A TRAITOROUS HEART

Courtly intrigue in 1570s Paris takes center stage in this ambitious sophomore novel.

The titular heart belongs to 17-year-old Jacqueline “Jac” d’Argenson-Aunis, a bisexual lady-in-waiting to Princess Marguerite “Margot” de Valois, her closest friend and former love interest. Jac longs to join her uncle, the court’s feared spymaster, in the Societas Solis, a shadowy network of peacekeepers. When Henry, the dishy young king of Navarre, arrives at court seeking a political marriage with Margot, who “doesn’t even prefer men,” Jac gets her chance. Soon, she’s torn between feelings for Henry, loyalty to her best friend, and commitment to the Societas’ charge that she persuade Margot to accept the proposal. The novel’s first chapters spring to life with a well-realized setting, brisk reveals, and compelling interpersonal dynamics. The middle act unfortunately loses steam, relying heavily on exposition and Jac’s first-person narrative that at times is repetitive. An abundance of plot threads (including religious tension and a grave-robbing serial killer) contributes to uneven pacing, and a late twist feels unearned. Jac and Henry’s romance is light on emotional depth but will appeal to readers who appreciate swoony kissing scenes. Main characters present white; Cotter weaves in references to the presence in early modern France of people from diverse faiths and ethnicities. Positive bisexual representation within the cast of incidentally queer characters is a plus.

Will leave readers sighing happily despite an overstuffed plot.