Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
74th out of 99 books
—
85 voters
The Master of all Desires
Fans of Antonia Fraser and Margaret George will love this witty, intelligent page-turner from Judith Merkle Riley. The year is 1556 and the setting is Paris -- capital city to a country on the brink of civil war. Catherine de Medici is queen, and her astrologer, the prophet Nostradamus, has divined the secret evil of the Undying Head of Menander, the Master of All Desires....more
Paperback, 386 pages
Published
December 1st 2000
by Penguin Books
(first published 1999)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
791)
It is 1556 in Paris - capital of a country on teh brink of a civil war. Queen Catherine de Medeci's astrologer, the prophet Nostradamus, has divined a dreadful secret: To get rid of her husband's mistress, the queen is trying to obtain the Undying Head of Menander, the Master of All Desires. Her plans are threatened by a spirited young poet, Sibille Artaud de la Roque, who has come into possession of Menander and is tempted to fulfill her own desires first. But only Nostradamus knows that a spre...more
This book had a little bit of everything: history, intrigue, romance and humor. I loved the attitude of the master of all desires: Menander, the had that wouldn't die. Nostradamus also played a role in the story. I was intimidated at first because there were many historical figures to remember: 3 pages worth at the beginning, in fact. Once I decided I didn't have to memorize them, I just starting reading and was immediately pulled in to the story. I liked that the story was told from many differ...more
@#$%!I just wrote what was probably the best review I ever wrote and by one keystroke deleted the whole thing.
Let me say this was a great, wonderful book, better than most, if not all of the books on the bestseller lists. It has Nostradamus, Catherine di Medici, Diane de Poitiers, intrigue, double crosses, a house filled with the ghosts of a dead pirate's victims, and a living severed head that grants disastrous wishes to its owner. The heroine shoots her betrothed with a blunderbuss but unfort...more
Let me say this was a great, wonderful book, better than most, if not all of the books on the bestseller lists. It has Nostradamus, Catherine di Medici, Diane de Poitiers, intrigue, double crosses, a house filled with the ghosts of a dead pirate's victims, and a living severed head that grants disastrous wishes to its owner. The heroine shoots her betrothed with a blunderbuss but unfort...more
So far...
We have Nostrdamus, Queen Catherine de Medici, King Heri II of France, The "legenday" Undying Head of Menander the Magus, plus a love triangle that doesn't involve any of the above and i still have 1/3 of the book to go!
This one isn't a page turner, but I'm mostly reading it because the author has a very good name and I can't imagine where she is going with all this. The end was something of a suprise -it actually had a happy ending and everyone got what he/she deserved. I have another...more
We have Nostrdamus, Queen Catherine de Medici, King Heri II of France, The "legenday" Undying Head of Menander the Magus, plus a love triangle that doesn't involve any of the above and i still have 1/3 of the book to go!
This one isn't a page turner, but I'm mostly reading it because the author has a very good name and I can't imagine where she is going with all this. The end was something of a suprise -it actually had a happy ending and everyone got what he/she deserved. I have another...more
The title of this book is rather unfortunate - makes it sound like a terrible bodice-ripper. The "master of all desires" referred to in the title is really a severed head, and that requires an explanation in itself. Judith Merkle Riley presents her story in 16h century France, where Catherine de'Medici has not yet advanced in evil to the point of the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, and where a young noblewoman named Sibille finds herself embroiled with an occult plot. Sibille is devoted to poetr...more
A very strange historical novel, using Nostradamas as the vehicle to tie Mary, queen of Scots, the French Court and many of the predictions made by Nostradamas. Giving the reason why he was able to have this gift, or curse, and the beginning of the killing of protestants in France. Having read London, I began to understand the enormous influx of French protestants to England during Queen Elizabeth the First's reign. Extremely interesting way of writing. I would like to read Judith Riley's other...more
1 like · like · see review
view 2 comments
The best piece of historical fiction I've read in a while. It's a great blend of reality (Catherine de Medici and Nostradamus to name two) and magic/the supernatural (Menander and Nostradamus). The plot has many entertaining twists and turns, and inevitably everyone ends up in either the expected places at the end or receives a happy ending. Emotions and actions run the gauntlet here, to the point where readers won't be disappointed. All of the characters are fairly believable; the story's heroi...more
Not the best of Riley's books, and it doesn't come close to the suspense and adventure and love story that The Oracle Glass has. But overall it stood up on its own. There were some flaws with narration - a few spots it is written as first person when it doesn't need to be, and it ends up being confusing at those points. But overall it is a good story. Seems to be historically accurate as well.
Good summer reading! Beach book! Nostradamus, Kings, Queens, a poetess, lots of fun. The book is about a deathless head that gives wishes, but only if the wisher will turn over his/her soul. It's funny in a tongue in cheek way, lots of turns and twists (reminds me of a Midsummer's Night Dreams-type of story) and mistaken identity, etc.
Dec 15, 2012
Janice Russell
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
historical-fiction,
historical-ghost-story
I read this over a decade ago and really loved it, so decided to read it again. As I suspected, it was like the first time,and I didn't like it as well as I recall liking it the first time - it would have been a solid 5. I like the author's combination of humor and horror - the gruesome decaying head of Menander is totally wonderful.
A laugh out loud in every chapter. And life lessons throughout. It's not getting what you wish for, it's the baggage that comes along... Judith Merkle Riley (may she Rest In Peace) was one of the best authors I have ever read. Every book is a winner, and this one is fantastic!!
This book was very different than I expected. With the serious title and the fantasy aspect, I expected dark fantasy with a hint of historical fiction. It took me until well into the book to realize it was a farce. Once I understood the humor, I enjoyed Riley's depiction of the pettiness of those seeking for power. Her characters were well developed and she revealed a harsh portrayal of those ruling in Europe during the time of Mary Queen of Scots.
I should have known from the cover that this was a historical romance with one-dimensional characters who encounter no larger issues than personal conflicts over greed, lust, & power.
Oct 11, 2009
Linda
rated it
1 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
no one
Shelves:
borrowed,
life_is_too_short
Well, I've finally decided that it will be too painful for me to try to finish this one. Life is too short and there's a lot on my TBR list that I would like to get to before I die. For whatever reason, I'm unable to become invested in any of the characters and I am not finding any joy in reading this. Uncle!
Much better than I expected. A fun, light read with engaging characters. Menander will appeal to all of us who grew up watching cheesy horror and sci-fi movies.
Re-reading this again and remembering why I like Riley's novels. Historical characters including Nostradamus and Catherine de Medici mix with occult magic, demons, an angel, and a lot of humor to create a fun view of history.
A really great book shows us how everything is great and worth to die for
I liked this better than the "Serpent Garden".
My favorite book by this author so far!
My favorite JMR book, hands down.
LA NOVELA HISTORICA ES WOOOWWW
This book was silly, but fun. A magical talking head that grants wishes, but not quite like you'd expect. And I learned a little about French history in the process (Henri II? I forget which king).
I loved this- the independence of the women and the mystical elements were quite intriguing.
What can you say about a demon possessed skull that must obey its owner, yet tempts them to use [him] all the time because that gives him a hold over their immortal soul? I found this book very amusing.
Absolutely marvelous bit of historical fiction. Paris in the time of Nostrodomus. There's romance, fantasy, political intrigue. Read it as a sharp contrast to Checkmate by Dorothy Dunnett.
This is a crazy read. Head in a box, gives you a wish only the wish always gets corrupted. This one lingered with me for years after, and I picked up a used copy just for old times' sake.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
1556 - What happened?
Nostradamus, Catherine de Medicis, a young lady... love, mystery, power... Nice read, funny...
Maybe it's how/why it all happened ;)
Nostradamus, Catherine de Medicis, a young lady... love, mystery, power... Nice read, funny...
Maybe it's how/why it all happened ;)
historical romance, independent women, fantasy, well-written, and overall a good tale!
Fun, quick read. Supernatural elements made it amusing.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Judith Astria Merkle was born on January 14, 1942 in Brunswick, Maine and grew up in Livermore, California, U.S.A. Her great-grandfather was a Swiss emigrant, who moved to the United States in 1860. Her uncle-abue was the famous player of baseball Fred Merkle. Her father, Theodore Charles Merkle was contralador of the Project Pluto and her brother Ralph C. Merkle is technological professor in a Co...more
More about Judith Merkle Riley...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
