Set in the 18th century the book tells of the lives of Marie Antoinette and her sister Charlotte and their magic.

The book is well written ... but very long winded and probably 250 pages too long!

I was sold on this book when I saw it mentioned being for fans of The Miniaturist and I was not disappointed! This was not only educational but also thoroughly entertaining and consuming. Love, loyality and sibling relationships mixed with magic and fabulous dresses makes this book one to recommend for years to come! Thank you for the opportunity to read

It is the late 18th century, and Maria-Theresa of Austria wishes to extend her political influence. To do this, she must marry her daughters to European monarchs. But smallpox often thwarts her plans. Eventually, she manages to marry Charlotte to Ferdinand of Naples and Antoine to Louis of France. Marriage is for politics, not for love, but both sisters do find love, whether within or outside marriage.

On arrival in France, Antoine must shed her Hapsburg name and identity, to become Marie-Antoinette of France. The sisters have a secret - they were left a book of spells by a governess who died in mysterious secrets (is it magic or is it science?). Both try to use its power for good, with varying success.

This book is about history, intrigue, love and politics. A compelling read.

The Embroidered Book is a magical retelling of the lives of Queen Charlotte of Naples and Marie Antoinette, the last Queen of France. The story was a little slow to start as we follow the early lives of the sisters as they grow up in Austria and their introduction to magic through a spell book. However, the story really comes to life as Charlotte and Antoine marry and become accustomed to life and politics in Versailles and Naples. The author really brings the glittering decadence at Versailles to life, and to contrast, the bleak aftermath of a Mount Vesuvius eruption in Naples. The way historical events are woven into the story is truly unique and the inventive ways they manage to communicate through the magic system is so interesting. Although it is a tragic tale, it is a beautiful story of family, friendship and love. I adored it!

Thank you to Netgalley and Harpervoyager for the chance to read The Embroidered Book.

I honestly had no idea going into this book, what I was going to get. The fantastical and historical fiction aspects had me completely sold for this book--especially the comparison with The Miniaturist had me anticipating a cozy, yet complex read.

What I got was the heartbreaking and equally heart warming story of two sisters: Marie Antoinette and her older sister Maria Carolina, queen of Naples. I am going to be honest and say that I am not familiar with this particular time period, and the only thing I knew about Marie Antoinette was through a brief chapter I read in my history class and Sofia Coppola's movie. So I don't know how much of this was based on historical records, apart from the obvious, of course.

First of all, I think the book was very well written. It was a big book, and it spanned a few decades and two separate and very different places--Naples and France. I commend the author was managing the temporal jumps with perfection. None of the chapter breaks felt abrupt or left me wanting more in an annoying sort of way, as soon as the perspective shifted, the writer immediately had me invested in what was coming next.

Secondly, as previously stated, I don't know how much of this was rooted in reality, but a good chunk of it was I presume (also did keep looking things on Google), I was thoroughly impressed by the amount of work that had been done for the book. Everything, every character, situation, conversation, felt real. And I could tell just by reading that there had been a tremendous amount of research behind all this. And for that, I give this book another star for an otherwise 3-star rating.

As for the plot and characters, again, really well handled. Each character was nuanced and had great arcs. I loved the character development for our two protagonists, and their subsequent relation with each other. The plot was alright, not very fast paced but I'm not complaining. I love me my political slow-burns.

Especially with the common knowledge of one of the inevitable demise of one of the characters, the tension was palpable and built upon excellently. Usually, all my previous knowledge about Marie Antoinette has been related to the French Revolution, and she's painted as a frivolous queen, it was such fun to see what possibly could have been. Heartfield's Antoinette is flawed, kind and considerate, and most of what she does, she does for survival. The end chapters of the book were particularly hard to get through.

As for the magical/fantastical elements, I think the magic system was subtle yet profoundly mapped out. It felt familiar yet completely fresh, in a way which it did not take away from the plot or the characters but was an undeniable influence and presence throughout the book.

Power, Politics and Enchantment

Charlotte and Antonia, younger daughters of Maria Theresa of Habsburg are destined for politically advantageous marriages. Charlotte goes to Naples, where she learns to wield power and magic to hold the country for her brutish husband Ferdinand. Antonia is sent to France, renamed Marie Antoinette and married to the Dauphin, the future Louis XVI. Thrown into the courtly factions and unyielding traditions she uses magic to keep her head above water and her feet off the ground (literally, I loved the floating shoes). The sisters are self-taught sorceresses, using spells from a book left behind by a murdered governess, and in the chaos that is Eighteenth Century Europe, they need every iota of magic they can acquire.

This was a book that ticked absolutely all my boxes.

Historically accurate, set in the eighteenth century amidst all the wars, scheming, politics and revolution that built the world we live in today? Tick.
Magic that was seamlessly part of the everyday world, even when controlled and hidden, which felt both realistic and workable? Tick.
Relationships between families, sisters as rivals and friends, and friends as close as sisters? Tick.
Betrayal and sorrow? Tick.
Things to look up as I went, and the feeling that not only had I enjoyed a good, satisfying read, but that I had actually learnt something as well? Big tick.
Of course, the disadvantage of something based on real history is that you know how it ends, and I was worried that I might find the latter part of the book a bit too doom-laden. Instead, there was some gentleness to the inevitable, and a genuinely surprising plot twist in the penultimate chapter, which I absolutely will not give away.

I stayed up very late reading this. Having read the first half over a few days, I found myself unable to put it down as the tension mounted in the second half of the book. I was completely absorbed and it is by no means a small novel. I dreamt of volcanoes and baking bread last night, and this morning I am struggling to choose my next read because nothing else will take me back to that world.

I had an advance reader copy of this as an ebook, thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK. It has a release date of February 2022, when I will have to buy a copy (hopefully with that lush cover) so that I can put it on my keeper shelf.

This is the story of two sisters, Charlotte and Antoine, daughters of the Empress Maria Theresa. The girls grow up as part of the imperial family in 18th century Europe knowing that their fate is to be married to kings and princes and to have no say in the matter. Charlotte discovers a book with an embroidered cover and inside it there appear to be spells. The two girls discover that they have a talent for magic and use the spells in the book to try to get a little control over their lives.
The book follows Charlotte as she becomes Queen of Naples and Antoine as she journeys into France to marry the Dauphin and become Queen Marie Antoinette. The sisters follow very different paths as they gain experience and control over their magical abilities.
Magic and History are combined imaginatively and the historical research is very impressive. There is a huge cast of characters including La Fayette and Lord Nelson and sometimes it can be hard to keep track of everyone as they move from one royal court to another. The magic system is really well thought out and I loved the idea of the spells needing sacrifices in order for them to work. of them
This was an enjoyable read and an interesting view of a fascinating period in European History.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-copy of this book.

This is one of those books you just want to dive into and wallow in! The story is both historical and magical and this works so well in telling this long story of two sisters, their kingdoms and their destinies. I know nothing about the history of this time, so have no idea of the accuracy here, but it is detailed and feels well researched. And I loved the introduction of magic, its secrecy and behind the scenes influence.

I enjoyed reading both sisters' stories, as they tried to gain some control in lives which were mapped out in advance. All the characters were well drawn though, and I also liked how Ferdinand wasn't just a one-dimensional oaf but was portrayed as a loving and playful father. This book has made me want to find out more about these characters, and to read more books by this author.

What a cracking little book this is.... well,not so little.
It was one of those that made me come away feeling I've learnt something about a historical figure,yet have been thoroughly entertained too.
Following Marie Antoinette and her sister,from children,to being married off to high placed men in foreign countries... and then just the battle to be heard.
There's love,loyalty,sibling bonds,and magic.
It's that magic that makes the book just that bit different.

Ive finished now knowing a fair bit about Marie Antoinette,whereas before,it was just about the cake (that she didn't even say)

Excellent.

I Loved the idea of this book 2 sisters one who is to become Marie Antoinette of France learn magic as children and use it in their adult lives as Querns of France and Naples
The powerlessness of women at that time who were married off early to distant family members to maintain historical links between nations is contrasted cleverly with the absolute power that knowing magic provides the magician
The book sparkles with originality from the start and mixes realism and magic in a totally believable way
The fact that you already know the outcome for one sister makes the book a compelling read .I felt sick with the growing threat to Marie Antionette as her life processes towards its end under the guillotine.This chapter is really quite chilling
I did get a bit lost with all the names of courtiers in both countries I suppose this is the risk an author takes when the historical facts need to be woven into the story .perhaps for the same reason I felt the book was a bit long
All in all a thoroughly enjoyable historical novel with the addition of imaginative magic effects .This book is sure to find avid fans

The Embroidered Book by Kate Heartfield

1768. Charlotte arrives in Naples to marry a man she has never met. Two years later, her sister Antoine is sent to France to marry another stranger. In the mirrored corridors of Versailles, they rename her Marie Antoinette.

But the sisters are not powerless. When they were only children, Charlotte and Antoine discovered a book of spells – spells that seem to work, with dark and unpredictable consequences.
I really enjoy books where fact and fiction are mixed up and the result is a fantastic book that enchanted me from start to finish. A joy.

An alternative interpretation of eighteenth century history, concerning Marie Antoinette of France, and Charlotte, Queen of Naples. Magic is real and sacrifices must be made to attain it, in this reality. I really enjoyed this alternative view of history, and would recommend highly. A fascinating read.