Madeleine's shared history with the king holds the key to her family's life...or death.
Seventeenth century France is an unsafe time to be a ... read full description
reviews
Jan 17, 2009
Stormi(Books, Movies, Reviews. Oh my!)
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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 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 More...
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Jan 24, 2009
Deb
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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 n
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Dec 20, 2008
Crystal Laine
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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 t 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 t More...
Aug 10, 2009
Victor
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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. Alth
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Dec 08, 2008
Jill
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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 prote 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 prote More...
Sep 04, 2009
faeriemyst
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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 charact 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 charact More...
Jul 21, 2011
Kate
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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 Hu More...
I wanted to read it because the heroine of the novel I am writing is a Hu More...
Nov 12, 2010
Felicia
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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 w 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 w More...
Mar 25, 2009
Carey
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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 More...
Everything changes when the King's Dragoons burst into their lives More...
Feb 02, 2009
Debbie
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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.
Nov 15, 2010
Raina
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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 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 More...
Oct 20, 2011
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 a More...
Here in the safety of the US, it's difficult to imagine being persecuted for our faith. Unlike Madeline's husband, I'm a More...
Dec 28, 2008
Janna
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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
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Jan 03, 2009
Debbie
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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 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 More...
Dec 29, 2011
Ruth
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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. Now,
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Nov 01, 2009
Carmen
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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 c
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Dec 27, 2008
Michele
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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 fi 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 fi More...
Dec 12, 2008
Anne
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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 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 More...
Nov 20, 2008
Angela
rated it:
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 t 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 t More...
Nov 11, 2008
Alissa
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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
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Jun 07, 2010
Trish
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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 t 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 t More...
Sep 03, 2009
Michelle
rated it:
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 hear 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 hear More...
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Dec 05, 2008
Paula
rated it:
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!
Jan 18, 2012
Larrullo
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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 More...
The best part for me was that I could enjoy a story that I found uplifting while learning something without More...
Jun 20, 2009
Julie
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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.
Jul 03, 2009
Alex
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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!
Jun 27, 2011
Nancy
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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.
Sep 04, 2009
Startling revelation to me about people of faith and how long we really have been searching for religious freedoms. Great beach read!
Aug 30, 2009
Dinasleiman
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Very interesting story set in the court of Louis XIV. Great characters and exciting plot.
