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The Embroidered Book
Winner of the Aurora Award for Best Novel.
Finalist for the Ottawa Book Award.
‘Power is not something you are given. Power is something you take. When you are a woman, it is a little more difficult, that’s all’
1768. Charlotte, daughter of the Habsburg Empress, arrives in Naples to marry a man she has never met. Her sister Antoine is sent to France, and in the mirrored corridors of Versailles they rename her Marie Antoinette.
The sisters are alone, but they are not powerless. When they were only children, they discovered a book of spells – spells that work, with dark and unpredictable consequences.
In a time of vicious court politics, of discovery and dizzying change, they use the book to take control of their lives.
But every spell requires a sacrifice. And as love between the sisters turns to rivalry, they will send Europe spiralling into revolution.
Brimming with romance, betrayal, and enchantment, The Embroidered Book reimagines a dazzling period of history as you have never seen it before.
Finalist for the Ottawa Book Award.
‘Power is not something you are given. Power is something you take. When you are a woman, it is a little more difficult, that’s all’
1768. Charlotte, daughter of the Habsburg Empress, arrives in Naples to marry a man she has never met. Her sister Antoine is sent to France, and in the mirrored corridors of Versailles they rename her Marie Antoinette.
The sisters are alone, but they are not powerless. When they were only children, they discovered a book of spells – spells that work, with dark and unpredictable consequences.
In a time of vicious court politics, of discovery and dizzying change, they use the book to take control of their lives.
But every spell requires a sacrifice. And as love between the sisters turns to rivalry, they will send Europe spiralling into revolution.
Brimming with romance, betrayal, and enchantment, The Embroidered Book reimagines a dazzling period of history as you have never seen it before.
655 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 17, 2022
432 people are currently reading
11790 people want to read
About the author
Kate Heartfield
36 books377 followersKate Heartfield is the author of The Embroidered Book, a Sunday Times bestselling historical fantasy novel published in 2022, which was shortlisted for the Ottawa Book Award. The Valkyrie, published in 2023, is a retelling of Norse and Germanic legends. The Tapestry of Time, published in 2024, is about four clairvoyant sisters fighting the Nazis for control of the Bayeux Tapestry in 1944. Her Alice Payne time travel novellas were published in 2018 and 2019. Her debut novel Armed in Her Fashion (2018) was re-published in a revised edition in 2023 as The Chatelaine. She also writes interactive fiction, including The Road to Canterbury, and The Magician's Workshop, published by Choice of Games. She has published two Assassin's Creed tie-in novels: The Magus Conspiracy and The Resurrection Plot. She has won the Aurora Award for Best Novel three times, and her short fiction has been shortlisted for the World Fantasy, Nebula, Locus, Aurora, Sunburst and Crawford awards, and her journalism for a National Newspaper Award. Her short stories have appeared in Strange Horizons, Lackington's, Podcastle and elsewhere. A former newspaper journalist, Kate lives near Ottawa, Canada.
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February 23, 2022Hello! I'm the author of this book, just dropping in a link to a content note and saying thanks for taking a look at my labour of love. I'm hoping to post some Kindle notes and highlights when the book comes out, so keep an eye out for that if you like annotations. [Edit to add on Feb. 22, 2022: I've added Kindle notes and highlights now.]
October 17, 2022
As somebody who doesn't read or like historical fiction, I was very surprised by how much I enjoyed this one.
The embroidered book follows Maria Carolina and Marie Antoinette throughout their lives, from young children to becoming the monarchs of two of the most influential countries in Europe. When they are children, they find an embroidered book full of spells after their governess is murdered and use it to try and convince their mother to change her mind about marrying one of their siblings to one of the most hated men in Europe, the soon-to-be king of Naples.
From there, we follow the sisters as they embark on their separate lives as the Queens of Naples and France, trying to do what they think is best for their countries from the shadows of their husbands, while also finding themselves on opposite sides of brewing tension in the hidden world of magic.
Considering this is a historical fantasy, and I am a fantasy reader, I found that the fantastical element of this book was actually what gripped me the least as I found myself swept up in the lives of two notable historical figures, underpinned by the tragedy we all know is to come. I did find that the peak of the magical plot line was a little bit lost on me and it made me wonder what Kate Heartfield's aim was when choosing to write this story with a fantastical twist - but I found it to be a captivating read nonetheless.
The embroidered book follows Maria Carolina and Marie Antoinette throughout their lives, from young children to becoming the monarchs of two of the most influential countries in Europe. When they are children, they find an embroidered book full of spells after their governess is murdered and use it to try and convince their mother to change her mind about marrying one of their siblings to one of the most hated men in Europe, the soon-to-be king of Naples.
From there, we follow the sisters as they embark on their separate lives as the Queens of Naples and France, trying to do what they think is best for their countries from the shadows of their husbands, while also finding themselves on opposite sides of brewing tension in the hidden world of magic.
Considering this is a historical fantasy, and I am a fantasy reader, I found that the fantastical element of this book was actually what gripped me the least as I found myself swept up in the lives of two notable historical figures, underpinned by the tragedy we all know is to come. I did find that the peak of the magical plot line was a little bit lost on me and it made me wonder what Kate Heartfield's aim was when choosing to write this story with a fantastical twist - but I found it to be a captivating read nonetheless.
April 20, 2024
Firstly, The Embroidered Book is a very comprehensively researched account of the lives of Marie Antoinette and her older sister Maria Carolina (Charlotte). Marie Antoinette’s life is well-chronicled, but I knew basically nothing about Charlotte coming into this book, and there were lots of interesting tidbits that had me pulling up Wikipedia. (Though I am still struggling a little with the concept of her giving birth 18 times, especially given what an awful person her husband was). There’s also some cameos from other historical figures, most notably Lafayette.
Overall, I thought Heartfield did a good job with making her subjects seem like the flawed humans they were; she doesn’t shy away from the failures of all of Europe’s monarchs during this period, while also acknowledging that the challenges that female rulers faced in terms of sexism and their lack of preparedness to rule. I both felt bad for them, and completely understood why their subjects hated them. Admittedly, the relationship between the sisters isn’t quite as passionate (for good or bad) as the blurb suggests. Heartfield tries her best, but there’s only so much that can be done when the characters in question only interact by correspondence and enchanted portraits for three decades, and have greater interactions with characters that are ultimately secondary at best. But for the most part, it’s an interesting character study.
Where this book fell flat for me is… well, I’m still not sure why this was a historical fantasy, because the magic system and the associated conflicts don’t really add anything to the story except a cool concept, and a few hundred extra pages. The magic system is genuinely one of the more interesting ones I’ve come across, as it requires the magician to make a sacrifice, typically in the form of an emotional connection or a memory. The more powerful the magic, the greater the sacrifice. There’s some interesting musings about what this might mean, but for the majority of the book I’m not actually sure it means much… except that occasionally the characters might forget a previous conversation, or feel no real love for a pet.
The Embroidered Book also tries to introduce a broader conflict – between those who want to keep magic secret tightly controlled, and only taught to a select few, and those who want to throw open the floodgates and make magic more freely spoken about. There’s lots of skulking about, and threats to both queens’ lives due to their knowledge of magic, but it ultimately goes nowhere. The network of magicians and the consequences of their actions for the wider world are too broadly sketched to be really meaningful, and the book introduces people who could be dangerous, but then forgets about them. And meanwhile, the real problems that led to the French Revolution truck along, and we end up exactly where real history took us, without magic really changing a thing.
All of which led to a book that for me was interesting, with real potential, but ultimately not as satisfying as I might have liked.
Overall, I thought Heartfield did a good job with making her subjects seem like the flawed humans they were; she doesn’t shy away from the failures of all of Europe’s monarchs during this period, while also acknowledging that the challenges that female rulers faced in terms of sexism and their lack of preparedness to rule. I both felt bad for them, and completely understood why their subjects hated them. Admittedly, the relationship between the sisters isn’t quite as passionate (for good or bad) as the blurb suggests. Heartfield tries her best, but there’s only so much that can be done when the characters in question only interact by correspondence and enchanted portraits for three decades, and have greater interactions with characters that are ultimately secondary at best. But for the most part, it’s an interesting character study.
Where this book fell flat for me is… well, I’m still not sure why this was a historical fantasy, because the magic system and the associated conflicts don’t really add anything to the story except a cool concept, and a few hundred extra pages. The magic system is genuinely one of the more interesting ones I’ve come across, as it requires the magician to make a sacrifice, typically in the form of an emotional connection or a memory. The more powerful the magic, the greater the sacrifice. There’s some interesting musings about what this might mean, but for the majority of the book I’m not actually sure it means much… except that occasionally the characters might forget a previous conversation, or feel no real love for a pet.
The Embroidered Book also tries to introduce a broader conflict – between those who want to keep magic secret tightly controlled, and only taught to a select few, and those who want to throw open the floodgates and make magic more freely spoken about. There’s lots of skulking about, and threats to both queens’ lives due to their knowledge of magic, but it ultimately goes nowhere. The network of magicians and the consequences of their actions for the wider world are too broadly sketched to be really meaningful, and the book introduces people who could be dangerous, but then forgets about them. And meanwhile, the real problems that led to the French Revolution truck along, and we end up exactly where real history took us, without magic really changing a thing.
All of which led to a book that for me was interesting, with real potential, but ultimately not as satisfying as I might have liked.
February 25, 2022
Sorry, couldn't finish this one. I can see that many other readers loved it, but I found it to be silly and too wordy, with flat characters that have today's mindset although living centuries ago. The pace was too slow for me and I couldn't engage. Good historical research was clearly done here, but the result was not satisfying for me.
January 31, 2022
Women find their power where they can, and remember it in twisted threads. Misheard whispers. Embroidered and disguised.
The Embroidered Book follows no one less than the infamous last Queen of France, Marie Antoinette, and her older sister Maria Carolina, Queen of Naples and Sicily. Starting with their childhood as the youngest girls of the spectacular House of Habsburg-Lorraine, to their planned marriages to various heirs apparent of the European royalty, the book finishes at the famed bitter end of Antoinette’s life. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Heartfield without the preternatural; the two girls have been raised by a governess who taught them magic and who, after her death, left them a collection of spells and tricks, called by the little siblings the embroidered book. In short, the premise is, “What if two of the most powerful women in European history were, in reality, witches and everything we know as history is the direct or indirect consequence of a spell used in place or a spell gone wrong?”
Nothing is free in this utterly coherent magic system, though - it is sacrifices for memorization; you need to sacrifice a memory to remember a spell and therefore need to carefully choose what you can do without. Tricky, right?
There are two more central aspects to The Embroidered Book that make it a ravishing read. First of them is Heartfield’s ability to write about characters who seriously felt like family to me. Admittedly, when you spend a lot of time with fictional characters and you do that here – we're talking about a toe crusher of more than 600 pages – you get attached to them and the closer Marie Antoinette’s inevitable end got, the more nervous I got and was ultimately a little heartbroken, I admit. I think it’s the author’s knack to present the thoughts, feelings, inner workings of these women so consummately that you understand them and, very important in fiction, are interested in what happens to them, even if you don’t like them, which I did. Of course, you can see in France’s last queen a decadent, spoiled, depraved, horrible woman; but she was also the woman who exactly fit in the French royal system and did everything the court life asked of her, to a fault. Of course, you can see in the Neapolitan queen a dutiful, smart, cunning woman; but she was also the woman who was forced to marry someone who belittled and humiliated her in public and in private, someone she couldn’t stand, but had to sleep with anyway, duty to her people and all. So imposing were the characters that I personally needed some time to recover after having finished!
And finally, there is the notion of power, which, of course, is and should be central when talking about magic. In Antoine's and Charlotte's handling magic, we see two different ways in which great power can be dealt with and to what consequences both approaches can lead. While Charlotte decides to join a secret brotherhood, a magisters’ guild, that advocates conscious and responsible usage of magic by a select few, Antoine creates her own little group around her which ultimately aims at distributing this knowledge to everyone. But there is no raised finger, no definite right or wrong here, as that line is very blurred and there's treason and intrigues galore in both fronts. It’s more like the author plays with this metaphor, throws it into this fervent slice of history and makes it at home there, and I LOVED it!
My thanks to the author for the review copy!
The Embroidered Book follows no one less than the infamous last Queen of France, Marie Antoinette, and her older sister Maria Carolina, Queen of Naples and Sicily. Starting with their childhood as the youngest girls of the spectacular House of Habsburg-Lorraine, to their planned marriages to various heirs apparent of the European royalty, the book finishes at the famed bitter end of Antoinette’s life. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Heartfield without the preternatural; the two girls have been raised by a governess who taught them magic and who, after her death, left them a collection of spells and tricks, called by the little siblings the embroidered book. In short, the premise is, “What if two of the most powerful women in European history were, in reality, witches and everything we know as history is the direct or indirect consequence of a spell used in place or a spell gone wrong?”
Nothing is free in this utterly coherent magic system, though - it is sacrifices for memorization; you need to sacrifice a memory to remember a spell and therefore need to carefully choose what you can do without. Tricky, right?
There are two more central aspects to The Embroidered Book that make it a ravishing read. First of them is Heartfield’s ability to write about characters who seriously felt like family to me. Admittedly, when you spend a lot of time with fictional characters and you do that here – we're talking about a toe crusher of more than 600 pages – you get attached to them and the closer Marie Antoinette’s inevitable end got, the more nervous I got and was ultimately a little heartbroken, I admit. I think it’s the author’s knack to present the thoughts, feelings, inner workings of these women so consummately that you understand them and, very important in fiction, are interested in what happens to them, even if you don’t like them, which I did. Of course, you can see in France’s last queen a decadent, spoiled, depraved, horrible woman; but she was also the woman who exactly fit in the French royal system and did everything the court life asked of her, to a fault. Of course, you can see in the Neapolitan queen a dutiful, smart, cunning woman; but she was also the woman who was forced to marry someone who belittled and humiliated her in public and in private, someone she couldn’t stand, but had to sleep with anyway, duty to her people and all. So imposing were the characters that I personally needed some time to recover after having finished!
And finally, there is the notion of power, which, of course, is and should be central when talking about magic. In Antoine's and Charlotte's handling magic, we see two different ways in which great power can be dealt with and to what consequences both approaches can lead. While Charlotte decides to join a secret brotherhood, a magisters’ guild, that advocates conscious and responsible usage of magic by a select few, Antoine creates her own little group around her which ultimately aims at distributing this knowledge to everyone. But there is no raised finger, no definite right or wrong here, as that line is very blurred and there's treason and intrigues galore in both fronts. It’s more like the author plays with this metaphor, throws it into this fervent slice of history and makes it at home there, and I LOVED it!
My thanks to the author for the review copy!
June 24, 2022
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The Embroidered Book by Kate Heartfield. (2022).
**Thank you to HarperCollins Australia for sending me a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review; published 2 March 2022**
1768. Charlotte, daughter of the Habsburg Empire, arrives in Naples to marry a man she has never met. Her sister Antoine is sent to France and becomes Marie Antoinette. The sisters are alone but not powerless. As children, they discovered a book of spells that work, with dark and unpredictable consequences. In a time of vicious court politics, of discovery and dizzying change, they use the book to take control of their lives. But every spell requires sacrifices. And as love between the sisters turns to rivalry, they will send Europe spiralling into revolution.
It's not often that I'll pick up a book this size (at 655 pages, she's a biggie!), but the synopsis of this one just sounded so intriguing. I've heard of Marie Antoinette, but nothing of her sister Charlotte. This novel is a fascinating mix of real historical events but reimagined so everything is in the context of select people using magic in the form of spells. What made those spells particularly interesting was that that each requires various sacrifices including objects, blood, love and memories. The book includes an extremely helpful list of characters at the beginning, which definitely came in handy more than once.
I would happily recommend this one for those readers who enjoy historical fiction, for those who enjoy a little magic twist to their stories, and for those looking for something a little bit different to get lost into.
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
The Embroidered Book by Kate Heartfield. (2022).
**Thank you to HarperCollins Australia for sending me a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review; published 2 March 2022**
1768. Charlotte, daughter of the Habsburg Empire, arrives in Naples to marry a man she has never met. Her sister Antoine is sent to France and becomes Marie Antoinette. The sisters are alone but not powerless. As children, they discovered a book of spells that work, with dark and unpredictable consequences. In a time of vicious court politics, of discovery and dizzying change, they use the book to take control of their lives. But every spell requires sacrifices. And as love between the sisters turns to rivalry, they will send Europe spiralling into revolution.
It's not often that I'll pick up a book this size (at 655 pages, she's a biggie!), but the synopsis of this one just sounded so intriguing. I've heard of Marie Antoinette, but nothing of her sister Charlotte. This novel is a fascinating mix of real historical events but reimagined so everything is in the context of select people using magic in the form of spells. What made those spells particularly interesting was that that each requires various sacrifices including objects, blood, love and memories. The book includes an extremely helpful list of characters at the beginning, which definitely came in handy more than once.
I would happily recommend this one for those readers who enjoy historical fiction, for those who enjoy a little magic twist to their stories, and for those looking for something a little bit different to get lost into.
July 8, 2023
"The Embroidered Book," is a masterpiece that blends history and imagination, taking readers on a journey through the rich tapestry of the past.
Heartfield's meticulous research comes alive with vivid authenticity: from the intricacies of daily life to the grandeur of societal structures, the author's ability to capture the essence of the time period pulls readers into a world that feels both familiar and unknown.
The colorful Habsburg siblings in "The Embroidered Book" feel fully-formed, each with their own hopes, dreams, and struggles. Their journeys of self-discovery are compelling, as they navigate the challenges of love, loss, and resilience in the face of adversity. The reader cannot help but become emotionally invested in their tragic fates.
This is a great historical novel that excels on every level.
Heartfield's meticulous research comes alive with vivid authenticity: from the intricacies of daily life to the grandeur of societal structures, the author's ability to capture the essence of the time period pulls readers into a world that feels both familiar and unknown.
The colorful Habsburg siblings in "The Embroidered Book" feel fully-formed, each with their own hopes, dreams, and struggles. Their journeys of self-discovery are compelling, as they navigate the challenges of love, loss, and resilience in the face of adversity. The reader cannot help but become emotionally invested in their tragic fates.
This is a great historical novel that excels on every level.
February 7, 2022
I had to discard this after only 2 hours into the audiobook. The main character is full of herself, egocentric, narcisstic and the other characters are generic and with no surprising development. There is a "Oups, sorry I did this to you - Oups, now I did it again. Sorry-not-sorry" vibe permeating the story.
The first time I stopped listening was after a halft hour - then I talked myself into starting again. And now I am sure - this book goes to "Books I Discarded" 👎
The first time I stopped listening was after a halft hour - then I talked myself into starting again. And now I am sure - this book goes to "Books I Discarded" 👎
March 8, 2022
Strong first 150 pages and then it became quite weak and, I hate to say, boring from then on.
I feel like this didn’t need magic at all and I really didn’t like the magic. It could’ve been a historical fiction and been way more impactful rather than blaming everything on some spell. There was a revolution because of magic just doesn’t hit as hard as the facts because the facts in the French Revolution are juicy.
Also the first half of the book focuses way too much on Charlotte because then by the time things are going bad for Antoine you have no idea what she’s been up to. I didn’t feel any attachment to her. And I didn’t feel any attachment for Charlotte because she joins The Order which is full of people who do magic who kill people for doing magic. I hated The Order.
I had high hopes for this so I’m a bit disappointed. I can forgive a book that’s only been allowed to be 350 pages for having a rushed ending, but I can’t forgive a 650 page book for doing the last four years of Antoine’s life and basically the fall of Europe (which the book makes a big deal of pointing out that the Habsburg family have spread themselves out across) in 100 pages.
I feel like this didn’t need magic at all and I really didn’t like the magic. It could’ve been a historical fiction and been way more impactful rather than blaming everything on some spell. There was a revolution because of magic just doesn’t hit as hard as the facts because the facts in the French Revolution are juicy.
Also the first half of the book focuses way too much on Charlotte because then by the time things are going bad for Antoine you have no idea what she’s been up to. I didn’t feel any attachment to her. And I didn’t feel any attachment for Charlotte because she joins The Order which is full of people who do magic who kill people for doing magic. I hated The Order.
I had high hopes for this so I’m a bit disappointed. I can forgive a book that’s only been allowed to be 350 pages for having a rushed ending, but I can’t forgive a 650 page book for doing the last four years of Antoine’s life and basically the fall of Europe (which the book makes a big deal of pointing out that the Habsburg family have spread themselves out across) in 100 pages.
June 20, 2022
Intimate, devastating, enlightening--this unique literary-feeling historical fantasy covers decades in the lives of two sisters, Charlotte and Antoinette, who were raised to be married and rule alongside their husbands. Antoinette, we all know something about--she becomes Marie-Antoinette, who in our history loses her head in the Revolution. Heartfield's retelling of history draws on facts (her highlighted notes on Goodreads are a fantastic read, once your own reading of the book is done) but is brightened by a deep exploration of magic, its power, its sacrifices, its role in the turbulence that shook Europe and the world through that period. This book is alt history at its finest.
September 1, 2023
"The Embroidered Book" is an absolute masterpiece of historical fiction, deserving five stars. What sets this novel apart is Heartfield's meticulous historical research, which brings the 18th century Habsburg era to life in exquisite detail.
The relationship between the sisters, Charlotte and Antoine, is the heart of this story. Heartfield crafts their bond with such authenticity and depth that I felt like I was right there with them, sharing in their joys and sorrows. Their complex dynamic, shaped by the political machinations of the time and the wider context of the Viennese court and their parents and siblings, is both heartwarming and heart-wrenching.
Speaking of politics, "The Embroidered Book" weaves the intricate web of 18th-century political realities into the narrative. Heartfield's portrayal of the French and Neapolitan courts, with their power struggles, alliances, and betrayals, reveals a deep understanding of the historical context, and Heartfield's ability to convey it through the lives of her characters. The addition of magic adds another layer to the story, but it doesn't make it shallow, because the magic proves to be expensive and, in the end, too weak to prevent the tragic historical events.
The prose is elegant and evocative, transporting readers back in time to a world of opulence and intrigue. The pacing is somewhat slow, but it allows a deeper immersion into the story.
"The Embroidered Book" is a gripping tale of love, loyalty, and the relentless pursuit of power. It combines impeccable research with compelling characters and a riveting plot. A must-read for any lover of historical fiction.
The relationship between the sisters, Charlotte and Antoine, is the heart of this story. Heartfield crafts their bond with such authenticity and depth that I felt like I was right there with them, sharing in their joys and sorrows. Their complex dynamic, shaped by the political machinations of the time and the wider context of the Viennese court and their parents and siblings, is both heartwarming and heart-wrenching.
Speaking of politics, "The Embroidered Book" weaves the intricate web of 18th-century political realities into the narrative. Heartfield's portrayal of the French and Neapolitan courts, with their power struggles, alliances, and betrayals, reveals a deep understanding of the historical context, and Heartfield's ability to convey it through the lives of her characters. The addition of magic adds another layer to the story, but it doesn't make it shallow, because the magic proves to be expensive and, in the end, too weak to prevent the tragic historical events.
The prose is elegant and evocative, transporting readers back in time to a world of opulence and intrigue. The pacing is somewhat slow, but it allows a deeper immersion into the story.
"The Embroidered Book" is a gripping tale of love, loyalty, and the relentless pursuit of power. It combines impeccable research with compelling characters and a riveting plot. A must-read for any lover of historical fiction.
August 23, 2022
Read this for:
-Powerful, intelligent, complicated women.
- Sibling monarchs ruling over 18th cenutry Europe.
- Marie Antoinette.
- (Very) Slow-paced court intrigue.
- Accurate historical events, with magic.
- Pondering what memories and treasures you'd sacrefice for magic.
Don't pick this if you want:
-A quick read.
-A plot heavy book.
-More wars, less monarch making decisions.
-A small cast of easily recognizable characters.
-A simple timeline with no jumps.
My thoughts: 4.5 stars
The powerful characterisation of Charlotte (Maria Carolina, Queen of Naples) and Marie Antoinette alone would have made this book worth reading for me. Siblings, queens, mothers, and magisters, they were both intelligent, compelling characters with agency, but in very different ways to each other.
I can imagine some readers might dislike how the time jumps occasionally meant the characters had changed quite a bit between chapters, and we'd skip over important moments in their lives, but I never found it jarring because I found the changes made sense for their characters.
As the cherry on top, the magic system, with its often painful sacrifices, certainly didn't hurt, and I found that the ending managed to be both satisfying and surprising, which is saying something considering this is historical fiction, and everyone technically knows the ending from the start.
-Powerful, intelligent, complicated women.
- Sibling monarchs ruling over 18th cenutry Europe.
- Marie Antoinette.
- (Very) Slow-paced court intrigue.
- Accurate historical events, with magic.
- Pondering what memories and treasures you'd sacrefice for magic.
Don't pick this if you want:
-A quick read.
-A plot heavy book.
-More wars, less monarch making decisions.
-A small cast of easily recognizable characters.
-A simple timeline with no jumps.
My thoughts: 4.5 stars
The powerful characterisation of Charlotte (Maria Carolina, Queen of Naples) and Marie Antoinette alone would have made this book worth reading for me. Siblings, queens, mothers, and magisters, they were both intelligent, compelling characters with agency, but in very different ways to each other.
I can imagine some readers might dislike how the time jumps occasionally meant the characters had changed quite a bit between chapters, and we'd skip over important moments in their lives, but I never found it jarring because I found the changes made sense for their characters.
As the cherry on top, the magic system, with its often painful sacrifices, certainly didn't hurt, and I found that the ending managed to be both satisfying and surprising, which is saying something considering this is historical fiction, and everyone technically knows the ending from the start.
March 5, 2022
“Women find their power where they can, and remember it in twisted threads. Misheard whispers. Embroidered and disguised.” ✨🕯🥀🪡
Huge thanks to @harpervoyager_uk for sending a final copy and an ARC my way and to @randomthingstours to having me on their book tour.
In 1767 two young Hapsburg Princesses discover a embroidered book left by their governess filled with spells and magic. Soon Charlotte finds herself journeying to Naples to meet her husband to be and with her she carries the book, hoping she can use the spells to become the Queen she was destined to be. Years later, Antoine, now Marie Antoinette, travels to France with her own copy of the book. Both sisters have plans and dreams for their rules as queens but things never go to plan. They soon find themselves on opposite ends of a magical war. One that will have consequences throughout the world, bringing about a revolution that will bring both sisters to their knees.
I was so intrigued when I read the blurb. A historical fiction with a twist of fantasy and magic, yes please! I must admit though, I was very intimidated by the size of this book! Over 700 pages, I knew we were going on a journey with these characters and oh my it did not disappoint.
The world building and history wasn’t one I knew much about. I knew general facts about Marie Antoinette and the Hapsburg family but that was it. Going into the story there are a lot of names and places and I found this a bit confusing - even with the handy guide at the beginning of who’s who. That said, once I was settled into the story, you are launched into a tale that is both magical, heart warming but with also great moments of drama, politics, loss, darkness and grief.
The magic of this story (literally) is that Kate takes real historical moments and weaves in this hidden and often dangerous world of magic and secrecy. Especially as we find the two sisters on opposite sides of how to use magic and to what end.
The writing was clever and flowed well. With lush descriptions and emotive language you are captivated by the different worlds and lives of these royals. Though I must admit I found some parts a bit slow and some a tad boring but they were necessary for the overall plot line and it was so cleverly written.
My favourite part of the whole book was the sisters’ relationship. I didn’t find my self overly attached to the characters themselves but I loved this familial relationship. Their bond was seemingly unbreakable but soon life tears them apart and as they develop into two very different queens we watch as they try to navigate this bond and protect their new countries and growing families the best way they know how. There is also a wide collection of side characters with whom the sisters interact with and this only adds to the vivid imagery and storylines.
The magic system itself was something I wasn’t expecting as it added a deep emotional component that could have tragic consequences. I think this was an amazing touch to the story of real people and as we know magic comes with a cost, something the sisters find throughout.
While sometimes bogged down by the politics that runs throughout, though understandable as this is what the queens had to deal with, this was a beautiful and cleverly written tale. Ultimately it’s about sisterhood, power, magic and love and I adored the focus on the lives of women who, especially in this time, can be so overlooked. Highly recommend for historical fiction fans - it’s 3.5/4 stars ⭐️ from me!
Huge thanks to @harpervoyager_uk for sending a final copy and an ARC my way and to @randomthingstours to having me on their book tour.
In 1767 two young Hapsburg Princesses discover a embroidered book left by their governess filled with spells and magic. Soon Charlotte finds herself journeying to Naples to meet her husband to be and with her she carries the book, hoping she can use the spells to become the Queen she was destined to be. Years later, Antoine, now Marie Antoinette, travels to France with her own copy of the book. Both sisters have plans and dreams for their rules as queens but things never go to plan. They soon find themselves on opposite ends of a magical war. One that will have consequences throughout the world, bringing about a revolution that will bring both sisters to their knees.
I was so intrigued when I read the blurb. A historical fiction with a twist of fantasy and magic, yes please! I must admit though, I was very intimidated by the size of this book! Over 700 pages, I knew we were going on a journey with these characters and oh my it did not disappoint.
The world building and history wasn’t one I knew much about. I knew general facts about Marie Antoinette and the Hapsburg family but that was it. Going into the story there are a lot of names and places and I found this a bit confusing - even with the handy guide at the beginning of who’s who. That said, once I was settled into the story, you are launched into a tale that is both magical, heart warming but with also great moments of drama, politics, loss, darkness and grief.
The magic of this story (literally) is that Kate takes real historical moments and weaves in this hidden and often dangerous world of magic and secrecy. Especially as we find the two sisters on opposite sides of how to use magic and to what end.
The writing was clever and flowed well. With lush descriptions and emotive language you are captivated by the different worlds and lives of these royals. Though I must admit I found some parts a bit slow and some a tad boring but they were necessary for the overall plot line and it was so cleverly written.
My favourite part of the whole book was the sisters’ relationship. I didn’t find my self overly attached to the characters themselves but I loved this familial relationship. Their bond was seemingly unbreakable but soon life tears them apart and as they develop into two very different queens we watch as they try to navigate this bond and protect their new countries and growing families the best way they know how. There is also a wide collection of side characters with whom the sisters interact with and this only adds to the vivid imagery and storylines.
The magic system itself was something I wasn’t expecting as it added a deep emotional component that could have tragic consequences. I think this was an amazing touch to the story of real people and as we know magic comes with a cost, something the sisters find throughout.
While sometimes bogged down by the politics that runs throughout, though understandable as this is what the queens had to deal with, this was a beautiful and cleverly written tale. Ultimately it’s about sisterhood, power, magic and love and I adored the focus on the lives of women who, especially in this time, can be so overlooked. Highly recommend for historical fiction fans - it’s 3.5/4 stars ⭐️ from me!
November 21, 2024
Rating: 3.5 stars
This is something of a historical fiction novel, only magic is real and hidden magisters have very different ideas on how it should be used. The novel covers events between 1767 and 1793 focusing on the lives of Charlotte (Maria Carolina) and Antoine, daughters of the Habsburg Empress Maria Theresa.
Charlotte is sent off to marry the obnoxious King of Naples, while Antoine is sent to France and renamed Marie Antoinette. Magisters by accident when they find an embroidered book of spells after their governess is murdered, Charlotte and Antoinette try to make what they consider the best use of their magic to the betterment of their respective kingdoms. Unfortunately, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. It also doesn't help that these two sisters find themselves on opposite sides of the looming conflict between those magisters who think magic should be kept secret and tightly controlled to a select few, and those that think magic should be taught to everyone. In a world rife with politics and magic, there is by default a lot of spying, skulking around, betrayal, secrets and assassinations.
I found the magic system interesting, but would have liked to know more about it. Every spell requires sacrifices, usually of memory, precious items and blood/hair etc. The middle of this novel dragged a lot - all the skulking and family dynamics got tedious. While the main characters are represented a flawed individuals (who made mistakes and just plain horrible decisions, and were not always likeable), I did sometimes wonder if Heartfield wrote them with views that are too modern? But then again, I know nothing of the thoughts of 18th century queens.
The Embroidered Book is an interesting study of two sisters. I am of two minds whether the magic involved enhanced or did nothing for the story. But the book did provide several nights entertainment for me, despite the sag in the middle.
This is something of a historical fiction novel, only magic is real and hidden magisters have very different ideas on how it should be used. The novel covers events between 1767 and 1793 focusing on the lives of Charlotte (Maria Carolina) and Antoine, daughters of the Habsburg Empress Maria Theresa.
Charlotte is sent off to marry the obnoxious King of Naples, while Antoine is sent to France and renamed Marie Antoinette. Magisters by accident when they find an embroidered book of spells after their governess is murdered, Charlotte and Antoinette try to make what they consider the best use of their magic to the betterment of their respective kingdoms. Unfortunately, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. It also doesn't help that these two sisters find themselves on opposite sides of the looming conflict between those magisters who think magic should be kept secret and tightly controlled to a select few, and those that think magic should be taught to everyone. In a world rife with politics and magic, there is by default a lot of spying, skulking around, betrayal, secrets and assassinations.
I found the magic system interesting, but would have liked to know more about it. Every spell requires sacrifices, usually of memory, precious items and blood/hair etc. The middle of this novel dragged a lot - all the skulking and family dynamics got tedious. While the main characters are represented a flawed individuals (who made mistakes and just plain horrible decisions, and were not always likeable), I did sometimes wonder if Heartfield wrote them with views that are too modern? But then again, I know nothing of the thoughts of 18th century queens.
The Embroidered Book is an interesting study of two sisters. I am of two minds whether the magic involved enhanced or did nothing for the story. But the book did provide several nights entertainment for me, despite the sag in the middle.
July 25, 2023
A beautiful historical fantasy. Heartfield created an immersive, intricately researched world populated by fascinating people.
May 26, 2022
REVIEW: The Embroidered Book by Kate Heartfield
Plot 3
Action 3
Characters 4
Writing 5
World Building 5
Spoiler free reviews!
Read this if you like: A riveting, well researched imagining of Marie Antoinette and her less famous sister in 18th Century France – infused with magic, romance and dark drama.
ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY: As children, Charlotte and her sister Antoine find a book of spells and when Charlotte is sent to Naples to marry a stranger and Antoine is sent to France and renamed Marie Antoinette - they use the book to take control of their lives - but every spell requires a sacrifice and as their love turns to rivalry they send Europe spiraling into revolution.
FRILLS AND CHILLS
“Women find their power where they can, and remember it in twisted threads. Misheard whispers. Embroidered and disguised.”
At first I was really worried about how I would connect with this book, I don’t read (if at all) any Historical Fiction but I have always been fascinated with 18th Century France and when I saw this had elements of magic woven through I felt this was the perfect book to engage with.
The writing alone is exquisite. From the first page I was surprisingly captivated. The world building and tone was spot on and each character richly imagined.
The magic system was unique –each spell requires a sacrifice, a memory, a feeling – how do our feelings and memories shape us as a person and to what influence does that shape our decisions? There is a lot to unpack there.
The winner in this book is Charlotte and Antoine’s relationship and journey from children to Queens. I caught myself googling Antoinette’s less famous sister (FYI she had 18 children with her husband). We see and feel these characters as close family even if we might not like or agree with who they become. Mix that in with politics, betrayal, secret societies, sexism and the breakdown of a close bond between two sisters as they each take different routes with their power –this book will surely entertain you.
LET THEM EAT CAKE (SHE DIDN’T REALLY SAY THIS BTW)
I did find this book quite long at almost 700 pages – she’s a hefty tome! So possibly I would have enjoyed it even more if it was slightly shortened by 100 pages or so.
I don't think I will be swapping fantasy for historical fiction anytime soon but this was a gorgeous read!
RECOMMEND IT FOR: Anyone that wants to explore Historical Fiction and a beautiful consuming story of love and rivalry. This book is spellbinding!
Overall Rating: 4/5
Standalone
Publish Date: February 17th 2022
Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 672 pages
Adult/ Historical Fiction/Magical Realism
Thank you to @jonathanballpublishers and @jonathanballkids for the review copy, opinions are my own.
Plot 3
Action 3
Characters 4
Writing 5
World Building 5
Spoiler free reviews!
Read this if you like: A riveting, well researched imagining of Marie Antoinette and her less famous sister in 18th Century France – infused with magic, romance and dark drama.
ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY: As children, Charlotte and her sister Antoine find a book of spells and when Charlotte is sent to Naples to marry a stranger and Antoine is sent to France and renamed Marie Antoinette - they use the book to take control of their lives - but every spell requires a sacrifice and as their love turns to rivalry they send Europe spiraling into revolution.
FRILLS AND CHILLS
“Women find their power where they can, and remember it in twisted threads. Misheard whispers. Embroidered and disguised.”
At first I was really worried about how I would connect with this book, I don’t read (if at all) any Historical Fiction but I have always been fascinated with 18th Century France and when I saw this had elements of magic woven through I felt this was the perfect book to engage with.
The writing alone is exquisite. From the first page I was surprisingly captivated. The world building and tone was spot on and each character richly imagined.
The magic system was unique –each spell requires a sacrifice, a memory, a feeling – how do our feelings and memories shape us as a person and to what influence does that shape our decisions? There is a lot to unpack there.
The winner in this book is Charlotte and Antoine’s relationship and journey from children to Queens. I caught myself googling Antoinette’s less famous sister (FYI she had 18 children with her husband). We see and feel these characters as close family even if we might not like or agree with who they become. Mix that in with politics, betrayal, secret societies, sexism and the breakdown of a close bond between two sisters as they each take different routes with their power –this book will surely entertain you.
LET THEM EAT CAKE (SHE DIDN’T REALLY SAY THIS BTW)
I did find this book quite long at almost 700 pages – she’s a hefty tome! So possibly I would have enjoyed it even more if it was slightly shortened by 100 pages or so.
I don't think I will be swapping fantasy for historical fiction anytime soon but this was a gorgeous read!
RECOMMEND IT FOR: Anyone that wants to explore Historical Fiction and a beautiful consuming story of love and rivalry. This book is spellbinding!
Overall Rating: 4/5
Standalone
Publish Date: February 17th 2022
Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 672 pages
Adult/ Historical Fiction/Magical Realism
Thank you to @jonathanballpublishers and @jonathanballkids for the review copy, opinions are my own.
February 14, 2023
I came for the historical fiction, and was blown away how the author was able to include a simple to understand magic system that affected the events of this time period so perfectly.
This book is told in two POVs, that of Charlotte and Marie Antoinette. The change in POV is done seamlessly and I found myself easily able to go between Naples and France. The stories were interesting and went along well with the history while weaving in a little magic.
It was interesting to see how two sisters came to be on opposite sides and then how they came back together, as if you know the history of Maria Carolina, the death of her sister was very hard on her.
As will all historical dramas, this one is LONG! If you read the book its like 600+ pages and the audiobook is 19+ hours so it's a commitment. It also drags in places as most books that are retelling a historical moment do, but every little bit of it is important.
Overall, I would recommend this book. I was super impressed and enjoyed my time with it!
This book is told in two POVs, that of Charlotte and Marie Antoinette. The change in POV is done seamlessly and I found myself easily able to go between Naples and France. The stories were interesting and went along well with the history while weaving in a little magic.
It was interesting to see how two sisters came to be on opposite sides and then how they came back together, as if you know the history of Maria Carolina, the death of her sister was very hard on her.
As will all historical dramas, this one is LONG! If you read the book its like 600+ pages and the audiobook is 19+ hours so it's a commitment. It also drags in places as most books that are retelling a historical moment do, but every little bit of it is important.
Overall, I would recommend this book. I was super impressed and enjoyed my time with it!
January 30, 2022
What an epic reimagining of a pretty grim period of history. There's probably some history I don't know about but this version of Maria Carolina is kind of my hero now. I love how the magical elements were weaved into historical 'truth' that was presented in an accessible and relatable way. I spent quite a bit of time googling everyone so I could check out the hair and clothing, as my historical knowledge is subpar at best. This meant it took me quite a while to read, but I definitely benefited from having the visuals in mind!
Recommended for anyone who is interested in the French Revolution, the fall of Naples, Marie Antoinette, the rule of the Bourbons etc. and anyone who enjoys a political tale, with strong magical elements.
Recommended for anyone who is interested in the French Revolution, the fall of Naples, Marie Antoinette, the rule of the Bourbons etc. and anyone who enjoys a political tale, with strong magical elements.
June 19, 2023
This didnt really work for me- I think it would have been better as a straight historical fiction novel. I found it impossible to get into and actually quite boring. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.
June 15, 2022
"𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗜𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀, 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿. 𝗡𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘀, 𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗱𝘂𝗲. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰."
The Embroidered Book is filled with a subtle magic, a magic that starts off with small simple spells but which grows into spells with large sacrifices and great consequences. Sisters Charlotte (Maria Carolina) and Antoine (Maria Antonia - renamed Marie Antoinette) are the keepers of the Embroidered Book, they practise magic in the 1700s behind closed doors, trying to keep it secret, but soon the hunger to fulfil dreams and have an influence on a country and its people becomes a heavy burden to carry and the sisters slowly grow apart.
The book is divided into six parts, starting in 1767 and ending in 1793. With a character list detailing each character and their role, the reader is able to refer back to this and follow the story properly. With over 600 pages and many characters, it might become difficult to keep up with each character but the main characters are Charlotte and Antoine and the story centres around them and magic. Separated by marriage but connected by magic, the sisters soon learn the importance of politics and having children and securing their place in their country.
The story is character-driven and the pacing is slow, but keep in mind the time frame the story is set in. This is my first read about Marie Antoinette and I found the touch of magic interesting. There is betrayal and romance as well as newfound friendships but above all a sisterly bond that is tested. If you've wondered how it would be if magic existed in the 1700s in Naples and Versailles, this is the perfect read for you.
Thank you to Jonathan Ball Publishers for this gifted copy.
The Embroidered Book is filled with a subtle magic, a magic that starts off with small simple spells but which grows into spells with large sacrifices and great consequences. Sisters Charlotte (Maria Carolina) and Antoine (Maria Antonia - renamed Marie Antoinette) are the keepers of the Embroidered Book, they practise magic in the 1700s behind closed doors, trying to keep it secret, but soon the hunger to fulfil dreams and have an influence on a country and its people becomes a heavy burden to carry and the sisters slowly grow apart.
The book is divided into six parts, starting in 1767 and ending in 1793. With a character list detailing each character and their role, the reader is able to refer back to this and follow the story properly. With over 600 pages and many characters, it might become difficult to keep up with each character but the main characters are Charlotte and Antoine and the story centres around them and magic. Separated by marriage but connected by magic, the sisters soon learn the importance of politics and having children and securing their place in their country.
The story is character-driven and the pacing is slow, but keep in mind the time frame the story is set in. This is my first read about Marie Antoinette and I found the touch of magic interesting. There is betrayal and romance as well as newfound friendships but above all a sisterly bond that is tested. If you've wondered how it would be if magic existed in the 1700s in Naples and Versailles, this is the perfect read for you.
Thank you to Jonathan Ball Publishers for this gifted copy.
2023
June 9, 2024📱 Thank you to NetGalley and HarperVoyager
June 21, 2023
3.5 stars
I mainly read fantasy these days so I can't quite believe I'm saying this, but I think the magic weakened what was otherwise an interesting piece of historical fiction.
Both sisters had fascinating lives. I'd like to have delved deeper into them, actually. I tend to find a narrow focus best in storytelling, particularly when it appertains to real people. The point of the read is less to find out about particular events, more to get to know the players. There are limits, I suppose, as to how in-depth one can go when one's story covers decades and multiple voices. There are two particular points that I would have liked to see more of: One, when Charlotte joins the council, the political maneuvers that make her de facto king. Two, the lead up to Charlotte's decision to make Naples into a police state.
I suppose the main sense that this book leaves us with is that of two women - children, really, at first - faced with impossible decisions. History is written by the victors, so they say, and history has not been particularly kind to Marie Antoinette. I suppose we'd all like to think we'd have made better choices, but is that true?
It's in this vein that I don't think the fantastical elements work... Charlotte, in particular, made huge strides as Queen of Naples. Against the odds. It's much more powerful to say her achievements are down to hard work and clever decision-making than to attribute them to magical assistance.
I don't have any other major quibbles. The edition I read had some typos. The conversation Antoinette has with a less than two year old Mousseline seems improbably complex given her age. Etc.
Still, I admire the amount of research that has gone into this book and might recommend it, albeit as historical fiction, not fantasy.
I mainly read fantasy these days so I can't quite believe I'm saying this, but I think the magic weakened what was otherwise an interesting piece of historical fiction.
Both sisters had fascinating lives. I'd like to have delved deeper into them, actually. I tend to find a narrow focus best in storytelling, particularly when it appertains to real people. The point of the read is less to find out about particular events, more to get to know the players. There are limits, I suppose, as to how in-depth one can go when one's story covers decades and multiple voices. There are two particular points that I would have liked to see more of: One, when Charlotte joins the council, the political maneuvers that make her de facto king. Two, the lead up to Charlotte's decision to make Naples into a police state.
I suppose the main sense that this book leaves us with is that of two women - children, really, at first - faced with impossible decisions. History is written by the victors, so they say, and history has not been particularly kind to Marie Antoinette. I suppose we'd all like to think we'd have made better choices, but is that true?
It's in this vein that I don't think the fantastical elements work... Charlotte, in particular, made huge strides as Queen of Naples. Against the odds. It's much more powerful to say her achievements are down to hard work and clever decision-making than to attribute them to magical assistance.
I don't have any other major quibbles. The edition I read had some typos. The conversation Antoinette has with a less than two year old Mousseline seems improbably complex given her age. Etc.
Still, I admire the amount of research that has gone into this book and might recommend it, albeit as historical fiction, not fantasy.
November 26, 2021
Two sisters are sent to marry strangers, far from their comforts, their families, and their home. However, soon they will become the most influential women of the age. But as they both shall learn, their journey to power and greatness did not begin with marriage, dear reader. No, it began with a book.
1768. Charlotte arrives in Naples to marry a man she doesn’t have the first clue about and has never met. Two years later, her beautiful yet formidable sister Antoine is sent away to France to marry another stranger, all in the name of forging relations and building connections with foreign shores but in the hallowed and mirrored halls of Versailles she finds a new name: Marie Antoinette.
These sisters are far from naive or lacking power as years ago when they were children, Charlotte and Antoine learned of a book of spells known as the Embroidered Book but as they both learn, every spell demands sacrifice, for nothing is taken without a cost and with every piece of magic granted, the stench of rot and decay haunts them more and more…
Court politics, cut-throat deals, discord, discovery and change abound, Charlotte and Antoine use these skills to carve a new future for both themselves and their families, becoming the most revered and influential women of their age, but will they remember that each spell must be paid for, or will their rivalry only cloud their judgement further and prise them apart?
Weaving magic with history, the story of two sisters vying for power will keep you glued to every embroidered page with the author ensconcing you firmly within a period of time where deceit and false smiles were just as important as love and honour.
1768. Charlotte arrives in Naples to marry a man she doesn’t have the first clue about and has never met. Two years later, her beautiful yet formidable sister Antoine is sent away to France to marry another stranger, all in the name of forging relations and building connections with foreign shores but in the hallowed and mirrored halls of Versailles she finds a new name: Marie Antoinette.
These sisters are far from naive or lacking power as years ago when they were children, Charlotte and Antoine learned of a book of spells known as the Embroidered Book but as they both learn, every spell demands sacrifice, for nothing is taken without a cost and with every piece of magic granted, the stench of rot and decay haunts them more and more…
Court politics, cut-throat deals, discord, discovery and change abound, Charlotte and Antoine use these skills to carve a new future for both themselves and their families, becoming the most revered and influential women of their age, but will they remember that each spell must be paid for, or will their rivalry only cloud their judgement further and prise them apart?
Weaving magic with history, the story of two sisters vying for power will keep you glued to every embroidered page with the author ensconcing you firmly within a period of time where deceit and false smiles were just as important as love and honour.
June 24, 2022
Well...this was exhausting.
The Embroidered Book told the life of Marie Antoinette and Maria Carolina or Charlotte, her older sister. As far as I know, Marie Antoinette is one of the most notable historical figures and it came to me as a surprise reading about Charlotte because honestly I don’t know much about her and that is one of the reasons why I’m excited to read this book. Firstly, a big applause to the author because she showed the real truth for all Europe’s monarchs during this period while laying out so many challenges the women have to go through when they rule a country.
For someone who has always loved history, reading this was a pleasure. I love reading about Europe’s monarchs, digging through their stories and seeing how many sacrifices till today. By including magic into this story was not a good move I think. I got my excitement up for nothing because this book promised a great enchanted experience but it fell flat for me. The magic mention is such a cool concept, the more powerful the magic, the greater the sacrifice. However cool the concept is, the magic is not explored enough in this book. Even its consequence is not explored enough. There are actually more to it but the author did not dig it all the way through, only telling what's on the surface.
Overall, I do like the conflict between the two sisters. This would be a great read if the book was cut down on a certain part. This was a decent read even though I'm unsatisfied for some part.
Thank you Times Read and Miss Putri for giving me this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Embroidered Book told the life of Marie Antoinette and Maria Carolina or Charlotte, her older sister. As far as I know, Marie Antoinette is one of the most notable historical figures and it came to me as a surprise reading about Charlotte because honestly I don’t know much about her and that is one of the reasons why I’m excited to read this book. Firstly, a big applause to the author because she showed the real truth for all Europe’s monarchs during this period while laying out so many challenges the women have to go through when they rule a country.
For someone who has always loved history, reading this was a pleasure. I love reading about Europe’s monarchs, digging through their stories and seeing how many sacrifices till today. By including magic into this story was not a good move I think. I got my excitement up for nothing because this book promised a great enchanted experience but it fell flat for me. The magic mention is such a cool concept, the more powerful the magic, the greater the sacrifice. However cool the concept is, the magic is not explored enough in this book. Even its consequence is not explored enough. There are actually more to it but the author did not dig it all the way through, only telling what's on the surface.
Overall, I do like the conflict between the two sisters. This would be a great read if the book was cut down on a certain part. This was a decent read even though I'm unsatisfied for some part.
Thank you Times Read and Miss Putri for giving me this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 8, 2022
3.25 stars
Beautiful writing, A+ court politics, and a really interesting magic system. Probably could've been 4 stars if it were maybe 200 pages shorter, but the second half of the book was truly a slog.
Beautiful writing, A+ court politics, and a really interesting magic system. Probably could've been 4 stars if it were maybe 200 pages shorter, but the second half of the book was truly a slog.
December 12, 2025
The Embroidered Book by Kate Heartfield is a sweeping historical fantasy that reimagines the lives of two real Habsburg sisters from the 18th century. Charlotte, destined for Naples, and Antoine, who becomes Marie Antoinette in France, as powerful court figures bound by magic, political intrigue, loyalty, and heartbreaking sacrifice. In their childhood they discover a mysterious embroidered spellbook containing potent magic that works, but comes with steep costs; as they grow into queens in tumultuous Europe, their choices and competing visions of power push them onto paths that transform both their bond and the world around them.
Reading this novel felt like being carried along on an ornate tapestry of history and imagination, rich in emotional depth and vivid period details. Heartfield’s characters are more than icons from history: they are fiercely ambitious, deeply human, and achingly flawed. I found the relationship between the sisters to be the beating heart of the story, their deep affection and inevitable rivalry aching with every spell cast and every sacrifice paid. There are moments that made me feel the warm glow of sisterly love, and others that chilled me with guilt and regret as their divergent paths pulled them apart against the backdrop of court politics and brewing revolution. The magic is dark and demanding, a constant reminder that every power has a price, and that choice itself can be both gift and burden.
What stayed with me most was the way The Embroidered Book made history feel immediate and alive, not distant or dry, by threading it through stories of love, ambition, and the cost of wielding power that defies the world’s expectations of women. Heartfield’s prose carries you from glittering palace balls to tense council rooms and moments of private vulnerability with ease; the stakes are huge, yet the emotional beats are intimate. The expansive scope did feel overwhelming at times, and the magical subplot doesn’t always shift the known historical outcomes, but the depth of character and underlying question of what we sacrifice for power and love kept me anchored throughout.
I give The Embroidered Book 4 out of 5 stars. It is sumptuous, skillfully crafted, and emotionally resonant, with unforgettable characters and a magical twist on a familiar era that made me feel both enchanted and heartbreakingly grounded in the human cost of ambition. If you love immersive historical fantasy with richly drawn characters and a fierce focus on family, this novel will linger with you long after the final page.
Reading this novel felt like being carried along on an ornate tapestry of history and imagination, rich in emotional depth and vivid period details. Heartfield’s characters are more than icons from history: they are fiercely ambitious, deeply human, and achingly flawed. I found the relationship between the sisters to be the beating heart of the story, their deep affection and inevitable rivalry aching with every spell cast and every sacrifice paid. There are moments that made me feel the warm glow of sisterly love, and others that chilled me with guilt and regret as their divergent paths pulled them apart against the backdrop of court politics and brewing revolution. The magic is dark and demanding, a constant reminder that every power has a price, and that choice itself can be both gift and burden.
What stayed with me most was the way The Embroidered Book made history feel immediate and alive, not distant or dry, by threading it through stories of love, ambition, and the cost of wielding power that defies the world’s expectations of women. Heartfield’s prose carries you from glittering palace balls to tense council rooms and moments of private vulnerability with ease; the stakes are huge, yet the emotional beats are intimate. The expansive scope did feel overwhelming at times, and the magical subplot doesn’t always shift the known historical outcomes, but the depth of character and underlying question of what we sacrifice for power and love kept me anchored throughout.
I give The Embroidered Book 4 out of 5 stars. It is sumptuous, skillfully crafted, and emotionally resonant, with unforgettable characters and a magical twist on a familiar era that made me feel both enchanted and heartbreakingly grounded in the human cost of ambition. If you love immersive historical fantasy with richly drawn characters and a fierce focus on family, this novel will linger with you long after the final page.
May 8, 2022
This was definitely more of a 3.5 star read, and was so close to being a 4 except for a few things.
This is a hefty read, clocking in at over six hundred pages for this paperback edition, it follows two sisters of the Habsburg dynasty. Daughters of Empress Maria Theresa, Maria Carolina (named for two of her deceased older sisters but known within the family as Charlotte) and Maria Antiona (whom Charlotte calls Antione) who are close as sisters and are drawn closer with the discovery of a spell book that once was the possession of their governess brutally murdered within in the palace. Together they experiment with the secret contents, comforted by their sisterhood under the expectations of their formidable mother.
With the unexpected death of another sister, Johanna, their lives are thrown into disarray. Charlotte, originally intended to be married to the Dauphine of France is sent as a replacement bride to Naples, while Antione takes her place in France to become Marie Antionette. Separately they face the trails of leadership in countries foreign to them and with people who treat them with contempt while continuing to explore the possibilities of magic they discovered together.
This novel suffers the same issue that a lot of historical fiction suffers from. The Event. There's probably a better literary word or name for it but essentially for me it's the shadow of that Event that casts some, or if not all, of the narrative in it's shade. To be fair to this book, it really only starts to make itself known in the last quarter of the book and that also happens to be when things start to become very tedious. The Event, you can probably guess, is the French Revolution. The fate of Marie Antionette is well known and reading it slowly play out is very painful experience.
However the rendering of their characters is fantastic. The world building and weaving of the magical elements into the historical ones is very well done. The relationship between the sisters is the focal point of this read and it remains strong despite their separation for essentially the majority of the book. The end twist was surprising and took the book to a place I was not expecting at all. Again. A really enjoyable read. It's just the two hundred or so pages of the slow, tedious downfall of Marie Antionette that is a drag on an otherwise excellent read.
This is a hefty read, clocking in at over six hundred pages for this paperback edition, it follows two sisters of the Habsburg dynasty. Daughters of Empress Maria Theresa, Maria Carolina (named for two of her deceased older sisters but known within the family as Charlotte) and Maria Antiona (whom Charlotte calls Antione) who are close as sisters and are drawn closer with the discovery of a spell book that once was the possession of their governess brutally murdered within in the palace. Together they experiment with the secret contents, comforted by their sisterhood under the expectations of their formidable mother.
With the unexpected death of another sister, Johanna, their lives are thrown into disarray. Charlotte, originally intended to be married to the Dauphine of France is sent as a replacement bride to Naples, while Antione takes her place in France to become Marie Antionette. Separately they face the trails of leadership in countries foreign to them and with people who treat them with contempt while continuing to explore the possibilities of magic they discovered together.
This novel suffers the same issue that a lot of historical fiction suffers from. The Event. There's probably a better literary word or name for it but essentially for me it's the shadow of that Event that casts some, or if not all, of the narrative in it's shade. To be fair to this book, it really only starts to make itself known in the last quarter of the book and that also happens to be when things start to become very tedious. The Event, you can probably guess, is the French Revolution. The fate of Marie Antionette is well known and reading it slowly play out is very painful experience.
However the rendering of their characters is fantastic. The world building and weaving of the magical elements into the historical ones is very well done. The relationship between the sisters is the focal point of this read and it remains strong despite their separation for essentially the majority of the book. The end twist was surprising and took the book to a place I was not expecting at all. Again. A really enjoyable read. It's just the two hundred or so pages of the slow, tedious downfall of Marie Antionette that is a drag on an otherwise excellent read.
dnf
May 27, 2022I'm throwing in the towel on this one. I didn't connect with the main character and the magic felt very shoe-horned into real life history - something that rarely ever works for me.
Once I took a break from it I never felt like returning so... Another DNF for me.
Once I took a break from it I never felt like returning so... Another DNF for me.
June 22, 2023
The story it's self wasn't bad but the execution was way too long and drawn-out, more often then not just rather boring.
July 6, 2023
This is one of those books I heard so much buzz about I nearly didn’t read it just to be contrary—and what a mistake that would have been. Kate Heartfield’s fantastical take on the lives of two queens—Marie Antoinette and her sister Maria Carolina, also known as Charlotte—at the end of the Enlightenment is exactly the kind of historical fiction I love. From 1768 to 1793, The Embroidered Book charts the rise and fall of these two monarchs: how they came to their respective countries, the challenges each faced, and how they rose to the occasion.
Charlotte and Antoine, as Heartfield styles them herein, are two daughters of Maria Theresa, Empress of Austria, who is anxious to secure alliances across Europe. Charlotte is originally intended to marry the Dauphin of France; however, when one of her older sisters dies from smallpox, she must step into the role of betrothed to the King of Naples, and Antoine is sent to France. Thus are their destinies decided. Yet in Heartfield’s telling, Charlotte and Antoine have a secret: they have a book with an embroidered cover that they accidentally inherited from their late governess. This book contains nigh-indecipherable spells that, with sufficient sacrifices, allow the magisters who wield them to achieve great things. Charlotte and Antoine embark on becoming rare female magisters in a world that frowns upon women and disbelieves in magic. But as they turn to magic to secure their realms and their families’ safety, the rest of Europe begins to crumble.
I’m sure this story could have been fascinating had Heartfield hewed closely to historicity and eschewed any semblance of magic. Yet for anyone who might worry that this ahistorical addition might stand out, I want to reassure you that it does not. First, Heartfield devises a clever ending that helps to align the events of this novel with the historical record. Second, the presence of magic only enhances the very real dangers and issues at play in this book.
Magic or not, the Habsburg queens were always witches. They were women, you see.
That’s really what stands out to me about The Embroidered Book: its skillful portrayal of embattled women, queens under siege not only by armies from other nations but their own courtiers and advisors as well. Both Charlotte and Antoine need to be more than chess pieces and heir-bringers, yet their gender makes that difficult to achieve. And while in reality these queens and their contemporaries might not have had the ability to enchant gloves that make people more amenable to persuasion or talk to each other through portraiture, Europe still had no issue with taking down women—especially powerful women—through allegations of witchcraft. So I like how Heartfield must have essentially approached this with the idea of “you want witches? Fine, let them be witches!”
There are two central cores of conflict in The Embroidered Book. First you have the relationship between Charlotte and Antoine. Second, the tension between competing philosophies of magic, which also feeds into the first conflict. Charlotte wants to work within the system, remake the Order of 1326. Antoine feels more comfortable working with the rogue magisters who eschew the Order at all. These sympathies mirror the two queens’ political differences as well, with France aiding the American Revolution against Great Britain while Charlotte pursues intense, autocratic and totalitarian policies to keep Naples under her thumb. As the two sisters’ uses for magic and political needs diverge, their personal relationship deteriorates apace.
At the same time, Heartfield explores the usual problems that you might expect in a story about two royal women. The pain and heartache of childbirth and child loss. Falling in love, having affairs. Not being taken seriously at court. Being terribly lonely, only to have one’s friends and allies betray one. At first I found Heartfield’s writing overly intricate and slow-paced, but her style grew on me as I came to fall in love with her characterizations of Antoine and Charlotte. The letters between the two sisters are, in particular, a highlight.
If you like historical fiction and can tolerate a drop of magic in the mix, The Embroidered Book is everything the hype makes it out to be and more. Adapt this series now, streaming services, and then never broadcast it and use it as a tax write-off!
Originally posted on Kara.Reviews, where you can easily browse all my reviews and subscribe to my newsletter.
Charlotte and Antoine, as Heartfield styles them herein, are two daughters of Maria Theresa, Empress of Austria, who is anxious to secure alliances across Europe. Charlotte is originally intended to marry the Dauphin of France; however, when one of her older sisters dies from smallpox, she must step into the role of betrothed to the King of Naples, and Antoine is sent to France. Thus are their destinies decided. Yet in Heartfield’s telling, Charlotte and Antoine have a secret: they have a book with an embroidered cover that they accidentally inherited from their late governess. This book contains nigh-indecipherable spells that, with sufficient sacrifices, allow the magisters who wield them to achieve great things. Charlotte and Antoine embark on becoming rare female magisters in a world that frowns upon women and disbelieves in magic. But as they turn to magic to secure their realms and their families’ safety, the rest of Europe begins to crumble.
I’m sure this story could have been fascinating had Heartfield hewed closely to historicity and eschewed any semblance of magic. Yet for anyone who might worry that this ahistorical addition might stand out, I want to reassure you that it does not. First, Heartfield devises a clever ending that helps to align the events of this novel with the historical record. Second, the presence of magic only enhances the very real dangers and issues at play in this book.
Magic or not, the Habsburg queens were always witches. They were women, you see.
That’s really what stands out to me about The Embroidered Book: its skillful portrayal of embattled women, queens under siege not only by armies from other nations but their own courtiers and advisors as well. Both Charlotte and Antoine need to be more than chess pieces and heir-bringers, yet their gender makes that difficult to achieve. And while in reality these queens and their contemporaries might not have had the ability to enchant gloves that make people more amenable to persuasion or talk to each other through portraiture, Europe still had no issue with taking down women—especially powerful women—through allegations of witchcraft. So I like how Heartfield must have essentially approached this with the idea of “you want witches? Fine, let them be witches!”
There are two central cores of conflict in The Embroidered Book. First you have the relationship between Charlotte and Antoine. Second, the tension between competing philosophies of magic, which also feeds into the first conflict. Charlotte wants to work within the system, remake the Order of 1326. Antoine feels more comfortable working with the rogue magisters who eschew the Order at all. These sympathies mirror the two queens’ political differences as well, with France aiding the American Revolution against Great Britain while Charlotte pursues intense, autocratic and totalitarian policies to keep Naples under her thumb. As the two sisters’ uses for magic and political needs diverge, their personal relationship deteriorates apace.
At the same time, Heartfield explores the usual problems that you might expect in a story about two royal women. The pain and heartache of childbirth and child loss. Falling in love, having affairs. Not being taken seriously at court. Being terribly lonely, only to have one’s friends and allies betray one. At first I found Heartfield’s writing overly intricate and slow-paced, but her style grew on me as I came to fall in love with her characterizations of Antoine and Charlotte. The letters between the two sisters are, in particular, a highlight.
If you like historical fiction and can tolerate a drop of magic in the mix, The Embroidered Book is everything the hype makes it out to be and more. Adapt this series now, streaming services, and then never broadcast it and use it as a tax write-off!
Originally posted on Kara.Reviews, where you can easily browse all my reviews and subscribe to my newsletter.
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