Category: Reviews
All I want for Christmas . . .
I made my list for Santa. If you are reading this, I hereby designate you as one of his elves this season. A special kind of elf—a bookshelf sort of elf. Take a minute to think about the fiction you’ve read this year. The books you really enjoyed. And then make an author’s holiday brighter by taking one or two minutes to leave a review for some of those memorable reads.
Reviewing is free, it’s fast and it makes authors feel fantastic. It also helps other readers to discover their books. Thank you in advance if one of the books you review this season happens to be mine.
Reviews Update: A Thank You for all the Holiday Season Notice!
The best presents of this recent holiday season were not wrapped beneath my tree. They came instead as enthusiastic endorsements from book bloggers and kind words from readers. Five weeks out from release and one week into the New Year Médicis Daughter has racked up so many lovely thoughtful reviews.
I squealed like a three year-old confronted with a stack of presents taller than myself when Médicis Daughter was selected by Goodreads as one of the “Best Books of the Month: December 2015,” and featured in its reader newsletter. I felt a profound appreciation for the 50+ customers on Amazon who took the time to share their thoughts (and with 50% of those reviewers giving the book 5-stars). And as for the bloggers . . . well let’s just say their praise and recommendations will spur me on as I work on “what’s next.”
Here is a sampling of what they had to say:
I’ve been beyond excited to post this review because I absolutely loved this book. It is most definitely one of my favourite reads this year.” ~With Her Nose Stuck in a Book
♦♦♦
The way that Perinot describes the court makes the reader feel like they are right there, and the historic characters are well written and true to their forms for the period and what history tells us of these characters.” ~The Lit Bitch
♦♦♦
Perinot excels at illustrating the nuances of interpersonal relationships, and those she depicts – and their transformations over time – are worth beholding.” ~Reading the Past
♦♦♦
Historical fiction has always been my favorite genre to read and with authors like Sophie Perinot, it continues to be my favorite. I give it five stars!” ~The Celtic Lady
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This is a story you won’t want to end, as you follow a determined princess on a journey of self-discovery that concludes with her decision to follow her heart or her mind. One choice leads to the life she’s always wanted; the other provides a freedom she never knew she needed.” ~Chick Lit Plus
♦♦♦
I was seriously due for a great read after dealing with the past couple months of craziness in my life, and a great read is exactly what author Sophie Perinot provided! ~Historical Fiction Obsession
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I was drawn in from the first page” ~Literate Housewife [Great Reads of 2015]
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Ms. Perinot has delivered a beautiful blend of history with an intriguing story line that escalates and consistently gains momentum with the turn of each page.” ~Feathered Quill Reviews
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I hope that Sophie gets the recognition she deserves for this amazingly told story.” ~Bookish Lifestyle
I can honestly say Bookish Lifestyle, sentences like that are the best kind of recognition there is! So thank you to the blogging and reading communities. Thank you for finding Médicis Daughter on over-crowded shelves, and for taking Marguerite de Valois and me into your homes and hearts!
A Very Special Review
Reviews come in all shapes and sizes. Obviously good ones are better than bad ones 😉 But once in a while an author receives a review that stands out, not because it is a rave (though it often is), but because the reviewer GETS the book on its deepest levels.
That is a euporic moment for the writer, because conveying meaning–our own particular meaning–is what we live for.
Today Médicis Daughter received such a review from Erin at “Flashlight Commentary.” Yes, Erin liked the book: “Atmospherically, the novel swept me off my feet. Perinot’s depiction of the French court was beautifully drawn and I was wholly captivated by both the political and social interaction that unfolded among its players.” But more importantly she understood my heroine, who is no cardboard princess, but very human and very flawed but still–in my estimation–laudable:
Margot fascinated me in her own right. She isn’t an easy character, but her layers and complexity are hard to ignore. Her family is ruthless and self-serving and while she possesses many of the same characteristics, she plays them much differently and distinguishing herself as a somewhat unique force. Her goals and ambitions are relatively modest, but her loyalties are often at odds. Her courage and tenacity are intriguing and while I didn’t always agree with the course of her actions, I found much admire in the determination and resolve required in carrying them out.
From where I am sitting this feels like a huge victory.
You can check out the rest of what Erin had to say here.
Much to Be Thankful For!!!
“Thank you to Sophie Perinot for introducing me to a whole new section of historical fiction to now become obsessed with (move over Tudors)!”
Thank YOU Colleen at A Literary Vacation, and readers everywhere. Without a receptive audience what we writers do would be a little like a tree falling in the forest with no one to hear it. 
Yes I am SUPER thankful for readers, and particularly readers who take the time to review. Because here’s the thing: word of mouth is still the most powerful tool in the world when it comes to supporting novels.
So Thanks A Literary Vacation for this doozy of a review! For embracing the characters I lived with for so many long months and letting them become as real to you as they are to me:
I think one of my favorite thing about Margot (and really all of these characters) is that she isn’t perfect, not even close. Sophie Perinot did an astounding job of making each character so well rounded and complex that they felt wholly real to me, not just glitzed up or vilified representations of what someone might want them to be.
And for understanding and perfectly expressing the essence of Médicis Daughter:
With all this going on (and there is a lot of action and intrigue to delight in, perfectly presented by the author) the real heart of the story, to me, is much smaller: that of a beautiful, intelligent girl long held prisoner to her family’s demands, threats and machinations finally learning how to break free, at least in part, from their control to become the woman of honor she longs to be.
I couldn’t have said it better myself!
One Week to Go!!!
Brilliant. This is what I call a “WOW” book.
…doesn’t read like a history book, but like a fantastic tale.
The Reviews Debut . . .
This week it was a review-a-day for Médicis Daughter, and all of them good!
Peeking Between the Pages highly recommended the novel, declaring:
Well researched and rich in historical detail Medicis Daughter is sure to please any historical fiction fan and it’s one of my favorites of the year.
And Darlene paid me a great compliment in saying that my “talent at weaving history with a captivating story is what makes her novels so entirely readable.”
Over at The Mad Reviewer (where Médicis Daughter earned 5 of 5 stars), Carrie said:
Perinot’s descriptive writing style … brings the court and the characters to life. She can be beautifully descriptive but also knows when to pare down her writing for the sake of pacing.
A theme picked up by Just One More Chapter:
Sophie Perinot writes with rich details, her descriptions made it so easy to visualize what was taking place – I was totally absorbed in her story.
Both The Maiden’s Court (where Heather gave the book 4.5 of 5 stars) and The Eclectic Reader (Teddy) appreciated the coming-of-age aspects of the tale. Saying:
There is a real sense of Marguerite’s growth as the novel progresses, fueled by the machinations and ill-treatment by her family, naivety fast becomes awareness and intelligence and a strong moral compass hold her in good stead challenging her family in doing what she believes is right. (Teddy)
And
. . .we see a coming of age story from a young, innocent girl into a woman of the Valois court who makes decisions for herself, goes toe-to-toe with her powerful mother, and ultimately who becomes a strong woman (Heather)
Well thank you ladies all! I am blushing! For those of you who are not sick of me saying it already, Médicis Daughter: A Novel of Marguerite de Valois releases in 11 days. It is currently available for pre-order at Amazon, B&N, Indiebound and (for the international set) Book Depository (though it appears they will be shipping out later). If you order today then you will have it in your hands more quickly!
What La Traviata and The Sister Queens Have in Common
March 6th is a good day for debuts. One hundred and sixty years ago today (March 6, 1853) La Traviata premiered at the La Fenice opera house in Venice. One year ago today (March 6, 2012) my debut novel, The Sister Queens, hit shelves. Auspicious. And while I never expect to be as popular as Verdi, I’ve been overwhelmed by the generous responses of critics and the kind and often moving responses of readers. Thanks all! 
Readers—Visit my Sister Queens Facebook page for instructions on how to get one of twenty signed bookplates (there are still a few left) for your copy of The Sister Queens.
Writer friends — The day after its premiere Giuseppe Verdi worried that La Traviata was a failure so EVERYBODY has artistic angst. Have faith in your work and its ability to find an audience.
Finally, for those who haven’t tried The Sister Queens yet — I believe that Amazon still has the book on sale for $6 a copy (limit 2). Wouldn’t now be an excellent time to add it to your TBR pile?
And Then There Were Ten. . .
The Sister Queens just made its TENTH “best of 2012” list thanks to Kayla at the Historical Fiction Examiner. Make sure to check out Kayla’s entire Top 10— lots of great books to add to your TBR pile there. My debut is listed with novels by so many authors I truly admire including, Michelle Moran, Juliet Grey, Elizabeth Loupas and Susan Higginbotham.
Must admit it feels overwhelming to make see my book alongside the work of so many luminaries of the genre. This time I am actually one-of-ten with Philippa Gregory. Weird. But weird in a good way!
The Sister Queens Makes More “Best Of” Lists
While I was baking up a storm and wrapping gifts for friends and family I received a couple of very special year-end presents. The Sister Queens made several “best of” lists” (in addition to the list at Let Them Read Books mentioned in a previous post).
I am exceedingly flattered that The True Book Addict, has my debut keeping company with books by the likes of C.W. Gortner, Hilary Mantel and my good friend Nancy Bilyeau. Holly’s list at Bippity Boppity Book lets me rub elbows with Ken Follett and Diana Gabaldon (wow). Book Drunkard’s “Top 12” and Tanzinite’s Castle Full of Books both also have me in very august company. I am thrilled that Kate Quinn, author of a brilliant trilogy set in ancient Rome that I personally devoured, also picked The Sister Queens as one of her 2012 favorites and Space Station Mir named me as one of her “Top Ten New-To-Me Authors for 2012.” Finally, I feel very privileged that The Sister Queens made two of the “personal favorites” 2012 lists at Romantic Historical Lovers—Meagan’s and Jenny’s.
Not so sound like The Count from Sesame Street, but by my reckoning that makes nine favorites lists I am gobsmacked and grateful. Thank you to the book bloggers who did me such honor and thank you to all the readers who embraced my first novel so warmly!
Anniversary Tour Off to a Sparkling Start
Stars and flowers—what better way to start The Sister Queens 7-month anniversary blog tour? The first two reviews are in and they are five stars and four flowers. A sparkly combination. 
Crystal at My Reading Room gave me her top rating saying, “I was honestly captivated from the very first page as I read the tale of Marguerite and Eleanor, sisters who were in competition at home and then were wed off one-by-one to Kings.” She pays me the very great compliment of putting me among her favorite historical writers (in some pretty impressive company):
The Sister Queens was more than I could have ever asked for in a book and now reigns in my top three historical fiction novels with Michelle Moran’s Cleopatra’s Daughter and Sandra Byrd’s To Die For. For me that is some great company. I will be highly recommending The Sister Queens to all of my friends, even ones who don’t read historical fiction.”
Meanwhile A Chick Who Reads gave me the lovely flowers and some kind words as well:
This is Sophie’s first novel and if it is any indication of what’s to come, well, move over Phillipa Gregory.”
I will be back at A Chick Who Reads tomorrow as a guest blogger talking about “Hair-Shirts 101”(and how often do you hear someone say that?). Hope you’ll join me.