The Pale Assassin by Patricia Elliott is a tale set in the opening days of the French Revolution in 1779. Eugenie de Boncoeur and her brother Armand are under the care of their guardian who is an old aristrocrat used to iron clad rule. Unaware that the guardian has contracted to marry Eugenie to le Fantome when she becomes 16 she lives in Paris society. Le Fantome, a deadly assassin with revenge on his mind towards the Boncoeur family, is in contact with Robespierre, a lawyer, a key figure in the Revolution and has his spies about. Armand is part of a secret group to rescue the king and must hide his sister from le Fantome lest he discover her when she becomes 16 and pursues the contract her guardian made. A spoiled rich girl, Eugenie is used to outrageous privilege, but must face reality for there is no place in her country where she is safe. The revolution becomes increasingly violent. Eugenie is in the thick of surviving in Paris where she confronts spies, secret agents, double-crossing suitors, romance, and a suspenseful survival adventure. Living in poverty undercover, working as a milliners assistant she does what she can, learning to use her wits and endure. The historical events are true with an outline in the back of the book; the author conveys the complex political realities of the times. Many real people from the pages of history appear in the novel are listed in the cast of characters. This is a historical and suspenseful read for grades 6-12.
Reviews
Kirkus
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/patricia-elliott/the-pale-assassin/
Teens Connect
http://ascplteens.akronlibrary.org/2009/11/30/book-review-the-pale-assassin/
Read Many Books
http://readmanybooks.blogspot.com/2010/03/review-of-pale-assassin-by-patricia.html
