The Queen’s Dollmaker by Christine Trent
Title: The Queen’s Dollmaker
Author/website(s): Christine Trent
331 pages
Publisher: Kensington
Publication date: December ’09
Genre: Historical fiction
Would I recommend this book: Definitely
Would I read more from this author: Most definitely
Journal notes: Ms. Trent is a new-to-me author and, I believe, The Queen’s Dollmaker is her debut novel. I’m pretty sure Ms. Trent can look forward to rewarding career writing historical fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed The Queen’s Dollmaker. Rare for me with debut authors but as soon as I finished TQD I wanted to pick up and start her next historical fiction book, The Wax Apprentice (** Christine contacted me to let me know that that title will be changing before publication). Alas that won’t be until 2011 but you can bet I’m eagerly anticipating it already. Ms. Trent will be landing on my auto-buy/fav authors list just as soon as I get it updated. I love it when authors create fictional characters and weave their stories around historical people and events in such way as to make the reader believe what they’re reading indeed could have taken place. Claudette has such interesting career especially in a day and age when women in the trades was frowned upon. Also I liked the fact that she wasn’t a player in court society.
On the brink of revolution, with a tide of hate turned against the decadent royal court, France is in turmoil – as is the life of one young woman forced to leave her beloved Paris. After a fire destroys her home and family, Claudette Laurent is struggling to survive in London. But one precious gift remains: her talent for creating exquisite dolls that Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France herself, cherishes. When the Queen requests a meeting, Claudette seizes the opportunity to promote her business, and to return home…Amid the violence and unrest, Claudette befriends the Queen, who bears no resemblance to the figurehead rapidly becoming the scapegoat of the Revolution. But when Claudette herself is lured into a web of deadly political intrigue, it becomes clear that friendship with France’s most despised woman has grim consequences. Now, overshadowed by the spectre of Madame Guillotine, the Queen’s dollmaker will face the ultimate test.
(The Queen’s Dollmaker was sent to me by the author Christine Trent. I was not paid and will be sending this book to another book blogger 
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I’m glad you enjoyed this. I haven’t gotten into this time period yet, but everyone seems to love it, so I need to give it a try.
I’m really glad you liked this novel because now I’m really anxious to read it! Thanks again for offering to send it to me as part of your Read it Forward program.
Sounds like you are a huge fan now. I am convinced I must read this. Thanks for the recommendation.
Thanks for the recommendation! I think i may check this one out. Is it pretty clean? Thanks!
Very little to none rough language or intimate relations.
Sweet thanks! I will order it tomorrow