For the first time in one volume, Jean Plaidy’s duet of Borgia novels brings to life the infamous, reckless, and passionate family in an unforgettable historical saga.Madonna of the Seven Hills: Fifteenth-century Rome: the Borgia family is on the rise. Lucrezia’s father is named Pope Alexander VI, and he places his daughter and her brothers Cesare, Giovanni, and Goffredo in the jeweled … Goffredo in the jeweled splendor—and scandal—of his court. From the Pope’s affairs with adolescent girls, to Cesare’s dangerous jealousy of anyone who inspires Lucrezia’s affections, to the ominous birth of a child conceived in secret, no Borgia can elude infamy.
Light on Lucrezia:
Some said she was an elegant seductress. Others swore she was an incestuous murderess. She was the most dangerous and sought after woman in all of Rome. Lucrezia Borgia’s young life has been colored by violence and betrayal. Now, married for the second time at just eighteen she hopes for happiness with her handsome husband Alfonso. But faced with brutal murder, she’s soon torn between her love for her husband and her devotion to her brother Cesare… And in the days when the Borgias ruled Italy, no one was safe from the long arm of their power. Not even Lucrezia.
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It is an interesting book on a very important family in the Renaissance and afterward. It leaves the reader sad
begins to drag after a while.
I am having such a hard time getting through this book. I love historical novels but this one is so redundant. Yes the father pope loves his children. Lucrecia is so beautiful. One brother is so cruel and jealous……. I honestly felt blah, blah , blah.
I am about 30% through this book and don’t think I will waste my time finishing it.
Just a great book
I really enjoyed the book and was surprised at the portrayal of Lucretia as a tender, caring woman, rather than evil as some other of the Borgia characters are portrayed. I would have given it 5 stars, but I felt that the last part of the story was rushed through just to finish. I am very sorry to have to say that.
Always the best at historical fiction.
This is an historical novel , just too long! Pretty close to actual events!
A different view on her
Writer goes on and on about nothing. Totally painful to try and finish. Forget it.
i generally like historical fiction and this one did not disappoint. I am not to familiar with this papal period so it is informative as well as entertaining.
A great history of the Borgia family and the corruption in the 1400’s.
A fairly good book; interesting characters, but at all what I expected
Great book. Poor Lucrezia. I always thought of her as a corrupt murderer. Tuned out I was so wrong.
My first reading of the Borgias family. Well written. I couldn’t put the book down. I understand that the book portrays Lucrezia as much less evil than other writers or the TV series. She was certainly controlled by her father and brother. Will look into more writings by Jean Plaidy.
An interesting view of Lucretia Borgia. Very different from how history has painted her.
It’s actually 2 books.. he presents a picture of the Borgia family with emphasis on Lucretia. It has all the usual facts and conflicts that have been presented before in print and HBO, but uses her eyes and personality to move the history rather than family ambition. I couldn’ t put it down
I really wanted to like this book, but I found the first part tedious. Too much conversation. I could not empathize with Lucretia. But I wanted to know more about this infamous family so I finished reading the book.
Like eating steak with no teeth. The Borgias! One of the evilest names in history. Don’t expect details here. Lucrezia….poisoner extraordinaire, right? Nope sweet and misunderstood. Even Cesare, admittedly evil, is garnished with no details. It was well written, however, and is easy to cruise through both books.
Wonderful historical fiction about the Borgia family
Sad glimpse into history of the papacy