School Library Journal Review
Gr 5-7-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.-Kristen Oravec, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Strongsville, OH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Coincidence enables twelve-year-old Cécile Revel to become caregiver to the dogs of King Louis XIV's sister-in-law. At the Sun King's court in Versailles, Cécile becomes a favorite of the young royals, unravels the secret of her own past, and initiates a stand against blood-letting that saves the life of the heir-apparent. Historical details are accurate, but the sensibility of Cécile's first-person narrative exudes twenty-first-century awareness. From HORN BOOK Spring 2003, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Gr. 4^-7. For 12-year-old Cecile Revel, a peasant girl in eighteenth-century France, poverty, hunger, and hardship are part of daily life. When Cecile gets an unexpected opportunity to serve at King Louis the XIV's court, it's a dream come true. Learning proper etiquette is overwhelming, but the luxuries, beauty, and elegant people are awe inspiring. Then Cecile learns some surprising information about her father's past, ultimately realizing that riches and court life have their own high price. Casanova's appealing historical novel blends a likable character with a descriptive account of life during Louis XIV's reign. Cecile's lively, first-person narrative is peppered with French vocabulary and details about daily life and real-life events and people, and there's more historical background in an appended section. The book also includes a glossary and color reproductions of period art and artifacts. Fans of historical fiction are sure to enjoy this title in the new Girls of Many Lands series. --Shelle Rosenfeld
