To Dance with Kings: A Novel Summary and Reviews

To Dance with Kings: A Novel
by Rosalind Laker

To Dance with Kings: A Novel
List Price: $16.00
Our Price: $8.51
You Save: $7.49 (47%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $2.94 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions


or

Book Summary Information

Author: Rosalind Laker
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-05-22
ISBN: 0307352552
Number of pages: 624
Publisher: Three Rivers Press

Book Reviews of To Dance with Kings: A Novel

Book Review: 4 Generations come alive surrounded by Versailles
Summary: 5 Stars

This wonderful novel spans four generations of spunky women whose lives intertwine with the court of Versailles. First there was Marguerite who against all odds actually sees the plans her mother set for her come to fruition when the drunken nobleman, Augustin Roussier actually returns for her as promised following tragic circumstances. Their affection for each other blossoms into a deep love that lasts a life time, even if that love is ill-fated. Before they are parted, the union produces daughter Jasmin who grows up not wanting for anything. She develops a friendship with young Louis XV and gradually the two come to mean something more to each other but their romance is ill-fated too as Jasmin is seen as a threat due to her attachment to Louis and is forced into a cruel marriage. Jasmin is miserable but finally experience love in the person of Michel Balaine, a famed painter who is hired by her mother to paint her portrait. They know that after the paintings are done they must part and Jasmin is left to endure the cruel treatment of her sadistic husband, but it is not long that she learns she is pregnant with Michel's child. Nine months later she gives birth to Violette but must hide her with a foster family so her husband does not find out. Violette grows up with infrequent visits from her mother and soon builds much animosity towards her. At 16 Violette meets a Captain of the Swiss Guard and runs away to Versailles. Jasmin is devastated but never gives up hope of finding her child. Many years later, Violette finds her and she reveals that she has been living at Versailles as one of the mistresses of Louis XV. She tells Jasmin that she is leaving, and has just had a baby that she wants Jasmin to care for as she can't take the child with her. Jasmin agrees and names the child Rose. Rose grows up in a loving home and soon goes to court to wait on young Queen Marie Antoinette. It is here she meets the man of her dreams all while battling the danger of the French Revolution as it unfolds.

I loved this book! Each of the women was vastly different and faced decidedly different challenges in their lives but all exhibited an iron will that saw them through the worst of circumstances. I also loved how the story wove perfectly with the court of the Sun King, Louis the XIV, Louis the XV, and poor Louis XVI and his Queen Marie Antoinette who met their untimely end at the hands of the French Revolutionaries. I enjoyed seeing a picture of the people that were at the center of court life during the reign of these three kings.

All of the women were likable with the exception of Violette who was spoiled, self-centered, and arrogant . Still her story was an interesting element of the book, I just didn't care for her. Also I was kind of miffed as to why Louis the XV would refuse to bring Jasmin out of banishment once her marriage to her hateful husband was through. A reason behind this was never given.

Besides the thoroughly unlikable Violette and that one area that puzzled me, I really enjoyed this spectacular novel of Versailles.

Historical Books

Book Subjects
Most talked about in Historical Books
Pirate Latitudes: A Novel ImagePirate Latitudes: A Novel
by Michael Crichton
Harper; Published: 2009-11-24; Roughcut; Book
Best price: $2.25
Price in other shops: $27.99
The Master Butchers Singing Club: A Novel ImageThe Master Butchers Singing Club: A Novel
by Louise Erdrich
Harper Perennial; Published: 2004-02; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.83
Price in other shops: $13.95
The Last Witchfinder: A Novel ImageThe Last Witchfinder: A Novel
by James Morrow
William Morrow; Published: 2006-03-14; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $3.94
Price in other shops: $25.95
Zorro ImageZorro
by Isabel Allende
HarperAudio; Published: 2005-05-03; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $2.97
Price in other shops: $39.95
The Hot Kid: A Novel ImageThe Hot Kid: A Novel
by Elmore Leonard
William Morrow; Published: 2005-05-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $2.88
Price in other shops: $25.95
The Last Kingdom (The Saxon Chronicles Series #1) ImageThe Last Kingdom (The Saxon Chronicles Series #1)
Mass Market Paperback; Book
Bones of the Hills (Conqueror, Book 3) ImageBones of the Hills (Conqueror, Book 3)
by Conn Iggulden
Harper Collins Canada; Published: 2008; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $44.70
March ImageMarch
by Geraldine Brooks
Penguin Books; Published: 2006; Paperback; Book
Gates of Rome (Emperor 1) ImageGates of Rome (Emperor 1)
by Conn Iggulden
Harpercollins Pb; Published: 2003-09-01; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.80
Girl With a Pearl Earring ImageGirl With a Pearl Earring
by Tracy Chevalier
Harper Collins Audio; Published: 2002-06-17; Audio Cassette; Book
Best price: $34.99
Similar books summaries and other product reviews
Becoming Marie Antoinette: A Novel ImageBecoming Marie Antoinette: A Novel
by Juliet Grey
Ballantine Books; Published: 2011-08-09; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.57
Price in other shops: $15.00
The Winter Sea ImageThe Winter Sea
by Susanna Kearsley
Sourcebooks, Inc.; Published: 2010-12-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.98
Price in other shops: $16.99
Forever Amber (Rediscovered Classics) ImageForever Amber (Rediscovered Classics)
by Kathleen Winsor
Chicago Review Press; Published: 2000-09-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.95
Price in other shops: $19.95
The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. ImageThe Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B.
by Sandra Gulland
Scribner; Published: 1999-08-03; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.95
Price in other shops: $16.00
Before Versailles: A Novel of Louis XIV ImageBefore Versailles: A Novel of Louis XIV
by Karleen Koen
Crown; Published: 2011-06-28; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $15.77
Price in other shops: $26.00
Now Face to Face: A Novel ImageNow Face to Face: A Novel
by Karleen Koen
Broadway; Published: 2008-01-08; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.37
Price in other shops: $15.95
Through a Glass Darkly: A Novel ImageThrough a Glass Darkly: A Novel
by Karleen Koen
Sourcebooks Landmark; Published: 2003-05-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.26
Price in other shops: $16.95
The Golden Tulip: A Novel ImageThe Golden Tulip: A Novel
by Rosalind Laker
Three Rivers Press; Published: 2007-11-27; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.24
Price in other shops: $14.95
Dark Angels: A Novel ImageDark Angels: A Novel
by Karleen Koen
Broadway; Published: 2007-05-29; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.00
Price in other shops: $15.95
The Venetian Mask: A Novel ImageThe Venetian Mask: A Novel
by Rosalind Laker
Three Rivers Press; Published: 2008-03-25; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.09
Price in other shops: $14.95