Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer
Written by Katie Alender
Published in Australia September 4th 2013
296 Pages
Thank you to Scholastic Australia
Twenty first century girl. Eighteenth century ghost. Heads will roll.Sixteen year old Colette Iselin is leaving her mother and brother Charlie, and their small apartment behind, for the opportunity of a lifetime. Along with nine other girls from Saint Margaret's Academy, Colette will be spending nine days in Paris. Indulging in the culture, rich history and local boys, according to Colette's friends Hannah and Pilar, wealthy and popular girls that have allowed Colette to adhere to their social circle. The Iselin family name is Parisian, so when Colette finds an old, antique medallion while searching for luggage for her travels, her imagination is transported to another world. A world where her family is wealthy and not separated, attending lavish parties and counted among the Parisian royalty, where even Hannah would be beneath her. Surely a girl can dream.
The city of light just got a little darker. . . .
Colette Iselin is excited to go to Paris on a class trip. She'll get to soak up the beauty and culture, and maybe even learn something about her family's French roots. But a series of gruesome murders are taking place across the city, putting everyone on edge. And as she tours museums and palaces, Colette keeps seeing a strange vision: A pale woman in a ball gown and powdered wig, who looks suspiciously like Marie Antoinette.
Colette knows her popular, status obsessed friends won't believe her, so she seeks out the help of a charming French boy. Together, they uncover a shocking secret involving a dark, hidden history. When Colette realizes she herself may hold the key to the mystery, her own life is in danger...
Although now halfway across the world, Colette now feels strangely at home and is determined not to waste a single moment. With chaperone Madame Mitchell and local tour guide, the young and handsome Jules, the group indulgence in the all the sights the capital has to offer. But whilst the city is bustling with tourists and Parisians alike, a serial killer is beheading young locals. Attractive and wealthy victims that are considered high society, all killed violently in similar circumstances. With a warning not to explore alone, Colette would rather take her chances and wanders off from her friends.
But as she explores the city, she's haunted by the vision of Marie Antoinette, a woman who is firmly woven into Parisian history. She cannot escape her, nor the murder's that are now becoming more brazen. Discovering her own history has never been more important, as she involves the help of Jules and classmate Audrey. Her medallion, the Iselin family name and Marie Antoinette are all woven to form an incredible history that Colette had no idea were possible. But as the killings reach closer to home, will Colette become another front page victim?
My Thoughts
I wasn't sure what to expect from Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer, having not previously seen any reader reviews before receiving a copy, but I was pleasantly surprised. I loved the location, I could almost smell the fresh baguettes and that was the main appeal for me. The setting, not just the baguettes. There is something so very romantic about Paris, the Champs Elysées, Versailles, the Louvre and the tourist must see, the Eiffel Tower. Luckily for the girls from Saint Margaret's Academy, tour guide Jules has packed as much history and sightseeing into the itinerary as possible and it really was quite special.
Although it was entertaining and the storyline lured me in and kept my attention, I found Colette increasingly irritating. Once from a wealthy family, since her parents separation, she lives with her mother and brother, with the family working hard and living on meager means. Luckily she has a scholarship for the Academy, but is mortified at the thought of her friends, especially Hannah finding out. Hannah is a manipulative bitch, with Colette living her life to please the mean girl who could threaten to turn on her at any moment. Blinded by being included as a popular girl, Colette allows herself to be used as a doormat, taking on board insults, degrading remarks and being bullied into being just another follower. Why didn't Colette stand up for herself? Simple, she's vain, materialistic and doesn't care what it takes to be popular, even her own self respect.
It wasn't until the introduction of Jules, where Colette begins to question the loyalty of her so called friends. In the end, she seemed to be a girl with no self esteem who simply had no confidence to stand up to Hannah, but eventually she takes a stand, and I couldn't have been happier. But the real star of Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer is the location. Simply beautiful.
I've read a few positive reviews on this one now---very curious about it! It's a shame that Colette was a bit of a pain in the neck.
ReplyDeleteLovely review! <33
Hey Melanie, it's worth the read just for the Parisian culture alone. I love books set in Paris. It's a shame that Colette wasn't a more worthy protagonist, it really would have been a fabulous read.
DeleteYay, I'm glad you ended up liking it! Good on you for writing a review so soon after you've read it. I need to start doing that too haha. You're so right, the location is just magnificent! I felt like I was a tourist! :P
ReplyDeleteMe too Laura. I think I fell in love with books set in Paris, after reading Anna and the French Kiss. But this one goes into so much more depth with the rich history and local natives.
DeleteYeaaaah...Colette could have used a slap in the face (a few times). I was disappointed how she treated Audrey (Aubrey? I can't even remember! Shame on me!) in the middle there. It kind of sucked. I didn't understand why Colette would WANT to stick with her friends, but I could kind of understand her reasonings. Even if she was sort of warped. >.< Paris, as usual, is awesome. I want to gooooo there.
ReplyDeleteThat's what frustrated me the most too, she was loyal to friends that really only allowed her to tag along with them as a buffer really, but she only used them to keep her popular social standing really. I can understand why she tried to hang in there as long as possible, but she had girls who would have provided her with a much more real friendship where she'd be treated as an equal. But she snubbed them until she needed something. I wanted to smack her in the face with a frying pan.
DeleteColette sounds like someone I knew in high school. But I will read this book because of Paris. Love love hearing about Europe and baguettes. I want to feel touristy in the middle of all the drama. Lovely review, Kelly! *nursing a bruise from crashing to a building* (man, this superhero stuff is a bit daunting)
ReplyDeleteI think we all knew a Colette in high school, that girl who hangs on to the edge of a popular social circle, and ends up being their Girl Friday of sorts. I was really only ever in it for the baguettes.
Delete● runs to fetch a band aid ●
Baguettes might actually be enough for me to want to read this. :D I am really happy to see your review! I saw a few mixed ones when this first got released, which made me sad since the premise sounded so awesome. I love the sound of this setting, though, and your positive reaction definitely gives me hope. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteWendy @ The Midnight Garden
Me too Wendy, until I saw a review on The Notebook Sisters, who have such impeccable taste in books. I'm so glad I gave it a go. It's a fun read with the location definitely being the star of this one.
DeleteIt's all about the baguettes.
Great review Kelly! Sounds like Colette was pretty annoying and irritating, but at least she finally realises how superficial she is. I love the descriptions of the location though, would be amazing to experience.
ReplyDeleteJeann @ Happy Indulgence
Paris has made a murder mystery young adult into a romance. It's the setting, considering the romance was spread pretty thinly. I really enjoyed the Marie Antoinette history, as fictional as it was. It was a fun read and I'd like to check out Katie Alender's other titles. Grab this one Jeann, we're going to Paris.
DeleteAu revoir.