ARC Review: The Time-Traveling Fashionista at the Palace of Marie Antoinette by Buanca Turetsky

The Time-Traveling Fashionista at the Palace of Marie Antoinette by Bianca Turetsky

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Poppy; 1 edition (September 18, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316105384
• ISBN-13: 978-0316105385

What if a beautiful dress could take you back in time?

Louise Lambert's best friend's thirteenth birthday party is fast approaching, so of course the most important question on her mind is, "What am I going to wear?!" Slipping on an exquisite robin's egg blue gown during another visit to the mysterious Traveling Fashionista Vintage Sale, Louise finds herself back in time once again, swept up in the glory of palace life, fancy parties, and enormous hair as a member of the court of France's most infamous queen, Marie Antoinette.

But between cute commoner boys and glamorous trips to Paris, life in the palace isn't all cake and couture. Can Louise keep her cool-and her head!-as she races against the clock to get home?

The cover may not be that very attractive at first glance, but a closer look and you’d be carried away by the swirls of the ocean-blue dress fashioned after the aristocrats’ dresses in France. Plus the swirls, the font and the glimmers, it’s pretty. Although, a more attractive color will be welcome.

I’m always a fan of everything France, their culture, language and most especially their dresses, so TIME-TRAVELING FASHIONISTA (AT THE PALACE OF MARIE ANTOINETTE) is really an exciting and interesting read for me.

I think the book is kinda boring until Chapter 13 p.87 ARC, it’s where Louise find herself in the palace, it’s also where I found a stable pace with enough suspense and thrill. From there, I was into Marie Antoinette’s time. I am simply hooked with the story. I enjoyed every aspect of it, the description of their frivolous dresses, the French revolution, the friendship, Marie Antoinette’s true self (not just a selfish aristocrat, but also an obedient daughter, a too-young-wife that found love with another man, a queen who has too much responsibility and a person who doesn’t really have a choice). One of my favorite lines in the book is the conversation where Louise asked Marie Antoinette why she shops so much, here’s the queen’s answer:

“I suppose choosing my clothing is the only decision I’m really allowed to make for myself. I can’t decide who I should marry or where I should live or what I shall do, but I am free to decide what I may wear and how I would like to style my hair and what jewels I would like to put around my neck. These are only freedoms I truly have- to pick the color and fabric of my dress. Is that silly?” ----Marie Antoinette

I hope this doesn’t get change on the finished copy, I truly love these lines. Turetsky made me realize how human the queen is.
Even though this is an ARC, I didn’t encounter typo errors, the writing is great, the storyline flows smoothly, plus throw-ins of twists and side stories. And speaking of, I wish we could delve more into Perrie’s life, he’s the gardener in the palace, whom Gabrielle (Louise) has a sort of connection.

I love the fact that Louise will try to change the past, urging the characters to change ways, but no one still listens, history is really history, we can’t undone it. I love how it’s written, the quotes from famous fashion icons. I’m more excited on the finished copy since the ARC doesn’t have colored illustrations yet and a history guide.

It’s not until I’m halfway reading the book that I realized this is the second installment. Good thing, each of the books in the series is a stand-alone. Although, I would have like how it is for Louise, the first time –the first time she saw the invitation and her time-travel experience. The author meanwhile mentions about Louise experiences as flashbacks, that’s close I could get.>:D… maybe, I should read the first book, especially since it’s in the Titanic, one of my favorite movies.;)

TIME-TRAVELING FASHIONISTA (AT THE PALACE OF MARIE ANTOINETTE) is a wonderful, entertaining read of adventures, romance, fashion, and history all weaved into one. Highly recommended to everyone especially for ages 8 and older. A must read!!!


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