Waiting on Wednesday: The Vatican Princess: A Novel of Lucrezia Borgia by C.W. Gortner

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill  at  Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.   

 This week I am waiting for:

400 pages
Ballantine Books (Feb. 16 2016)

anything by this author is automatically a must read

For fans of Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir, bestselling author C. W. Gortner effortlessly weaves history and drama in this captivating novel about one of the world’s most notorious families. Glamorous and predatory, the Borgias fascinated and terrorized fifteenth-century Renaissance Italy, and Lucrezia Borgia, beloved daughter of the pope, was at the center of the dynasty’s ambitions. Slandered as a heartless seductress who lured men to their doom, was she in fact the villainess of legend, or was she trapped in a familial web, forced to choose between loyalty and survival?

With the ascension of the Spaniard Rodrigo Borgia as Pope Alexander VI, a new era has dawned in Rome. Benefiting from their father’s elevation are the new pope’s illegitimate children—his rival sons, Cesare and Juan, and beautiful young daughter Lucrezia—each of whom assumes an exalted position in the papal court. Privileged and adored, Lucrezia yearns to escape her childhood and play a part in her family’s fortunes. But Rome is seductive and dangerous: Alliances shift at a moment’s notice as Italy’s ruling dynasties strive to keep rivals at bay. As Lucrezia’s father faces challenges from all sides, the threat of a French invasion forces him to marry her off to a powerful adversary. But when she discovers the brutal truth behind her alliance, Lucrezia is plunged into a perilous gambit that will require all her wits, cunning, and guile. Escaping her marriage offers the chance of happiness with a passionate prince of Naples, yet as scandalous accusations of murder and incest build against her, menacing those she loves, Lucrezia must risk everything to overcome the lethal fate imposed upon her by her Borgia blood.

Beautifully wrought, rich with fascinating historical detail, The Vatican Princess is the first novel to describe Lucrezia’s coming-of-age in her own voice, resulting in a dramatic, vivid tale set in an era of savagery and unparalleled splendor, where enemies and allies can be one and the same, and where loyalty to family can ultimately be a curse.

What are you waiting for? 

The Lion and the Rose by Kate Quinn

From the national bestselling author of The Serpent and the Pearl comes the continuing saga of the ruthless family that holds all of Rome in its grasp, and the three outsiders thrust into their twisted web of blood and deceit . . .

As the cherished concubine of the Borgia Pope Alexander VI, Giulia Farnese has Rome at her feet. But after narrowly escaping a sinister captor, she realizes that the danger she faces is far from over—and now, it threatens from within. The Holy City of Rome is still under Alexander’s thrall, but enemies of the Borgias are starting to circle. In need of trusted allies, Giulia turns to her sharp-tongued bodyguard, Leonello, and her fiery cook and confidante, Carmelina.

Caught in the deadly world of the Renaissance’s most notorious family, Giulia, Leonello, and Carmelina must decide if they will flee the dangerous dream of power. But as the shadows of murder and corruption rise through the Vatican, they must learn who to trust when every face wears a mask . . .
 

Paperback, 464 pages

Published January 7th 2014 by Berkley Trade 

(my copy provided by Edelweiss for my honest review)

The first book in this series, The Serpent and the Pearl, was an audio read (via Audible) for me.
The readers did a wonderful job of telling this story, I fell in love with Guilia, Leonello and
Camelina, their accents fit the characters perfectly and really brought that story to life.  I was 
hoping that this book would also be available in audio, but alas it isn't (at least at the time
of this review). 

Set in the late 1400's Rome during the reign of the Borgia's, Kate Quinn has delivered yet 
again.  Reading this book I could still visualize the accents and mannerisms of the 3 main 
protagonists. Continuing where The Serpent and the Pearl left off in the lives of Guila, 
Leonello and Carmelina. It was written in such a way that I had a hard time putting this book 
down. Full of corruption, deceit, murder, romance, mystery, power and much more at the
hands of Rodrigo Borgia (also known as Pope Alexander VI) and his children (who could 
do no wrong).  A book that shows the power of one family and the control and 
impact that they had over Rome.  A book that is fast paced and had me reading
late into the night. But at almost 500 pages, not a quick read though worth every
one of them.

Kate Quinn has been a favourite of mine ever since reading Mistress of Rome, I love her 
writing style and the way she develops her characters.  She brought them to life with the 
right amount of scandal, drama and a touch of humor.  Told from the point of view of Guila,
Leonella and Carmella I couldn't wait to see how their characters evolved and where the 
author was taking them.  Also watching minor characters from The Serpent take on a larger
role here, specifically Bartolomeo (I will never look at spuds the same way again) was
enjoyable.

You can read this as a stand alone, but why? Read the first, you won't be disappointed!

The Serpent and the Pearl by Kate Quinn

One powerful family holds a city, a faith, and a woman in its grasp--from the national bestselling author of "Daughters of Rome" and "Mistress of Rome."

Rome, 1492. The Holy City is drenched with blood and teeming with secrets. A pope lies dying and the throne of God is left vacant, a prize awarded only to the most virtuous--or the most ruthless. The Borgia family begins its legendary rise, chronicled by an innocent girl who finds herself drawn into their dangerous web...
Vivacious Giulia Farnese has floor-length golden hair and the world at her feet: beauty, wealth, and a handsome young husband. But she is stunned to discover that her glittering marriage is a sham, and she is to be given as a concubine to the ruthless, charismatic Cardinal Borgia: Spaniard, sensualist, candidate for Pope--and passionately in love with her.
Two trusted companions will follow her into the Pope's shadowy harem: Leonello, a cynical bodyguard bent on bloody revenge against a mysterious killer, and Carmelina, a fiery cook with a past full of secrets. But as corruption thickens in the Vatican and the enemies begin to circle, Giulia and her friends will need all their wits to survive in the world of the Borgias.

  

No need to recap what the book is about, you can read that above.

All my audio reads are usually in first person narrative, it feels like the protagonist is with me telling her/his story.  This book had three key players. Giulia, Leonello and Carmelina were all brought to life by 3 wonderful readers.  They had the right accents, and each told their story clearly and with the right amount of wit and emotions.

They couldn't tell their stories without Kate Quinn doing an excellent job of writing them. She was able to mix fact with fiction and made me fall in love with those three, they were written in such a way that made me feel for their different circumstances. From Giulia's hurt and disappointment on her wedding night to Carmelina's first impression of Rome with the smells (rot - maybe you need the audio to appreciate her reaction). From romance to murder, mystery to corruption and betrayal to friendships, this book had it all. 

Set in a time in history that I was unfamiliar with it was a joy to take this ride with Giulia, Leonello and Carmelina.  I've heard of the Borgia's before and how corrupt they were and this book has me wanting to learn more. The cultural side during that time period was interesting and informative also,  I especially enjoyed the cooking aspect of the novel.

I finished this book with an urgent need to bake a torte and am now toying with the ideal of rereading The Iliad. Also wondering when the companion cookbook is coming out.

 The sequel, The Lion and the Rose, is scheduled to be released  Jan 7, 2014 (Canada/US),  and you can pre order at Amazon  and Book Depository (I have).

Definitely 5 stars from me!