When Marion Dutilleul enters the service of the Marquise de Montespan, she never imagines that her ability to recognize scents and to blend them in...
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reviews
Jul 25, 2011
Adriane
rated it: 
The Orange Trees of Versailles is a charmingly written historical mystery, translated from the French, and set within the illustrious courts of King Louis XIV of France. The protagonist, fourteen year old Marion, is plucked from a life with her doting father in relative obscurity when she is accepted into the service of one of the most demanding and iconic members of the royal court. Suddenly ensconced in luxury beyond her wildest dreams, attending her duties in gilded and glittering halls of
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Oct 26, 2010
The Rusty Key
rated it: 
Reviewed by Rusty Key Writer: Jordan B. Nielsen
Recommended for: Grades five and up, for some social complexities and mild themes of violence. With its waifish female main character and abundance of corsets, velvet draperies and horse drawn carriages, this book will likely have no appeal to boys.
One word summary: Perplexing
I’ll admit it: I often judge a book by its cover, particularly at the library, where I found this slim volume faced out in a display of historica More...
Recommended for: Grades five and up, for some social complexities and mild themes of violence. With its waifish female main character and abundance of corsets, velvet draperies and horse drawn carriages, this book will likely have no appeal to boys.
One word summary: Perplexing
I’ll admit it: I often judge a book by its cover, particularly at the library, where I found this slim volume faced out in a display of historica More...
Apr 17, 2011
SarahC
rated it: 
French author Annie Pietri crafts an interesting historical novel of the court of Louis XIV. At fourteen, young Marian serves the King's favorite and mistress, Athenais, a beautiful marquise. The Marquise revels in her favor at court, but is filled with paranoia and greed. She keeps Marian close, employing her natural talents as a perfumer creating fragrances to meet her wishes. The danger of the marquise's greed becomes known to Marian and she realizes that the queen and the young dauphin are
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Dec 05, 2011
Taylor
rated it: 
This book was amazing! I didn't understand it the first two times I read it, but I kept going, then I fell in love with it, and just kept. on. going. Yes, I really have read this book 13 times. Its amazing. The plot was awesome, and it made me feel good reading it. The fact that it seems to be in the past, and with European feel, just. WOW.
Aug 04, 2011
Jane
rated it:
The cover is actually a lot better than the book itself. The gardener's daughter gets a place in court and creates a beguiling perfume. Story and writing are weak, but since I've visited Versailles, it was fun to revisit it through this story.
Oct 17, 2009
Josette
rated it:
Gives a nice feel for court life under Louis XIV, the Sun King, of France. Includes some court intrigue and a mistress, so probably better suited to middle school age.
Sep 11, 2011
Catherine
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This book was amazing! I absolutely loved it. I read it, liked it, and returned it to the library, only to want it back a few months later. I would read this book as many times as possible if I had time!
Sep 14, 2009
ISLN (Int'l School Library Network)
rated it:
French author famour for historic novels in Versailles
Feb 10, 2012
Melanie
rated it:
It was an interesting light read. I probably should have read it in the original French though. I thought that the translation probably could have been better.
Jul 31, 2008
Karen
rated it:
Fun young adult read. Gardeners daugher aspires to be something more in 1600 France. Marion becomes Louis XIV mistresses's servant and through her skills as a perfumer finds herself in precarious situations. Strong female characters.
Jan 04, 2012
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