A beautifully written historical novel with an original and compelling look at this bloody era.

I LOVED this one! I found the two voices equally engaging and thought they were masterfully layered. I hadn't previously been aware of the links between the fight for Irish independence and the French Revolution, so that was wonderful to learn about, and sent me scurrying for some background history.

Both Caitlin and Lenormand were sympathetic and believable protagonists, and I thought the two settings of Paris/Versailles and rural south-west Ireland were persuasively and elegantly conjured.

I thought the love and attraction between the two women and the way this became at odds with their personal and political differences created such a brilliant tension, which kept me guessing till the last page. Overall the pacing was very swift, which kept the story moving and never stagnating, but at times we moved so fast that events were recounted in a way that felt like summary - but that's the smallest of niggles.

Huge congratulations to the author, and many thanks to the publisher for sharing the ms on Netgalley in return for this honest review. I'm going to seek out the author's other book immediately.

A sumptuous and complex history of women’s revenge
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The accusation of ‘witch’ has had more force in the past than now, but in whatever time it’s a condemnation of women’s powers and knowledge, of women in patriarchal societies and how a woman taking charge of her destiny is treated as anathema. In Bergman’s return, Marie Anne Adelaide Lenormand, the eponymous Tarot Reader, must navigate the early days of the French Revolution, relying on the secrets she knows and the people who don’t want her to tell. Drawn to Paris for love, Caitlin Molloy seeks the woman shown to her by the Morrigan, carefully shielding her own powers from strangers and allies. As politics, violence and dark plots revolve around them, Lenormand meets Cait, united in their secret powers, powers that might save them or damn them, depending on whose loyalties they depend. Will Lenormand and Cait get out of this alive, and what of their growing relationship?

Sumptuous in its history, with two capable leads, the plot is a complex mix of vivid present, tense past and uncertain future, which some might find challenging. I found it a breath of fresh air in historical fiction, albeit with a fantasy tinge, where historical fiction has its great writers as well as its everyday ones: in this novel, Bergman makes the reader work to keep the storylines in order, which is one of the few distractions. What Bergman also brings, however, is a practitioner’s eye for Tarot, which makes this novel sing, and the mix of Egyptian and Irish mythology is another unique point in this lovely book.

One to savour: four and a half stars.

Set during the fall of Marie Antoinette and the French revolution, The Tarot Reader of Versailles is an interesting read about the different factions and the Terror that followed the deaths of the monarchy and particularly focuses on the women’s stories from that period of history which I liked. The first chapters switch between French Lenormand, who is the eponymous Tarot reader (and based on a real person) and the Irish maid and revolutionary Caitlin. This switching made it harder to connect with or gain insight into either character and this continued for me throughout the book: I wanted to care more about these central characters; to care about their losses and motivations. There is a lot about Tarot card reading and a supernatural theme both of which added little to my enjoyment of the book. The writing often ‘tells’ what is happening so rather lacked in a sensory , emotional or immersive reader experience. In some ways this is quite a straightforward plot-driven book and it has many of the elements that would make a strong read. But I found it hard to engage with and lost interest in the characters early on. I always want to finish a novel and I struggled a bit with this one.

3.75
I would say this book is a historical fiction with a dash of fantasy/paranormal because of the Tarot reading, talking to spirits etc, however it is loosely based on real people and events that happened. This story is set during the French revolution and explores the links to Irish also seeking independence and equal rights. Before reading this book I had no idea that there was any link between the french revolution and Ireland so I feel like this book taught me a little and I am now interested in reading a bit more about the history of both aspects.
In terms of the writing of story for maybe the first third or so of the book I was getting confused about who was who regarding the main two female characters (I had to write a little post it to keep with me telling me identifying points about each lady). It is an aspect of the story that these two characters are very intertwined though so perhaps this is intentional to emphasise their connection. I did also get a little confused by some of the time jumps - some chapters are like glimpses into a year or so ahead and then we go back to the original timeline, but when these happened it sort of felt like I'd missed a chunk of story until it was explained later on in the book.
Overall I do enjoy this authors writing and the historical elements of the story without finding the story too complicated to follow.

I was much looking forward to reading this, having loved" The Witches Of Vardo. " My reaction was more mixed to this novel. The dual narration, one in the first person and one in the third seemed a little strange. It implied that the reader would feel a greater affinity with Caitlin than Lanormande but in fact I much preferred the chapters written from Lanormande's point of view. Personal choice of course! The story of how these women came to the court of Marie Antoinette was engaging but I felt that there was too much going on. The sub-plot of Caitlin working to regain Ireland's independence could have been a story in its own right. Additionally I felt there was nothing to gain from the parts which explained the tarot cards.
This all sounds very negative. I did certainly enjoy the first part of the story and felt the writing was rich and evocative.

I do appreciate being sent an ARC. Thank you

This book made me realise how little I actually know about the French Revolution and the history of rebellion in Ireland, and has left me determined to learn more.

At first, the conflicting timelines and POVs had me confused, but they became more and more intertwined as the story progressed.

I felt for the women of the revolution, who supported their men only to realise that the French Revolution was only interested in the rights of men, and white men at that.

The tarot played a really strong supporting tole in this story of uprising, espionage and love. At its core, it is a tale of two women with split loyalties, but real love for each other.

The ending felt somewhat abrupt, but not unsatisfying.

This book is a bit if a WOW.

Set in the times of the French revolution and telling the story of two amazing women, I really loved the tarot card theme.

It is an interesting read and is based on a true story. Marie has powers with the tarot and when she meets Cait and lowly young girl with some powers of her own the story gets a touch of brilliance.

This is an immersive read and takes the reader right back to the times of Marie Antoinette, it is richly descriptive and is a book I would highly recommend..

Caitlin Molloy is not destined to be a scullery-maid in Ireland. She soon finds herself in Paris, having been taken under the wing of Lenormand - The Tarot Reader of Versailles. Caitlin is passionate about Ireland’s independence and the tarot reader is a French monarchist. Will their relationship suffer because of their opposing political views?

The novel is full of historical detail. From the decadence of the French court to the wilds of Ireland, revolution and equality is a main theme. The Egyptian roots of Tarot are also explained so that Egyptian deities mingle on the page with Irish goddesses.

I really enjoyed the imagery of the sun and moon used throughout the novel. It was an effective way of communicating the importance of the relationship between characters.

I would highly recommend The Tarot Reader of Versailles to anyone who likes their historical fiction with a side of magic and Sapphic romance. I have previously read The Witches of Vardo, for me that was the stronger book. Having said that, I thoroughly enjoyed Bergman’s second novel. It’s a tapestry of mythology and history - a very enjoyable read!

Having loved a previous book by this author I was very excited for this arc and it did not disappoint.
This was so immersive and gave you a real feeling of place and time, the characters and settings were very realistic while the pacing was excellent and kept everything moving.
I loved the story and was deeply engrossed in this for three days
5 stars from me!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc

This is the best novel set in the time of the French Revolution that I have ever read, and I have read as many as I could get, so I know what I am talking about. It has it all: a psychic element and great characters, especially El and Cait, a fantastic story. I would recommend it highly and would give it more than five stars if I could.
I will watch out for further novels from this author because I think she is brilliant.