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In the tradition of The Birth of Venus and The Other Boleyn Girl, Jeanne Kalogris' The Borgia Bride is novel is about an actual historical figure, Sancha of Aragon, a young princess from Naples who marries into the decadent Court of the Borgias and finds herself caught between her dangerous passion for handsome Cesare Borgia and the ferocious jealousy of his sister Lucrezia — who is also her brother's mistress
Incest. Poison. Betrayal.Three wedding presents for the Borgia bride.
Italy 1492.Pope Alexander VI is elected. And so begins the Borgia reign of terror. Alexander murders,bribes and betrays to establish his dynasty.Rome is a hotbed of accusation and conspiracy. Every day,the River Tiber is full of new bodies.Sancha of Aragon,daughter of King Alfonso II of Naples, arrives in Rome newly wed to Alexander's youngest son, Jofre. Their marriage protects Naples against the ambitions of the French King Louis and gains Spanish support for the Borgias. But Rome is very different from her beloved Naples.The debauchery of the Borgia inner-circle is notorious: every lust is indulged and every indiscretion overlooked. It is an open secret that the beautiful and tantalizing Lucrezia Borgia is involved in sexual liaisons with both her father, the Pope, and her devastatingly handsome but sadistic brother, Cesare. Sancha is no innocent: she possesses an indomitable spirit that allows her to survive in the snake-pit, but her paternal ancestors once rivaled the Borgias in cruelty and Sancha's greatest fear is that her father's nefarious blood will dominate the sweet, humanitarian legacy of her mother. Lucrezia's vicious jealousy stings Sancha at first, but gradually the two young women develop a cautious friendship. But when Cesare's malice turns on Sancha and her beloved brother, she must summon her dark side and do whatever it takes to protect her country, her family, and herself.
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/
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.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!
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 11, 2009
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.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.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.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 25, 2010
I Also Recommend:
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.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.History-Reader
Posted November 15, 2009
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!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 22, 2012
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.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 18, 2011
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.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 26, 2011
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!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 11, 2011
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!
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 14, 2013
Couldn't put this book down. Well written.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 19, 2012
Good piece of historical fiction! The story really keeps you intrigued.
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Posted December 14, 2011
Very good, keeps you wondering on how things are if this story is based on real facts
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.6563580
Posted October 8, 2011
Great read although i'd have liked to see a tad bit more character devlopement
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.6045726
Posted September 9, 2011
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.
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Posted July 29, 2011
Finally I found a historical fiction novel that I enjoyed almost enough as the Gregor novels.
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Posted July 10, 2011
Wonderful book, story is woven togather with many unexpected twists and turns. It would make a great movie, I couldn't put it down.
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Posted July 3, 2011
Read while vacationing in myrtle beach for a week. Loved it!
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Posted July 2, 2011
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Anonymous
Posted January 1, 2013
Truly my all time favorite historical novel. Well written, fast pasted, good historical research. The characters were formidable and well described to make you feel like you know each and every one of them. Couldn't put out down till i read it to the end
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Overview
In the tradition of The Birth of Venus and The Other Boleyn Girl, Jeanne Kalogris' The Borgia Bride is novel is about an actual historical figure, Sancha of Aragon, a young princess from Naples who marries into the decadent Court of the Borgias and finds herself caught between her dangerous passion for handsome Cesare Borgia and the ferocious jealousy of his sister Lucrezia — who is also her brother's mistress
Incest. Poison. ...