This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Frank Stephen for Readers' Favorite
The Marquis' Daughters: In the Shadow of the Guillotine tells the tale of two daughters of a noble family trying to survive the French Revolution with its thirst for the rolling heads of royals and nobles and its hoarding of bread. These sisters belonged to two different mothers. One was born as a legitimate child with the splendid upbringing of the nobility. The other was illegitimate, her father's secret, who grew up to be the lady's maid of her half-sister. Both mothers lost their lives to the pox, and both daughters had their lives changed forever by the Revolution. In an unusual twist of fate, the illegitimate daughter got the chance to live the glamorous life of her half-sister, while the legitimate daughter experienced the hardship of her half-sister's life. The outcome of their new life trajectory is not like anyone or any of them would have expected.
Valerie Anne Hudson's narration is captivating and invites readers to explore the horror and glamour experienced in France during the Revolution. She perfectly displayed the upper classes' absolute oblivion of the plights of the lower class. But what stood out most for me is the deeper meaning conveyed by the contract of the lives of both of the marquis' daughters. Their story juxtaposes the fruits of envy and jealousy with the rewards of contentment and sacrifice. It also explores the irony of a prestigious route leading to ill fortune and a perilous path leading to a happy ending. The Marquis' Daughters: In the Shadow of the Guillotine beautifully explores the theme of classism, jungle justice, the death penalty, women's rights, deceit, and sacrifice. It is perfect for lovers of historical narratives.
