Before Versailles: Before the History You Know... a Novel of Louis XIV by Karleen Koen

Jul 13, 2011 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 17th-c, arc, france, historical-fiction, louis-xiv

Prior to reading this novel I had no idea that this book was about the king who would be known as The Sun King – and to that end, I didn’t know anything about that man either! I had no idea what story I was walking in to, but I loved Dark Angels by Karleen Koen so I did not hesitate to jump on this one! The author made it easy for me to connect into this world because there were frequent references to King Charles II of England (the brother of one of the main characters) who I have read a lot ab...more Prior to reading this novel I had no idea that this book was about the king who would be known as The Sun King – and to that end, I didn’t know anything about that man either! I had no idea what story I was walking in to, but I loved Dark Angels by Karleen Koen so I did not hesitate to jump on this one! The author made it easy for me to connect into this world because there were frequent references to King Charles II of England (the brother of one of the main characters) who I have read a lot about and always enjoy. This world of Louis XIV is just as interesting as the court of Charles II! All of the intrigue and romance and craziness!

The book started off a little slow for me and I think part of this was due to the frequent pauses to explain things that I didn’t feel needed to be elaborated on. For example:

“And our little French dauphin” – the first son of the king was called the dauphin because three hundred years earlier a king of France had purchased huge territories that carried a hereditary title, taken from the dolphin on the coat of arms – “is going to teach you French” (pg. 32 of ARC).

In the above scenario, while the information was interesting, it added nothing to the story and really broke up the flow. This stylistic feature appeared to die out after the first quarter or so of the book and the narrative really picked up from there. A stylistic choice that I didn’t mind as much but still felt was a little unnecessary, was the occasional reference of things that would happen in the future, beyond the scope of the book:

“He couldn’t yet know the difference ten years would make, even five, couldn’t yet know the temptations that would be thrown at him...He could not know that one day this girl, turned to woman, would weep before him, and he wouldn’t feel a thing. But such was years away…” (pg 349 of ARC).

While some of the writing style bothered me, I felt that the content of the story was wonderful. There was a large cast of characters but they were all well developed. Even the periphery characters were developed enough that you had a solid feeling about who they were and substantiated their motives. I also loved that there was a great character list at the beginning of the book because I certainly needed it from time to time – especially given my unfamiliarity with the French court. Koen also brings the mystery of the Man in the Iron Mask into play – and creates/supports a very believable scenario of who he may have been. Even this unknown character was well developed. I particularly enjoyed this plot line.

I very much enjoyed this book and can’t wait to get the chance to read her other works that are on my shelf. The author has stated that Dark Angels is a sequel to Before Versailles and knowing this, I was hoping to see Alice (main character in Dark Angels) pop into the novel before its end, as she was part of Madame’s household. But alas, this was not to be – that would have made the ending more perfect for me.

This book was received for review from the publisher - I was not compensated for my opinions and the above is my honest review.(less)

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Aug 13, 2011 Rio (Lynne) rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, french-historical-fiction

I was so excited to dive into this story of King Louis XIV. This story begins where Cardinal Mazarin dies and the young King begins governing France. Between love affairs "The King and his brother's wife and The King and Louise a lady of the court" you expect scandalous excitement. When the King's finance minister becomes corrupt and too powerful, you expect a page turner to see his downfall. Add in the mystery of The Man in The Iron Mask and this book should not have been put downable. So, why...more

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Aug 26, 2011 Jill rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romantic-historical-fiction

3.5 stars

One of my very first historical fiction reads was Karleen Koen's Through a Glass Darkly which I really enjoyed and set me on the path to reading more HF. However I'm not sure I would have continued reading HF if I'd started out with Before Versailles.

Although I did enjoy the actual story, I found the writing less than scintillating. It was an interesting period in history but overall Before Versailles didn't really grab my attention.

3.5 stars

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Jun 27, 2012 Bev rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

I have been searching all summer for a book that would capture my interest enough to keep me up late reading, and I finally found one! Being a huge fan of Karleen Koen's other books, I had high hopes for this one, and it did not disappoint.

This novel covers 4 months in the early reign of Louis XIV, when he was still trying to find his way as a monarch. He starts to come into his own as a leader, deciding whom to trust, what is best for his beloved France and where his true loyalties should lie....more

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Jul 21, 2011 Rebecca Huston rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 17th-century, france, historical-fiction, nook

This one by Karleen Koen shifts from the world of the Verneys to that of France of Louis XIV. The heroine is Louise a young maid-of-honour in attendance to Henriette -- Minette -- the wife of Philippe d'Orleans, and sister-in-law to Louis XIV. Lots of scandal and intrigue, with a plot that uses (yet again!) the Man in the Iron Mask cliche. I found it alright, but there were some serious flaws in this one for me.

To see the longer review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/review/Karlee...

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Nov 06, 2011 Michelle added it · review of another edition

Before one can truly understand the sentiments that brought about the Reign of Terror and the fall of the monarchy in France during the late 1700s, one must go back to the beginning and the behaviors and experiences that set France on its path. In Before Versailles, Karleen Koen takes the reader back to Louis XIV, back when the king of France, and as a result the country, was ruled by a variety of ministers, each with his own agenda. The pressure to dazzle everyone, from family to the lowliest o...more Before one can truly understand the sentiments that brought about the Reign of Terror and the fall of the monarchy in France during the late 1700s, one must go back to the beginning and the behaviors and experiences that set France on its path. In Before Versailles, Karleen Koen takes the reader back to Louis XIV, back when the king of France, and as a result the country, was ruled by a variety of ministers, each with his own agenda. The pressure to dazzle everyone, from family to the lowliest of subjects, was great, and the need to show one’s power in the form of profligate spending was all but required. Against this backdrop comes the story of one of France’s most beloved kings, in power 200 years before the Reign of Terror would destroy his lineage.

Before Versailles opens at the onset of Louis XIV’s reign as King of France. Before he ever earned his moniker, The Sun King, he was just a young man taking tentative steps towards establishing what would later become the first absolute monarchy. As one would imagine, Louis is relatively naïve and spoiled. Yet, glimpses of his future self become evident as he struggles to wrest mastery of his kingdom away from previous ministers, especially Nicolas Fouquet. Louis earns the reader’s respect through his growth towards a self-aware king, one who is more than capable of running his country by himself.
In direct opposite to Louis’ strength of character is the multitude of women that surround him. Giddy, empty-minded, and even more naïve than Louis, the women are simply vacuous. While they are capable of manipulating men, they achieve their goals through the use of their feminine wiles, something most modern-day women can only read with disgust. While there are plenty of examples of women who use their brains to gain power and privilege for their offspring, these women are all but non-existent in Before Versailles. Their simpering, fawning, and tantrums are so excessive that it becomes difficult to stomach at times. While the reader is under no illusions that Mr. Koen is completely exaggerating the behavior of the female courtiers and royal women, their actions do take on a largely fictional quality because of their extreme natures. One looking to find a true, strong female role model in Louis’ court is going to be sorely disappointed.

The pacing of the novel is very similar, one imagines, to life within Fontainebleau. Constantly changing, the narrative changes characters as quickly and as often as Princess Henriette changes dresses. For those readers not paying close attention, it can become an exercise in confusion to discern who is involved in the current scene while remembering everything said in previous scenes. Based on Mr. Koen’s descriptions, one imagines that this is exactly what all courtiers faced – having to stay constantly vigilant and aware in an effort to stay one step ahead of other courtiers and in the king’s good graces. It can be as exhilarating an experience as it is tiresome. Having to pay such close attention for every single page in the novel can be daunting, but the experience of reading Before Versailles is much more fulfilling as a result.

Mr. Gardner’s performance was not quite what I was expecting. His is a forceful voice, leaving little room for nuance and performance. The differences in his characterization was slight, if non-existent, making it very difficult to discern who was speaking when. His French, while adding an air of authenticity, made it even more difficult to distinguish between the very large cast of characters because the names sound so similar and are spoken so rapidly. Listeners expecting variations or even emotion from Mr. Gardner will be disappointed, as there really is none. This makes the novel read a bit like a biography rather than a work of fiction. Mr. Gardner’s monotony is especially effective at minimizing the overly exaggerated emotional responses of the maids of honor and even of Princess Henriette that are so prevalent, but this muted performance does detract from the more honest sentiments expressed by Louis and other characters. Regardless of Mr. Gardner’s performance, I am not certain that Before Versailles is the right novel for audio. There are too many scene breaks and jumps in time that are unheralded by anything other than a pause to allow for smooth transitions audibly. Mr. Gardner did the best he could with the material at hand. Unfortunately, I do believe this is one novel better read in print than read aloud.

Before Versailles is interesting in the intimate look it gives at court life before there was such a thing as an absolute monarch. The plotting, the constant fawning, the politicizing of everything from accessories to the granting of favors is as shocking as it is titillating. Mr. Koen does a fantastic job capturing the exhausting excesses while utilizing some of the more well-known rumors and unsolved mysteries to advance the story. A reader finishes Before Versailles with a greater understanding of just what it meant to be among royalty, a greater appreciation for not being part of the royal family, and a growing appetite to learn more about Louis XIV.

Acknowledgements: Thank you to Blackstone Audio and Jen from Devourer of Books for this Audiobook Week giveaway!(less)

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Oct 10, 2012 Marlene rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Originally published at Book Lovers Inc

There are two types of historical fiction. The first is the type where the main characters are nearly all fictional, but the story takes place in a historic setting. Before Versailles is the other kind. Nearly all of the characters are historic figures, but the author is using fiction in an attempt to explain events that set the stage for major forces in history. She is trying to breathe life into people we know only as royal portraits, or autocratic archet...more Originally published at Book Lovers Inc

There are two types of historical fiction. The first is the type where the main characters are nearly all fictional, but the story takes place in a historic setting. Before Versailles is the other kind. Nearly all of the characters are historic figures, but the author is using fiction in an attempt to explain events that set the stage for major forces in history. She is trying to breathe life into people we know only as royal portraits, or autocratic archetypes.

She's also trying to make the motives that she ascribes to her royal characters fit with recorded history. But we'll never know. All we know is what came after.

Louis XIV of France is remembered as "The Sun King". The historical quip attached to his name is the autocratic dictum "L'État, c'est moi" ("I am the state") although there's no proof he actually said it. But he did establish an absolute monarchy in France, one that was only brought down by the French Revolution.

But Karleen Koen's Louis, in 1661, has not yet started down the road of absolutism. He is 22, and he is king. But far from being an absolute ruler, he is himself bound by the ministers who really run his country. The greatest of whom, Cardinal Jules Mazarin, has just died. Leaving Louis a window in which he might seize power. And does.

The mix of history and fiction often catches the reader by surprise. The lieutenant in charge of Louis' Musketeers (and yes, there really were Musketeers) is Charles D'Artagnan. The fictional hero of Dumas' tales is based on the factual man who led Louis XIV's personal guard detail.

While the novel takes place over a mere six month span, it attempts two sweeping arcs. One is a personal story, as Louis, married to a Spanish princess entirely too much like his mother, falls hopelessly in love first with his sparkling sister-in-law, and then with one of her ladies-in-waiting.

The second story is more complex, and much more intriguing. It is an attempt to describe the maneuvering that might have taken place to bring the complete reins of power into Louis' hands.

And in the middle of the personal intrigues and the financial and ministerial machinations, the author introduced the story of the boy in the iron mask.

Verdict: The best way to describe this book is that the story is dense. There is so much going on, and the author tried very hard, perhaps too hard, to make everything fit into the historic events, instead of just telling a story.

As a consequence, it felt as if I got bogged down in the names and details, because there seemed to be a need to fit everyone in, and not every single one of the characters was necessary for telling the story. They were there in history, but they didn't forward the plot of the novel.

Before Versailles might have worked better if it had focused on just the love story, or just the political potboiler, instead of trying to fit everything into a single book.(less)

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Aug 13, 2012 Jean V. Naggar Literary rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Houston Chronicle picked BEFORE VERSAILLES for their 2011 Texas Titles List!

“Rich with detail and action...History tells us Louis took mistresses and became the textbook example of an absolute monarch, but getting there is marvelous great fun...With a handsome ruler as charismatic as Britain’s Henry Tudor, this focused retelling of the emergence of the Sun King will attract fans of the English king as well as Francophiles.” --Library Journal, starred review, named one of Best Historical Fiction...more Houston Chronicle picked BEFORE VERSAILLES for their 2011 Texas Titles List!

“Rich with detail and action...History tells us Louis took mistresses and became the textbook example of an absolute monarch, but getting there is marvelous great fun...With a handsome ruler as charismatic as Britain’s Henry Tudor, this focused retelling of the emergence of the Sun King will attract fans of the English king as well as Francophiles.” --Library Journal, starred review, named one of Best Historical Fiction Books for 2011

“Before Versailles is a feast for the senses. Readers will be swept back to the 1660’s. The atmosphere is electrifying, the liaisons are exhilarating, and the conversations and friendships are endlessly entertaining. I was absorbed into the story on page one and couldn’t put it down. I found myself skimming ahead just to see what happened next as well as researching online to see what happened to the characters in real life!” --San Francisco Book Review

“Following solidly in the footsteps of Dumas, Koen reveals independent-spirited Louise to be a modern heroine in period costume...[Koen] finds the era ripe for intrigue and romance, not to mention possible sequels.” --Publishers Weekly

“Period detail and costumes abound throughout this lively royal romp.” --Booklist

“Koen has created an intricately researched novel with brilliantly written historical figures...In the midst of tawdry affairs and political turmoil, Before Versailles delivers a beautifully written romance. --BookLoons.com
“I absolutely adored the ending.” --Burton Book Review Blog

“In this magnificently written and researched novel, Karleen Koen brings to vibrant life the early years and loves of the future Sun King.” --Jean M. Auel, New York Times bestselling author of The Clan of the Cave Bear and The Land of Painted Caves

"Before Versailles captivated me from start to finish! With exquisite finesse, Karleen Koen weaves history and myth into a sumptuous portrait of young Louis XIV, his intrigue-laden court, and the passionate, ambitious, often dangerous women who loved him." --C.W. Gortner, author of The Confessions of Catherine de Medici

“A cornucopia spilling over with intrigue, passion, jealousy, ambition, and rich historical detail, Before Versailles offers a glittering glimpse of the crucial months that shaped Louis XIV into Europe's most powerful monarch.” --Eleanor Herman, author of Mistress of the Vatican

“Before Versailles presents a grand yet intimate glimpse into the lifestyles of the rich and royal at the court of the young, virile King Louis XIV. Words to describe the cast of characters cannot do them justice: moral yet decadent; powerful yet endangered; larger than life yet completely human. But there is an apt word to describe Karleen Koen's latest novel: Brilliant!” --Karen Harper, author of The Irish Princess(less)

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Mar 28, 2012 Lucy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I especiallly love this period of French history and with Louis XIV as my absolute favourite king, it was easy for me to dive head first into Before Versailles. First of all let me say that the research in this book must have been of the most meticulous! The juicy parts and descriptions that entail mystery and kept me fascinated were impeccable in accuracy. I loved reading about palace life and the very details of day to day- the glamour, the splendour of this time- truly sweeps you off your fee...more I especiallly love this period of French history and with Louis XIV as my absolute favourite king, it was easy for me to dive head first into Before Versailles. First of all let me say that the research in this book must have been of the most meticulous! The juicy parts and descriptions that entail mystery and kept me fascinated were impeccable in accuracy. I loved reading about palace life and the very details of day to day- the glamour, the splendour of this time- truly sweeps you off your feet. Koen is master at doing this in Before Versailles.
Having read loads of history on this fabulous king, I must say that such a detailed look at the period and events in his life (taking place over only a few months!)- was practically like having been there myself-true indulgence! So much detail (history buffs and lovers of all that is French will be in heaven:)
There is so much to this book; an iron-masked boy; mystery, intrigue and somewhat of a love triangle. About that- there’s just something I had a little trouble with; Henriette’s character portrayal. Let’s just say that I’m more used to reading about her kindness and some frivolity- yes of course...but for the most part she is the darling of this period. It's really her husband that history rather portrays as being the all-around awful one with a deceiving and warped mind along with kinky male preferences. So I had some adjusting to do when it came to reading of Henriette as a little on the scandalous side. But since the book is so well researched, I will attribute this all-time party girl portrayal on the fact that the story takes place in such a brief time span. I should also mention that there were most tender and very touching moments where I got teary more than once..
So, not only is this book an absolute extravaganza into French history in all of its glory, the other thing that is for sure; Before Versailles has made me fall in love with Louis XIV even more! Awhile back I read Koen’s: Dark Angels and was absolutely enthralled by it- Well- apparently Before Versailles is its prequel. So, if you can, try to read both of these (I’m going to reread Dark Angels again for sure!) Talk about a mega dose of delicious Louis XIV.
Excellent!(less)

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Sep 01, 2011 Donna Jo Atwood rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011-fall-challenge, france-fiction, historical-fiction, louis-xiv-of-france, louise-de-la-valliere

The French court of the young Louis XIV (1641-1715) must have been as nerve-wracking as that of his great grandson Louis XVI, who was felled by the French Revolution. In this case, though, Louis XIV becomes an absolute monarch, beginning to wrest political control from his foes and starting on his way to becoming The Sun King.

But the heart of this story is a love story of sorts, if one can ascribe love to a man who is surrounds by women--and men--who expect him to stray from matrimony's path. L...more

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Aug 18, 2011 Sarah rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

While this certainly can't be qualified as a BAD book, when I turned the last page and closed the cover (yes, I still read tree-books), I could only say "Well, that's over." Not sad, not desperate for the next chapter, just resigned.

The story is interesting in a way - showing the first few months of the reign of the future Sun King of France, a crucial moment in Louis XIII's reign in which he made a definitive grab for power. At least, that's how the story ends.

(Minor spoilers in next paragraph-...more While this certainly can't be qualified as a BAD book, when I turned the last page and closed the cover (yes, I still read tree-books), I could only say "Well, that's over." Not sad, not desperate for the next chapter, just resigned.

The story is interesting in a way - showing the first few months of the reign of the future Sun King of France, a crucial moment in Louis XIII's reign in which he made a definitive grab for power. At least, that's how the story ends.

(Minor spoilers in next paragraph- nothing you won't find on wikipedia)

It begins differently, focusing on the experiences of a new young courtier, Louise and her role in "Madame's" household, as a maid of honor to the new sister-in-law of the king. Then, it looks like it will be a bit about an affair between Madame Henriette and Louis, shifts to a love affair between Louise and the King - briefly - and then ends with a power grab.
(End spoilers)

To top of the mish-mash that is the plot, there are several subplots involving other ladies of the court, other young courtiers, and servants, but NONE of them are resolved in any reasonable matter. It just feels like the book ENDS, almost like the author said, "Alright, end of chapter. Good enough. [Climactic plot point] has happened. Let's call it a day."

I guess the confused storyline didn't help, and the confusion is exacerbated by the fact that Koen's writing style is about as clear as mud. As another reviewer has said, it's not uncommon for her to insert random I-researched-this-so-it's-going-into-the-book facts in the middle of conversations or ten-word sentences. Next, she'll switch point-of-view characters three times on one page, even when each paragraph starts with some internal dialogue. It's very jarring and more than once I had to go back to a paragraph several times to figure out the most irritating question a reader should never have to ask themselves more than once: "Whose head am I in now?" Ugh. Aggravating.

I've heard rave reviews about her Through a Glass Darkly books, so I'm willing to give her another try, but to be honest, I found this book difficult to actually read, with all the rereading and double-checking POV characters. I guess if you want to read it, no review is going to stop you, but I will say that there are better writers out there. Not necessarily better authors, but definitely better writers.(less)

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Jul 06, 2011 Patty rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Most history buffs know of Louis XIV. His reign shines through French history for his control of the throne and his love of art. This book tells the tale of his beginnings; before he became known as The Sun King.

It covers only 4 months of his life - the first four months of his reign before he converted Versailles to the magnificent palace it is today. He is coming into himself as a king and as a leader of men. His mentor Cardinal Mazarin has died and his brother has just married a woman who has...more

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Jun 13, 2011 Deborah Sloan rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Capturing the court of King Louis XIV in it's entirety is no easy task, but Karleen Koen and Crown Press Publishers have done just that including all the court intrigues whispered about for centuries in just 4 short months of his reign as a young King. Before the greatness of Versailles was established. What could inspire this King and his court to such building extremes and opulence. A young king just beginning to find himself, to understand power and the responsibility his position requires.

Wi...more

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Jul 03, 2011 Michelle rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, goodreads-giveaways

Interesting (fictional) look at the first few months of Louis XIV’s reign. The author does an amazing job describing the court that is suddenly transformed into something young and new and vibrant. She really drops you into this almost envious world! I admittedly didn’t know much of Louis XIV other than high level stuff, so I appreciated learning more about him, his family, and his new court, not to mention what might have led him to build the binge of gilt and excessiveness that was Versailles....more

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Jul 09, 2011 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, historical-romance, beach-read

I won an uncorrected proof on www.goodreads.com. I elected to enter the drawing for the book because I know virtually nothing of French history.
I was confused in the first few chapters of the novel. So many names to remember and all those side stories befuddled me. By the middle of the novel, I was fascinated. By the end, I couldn't put the novel down to go to sleep or to shower; I wanted to know what happened to everyone.
The time period is fascinating. Everyone was related or otherwise connecte...more

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Aug 23, 2011 Vicky rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I waited for years for something new by Karleen Koen. Her first trilogy: "Dark angels", "Through a glass darkly" and "Now face to face" were my favourite historical novels for a long time. And finally came "Before Versailles: a novel of Louis XIV. For anyone who enjoyed Alexandre Dumas and his "The three musketeers", “The man in the iron mask" and "The Vicomte de Bragelonne" - this novel is a new adventure into the exciting era of France and the court of the Louis XIV. You meet your old friend D...more

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Jun 30, 2011 Suzanne rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

"Her face was lovely, flushed, incandescent - the way it could be when she was this happy and carefree. Her name was Louise de la Baume le Blanc, and she was just on the cusp of ten and six, and she had no idea of it, but her life was about to change forever as certain stars finished their alignment."

Karleen Koen's latest novel takes us back to the days of a young Louis XIV of France, later considered the country's great monarch. The sun shone on France during his rule - he encouraged the arts,...more "Her face was lovely, flushed, incandescent - the way it could be when she was this happy and carefree. Her name was Louise de la Baume le Blanc, and she was just on the cusp of ten and six, and she had no idea of it, but her life was about to change forever as certain stars finished their alignment."

Karleen Koen's latest novel takes us back to the days of a young Louis XIV of France, later considered the country's great monarch. The sun shone on France during his rule - he encouraged the arts, architecture, science and commerce. Everything he touched seemed to sparkle - thus Louis XIV was called the Sun King. What shaped this young king to become a great ruler? Koen takes history and also weaves within it a bit of the unknown. The result is a wonderful tale of love, conspiracy and intrigue.

It's no secret that I'm a fan of Karleen Koen. I've enjoyed her past novels and Before Versailles was every bit as good. The heroine, Louise de la Baume le Blanc, is a young lady in waiting in the household of the King's sister-in-law. Louise was a real-life person, who eventually became the King's mistress and mother to many of his children. The one thing I loved about this book was how many areas caught my interest and I found myself reading further background information about the characters and the events.

For instance, the man in the iron mask becomes an integral part of this novel. I wondered whether Koen was integrating the Alexander Dumas story into her own. Upon researching further, I found that there was evidence of a man imprisoned with a mask, and he was actually mentioned in a letter from Louise's mistress, Henriette. There has been much speculation about the identity of this man, and the beauty of historical fiction is that the author has the freedom to lend her own interpretation here. I realize some readers are offended when authors take license with the unknown, but Koen weaves a tale that is not only plausible, it is exciting.

Many thanks to Crown Publishing, for sending me a review copy! I loved Before Versailles and highly recommend it. It's definitely a must read for lovers of historical fiction.(less)

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Jul 12, 2011 Daenel rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I remember taking French History when I was in college and being totally smitten with the story of Louis XIV, there was just so much decadence. Have you seen pictures of Versailles? The pompadours and powders, oui! And, dude, what was up with the man in the iron mask? That’s probably one of the most enduring legends from the reign of Louis XIV and still there are no definitive answers about the who or why…

Meticulously researched, this book has everything ~ mystery, intrigue, romance, lust, polit...more

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Sep 09, 2012 Duckpondwithoutducks rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

The premise of this book was intriguing to me - the life of Louis XIV when he was a young man, before he built Versailles. It tells of his marriage to a worthy, but dull, Spanish infanta, his feelings for his brother's wife, and then his falling in love with someone very different altogether. The book even had the author's own interpretation as to who the man in the iron mask was! The book is historical fiction, so most of the characters are real, and the events based on real ones, but of course...more

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Jun 19, 2011 Rebecca added it · review of another edition

Scandal, drama and intrigue; those are the main three elements of Before Versailles. It had some mystery to it as well and I love mysteries so I really liked the mystery element of Before Versailles.
I thought that Before Versailles was really interesting as I didn’t know much about King Louis XIV or French history so now I feel a lot more knowledgeable on the subject. I like reading historical novels that are set in reality for that reason. It’s based in truth so I like to read through and searc...more

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Oct 16, 2011 Manda rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

If I could give this a 3.5 I would, it's not quite 4 stars for me but I did like the reality interspersed with the fiction here. Particularly having just read The Affair of the Poisons: Murder, Infanticide, and Satanism at the Court of Louis XIV before I started this one, I thought the cameo appearance in this novel by La Voisin, one of the chief witnesses and accused witches of that scandal, was a nice touch and her interaction with two of the court's ladies was good foreshadowing for those rea...more

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Jun 14, 2011 Jen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads

I am so excited that I won this book from goodreads and can't wait to receive it and write the review. Update will follow as soon as I receive it!
Well, here is my update! Another great book that I had the opportunity to review.

Before Versailles: A novel of Louis XIV is a well written historical fiction that takes you back to the 1600's with King Louis XIV being a young and new King to the throne. It is here that he must define who he is and how he is seen to his kingdom. There is a transformatio...more

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Oct 19, 2012 Caz rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, historical-fiction, 4-5-stars, kindle

Having recently read and reviewed a couple of novels set in or around Revolutionary France, it occurred to me that I’d like to learn some more about French history. I teach French, I speak French (fairly well) and I’ve spent a fair bit of time there in the last couple of years, and realised I knew relatively little about the history of this wonderful country on my doorstep, whose history is so entwined with that of Britain.
So I asked those helpful people over at Goodreads for some recommendation...more Having recently read and reviewed a couple of novels set in or around Revolutionary France, it occurred to me that I’d like to learn some more about French history. I teach French, I speak French (fairly well) and I’ve spent a fair bit of time there in the last couple of years, and realised I knew relatively little about the history of this wonderful country on my doorstep, whose history is so entwined with that of Britain.
So I asked those helpful people over at Goodreads for some recommendations, and Before Versailles was one of the titles suggested.

The story takes place during four months of 1661, the year in which Louis XIV fully assumed the reins of kingship following the death of his trusted adviser Cardinal Mazarin (also widely held to have been Louis’ mother’s lover). There is a large list of dramatis personae at the front of the book giving details of who is related to whom, which it may be helpful to refer to at first (if you’re reading the print version – with the ebook, it’s not so easy!) because Koen sometimes refers to characters by their first names and sometimes by their title. This isn’t a huge problem – just something to be aware of if, like me, you were not familiar with all the different personages in the story.
The author’s style is very easy to read; I found it very clear and quite refreshing in a way. All the characters – the majority of whom are historical figures – are clearly delineated, even the vast numbers of different ladies-in-waiting and other courtiers, and even though the PoV sometimes switches abruptly, I didn’t find it off-putting because I was so engrossed in the events being described.

I absolutely loved all the plotting and intrigue surrounding the court. Spies are everywhere, corruption abounds and everyone (almost) is out for what he or she can get. It’s salacious and frequently immoral (or at the very least amoral) and utterly fascinating to read. There are two threads running throughout the novel – one relating to Louis’ distrust of the wealthy and powerful Viscount Nicolas Fouquet, who seeks to replace Mazarin as Chief Minister of France; and the other concerning the identity of a mysterious boy who wears an iron mask. Having read Dumas’ The Man in the Iron Mask a number of years ago, I enjoyed reading another version of this famous story.

At twenty-two years of age, Louis is at his most heroic and charming. Something else I thought was very well handled was the way in which Louis undergoes a rite-of-passage, even in the short space of time in which the events of the book take place. At first, he is still somewhat impulsive and seems not quite ready for the huge responsibilities he has to shoulder; but by the end he is very much his own man and has emerged completely from the Cardinal's shadow. He is very handsome, and all the women of the court are a little in love with him; but even though kind and attentive to his wife, the Spanish Infanta Maria Teresa (who is expecting their first child), he is not in love with her. He becomes infatuated with his brother’s wife, Henriette (sister of Charles II), but soon after falls desperately in love with Louise de la Vallière. Louise is one of Henriette’s ladies – her family is not grand or rich and she is refreshingly innocent and unsullied by the excesses of the court. She does not want fame or fortune from the King and in fact, it is her simplicity and innate goodness that attract Louis. They become lovers, Louise insisting that their relationship must be kept a secret because she is at heart a well-bred, God-fearing young woman.

We don’t see their relationship play out in this book as although Louise is one of the major viewpoints, this is essentially Louis’ story. I found it thoroughly engrossing and will certainly be seeking out more fiction based in and around this, one of the most glorious periods in French history.
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Jul 19, 2011 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I love Koen’s writing in this novel. Her descriptions of the characters, setting, and time period are unparalled. I felt like I was at Fontainebleau. The romance between different characters is very sensual and sparks definitely fly. Even more than this, I really enjoyed the conspiracy. I wanted to find out who the boy in the iron mask was and who was writing the letters. Throughout it all, it was a great character study of the growth of Louis XIV from a boy king to an all-powerful King ruling o...more

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Sep 13, 2012 Julie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: won-book

What little girl doesn't dream of a prince finding her and making her a princess, or a queen? Karleen Koen has woven a tapestry of court lives, intreque, lust, love, and lies as intricate as the tapestries in French royal palaces. The events are supposed, but are based on real people in history. While it is easy to feel for the common people who struggled for every day needs, you must also have a kind of compassion for characters who on the surfacehave their needs catered to in almost every way,...more

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Jun 16, 2011 Kim rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Won this ARC on Goodreads..... and I loved, loved, loved it. The descriptions of the palaces, the clothes and the people were amazing. The book was full of rich descriptions of the time and I fell in love with Louis XIV, as everyone else did in the story. I am looking for a sequel already. The characters and time have inspired me to read more about this time and place in history. It is such a difficult subject with so much detail but the story was handled very well with some mystery and love int...more

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Jan 23, 2012 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: borrowed-from-public-library

I couldn't believe how quickly this nearly-500-page book went. I've tried to read Karleen Koen before and didn't much like her novels, though I don't remember why. I loved how many interesting characters there were in this book. Sometimes I feel frustrated by novels with lots of characters because some of them are annoying or so boring that I have to skim over them to get back to the ones I like, but I thought Koen did a wonderful job of making each person and their interests entertaining, if no...more

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Dec 04, 2012 Susan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, historical_fiction

This novel is the fictionalized account of about 6 months of the reign of Louis XIV. It takes place just as Cardinal Mazarin has passed away and and Louis begins to take over true control of his kingdom. It covers the downfall of one of his chief ministers, Nicolas Fouquet, who built Vaux-le-Vicomte -- the chateau that inspired Louis to upgrade Versailles into the palace it is today. I found it fascinating and realized how little of the history of Louis XIV I actually knew. So, I've now been ins...more

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Sep 12, 2012 Joan rated it 5 of 5 stars

I am addicted to this book. I find myself staying up way to late engrossed in this book. The characters are well rounded and interesting. I like the descriptions of the French court in the time of Louis XIV and the surrounding countryside. The author has also added the interest of the man in the mask. How is he related to Louis XIV? The intrigues of court, and how all the characters are interconnected is well done.

I have finished the book. The second half moved much faster than the first. I am...more

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Jun 28, 2011 Blodeuedd Finland rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

The book is in a way not written from one POV. Sure Louise de Valliere is the main character for most of it but there is always someone else taking her is his turn to say something, or to think something. It feels not like you follow one person but like you are some sort of ghost jumping around trying to see what is going on.

The book also takes place during a few months in 1661. Lois XIV is madly in love with his sister in law Henriette and they have a relationship. Her husband Phillippe is angr...more The book is in a way not written from one POV. Sure Louise de Valliere is the main character for most of it but there is always someone else taking her is his turn to say something, or to think something. It feels not like you follow one person but like you are some sort of ghost jumping around trying to see what is going on.

The book also takes place during a few months in 1661. Lois XIV is madly in love with his sister in law Henriette and they have a relationship. Her husband Phillippe is angry, but then he has former lovers too, male ones. Viscount Nicholas who takes care of the finances is spying on everyone and he will soon be thrown into jail. Louise comes to the court, all innocent and sweet and tries to hide the affair between the king and his sister in law. And then Louise and Louis fall in love. Lots more affairs going on and someone are sending the king notes questioning who his father is. That is what is going on in this book. It is a young court since the king is only 22. Everyone is happy and flirting with each other.

There is also another part of the book. The author takes in the story about the iron mask and makes Louise find out more about this. A nice little plot that goes well with everything. Especially since it brings light on the relationship between the Queen Mother and Mazarin.

I felt sorry for poor Louise when I later had a look at her fate. She loved the king and he just threw her to the side when he was finished with her. The book may end all happily but she was certainly not the last mistress he had. Especially horrible was how she was used as a decoy when he found a new woman. The power of kings. Still in this book he is a young king and in love. You can't fault him for that, and neither Louise who is young and impressionable.

Sometimes I did wonder if it was the way it was written that never made me totalyl fall for the book. I never seemed to get a hold of anyone. They slipped through my fingers.

This is a book for historical fiction fans out there, and especially those who enjoy the period.
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Giveaway + Autor Guest Post	3	12	Oct 21, 2012 07:54pm
Book Giveaways: Giveaway - Before Versailles by Karleen Koen!	1	6	Sep 14, 2012 11:32am

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Before Versailles: Before the History You Know... a Novel of Louis XIV

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