Mistress Of The Sun: A Novel

By Sandra Gulland

From the author of the acclaimed and beloved Josephine B. Trilogy comes an enchanting historical novel that captures the drama, elegance and treachery of the court of Louis XIV of France. Louise de la Vallière, the brave and spirited child of minor nobility and an extraordinary horsewoman, falls in love with a wild stallion and uses ancient magic to tame him. This act shadows Louise throughout her life as she enters the court of the Sun King, where she captures—and then tragically loses—the King’s heart. Mistress of the Sun is addictive and alive. Sandra Gulland has filled this engaging narrative with glorious, meticulously researched detail, including notes on everything from courtly manners to Louis XIV’s favourite confection. Based on a true story of love and resounding with mystery, here is a novel that rewards readers with an irresistible glimpse into another time and another life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Sep 13, 2010
• ISBN: 9781443403108

Sandra Gulland

Sandra Gulland is the author of the Josephine Bonaparte series, Mistress of the Sun, and The Shadow Queen. She lives in Killaloe, Ontario and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

Reviews for Mistress Of The Sun

[christineellei · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This blend of historical fact and entertaining fiction brings to life Louise de la Vallière, mistress to Louis XIV, France's Sun King. Add in a little magic and a lot of intrigue and you have a captivating story. This would definitely appeal to Philippa Gregory fans and I will be picking up another of Ms. Gulland's books.

[deltaqueen50 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mistress of the Sun is the story of Louise de la Valliere known to be Louis XIV first official mistress. The book follows her life from about age six through to her death at 65. She was an unusual women living in extraordinary times. She came to the attention of Louis by way of her horsemanship and hunting skills. He eventually took her on his hunting trips where she would dress like a man and fit in with his closest circle of male friends.She was a woman of many contradictions. On the one hand riding and hunting, but on the other prone to attacks of weakness and illness. She broke her ankle in childhood and it wasn’t set properly so she walked with a slight limp all her life, yet she loved to dance and was considered to be extremely light on her feet. A convent trained, religious women, who felt extreme guilt at her relationship with Louis, yet she appeared to truly love him and the children they had together. I absolutely loved this book and was very caught up in the day-to-day workings of the French monarch’s life, his court, the scandals, the relationships and all the superstitions, treachery and ceremony that a kings life entails. The author maintains a great balance between historical details and a highly entertaining story. This is the kind of book that makes you feel like curling up and losing yourself in it’s rich, gossipy style.

[nellista_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I loved this fiction created around Louise de Vailliere. I little too much of the White Horse knocked this back from a 4.5/5, but I really enjoyed the characters.

[lucyb7 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A book on love, spirituality, mysticism, power and courage lived by Louise de Lavallière, known as, Petite, during an important chapter in Louis XIV’s life; A great Love...Right from the beginning, I immediately felt tenderness for the six-year old Petite; this child whose heart and mind races as quickly as the stallions she already knows how to tame and ride. Her passion for horses leads her to push the ways of the dark side in order to tame her ‘beloved’ and wild, white stallion –Diablo. She truly believes this pact with the devil is what brings forth the inevitable course of her life.It is purely by chance, that her fate leads her to meet the Sun King. In the fields that day, when she speaks to the tall, vibrant young man dressed in hunting gear… she doesn’t realize who he really is. Later, while on duty, attending a young Princess at court, Petite sees the King. She recognizes him! King Louis spots her as well; she looks familiar…Then, during a disastrous rain storm, fate brings them together once more. From that fleeting moment of tenderness, follows a strong resistance. Due to her virtuous morals, unwavering faith, regard and respect for the Queen, Petite renounces every attempt to succumb to the King. Alas, they are young, filled with passion and an irresistible longing to be together. Couple this with their common love of horses, hunting and riding, as well as, great friendship and interest in eachother- there is no escaping this powerful force… Petite surrenders. They are meant to live this love.However, loving Louis and loving the King are two different things. Can Petite accept one without the other? The ways of Royalty are not all that glitters. There is much pain and sorrow. Can their love endure in a world filled with lies, deception, betrayals, masks and sorcery? Petite is deeply in love and totally devoted to Louis; yet extremely committed to her faith. A pure soul at heart, Petite constantly struggles to fight the evil battle.In this beautiful historical novel, author Sandra Gulland, captures the true feeling of the times, whether it’s in the fine points pertaining to the history, or the minute details of every day life at court for both royals and those who dared live alongside. History buffs will be amazed by the amount of interesting historical information that keeps you plugged to this book.Birthing and illness remedies and methods, including love potions and magical concoctions believed to soothe (or destroy) both soul and body, are meticulously described. In addition, the dialog is extremely well-suited and completely realistic. For me, it’s of particular importance for a novel to be written using the language feel and best possible form reflective of the period. Even the French expressions are intact; mirroring the times perfectly. Gulland succeeds through and through.In addition, character depictions are solid and skillfully developed to bring out the needed emotions in order to completely detest or adore the targeted figure. I was also surprised by the chameleon effect of certain characters, bringing about a whole different element and aspect to the story; particularly where Athénaïs is involved, for example.The concept of living a life through intricacies, complications and deceptions of sorts helps depict the deterioration of spirit, youth, beauty, and life in the Court of Louis XIV. Inevitably, people resort to various methods to control the invariables by means that are contrary to the teachings of the Church at the time. Holding on to Louis proves to be an even greater challenge than taming her beloved Diablo. Will Petite need to make a different pact? She alone must decide her fate.What an intense love story! For me, Petite came through as angelic in her ways; a gentle and free spirit entangled in wrath. As for Louis XIV, he was larger than life; the Sun. …an angel fighting for the sun- within so much darkness. Even the title reveals a deep and mystical meaning. Petite my have miraculously ‘survived’ a true fairytale after all…‘happily ever after’…The story unravels magnificently. I was enraptured from beginning to end. Splendid!Extra goodies: Glossary of terms, genealogy, Map at the time of the Sun King, *special epilogue, author notes (giving extra information, clarification and recommendations)

[xicanti_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A fictionalized account of the life of Louise de le Valliere, Louis XIV's first mistress.This book showcases Gulland's ability to incorporate historical detail into a carefully layered plot. Each piece works with all the others to present a rich, beautifully researched portrait of noble life in the time of the Sun King. Fans of the time period should appreciate the careful research that's gone into the novel.Unfortunately, the character development isn't nearly as good here as it was in Gulland's wonderful JOSEPHINE B. TRILOGY. As someone who reads for character, above all else, I was disappointed. I felt immersed in Petite's world, but I never really felt that I came to know her. Because I lacked this essential connection with the main character, the book fell flat for me. It was reasonably enjoyable, but not engaging.Please be aware, though, that I'm in the minority here. I think I may have enjoyed the book more had I not been holding it up against the high standard Gulland's first trilogy set.

[jessicamarie_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is set in one of my all time favorite historical eras; the court of the Sun King. I was immediately attracted to the main female character, Louise de la Valliere or as she's better known as, Petite. The book follows the life and the loves of Petite, which is constantly changing except for two things ... her infatuation of horses and her fear of the devil.I absolutely fell in love with Mistress of the Sun. The characters are so well portrayed that you cannot help but become intertwined with their lives. However this can turn out to be a bad thing, because when Sandra Gulland says she does not like happy endings she isn't kidding. I became so involved in the story I had to force my self to turn the page because I was too afraid to read what would happen to my beloved Petite next. And of course, just like Petite, I fell in love with the Sun King himself ... which made the ups and downs of their affair even more painful to read. I look forward to reading this book again in the future and plan on buying Sandra Gulland's Josephine trilogy very soon.I would definitely recommend Mistress of the Sun to anyone who enjoys reading. It is not just another historical fiction book, it is also a love story and has a bit of paranormal activity thrown in. The reader does not have to possess any knowledge of the time period before starting this book because Sandra Gulland has added wonderful extras including: a map of France at the time of the Sun King, an abbreviated genealogy of the royal families and a glossary of terms. It would also be a great read for long time lovers of historical fiction because Petite is not a "popular" historical female, so there are not many books about her life and for many people this will be their fist time reading about her.

[rachelfromsarasota · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

It’s hard to understand how a book about the first important mistress of the Sun King could be boring, but this book manages to be just that. The court of Louis XIV was one of the most interesting and resplendent in history, but Gulland manages to reduce its intrigues and splendors to the banal level of a modern soap opera. There are plenty of romantic subterfuges and amorous liaisons, but the I never felt that I was truly an observer of this 17th century fairy tale life. Even the dark designs of Athenais de Montespan, thought by historians to be heavily involved in a Satanic poisoners’ cult at the court, are glossed over and reduced to the level of domestic spats. Gulland has all the elements of a marvelous tale at hand, including some of her own invention (a mysterious, beautiful white horse that the young Louise is strangely drawn to), and she does acknowledge the age’s deep religious faith – but her writing is jarringly dispassionate. This is a story about human beings whose emotions ran rampantly out of control at times, but even the death bed scenes are pallid and sterile.Considering that this novel is about a court where beauty reigned and lust was common, where glittering gowns and jewels were commonplace, where belief in a very real heaven walked hand-in-hand with literal deals with the devil, this book is just plain. . .dull.