Library Journal
01/01/2017
In 1502, the fortunes of the Borgia family are riding high. Pope Alexander VI, born Roderic Borgia, is secure in the papacy; his son, Cesare, is seemingly unstoppable in his thirst for conquest up and down Italy. Alexander's dazzling and witty daughter Lucrezia is set to marry (for the third time) into another powerful family to secure their alliance. Sent from his native Florence to observe the unscrupulous Cesare, diplomat Niccolò Machiavelli, despite his keen intellect and excellent powers of observation, cannot bring about the desired treaty with the Borgia scion. As the main characters weave in and out of one another's lives, finally only Machiavelli remains, putting down his observations to instruct a new prince—Lorenzo de' Medici. Full to the brim with vivid historical details both gory and beautiful, Dunant's (Blood and Beauty) novel showcases a time when church leaders did not adhere to their own rules of morality. VERDICT Skillfully drawn characters and an excellent sense of place will entice readers of historicals, especially those who are interested in the Italian Renaissance. [See Prepub Alert, 9/26/16.]—Pamela O'Sullivan, Coll. at Brockport Lib., SUNY