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Crimson Velvet Heart
There was a kind of grotesquerie to the dazzle and magnificence, a vicious underlay of thorns beneath the bed of roses, and a vast shadow floating, looming overhead. The kingdom was forever at war, and there was an eerie strangeness in the shining trio of the king, his wife, and the little princess from Savoy.
It is 1696. Louis XIV, absolute monarch in his sunset years, with his secret wife by his side, believes his grandson will succeed him and will continue the dynasty. As part of the spoils of war, he brings from Savoy, a child, a youthful bride for that grandson. In this bride the king gets more than he could ever have bargained for. She is enchanting, and he is bewitched. Has the king fallen madly in love with this Princess Marie-Adélaïde of Savoy? What exactly is the bond between these two?
At the court of Versailles, there is lavish magnificence including the vast gardens and the Hall of Mirrors. But it is also where dark, enchanting fairytales come to prominence. News of war is never far away. And tantalising beauty is undercut by threat. The tale is narrated in part by Sister Clare, a childhood friend of Marie-Adélaïde, who after losing the young man she loves to war and then the Princess to disease, becomes a nun. For Clare it is her devoted mission to tell the story of Marie-Adélaïde, mother of the child who will become Louis XV.
Crimson Velvet Heart is a visionary novel on Adélaïde’s life – both strange and enthralling – where Carmel Bird’s exquisite language and rich understanding of history and human nature capture both the spirit and the mystery of love and loss.
‘This astounding novel speaks for devotion and wisdom even as it eviscerates the monstrous glory of 17th century France. Grounded in research, Carmel Bird’s historical imagination is glitteringly bright.’ GREGORY DAY
It is 1696. Louis XIV, absolute monarch in his sunset years, with his secret wife by his side, believes his grandson will succeed him and will continue the dynasty. As part of the spoils of war, he brings from Savoy, a child, a youthful bride for that grandson. In this bride the king gets more than he could ever have bargained for. She is enchanting, and he is bewitched. Has the king fallen madly in love with this Princess Marie-Adélaïde of Savoy? What exactly is the bond between these two?
At the court of Versailles, there is lavish magnificence including the vast gardens and the Hall of Mirrors. But it is also where dark, enchanting fairytales come to prominence. News of war is never far away. And tantalising beauty is undercut by threat. The tale is narrated in part by Sister Clare, a childhood friend of Marie-Adélaïde, who after losing the young man she loves to war and then the Princess to disease, becomes a nun. For Clare it is her devoted mission to tell the story of Marie-Adélaïde, mother of the child who will become Louis XV.
Crimson Velvet Heart is a visionary novel on Adélaïde’s life – both strange and enthralling – where Carmel Bird’s exquisite language and rich understanding of history and human nature capture both the spirit and the mystery of love and loss.
‘This astounding novel speaks for devotion and wisdom even as it eviscerates the monstrous glory of 17th century France. Grounded in research, Carmel Bird’s historical imagination is glitteringly bright.’ GREGORY DAY
- GenresHistorical Fiction
309 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2025
8 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 25, 2025
Reviewed by Nan van Dissel for Transit Lounge and Bluewolf Reviews.
Much has been written about France’s longest reigning monarch Louis XIV, the Sun King. However, not nearly as much has been written about the captivating Marie Adelaide of Savoy, mother of Louis XV, his great grandson and successor, but also a young girl with whom Louis XIV became fascinated.
Carmel Bird, in her meticulously researched historical fiction “Crimson Velvet Heart”, not only brings the story of Marie Adelaide to life but also the mesmerizingly lavish lives of the occupants in and around the magnificent Palace of Versailles. Through the eyes of Sister Clare, a childhood friend, who after the loss of the love of her life and the death of the princess, known as Adelaide, devotes herself to telling the story of Marie Adelaide.
As part of the spoils of war, Adelaide aged 11years arrives in France in November 1696; she is enchanting and Louis XIV is bewitched. As she’s still too young to marry Louis’s grandson, it is decided that for three days a week, she would become a pupil at a girls' school, where Clare becomes Adelaide’s friend and confident. Sister Clare’s stories not only give the reader a great insight into this beloved figure, who has been admired for her intellect and charm, but also, they reveal the secret tales and intrigues of the late 17th and early 18th century France.
After reading ‘Crimson Velvet Heart’ readers will not only be inspired to further research the short life of the amazing Marie Adelaide but also that of key figures in her life. To aid further research the author has included a timeline, a list of principal characters and a comprehensive list of sources.
Available for pre-order.
Much has been written about France’s longest reigning monarch Louis XIV, the Sun King. However, not nearly as much has been written about the captivating Marie Adelaide of Savoy, mother of Louis XV, his great grandson and successor, but also a young girl with whom Louis XIV became fascinated.
Carmel Bird, in her meticulously researched historical fiction “Crimson Velvet Heart”, not only brings the story of Marie Adelaide to life but also the mesmerizingly lavish lives of the occupants in and around the magnificent Palace of Versailles. Through the eyes of Sister Clare, a childhood friend, who after the loss of the love of her life and the death of the princess, known as Adelaide, devotes herself to telling the story of Marie Adelaide.
As part of the spoils of war, Adelaide aged 11years arrives in France in November 1696; she is enchanting and Louis XIV is bewitched. As she’s still too young to marry Louis’s grandson, it is decided that for three days a week, she would become a pupil at a girls' school, where Clare becomes Adelaide’s friend and confident. Sister Clare’s stories not only give the reader a great insight into this beloved figure, who has been admired for her intellect and charm, but also, they reveal the secret tales and intrigues of the late 17th and early 18th century France.
After reading ‘Crimson Velvet Heart’ readers will not only be inspired to further research the short life of the amazing Marie Adelaide but also that of key figures in her life. To aid further research the author has included a timeline, a list of principal characters and a comprehensive list of sources.
Available for pre-order.
November 20, 2025
‘The tale begins in the city of Turin, one hundred miles west of Milan.’
Princess Marie-Adélaïde of Savoy is born in Turin in 1685. In 1696, Louis XIV of France, the ageing Sun King, has Marie-Adélaïde brought to France as a wife for his grandson. Louis XIV believes that his grandson will succeed him and continue the Bourbon dynasty. Ms Bird has woven a fascinating work of historical fiction around the life of Marie-Adélaïde.
‘Sister Clare begins her story at its end. For when she opens the tale, Adélaïde has been dead for four sad years. The good sister is a most trustworthy storyteller. She will reveal to you, in her opening remarks, that baby Adélaïde did indeed marry a prince.’
And, while Marie-Adélaïde did marry a prince, it is her relationship with Louis XIV and the French Court that provides the heart of this story. Louis XIV was the king of France for over 72 years. He was an absolute monarch, ruling (mostly) from the palace at Versailles during a period of brilliance for France. Marie-Adélaïde arrives in France aged 11 years. She is too young to marry, and for three days a week she is a pupil at a girl’s school where she meets Clotilde, who becomes both friend and confidante.
Much of this story unfolds through the (fictional) eyes of Clotilde, who later became Sister Clare. Clo-Clo (as Marie-Adélaïde calls her) describes the lavish lifestyles and brilliance of the court as well as the vicious undercurrents as various courtiers are vying for favour. Marie-Adélaïde is complex. She can be both cruel and kind, naïve and manipulative. She gives birth to a baby who will become Louis XV.
Sister Clare becomes devoted to telling Marie-Adélaïde’s story. Part of the telling involves her own story, of love and loss and of observations of Marie-Adélaïde and Louis XIV. And I wonder about the relationship between Louis XIV and Marie-Adélaïde.
Ms Bird drew me into Marie-Adélaïde’s world. While I have read quite a bit about Louis XIV, I had not previously focussed on the French court more broadly. Ms Bird has clearly researched Marie-Adélaïde’s life and includes a list of principal characters, a timeline and sources.
Fascinating.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Princess Marie-Adélaïde of Savoy is born in Turin in 1685. In 1696, Louis XIV of France, the ageing Sun King, has Marie-Adélaïde brought to France as a wife for his grandson. Louis XIV believes that his grandson will succeed him and continue the Bourbon dynasty. Ms Bird has woven a fascinating work of historical fiction around the life of Marie-Adélaïde.
‘Sister Clare begins her story at its end. For when she opens the tale, Adélaïde has been dead for four sad years. The good sister is a most trustworthy storyteller. She will reveal to you, in her opening remarks, that baby Adélaïde did indeed marry a prince.’
And, while Marie-Adélaïde did marry a prince, it is her relationship with Louis XIV and the French Court that provides the heart of this story. Louis XIV was the king of France for over 72 years. He was an absolute monarch, ruling (mostly) from the palace at Versailles during a period of brilliance for France. Marie-Adélaïde arrives in France aged 11 years. She is too young to marry, and for three days a week she is a pupil at a girl’s school where she meets Clotilde, who becomes both friend and confidante.
Much of this story unfolds through the (fictional) eyes of Clotilde, who later became Sister Clare. Clo-Clo (as Marie-Adélaïde calls her) describes the lavish lifestyles and brilliance of the court as well as the vicious undercurrents as various courtiers are vying for favour. Marie-Adélaïde is complex. She can be both cruel and kind, naïve and manipulative. She gives birth to a baby who will become Louis XV.
Sister Clare becomes devoted to telling Marie-Adélaïde’s story. Part of the telling involves her own story, of love and loss and of observations of Marie-Adélaïde and Louis XIV. And I wonder about the relationship between Louis XIV and Marie-Adélaïde.
Ms Bird drew me into Marie-Adélaïde’s world. While I have read quite a bit about Louis XIV, I had not previously focussed on the French court more broadly. Ms Bird has clearly researched Marie-Adélaïde’s life and includes a list of principal characters, a timeline and sources.
Fascinating.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
December 24, 2025
Carmel Bird's twelfth novel is set in 1696 France with a focus on Princess Marie-Adelaide (who went on to become the mother of Louis the fourteenth).
Narrated partly by Sister Clare, her childhood friend (and fictional character), the title refers to the pincushions made by nuns.
I found the narrative a bit disjointed at times, however it is a fascinating subject and period so it kept me engaged.
Narrated partly by Sister Clare, her childhood friend (and fictional character), the title refers to the pincushions made by nuns.
I found the narrative a bit disjointed at times, however it is a fascinating subject and period so it kept me engaged.
December 2, 2025
A vivid glimpse into the French court. Meticulously researched, Crimson Velvet Heart will surely inspire the reader to want to learn more about Marie-Adelaide, and Louis XIV.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews