Book excerpt: The dizzying rise and horrific downfall of the last queen of France from the New York Times bestselling author of Duchessina. From the moment she was betrothed to the dauphin of France at age fourteen, perfection was demanded of Marie-Antoinette. Desperate for affection and subjected to constant scrutiny, this spirited young woman can’t help but want to let loose with elaborate parties, scandalous fashions, and even a forbidden love affair. Meanwhile, the peasants of France are suffering from increasing poverty and becoming outraged. They want to make the queen pay for her reckless extravagance—with her life. Includes historical notes, an author’s note, and bibliography “Historical-fiction fans will be swept up in the cruel fates of the monarchs and political forces, particularly as the drama escalates into horror.”—Booklist “Beautifully written from the point of view of Marie-Antoinette, and then from the point of view of her daughter, this is fascinating book that fans of historical fiction will find captivating.”—Through the Looking Glass Children’s Book Reviews “This novel about the ill-fated queen covers her life from age 13 when, as an Austrian princess, she prepares to marry the French dauphin to her death by guillotine in 1793 . . . Meyer writes in a lighthearted, casual style, vividly portraying the historical era and aptly defining unfamiliar vocabulary.”—School Library Journal