Enchantée
A magical novel by Gita Trelease
So, I wasn't sure what to think of this novel, when I received it in the mail. Was it a romance novel? A tale of revolution? Something boring? I know- I'm a tad unpredictable, but I just knew I was going to be unhappy with this novel, regardless of how lovely the cover. Thankfully, I was pleasantly disappointed!
Enchantée, written by Gita Trelease, is a beautiful read. #element-a91aea9d-59f2-4928-9a66-56516a3d3b30 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
I've always loved the French language. Not because it's sounds romantic, because it really doesn't. It's forced and commanding, but when you mix it with a bit of magic, you can fall in love. Enchantée is a story about a girl and her family and the scraps of love they live on while the revolution stirs.
In this historical fantasy, a girl named Camille lives with her sister and alcoholic brother Alain. While trying to be as honest as she can be, they do their best, but it's not always enough. What that happens, she resorts to using something she's afraid of using: Magic! There are three sorts of magic: Magie Ordinaire, where things are changed from one thing into another. Glamoire, where you can change yourself, and Magie Bibelot, which is the coolest. You can turn something inanimate animate- sentient even! Camille has the power of the first one, but she knows that if she's caught, she's dead.
With her youngest sibling, in terrible health, and the oldest sibling stealing from them for drinking and gambling, it's a tough life. But things take a change when she meets two boys in a hot air balloon one day. Things seem to be looking up in romance, as well as society- but it's not really for her. You know- back then the phrase was: Madame, you forget your station! Anyway, the story kicks off from there.
The magic is really cool, but the story just didn't do it for me. You all know me, I'm all about the action and though this book is beautiful in its storytelling, it wasn't enough for me. I needed more and I wanted it to happen faster. I did LOVE the magic and how Camille did her best to be a good girl in a bad world- even though she took on gambling like a pro! She never gave up; she never quit and that's needed in female, lead characters.
The world created brought characters from different nationalities together. It was awesome, I even loved Lazare- French Indian character. People like him kept the tale going- but it simply wasn't enough for me. The historical detailing was amazing, though I wouldn't know much from other books I've read and movies I've seen. It just felt real and made for easy reading.
Lastly, the ending- WOW! I can't say that I'm a huge fan of the book, but the ending was spectacular! I loved it. Will it be enough for me to go on with Trelease? We shall see later on. I just don't know right now. Anyway, if you love 1700's France and a beautifully written novel, check out Enchantée. Just don't look for serious action to take place for a bit. I'm off to the next read. Cheers!
Enchantée
Written by Gita Trelease
Published by Flatiron/MacMillan
Released February 2019
459 pages
So, I wasn't sure what to think of this novel, when I received it in the mail. Was it a romance novel? A tale of revolution? Something boring? I know- I'm a tad unpredictable, but I just knew I was going to be unhappy with this novel, regardless of how lovely the cover. Thankfully, I was pleasantly disappointed!Enchantée, written by Gita Trelease, is a beautiful read. #element-a91aea9d-59f2-4928-9a66-56516a3d3b30 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
I've always loved the French language. Not because it's sounds romantic, because it really doesn't. It's forced and commanding, but when you mix it with a bit of magic, you can fall in love. Enchantée is a story about a girl and her family and the scraps of love they live on while the revolution stirs.In this historical fantasy, a girl named Camille lives with her sister and alcoholic brother Alain. While trying to be as honest as she can be, they do their best, but it's not always enough. What that happens, she resorts to using something she's afraid of using: Magic! There are three sorts of magic: Magie Ordinaire, where things are changed from one thing into another. Glamoire, where you can change yourself, and Magie Bibelot, which is the coolest. You can turn something inanimate animate- sentient even! Camille has the power of the first one, but she knows that if she's caught, she's dead.
With her youngest sibling, in terrible health, and the oldest sibling stealing from them for drinking and gambling, it's a tough life. But things take a change when she meets two boys in a hot air balloon one day. Things seem to be looking up in romance, as well as society- but it's not really for her. You know- back then the phrase was: Madame, you forget your station! Anyway, the story kicks off from there.
The magic is really cool, but the story just didn't do it for me. You all know me, I'm all about the action and though this book is beautiful in its storytelling, it wasn't enough for me. I needed more and I wanted it to happen faster. I did LOVE the magic and how Camille did her best to be a good girl in a bad world- even though she took on gambling like a pro! She never gave up; she never quit and that's needed in female, lead characters.
The world created brought characters from different nationalities together. It was awesome, I even loved Lazare- French Indian character. People like him kept the tale going- but it simply wasn't enough for me. The historical detailing was amazing, though I wouldn't know much from other books I've read and movies I've seen. It just felt real and made for easy reading.
Lastly, the ending- WOW! I can't say that I'm a huge fan of the book, but the ending was spectacular! I loved it. Will it be enough for me to go on with Trelease? We shall see later on. I just don't know right now. Anyway, if you love 1700's France and a beautifully written novel, check out Enchantée. Just don't look for serious action to take place for a bit. I'm off to the next read. Cheers!
Enchantée
Written by Gita Trelease
Published by Flatiron/MacMillan
Released February 2019
459 pages
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