A Traitorous Heart

Gr 9 Up–In this historical thriller, ambitious young noblewoman Jacqueline is caught between her desire to be a supernatural spy for the mysterious Societas Solis and her friendship with the French princess, Marguerite de Valois. In a time when religious wars ravage Europe and assassins stalk the royal family, the Societas Solis wants Catholic Marguerite to marry the Huguenot (Protestant) King of Navarre, Henry de Bourbon, in order to avoid religious violence. Marguerite, an enthusiastic skirt-chaser, has no interest in men, or marriage. What should Jacqueline and Marguerite prioritize: peace and safety for religious minorities, or their own personal freedom from the patriarchal oppression of marriage? This dilemma is complicated by Jacqueline’s attraction to both Marguerite and Henry and by the machinations of Marguerite’s mother, Catherine de’ Medici, who is an evil witch. Ultimately, the novel substitutes made-up problems for the extremely high stakes of history as Jacqueline, Marguerite, and Henry race to stop Queen Catherine from pulling a Frankenstein and reviving her dead husband. As a result, the notorious St. Bartholomew Day’s massacre—in which thousands of innocents were murdered—has about as much emotional impact as the blasé carnage of a superhero film. Cotter demonstrates good overall knowledge of the cultural and historical context, yet she underplays the nexus of religious and political issues in favor of swoony scenes. The prose is flavorful, occasionally dipping into purple prose for the romance.