Book Review: Enchantée

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Author: Gita Trelease

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 449

Categories: Historical, Young Adult, Magic, Romance, Fantasy

Book Blurb:

Paris in 1789 is a labyrinth of twisted streets, filled with beggars, thieves, revolutionaries—and magicians…

When smallpox kills her parents, Camille Durbonne must find a way to provide for her frail, naive sister while managing her volatile brother. Relying on petty magic—la magie ordinaire—Camille painstakingly transforms scraps of metal into money to buy the food and medicine they need. But when the coins won’t hold their shape and her brother disappears with the family’s savings, Camille must pursue a richer, more dangerous mark: the glittering court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

With dark magic forbidden by her mother, Camille transforms herself into the ‘Baroness de la Fontaine’ and is swept up into life at the Palace of Versailles, where aristocrats both fear and hunger for la magie. There, she gambles at cards, desperate to have enough to keep herself and her sister safe. Yet the longer she stays at court, the more difficult it becomes to reconcile her resentment of the nobles with the enchantments of Versailles. And when she returns to Paris, Camille meets a handsome young balloonist—who dares her to hope that love and liberty may both be possible.

But la magie has its costs. And when Camille loses control of her secrets, the game she’s playing turns deadly. Then revolution erupts, and she must choose—love or loyalty, democracy or aristocracy, freedom or magic—before Paris burns… 

MY REVIEW

This book is true to it’s title, Enchantée – it is truly enchanting! The story is a mix of fantasy and history. It is set in the reign of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette so just knowing that brings visions of excess and debauchery to mind. There wasn’t much debauchery in this book though, but there is romance.

I visited Versailles a few years ago and so I knew I had to read this book. Just mention of the Hall of Mirrors in the story reminded me of walking down that hall myself, envisioning Marie Antoinette and her courtiers. The grounds are so grand.

Enchantée, is ultimately a story of orphans Camille Durbonne and her sister, Sophie, who is recovering from small pox. Their brother Alain, is a drunk and has become violent towards them. They cannot rely on him to make money so they work to make ends meet.

France is on the verge of a revolution. The poor are starving and the rich keep on living their life of excess. Camille comes from a family who has had magic in their blood so she uses her skill to cheat at cards, gambling her way to wealth in Versailles. But things are not what they seem there and she must be on guard. When she is not at Versailles playing a dangerous game, she is just Camille who has fallen in love with a balloonist.

I enjoyed the writing, it wove it’s spell on me and the pages went by quickly. Camille is a strong character. She knows her brother is lost to his demons so she does her best to move on and protect her sister. But using magic and gambling in a way becomes her own addiction. There is intrigue at Versailles and she gets caught up in it. I loved the lore about Versailles being created by magic! I can so believe that.

I tried my best with pronouncing the french words in my head as I read the book. But I can’t say I was successful haha. There is a glossary of French terms in the back of the book which is a nice touch for us non-french speaking readers.

The romance was so sweet and the balloonists and inventors that Camille befriends was a part of the book I didn’t know I needed. It gave Camille balance and a way to ground her character. I liked seeing the contrast of her in disguise going to Versailles being among gamblers and aristocracy versus being herself hanging out with young people with ideas. At Versailles, they pass the time in boredom squandering their money away or playing hide and seek. Whereas these balloonists are experimenting and inventing a hot air balloon which in the book stood for hope. It’s where Camille feels the freedom to be herself.

There is mention of the revolution but it is in the background. Camille lives both sides of the story, the rich and the poor life. I like that she can stay true to herself throughout the story.

Strangely enough, the magic in the story didn’t quite grab me or the villain and his storyline. He didn’t come off sinister enough for me. I say strange because most of the book is about magic and the illusions it can create. The story doesn’t delve into the history of magic or what she does to create it. It’s just there in her bloodline. I did like learning she needed sorrow to create magic which makes sense since there is a cost to using it. We see the cost of magic use in other characters as well. But yes, I wish there was more about the magic and how it worked.

Overall, Enchantée is a truly enchanting, imaginative and enjoyable story that tells a tale of love, magic and hope.

Get it here: Amazon

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