Rating: 
Summary: Excellent blend of fantasy and alternate history
Review: The Moon and the Sun" (1997) is an excellent fantasy novel by US science fiction author Vonda McIntyre. The novel is not a standard fantasy, but rather an alternate history novel with fantasy elements. It won a number of awards, including the 1997 Nebula Award for Best Novel (beating the favorite "A Game of Thrones" by George R. R. Martin). The story is set in 17th century France, during the reign of the Sun King Louis XIV, at his court in Versailles. The novel is filled with a large cast of courtiers, many of them historical figures, who are all competing for the favor of the King. The main character, Marie-Josephe de la Croix, assists her brother, Father Yves de la Croix, in the scientific study of a recently captured sea monster. The King hopes to gain immortality by consuming part of the creature, but as the study continues, Marie-Josephe discovers the sea monster may be more than a dumb beast. This discovery tests Marie-Josephe's loyalty to her brother, her king and her religion. Vonda McIntyre thoroughly researched the historical setting for "The Moon and the Sun" and created a very convincing setting, filling it with believable and well-rounded characters. Because of the level of detail, the novel can be enjoyed as a historical novel and a fantasy. Very highly recommended. Note: the novel originated as a short story, written in the form of a fictional encyclopedia article, "The Natural History and Extinction of the People of the Sea", which was illustrated by (fellow author) Ursula K. Le Guin and indirectly inspired by research done by the late Avram Davidson, another brilliant SF writer. The novel also exists as a screenplay.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent blend of fantasy and alternate history
Review: The Moon and the Sun" (1997) is an excellent fantasy novel by US science fiction author Vonda McIntyre. The novel is not a standard fantasy, but rather an alternate history novel with fantasy elements. It won a number of awards, including the 1997 Nebula Award for Best Novel (beating the favorite "A Game of Thrones" by George R. R. Martin). The story is set in 17th century France, during the reign of the Sun King Louis XIV, at his court in Versailles. The novel is filled with a large cast of courtiers, many of them historical figures, who are all competing for the favor of the King. The main character, Marie-Josephe de la Croix, assists her brother, Father Yves de la Croix, in the scientific study of a recently captured sea monster. The King hopes to gain immortality by consuming part of the creature, but as the study continues, Marie-Josephe discovers the sea monster may be more than a dumb beast. This discovery tests Marie-Josephe's loyalty to her brother, her king and her religion. Vonda McIntyre thoroughly researched the historical setting for "The Moon and the Sun" and created a very convincing setting, filling it with believable and well-rounded characters. Because of the level of detail, the novel can be enjoyed as a historical novel and a fantasy. Very highly recommended. Note: the novel originated as a short story, written in the form of a fictional encyclopedia article, "The Natural History and Extinction of the People of the Sea", which was illustrated by (fellow author) Ursula K. Le Guin and indirectly inspired by research done by the late Avram Davidson, another brilliant SF writer. The novel also exists as a screenplay.
Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly engrossing!
Review: The struggles between philosophy, science, court and religion play against each other in this wonderful historical fantasy by Vonda McIntyre, and the author comes out winning! Set in the 17th century court of Louis XIV, you see the grandeur through the eyes of court newcomer Marie-Josèphe. While there is much description of the Sun King's court at Versailles - indeed, you're drawn into the sounds, sights, and smells - it's not overwhelming or confusing to the plot. Buy, read, and enjoy! (Make sure to check out other works of McIntyre's while you're at it!)
Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly engrossing!
Review: The struggles between philosophy, science, court and religion play against each other in this wonderful historical fantasy by Vonda McIntyre, and the author comes out winning! Set in the 17th century court of Louis XIV, you see the grandeur through the eyes of court newcomer Marie-Josèphe. While there is much description of the Sun King's court at Versailles - indeed, you're drawn into the sounds, sights, and smells - it's not overwhelming or confusing to the plot. Buy, read, and enjoy! (Make sure to check out other works of McIntyre's while you're at it!)
Rating:
Summary: Magical Historical Romantic Realism
Review: The two genres of magical realism and alternate history collide with stunning effects in McIntyre's Moon and Sun. I think this book would appeal to anyone who enjoys romance, history, magic, and tuneful prose. It combines historical accuracy -- the French court -- with the rich fantasy of sea monsters and magic elixirs. From plot to character to setting, this book wins at everything. A book you can sink into deeply.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent, wonderful book.
Review: This book does what only certain rare, strange, magical bits of art can do-- show a person that this world is wonderful, and that miracles are everywhere. I'm so happy to have read it!
Rating: 
Summary: Slow and not engaging
Review: This book had a hard time keeping my intrest. I had a hard time finishing this book. It never really keeped me engaged in the story
Rating:
Summary: So good I read it in one day!
Review: This book is definitely a keeper on my bookshelves. The story line was very unique; mixing true historical figures with fictional ones. The "love" interest of Maries was surprising and refreshing..a bold but admirable twist. I love books with strong women characters and this is one of them. I would like to find more books that are like this one.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent historical Fantasy
Review: This book is set in the court of Louis 14th of France, the sun king. The author has depicted life at this court with amazing accuracy and incoporated a "what if" scenario in it. I won't descibe the story as other reviewers have done a better job than I would. I'll just add my voice in Reccomending this book for anybody interested in history, fantasy or science fiction, because it covers all catagories.
Rating: 
Summary: entertaining
Review: This book was recommended in the "Book Lovers Calendar" a year or so ago. It had much more detail about life in the Louis XIV court than I expected, but that turned out to be very interesting. I felt the story left out a lot of background that is needed that we end up having to piece together throughout the story -- it initially doesn't explain much about Marie-Josephe's background (how did she get to Versailles from Martinique, and what was her life like before she got to France?). That would have helped to explain her character, her relationship with her brother and with the church, much better than having to divine all that as I was trying to keep track of all the different courtiers. (I recommend reviewing the list of characters at the beginning to keep this straight.) By not supplying more about her background, and maybe more about her struggles before Versailles, it seems a bit contrived when she suddenly demonstrates aptitude for everything (science, drawing, riding, AND composing). But I liked the whole sea monster aspect of the story, which got a little lost in court politics at times. Overall worth reading.
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