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Girls of Many Lands
Cécile: Gates of Gold
Twelve-year-old Cecile Revel is given a change to leave her peasant life and serve at King Louis XIV's court. She finds life within the palace gates is not as full of ease and elegance as she had imagined. Faced with a test of conscience, Cecile shows that behaving in a noble matter has little to do with one's place at birth.
194 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2002
7 people are currently reading
700 people want to read
About the author
Mary Casanova
49 books204 followersMary Casanova is an award-winning children's author of novels and picture books. Many of her books stem from her life on the Minnesota-Canadian border; yet some of her stories have taken her as far away as France, Norway, and Belize for research. Whatever the setting for her books, Casanova writes stories that matter--and stories that kids can't put down.
Her book awards include: American Library Association "Notable," Aesop Accolades by the American Folklore Society, Parents' Choice "Gold" Award, Booklist Editor Choice, and two Minnesota Book Awards. Her books frequently land on state children's choice book master lists across the country. "The greatest reward for me," Casanova states, "is when a young reader tells me she or he loves one of my books. For me, it's all about communicating writer-to-reader through a character and story."
Casanova grew up in a family of ten children in St. Paul, Minnesota. In a bustling camp-like atmosphere, Casanova found that writing became her voice. "Words are my paintbrush," she explains, "my way of exploring the world around me."
Now, with 19 books published and many more under contract and forthcoming, she divides her time between writing and traveling. Nationally and internationally, at schools and conferences, Casanova shares her love of writing and reading with children and adults.
Her newest novel, The Klipfish Code, makes use of Mary's on-site research in Norway. The story explores an important facet of Norwegian history through the experiences of Marit, a 12-year-old Norwegian girl who finds a way to fight against the 5-year Nazi occupation of Norway. Marit and her brother Lars are separated from their parents (who are working for the Resistance) and sent to live on an island with their gruff grandfather and school teacher aunt. During the course of the story, Marit's aunt is one of the Norwegian school teachers that gets sent to a concentration camp for refusing to integrate Nazi propaganda into her classroom. With potential danger waiting every turn, Marit finds a way to help the Resistance and eventually reunite her family.
Mary's series, Dog Watch (Simon and Schuster) is based on her northern Minnesota village where dogs are allowed to roam free—as long as they don't get in trouble. If they get in trouble, they earn a sticker on their page at the village clerk's office; too many stickers and a trouble-making dog must remain at home. "I never know where the next story will come from. It’s a delight when the stories come right from this corner of the world I call home." She makes her home in a 100-year old house on Rainy Lake with her husband, Charles, and their three "above average" dogs and spends free time with their horses, Jay and Midnight.
Her book awards include: American Library Association "Notable," Aesop Accolades by the American Folklore Society, Parents' Choice "Gold" Award, Booklist Editor Choice, and two Minnesota Book Awards. Her books frequently land on state children's choice book master lists across the country. "The greatest reward for me," Casanova states, "is when a young reader tells me she or he loves one of my books. For me, it's all about communicating writer-to-reader through a character and story."
Casanova grew up in a family of ten children in St. Paul, Minnesota. In a bustling camp-like atmosphere, Casanova found that writing became her voice. "Words are my paintbrush," she explains, "my way of exploring the world around me."
Now, with 19 books published and many more under contract and forthcoming, she divides her time between writing and traveling. Nationally and internationally, at schools and conferences, Casanova shares her love of writing and reading with children and adults.
Her newest novel, The Klipfish Code, makes use of Mary's on-site research in Norway. The story explores an important facet of Norwegian history through the experiences of Marit, a 12-year-old Norwegian girl who finds a way to fight against the 5-year Nazi occupation of Norway. Marit and her brother Lars are separated from their parents (who are working for the Resistance) and sent to live on an island with their gruff grandfather and school teacher aunt. During the course of the story, Marit's aunt is one of the Norwegian school teachers that gets sent to a concentration camp for refusing to integrate Nazi propaganda into her classroom. With potential danger waiting every turn, Marit finds a way to help the Resistance and eventually reunite her family.
Mary's series, Dog Watch (Simon and Schuster) is based on her northern Minnesota village where dogs are allowed to roam free—as long as they don't get in trouble. If they get in trouble, they earn a sticker on their page at the village clerk's office; too many stickers and a trouble-making dog must remain at home. "I never know where the next story will come from. It’s a delight when the stories come right from this corner of the world I call home." She makes her home in a 100-year old house on Rainy Lake with her husband, Charles, and their three "above average" dogs and spends free time with their horses, Jay and Midnight.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
April 4, 2018
For a book that's written for a brand (American Girl), this is an EXCELLENT read. Despite its shortness, the characters are all well-drawn and characterized.
October 28, 2016
I read this book when I was young; as a younger me I found it a practically mesmerizing insight into the life of royalty in times of monarchal Versaille and utterly enjoyed reading about a girl who suddenly finds herself diving into the palace's world and discovering whether and where she belongs. The story has a realistically tragic ending, or at least not an ending you would find in some fairy tale: it shows how grandeur can only last so long whether it is taken for granted or not. If Cécile was royalty, then the ending would be a French Revolution. I suppose that that is the difference between fantasy and a marvelously, magnificently airy historical fiction story like this one. As for the general historical relevance: well, after all, it has been said that historical fiction may have a number of historical inaccuracies, unlike supposed historical non-fiction, but in addition to the usual terms of literary interpretation they can be quite revealing. I will definitely claim that this is a fantastic read for girls of middle school age who have a potential in history.
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April 7, 2025i remember reading this when i was like seven i searched high and low for this title
October 11, 2022
The great AG marathon expands! As usual, reading for the first time as an adult.
I'm only two books in (I started with Isabel, but the Girls of Many Lands line fascinates and confuses me. AG's usual take on history is to go heavy toward "how ordinary people lived," but in these books, some of the choices push the scenarios these characters find themselves in toward the raised-eyebrow end of the spectrum. E.g., the manner in which Isabel interacts with a theater troupe.
Here they clearly wanted to show the reader around Versailles, so they came up with a wild backstory where Cécile has grown up as a peasant, but winds up caring for a noblewoman's dogs. Add in a dash of Mysterious Past for good measure, plus a Medical Crisis and New Opportunities on the horizon at the end.
I was entertained, and I did get a glimpse at the court of Louis XIV, so I guess this is a success? But like Isabel's book, there are a lot of Highly Convenient things here. And the fact that Cécile's father, a doctor, has some unusually modern ideas about cleanliness and bleeding, feels like a missed opportunity to show just how foreign the past can be.
Last note: It's not the fault of this character, but it annoys me that AG later reused the name Cécile for another character... who is not a doctor's daughter, but her best friend is. Since both Céciles were archived after only a few years, either (a) AG's about to give us another one or (b) at least for AG, the name is cursed. You decide.
I'm only two books in (I started with Isabel, but the Girls of Many Lands line fascinates and confuses me. AG's usual take on history is to go heavy toward "how ordinary people lived," but in these books, some of the choices push the scenarios these characters find themselves in toward the raised-eyebrow end of the spectrum. E.g., the manner in which Isabel interacts with a theater troupe.
Here they clearly wanted to show the reader around Versailles, so they came up with a wild backstory where Cécile has grown up as a peasant, but winds up caring for a noblewoman's dogs. Add in a dash of Mysterious Past for good measure, plus a Medical Crisis and New Opportunities on the horizon at the end.
I was entertained, and I did get a glimpse at the court of Louis XIV, so I guess this is a success? But like Isabel's book, there are a lot of Highly Convenient things here. And the fact that Cécile's father, a doctor, has some unusually modern ideas about cleanliness and bleeding, feels like a missed opportunity to show just how foreign the past can be.
Last note: It's not the fault of this character, but it annoys me that AG later reused the name Cécile for another character... who is not a doctor's daughter, but her best friend is. Since both Céciles were archived after only a few years, either (a) AG's about to give us another one or (b) at least for AG, the name is cursed. You decide.
September 14, 2015
This book opens with Cecile, a French peasant girl, hunting for mushrooms in the woods when a Royal hunting party rushes through. She sees a horse without its rider and then finds Madame, sister-in-law to Louis XIV, injured from a fall. Cecile summons her father who has some medical skills. After treating Madame, he only asks as reward that Cecile be taken into her service to live at Versailles, and avoid the desperate life of a peasant. Thus begins Cecile's journey into the realm of royalty in 1711 at the age of 12. Tasked with taking care of Madame's six dogs, she soon discovers life at court is not the fantasy she had imagined, but instead full of rules and danger.
This was a delightful story with the fictional Cecile participating in the real life events that occurred in King Louis's court at that time. Told through Cecile's eyes, the reader explores the intrigue and suspense among the most powerful. This novel is well-researched and would definitely be enjoyed by young girls as well as adults.
This was a delightful story with the fictional Cecile participating in the real life events that occurred in King Louis's court at that time. Told through Cecile's eyes, the reader explores the intrigue and suspense among the most powerful. This novel is well-researched and would definitely be enjoyed by young girls as well as adults.
June 16, 2016
What a good book! While targeted at younger readers, I still enjoyed this book. I found the simple yet still exciting storyline a relaxing a refreshing break from my normal reads.
January 3, 2021
I was kind of obsessed with this book when I was younger; it was the only title that I owned of the Girls of Many Lands series, and I read it numerous times throughout my childhood - probably even a couple times in high school. This book is the sole reason that I became fascinated with Versailles back then, and even today, I found myself constantly Googling facts and historical figures while I read in order to learn more about them. That is exactly what a good American Girl book should do. For these reasons, I can't give this book any less than four stars.
That being said, now that I'm an adult, I realize this book has its flaws. The author seems to impose her twenty-first century values onto the characters at every opportunity possible. Characters who are supposed to be good and noble and virtuous dislike pretty much everything about the French court, including, but not limited to:
-Bloodletting (I can maybe let this one slide, since it's the main source of plot in this book)
-Elaborate white makeup and hairstyles
-Tight-fitting dresses
-Staying inside for fear of fresh air
-Opera (which was considered the height of entertainment back then and would most certainly not have put anyone to sleep)
-Physical discipline
^All of these were commonly accepted ideas and practices back then, according to the author, but apparently only the silly people at court believe in them. This made the book feel cynical and unrealistic. I wish she would have just embraced the time period instead of scorning it.
One thing this book does really well is showing the differences between class - you really feel the discrepancy between the rich and the poor. The picture of court life as one crowded and full of energy is also vivid. If I ever visit Versailles and it's packed with tourists, I'll know that the feeling is historically accurate.
That being said, now that I'm an adult, I realize this book has its flaws. The author seems to impose her twenty-first century values onto the characters at every opportunity possible. Characters who are supposed to be good and noble and virtuous dislike pretty much everything about the French court, including, but not limited to:
-Bloodletting (I can maybe let this one slide, since it's the main source of plot in this book)
-Elaborate white makeup and hairstyles
-Tight-fitting dresses
-Staying inside for fear of fresh air
-Opera (which was considered the height of entertainment back then and would most certainly not have put anyone to sleep)
-Physical discipline
^All of these were commonly accepted ideas and practices back then, according to the author, but apparently only the silly people at court believe in them. This made the book feel cynical and unrealistic. I wish she would have just embraced the time period instead of scorning it.
One thing this book does really well is showing the differences between class - you really feel the discrepancy between the rich and the poor. The picture of court life as one crowded and full of energy is also vivid. If I ever visit Versailles and it's packed with tourists, I'll know that the feeling is historically accurate.
November 2, 2021
The ridiculous excesses of the French court never fail to captivate me. It's mind-blowing. And even more mind-blowing when you look for comparisons in your own culture.
August 3, 2021
this book was sad and good.
January 13, 2026
4.5
This is my first American girl book from the World series, and I was surprised at how gritty it was. Cecile goes from her French peasant life to a servant in the palace of Versailles and we learn right along with her how to adapt. The story got progressively darker and more somber for being a children’s book, but that is one of the things I like about historical fiction.
I am so excited to read the other books now, especially the non-European ones.
This is my first American girl book from the World series, and I was surprised at how gritty it was. Cecile goes from her French peasant life to a servant in the palace of Versailles and we learn right along with her how to adapt. The story got progressively darker and more somber for being a children’s book, but that is one of the things I like about historical fiction.
I am so excited to read the other books now, especially the non-European ones.
March 19, 2017
Cecile: Gates of Gold, by Mary Casanova, was a very good historical fiction book that I recommend for anyone who likes to read.
This book was about a peasant girl named Cecile and her father who were poor and living in France. When Cecile befriended a lost horse and found a hurt woman, her father, a knowledgeable doctor in the town, helped the woman. In return, the woman offered Cecile a job at the royal palace as the caretaker of her dogs, and she told Cecile to call her "Madame". As Cecile settled in the big kingdom of Versailles, she missed her father very much. She met the sons of Princess Marie-Adelaide, Bretagne and Anjou. She also met a boy her age (who was a page) named Philippe. One day, Philippe delivered bad news that Cecile's father had passed. Cecile was more than devastated. Soon, the princess got sick and passed, and a week later her husband passed. Then Bretagne got sick and passed, and Cecile was not going to let the same happen to Anjou when he got sick. She would not let the doctors bleed Anjou, because her father didn't believe in bleeding and neither did she. Anjou healed while being locked away from the doctors with a few nurses and Cecile. Cecile got in trouble and was forced to leave the kingdom, just like her father had years ago when he got angry with Dr. Fagon for bleeding Madame's husband when he was sick. Madame de Maintenon, who Cecile thought was not very nice, offered Cecile to go to the school she had started for girls in France called St. Cyr. Cecile was happy with the offer and said yes.
I thought this book was very interesting, and I did not have trouble reading it. I recommend it to anyone who likes to read, even if they don't particularly like to read historical fiction. I normally don't read this genre, but I thought the author did a very good job making this book interesting and hard to put down.
I found it interesting how there were some French words in the book and a glossary of French words in the back of the book. This helps with a better understanding of the things talked about in the book, including French dialogue, places, and other nouns.
Cecile: Gates of Gold would be very enjoyable for anyone who is interested in France, history, or a good book to get interested in. I definitely recommend and like this book!
This book was about a peasant girl named Cecile and her father who were poor and living in France. When Cecile befriended a lost horse and found a hurt woman, her father, a knowledgeable doctor in the town, helped the woman. In return, the woman offered Cecile a job at the royal palace as the caretaker of her dogs, and she told Cecile to call her "Madame". As Cecile settled in the big kingdom of Versailles, she missed her father very much. She met the sons of Princess Marie-Adelaide, Bretagne and Anjou. She also met a boy her age (who was a page) named Philippe. One day, Philippe delivered bad news that Cecile's father had passed. Cecile was more than devastated. Soon, the princess got sick and passed, and a week later her husband passed. Then Bretagne got sick and passed, and Cecile was not going to let the same happen to Anjou when he got sick. She would not let the doctors bleed Anjou, because her father didn't believe in bleeding and neither did she. Anjou healed while being locked away from the doctors with a few nurses and Cecile. Cecile got in trouble and was forced to leave the kingdom, just like her father had years ago when he got angry with Dr. Fagon for bleeding Madame's husband when he was sick. Madame de Maintenon, who Cecile thought was not very nice, offered Cecile to go to the school she had started for girls in France called St. Cyr. Cecile was happy with the offer and said yes.
I thought this book was very interesting, and I did not have trouble reading it. I recommend it to anyone who likes to read, even if they don't particularly like to read historical fiction. I normally don't read this genre, but I thought the author did a very good job making this book interesting and hard to put down.
I found it interesting how there were some French words in the book and a glossary of French words in the back of the book. This helps with a better understanding of the things talked about in the book, including French dialogue, places, and other nouns.
Cecile: Gates of Gold would be very enjoyable for anyone who is interested in France, history, or a good book to get interested in. I definitely recommend and like this book!
August 6, 2020
Cecile Revel is the beautiful young daughter of a widowed country doctor, living in a small village, called Rileaux. By an unexpected turn of events, Cecile is summoned to Versailles, home of King Louis XIV. It is the largest, most elegant palace in all of Europe. Court life is filled with intrigue, wealth, and danger. Cecile soon learns where her place is, and it is not what she thought it would be, and that her mother and father's background is different from what she knew. She misses her father and her old life. I enjoyed the story, the simplicity of its telling and the extras: pictures, Then and Now section, a French Glossary, and the author's note. A great addition to any young girl's library. It is easy for young ones to learn about this time period- the people, customs, clothing, etc. The series, "Girls of Many Lands" is a very helpful, fictionalized teaching aid for learning about the history of other countries. There is always a moral to the stories also. This one is: You may learn that what you wish for may not be what you "really wished for!"
November 27, 2020
Great book! I read it just for an easy read, so I was surprised by how much depth there is. Punches aren't pulled at all (four characters die! One almost does!) while keeping things perfectly appropriate for a young reader. The main message is really that things aren't what they appear to be - everyone has secrets, people you think are mean can be reasonable if given the chance.
I wish they'd made a sequel! I would love to read more adventures about Cecile. It's a shame the company canceled this line.
Despite being an adult and this book being aimed more for 12 year olds, I really enjoyed it. It's quite a quick read (partly due to the font choice and size of the pages), and it doesn't feel dumbed down just because it's for pre-teens. It doesn't get graphic or inappropriate, but the overall message is pretty pleasantly mature (as I said, "things aren't always what they seem"). Definitely recommend.
The accompanying doll is pretty scary, though. I mean the dress for the doll is gorgeous, but the doll's face creeped me out. That doesn't affect my star rating, though.
I wish they'd made a sequel! I would love to read more adventures about Cecile. It's a shame the company canceled this line.
Despite being an adult and this book being aimed more for 12 year olds, I really enjoyed it. It's quite a quick read (partly due to the font choice and size of the pages), and it doesn't feel dumbed down just because it's for pre-teens. It doesn't get graphic or inappropriate, but the overall message is pretty pleasantly mature (as I said, "things aren't always what they seem"). Definitely recommend.
The accompanying doll is pretty scary, though. I mean the dress for the doll is gorgeous, but the doll's face creeped me out. That doesn't affect my star rating, though.
April 12, 2019
Cecile and her father live in a peasant village in France in the early 1700s. Out in the forest one day, she rescues a noble woman who was injured in a fall from her horse. The woman, known as Madame, is the sister-in-law of King Louis XIV and rewards Cecile with a position at court caring for her dogs. The 12-year-old soon discovers that life at Versailles is more than gilded halls and magnificent parties. She must learn the strict court etiquette, not make any enemies, and ignore the gossip and intrigue. However, the girl finds that staying in favor at court is a delicate balancing act. Readers are introduced to the royal family through her eyes. The action builds steadily and will sustain readers' interest. A short history of France in the early 1700s and a glossary of French words are included. "American Girl" fans will be charmed by Cecile and her regal life.
January 7, 2019
This was a quick read, but very enjoyable. Cecile, after assisting Louis XIV's sister-in-law, finds herself with a job at the palace of Versailles, where she quickly learns that life at the palace isn't as wonderful as she always imagined. She also learns the truth about her own past, and must make a decision between doing what she believes is right and following the rules of the king.
One of my favorite historical figures is Elisabeth Charlotte, Duchesse d'Orleans, and it was such a lovely surprise to find that she was one of the main characters in this story. Some of Elisabeth Charlotte's letters, as translated in A Woman's Life in the Court of the Sun King (which I am also currently reading) were featured in the novel, which was a delightful little coincidence.
One of my favorite historical figures is Elisabeth Charlotte, Duchesse d'Orleans, and it was such a lovely surprise to find that she was one of the main characters in this story. Some of Elisabeth Charlotte's letters, as translated in A Woman's Life in the Court of the Sun King (which I am also currently reading) were featured in the novel, which was a delightful little coincidence.
October 30, 2019
I absolutely loved this book!!! The historical background of this book was so interesting and I learned so much about the Sun King, Louis XIV and life at court, the clothing, the prince's etc. I also loved being on Cecile's journey throughout the book. She's such a smart and compassionate girl. She's inspiring and since this book was written for young girls and teenagers, this is the perfect book for them. It's so helpful for young girls to have someone to look up to and be inspired. I personally recommend this book to women and girls of all ages.
June 2, 2021
My biggest complaint is that towards the end, the story starts relying on tropes.
February 26, 2024
This is terribly cute. My favourite character was Marie-Adélaïde and not because of the accents in the second name the author gave her, which are easy to copypaste from another source if you don't know how to make them yourself yet or can't be bothered [but it's also quite easy and if you don't know how yet I can show you behind the scenes]. It is since my middle name is also Marie.
At the end of the story there is some French trivia if you care for that kind of thing.
I might have already read the Girls of Many Lands series from a couple of other places before when I was much younger but my exact recall is not forthcoming.
I have never been to France before but I believe I have had a classmate from there at some point. Also, as my mother had always told me French was the language of international discourse, I strove as hard as I could to please her. Yet it feels like I never could.
At the end of the story there is some French trivia if you care for that kind of thing.
I might have already read the Girls of Many Lands series from a couple of other places before when I was much younger but my exact recall is not forthcoming.
I have never been to France before but I believe I have had a classmate from there at some point. Also, as my mother had always told me French was the language of international discourse, I strove as hard as I could to please her. Yet it feels like I never could.
March 17, 2019
Ugh. What a depressing book. First her beloved father sends her away to court so she can have a better life. She isn't particularly well treated there, except by Madame. She's getting by okay and loves the royal family, until the wonderful prince and his beautiful, kind wife and their charming son all die in short order, of measles and bloodletting, which Cecile knows to be misguided and even the other servants can tell that it is deadly. The younger boy is only saved by the nurses barricading themselves in a bathroom so the doctors can't bleed him, and Cecile is dismissed for the incident. There's a glimmer of light at the very end, because she gets to go to the school for girls that she would never have been able to go to otherwise. But still, just horrible and depressing. And the servants scratch at doors with fingernails grown long for that purpose? What, like dogs?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2022
This book is depressing, but in a historically accurate way. It's a somewhat slow, character-driven novel with a strong historical backdrop and educational notes at the end to provide more context about this era in French history. The author also details which elements of the plot she took directly from history, such as . I was pleased to discover that the aspects of the book that I found most emotionally touching were all authentic.
August 5, 2023
This book was great but it was so sad. I loved Cecile as a character. She had so much inner strength and courage while tragedy after tragedy is thrown after her. Bretagne 's death was heartbreaking. The poor kid just lost both of parents , got hit with the fact that he was the heir, got measles, and died by the Doctor 's " so called treatement" which killed him . He was only five. I was so pround of Celicle and the governess for standing up the Doctor's bullshit and saving Anjou 's life.
Unlike Taking Wing , the ending was bittersweet.
Unlike Taking Wing , the ending was bittersweet.
February 6, 2019
I've had this book sitting on my shelf for so long and I kept meaning to read it but whenever I tried I always ended up putting it down for another book. Finally I've managed to read it and it was a pretty good book as far as children's historical fiction goes. I liked Cecile as a narrator and I enjoyed the concept of reading about her dog-sitting. The book was very somber towards the end, but it was an interesting read no less.
September 14, 2020
Some of this is really interesting, like the chance to learn more about the royal family, doctors and succession. However, a lot of it is just CLASS ISSUES comin' at ya, and it occasionally reads like a brochure about Versailles. I think it boils down to too much focus on place, not enough focus on character.
February 17, 2023
i think this was a good book, but why did so many people have to die? i could understand the princess, even though that was extrememly sad, and even the prince. but, why did their son have to die? what was the reason?? all the deaths were pretty sad, but the plot wasn't bad. it's good writing though. the characters were very well thought through, the setting was interesting, but yeah.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 19, 2018
So as I was reading, I was thinking that this plot was ridiculous. But then the author's note gave me great closure and brought the story to life. Some of these things did really happen. Now I'm going to research.
The story was good, a nice easy read. I enjoyed the events and characters.
The story was good, a nice easy read. I enjoyed the events and characters.
March 30, 2019
I've been occupied with school so this book took longer than it should have. An engaging reimagining of Louis XV's early childhood. I was relieved at the ending. It gave Cecile the opportunity to grow beyond the confines of court life for which she was not suited.
August 20, 2021
A fairly good novel. Was a bit surprised, actually. I just wished I had cared more about Cecile. As it is, it does give the reader a peek into the life of the French royals living at Versailles. Just imagine giving birth and dying in public view!
June 2, 2023
3.5 stars
A cute story with a pleasant heroine, and an unusual climax. The setting and some themes made me think a lot of the Royal Diaries Marie Antoinette book, but Cecile was less intense and not as immersive for me.
A cute story with a pleasant heroine, and an unusual climax. The setting and some themes made me think a lot of the Royal Diaries Marie Antoinette book, but Cecile was less intense and not as immersive for me.
January 4, 2026
There is a lot of adventure and mystery in this book as Cecile is thrown into the courts of the king. At first this book starts out as a fun story, with only the tease of a mystery, but halfway through the book you get into the thick of the mystery and story. This is a middle school grade book.
June 11, 2017
I thought the story was lovely and interesting in royal families but too long. I rather read The Royal Diaries series instead.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews