One part historical fiction, the other part fantasy, debut author Gita Trelease brings to life the magnificent and awe-inspiring French court of King Louis XVI and the infamous Marie Antoinette in Enchantée, a story about a young, poverty-stricken orphan who tries to keep her and her sister afloat by practicing “la magie ordinaire” in a volatile France on the cusp of a revolution.
With both her parents dead from smallpox and an older brother who continues to gamble away what little money they have, Camille Durbonne has resorted to magic to keep her family in food, clothes, and shelter. By turning ordinary pieces of metal into coins, Camille has been able to trick the vendors enough to ensure that she and her sister Sophie survive. Just barely.
When a set of dire circumstances makes Camille desperate to salvage what little her family has, Camille resorts to a form of magic that her mother forbade her from practicing - glamoire. If la magie ordinaire is used for changing objects, glamoire is used for changing one’s self. With it, Camille turns herself into the elegant and wealthy Baroness de la Fontaine, and heads to the courts of Versailles, where she becomes notorious for winning at the card tables.
With newfound friends of power and privilege, and more money than she has ever had lining her pockets, Camille is finally on course to setting her life right. However, when you look past the glitz and glamour of the Versailles court, you find there are con artists and schemers lingering in the shadows and lurking around every corner. There’s more to the magic than Camille first realized, and there are dangerous magicians hidden among the aristocrats at Versailles. Will Camille finally be able to build her and Sophie a life they’ve only ever been able to dream of, or will Versailles and the magic be her downfall?
The brilliant and dazzling Enchantée is unlike anything I’ve ever read before. Historical fiction novels set in France seem to be few and far between, especially for YA readers, and the addition of magic to the already mesmerizing city of Paris made this novel “enchanting” to read. Trelease really created a feel for the city and its people in Enchantée, completely absorbing the reader in this 18th century world of political unrest and mystifying magic.
Enchantée plays on themes of dark and light, which really come across throughout its pages. The world that Camille and Sophie live in is gloomy and grey, especially compared to the sumptuous golden world of Versailles. As Camille practices glamoire, it is easy to visualize the transformation of a world of grey to gold, making the story feel extra sensational and special.
The novel has an interesting plot, exploring a few side storylines, such as the start of the French Revolution, including the storming of the Bastille, and the 18th century world’s fascination with hot air balloons. There is even a romance between Camille and another character, and while it plays a part in the story, it doesn’t overpower the novel.
In all, Enchantée is a fascinating book that explores two sides of life in 18th century France - that of the rich, and that of the poor. This book will appeal to both YA and adult readers, as the writing style is intricate, and the plot deals with some serious and heavy themes. Additionally, the cover of Enchantée is gorgeous and perfectly conveys the themes of the novel. As a reader who does judge a book by its cover, I was eager to pick up the beautiful Enchantée. The only place where I fault it is that in being very thorough, Trelease allowed some parts of the story to drag out longer than felt necessary, making the plot slow-moving at times. However, readers who enjoy savoring every detail and moment of a story, may not be so bothered by the slow pace of the plot.
Rating: **** Stars (I really liked it)
- Brooke, Public Relations Librarian
ARE YOU AND THIS BOOK A GOOD MATCH? DISCOVER MORE WITH NOVELIST APPEALS! Enchantée
GENRE: Historical Fantasy LOCATION: Versailles, France TIME PERIOD: 1780s SUBJECT: Aristocracy; Brothers & Sisters; Courts & Courtiers; Deception; Impersonation; Intrigue; Magic; Orphans; Secret Identity; Social Classes; Teenage Girls; Wealth
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