*I was gifted an advanced copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. *
One of the best things about starting this site has been the world of New authors it has opened up for me. The ARCs that I receive have compelled me to open my mind, and I have loved quite a few of those that I might otherwise never have read!
Enchentée was definitely one that I will be buying a copy to add to the "must read" shelf.
This book of Young Adult Magic Realism, set in Marie Antoinette's happier Paris, in the months leading up to the storming of the Bastille, we follow orphaned girls Camille and Sophie as they try to survive a meager existence without being dragged down by their ne'er-do-well brother, Alain. They have one advantage that was never mentioned in Les Miserable--Camille can work magic.
Camille then takes it on herself to ensure that she and Sophie will never have to fear for their lives or struggle for food; she begins a double life turning the luck in her favor at Marie Antoinette's gambling tables. But wrinkles appear for her when her shiny, gambling, regular at Versailles life intersects with her barely off the street with food to eat home life.
The title of this books sums it up- I was enchanted from the very beginning. The cross section of ancient magic with true historical times, places, and people was addictive, while watching Camille struggle with loving aspects of both - very different and contrary - lives gave an even more human element.

The final countdown:
The Book
I really was tickled pink (which, for the record is my favorite color and therefore even more of a compliment) by this book beginning to end. Was engaged from the get-go and swept up in the magic!
🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

The Writing
Phenomenal. Never found myself bored or with my attention wandering. Camille's character was given great depth, and as unrealistic as it was, I found myself sympathetic to her plight.
🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️

Readability
I read this within 24 hours. It was the only thing I wanted to be doing until I reached the last word.
🕰️🕰️🕰️🕰️🕰️

What a brilliant book! I afored the writing style and the overall prose of the novel! The love between sisters is ever present and believable!

I thought this was quite good! It took a relatively light spin on pre/early Revolution Paris and Versailles that kept things quick and interesting but was also heavy enough to have heart. The magic system was unique and added a lot to the story without overshadowing the characters and the historical aspects. Overall, I'm impressed by this debut!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I was really excited to get a copy of this book because the cover is stunning and the description immediately hooked me. I loved the characters and how the magic of story was explained to the reader at the same time the main character, Camille. The biggest problem I had with the novel was that there were times when I could easily put the book down because the plot was dragging in some sections. Overall. the book didn't hook me as well as the description did but the setting and the characters saved this book many times I felt myself being pulled away. I loved the relationship between Camille and Sophie, Chandon, Rosier, and Lazare and those relationships often kept me pushing forward when I felt the plot started to drag.

Overall, this book is between and 3.5 to 4 star book for me.

So, this novel is in a way a Cinderella - type plotline. Our main character, Camille, after losing her parents her family struggles to keep up with money, due to their brothers gambling problems. Camille has magic, the ability to change things to something else - so she uses a magical gown and her abilities to pose as a new identity, and go into the city and gamble and get money. There, she finds herself involved in danger. And then there's an absolutely adorable romance.

What I liked about this book - was mostly the beginning of the novel. The way the first part of the book was written, I felt I was watching a magical Studio Ghibli movie, and I adored it (especially a scene in the beginning with the hot air balloon). I loved the writing, Camille, and I loved Lazare - the love interest. Everything about the first half of this book was amazing. And then, maybe once I hit the 50% - the book took a new turn and it felt like almost an alternate story. I didn't realize this until I had finished and had time to think over everything that happened. But more on that in a bit. I really liked the magic system, the setting of the Palace of Versailles, and Camille's double life. It was fun to see the two worlds, the two sides, and I was so zoned into the story, wanting Camille to succeed. And I wanted her and Lazare to be together so bad, I shipped the HECK out of them. 

As for the rest of the plot-line, I feel as if most of the setting went right over my head. I'm not really familiar with the French Revolution, and so to me, the background setting felt very disconnected to what was happening with the author's fantasy storyline. I feel like my lack of knowledge probably didn't help - but I felt a very strong disconnect between the plot and the setting. Especially at the end where things were happening very fast and alongside the climax and I just, didn't understand.

In regards to the villain of the story - I also felt a big disconnect. This villain was a bit odd, and creepy, but I felt like everything about them being the villain felt off to me, and very very rushed at the end. Everything about the climax at the end happened way too quickly, and the resolution all just felt too quick as well. I am torn between having enjoyed what happened, as well as not. The whole end of the book just confused the heck out of me and I probably could use a re-read to really understand what happened. 

And again, I loved most of this book and the way it felt while reading it. It was beautiful, magical, and I had trouble putting the book down, even through the last half of the book where things got confusing and rushed. I still wanted to finish to the end, still wanted to find out if everything was going to be resolved and if my ship was going to sail. The end of the book, which brought everything full circle with Lazare, was also one of my favorite parts. 

I do recommend this if you like historical fiction fantasy. I may have been a little confused - but that is probably part of my own lack of knowledge. I think this is still going to be a favorite book of 2019, and I will be out there on twitter suggesting this read for sure. As for representation - Lazare is bi-racial, half Indian I believe, and there is a supporting LGBT+ couple (side characters, but integral to the plot). This book comes out on February 5th, so keep an eye out for this magical journey.

Are any of us ever going to turn down magical 1789 Paris? Right, didn't think so. Good news is, you don't have to! This definitely delivers on magic, Paris, and 1789! You know, in case you super like smallpox, even crappier patriarchies than now, and peeing in buckets or whatever. Onward to the stuff I liked and didn't!

The Things I Liked:

•Again, I return to the setting, for 1789 Paris is fabulous. I feel it must be reiterated that I mean to read about and decidedly not to live in, for I like my head attached to my body and also, plumbing. But if I had a time machine I'd pop in for a hot second. The author did a great job of making the setting feel authentic- between the clothing, the conditions the sisters faced with the lack of reputable male kin, the classism, it was on point. Add to it the tense vibe of a city on the brink, and yep, nailed it.

•Camille was a character I absolutely rooted for from the start. Look, obviously she was getting the sympathy vote to begin with. Our girl's parents are dead, her brother is a creep of the highest order, and she just wants her sister and herself to be able to get by, which doesn't seem like much to ask. She's stubborn and incredibly strong-willed, but that also translates into her working hard to get what she wants. Also I adored the romance and devoured every last scene with Camille and Lazare. The sisterly bond was also one worth noting, it was great to see the way their relationship changed and grew.

•The magic system was enjoyable! I have said before that magic is hit-or-miss with me, but this one was a hit. I loved that the magic cost something every time it was used because honestly doesn't that seem like how it would work? And it was hard work! It wasn't just a flick of a wrist or whatever, it took a lot of dedication, which I also appreciated. Plus, it turns into quite a thought-provoking question: If the magic would cost you so much, would you still do it?

•I just plain enjoyed the story. Sometimes that's enough!

The Things I Didn't:

•It was a bit long, maybe longer than necessary? At times it felt like it was taking too long, which I found unfortunate, because I wanted to be immersed in this world. But I did find it lagging from time to time.

Bottom Line: 1789 Magical Paris! Go for the sisterly bond, the awesome slow-burn romance, the enchantment of magic and nobility. Leave before the guillotine gets you.

Set at the brink of the French Revolution, Enchantee takes readers into the world of aristocratic Paris as Camille, recently broke by the death of her parents and her alcoholic brother’s gambling debts, makes her way into the palace of Versailles’s inner social circle to survive. Camille is one of few remaining French with noble blood who maintain the ability to perform la magie, which lets her turn nails into coins to buy a day’s bread…and disguise herself as a countess, cheat at cards, an make a living off of a life of deception in Versailles’s Hall of Mirrors. Camille’s conscience starts to be weighed down as she learns that not all of the nobles are as greedy and heartless as her revolutionary father once led her to believe. She’s also caught the eye of Lazare, a young hot air balloonist, and as her affections for Lazare grow, so does her inner turmoil at being caught in between two worlds.

This book offers a vivid portrait of France’s social scene as it careened toward revolution, as well as the nuances that dismantle the stereotypes of haughty nobles and peasants out for blood. Although the characters are somewhat flat and discussion of the revolution is heavy-handed at times, Trelease helps readers understand the era’s social scene. She also offers vivid descriptions of the palace at Versailles, and the (often ridiculous) people and fashions that could be found there. Cameos by revolutionary superheroes like Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis de Lafayette are sure to delight history buffs. The author includes an extensive historical note to help paint the setting.

The book struggles with pacing; it gets off to a slow start, and the fantasy element at the plot’s center is barely present until about a quarter of the way through the book. The characters could also use more fleshing out. Overall, however, Enchantee is both an engaging historical read and a surprisingly sweet love story. Readers tired of the graphic descriptions, promiscuous behavior, and cattiness found in many YA titles today are in for a refreshing, clean-cut treat.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me a digital copy of this book. I loved this book! The setting, writing, and plot are beautiful and enjoyable. I will be purchasing this book for the library.

Absolutely loved and enjoyed reading this from the first page until the very last one. Detailed review will come very soon since currently I am experiencing so many feelings at one due this gorgeously written book!

When smallpox kills her parents, Camille Durbonne must find a way to provide for her frail, naive sister while managing her volatile brother. Relying on petty magic—la magie ordinaire—Camille painstakingly transforms scraps of metal into money to buy the food and medicine they need. But when the coins won’t hold their shape and her brother disappears with the family’s savings, Camille must pursue a richer, more dangerous mark: the glittering court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. With dark magic forbidden by her mother, Camille transforms herself into the ‘Baroness de la Fontaine’ and is swept up into life at the Palace of Versailles, where aristocrats both fear and hunger for la magie. There, she gambles at cards, desperate to have enough to keep herself and her sister safe. Yet the longer she stays at court, the more difficult it becomes to reconcile her resentment of the nobles with the enchantments of Versailles. And when she returns to Paris, Camille meets a handsome young balloonist—who dares her to hope that love and liberty may both be possible. But la magie has its costs. And when Camille loses control of her secrets, the game she's playing turns deadly. Then revolution erupts, and she must choose—love or loyalty, democracy or aristocracy, freedom or magic—before Paris burns.

Enchantée by Gita Trelease is a brilliantly captivating new YA historical fantasy novel. Once I got started I didn't want to put it down. The complex world of Revolutionary France that Trelease has created in this novel is atmospheric and thrilling. I practically felt like I was right there in Paris alongside Camille - the city practically becomes its own character. On that note, Camille has easily become one of my favorite new characters. She's willing to do just about anything to protect her younger sister from the crushing poverty all around them and I can totally get behind that. Camille is also quite flawed, but it is remarkable to watch her struggle to deal with the consequences of her magic and ambition. It was also intriguing to track her addiction to magic and how that related to her own identity. As great of a character as Camille is, Lazare is easily my favorite character in the entire novel. He has fantastic chemistry with Camille, and he even has a hot air balloon! As for the magic system, it's quite unique yet simple and I loved seeing the transformations and illusions. It's easy to see how it could all be so addictive. Finally, this easily could have been a five star read for me, but the formatting of the ARC pulled me out of the story. There were several lines on every page where all of the words ran together. Unfortunately that got pretty old quick, but not enough to completely put me off of such a fantastic story.

Overall, Enchantée is a great YA debut with a glamorous setting, fascinatingly flawed characters, and a cool magic system. Gita Trelease's writing style is absolutely beautiful and she had me hanging on her every world. I loved how she integrates real life history of the early days of the French Revolution into Camille's story. Plus, I have to admit that I was quite pleased with myself for recognizing all of the French words and phrases peppered throughout the story. If you're a fan of Caraval by Stephanie Garber and Les Misérables, I have a feeling you'll love this new release. I can't wait to read more from Gita Trelease in the future. Merci, NetGalley! C'était merveilleux!

This is a slow burn book. Unlike most modern fantasy, this book doesn't rush into things. It took its time building the characters, plot, historical setting x etc. Personally, I'd have preferred a quicker paced book. I kept putting this one down in favor of other reads. It wasn't until the final 20% that things picked up pace as everything wrapped up. Then I finished it uninterrupted.

The story is set on the eve of the French revolution. Most fantasy books like that would throw the heroine right in middle of the action - personally beheading the queen and leading the mob into the Bastille. But the affects of the revolution were barely felt here. The MC wasn't a rebel, she was actually pretending to be an aristocrat in order to part that very class from their money, in favor of her own empty purse. That's where her glamour magic came in handy.

I actually liked the aristocrat friends Camille made. They each had their secrets and quirks, and they felt like real people. Not like a bunch of lazy arrogant rich kids. And they were good friends too, for the most part.

The setting and prose were beautifully written. It really did have a French feel, what with all the (easily understood) French words sprinkled throughout. I could almost picture what Versailles looked like at the time. Still, while the slow pacing was great for setting up the right atmosphere, it also made it hard to keep my attention. It was an OK book, but I wasn't crazy about it. I recommend it to anyone who loves historical fantasy, and would appreciate the time and thought that clearly went into this work.

I received a copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Enchantee had all the buzzwords for me, "France", "historical fantasy", and "secrets". In the end, those buzzwords weren't enough for me. Camille's desperation and need to stay afloat was understandable and her relationship with her siblings was complicated. While this should have been a thrilling story of revolution and betrayal, I found that I was just bored for the majority of it. Outside of Camille, all of the characters were one-dimensional and I could only read about a game of cards before my eyes started to cross.

"There [are] three types of magic. Magie ordinaire, for changing things. Glamoire, for changing oneself. And magie bibelot, for imbuing objects with magic, making them sentient.”
Camille is a poor girl in Paris on the cusp of the French Revolution. But she is no ordinary girl. Camille has magic, a talent she uses to provide food for herself and her family. But when la magie ordinaire will no longer suffice, Camille must turn to Versailles, and to the dark magic of Glamoire.
My initial reaction to this book’s summary was that of ecstasy. Dark magic meets the French Revolution? Count me in! I was so prepared for court intrigue mixed with dark secrets and Camille’s unique charm. What I got was not that.
The book starts by telling you that magic is dangerous. After all, this magic feeds on sorrow and pain. But it doesn’t really go through with this danger. Though some magical objects are portrayed as dark, there is never a follow through for it. I though this would have been a thrilling story where our main character has to use forbidden magic to survive, gets caught up in it, and has to tear herself away (with sacrifice). And while Enchantee, in some regards, fulfills this description, it also falls short of the “thrilling part”. It is lukewarm when I wanted piping hot.
Most stories set during the French Revolution revolve around it, with Marie Antoinette and the rebellion featuring prominently. Not so here. This book is set just on the cusp of the Revolution. While France is indeed preparing to behead its king and unseat its nobles, Enchantee isn’t too concerned with that. Camille is a poor girl who is sneaking into Versailles and making friends with nobles! The fact that the lower class hate the nobility just doesn’t matter. I feel that saying this book is set during the French Revolution is misleading, because while there are complaints from lower class and the storming of the Bastille is mentioned (very briefly), the book ends before any real revolt happens. All of Camille’s upper class friends are safe in their ivory towers.
Enchantee starts the “girl stuck in the middle of two worlds” cliché very well, but by the middle of the book this is no longer an issue and Camille is free to live in both worlds. She has her cake and she eats it too (insert French Revolution pun here).
Throughout the novel, I kept on watching her sister and hoping that it wouldn’t lead to where it went. And there was a second when I thought it would avoid going there, but it happened anyway. Simply put, I didn’t want to see a strained relationship between Camille and her sister over Camille’s fabulous Versailles life. Yet it happened.
The ending was true to the rest of the book. That is, lukewarm. Our unclear villain reveals himself and everyone is thrown for a few seconds. And then it ends. I’m not sure if this is intended to be a series or a stand-alone, but now that I know these characters, I would like what I came here for. A thrilling novel about magic during the French Revolution, and one girl who dances the line of pauper and princess in the mixt of it all. If that is what Trelease promises, I will be thrilled to read it. If not, I feel no discomfort in leaving these folk to their happy (but ultimately tragic) fate.

Enchantée was a beautiful, historical masterpiece. The setting, plot, and characters were all so magical and well developed. I was in love with Camille and her story from the moment I opened the book.

I think opening the novel on someone else having interacted with Camille and her magie was brilliant. I knew nothing of the magic system or Camille but I needed to know after the apprentice reacts to her fake coins. How does one make fake coins? Why was she making them in the first place? Is magic unique or commonplace? All of these questions made me need to read on and I couldn't put it down.

The wonderful world of Paris in the 1700s swept me up in an instant. Although most of Paris is starving, I can see the magic and wonder of the place the way Camille does. We get little glimpses into what Paris was to her and her family when her parents were alive and what it means to her now. We get to follow her on her journey to a better life, and a better version of her along the way. Not to mention the real-life events that happening against the backdrop of Camille's story.

The characterization in this one is exquisite. Each character seems to leap off the page and I could feel the sorrow or desperation behind people's decisions. There are a delightful boy and a balloon, an impossible home situation, and the glinting, magical palace of Versailles. But before Camille knows what's happening, she's swept up into a dangerous world full of traps and games. Will she win and leave unscathed? Or will Versailles and la magie take everything from her?

I could on about this book for hours. Pick it up and get swept up into this magical view of Paris.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Flatiron Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*

4.5 Stars - I recommend if you enjoy fantasy. historical fiction, and a bit of romance.

This was such an interesting book! I enjoyed the setting more than I expected to (pre-French revolution). I appreciated how descriptive Trelease's writing was, especially in painting the picture of Versailles and Paris. There were so many dreamy lines about hazy nights, starlit skies, etc. etc. I'm a sucker for that. I liked Camille and her desire to care for her sister and remember her parents. I also really liked Lazare and his friends with their hot air balloon. The magic system was incredibly interesting, at first I felt like I could have enjoyed this just as much if it had been historical fiction instead.... but as things came together in the end it all felt just write. Really woven well together. I enjoyed Camille's struggle to provide for her family and build a new life, while navigating the perilous social structure of Versailles as well. I also appreciated that her friends struggled with double lives whether in the same way as her, or in a different way. The characters were fairly complex for YA fantasy. I also appreciated that there was a bit of diversity in the characters. There is an LBGTQ+ relationship, and one of the main characters is biracial. In the end the story went a few surprising places, and I was really caught up in the action and resolution. I loved that this book was a bit romantic as well. It wasn't the whole purpose of the book, but it was still a little swoony. In the end I liked that this book had so many layers, and that it ultimately focused on hope. Though this does not end on a cliff-hanger, I heard that there will be a second book, which I am excited to read in the future.

Spoiler-Free Review of ENCHANTÉE by Gita Trelease

Gita Trelease’s ENCHANTÉE debuts Feb. 5, 2019! I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy through NetGalley and Macmillan Flatiron Books. This post DOES NOT CONTAIN SPOILERS. I will write a post containing spoilers and publish it on my Media Gal Reads blog on Mon., Feb. 11 once the book is released, but here is the shortened spoiler-free review:

Why I was interested: Historical fiction and fantasy are my favorite genres, and when I heard about ENCHANTÉE combining the French Revolution and magic, I knew immediately it was going on my TBR list for 2019.

Judge a book by it’s cover: This cover is so glamorous -- perfect for the luxury of Versailles -- and cleverly features Camille’s red hair and the French flag. Gold paint -- or maybe ink spots? -- add some magical sparkle to this front.

What to expect: A collection of enchanting characters, a clever magic system, a dreamy love interest, and rich historical detail to name a few.

Why you should pick this book up: ENCHANTÉE is perfect for historical fiction fans and fantasy fans. It contains all the well-researched details of historical fiction and keeping true to the time period while having a well-developed magic system. They truly balance one another very well with a dash of 18th century science -- it’s a tour de force. If you love Dhonielle Clayton’s THE BELLES, the French Revolution, traditional fairy tales with a twist -- this book will become your next favorite.

Want more?: ENCHANTÉE will debut Feb. 5, 2019 and is the first in a duology. I will post a full review with spoilers on Mon., Feb. 11 on the Media Gal Reads blog after the book is published.

Thanks for stopping by!

Marena Galluccio, #MediaGalReads

This story is so full of magic and young women who don't wait around for men to shape their Destiny. They take what they have at their disposable and shape their own futures. I never knew I needed to see the French Revolutionary war infused with magic till this book. I'd love to see more from this author.

I loved everything about this book. The worldbuilding is lush and evocative, the story itself is tightly plotted and the characters were a delight. I highly recommend this book for fellow francophiles.

I am back again to talk about Enchantee, an ARC I received as an ebook copy a little while back and decided to jump into not that long ago. This book comes out February 5th, so not that far from now but I wanted to go ahead and share my thoughts while they are fresh in my head.

SPOILERS AHEAD

This book is set in Paris in 1789, focusing on Camille and her family which due to smallpox is just her, her brother (who likes to gamble all their money away, doesn’t work, and is abusive), and her little sister (who almost died from smallpox herself). Camille is feeling pressure from the landlord because the rent is due but they have no money, not even for food. The only way Camille is getting money is by working la magie (magic), her mother taught her this and she is able to turn scraps of metal into coins. She uses these fake coins to give to merchants to get food and such but the coins always turn back to scraps. One night Camille’s brother comes home very drunk and begins to abuse both Camille and her little sister in an attempt to take all the money for gambling debts and purposes. He ends up taking what he wants and leaving, forcing a turning point on Camille. She must learn how to work a different type of la magie one her mother told her she couldn’t work in order to go to Versailles and make her own money to help her and her sister have new lives. In addition to this money problem, Camille meets a guy, one who works with hot air balloons. Watching their relationship unfold and her interactions with the hot air balloons are fascinating and I feel like they add to the story. However, if I am honest, I am always waiting to get back to the storyline about Versailles and Camille’s magic.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and I am super grateful I received an ARC, I love the time period and the added touch of magic in this time period only made things more intriguing to me as a reader. I would definitely recommend picking up this book when it comes out next month. The way the author does the la magie is different from other magic systems I have read about and I enjoyed Camille’s story! I gave this book 4.75 stars on Goodreads!

Summary
It is 1789 in Paris, and Camille Durbonne is using magic to turn discarded scraps of metal into coins so that she can provide for her older brother and younger sister after their parents died of smallpox. They are able to get by this way, but when the coins Camille turns won't hold their shape, and her brother throws away the last of their real money gambling, Camille decides to put her magic to use somewhere new: the court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

With a magic disguise and a false name, she spends her nights at the gambling tables, magically changing the cards to win more and more money. But even as she is drawn more and more into the world of nobility that she once hated, she must also find balance with her normal life, in which she is beginning to fall for a handsome young inventor. Her double life and the dark side of magic she discovers at court threaten to overwhelm her and those she's come to love--as does the explosive spark of revolution.

Review
One thing I love about this book is that it has elements of a retelling (specifically of "Cinderella") without actually being a retelling. The plot does not follow the plot of the fairy tale, but there are enough references, both in events and explicit mentions of the French tale, that the connections are easy to see. I love retellings, but telling the same story everyone already knows means that books have to work harder to build tension as the end is pretty predictable. The way Trelease has written this novel, though, incorporates elements of a retelling while still having a unique plot that keeps the reader guessing.

An issue I have with this book is that at times, certain elements--Camille's fear of heights, for example--have little to no setup until they are relevant to the plot; it's not until Camille is about to go up in a hot air balloon that her fear of heights is discussed. There are a few similar issues throughout the book that were distracting to me, but none of them are significant enough to really affect the plot.

Other than that handful of rough spots, this book is wonderfully done. I love how the magic system works and the history of magic that is slowly revealed throughout the story. I also like the relationships--the romantic relationship that slowly develops, the friendships Camille develops with the young nobles at court, and the evolving sibling relationships Camille has with her brother and sister. So often in young adult stories, the romance is the only relationship that seems to matter, but in Enchantée there are plenty of platonic relationships that are valued just as much as the romantic one.

Rating
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5 stars

Enchantée has a few rough spots, but not enough to bring down the quality of the novel. Trelease combined magic, relationships, court intrigue, and just a hint of "Cinderella" in a story that had me engaged until the very end, and if you like those things too, you should check out this novel.