Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

The Courtier's Secret

by Donna Russo Morin (Goodreads Author)

3.6 of 5 stars 3.60 · rating details · 138 ratings · 18 reviews

This stunning new historical novel takes readers into the fascinating, sexy, and dangerous world of Louis XIV's Court of Versailles, and the life of a young woman who manages to survive and thrive within it.

Paperback, 369 pages

Published February 1st 2009 by Kensington (first published January 24th 2009)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Dude, Where's My Forehead?

131st out of 913 books — 577 voters

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani

Golden as the Sunset

63rd out of 107 books — 8 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 402)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Nov 07, 2011 Sarah O'Brien rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

Jeanne Mas du Bois is a young courtier in the court of King Louis XIV of France. Her entire family lives in the castle at Versailles along with thousands of other courtiers vying for the eye of the king. Jeanne, however, is very different from any ordinary courtier. Her brightest wish is to be a musketeer and join Louis' forces. Her most acute disinterest is climbing the social courtier ladder. Not that Jeanne isn't a lady, she just doesn't find satisfaction in napkin-folding and watching the ki...more Jeanne Mas du Bois is a young courtier in the court of King Louis XIV of France. Her entire family lives in the castle at Versailles along with thousands of other courtiers vying for the eye of the king. Jeanne, however, is very different from any ordinary courtier. Her brightest wish is to be a musketeer and join Louis' forces. Her most acute disinterest is climbing the social courtier ladder. Not that Jeanne isn't a lady, she just doesn't find satisfaction in napkin-folding and watching the king's gluttony at dinner. Her uncle secretly teaches her the sport of fencing down in the labyrinthine bowels of the castle. It's during one of these lessons that Jeanne and her uncle advantageously save a pack of musketeers from some ruffians bent on queen-murdering mischief. Because Jeanne is wearing a helmet covering her face, she is mistaken for a man and invited by the musketeers to one of their exclusive dinner parties. Not wishing to pass up on the extraordinary, albeit ludicrously insane, opportunity, she convinces her uncle to help her find man clothes and some hair for a mustache. Enter Jean-Luc. To put a cog in her cross-dressing wheel, Jeanne falls in love with one of the musketeers that "Jean-Luc" has befriended. Jeanne is able to meet this musketeer, Henri, as herself and he instantly falls in love with her. Unfortunately, Jeanne's abusive father has promised her to a pallid cold-fish of a man named Polignac. As Jean-Luc, she helps the musketeers save the queen from murder. As Jeanne, she fights for her personal freedom from her father and court life and to marry the man she loves.

The Courtier's Secret has a great amount of historical facts thrown about throughout the narrative which gives the story more detail and credibility. The reader can tell when a bit of true history is being related. The random French words peppered in the dialogue gets old and is somewhat distracting. It's as though the author learned a few basic French words and threw them in at each chance she could instead of tastefully accenting the character's conversations. Also, the reader beware of a plethora of long French names.

Overall, The Courtier's Secret is an entertaining story and not to be overlooked as another generic, non-action love story. Be en garde for the ending as it will certainly take you by surprise with the demise of one very influential character.

www.lostincodex.com (less)

like · see review

Apr 24, 2010 Cheezcake rated it 2 of 5 stars

I think the story was good. Enough to keep me reading till midnight, but not much later I suppose. The plot was the kind I like, even if a little cheesy and with a hint of deja-vu (ahem, Shakespeare), I think it's nice to read about Jeanne's exciting life. But I found the writing style of the author, forgive me, quite dreadful. She tried to give an "ancient" style by using big words such as dilemma, abject, behest, nondescript, etc. But they didn't feel natural, and the sentence felt a bit like...more I think the story was good. Enough to keep me reading till midnight, but not much later I suppose. The plot was the kind I like, even if a little cheesy and with a hint of deja-vu (ahem, Shakespeare), I think it's nice to read about Jeanne's exciting life. But I found the writing style of the author, forgive me, quite dreadful. She tried to give an "ancient" style by using big words such as dilemma, abject, behest, nondescript, etc. But they didn't feel natural, and the sentence felt a bit like an impostor in contrast to the other pretty modern phrases the characters and narrator used. And some sentences had very little sense. This mixture of old and new style and structure made it difficult to read because I was always thinking about how it was written, and how it could be improved, and I felt like I couldn't get into the story as much as I could have. Also, being French, I found it, if I may say so, quite atrocious how she used french words all the time. If she wanted the novel to be in French, she should have simply written it in that language! I mean, what is the point of having your characters say "oui" all the time instead of "yes"? and "ma chère", "magnifique", "mon ami", and then finish the sentence in english? It just didn't sound natural! In addition to the artificiality the use of the French brought, I must point out the number of mistakes the author made in using it. For example, "LE Galerie des Glaces". The characters at one point, when at Jeanne's uncle's place, meet Henri, when they want him to leave, they say "Bonjour"! I'm guessing they meant good day, goodbye, but may I remind you that Bonjour means Hello? So they were bidding goodbye by saying hello!? This was enough to make me put the book down for quite some time! And many other "mistakes" I won't point out so I won't "spoil" the book for you.

Now about the plot: Yes it is about a girl disguising herself as a guy to have more freedom. Cheesy. Deja-vu. Ultra romantic. Pretty pathetic when you think about the amount of novels with the same plot line. But who cares? That's why I chose the book, I love these silly romantic stories! :)
BUT, I think the writing and the drive of the plot was a failure. I'm sure there are many better romantic stories out there. I mean, Henri falls in love with Jeanne in half an hour? That she loves him, ok, she got to know him as a guy. But Henri? In one interview, that's it, he thinks she's his soul mate and would love it for her to meet his mother. And we witnessed the conversation, it was everything but enchanting, all we could see was Jeanne becoming utterly girly, when until now she was kind of a tomboy. She changes in five seconds. I found it a bit disappointing. I thought it would take time for their love to develop, that's the greatest part of romantic stories in my opinion, how and when the couple fall in love. It's also the hardest thing to render I think, cos it's all about the development of emotions. But it was completely ellipsed in this novel, and when Henri and Jeanne were together, Jeanne just seemed to lose all her toughness. And I guess that's normal since the author kept on reminding us that she was very feminine with him with all the "I wonder what's happening to me?!"

Well, anyways, it was a good story, and I recommend it only if you have nothing better to read, and you haven't found a better story. If you don't mind HOW the book is written, then really, this romantic story is for you, cos, well, the story is just as good as any other!
I, for my part, regret having spent £7 on this book, and I wish I'd found another, better book.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Dec 14, 2009 Bookaholics rated it 3 of 5 stars

The Courtier’s Secret by Donna Russo Morin
Historical Romance- Feb. 1st, 2009
3 stars

The Courtier’s Secret by Donna Russo Morin is a historical romance that is set in France 1862 at the court of the Sun King, Louis the XIV. The heroine, a plucky young lady who secretly learns the art of fencing and is renowned for her misbehaviors, disguises herself as man and aids the Musketeers in uncovering an assassination plot against the Queen. Of course, as it is expected, she falls in love with one of th...more The Courtier’s Secret by Donna Russo Morin
Historical Romance- Feb. 1st, 2009
3 stars

The Courtier’s Secret by Donna Russo Morin is a historical romance that is set in France 1862 at the court of the Sun King, Louis the XIV. The heroine, a plucky young lady who secretly learns the art of fencing and is renowned for her misbehaviors, disguises herself as man and aids the Musketeers in uncovering an assassination plot against the Queen. Of course, as it is expected, she falls in love with one of the Musketeers but can never hope to marry a man of her own choosing. To complicate matters, her abusive father plans to marry her off to an aristocrat in order for further his standing in court.

This book is a pretty solid read. There are a lot of things going for it. First, the setting is very, very rich. The author has chosen a great period of history to set her story in. There is so much rich material to draw upon and Morin makes great use of the time period. She creates a vivid, realistic picture of court life and the limitations of women at that time. From tiny little details such as the number of bathrooms there are in the Versailles to the rich description of the King’s daily toilette, the whole book starts to sag at the end under the weight of so much historical research. The author definitely did her homework, and I loved reading about France at that time, but in the end, it started getting a little bit too much.

The novel started out very promising but the plot developed some major problems for me. I loved how Morin set the stage: girl fresh from the convent, abusive father and loving, victimized mother, gender bending, disguise, mystery. I was eager to see how the heroine will solve her dilemma. Will the dashing hero discover her hidden identity? How is she going to get out of the planned marriage? Will they ever get together? In the end however, I was disappointed. It was very good to start with but around the middle it started to slow down. The author started to focus less on the heroine’s double life and more on the forbidden courtship between the hero and heroine. It was a total and abrupt shift in the plot. The author also introduced us to the heroine’s two girlfriends, whose stories were so engrossing that I became more interested in their sub-plot stories rather that the heroine’s story.

To be fair, this is Morin’s debut novel and for a first book, it’s pretty darn good compared to a lot of other poorly written romance novels out there. Overall, this is a solid read if you are interested in the French history. This author has great potential and I eagerly await her next book.

Reviewed by Pauline from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club (less)

like · see review

Sep 01, 2009 Tara Chevrestt rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, france, arc

The back of this novel recommends this to fans of Phillippa Gregory. I beg to differ. It was good, but does not contend with Gregory. Except for much court gossip and intrigue, it bears little resemblence to a Gregory novel. Too fluffy at times. Readers enter the court of Louis XIV, the Sun King. He bears much similarity to Henry the Eighth. He is pompous, full of himself, and is just utterly ridiculous constantly romping around with women and of course, one mustn't ever say anything he does not...more

like · see review

Mar 05, 2009 Misfit rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: wall-banger, historical-romance, one-time-read-only

Seventeen year old Jeanne du Bois returns from the convent where she's been schooled the last seven years and joins her family at Versailles. Much to her father's disapproval Jeanne is too independent and unladylike, and unbeknownst to him she resumes fencing lessons with her uncle Jules. After one of these lessons, Jules and Jeanne (who is dressed in men's clothes), come across two of the King's Musketeers under attack and save the day when they join in the battle. Not willing to reveal her ide...more Seventeen year old Jeanne du Bois returns from the convent where she's been schooled the last seven years and joins her family at Versailles. Much to her father's disapproval Jeanne is too independent and unladylike, and unbeknownst to him she resumes fencing lessons with her uncle Jules. After one of these lessons, Jules and Jeanne (who is dressed in men's clothes), come across two of the King's Musketeers under attack and save the day when they join in the battle. Not willing to reveal her identity as a women Jeanne is introduced as Jean Luc and as she wishes to join the Musketeers later she convinces her uncle to help her dress as a man. As Jeanne's abusive father plots to marry her off to an odious Baron, she finds herself drawn to Henri, one of the Musketeers - who during a fete at Versailles meets Jeanne and he is instantly smitten. A plot to kill the Queen is revealed and Jeanne/Jean finds both identities in the thick of things while she tries to balance the two and avoid being exposed.

So why am I giving this one only two stars? For starters, Jeanne is just way over the top in her independence - let alone the ditzy way she came across in the first two chapters (argh, those curls always coming lose from her coiffure!!) and I was beginning to think I was in for Gidget does Versailles. I threw the book across the room at Chapter two, but picked it up again and things did improve. Jeanne's ditzyness was toned down a bit, but as hard as the author tried to keep things realistic they just didn't always ring true. Hiding her dress and under things underneath the stinking privy cover and they didn't pick up any odor from it? She's able to get her men's boots off by herself, let alone the dress itself and do her hair just in time to run to chapel? Then there was the garden party where she/he had to run and change clothes at least once and run back to present her/him back again at the party - again she can get those big old boots off and on all by herself.

Last complaint and again I appreciate the author taking the time and effort to pack plenty of history in her romance (and with a nod to M. Dumas, père), but it was all just a tad bit too heavy handed and I was beginning to feel like I was being clubbed over the head with it. In the end, it was a reasonably entertaining piece of fluff, nice to have a romance set somewhere else besides the Regency period but I do want to warn potential readers, according to the author's notes at the end she wrote this as a historical novel and not a romance. So, despite appearances and the impression the cover gives, this is not a bouncy bodice ripping novel packed with sex and I suspect serious romance readers will be sorely disappointed, as will serious historical fiction readers - for those I'd recommend just sticking with Dumas and read his Musketeer series. (less)

like · see review

Dec 31, 2008 nimrodiel rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2008-books-read, reviewed-for-arm-chair-reviews

In the court of Louis XIV, the Sun King, courtier’s flock to Versailles for many varying reasons. For many it is the prestige and power gained by being a participating member of the court, for other’s it is for their love of the King and his Queen, for many it is a paradise. But for some courtiers like Jeanne Mas du Bois, life in the court is a pretty but unpleasant prison.

Jeanne, is recently returned to life at court after living in a convent for the past ten years. An independent and spirited...more

like · see review

Apr 25, 2012 kyrsta rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: france, historical-fiction, read-in-2011

The novel tells the story of Jeanne du Bois and her life at Versailles in the court of the Sun King, Louis XIV. Jeanne’s father does not particularly like his daughter as she is too independent and unladylike as she has fencing lessons from her Uncle Jules. After one of these secret lessons, Jeanne and Jules come across two of the King’s Musketeers and join in the battle. Jeanne then takes on her alter ego Jean Luc which allows her to live life as a Musketeer. Jeanne falls in love with one of he...more

like · see review

Aug 14, 2012 Kimberly rated it 2 of 5 stars

While I didn't wholly dislike this book, not enough to only rate it one star, it really wasn't that good of a read. Not much depth to the characters and the situations in which they found themselves were rather unbelievable. I'm just glad that I finished it so I could count it for my library's summer reading program.

like · see review

Feb 13, 2011 Christa Huffman rated it 2 of 5 stars

Good story, overall, but the historical details don't seem quite right. Set in the court of Louis XIV, the sun king, whose wife (who is definitely not Marie Antoinette) utters Marie Antoinette's famous "Let them eat cake."

like · see review

Feb 22, 2009 Lisa Tener rated it 5 of 5 stars

The cover doesn't do it justice--this is a great read about a female musketeer. Well-researched historical fiction, fun to read, great characters...it will transport you.

like · see review

Apr 09, 2009 Joycelyn rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fluff, historical-fiction

Enjoyable glimpse into the court of Louis XIV. Aside from some awkwardness in word choice and her depiction of the romance scenes, a solid first novel.

like · see review

May 27, 2010 Kate rated it 2 of 5 stars

Too much cant, improbably fiery heroine. More frank treatments of domestic violence than usual in these books, so kudos for that, but meh.

like · see review

Feb 12, 2009 Stacey rated it 3 of 5 stars

This the first post-Twilight book that I actually stayed up late to finish. Fluffy, but entertaining.

1 like · like · see review

May 11, 2010 Elise White rated it 3 of 5 stars

Predictable but riveting nonetheless.

like · see review

Jan 30, 2010 Kathleen rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

about average light historical romance

like · see review

Aug 31, 2009 Andjelija rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 7th-grade-ir-books-rick

in this book there is a girl called Jeanne, she lives in 1682 in versi under the rain of louis XIV.when she becomes"jean luc" so that she can becom a musketeers. when she falls in love with Henri another musketeer. then she almost gets killed.

when jeanne was walking in the palec garden she remmeder how she used o play by a stream as a kid i do the same thing not always with a stream thought.

this book is for evry girl who like to read love stores.

like · see review

Jun 04, 2012 Jessica Powell rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-my-personal-library

Mostly, it was a fluffy book. What drove the book was the love story to which the story about her double life and the attempt on the queen's life took a backseat. This was disappointing to me. However, it was an overall entertaining, though I may not think of it past closing the cover.

like · see review

Nov 10, 2011 Jenny rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-club, historical

Writing only so so on this one. If I have to read about moisture secreting one more time, I could scream.

like · see review

May 20, 2013 Julie marked it as to-read

May 17, 2013 Melanie marked it as to-read

May 11, 2013 Kristine Reier rated it 4 of 5 stars

May 10, 2013 Beth Bolen marked it as to-read

May 07, 2013 Anne marked it as to-read

Shelves: have-a

May 07, 2013 Kate rated it 5 of 5 stars

May 02, 2013 Mickslibrarian marked it as to-read

Apr 29, 2013 Samantha marked it as to-read

Apr 24, 2013 Katrina marked it as to-read

Apr 16, 2013 Daisylivres marked it as to-read

Apr 09, 2013 Carole Mccurley marked it as to-read

Apr 06, 2013 Millicentlydia marked it as to-read

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 13 14 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (5)

More editions...

Genres

Historical Fiction

28 users

Cultural > France

5 users

Romance > Historical Romance

3 users

Romance

2 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Donna Russo Morin

Donna Russo Morin is the award winning of author of historical fiction. A graduate of the University of Rhode Island, she lives near the shore with her two sons, Devon and Dylan, her greatest works in progress.

Donna enjoys meeting with book groups in person and via Skype chat. Visit her website at www.donnarussomorin.com;
friend her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Donna.Russo.M...;
follow he...more

More about Donna Russo Morin...

Books by Donna Russo Morin

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About The Courtier's Se...

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: The Courtier's Secret
avg rating	preview: The Courtier's Secret Goodreads rating: 3.60 (138 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5950096-the-courtier-s-secret?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348605381l/5950096.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5950096-the-courtier-s-secret?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Courtier's Secret by Donna Russo Morin[/url]

The Courtier's Secret

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website