I think the most amazing thing about this book is that is actually based on a true story about 4 out of 5 sisters that all became mistresses to King Louis XV. It sounds incredible, but it's really true, and I had no idea about it. I have never ever heard about these sisters before I read the book. The mistress that came after them, well she is well known, but the sweet Louise, the ambitious Pauline, the happy Diane and shrewd Marie-Anne are not as known as Madame du Pompadour.

Anyway, I felt that Sally Christie really captured both the time and the characters truly well. A historical fiction is truly good when the characters and the setting come to life and it feels like you for a moment also are at Court with the sisters. You live with them, and you feel for them when something bad happens to them. There were several times that I thought “thank God that I didn't live at that time” and also sometimes like when a woman carries her dog in her bag it feels like things haven't changed that much.

I would like to say that I liked a sister or two better than the other, but I liked and disliked them all through the book. They really didn't feel like blood sisters always with all the backstabbing. For some of them, being mistresses to the king was more of a mission than real passion. The one that loved him the most (in my opinion) Louise had to watch how her sisters one by one took over as the mistresses and for most of the time I was annoyed over how placid she was, but in the end, she seems to have finally found her call. It's interesting that Hortense, the one sister that was the most beautiful never ended up as the king's mistresses, but then again she loved her husband and seemed to be the one with the happiest marriage with Diane coming second.

I must admit that the character I found most intriguing in the book was not any of the sisters or the king. It was Richelieu. Alas, his flirting with Marie-Anne let unfortunately nowhere.

It was a good book, I enjoyed reading it. Loved the letters between the sister that glossed over the truth a bit. It was nice to get a history lesson and at the same time being entertained. But I found the narrative, with shifting between sisters not always to my liking, probably because some of them were more interesting than the other and not everything that happened was that interesting, like Pauline and Diane at the convent. Not that the story dragged out or anything, I was just not always engrossed with it. But I loved the ending, the very emotional and sad ending. Just the kind I like!

I received this copy from the Atria Books through Edelweiss in return for an honest review! Thank you! ( )

Meh, somewhat interesting. The subject matter is endlessly fascinating, it's disappointing that a fictional account fell short of the actual history.
I'll probably read the next installment as Madame Pompadour is one of my favorite of the French mistresses. ( )

The most I had ever heard of the Mailly-Nesle sisters was a passing reference in some history book I read in the past. I guess I didn't quite fathom at the time that these sisters, indeed four of the five of them, were all mistresses to the king of France, Louis XV. Interesting family dynamic, to say the least! And people think Marie Antoinette was scandalous.

The author has really outdone herself with this her debut novel. I was quite impressed by how she gave each sister a distinct voice. I especially enjoyed the epistolary aspect of the novel (as I always do). I find that letters written to and from individuals gives such insight into the characters.

Upon doing a bit of research, it is interesting to note that Madame de Pompadour became the official royal mistress to Louis XV in March 1745, just months after Marie-Anne's death. Makes me wonder, if Marie-Anne would have lived, would Madame Pompadour have ever been the king's mistress? Interesting to speculate on this (if the dates are correct).

It was definitely an interesting dynamic between the sisters, as at times, they were the king's mistresses at the same time, meaning if one was sick, the other would fill in. I find it a bit disturbing actually, but such were the morals of the French court.

On a final note, it must be said. This is an outstanding debut novel. Judging by the historical accuracy and engaging storytelling, Christie is sure to be a major success in the historical fiction genre. ( )

Apparently this author likes to troll reviews which are not in her favor. ( )

The Sisters of Versailles tells the story of the de Nesle-Mailly sisters, and how four out of five of them ended up shacking up with the king. King Louis IV that is.

I'll be really colloquial with my review (kind of strange, since my last adult review was really eloquently written), but what I learned in the process of reading this book is - (1) Listen to your elders, (2) Don't sleep with a married man because it will ruin your life, (3), although we know this already, history has proven time and time again, that despite the limitations given to women because they were thought to be the weaker sex, they are badass and strong and can rule a country without some spineless king. But of course, men in history like to think they are superior, so we see only their cunning and deviousness behind the scenes.

Consider this story a behind the scenes to what was really happening during King Louis's reign when he was getting it on with the de-Nesle sisters. Sans Hortense, although she was personally my favorite sister, being devoted and in-love with her husband and constantly reprimanding her sisters for disobeying their Tante (their aunt).

The other sisters, in their alternating POVs, were just as entertaining. We have Louise, who tends to see the bright side in people. Pauline, who wants to rule France. Marie-Anne, who doesn't really want to rule France but wants power and knowledge and freedom. And Diane, who ends up being the butt of jokes and is a bit silly, but occasionally insightful nonetheless. Since Louis is getting bored of his Polish wife who hasn't lost her Polish accent and continues to pronounce goot instead of good, he ends up having a thing for sisters.

Can I just say how interesting I find court/political intrigue books? I loved the intrigue and mystique of this! Everyone in Versailles was all working towards their own gain, and I especially liked that the sisters Pauline and Marie-Anne used their sexuality to get what they wanted.

The dialogue of the book didn't seem out of place either - it all seemed very 17th century and pompous and full of longing and disgust for the bourgeois. The author has done her research! I also like the inclusion of Diane's reportedly used quote.

"Perhaps sire, but my husband is so unfaithful, I am not even sure if the baby is his."

Even with the lack of documentation of certain people, it was pretty obvious to distinguish between the personalities of the sisters. They were strong, willful, capable women, and it would have been awesome to know them in the modern times. Sally Christie did a great job of telling their story.

I won this book in a giveaway, but that doesn't impact my review. I leave you an honest review here!

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