The Serpent and the Pearl

by Kate Quinn Narrated by Leila Birch, Maria Elena Infantino, Ronan Vibert

Overview

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.

Editorial Reviews

DECEMBER 2013 - AudioFile

Quinn’s engaging historical fiction follows the infamous Borgias, the family of Pope Alexander VI, including the mistress he took just before his election to the papacy. The engaging story is told by three main characters. Each character’s sections are read by a different narrator; Leila Birch and Ronan Vibert give strong performances, immersing the listener in their respective characters. The sections from the point of view of the pope’s mistress are voiced by Maria Elena Infantino, whose performance is somewhat lackluster. Infantino sounds as if she is reading the words for the first time, with no real attention to the pacing or emotions of Quinn’s words. These choices counteract the good work done by Vibert and Birch, making this a disappointing listen overall. J.L.K. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine

DECEMBER 2013 - AudioFile

Quinn’s engaging historical fiction follows the infamous Borgias, the family of Pope Alexander VI, including the mistress he took just before his election to the papacy. The engaging story is told by three main characters. Each character’s sections are read by a different narrator; Leila Birch and Ronan Vibert give strong performances, immersing the listener in their respective characters. The sections from the point of view of the pope’s mistress are voiced by Maria Elena Infantino, whose performance is somewhat lackluster. Infantino sounds as if she is reading the words for the first time, with no real attention to the pacing or emotions of Quinn’s words. These choices counteract the good work done by Vibert and Birch, making this a disappointing listen overall. J.L.K. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171786366
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	08/06/2013
Series:	A Novel of the Borgias , #1
Edition description:	Unabridged
Sales rank:	970,498

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