Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow (Marie Antoinette, #2) by Juliet Grey

Apr 10, 2013 Renae M. rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2013, france, historical-fiction

Though I wasn't massively impressed with the first book in the series, I intended to see things out to the end. Unfortunately, Juliet Grey's juvenile purple prose made me roll my eyes and cringe.

"Like a caterpillar bursting from its chrysalis, I emerged into the Salon d'Hercule, with its soaring pilasters topped with gilded acanthus leaves, and glided airily through the State Apartments, appraising them with the keen eyes of ownership, nothing immediately which wall coverings and upholstery wer

...more

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Oct 21, 2012 ☆Jessie☆ (Ageless Pages Reviews) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, series-ongoing, coverlove, hf-france, owned-copy, arc-book-tour, 2012-reads, 2012-reviews, received-for-review, reviewed, royal-family-tiffs-and-squabbles, hfvbt

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Another solidly impressive journey into the life of Marie Antoinette, Grey again proves, with her second novel in a planned trilogy, that she is a skilled writer, able to evoke time, place, and characters with equal vivacity. Beginning two weeks after the first novel, Becoming Marie Antoinette, ended, Grey immediately relaunches herself and the reader into an opulent, turbulent world with he...more

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Dec 22, 2012 Gaile rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 18th-century, emery-s-2012-challenge-gaile-kenne, historical-biography, rhfl-2012-challenge

The second book in this series is much better than the first one. I enjoyed it more. Marie Antoinette comes into her own and finally has her children. She also meets Axel Von Fersen. It ends on the eve of the French Revolution and we have to wait for the next book to come out which isn't yet out.
Knowing the inevitable end, I am not sure I want to read the next book. I never thought Marie Antoinette was responsible for the revolution. This book just convicts me even more. If only her husband had...more

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Jan 24, 2013 Karen Stinneford rated it 2 of 5 stars

I read this book because I thoroughly enjoyed its prequel, "Becoming Marie Antoinette." THAT book offered great insight into the thoughts of a young girl whose life was not her own -- whose birthright belonged to the state, and who had to completely make herself over to meet ridiculous standards set by the country and rulers to which she would devote herself. Reading about 18th century orthodontists made me thank my lucky stars for modern medicine.

THAT book was revealing and interesting.

THIS bo...more

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Nov 27, 2012 Stephanie rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this fictional account of Marie Antoinette as Dauphine and then as Queen of France. The first person narrative is extremely effective in allowing the reader to sympathize, although I didn't enjoy reading Marie's story as much as I enjoyed that of Josephine Bonaparte. Maybe the author's style wasn't as good, maybe Marie was too superficial compared to Josephine, maybe because she was so much younger than Josephine, I don't know. A criticism of this novel would be that there are s...more

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Oct 22, 2012 Meg - A Bookish Affair rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, europe, fiction, historical-fiction

Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow is the second book in a planned trilogy about the infamous Marie Antoinette. In this book, Marie Antoinette is in her early to mid-twenties. When the book opens, her place in the French palace is perilous because she and Louis still have not produced an heir for the French throne, mostly due to Louis' most unfortunate medical situation.

You do not need to read "Becoming Marie Antoinette" in order to enjoy "Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow." You will definitely sti...more Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow is the second book in a planned trilogy about the infamous Marie Antoinette. In this book, Marie Antoinette is in her early to mid-twenties. When the book opens, her place in the French palace is perilous because she and Louis still have not produced an heir for the French throne, mostly due to Louis' most unfortunate medical situation.

You do not need to read "Becoming Marie Antoinette" in order to enjoy "Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow." You will definitely still be able to pick up the story. "Becoming Marie Antoinette" was a great story though so you should read it on that alone.

Okay, so in "Becoming Marie Antoinette," I really felt for Marie Antoinette. She was taken away from her home very early on and had to marry Louis and seemed nice enough. I had commented about how nice it was to see a different side of Toinette as she is called in the first book; however, I have to say that my sympathy for her slowly ran dry during this book. Now we are seeing the Toinette that we are more familiar with (the "let them eat cake" type). It's not a pretty picture.

France is suffering for all of the money that it lent to the United States for them to fight the American Revolution. The coffers are suffering and Toinette is still living large. She tries to explain away the excess by saying that she needs to basically be better dressed than anyone because as the dauphine and later the Queen of France, everyone looks up to her and would not if she were plain. Meanwhile, the French people are suffering and Toinette does not seem to understand why or why they are all so upset with the monarchy. Oh and then Louis is finally made able to produce an heir and Toinette picks up with the sexy Swede von Ferson not that long after. She seems to bounce from one amusement to another with no care for what she's doing.

Even with as much as I didn't care for Toinette's character in the book, I still really enjoyed this book. Toinette is just sort of fun to hate. She is really into herself and doesn't seem to care who she tramples on. She's able to explain away all of the less desirable parts of herself as things she must do. Grey does a really fantastic job walking the line between making Toinette act up while still having her remain someone that you want to read about. It takes a real talent to do that!

Bottom line: A great HF read!
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Jun 26, 2012 Angie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, france

I would give this book 3.5 stars if I could...

I have done extensive reading on Marie Antointette (though it was several years ago) and found her such an enticing person to read about. I "bonded" somehow with her persona in the books I previously read. I recently had the good fortune to visit Versailles, and so my obsession with her has reawakened. When I saw this new book about her, I was so excited to read it! (I found out later that it is bk#2 of the trilogy). I think because of the quality of...more

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Jul 01, 2012 Lorretta rated it 4 of 5 stars

I received this through the GoodReads Giveaway.

I did not read the first book of this series, so this was read as a stand alone. It held up very well for me.

We enter Marie Antoinette's life just before her husband Louis becomes king. She tells us what she believes her role as queen is; and is so eager to bring gaiety and light to the court. In her voice, we learn that she never wears the same dress more than once, slippers and gloves only the required amount, flowers every day, etc. In truth, it...more I received this through the GoodReads Giveaway.

I did not read the first book of this series, so this was read as a stand alone. It held up very well for me.

We enter Marie Antoinette's life just before her husband Louis becomes king. She tells us what she believes her role as queen is; and is so eager to bring gaiety and light to the court. In her voice, we learn that she never wears the same dress more than once, slippers and gloves only the required amount, flowers every day, etc. In truth, it is impossible not to feel scandalized by her justification that it is right that she sets the tone of fashion in the court.

She does not take her marriage vows lightly and is desperately wanting children, but Louis' is reluctant to fix his condition and so it takes years for the marriage to finally be consumated and we have to wonder how things would have panned out if Marie Antoinette had children earlier in the marriage.

She is completely oblivious to the dire straits of the common populace and their growing anger. She believes that divine right has determined the order of the people and they should be proud to support their nobles. She is violently opposed to helping the Americans fight their war and we get the thread of those repurcussions throughout the story.

She falls in love with someone other than her husband, and since every word and action she makes is noted and dissected, it is very dangerous, indeed.

Marie Antoinette is someone that I find fascinating in the way a charismatic evil charmer can be. Her complete lack of understanding how she helped to unravel her own way of life and pave the way for revolution is unbelievable.

This book is written from Marie Antoinette's perspective and is interspered with letter from her to her mother and back. We also get letters from ambassadors and her lover that help to solidify the situations.

I greatly enjoyed this book and look forward to the third installment. I'm also going to fnd the first book, Becoming Marie Antoinette, as I believe I would like to have the set.

The cover art is gorgeous.(less)

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Oct 31, 2012 Sam rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: europe, fiction, france, historical-fiction, kindle, owned, review-copies, series

Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow is book two in Juliet Grey's Marie Antoinette series. I read book one, Becoming Marie Antoinette, last year (my review) and very much enjoyed it, so I was pleased to be offered the chance to review the sequel. Covering the period from Marie's ascension to the throne of France to the beginnings of the revolution, Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow plants the seeds of the hardships to come. Young, childless and kept away from the business of state, Marie Antoinette b...more Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow is book two in Juliet Grey's Marie Antoinette series. I read book one, Becoming Marie Antoinette, last year (my review) and very much enjoyed it, so I was pleased to be offered the chance to review the sequel. Covering the period from Marie's ascension to the throne of France to the beginnings of the revolution, Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow plants the seeds of the hardships to come. Young, childless and kept away from the business of state, Marie Antoinette busies herself with parties, gambling and fashion, alienating a population struggling through economic difficulties. Her attempts at gaining privacy offend the noble classes and although her heart is often in the right place, she lacks the common sense a good leader requires. Her joy at finally giving birth to an heir is tempered by gossip and the Affair of the Diamond Necklace, which signals that the population of France is getting ready to challenge the monarchy.

I was very familiar with the history of Marie Antoinette before reading this or its predecessor as I have read and loved Antonia Fraser's biography of her in the past, so I was pleased to see how much Grey stuck to historical fact. As with Becoming Marie Antoinette, the amount of research that had gone into Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow, was admirable. I love all of the little details in historical fiction and Grey includes enough of them to make the time period completely and utterly believable. There are never any jarring anachronisms and I enjoyed all the little details about court etiquette and trends. I also enjoyed the letters between Marie and her family members as they broke up the narrative nicely.

The character of Marie Antoinette was drawn well. Grey manages a good balance between making you just sympathetic enough to like her but also showing why France didn't embrace her. Marie comes across as exactly what she was, a young girl out of her depth with black and white morals that didn't translate well to being the Queen of France. She is too easily led and thinks that simplistic gestures like donating a bit of money to charity can cover up her massive expenditure. Grey shows how good intentions aren't always enough and Marie's lack of common sense about her friends and choices ends up starting her ruin.

Despite these strengths, I had some issues with the pacing of the book. It covers many years of Marie Antoinette's life and while the first half had a sedate pace, everything seemed rushed through nearer the end and this imbalance bothered me a bit. There was too much detail about some events and not enough about others. The whole Affair of the Diamond Necklace wasn't explained properly by Grey, which made the sections about it drag a bit. Plus, I wasn't a fan of how suddenly other character's perspectives were included when the rest of the book had been written from Marie Antoinette's point of view. Middle books can always feel a bit slow in places and there was a lot of build up in this novel which I'm sure will pay off in the final volume of the trilogy but which made this volume a bit long and clunky to read.

Overall an enjoyable book, but not quite as good as the first volume, Becoming Marie Antoinette. I'm looking forward to reading the final volume when it's released.(less)

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Oct 08, 2012 Christy English rated it 5 of 5 stars

DAYS OF SPLENDOR, DAYS OF SORROW tells the story of Marie Antoinette’s time as Queen of France. In this novel, Marie Antoinette works hard to advise her husband as wisely as she can, reaching for the reigns of power, only to have Louis slap her hands away. She comes from Austria, where her mother co-rules an empire with her eldest brother, Emperor Joseph, and Marie Antoinette thinks that she should have at least an advisory role with her husband the king. But she is not in Austria. The Queens of...more DAYS OF SPLENDOR, DAYS OF SORROW tells the story of Marie Antoinette’s time as Queen of France. In this novel, Marie Antoinette works hard to advise her husband as wisely as she can, reaching for the reigns of power, only to have Louis slap her hands away. She comes from Austria, where her mother co-rules an empire with her eldest brother, Emperor Joseph, and Marie Antoinette thinks that she should have at least an advisory role with her husband the king. But she is not in Austria. The Queens of France have no power of their own, and only one role, to bear a son for the kingdom.

Forced out of the corridors of power, Marie Antoinette begins her reign over a court of pleasure-seekers, throwing masques, gambling all night, decorating palaces and performing in private plays. The worst of her detractors attack her for her spending, even as the debts of foreign wars mount. But in spite of their mistakes, Louis and Marie Antoinette care for their people. They are kept out of touch with what is going on in the countryside, divided from their populace by factions at court, by their enemies, by their own mistakes.

Caught up in a whirlpool she can not control, Marie Antoinette watches as Revolutionary ideas take hold, not knowing where it will lead.

This is a beautiful novel that opened the gilded gates of Versailles for me. More importantly, it opened the gates of Marie Antoinette’s soul. This novel lifts the mask of the queen so that we may catch a glimpse of who this woman was, her foibles and flaws and well as her kindness, her softhearted compassion, and her devotion to her children. Juliet Grey has crafted a fine novel which reveals a living, breathing woman of flesh and blood who speaks from the page and tells us who she was. There is more to the human soul than we can often see, and there is more to Marie Antoinette than is often spoken of. Juliet Grey lifts the veil, and shows us all that lies behind it. A vibrant novel that illustrates the blindness of politics and tradition, which comes to feel like the inevitability of fate.(less)

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Aug 26, 2012 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Juliet Grey's first novel in this trilogy "Becoming Marie Antoinette" was wonderful, focusing upon Marie Antoinette before she became Queen of France. This novel directly follows on from the first, commencing with the coronation of Louis XVI--"Louis le desire"--who came to the throne much beloved by the people. Juliet Grey clearly shows in this novel the couple's descent from being the desired new King and Queen of France to the hated pair that they became during the time leading up to the Revol...more Juliet Grey's first novel in this trilogy "Becoming Marie Antoinette" was wonderful, focusing upon Marie Antoinette before she became Queen of France. This novel directly follows on from the first, commencing with the coronation of Louis XVI--"Louis le desire"--who came to the throne much beloved by the people. Juliet Grey clearly shows in this novel the couple's descent from being the desired new King and Queen of France to the hated pair that they became during the time leading up to the Revolution. The novel ends with the storming of the Bastille, leaving me in anticipation Ms Grey's final novel in this trilogy; "The Last October Sky".
Ms Grey gives excellent insight into the events that transpired leading up to the Revolution, and also, which was particularly interesting, how those events were linked to the American Revolution. I found the debate concerning the aid given to the American colonists very interesting; Louis XVI wished to help America against France's long-time enemy Britain, but had concerns about helping a people who were rebelling against their monarch. As a monarch himself, and one even more autocratic than George III of England, I am surprised that he chose to give so much aid to the American revolutionaries. He virtually bankrupted his own country, which of course had disastrous effects. I was given a strong sense of Louis tempting fate troughout this novel.
As for Marie Antoinette herself I feel as though Ms Grey has given great insight into her character, and gives reasons as to why she acted in the ways she did. History has cast Marie Antoinette in such a negative light, putting words in her mouth that she never uttered (she never said "let them eat cake!") This is not to say that this novel shows Marie Antoinette as an innocent angel, but rather it shows her as merely human; with faults like we all have, but none of which made her evil or uncaring. She loved her children greatly, and did spare a thought for those less fortunate than herself. However, she had absolutely no control in government and therefore was completely helpless to help those who needed it. Strange really, considering that she was blamed for almost everything.
All in all I this was a well-written novel that portrayed events concisely, allowing the reader a clear perspective of such a turbulent time period. The characters were enjoyable to read of, as they are created to be shown as real people with both faults and strengths, instead of historical figures to be kept at a distance. A great novel, and I can't wait for the next one(less)

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Jul 20, 2012 Caz rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 4-5-stars, historical-fiction, kindle, romance-other

This is the second book in a trilogy focusing on the life and reign of the doomed French queen. The first is Becoming Marie Antoinette and the final book - The Last October Sky - is, I believe, going to be published next year.

Days of Splendour, Days of Sorrow focuses on the years 1774-1798, and begins at the point where Marie Antoinette’s husband, Louis, has just ascended the throne as Louis XVI.

The novel is written mostly in the first person which, as I mentioned in my review of The Second Empr ...more

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Jan 25, 2013 Jessica Jewett rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the second novel in Grey’s Marie Antoinette trilogy, which follows the Queen of France from the beginning of her reign through the dark days of the French Revolution. (The third and final novel, The Last October Sky, is due out in September 2013.) I found this novel to not quite be as fluid as the first. I don’t hold the author entirely at fault for this because I’m in the process of writing my own novel at this period of French history and untangling the truth from the spiderweb is incr...more

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Jul 29, 2012 Sarah Wagner rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: france, historical-fiction

The second novel in Juliet Grey's trilogy about the French queen Marie Antoinette picks up where the previous novel ended and opens with Marie Antoinette's early days as the Queen of France and ends just as the French Revolution begins in earnest. The real triumph of this novel is that it does not become boring, even as the author goes into the details about Marie Antoinette's dealings with her dressmaker and hairdresser. In addition, the author does a remarkable job of telling the tale of the D...more

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Jul 23, 2012 Kirstin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: european-royalty, france, series

This story picks up exactly where Becoming Marie Antoinette ended, as was expected. Louis and Marie Antoinette are now King and Queen of France, a country in disarray and near bankruptcy. They have yet to consummate their marriage leaving them childless. Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow: A Novel of Marie Antoinette continues their story as they move from being young sovereigns to parents to revolution.

At the beginning Marie Antoinette is enjoying being Queen. She is now the woman who sets the to...more This story picks up exactly where Becoming Marie Antoinette ended, as was expected. Louis and Marie Antoinette are now King and Queen of France, a country in disarray and near bankruptcy. They have yet to consummate their marriage leaving them childless. Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow: A Novel of Marie Antoinette continues their story as they move from being young sovereigns to parents to revolution.

At the beginning Marie Antoinette is enjoying being Queen. She is now the woman who sets the tone for the entire country. She wears what she wants and they entire nation follows suit. She truly lives as though the world is on her finger tip. Her extravagances at the beginning of her reign are her downfall because she is never able to live them down. Growing up in Austria she was not used to having everything money could buy, but then she left for France. As a young girl, she was introduced to a world of monetary things with a doting grandfather in Louis XV who spoiled her. Since she become Queen at such a young age this only continued. She never learned the value of money and thus spent it frivolously. Without children to distract her, she ordered gowns and gambled through the night. She refused to use anything more than once: her shoes, gowns or even ribbons and candles.

Though this all changes when she becomes a mother. She puts aside practically everything and lives for her children becoming quite the devoted mother. Unfortunately, the damage has already been done and in this novel you will be taken through the dramatic beginnings of the French Revolution.

I really enjoyed this book, but I do prefer the first of this series. I felt this book had a more serious tone, which is expected given Marie Antoinette’s increased maturity and age. No matter what she did, it was never enough for the people and it was always too late. She really must have had a difficult life with a continually uphill battle. I definitely do not envy her. I think the biggest problem faced between the monarchy and the commoners during this time period was perspective. Neither side could understand where the other was coming from and it resulted in a revolution. Once again Juliet Grey could not have come up with a better title for this book. The beginning is very much the apex of Marine Antoinette’s life full of gaiety and splendor, but as the book progresses it all just crumbles apart.
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May 23, 2012 Anna Gibson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: marie-antoinette-and-family-fiction, owned-books

http://vivelaqueen.blogspot.com/2012/...

[A review copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher at my request.]

How can a queen, once young and beloved, become a prime target for hatred? Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow by Juliet Grey is, at its core, an exploration of how a young and fairly popular Marie Antoinette became such a detested figure in French public opinion.

Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow is the highly anticipated second novel in author Juliet Grey’s Marie Antoinette trilog...more http://vivelaqueen.blogspot.com/2012/...

[A review copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher at my request.]

How can a queen, once young and beloved, become a prime target for hatred? Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow by Juliet Grey is, at its core, an exploration of how a young and fairly popular Marie Antoinette became such a detested figure in French public opinion.

Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow is the highly anticipated second novel in author Juliet Grey’s Marie Antoinette trilogy, which will span from her life as a young archduchess until her tragic end in the midst of the French Revolution. One question that seemed to be a common thread among many reviews of the first novel was “Does this really need to be a trilogy?” The question is usually followed up by the correct but blunt statement: “We know how it ends.” While the statement is true, I am personally glad that the story is told in trilogy format because the reader is treated to a much more fleshed out characterization of Marie Antoinette than is possible in most single novels. Like the first novel, Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow is written in first person from the POV of Marie Antoinette and is supplemented by various contemporary quotations and letters, although Grey has rewritten or reorganized some letters to improve the narrative flow of the novel.

It’s obvious that Grey has done her research on Marie Antoinette’s life and world. Most of the major events in the 1774-1789 time period are included or touched upon and other minor events are also included as well. I didn’t always agree with her conclusions about some of the mysteries and controversies regarding Marie Antoinette and her husband, but nothing sticks out as being unrealistically portrayed within the novel. I do want to bring up something that I’m sure many readers are curious about. In case it wasn’t obvious by the novel description, Grey has chosen to depict Axel Fersen and Marie Antoinette becoming lovers, both emotionally and physically. Unlike most fictional novels which include the “Axel Fersen affair,” Grey actually explored the impact that having a physical affair would have had on Marie Antoinette’s psyche—notably, guilt, shame and religious distress. I’ve read a few novels that include the “Axel Fersen affair” which include a mention here and there of Marie Antoinette feeling guilty, but Grey was the first to actually consider that such an affair would have had a tremendous impact on her in many ways. So, while I’m not wild about the Axel Fersen affair in general, I was (and am) very impressed with how Grey chose to handle it. I think that readers, regardless of their opinion about the affair, will be satisfied with how it’s portrayed in the novel.

As I said, most of the major players and events in Marie Antoinette’s life during this time period are explored in the novel. Marie Antoinette’s voice is generally engaging throughout the 15-year narrative, though I feel like the increased time span of this novel (which is almost double that of Becoming Marie Antoinette) required more room for exposition and less room for the more interesting character interactions that were present in the first novel. Something that did bring me out of the narrative a little was the occasional jump from Marie Antoinette’s first person to third person, which happened a few times in regards to the infamous Affair of the Necklace scandal. It was a little confusing because the first novel, as far as I remember, used Marie Antoinette’s POV and letters exclusively, and so the inclusion of third person outside of Marie Antoinette’s view was a bit jarring. Aside from those few moments, the narrative was overall solid and once again Grey excels at descriptions of fashion and location—Marie Antoinette’s sumptuous Rose Bertin gowns come alive on the page, and the descriptions of the Petit Trianon place the reader among the greenery—and there are, of course, still plenty of interesting interactions between Marie Antoinette, her husband, her friends and other Versailles characters.

Overall, Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow by Juliet Grey is a solid entry in her Marie Antoinette trilogy and I recommend it for fans of the first book or readers interested in a newer fictional take on Marie Antoinette's life. While the narrative does occasionally suffer from having to cover a time span of 15 years, the book still provides readers with an interesting look into Marie Antoinette as she goes from beloved young queen to hectic gambler to a more mature and yet detested figure in the eyes of the French people. The book is available in paperback or e-book format. The third and final novel in the trilogy, The Last October Sky, is due for release in 2013.

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Aug 28, 2012 Linda Harkins rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is the second in Juliet Grey's Marie Antoinette trilogy. It appears that I'll have to wait for the publication of the third one next year. Impeccable research! The author has definitely done her homework. What I like most about her portrayal of Marie Antoinette is that she paints a picture of the queen that causes one to sympathize with the 18th-century French monarchy. She brings out the humanity in this famous historical figure. Another thing Grey does so well in this book is illustrate t...more

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Jun 25, 2012 Lucy rated it 4 of 5 stars

This second book of Juliet Grey’s Marie Antoinette trilogy exceeded- by far, all my expectations. In the author’s first book, Becoming Marie Antoinette, we read about Antonia and how she, at a very young age becomes Queen of France- a most delightful read from beginning to end - So much so that I named it my favourite read of 2011. So how was Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow, going to compare, or better yet; give me more to get excited about?

Detailed to perfection at what is now customary Juliet...more This second book of Juliet Grey’s Marie Antoinette trilogy exceeded- by far, all my expectations. In the author’s first book, Becoming Marie Antoinette, we read about Antonia and how she, at a very young age becomes Queen of France- a most delightful read from beginning to end - So much so that I named it my favourite read of 2011. So how was Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow, going to compare, or better yet; give me more to get excited about?

Detailed to perfection at what is now customary Juliet Grey style, Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow, does not disappoint. Marie Antoinette blossoms into her own woman going through many peeling and riveting stages.

Her life is initially filled with the border-line obsession of finally consummating her marriage for the ultimate goal of bearing an heir to the French throne. Infinitely troubled by this freakish circumstance for several unbearable years, (ultimately due to the couple’s ingenuousness and failure to seek proper medical intervention), Marie Antoinette desperately needed a diversion.

Young and carefree, but nonetheless suffocating behind those palace walls, Marie Antoinette chose to keep a close-knit entourage to help alleviate her sadness. She enjoyed her late card games, her fashion, her theatre and her beloved Petit Trianon, where she could be herself. Her every move at court though, was hence discriminated.

Finally, through motherhood and an heir to the throne –Marie Antoinette thought she had finally achieved happiness and won the love of her people...hmmm. Louis and Marie Antoinette shared a unique bond, but apparently another highly regarded male friend, Axel von Fersen, also held a special place in Marie Antoinette’s heart…

Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow is Marie Antoinettes’ rise to womanhood through splendor, carefree times, love, friendship, motherhood but along with that followed: worries, hurt, tragedies, defamation, betrayals, remorse, and as well, a rise to maturity.

I think what I love most about this novel is precisely the way Marie Antoinette is portrayed. Juliet Grey does not create an untouchable, pure Marie Antoinette-nor does she follow those who have much maligned her in history. In this novel, Marie Antoinette encompasses the roles of queen, wife, mother, lover and friend in their purest form; told as is, without pretension.

My favourite part of the book was definitely the necklace affair. So much has been written on this topic already, yet in this novel it is told in even greater depth- almost like a minute by minute retelling of the facts- the story flowing with flawless elements and way more information than I have ever read before. Incredibly interesting!

Every little detail in this book is delectable, and I savoured it thoroughly. Written in good taste, nothing is amiss, and everything is possible. A work of fiction, yet written with such precise historical details, Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow is much more than just another Marie Antoinette story! I can't wait for the next and final book of this amazing trilogy. Excellent!(less)

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Aug 17, 2012 Sandy rated it 4 of 5 stars

It seems to me that the world around 1800 was ready for a change and it truly didn't matter who was on the throne. Combine some long-rooted animosity against Austria and a weak monarch and you have a recipe for revolution. It occurs to me that Marie Antoinette really suffered from a lack of a decent PR department!

The book was very interesting, I like the view that Marie Antoinette was not the heinous person history alludes that she was. I had no idea about her frustrations about not being a mot...more

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Jul 10, 2012 Kristin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: series, historical-fiction, read-in-2012, reviewed

I liked this book a lot better than the first installment, Becoming Marie Antoinette and I felt more connected to Marie here than I did to Axel in The Queen's Lover. I almost wanted to go up to 4 stars, because I was so immersed in her world, her thoughts, and her feelings. However, I couldn't quite get there because the ending seemed suddenly rushed (flying through the Affair of the Diamond Necklace) and dependent on third person accounts. For most of the beginning, the pace is steadier and her...more

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May 21, 2012 Diane S. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Back when I studied Modern European history in school (and yes it was quite a while ago) I was fascinated by anything having to do with the French Revolution. Grey's first book "Becoming Marie Antoinette enlightened me on many things I never knew about this Queen of France, namely the extent of the many things she had to change physically and behaviorally, to be accepted as the Dauphin;s future wife. Loved that book and love this one. Once again Grey, with meticulous research, shows the reader...more

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May 23, 2012 Megan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: owned, kindle

This book really suffered from my own high expectations. The first in the trilogy was incredible and I expected to be even more enthralled with this one...but it was just "pretty good".

This novel covers the ascension to the throne through to the beginnings of the Revolution. It is well written for the most part but the pace feels off. In some areas it is excruciatingly slow while other events are barely mentioned. Her pregnancy and the birth of her last child feel barely more than a footnote.

Im...more

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Feb 04, 2013 Trisha rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

I would give this 3 1/2 stars if possible. I've read the first book in this series which was attention-grabbing and compelling. This sequel was compelling too and an interesting mix of historical fact and the author's imagination. I especially like what she did with Count Von Fersen. Still, it didn't hold my attention as well as the first and I was able to easily put it down for days at a time and come back to it. For someone who gets pulled into a novel and can read it one day, this says a lot....more

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Sep 01, 2012 Katrina rated it 5 of 5 stars

Juliet Grey continued to impress me with this much anticipated second installment in her trilogy. After being crowned queen of France, Marie Antoinette continues to yearn for the presence of a child and makes her own mark on the court of Versailles. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. From the first page I was completely enticed. My favorite part of the book was that covering the Affair of the Diamond Necklace-which, before I had read the book, I had never known of it. I love learning of the French...more

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Jul 11, 2012 Rae M. rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: net-galley, historical-fiction, antoinette, released-2012, covers-i-love, ebook, read-in-2012, 03-stars, review-or-comment

This is the second book in a Marie Antoinette trilogy. I haven't read the first one, but I don't think it's necessary if you're familiar with her story at all (though I'd like to go back and read it anyway). This one starts out when King Louis XV has died and her husband, Louis-Auguste has ascended to the throne.

This is an okay interpretation. I say it's just okay because I don't like the "voice" she uses for Marie Antoinette, she would have done better to use third person. The first person is...more

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Jan 12, 2013 Denise rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, women-famous

The king of France has died. His son, the Dauphin, will now be king Louis XVI. But it is not a job that he has ever desired. For Louis may be royal but he has the heart of a common man. He would much rather be tinkering with his clocks than sitting on the throne of the most powerful country of the late 1700's.

His wife, Marie Antoinette, was born in Austria and has never felt at home in her husband's country. Barely more than a child on her wedding day, she is flung into the rigid protocols of t...more

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Sep 14, 2012 Arleigh rated it 5 of 5 stars

Juliet Grey, along with Amanda Elyot, is a pen name belonging to the lovely and talented Leslie Carroll—one of my favorite historical novelists. Having read seven of her books thus far, fiction and non-fiction, I much enjoy her smart writing style and her ability to write a perfectly balanced and intriguing story. All for Love, a fictional biography on the 18th century actress, Mary Robinson, remains one of my favorites, while this new trilogy on Marie Antoinette has been added to the list.

Days...more Juliet Grey, along with Amanda Elyot, is a pen name belonging to the lovely and talented Leslie Carroll—one of my favorite historical novelists. Having read seven of her books thus far, fiction and non-fiction, I much enjoy her smart writing style and her ability to write a perfectly balanced and intriguing story. All for Love, a fictional biography on the 18th century actress, Mary Robinson, remains one of my favorites, while this new trilogy on Marie Antoinette has been added to the list.

Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow is the middle book of a trilogy based on the life of Marie Antoinette. While the first installment, Becoming Marie Antoinette, explores the early life and four-year period during which she was dauphine, Days of Splendor delves into the many events and misunderstandings that led to the Queen’s undoing and the French Revolution. Marie Antoinette’s distaste for strict etiquette and lack of privacy, her snubbing of the old regime and seclusion at Petite Trianon created ripples among the nobility, which trickled down to commoners, maligning the Queen undeservedly.

While she waited (quite patiently) for her husband to undergo the surgery necessary for the couple to consummate their marriage, she had no outlet other than decorating her apartments, creating magnificent dresses and coiffures and hosting card parties and masked dances–as her husband barred her from all state matters. While she yearned for children and a more rustic existence, she gained many enemies to add to those who simply held her contemptible for being Austrian. By the time the heir was born, eleven years after her political marriage, her reputation was tarnished beyond repair, and the Revolution–sparked by the Americans–was quickly materializing.

This middle volume of the trilogy goes into the year 1789, just after the storming of the Bastille. The heartbreaking and bloody final years of the life of Marie Antoinette will be chronicled in Juliet Grey’s final novel, titled The Last October Sky, due to publish in 2013. This reader is very excited for the finale, though it is sure to be a heart rending story, knowing the Queen’s horrific fate.

After you devour Juliet Grey’s first two novels, other suggested reading is The Queen’s Confession by Victoria Holt, a fictional biography of the life of Marie Antoinette, The Queen of Diamonds by Jean Plaidy, which chronicles the theft ring behind the stolen necklace that helped bring scandal to the monarchy, Annette Vallon by James Tipton, the French Revolution through the eyes of the lower classes, and Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran, the famous waxmaker during her early years as she lived through the Terror.(less)

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May 05, 2013 Jane rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, signed

Where I got the book: purchased from author. Signed.

I was pretty enthusiastic about the first book in this series, Becoming Marie Antoinette , so I'm kind of sorry to report I didn't like this one nearly as much. Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow covers the story of Marie Antoinette from the first days of Louis XVI's reign to the beginning of the French Revolution, so from 1774 to 1789.

Except that it didn't stick to just Marie Antoinette. I think my problem with Days by contrast to Becoming is th...more

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Sep 05, 2012 Stephanie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: wish-list, historical-fiction, for-review, gift-from-author

I’ve always been intrigued with Marie Antoinette. she was such a complex women, I wanted to shake her at one moment, then hug her the next. She bore a tremendous amount on her shoulders and yet at the same time made very bad decisions. Out of all the books I’ve read about her, I would say that I have really enjoyed Juliet Grey’s two novels, Becoming Marie Antoinette and Day’s of Splendor, Day’s of Sorrow the most. But keep in mind this is Historical Fiction but I believe Grey stayed true to the...more I’ve always been intrigued with Marie Antoinette. she was such a complex women, I wanted to shake her at one moment, then hug her the next. She bore a tremendous amount on her shoulders and yet at the same time made very bad decisions. Out of all the books I’ve read about her, I would say that I have really enjoyed Juliet Grey’s two novels, Becoming Marie Antoinette and Day’s of Splendor, Day’s of Sorrow the most. But keep in mind this is Historical Fiction but I believe Grey stayed true to the events in this story.

Marie and Louis have ascended to the French throne and they have yet to consummate their marriage. Meanwhile, Marie began to fall out of favour with the French people (such as the royals) as the gossip and propaganda about her outrageous and extravagant spending was well known.She was spending more than her allowance had allowed and was in considerable debt. But that did not stop her as she continued to spend money on jewels, gowns and running up gambling debts among her peers. Even after her mother and brother’s warning and advice she could not see what she was doing was wrong and couldn’t see that it would cause serious trouble for her and her husband.

Marie was also under considerable stress to produce an heir for France and Louis suffered from a physical deformity it seems and finally after almost seven years of without consummating their marriage, he underwent a procedure, and they were finally able too. Soon after they had their first child, a daughter. Louis and Marie loved their children and I felt such sadness knowing what was to come. Louis troubled me at the end of this book. It’s like he couldn’t fully comprehend the magnitude of their situation and I think he felt that the French people would not turn on their King.

I enjoyed the pace of the story and Juliet Grey’s style of writing appeals to me.The book is written in beautiful detail and one can tell that Grey did an extensive research for her novel. There are so many aspects to this story and I was enthralled with every part, but I would like the reader to find out more for themselves by reading this novel. I highly recommend that you do.

Stephanie
Layered Pages

www.layeredpages.blogspot.com

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Nov 26, 2012 Elmira rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, fictional-history

This was a well researched and engaging story. This is a work of fiction, so the author can explore possible actions and thoughts through her characters that the real person might or might not have done or thought. What makes this an excellent work of historical fiction is the care that the author takes to be sure that the actions and thoughts of the characters are entirely consistent with the factual record, as well as with the likely motivations he/she was likely to feel.

Throughout the entire...more

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Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow (Marie Antoinette #2)

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