The Borgia Betrayal
A Novel
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4.2 • 99 Ratings
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
Before the Tudors, there were the Borgias. More passionate. More dangerous. More deadly.
From the author of Poison, called "stunning"* and "a fascinating page-turner," comes a new historical thriller, featuring the same intriguing and beautiful heroine: Borgia court poisoner, Francesca Giordano.
In the summer of 1493, Rodrigo Borgia, Alexander VI, has been pope for almost a year. Having played a crucial role in helping him ascend the chair of Saint Peter, Francesca, haunted by the shadows of her own past, is now charged with keeping him there. As court poisoner to the most notorious and dangerous family in Italy, this mistress of death faces a web of peril, intrigue, and deceit that threatens to extinguish the light of the Renaissance.
As dangers close in from every direction, Francesca conceives a desperate plan that puts her own life at risk and hurls her into a nightmare confrontation with a madman intent on destroying all she is pledged to protect. From the hidden crypts of fifteenth-century Rome to its teeming streets alive with sensuality, obsession, and treachery, Francesca must battle the demons of her own dark nature to unravel a plot to destroy the Borgias, seize control of Christendom, and plunge the world into eternal darkness.
*Booklist
+Lauren Willig
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The second heady adventure of Renaissance bad girl Francesca Giordano makes last year's Poison look like a mere aperitif, as Poole serves up another aromatic elixir of political power plays, seductive romance, and dark derring-do. The pretty poisoner is the 20-year-old daughter of the late Giovanni Giordano, who served 10 years as poisoner to the House of Borgia and was murdered for his efforts. Francesca now serves Pope Alexander IV, also known as Rodrigo Borgia. Although involved with Borgia's eldest son, Cesare, Francesca still cares for a glassmaker who introduced her to a secret scientific society called the "Lux." She strives to protect the pope and avenge her father's death by killing Bernardo Morozzi, the man responsible, who is himself intent on killing her (whom he's dubbed "the witch"), as well as the pope, thus removing Borgia from power and replacing him with someone he can control. A nice accompaniment for this spring's The Borgias TV series, Poole's hypnotic, richly detailed historical provides an illuminating portrait of Italy's most powerful Renaissance family.
Customer Reviews
The poisoner
Great read! The second book as well.
A view into the past
A great read that gives a heroine power in a world where women were used as barter by all men. This was especially true for daughters of nobles so one can only imagine the fate of a commoner. brava !