House Aretoli: A Novel of Medieval Venice

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, 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 show more 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

"House Aretoli" is a spellbinding entry into the fantasy genre, offering readers a meticulously crafted world brimming with imaginative details. K.M. Butler's vivid prose brings the landscapes, cultures, and magical elements of Elysium to life, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the story's enchanting atmosphere. The author's descriptive prowess extends to the characters as well, creating a diverse cast that feels both relatable and intriguing.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its exploration of complex characters and their motivations. Lady Elara Aretoli is a standout protagonist, a multifaceted character whose growth and development throughout the story make her journey compelling and relatable. The supporting cast show more members, from cunning courtiers to enigmatic mentors, add depth to the narrative and keep readers engaged.

The plot weaves together elements of political intrigue, magical discovery, and personal struggles, forming a tapestry of intertwining storylines that keep the reader guessing. The balance between world-building and character development is well-maintained, and the pacing keeps the tension consistently high. The integration of ancient prophecies and forbidden magic adds an additional layer of mystery and urgency to the narrative, driving the plot forward.

K.M. Butler's writing style is elegant and evocative, enhancing the overall reading experience. The author's attention to detail not only extends to the physical settings but also to the cultural nuances and dynamics between the various houses and factions within Elysium. This attention to detail enriches the story's world-building and adds depth to the conflicts that arise.

In conclusion, "House Aretoli" is a captivating fantasy novel that successfully combines intricate world-building, compelling characters, and a gripping plot. K.M. Butler's skillful storytelling and imaginative prose make for an engaging read that will appeal to fans of the fantasy genre. With its blend of magic, politics, and personal growth, this book establishes itself as a noteworthy addition to the realm of fantasy literature. show less

I was expecting a historical mystery story but after reading the publisher's summary I realized that was a faulty expectation. The book is more historical fiction than mystery, although there are mysteries that need to be resolved in the plot. This is not to say that I was bored. I enjoyed reading about the Aretoli family dynamics but was expecting Flavio and Niccolo to be as close as they were before Niccolo went off to fight in Crete. This was probably not realistic given that Flavio married Niccolo's girlfriend while he was away. As the oldest son, Flavio should have been more assertive than Niccolo. Instead, Flavio was intimidated by his younger brother and carried a lot of angst over their relationship post Crete. He eventually show more became an angry and vindictive person which I did not see coming. Niccolo kept his emotions to himself and found ways to keep busy in order to avoid expressing them. He is definitely the hero of the story. Their relationship, though, is what this story is ultimately about. Niccolò had the support of his father Angelo. Angelo saw too many faults in his oldest son and preferred that Niccolo run the family business. He helped him excel in the Senate. This is what made Flavio so jealous and he consequently became a vindictive man. There were two sisters and another brother in the Aretoli family. Youngest brother Marco did not involve himself in the family business, preferring to study painting. Oldest sister Asparia was the most politically astute member of the family and I loved hearing her tell the boys what was really happening in Venice and how they should handle the family’s interests. Camilla, the baby of the family, rounds out the Aretoli cast of characters. The family has some amazing characters. With the Venetian families of Dandolo, Brattori, Feratollo and Madina offering conflict for them, I think this would make a great series. show less

3.75 stars

In 14th century Venice, when Niccolo and Flavio’s father was murdered by high-ranking senators, the city doge wants to cover it up. Their father was also high-ranking, in politics and as a merchant. Niccolo and Flavio have different ideas on how they want to settle things. Flavio makes a deal with the doge to keep things quiet in exchange for some perks, whereas Niccolo just wants revenge. But he is, of course, in danger with this attitude, so must leave the city to figure out how he will exact that revenge. Their two sisters and younger brother are torn on which brother they agree with.

I didn’t think Niccolo’s stance was terribly brilliant, but of course, I live in a very different place and time. So, initially I show more agreed with Flavio (in part… not necessarily with the deal he made, just that violence might not be the way to go). Of course, things didn’t quite go as Flavio had hoped. I actually was a bit bored with the very start of the book (up until their father was killed), but from that point on, it got much better, I thought. It was interesting to read the author’s note afterward – though the Aretoli family was fictional, there was a bit of a “mystery” surrounding the doge at that time in Venice, and some of the other characters were also based on real people. show less

Caught up in a rebellion on Venice’s territory of Crete, Niccolo Aretoli returns as a hero after saving the governor’s life and evacuating the loyal citizenry. Yet despite his new fame, not all is well in Venice. While he was away, Niccolo’s beloved Rosalia entered an arranged marriage with Niccolo’s brother Flavio, to safeguard her family from ruin. And that is not the only problem in House Aretoli. From brothel to Senate, through marriage and loss, the sons and daughters of House Aretoli struggle against spies, treachery, and assassination. Chased on land and sea by enemies and betrayed by his closest allies, Niccolo must overcome a conspiracy that threatens his survival, the lives of his family, and the very existence of the show more republic itself.
This book started off slowly but stick with it – it’s worth it. I don’t put spoilers in my reviews, but there is one life-changing event in the story that starts the fast progression of the plot. I loved reading about the family dynamics within House Aretoli and how things change as jealousy and political intrigue take over. The story is beautifully written and filled with action and suspense. I definitely can see this book as an epic movie or sweeping mini-series. I highly recommend this book to anyone that likes historical fiction.
Thanks to LibraryThing, K.M. Butler, and Fawkes Press for providing a complimentary copy of this book in hopes that I will leave my unbiased review. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and the above review is simply my opinion of the book. show less

K.M. Butler's book House Aretoli: A novel of Venice was an enjoyable book that hit all the points. It has intrigue, revolt, love lost through an arranged political marriage, honor & betrayal from a beloved family member.
Venetian merchant family Aretoli's second son maritime Captain Niccoli is on the island of Crete amid a revolt and anticipates going home to Venice & the woman he loves, Rosalia Cornaro. Unknown to Niccoli until he reaches port, his older brother Flavio has already married Rosalia in a political move orchestrated by the brothers father, whom in time realizes the error of his actions in an attempt to secure political standing and curry favor.
One brother is corrupted by jealousy, power & prestige and the other brother show more tries to make the right decisions for his family his country and himself. The other remaining siblings are caught up in the drama & try to align themselves accordingly which is made interesting in that for this time period women in Venice were still very much under their family rule and influence.The sisters and third brothers stories are as intriguing as the main plot.
As the story progresses each brother makes choices that will change the course of their family dynasty and the lives of other Venetians and themselves.
I received a free advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.” show less

This book is a fantastic journey back to Venice, Italy in 1365! We are introduced to the Aretoli family. This family is a merchant family. The story is primarily about the relationships of the 2 eldest brothers—Flavio and Niccolo--the decisions that they make and the consequences of those decisions on the rest of the family. Competition and betrayal between the two brothers goes beyond simple sibling rivalry and extends to the entire family as well as officials of the Venetian government.
The adventure continues as one brother is forced to go to a foreign land for his safety. Pirates, a war, and betrayal all around make for an exciting story. I found this book to be impossible to put down. The characters are well developed, and the show more ending was very satisfying.
I really enjoyed this book! I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the characters as well as the customs and history of this time in this part of the world. If you like historical fiction, I think this book is for you! show less