father’s previous living and dying in their home.  Adelaide finds herself disliking the new mistress as she tries to look out for her father and be the dutiful daughter.  We watch take on the role to save their family.

We are swept into their world where no one trust anyone and power is everything.

This is the final chapter of the series which depicts the life of Louis XV.  The first book told the story of his lovers... 4 sisters out of a family of 5 sisters.  The second book told the tale of his most influential lover, Marquise de Pompadour.  This final book tells of his infamous affair with Comtesse du Barry, who went from being a commoner who entertained influential men in the bedroom, to Louis's lover and companion for the final years of his life.  I was not familiar with any of these stories so I have been enthralled since book one.  She tells the story in such a way that you feel as if you are there on the sidelines, watching it all unfold.  This is definitely a must-read for all historical fiction fans out there.

Having read the two previous books from the Mistresses of Versailles Trilogy, I was ecstatic when asked if I'd read and review the third and final instalment. I thoroughly enjoyed the previous two books and this one did not disappoint. The Enemies of Versailles begins with Jeanne Becu leaving the convent as a young teen. Because of her beauty she is quickly snapped up to sell ladies finery to the nobility of France. Jeanne becomes enamoured of the Compte du Barry who seduces her into a lifestyle of debauchery. He quickly sees her value in enticing the nobility to his salon and card games at which point he offers her to the many men who attend in the hope of an invitation to Versailles. When this happens, Jeanne quickly comes to the attention of Louis XV who is mourning the death of the Pompadour but also awaiting the death of his pious Queen. Du Barry marries Jeanne to his brother so that she can be presented to the King, thus begins their love affair that ends only with his death.

Whilst Madame du Barry is the primary character of equal standing in this story is Louis's daughter Adelaide. The two stories are intertwined beautifully to create an understanding of the intrigue, politics and etiquette of a debauched French Court. Adelaide's hatred of Jeanne is relentless until the final moments of Louis's life where there is an understanding of Jeanne's love of her father. 

But the story does not end with the death of Louis. It is during this component of the story that you feel the impending doom creeping up as the story continues through the French Revolution and the final days and eventual fall of the Bourbon family. Jeanne's life after Louis, then her eventual imprisonment and her death are both heartwarming and sad. Adelaide and her sister were able to escape France to Italy where they lived until their eventual deaths. Despite survival, you feel the sadness of their situation and the loss of most of their family members. 

The Enemies of Versailles is a wonderful end to a brilliant series. I thoroughly enjoyed all three books and this final instalment was a fitting epitaph to a very sad time in history.

Sally Christie closes the doors of Versailles with the last book of her magnificently tantalizing trilogy we have all been impatiently waiting for since her last release. Through the splendor of palaces, to love and heartbreak, Christie has created such a fun, colorful—and in the end tragic—picture of life during such an important time in history. She gives life and a voice to several women, all interesting in their own right, throughout her books. In Enemies of Versailles, it is the infamous Comtesse du Barry and Princess Adelaide. Much like The Sisters of Versailles and The Rivals of Versailles, The Enemies of Versailles contains all the charm, the naughtiness of court life, and the addictive gossipy fun plus more. 

You will be tempted to drop everything to finish this book and the entire series if you haven’t yet had the chance to pick these books up. 

Personally, I found the contrast and the stark differences between the comfort loving Comtesse du Barry and the proper Princess Adelaide to be highly entertaining—from Adelaide’s shock and disgust to Comtesse du Barry’s want of affection and acknowledgement. The two women were strong and knew what they wanted in life, and both facing tragedy within the rise of the revolution. I’m very sympathetic for their fates. 

I can’t wait for Sally Christie to write more books (and soon I hope).  

*Review will be posted during my blog tour stop date on March 27th*

http://themusingsofabookjunkie.blogspot.com/2017/01/enemies-of-versailles-by-sally-christie.html

Scheduled 3/20/17

The court of the Sun King evolves after the death of much hated Madame de Pompdour. Adelaide, eldest unmarried daughter of the king is determined to become her father's companion. Louis has other ideas and is introduced to Jeanne, the Countess du Barry. Jeanne comes to court and becomes Louis' mistress. The women vie over control of the king, court and the newly welcomed dauphine. 


I really enjoyed this finale. This book focuses on the lives of the court women leading up to the French Revolution. The book is narrated by Louis' daughter and his mistress, Jeanne. I enjoyed Jeanne's voice much more, but she could be very frivolous. I also liked seeing the revolution from different views other than Marie Antoinette's. A very good book to end the series with