A sumptuous historical fantasy romance set in the court of King Louis XIV, the Sun King - a dangerous place to be for those who would defy him.
"By the fiftieth year of his reign, Louis XIV has made France the most powerful state in the western world. Yet the Sun King's appetite for glory knows no bounds. In a bold stroke, he sends his natural philosopher on an expedition to seek the source of immortality - the rare, perhaps mythical, sea monsters. For the glory of his God, his country, and his king, Father Yves de la Croix returns with his treasures: one heavy shroud packed in ice...and a covered basin that imprisons a shrieking creature." "The living sea monster, with its double tail, webbed hands, long tangled hair, and gargoyle face, provides a grotesque yet intriguing experiment for the king and his natural philosopher. And Marie-Josephe de la Croix looks forward to assisting her adored brother Yves in its scientific study. Yet the creature's gaze and exquisite singing foretell a different future...." "Soon Marie-Josephe finds herself contemplating choices that defy the institutions which power her world - king, country, church, even her brother. Somehow she must build the courage to follow her heart and her convictions - even at the cost of changing her life forever."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This breathtaking tale is part adventure story, part legend, and part Gothic novel. By the fiftieth year of his reign, Louis XIV has made France the most powerful state in the Western world. Yet the Sun King's appetite for glory knows no bounds. In a bold stroke, he sends his natural philosopher on an expedition to seek the source of immortality: a rare, perhaps mythical, sea monster. When Father Yves de la Croix returns with the shrieking, gargoyle-faced creature, Marie-Josephe looks forward to assisting her adored brother with his scientific study. Yet the creature's gaze and exquisite singing foretell a different future. Soon Marie-Josephe finds herself contemplating choices that will defy the institutions which power her world--king, country, church, and even family. She must find the courage to follow her heart and her convictions--even at the cost of changing her life forever. A sensitive investigation of the integrity in all of us, The Moon and the Sun is destined to become a visionary classic.