Kristalna kugla

Based on actual police files from the reign of Louis XIV. the author weaves a magical and dark story that follows the life of Genevieve Pasquier, a fifteen-year-old girl who transforms into a self-aware, seemingly infallible witch doctor... Genevieve is a thin, precocious mischief-maker with the mind of a philosopher and the power to read the future from the water stirred up in a prophetic vase. After the family believes that Genevieve is dead, she is taken under her wing by La Voisin, an ingenious occultist and all-powerful witch doctor from high society. La Voisin also rules over a secret society of witches – abortionists and poisoners – who manipulate the lives of the rich and scandalous aristocracy, right up to the throne. Under the tutelage of La Voisin, Genevieve constructs a new identity for herself as the mysterious Madame de Morville—with an old-fashioned black dress, powdered face, walking stick, and bitingly sarcastic remarks—who is said to be a hundred and fifty years old. Even the official mistress of the Sun King turns to Madame de Morville to find out what the future holds for her. And as for Madame de Morville, Genevieve can enjoy what women are usually denied - power, independent income, and the opportunity to speak her mind freely. Behind her intelligence and wit, Genevieve is driven by personal revenge - but she doesn't expect love to get involved in everything. This unusual look into the corrupt Parisian society at the time of the Sun King - with a very inspired and eloquent heroine - is a marvel of authenticity and biting wit.