In the Shadow of the Sun

If you read my previous review about the book Enchantee, I am going to warn you that this one is a bit similar in the sense that it takes place in Paris and Versailles, and the magicians are considered nobles who run the court. I found it intriguing that two different authors wrote about the same type of idea within a year of one another. Either way, this one was a fun story to read as well.
The story follows Henriette, who is married to Louis XIV brother, Philippe, the Duke of Orleans. However, their marriage doesn't really start out as a happy one, since everyone knows, including Henriette, that Philippe prefers the company of men over women. Fortunately for Henriette, she is what is called a source. A source is someone who can give magic to magicians to control. Louis learns by accident that Henriette is a source, and he persuades her to help him gain power and control through the use of magic to build the Palace of Versailles. Throughout the story, Philippe shows some affection to Henriette, and she clearly wants him to love her, but she also develops a crush on Louis. Louis though never really returns Henriette's feelings, and she must watch as he develops relationships with other women. Eventually, Henriette and Philippe do fall in love, and they have a beautiful relationship. Philippe helps to protect Henriette from Louis going too crazy with her magic powers, and the three of them actually work together to defeat Fouquet, who in the book is the crown magician and tries to get Henriette to betray Louis and be his source rather than Louis's.
I found it so intriguing that the idea of magic is what helped to build the French monarchy, and also what helped the monarchs to remain in control for as long as they did. Also, I had never even heard of Henriette, so it was fun for me to read about her in real life and compare what is known about her in history with how the author portrayed her in the novel.
I would recommend this to those who love a good romance/fantasy, and anyone who wants to learn a little more about Louis the XIV. A large portion of the story is fiction, but the way that the author creates the characters compels the reader to learn more about what these people were really like when they were alive.
This was definitely a fun read for me from Once Upon a Bookclub Bookcase, and I am so glad I signed up for the subscription (I'm not getting paid for this). As a warning, there is supposed to be a sequel to this one, but I don't know that I will read it. The way that the author ends this one is pleasant enough that you won't be waiting on pins and needles for the next one to be published.