School of Mirrors, The A Novel

"At the same time baroque and intimate, worldly and domestic, wildly strange and soulfully familiar, The Winter Palace offers a flickering glimpse of history through the gauze of deft entertainment." - Washington Post

"A thrilling point of view . . . Readers are treated to a firsthand account of the young princess's slow ascent to the throne, a path deliciously strewn with discarded lovers and sanguine court intrigues." - Minneapolis Star-Tribune on The Winter Palace

"[A] brilliant, bold historical novel . . . This superb biographical epic proves the Tudors don't have a monopoly on marital scandal, royal intrigue, or feminine triumph." - Booklist (starred review) on The Winter Palace

"Boldly sweeps the reader to 18th century France. Exquisitely realized, Stachniak's women-courtesans, midwives and revolutionary citizens-mirror a country's anguish as they bear royal betrayal and heartbreaking secrets. Haunting, illuminating."

"A riveting epic, keenly observed and shining with lush historical detail. You'll never forget this journey." - Cara Black, New York Times bestselling author of Three Hours in Paris

"With beautiful prose, Eva Stachniak brings to life the lush detail of Versailles, weaving together the stories of women who dare to step out against their fate against the backdrop of the French Revolution. I was captivated by this book." - Shipli Somaya Gowda, author of The Shape of Family

"Riveting! The School of Mirrors is historical fiction at its finest. Eva Stachniak gives agency to women who lived in the shadow of the king, showing us the true nature of their bravery and strength. - Allison Larkin, author of The People We Keep

"A sweeping tale of tumult and tragedy set against the backdrop of revolutionary France - intricate, absorbing, and impeccably depicted, The School of Mirrors will linger in your imagination long after you turn the last page." - Ann Mah, bestselling author of The Lost Vintage and Jacqueline in Paris

"A riveting story of two incredible women living in a tumultuous, dynamic era of revolution...a scintillating and vibrant addition to literature on the French Revolution, and a reminder that women --- even when silenced and hidden --- have always been brave, powerful and important parts of history." - Bookreporter.com