This book got me so into the Italian Renaissance and its politics that after finishing, I started watching the new Medici series on Netflix and from that I went into the Borgias. Let's just say, that watching that series after finishing this book was a real eye-opener and fun watch. LOL. This book was my first introduction to the author, and it was a beautiful one. The book draws you in with a lush setting and characters that never fall neatly into evil or good. I loved every aspect of it.

I don't read many works from the Italian Renaissance era; I think I need to rectify that ASAP after reading this one. I felt like I experienced every moment with the characters. From the sun-dappled shores of southern Italy to the hustle and bustle of massive Rome to the deadly intrigues of both, this book draws the reader into the past like a great historical fiction should. The author pays attention to the little detail along with the grand historical events.

I love Sacha! She's such a strong character with a great capacity to love and hate in equal measure. She'll go to incredible lengths to protect the ones she loves and revenge those betrayed. I love that she's as capable of murder as she is comfort; it's not often that we see one character with the capacity for both in equal measure. Her quick intelligence, bright political acumen, and survival instinct round out her brilliant personality.

All the other characters that round out this gang of misfits also shine bright. Cesare is one of those characters that you love to hate. He's just as likely to stab you in the back as he is to be devoted to you. In the end, he's only looking out for numero uno. All the other background characters are as three dimensional as Cesare and Sancha, giving us a cast of strong personalities to carry off this intrigue filled story.

While this is my first foray into the author’s works, it won't be my last. She has won me over with her lush historical setting and phenomenal characters. She knows how to tell a suspenseful story while giving character development as strong a footing. I would highly recommend this book to any lover of historical fiction, especially lovers of the Italian Renaissance. It got me more interested into the source material, and I can't find any better complement to a historical fiction than that. ( )

I had to read this book as it is set in what would eventually become Italy, one of my most favourite places in the world and when you throw in one of history's most disfunctional families what you get is a really good and for me gripping read. ( )

It was an interesting story but I think it would be upsetting to a Catholic.

This is another book about one of the most horrendous times in the history of religion. Well written and keeps you on the edge. Even if you know the story of the Borgia family this book looks at the family thru the eyes of a bride who has married into the murderous family. Well done ( )

I admit that I knew very little about the Borgia family before I started The Borgia Bride by Jeanne Kalogridis. I knew they were a powerful family in Renaissance Europe and were involved in many political intrigues and rumoured to be involved in the art of poison.

The Borgia Bride tells the story of Sancha of Aragon, a princess of Naples who is given in marriage to the youngest of the Borgia family, Jofre. He is a number of years younger than she, very weak-willed and timid. She is renown for her beauty and her strong will. They are summoned to Rome to be at the side of his father, Pope Alexander. Sancha immediately has to fight off the advances of Jofre’s father, but at the same time falls under the sway of his handsome older brother Cesare. She also manages to befriend her sister-in-law, Lucrezia, but eventually discovers the true nature of this notorious clan. Incest, murder and intrigue are daily indulgences, and she must learn both cunning and deceit to outmanoeuvre this strong, corrupt family..

I don’t know how correct her portrayal of this family is, but she does write the story within an accurate framework of time. Actual historic events are described and the author weaves her story through these events. Although I never felt a true emotional connection to the characters, it was an interesting, titillating story of a sordid yet powerful family. ( )