The three-way battle that ensues between a prophet who scorns poetry, a woman in love, and a sly and ruthless queen is set against the rich, detailed tapestry of a nation on the verge of civil war and a lively constellation of famous figures clustered around Nostradamus, seer of the millennium. Can Nostradamus stop these determined ladies from wishing on the Master of All Desires and destroy it before it brings down the entire kingdom? Sibille is tempted by Menander to obtain all her desires-beauty, genius, and a dashing, intelligent cavalier. But only Nostradamus understands the true nature of this evil object, which sows destruction everywhere it goes and does indeed grant wishes-but with a deadly twist…Īs Nostradamus hurries to Paris to warn the queen, he discovers that the coffer containing the Master has fallen into the possession of a charming, wryly perceptive but stubborn young woman: Sibille Artaud de la Roque, a bluestocking aspiring poet. The queen, Catherine de Medici, a dabbler in black magic, has decided to get rid of the king's mistress by seeking out the legendary Undying Head of Menander the Magus, known as the Master of All Desires. "Another darling mix of history, romance and the occult from Riley, a writer who excels at getting the background right and creating strong, intelligent heroines.It is 1556 and the queen's astrologer, the prophet Nostradamus has uncovered-through his powers of divination-a secret that could destroy the entire kingdom of France. "Another darling mix of history, romance and the occult from Riley, a writer who excels at getting the background right and creating strong, intelligent heroines."-Kirkus Reviews "Mixing history and fantasy with élan, Judith Merkle Riley offers a tightly woven, suspenseful, and fiendishly funny novel.Lush period detail and sprightly dialogue laced with humor and courtly pomp anchor Riley's romantic adventure with stylized whimsy and historical plausibility."-Publishers Weekly Can he stop these determined women before they unwittingly destroy the entire kingdom of France? But she does not understand that the Master is malic itself, twisting the wishes that he grants to bring destruction.īut only Nostradamus knows that evil befalls all who wish upon this accursed object. Queen Catherine de Medici is trying to obtain the power of the Master in order to get rid of her husband's mistress. When she inadvertently becomes the master of an ancient cursed head of Menander the Magus-the Master of All Desires-she suddenly has the power to grant any wish, at a steep price.
Lady Sibille never goes looking for trouble, but trouble always seems to find her. Nostradamus, a ruthless queen, and a young poet find themselves in the fight of their lives.
"A delightful blend of history, romance, and the supernatural, served with a generous helping of wit and humor."-Booklist
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