This book covers the period in 1661 when Louis XIV a) assumed full power and b) took up with Louise de la Valliere. It’s very entertaining – complete with a Dumas-esque “man in the iron mask”” plot – although, as with the Sandra Gulland book, I really do have problems with the idea of Louis XIV as a romantic hero! However, unfortunately it’s really not a patch on the author’s three previous books. Taken on its own merits, though, it’s not bad at all.
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