The Master of all Desires - Hardcover

Riley, Judith Merkle

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0670884502 ISBN 13: 9780670884506

Publisher: Viking Adult, 1999

Synopsis

In 1556, the prophet Nostradamus stumbles upon a plot by the queen, Catherine de Me+a7dicis, to rid herself of the the king's mistress and races against time to stop the queen and an ambitious young woman from acquiring a magical but cursed artifact before it is too late. 20,000 first printing.

About this title

About the Author

Judith Merkle Riley is a professor of political science at Claremont McKenna College.

Reviews

Again mixing history and fantasy with ?lan, the author of The Oracle Glass and The Serpent Garden offers a tightly woven, suspenseful and fiendishly funny novel. In 1556 France, Queen Catherine de Medici spies on her husband, King Henri II, and his lover, Diane de Poitiers, in a vain attempt to learn how Poitiers has ensnared her husband's heart. Driven nearly mad by jealousy, the queen, who is "very fond of do-it-yourself magic," is frustrated with her sycophantic, possibly duplicitous court astrologer's ineffective powers, until he reveals his knowledge of the magical object called the Master of All Desires. This is a centuries-old box that contains the living head of Menander the UndyingAa magus who sold his soul to the devil in exchange for eternal life. Anyone in possession of the sharp-tongued, mean-spirited and unpleasant head may have their wishes granted, selling their own soul in the process. Through a series of clever plot twists, Menander winds up in the hands of Sibille Artaud de La Roque, a gritty girl from the provinces, who refuses to make a wish, thereby halting Menander's destructive path. Sibille and her aunt, the remarkable, independently wealthy Pauline Tournet, endeavor to rid themselves of Menander, with assistance from Nostradamus. With the queen in pursuit of Menander, and Nostradamus aiming to destroy it, the terrible head still manages to prevent Sibille from marrying her love, Nicolas. Although every character is appealing (the rotten ones serve up deliciously clever dialogue), the most sympathetic, surprisingly, is the "serpent-queen," as Nostradamus dubs her. Catherine is vulnerable and desperate; for want of love, she risks all, and gains nothing. Lush period detail and sprightly dialogue laced with humor and courtly pomp anchor Riley's romantic adventure with stylized whimsy and historical plausibility. Agent, Jean Naggar. Regional author tour; rights sold to Germany and Denmark. (Nov.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Another dazzling mix of history, romance, and the occult from Riley, a writer who excels at getting the background right and creating strong intelligent heroines (The Serpent Garden, 1996, etc.). France in 1556 is a troubled place. The Protestants are growing in power; King Henri II ignores his queen, Catherine de Mdici, in favor of his mistress, Diane de Poitiers; the Dauphin is betrothed to Mary, Queen of Scots, a potentially powerful alliance, but hes a dull and sickly boy. The noble de la Roche family has its troubles too: the parents hope the arranged marriage of their daughter Sibille to brutish but rich Villasse will pay their debts. But Sibille, an unconventional beauty and aspiring poet with large feet but a courageous heart and a good mind, fires a gun at Villasse and, thinking shes killed him, flees to her aunt Pauline in Orlans. There, she accidentally acquires a box that contains the head of Menander, the ``Master of all Desires,'' who grants wishes in exchange for souls. Meanwhile, Nostradamus, who has seen the future of France (its not good), has been summoned by Catherine, who also wants him to predict the future. Not only that, but she, too, wants Menander's head, and Sibille soon finds herself caught between the queen's followers, who insist that she come to court, and Villasse, who wants her killed. Sibille falls in love with Nicholas Montevert, a banker's son, when he saves her from attack by Villasse's hired henchman. But true love never runs smoothly: as sorcerers concoct deadly potions, Nicholas is banished; the queen plots her rivals death; and Sibille, hostage to Menander after she opened the box, is soon in mortal danger. Nostradamus can help rescue Sibille, but France is about to be torn apart by civil war. Stylish and intelligent historical fiction that makes even the supernatural credible. -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

While Catherine de Medici, Queen of France, uses her sorcerous talents to oust royal mistress Diane de Poitiers from her favored position in the French court, the true future of France rests in the hands of a young poetess who possesses a powerful and dangerous magical relic. Riley laces her portrayal of 16th-century France with liberal doses of magic (including the enchanted head of a dead wizard), politics, poison, and prophecy. The author of The Serpent Garden once again approaches historical fantasy with her characteristic flair for intrigue, humor, and the unpredictable workings of the human heart. Highly recommended.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Viking Adult
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0670884502
• ISBN 13: 9780670884506
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 386