Book Review: Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran

Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran

ARC, Paperback, 480 pages

Crown Publishers

December 27, 2011

★★★★☆

Genre: Historical fiction

Source: Received from the publisher for review

“The world knows Madame Tussaud as a wax artist extraordinaire…but who was this woman and how did she become one of the most famous sculptresses of all time? In these pages, her tumultuous story comes to life as only Michelle Moran could tell it. The year is 1788, and a revolution is about to begin…”

I waited awhile before I got started with this one primarily because I knew it was going to be very different that the previous novel by this author. I had enthusiastically loved Moran’s first 3 novels with their Egyptian connections and with the sharp change in venue to revolutionary France I was wary as to if I would enjoy it quite the same. I gave it some time for the idea of this novel to settle in.

I did have a harder time with this novel than her other books. I think that this is possibly due to the fact that revolutionary France is not my most favorite time period. The beginning of the novel was a little slow for me. Once I reached the part of the novel where the revolution really reached its height it became much more interesting and fast paced. I disliked how wishy-washy Marie was in terms of the men in her life and the path that she wants to take.

In her traditional manner, Moran hits the mark in her descriptions; primarily in the sculpting practices of Marie and her Uncle and their exhibitions. The way that they continuously had to change their business with the tide of the revolution was truly terrifying. The scenes in the prison were eye-opening and I can imagine how one could fall in love amongst the desolation.

Overall, this was an interesting novel and I did enjoy learning about the life of the future Madame Tussaud.


If you would like to preview the story before reading it, why not try out this excerpt of the book?

You can also watch the book trailer below.

Reviews of this book by other bloggers:
• The Lit Witch
• To Read or Not to Read

Buy the Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | RJ Julia

Also by Michelle Moran:

Mata Hari’s Last Dance

The Second Empress

The Heretic Queen
[My Review]

Rebel Queen

Cleopatra’s Daughter
[My Review]

Nefertiti
[My Review]

Find Michelle Moran: Website | Blog | Facebook | Pinterest

Copyright © 2012 by The Maiden’s Court

Book Review: A Royal Likeness by Christine Trent

A Royal Likeness by Christine Trent

ARC, Paperback, 472 pages

Kensington Press

December 28, 2010

★★★★★

Genre: Historical Fiction

Source: Received from the author for the December HFBRT event

“As heiress to the famous Laurent Fashion Dolls business, Marguerite Ashby’s future seems secure. But France still seethes with violence in the wake of the Revolution. And when Marguerite’s husband is killed during a riot, the young widow travels to Edinburgh and becomes apprentice to her old friend, Marie Tussaud, who has established a wax exhibition. When Prime Minister William Pitt commissions a wax figure of Admiral Nelson, Marguerite becomes immersed in a dangerous adventure—and earns the admiration of two very different men. And as Britain battles to overthrow Napoleon, Marguerite will find her loyalties under
fire from all sides”.

Christine Trent’s second novel blows her first one away – and that is quite a feat as The Queen’s Dollmaker was phenomenal. Right from the very first chapters the events that unfold suck you right in to the story and immediately embed these characters in your mind. By the time you hit roughly page 200 you will not be able to put the book down – and if you have to, you will run right back to it ASAP.

The main character, Marguerite Ashby, was a young woman when we last left her in The Queen’s Dollmaker. Throughout A Royal Likeness we see her grow up right before our eyes. She becomes the apprentice to the renowned Madame Tussaud. I really loved Madame Tussaud because she was a very industrious businesswoman and she was so enjoyable to read about.

I was most surprised by how much I enjoyed the Battle of Trafalgar scenes in this novel. I am not one who usually enjoys battle or war scenes – but this was very well done. There was the right amount of the description of the battle topside as well as the action below deck. This was where I became enamored with this story and could absolutely not put it down – I sacrificed sleep to stay up and finish the last 100 pages.

I would recommend this book to everyone. It is not absolutely necessary to have read The Queen’s Dollmaker first – you will still have a very enjoyable story – but I would recommend it because they are both amazing.

You can read an excerpt of the book here.

Christine Trent is currently working on her third novel, tentatively titled The Prince’s Pavilion expected sometime in 2012.

Reviews of this book by other bloggers: 

• Book Babe
• Bookworm to Bookworm’s blog

Buy the Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | RJ Julia

Also by Christine Trent

The Queen’s Dollmaker
[My Review]

By the King’s Design
[My Review]

Lady of Ashes (Lady of Ashes #1)
[My Review]

Stolen Remains (Lady of Ashes #2)

A Virtuous Death (Lady of Ashes #3)

The Mourning Bells (Lady of Ashes #4)

Death at the Abbey (Lady of Ashes #5)

A Grave Celebration (Lady of Ashes #6)

Find Christine Trent: Website | Facebook

Also today as part the HFBRT event:
Guest post by Christine Trent at Historically Obsessed

 
Copyright © 2010 by The Maiden’s Court