Borgia Bride

Twisted, captivating & fascinating!

Truly one of the most interesting & twisted historical novels I have ever read! It was a little slow to get started but once there I was engrossed. I finished it last night & feel like I am going through withdrawal. The characters were diverse, the historical aspect fascinating, and even more interesting to know that there was a bit of fact mingled in with the fiction. Can't wait to read more from this author!

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

A fascinating trip to the heart of corruption at the Vatican during 15th-century Italy

It started off just a little bit slow but turned out to be very captivating. The story of The Borgia family is told from the perspective of Sancha of Aragon. Chills, thrills, corruption, renaissance, the Vatican.. Definitely a great read for those who are interested in a bit of history coupled with entertainment.

*However, the ebook edition here does have some formatting issues, as of this date but I contacted B&N and they are working to resolve the problem. It is still readable by all means, just a little distracting when you have T's or 1's in place of I's and r's for t's - especially more towards the end.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

An Excellent Read That Will Not Disappoint!

I had had this book on my shelf for a bit and decided it was time to read it. I'm glad I did. This novel follows the life of a Bride to the powerful Borgia family. Ms. Kalogridis' summary of the book states:


"...THE BORGIA BRIDE is a sumptuous historical novel of passion, betrayal, scheming and incest, set in the Vatican during the 15th century, one of the most exciting, violent and also sensual times of European history. The plot and characters are based on actual historical personages and events..."


I agree that this book is, to my mind, unique. I have not read many books that focus on the political turmoil of the 15th century in Italy. Oddly enough I have always thought that it was Lucrezia Borgia who had the reputation for using the family recipe for poison. Read this book for another theory! I sailed through the first part of this book - reading late into the night. Mid story slowed a bit for me - but the pace picked up again for a rousing final quarter of the book. The characters in The Borgia Bride are well crafted and carried through a plot that is well thought out expertly crafted with many unusual twists and turns.


This book makes me want to read all of Ms. Kalodridis' titles. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would have gone for 5 stars - except for the lag midway through. I don;t think that you would regret reading this fine novel - it's appeal would, obviously, be for anyone who enjoys historical fiction - especially for 15th century Italy - but it would also please any lover of well crafted, fast paced fiction!



Ms. Kalogridis has an excellent website too - have a look : http://jeannekalogridis.com/

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

WOW!

This is the first book I've read by Jeanne Kalogridis...WOW! I'll be reading everything she writes. I'm a big historical fiction fan and really liked this one...didn't want to put it down!

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Fabulous!

If you like historical fiction, especially with strong women characters, you will love this book. It paints a really full picture of the Borgia family, especially Lucrezia and Cesare. I went to sleep at night thinking about them and woke up in the morning thinking about them. In the shower, driving to work, there they were. A fascinating read.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Good HIstory

This author has researched certain families that were alive influential in Italy's history during the 1500's and has made their stories come alive through this book. She has captivated the essence of their lives while intertwining fiction to make the story passionate and dramatic. Major facts of the book can be researched, and are, in fact true. The fiction in the book would mainly be conversations and maybe day-to-day events. This is a must read for the individual who is interested in learning some history, but at the same time looking for a good book to read.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Wow.

This book evoked many emotions from me. I was left with such an eerie feeling after finishing it. It was engaging, I couldn't put it down. The Borgia Bride is much different than the other historical fiction novels i've read and loved. It truly brings out the darkness you would expect fromt he Borgia era.

very good!

Good piece of historical fiction! The story really keeps you intrigued.

Very interresting

Very good, keeps you wondering on how things are if this story is based on real facts

A little graphic

I was surprised to find more than a couple sex scenes some of which were rather violent. This isn't a happy and sunny book. It's got lots of sex, violence and betrayal. But, all that being said, the characters are interesting, the plot is engaging and length is nice. It wasn't too short but it wasn't excesdively wrong either. I would have loved a list of references to know where the author's information came from though.

Very entertaining

Great read although i'd have liked to see a tad bit more character devlopement

****

Great read! very informative and enlightening. I had no idea about that part of history. Would definitely read more from this author.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great book to pass time while waiting for new Phillipa Gregor

Finally I found a historical fiction novel that I enjoyed almost enough as the Gregor novels.

A Page Turner!

If you are a fan of historical fiction, fraught with intrigue, double cross and who's doing what to whom, then do not miss this book! I read it as a follow up to Mario Puzzo's "The Family" and was not disappointed! Same story of the Borgia family told from a different perspective but definitely could not put this down!

Great book

Wonderful book, story is woven togather with many unexpected twists and turns. It would make a great movie, I couldn't put it down.

Great beach read!

Read while vacationing in myrtle beach for a week. Loved it!

Great!

No text was provided for this review.

no chocolate for the Borgia's!

How can you trust anything here when she states they were eating chocolate when the didn't HAVE chocolate in Italy at that time?
What else here is false?
I know it it fiction, but it is not supposed to be fantasy!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Highly Recommended.

This was truly one of those books I couldn't put down. As I read the book I looked up the names and places the author employed in her story and they were actually true. Riveting reading and interesting right to the end this story of the Borgia family has everything sex, murder, love, deceit. Excellent reading.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Intriguing and great historical fiction read

This book was quite unexpected in the story line and the characters. Not being a history buff I was not familiar with the Borgia family until the HBO series was announced. I choose this book from the reviews and it was a great choice. The plot doesn't get boring and it keeps you hooked until the very end. There were parts of the book that got philisophical, but those were few and far between. It was also a fast read and you could pick it up and put it down. Always qualities I look for in a book.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.