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Mademoiselle Revolution by Zoe Sivan
Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres! Sylvie de Rosiers is the daughter of an enslaved woman and the wealthy plantation owner. Trying to escape one countries revolution only brings her right in to anothers. Her love triangle with a gentlemen and his mistress brings to light the bisexual events occurring 1800’s. Sylvie is feisty and knows exactly wants. The historical details are absolutely stunning. The research that went in to writing this book is mind blowing. This book definitely belongs on the list of books I wish I could read for the first time again. This book comes out on August 2, 2022.
Thanks you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for this title. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

There is so much that I loved about this book. The first and brightest aspect is that of Sylvie, our protagonist, who is the biracial daughter of a Haitian planter and one of the enslaved women held as property on his plantation. Sylvie was raised by her father as a free woman and in privilege, but was never fully accepted into society (or by some of her own family) because of the color of her skin. So when the Haitian REvolution brews and overflows in violence and upheaval, she and her brother Gaspard flee to Paris, and her guilt for her complicity fuels her interest in Robespierre and a revolution in that country. I thought that Sivak did a great job of creating a complex and interesting character in Sylvie, as her identity, anger, guilt, and optimism all make for a wholly believable arc that she finds herself on. Sivak blends social mores and racism and classism of the time to evoke not only issues of the day, but also issues that still reflect these days. I also really liked how Sivak portrayed the historical players and timeline, and how she shows the hypocrisy and downfall of Robespierre et al as they amass their power and become corrupted themselves. This book shows the sheer brutality of the Reign of Terror, and there were many moments that just chilled me to the bone, and made for a very suspenseful tale as we see if Sylvie will make it out alive as she finds herself more and more horrified by Robespierre's actions.

This historical fiction tale is just as much as political thriller and coming of age, and I really enjoyed it!

Sylvie de Rosiers, the daughter of a rich planter and an enslaved woman, enjoys the comforts of a lady in 1791 Saint-Domingue society. While she was born to privilege, she was never fully accepted by island elites. After a violent rebellion begins the Haitian Revolution, Sylvie and her brother leave their family and old lives behind to flee unwittingly into another uprising—in Paris. Sylvie quickly becomes enamored with the aims of the Revolution, as well as with the revolutionaries themselves—most notably Maximilien Robespierre and his mistress, Cornélie Duplay. As a rising leader and abolitionist, Robespierre sees an opportunity to exploit Sylvie’s race and abandonment of her aristocratic roots as an example of his ideals, while the strong-willed Cornélie offers Sylvie safe harbor and guidance in free thought. Sylvie battles with her past complicity in a slave society and her future within this new world order as she finds herself increasingly torn between Robespierre's ideology and Cornélie's love. When the Reign of Terror begins, Sylvie must decide whether to become an accomplice of a new empire rises on the bones of innocents, or risk losing her head.

This was a very well researched book about a tragic time in the history of France. I did not know much about this era and learned a lot about the people I had studied in history classes. I am a little ambivalent about the homosexual aspect of the story, but the author does do a good job in weaving it into the storyline. Anyone interested in this era of French history would enjoy the book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the book.

There was just too much disbelief for me to suspend. I did not feel invested in the character(s) or the events, and though much more became clear in the author's note at the end, I wouldn't recommend.

"A powerful, engrossing story of a biracial heiress who escapes to Paris when the Haitian Revolution burns across her island home. But as she works her way into the inner circle of Robespierre and his mistress, she learns that not even oceans can stop the flames of revolution.

Sylvie de Rosiers, as the daughter of a rich planter and an enslaved woman, enjoys the comforts of a lady in 1791 Saint-Domingue society. But while she was born to privilege, she was never fully accepted by island elites. After a violent rebellion begins the Haitian Revolution, Sylvie and her brother leave their family and old lives behind to flee unwittingly into another uprising - in austere and radical Paris. Sylvie quickly becomes enamored with the aims of the Revolution, as well as with the revolutionaries themselves - most notably Maximilien Robespierre and his mistress, Cornélie Duplay.

As a rising leader and abolitionist, Robespierre sees an opportunity to exploit Sylvie's race and abandonment of her aristocratic roots as an example of his ideals, while the strong-willed Cornélie offers Sylvie safe harbor and guidance in free thought. Sylvie battles with her past complicity in a slave society and her future within this new world order as she finds herself increasingly torn between Robespierre's ideology and Cornélie's love.

When the Reign of Terror descends, Sylvie must decide whether to become an accomplice while a new empire rises on the bones of innocents…or risk losing her head."

Sigh, a really good book about the French Revolution to take away the bad taste left in my mouth by another one I just read.

I appreciate NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Zoe Sivak's new novel Mademoiselle Revolution. The story begins with Sylvie de Rosiers, a biracial girl who lives with her white planter father and his wife and her siblings in Saint Domingue in 1791. Her life suddenly changes when the island's slaves revolt forcing her family to flee to Charleston. Sylvie and her half-brother realize they can no longer be part of the problem of wealthy planters profiting off of the enslaved. Sylvie and Gaspard sail to Paris to live with an aunt, where they meet Robespierre and become embroiled in the French Revolution, escaping one revolution to end up involved in another one. I have to admit, this book had me reading more about the French Revolution. I really enjoyed it.

Based off the start of this book I was convinced this would be a 4+ star read. The story while on the island (modern day Haiti) was gripping, graphic, and thoroughly engaging. I was invested in Sylvie and her journey to France.

Unfortunately the shift to France is where things went a bit sideways for me. Because we see things from Sylvie's POV, we don't get much in the way of explanation or insight in to the "why's" of the fast shifting political environment during the French Revolution. The onus is on the reader to already have a strong understanding of French Revolution history, including the main players and their actions, in order to understand the character progression in the novel.

I struggled with the believability of the relationship between Slyvie and Robespierre given how little time they actually interacted on page.

Overall, this ended up being an okay read - the strong beginning was weighed down by a slow rising action. I felt like I had to force myself to reengage for the revolution/climax.

TW aplenty in this book - gore, injury detail, and defilement were especially graphic. Also included: murder, attempted suicide, slavery, blood, vomit, racism, pregnancy, classicism, mentions of rape, torture, public execution

As a lifelong fan of historical fiction, I am drawn to stories that feature stories rarely told in historical fiction. I've also always wondered why there weren't more novels set during the French Revolution. With Zoe Zivak's MADEMOISELLE REVOLUTION, we are treated to a vibrant, unique, and moving story about a young biracial woman who escapes Haiti during her country's revolution, only to get caught up in France's own revolution.

As the daughter of an enslaved woman (who died in childbirth) and a white plantation owner, Sylvie was caught between two worlds, which Sivak captures perfectly. The horror and violence of the French Revolution is vividly detailed (warning for squeamish readers). There's also romance and political intrigue, making this a must read for all historical fiction fans.


Many thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Opening in 1791 Saint Domingue (modern day Haiti), the reader is introduced to Sylvie de Rosiers, the daughter of an enslaved woman and a wealthy planter. Sylvie lives a comfortable life in her father’s home with her two half-brothers, and she knows where she fits in the society there. As she is 18, she will soon be eligible for marriage, not to any of her brothers’ white peers (that would be too elevated), but her father would happily see her engaged to a rich member of the “affranchi” class, or biracial freemen. Her life is upended suddenly when the Slaves’ Revolt (the opening to the Haitian Revolution) threatens her family, and they barely escape certain death. She and her brother Gaspard sail to Paris to live with their aunt (“Fifi”), where they are exposed to new ideas and meet people key to the looming French Revolution, including neighbor Maximilien (Max) Robespierre and his girlfriend, Cornelie. As political tensions rise, romance blooms for Sylvie with Max—and Cornelie. Sylvie is a complicated heroine (she’s capricious in dangerous moments), the description of life then is vivid, and the story is intriguing, sure to have you googling historical people and events.
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc!

Fascinating look into the Haitian Revolution and how closely it coincided with the French Revolution. It feels like the author really did their research and made the characters come alive.

I so appreciate an historical novel. Especially one that is well written with strong characters and a fabulous plot. To that end, "Mademoiselle Revolution", does not disappoint. This is a book about bravery, as much as it is about the early fight (1791!) to dismantle racism. Throw in a few love stories as well, and you've got quite the story.

Born to a Black slave mother and a white slave owner, who adores her, Sylvie is the heroine of this wonderful book. It begins in the 1790's on the island of Saint Domingue (Haiti) and culminates in Paris, where Sylvie and her brother flee during the slave revolt on the island. Once in Paris, they find themselves involved in another, even bloodier revolution that will last for many years.

The characters in, "Mademoiselle Revolution", are not only figments of the author's imagination, but also the leading figures of the French Revolution. We meet Robespierre, Marat, Danton, Corday and even David, the artist, all of whom played a significant role in the story, in the history of France, and in Sylvie's life.

The book is thrilling and horrific, sad and beautiful, all at once. I loved it. And highly recommend it.

The characters are so well-drawn, the reader is taken along on their dramatic experiences as they attempt to survive through harrowing physical and emotional upheaval during the Saint Domingue and French Revolutions.

This novel is somewhat of a Les Miserables with the twist of race and class. And it's powerful.

Sylvie de Rosiers was the daughter of a planter and an enslaved woman. She's been raised in luxury, but not fully accepted.

When the Haitian Revolution occurs, she flees to Paris. But revolution is brewing there and Sylvie has some hard choices to make.

I loved Sylvie. She was a strong woman who didn't run from hard things or hid behind her gender or wealth. This is a great book.

I was into this story at first, but decided to DNF at 60% because I lost interest. The story is too political for my taste, and I’m not feeling any strong emotion one way or the other. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the eARC!

Amazing Read! Definitely intrigued by the research put into this book and the fact that the leading lady was a Biracial Black Woman! Historial Fiction at its best, yet Zoe created a fictional world that left you mind-boggled. Sylvie is a heroine. A definite read for anyone on the edge.

My head is just SWIMMING after reading Zoe Sivak's Mademoiselle Revolution. How she created such a rich and exacting fictional world within a larger (and very real) historical framework is truly mind-boggling to me.

Sivak's delicate unpacking of racism, and particularly anti-Blackness, at the end of the 1700s within several different communities and cultures was superb, and her ability to make so many real-life figures seamlessly blend into this story as fictionalized characters was unmatched. I feel like so many narratives nowadays are rewriting how we frame women's actions throughout history, and Sivak's insights on how survival and self-preservation were top-of-mind are astute.

I'm not sure how long it's gonna be until Zoe Sivak's next book (this is the problem with reading ARCs so early!!!!), but I already can't wait.

I could see this being a crossover hit with older YA lovers and new adult readers, especially given the great cover art! Sylvie, as the illegitimate daughter of a planter on Sainte Dominque, flee the Haitian Revolution to Paris. Things are not much better there, and Sylvie has to choose to follow Robespierre and help plunge France into flames or risk her own life.

Not a choice many of us will face in our lifetimes, but a reminder that our lives are often shaped by forces beyond our control. A lesson for our times.