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The Embroidered Book cover art

The Embroidered Book

By: Kate Heartfield
Narrated by: Helen Keeley
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Summary

*Winner of the Aurora Award for Best Novel*

‘Spellbinding’ JJA Harwood

‘An entertaining and dark read’ Stylist

‘An absorbing novel’ Guardian

‘Beautifully written’ Elizabeth Chadwick

‘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.

©2022 Kate Heartfield (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

"The Embroidered Book is superb from its opening scene to its heartbreaking end.... Politics, magic, love and sacrifice compete on equal terms in a sweeping, absolutely splendid epic novel about two sisters and familial love. If you like historical feminist fantasy, you will love The Embroidered Book." (Lisbeth Campbell, author of The Vanished Queen)

"Sacrifice, family, dreams, and deep, dark magic, The Embroidered Book is a triumph." (Julie E. Czerneda, author of The Gossamer Mage)

What listeners say about The Embroidered Book

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Brilliant narration

The book kept me interested throughout despite being so long highly recommended. Was fully immersed in the story - 5/5

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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An interesting take on the story

I think this is a really interesting take on the story of Anne Boleyn, normally I like a good fantasy x historical fiction book but this one dragged on a bit.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Historical fiction plus magic

I hadn't realised that the story of the two sisters would be literally mixed with a fantasy story of them practicing magic. For me, the real story is fascinating and the magical subplot a strange distraction.l. Others will love it but I found that the fantasy elements diminished the historical story..

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1 person found this helpful

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embroidered book

Excellent story, well researched and brilliant. Narrator was also excellent and very easy to listen to.

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A wonderful reimagining of this story

This is a brilliantly well written book, it sticks to all the historical facts and weaves them in with some interesting magical additions. It's a long listen, but well worth it, and I feel a bit lost now its finished!

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4 people found this helpful

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Loved loved loved!!!

Absolute adored this book, I’ve reread it twice since. Beautifully written and a wonderfully told. You won’t be disappointed.

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1 person found this helpful