K.M. Butler

I was pleasantly surprised by this intriguiing historical novel set in Medieval Venice. It weaves a plausible explanation for a murky event in Venetian history, and mixes the fictional Aretoli family with many actual historic figures. Although there is certainly murder, intrigue, romance and vendetta in the tale, it is surpisingly restrained, and the story is the better for it, I think. I rather expected the stereotypical emotionalism associated with Italian characters, but Niccolo Aretoli, show more the protagonist, is surprisingly introspective and thoughtful. The author maintains that the Venetian character is less emotional than the Southern Italian character, and I have no reason not to take him at his word.

The primary strength of this novel is the political intrigue, and the personal struggles of Niccolo to balance the necessary against the moral. The family struggles are well drawn, and poignant, The romance falls a bit flat.

Overall, a very entertaining novel.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. show less

I've really enjoyed this novel. I very much appreciate alternating perspectives when done well (as is the case here) because it allows for a more full narrative and nuanced views of situations. This was particularly true in approach to religion. I was initially concerned that the Muslim "invaders" were going to be the obvious bad guys which, given the political climate I currently live in, was making me uncomfortable but it soon became apparent that those prejudices were on the part of one show more narrator who was living under a specific type of oppression and that the opposite was presented as well. Character descriptions were primarily seen in dialogue rather than written directly, which I also appreciate because the whole women written poorly schtick is getting old and I'd rather see a person through someone's eyes than just directly written in text; it just feels more natural to me. The interplay of characters and the development of the two MCs (one female, one male) felt natural in both initial interactions and growth throughout. I look forward to seeing more from this author. show less

I enjoyed this novel immensely. It had all the elements I love: Adventure, romance, forbidden love, war, political intrigue. And it’s based on real events: two noble people who fall in love and fight to have the life together that the world around them would deny.

It is told through both Judith and Roger’s perspective. We follow Roger as he sets off for Italy where his older brothers have conquered land and created fiefdoms and titles themselves, and who greet Roger as a suspicious show more upstart. We follow him as he tries to prove his worth by fighting their battles and winning the hearts and minds of the people he helps in doing so.

We follow Judith’s story as she fights off the more suitable suitors her father wants her to marry, but also as she flees to a convent and takes up residence to await her lover’s return. We also learn how she supports herself and the convent by creating the new fashion designs that the nobility craves.

We learn a lot about a period of time that I was unfamiliar with, how Norman nobles invaded Italy, fighting off the Lombards and Byzantines and Saracens to create their fiefdoms. On top of that, we have two passionate and noble protagonists who truly are honorable and try to live true to their Christian faith.

I enjoyed Roger’s adventures even more than Judith’s. Probably because of that political intrigue and the cunning he used devising the battle strategies needed to prove himself and win a title. But also the way he won over the Lombards and Byzantines and Saracens who saw in him a leader who could govern wisely. Both Roger and Judith’s journeys were rich in historical detail and emotional depth.

I enjoyed this novel so much I bought another of his novels: The Raven and the Dove: A novel of Viking Normandy. show less

I was enjoying reading this historical novel set in the 11th century Spain, loved the adventure trek fraught with danger and peril, chuckled at the love at second sight romance, and then came the first night pillow talk. I was pulled back into 2025 with their all too contemporary to be medieval sweet nothings. Overall, a fun read. My thanks to Librarything and the author for a complimentary copy of this new book.