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125th out of 531 books
—
547 voters
In the Shadow of the Sun King (Darkness to Light #1)
by
Golden Keyes Parsons (Goodreads Author)
Madeleine Clavell--beautiful, fiercely faithful, and...an outlaw.
As Huguenots in 17th-Century France, Madeleine Clavell and her family defy French law daily. Though they live in comfort and happiness in the French countryside, their Protestant Christianity is considered traitorous. But they are wary. Persecution is surely at hand.
Then King Louis XIV's dragoons arrive, forc...more
As Huguenots in 17th-Century France, Madeleine Clavell and her family defy French law daily. Though they live in comfort and happiness in the French countryside, their Protestant Christianity is considered traitorous. But they are wary. Persecution is surely at hand.
Then King Louis XIV's dragoons arrive, forc...more
Paperback, 366 pages
Published
October 14th 2008
by Thomas Nelson Publishers
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Well! This is indeed an inspirational book with many prayers and even a character converted during the course of the book. In spite of all that, I completely enjoyed it. Not much has been written about the persecution of Huguenots (protestants)in France. the Edict Of Nantes was supposed to protect Huguenots in France from persecution but as he grew older the Sun King, Louis IV wanted Huguenots to outwardly convert so France would be a united Catholic country.
Church and State come together when d...more
Church and State come together when d...more
Jan 17, 2009
Stormi (Lightning Book Promotions)
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
those who love historicals
During the reign of King Louis the French Protestants had to either convert or face imprisonment. Some thought that they would be protected, but they were not.
When the dragoon's storm on to the Clavell's estate, they soon found out that even being former people of the court would not protect them from being persecuted by King Louis soldiers. The Clavell's send Their two boys off with their uncle to a cave to save them from being taken and put in Catholic school's.
While they are hiding, Madelei...more
When the dragoon's storm on to the Clavell's estate, they soon found out that even being former people of the court would not protect them from being persecuted by King Louis soldiers. The Clavell's send Their two boys off with their uncle to a cave to save them from being taken and put in Catholic school's.
While they are hiding, Madelei...more
This book presents a story that takes place during a very difficult time in the history of France. The amount of details provided in the narrative; the realistic conversations between the characters; the way the story incorporated other stories and information from this era; and the clear descriptions of the good, the bad and the ugly of their lifes makes the story very interesting. My favorite passage from the book is on page 182, when Jean tells his nephew, Phillipe, "True courage is not the a...more
Based on the author's own family history, seventeenth century Clavell family's struggle to hold together their family in the face of religious persecution on order of the "Sun King" Louis XIV proves nearly fatal.
Huguenots, or French Protestants who followed teachings by John Calvin, are pillaged, books burned, and homesteads destroyed, while the children are sent to Catholic schools to be re-educated if they did not convert to the country's religion, Catholicism. It was a time of great peril for...more
Huguenots, or French Protestants who followed teachings by John Calvin, are pillaged, books burned, and homesteads destroyed, while the children are sent to Catholic schools to be re-educated if they did not convert to the country's religion, Catholicism. It was a time of great peril for...more
I had the pleasure of interviewing Golden Keyes Parsons on my radio show, "Kingdom Highlights" regarding her new book, "In The Shadow of the Sun King", Book One in the Darkness to Light series published by Thomas Nelson This book has all the excitement of an Alexandre Dumas story. As a matter of fact it peripherally mentions what Dumas wrote about in his book, "The Man in the Iron Mask" as both stories take place around the same time regarding the same king. Although Ms. Parsons writes as fictio...more
When King Louis’ soldiers descend on the Clavell estate, Madeline Clavell and her husband, Francois, send their two sons into hiding to protect them from the soldiers. Madeline, once a close friend of the king, travels to Versailles to persuade him to protect her family. But Louis demands a price far too dear and Madeline refuses.
Enraged, Louis orders the Clavell estate burned, the servants executed, and Francois sent to the Bastille. Madeline tries to race the soldiers home to protect her famil...more
Enraged, Louis orders the Clavell estate burned, the servants executed, and Francois sent to the Bastille. Madeline tries to race the soldiers home to protect her famil...more
What a struggle! For over one-hundred pages, I slogged through mediocre writing, awkward and stilted dialogue, and then just as it's starting to get interesting, the author decides to stop and skip almost a year! Then the plot continues where it left off and plods on for the remainder of the book.
The heavy-handed use of religion is the least of it's problems, which should have at least have fit in better and not tossed like an oversight. I could not sympathize with any of the characters, the rea...more
The heavy-handed use of religion is the least of it's problems, which should have at least have fit in better and not tossed like an oversight. I could not sympathize with any of the characters, the rea...more
A historical novel with a strong thread of faith running through it, In the Shadow of the Sun King was based on the writer's own family history. It tells the story of a Huguenot family suffering persecution at the hands of the Sun King, Louis XIV. I felt some trepidation reading this book because Golden Keyes Parsons describes herself as: 'A Speaker and Author who issues the challenge: Dare to take God seriously!'
I wanted to read it because the heroine of the novel I am writing is a Huguenot at...more
I wanted to read it because the heroine of the novel I am writing is a Huguenot at...more
This was a good story, however I felt it only glossed the surface. I was being dealt a recounting of events rather than being entrenched in the lives of the characters. Everything in the book was too easy to be believable.
Decisions were almost effortless for the characters. Even the most devout person would struggle with the choices that Madeline and Francois made, and even once made most people would continue to question thier decision until the result was shown. This struggle was shown for on...more
Decisions were almost effortless for the characters. Even the most devout person would struggle with the choices that Madeline and Francois made, and even once made most people would continue to question thier decision until the result was shown. This struggle was shown for on...more
Madeleine Clavell lives happily with her husband, Francois, and three children in seventeenth century rural France. King Louis XIV has determined to unite France to one religion, Catholicism, and the result has been the rampant persecution of Protestants. Though Madeleine and her family are Protestant, they have been left alone due to her father's previous service at court and her own youthful dalliance with the King.
Everything changes when the King's Dragoons burst into their lives, demanding...more
Everything changes when the King's Dragoons burst into their lives, demanding...more
Golden is an old friend of mine. I'm excited to see what she has written. The first chapter had my full attention. As of 1/28 and almost through the book, it is a well-written story, full of intrigue, danger, twists, and a romantic hint. I will look forward to the sequel. Finally finished, I heartily recommend it.
I appreciate that the series is based on Based on the author's own family history of the seventeenth century Clavell family's struggle to hold together their family in the face of religious persecution on order of the "Sun King" Louis XIV which proves to be nearly fatal.
However, it was quite a struggle to get through this book. For over one-hundred pages, I slogged through mediocre writing, awkward and stilted dialogue, and then just as it's starting to get interesting, the author decides to sto...more
However, it was quite a struggle to get through this book. For over one-hundred pages, I slogged through mediocre writing, awkward and stilted dialogue, and then just as it's starting to get interesting, the author decides to sto...more
Your home is being ransacked by dragoons and your boys are in hiding. What would you do?
Madeleine Clavell is a French Huguenot in seventeenth century France. In order to unite the people under one religion, dragoons sent by King Louis XIV, aka The Sun King, are sent to persecute the Huguenots and force them to convert to Catholicism. Madeleine decides to go to Versailles and plead with Louis for the sake of her family. She believes he will listen to her, because of their past romance. But he set...more
Madeleine Clavell is a French Huguenot in seventeenth century France. In order to unite the people under one religion, dragoons sent by King Louis XIV, aka The Sun King, are sent to persecute the Huguenots and force them to convert to Catholicism. Madeleine decides to go to Versailles and plead with Louis for the sake of her family. She believes he will listen to her, because of their past romance. But he set...more
Oct 20, 2011
Catherine Richmond
added it
This book is about three people with tough choices to make. Madeline asks King Louis to spare her family from persecution, and he will - if she agrees to be his mistress. Then Louis offers a choice to Madeline's husband: convert to Catholicism or be enslaved. And courtier Pierre has to choose whether to continue helping Madeline, even though her heart belongs to another.
Here in the safety of the US, it's difficult to imagine being persecuted for our faith. Unlike Madeline's husband, I'm afraid...more
Here in the safety of the US, it's difficult to imagine being persecuted for our faith. Unlike Madeline's husband, I'm afraid...more
This book has a gorgeous cover, an enticing title and it was newly out so I hadn't heard anything about it yet - I was intrigued. I finally got my hands on this book and got really excited when I realized it is set in 17th century France during the reign of King Louis XIV and the persecution of the Huguenots. I have French Huguenot blood through my paternal grandma's side of the family, but I really don't know much about what that means. This book was an eye opener. I would say this is an excell...more
The world-building was very good and vividly paints a picture of what life was like at the time. The pacing is excellent, and the story is generally suspenseful--or, at least, should be considering what's happening.
The book, especially after page 92, was well-written. Before that point, the adults were very flat and predictable even if the events happening to them were exciting. It was the Feisty Heroine battling against the Villainous Military Commander and the other adults stayed vaguely in ba...more
The book, especially after page 92, was well-written. Before that point, the adults were very flat and predictable even if the events happening to them were exciting. It was the Feisty Heroine battling against the Villainous Military Commander and the other adults stayed vaguely in ba...more
Unfortunately, I didn't read this book until after reading book 2 & 3 in the series. I really enjoyed this one the best. It offers great historical insight into that infamous period of French history when its Protestants were persecuted and so many had to leave everything and emigrate. Some great characters from the strong heroine to the French courtier who falls in love with her. My only quibble, the author implies that he is somewhat younger than she, but never specifies their exact ages....more
A young Huegenot is persued by King Louis, the Sun King. Because of a religious difference, her parents take her away from court. Years later, married with children, she tries to ask King Louis for help against his dragoons. It backfires miserably as her husband is thrown into prison, her youngest child is put into a convent, and her house is burned to the ground. The family goes into hiding and tries to reunite. The novel does a good job of humanizing people on both sides of the religious confr...more
The setting is 17th-Century and Louis XIV, the Sun King, reigns over France. In an effort to unify his country under Catholicism, the minority Huguenots are suffering from persecutions, imprisonment and slaughter.
Madeleine Clavell, a minor royal who has given up court intrigues for countryside family life, finds her family destroyed and scattered after the King uses religious pretenses to pursue a personal vendetta against Madeleine.
In the Shadow of the Sun King is the first in a trilogy from au...more
Madeleine Clavell, a minor royal who has given up court intrigues for countryside family life, finds her family destroyed and scattered after the King uses religious pretenses to pursue a personal vendetta against Madeleine.
In the Shadow of the Sun King is the first in a trilogy from au...more
In the Shadow of the Sun King is the story of a Huguenot family living at the time of Louis XIV, the Sun King. Madeleine, a married mother of three, has a previous relationship with Louis, and attempts to save her family from the religious persecution of Huguenots growing throughout France.
I found the premise interesting, and was hoping to find a more balanced treatment of how Huguenot and Catholic families and friends overlapped, and how religious convictions stress and change those relationshi...more
I found the premise interesting, and was hoping to find a more balanced treatment of how Huguenot and Catholic families and friends overlapped, and how religious convictions stress and change those relationshi...more
3 stars - 3 3/4 stars
IN THE SHADOW OF THE SUN KING is a historical fiction set in 17th century France about Madeleine Clavell who tries to call upon her past relationship with King Louis XIV to save her Protestant (Hugenout) family from religious persecution.
It was very interesting to read because I didn't know anything about this time period, let alone what the term "Hugenout" meant. The first few chapters were confusing while I tried to figure out who all the characters were and what their re...more
IN THE SHADOW OF THE SUN KING is a historical fiction set in 17th century France about Madeleine Clavell who tries to call upon her past relationship with King Louis XIV to save her Protestant (Hugenout) family from religious persecution.
It was very interesting to read because I didn't know anything about this time period, let alone what the term "Hugenout" meant. The first few chapters were confusing while I tried to figure out who all the characters were and what their re...more
I wanted to like this book since I am a sucker for historical fiction. The writing is competent, but it's extremely wooden and lacking in subtlety; thus, the characters come across as very one-dimensional. And is it supposed to be Christian fiction? If not, it certainly seems like it should be. All the appeals to God ("O Dieu!"), letting in the light of God, randomly baptizing one of the characters in a freezing cold river, repeatedly praying for God's guidance, blah blah blah. I found the relig...more
n The Shadow Of The Sun King is Golden Keyes Parsons’ debut fiction novel, published by Thomas Nelson. This historical fiction novel is based on historical fact, as well as the author’s family history.
In The Shadow Of The Sun King takes place in seventeenth century France and focuses on the conflict between the Huguenots (French Protestants) and Roman Catholics, the latter being the state religion. Even though a law was passed to recognize the Huguenots, it did not always guarantee them safety....more
In The Shadow Of The Sun King takes place in seventeenth century France and focuses on the conflict between the Huguenots (French Protestants) and Roman Catholics, the latter being the state religion. Even though a law was passed to recognize the Huguenots, it did not always guarantee them safety....more
More like 4.5 stars...
This was a great debut novel and one that I would definitely recommend. I enjoy reading about this time period and the author did a great job putting me there. The only reason I didn't give it five stars was the fact that I could put down. However, I also kept wanting to pick it back up, which makes it an excellent read because I am surrounded by books that need to be reviewed.
I found the conflict in this story to be believable and engaging. My heart went out to the family...more
This was a great debut novel and one that I would definitely recommend. I enjoy reading about this time period and the author did a great job putting me there. The only reason I didn't give it five stars was the fact that I could put down. However, I also kept wanting to pick it back up, which makes it an excellent read because I am surrounded by books that need to be reviewed.
I found the conflict in this story to be believable and engaging. My heart went out to the family...more
Dec 05, 2008
Paula
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
light historical fiction lovers
Recommended to Paula by:
Thomas Nelson BRB
Shelves:
2008-reads
I've read plenty about the reign of Louis XIV and this wasn't anything new. However, it was a fresh look at the relationships that surrounded Louis - relationships excluding those of his family and mistresses!). I can unfortunately wait until the next in this trilogy comes out, but I will be reading it. The only thing that did really disappoint me was that this was too light and not enough detail.
From a Christian viewpoint too, which is very unusual!
From a Christian viewpoint too, which is very unusual!
Interesting, historically accurate, clean and well written. The characters were believable, the subject (persecution of Huguenots...followers of John Calvin) is not often covered. A very short lesson on the history of this religious movement is offered here as well as some nice descriptions of what the social structure and daily life of this era in France might have been like.
The best part for me was that I could enjoy a story that I found uplifting while learning something without any of it be...more
The best part for me was that I could enjoy a story that I found uplifting while learning something without any of it be...more
This book taught me alot about the Huguenots in France under the reign of Louis XIV. It's historical fiction and although I love historical fiction, I wasn't fond of her writing style. I did learn a bit more about this time period in France, which I appreciated since I'm not too up on all of the Sun King history. Made me want to learn more.
In the Shadow of the Sun King is Book One in the A Darkness to Light series. I found it hard to get into at the beginning but I stuck with it and I'm glad I did! By the end of the book, my eyes kept skipping forward so that I could more quickly read what was happening in the story. It is an emotional book, full of suspense, drama & intrigue. I will be interested to see what the next book in the series will hold!
This is actually based on my husband's ancestors --- the Clavells. Golden Keyes Parsons is a distant cousin. I really enjoyed this series and am looking forward to book #4 to be released late this year in Nov 2011.
This story takes place in France in the 17th century. King Louis XIV was ruler at the time and ordered all Protestants (Huguenots) to convert to Catholicism or face imprisonment or death. "In the Shadow of the Sun King" is a story about the Clavell family and how they were persecuted for their faith.
Some of the family have to go into hiding, a young daughter is kidnapped and brought to a convent, their estate is burned, the father is imprisoned and the rest of the family flee to Geneva. This is...more
Some of the family have to go into hiding, a young daughter is kidnapped and brought to a convent, their estate is burned, the father is imprisoned and the rest of the family flee to Geneva. This is...more
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Golden Keyes Parsons is a popular retreat and conference speaker, author of historical novels and an ordained pastor. Her book, "In The Shadow Of The Sun King," (Thomas Nelson Publishing), first in a four-book series based on her family genealogy, released Fall 2008, and was named a finalist in the ACFW's Book of the Year Debut Author category. The book chronicles the saga of the Clavell family in...more
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Jan 05, 2009 03:01pm