Meghan Masterson

I think that writing a book about a woman that worked at the Versailles and got to see firsthand the event's right before the French Revolution and during the revolution was a great idea. Giselle Aubry works as an untertirewoman for Marie Antoinette meant that she could both see how the people rose up against the royal family and at the same time she could also follow how the royal family dealt with it. This is the best part of the book, with Giselle being torn between being loyal to the royal family, but at the same time warming to the revolutionary ideas. I found the book great when it dealt with the actual historical events, like the failed escape plan, and the execution of the King and Queen.

However, it's the love story between Leon Gauvain and Giselle that just didn't work for me. I found myself quite uninterested in that side story, and to be honest, I skimmed through most of their "romance", especially when problems arise between them. But, towards the end did their relationship work a bit better for me, but that's probably because it coincided with the end of the monarchy. I did feel that the book ending was a bit abrupt. I would have loved an epilogue, because, despite me not being fond of the romance did I like Giselle and would have liked to know how her life turned out after the event at the end of the book.

The Wardrobe Mistress is a good book about the French revolution. You get to see both sides, Louis XV and Marie Antoinette's versus and the revolutionists and between them Giselle who, despite wanting a change still cared for the royal couple.

I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!… (lisätietoja)

Giselle is an undertire woman for Marie Antoinette. She spends her working hours sewing and dressing the queen and her long periods of off time at her family home in Paris. Outside of Versailles, the peopled are caught in a revolutionary frenzy, calling for a violent end to the monarchy.

This was a quick paced and interesting read. The dichotomy between the queen's household and revolutionary Paris really brought the story and situation to life. I look forward to reading more from this author. Overall, a hit!… (lisätietoja)

The French Revolution is always a great escape and this novel is no different. Told from the perspective of one of Marie Antoinette's tirewomen (the women who helped dress the queen and care for her clothes), this book follows the French Revolution from the mirrored halls of Versailles to the execution of the infamous queen. The narrator Giselle is like-able and empathetic, although I would have liked to have seen her set up her own dress shop (it's her dream!) in the course of the novel. Overall, a good read and I will look forward to reading more of this author's books.… (lisätietoja)

Sixteen year old Giselle works for France's queen, Marie Antoinette, as an undertirewoman. From her position, she sees both the revolution and the tole it takes on the queen. Which side will she take? Where does her loyalty lie?

It was interesting seeing the queen from Giselle's perspective. I did like the reasonable way Giselle viewed the world around her: she saw the need for change, but she also saw the distress of the royal family. This serves to divide her loyalty and the realistic back and forth of Giselle's thoughts was refreshing to see.

The romance of the book was bland, in my opinion. I did not like Leon, and I didn't see any kind of connection between him and Giselle, beyond 'oh, we have a connection and I love him.' Their spending the night together before they are married was distasteful to me. Readers sensitive to sex scenes, be warned! There are two in this book.

The other characters did not stand out in any way, and each seemed merely there to serve a specific role. The writing, done in first person, does its best to pull a reader in. At times, there are modern phrases and a few too many forward thinking individuals.

Overall, it was interesting but I did not enjoy it very much. Readers who enjoy seeing teenagers experiencing historical incidents, and don't mind modern language, may well find it enjoyable.

I received an ARC through NetGalley for reviewing purposes.… (lisätietoja)