Most know of the infamous French Queen whose spending habits were to blame for the fall of the French Monarchy but few realize that the amazing story started when she was the pampered youngest daughter of the Queen of Austria. BECOMING MARIE ANTOINETTE by Juliet Grey tells the story of how a small child was groomed to be the first lady of one of the most powerful countries at that time.

This fictional adaptation of the early life of Marie Antoinette relays that the young archduchess' life was not a fairy tale as many would believe. Many historical facts appear through out the story informing the readers to the trials and tribulations that a young child had to endure in order to please her mother and her future family. Once she was married and whisked off to a foreign country, the future Queen of France suffered severe culture shock and constant ridicule from those who surrounded her at the court of Versailles.

This is a wonderful tale of what a person had to overcome to please all those around her and adapt to foreign surroundings. The time frame of this first installment of what is to be a trilogy is from her childhood in Austria to when she has become Queen. I personally feel this is the most interesting time of Marie Antoinette's life since the person she is to become is molded during these precious years. The story telling of Juliet Grey flows seamlessly as we learn of actual events in the young Monarch's life. The budding romance between Marie and her beloved husband Louis is told in such a way that you picture the shy beauty trying to win the affection of her awkwardly anti-social groom. This is a wonderful story for anyone who is interested in learning about the rise of Marie Antoinette or for novice historians out there who enjoy reading historical fiction centered around their favorite people of history.