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mjporterauthor's review against another edition
Unable to finish this one. The writing style was really tough going. Not for me at all.
travelingkayte's review against another edition
5.0
Received this free as a Goodreads First Reads
I enjoyed this tale immensely. It weaves fact and fiction into a spellbinding web of intrigue. As with many historical fiction I wish there was a way to know which bits and pieces, as you read, are historically accurate and true and which information is the imagination of the author.
I enjoyed this tale immensely. It weaves fact and fiction into a spellbinding web of intrigue. As with many historical fiction I wish there was a way to know which bits and pieces, as you read, are historically accurate and true and which information is the imagination of the author.
sansaology's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ludabega's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
cosmith2015's review against another edition
4.0
This was for my author whom was over 65 for the Bookriots read harder challenge for 2015
Overall:
Ms. Dunant did a splendid job of portraying five years of the Borgias. This is the sixth book that I have read that involved the Borgia's (The Poison series by Sarah Pool, Mirror Mirror by Gregory Maguire and The Borgia Bride by Jeanne Kalogridis) and the differences between them are astounding. Key examples include the behavior of Sancia, the nature of Lucrezia, and Rodrigo's personality.
Good:
What I liked most about Blood and Beauty was the liberties she didn't take. There is a lot of speculation and infamy among the Borgia family and many stories regarding them like to really play on that. Ms. Dunant didn't do that. She did highlight some of the infamous things (such as Lucrezia being lover of both Cesar and Rodrigo), but didn't run away with it. I.e. She showed how fiercely Cesar loved Lucrezia, but didn't have any incest involved. This is seen throughout the book in forms of the Infans Romulus, the murder of Juan, and a few others.
I enjoyed her portrayal of the Borgia family. So often the Borgias (in particular Cesar and Lucrezia) are demonized and portrayed as cold hearted murderers whom only cared about lust and money. Frequently Cesar is portrayed as a rage filled killing machine instead of a calculating level headed tactician. While it is impossible to know what they were really like, it is refreshing to see the change.
Things for improvement:
I would've liked to have more of Rome and the various places (like France or Spoleto). While she did a splendid job describing places like the Pope's apartments, I would've liked to have actually seen more of Rome and not just a few key locations.
While she did divide it up a bit between focusing on Rodrigo in the beginning then switching to Lucrezia with a final focus of Cesar, I would've liked the format to be different and the inclusion of Jofre and Juan more than just being interwoven in the story.
Another thing she could've improved on was making it sound more like a story. I'm not exactly what it was about the writing. She certainly had great descriptions and did a great job showcasing the characters.. There was just something about it.
Overall:
Ms. Dunant did a splendid job of portraying five years of the Borgias. This is the sixth book that I have read that involved the Borgia's (The Poison series by Sarah Pool, Mirror Mirror by Gregory Maguire and The Borgia Bride by Jeanne Kalogridis) and the differences between them are astounding. Key examples include the behavior of Sancia, the nature of Lucrezia, and Rodrigo's personality.
Good:
What I liked most about Blood and Beauty was the liberties she
I enjoyed her portrayal of the Borgia family. So often the Borgias (in particular Cesar and Lucrezia) are demonized and portrayed as cold hearted murderers whom only cared about lust and money. Frequently Cesar is portrayed as a rage filled killing machine instead of a calculating level headed tactician. While it is impossible to know what they were really like, it is refreshing to see the change.
Things for improvement:
I would've liked to have more of Rome and the various places (like France or Spoleto). While she did a splendid job describing places like the Pope's apartments, I would've liked to have actually seen more of Rome and not just a few key locations.
While she did divide it up a bit between focusing on Rodrigo in the beginning then switching to Lucrezia with a final focus of Cesar, I would've liked the format to be different and the inclusion of Jofre and Juan more than just being interwoven in the story.
Another thing she could've improved on was making it sound more like a story. I'm not exactly what it was about the writing. She certainly had great descriptions and did a great job showcasing the characters.. There was just something about it.
mjoyced's review against another edition
4.0
Unlike all of Sarah Dunant's other historical novels, this one took me a while to get through with several stops and starts. Maybe because it switched perspectives so often between many characters, which gave a fullness to the stories being told, but slowed the pace of the plot. Again, Dunant's novel paints a picture of not just historical figures, but more of the period and lifestyle of the time that they inhabit, pointing out the why's and where's of the characters decisions that could not be seen without their context.
joeb94's review against another edition
It is soooooo slow and boring. If you are into information packed historical fiction, you might like it. On top of that, the prose is complicated in ways that is not necessary. I am a fan of beautiful prose bt it needs the right story and serves a purpose bt this one feels more like a pain in the ass than enjoyable prose. Overall, I'm not interested or intrigued in following it.
krobart's review against another edition
4.0
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2015/08/12/day-753-blood-beauty/
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2015/08/12/day-753-blood-beauty/
ifyouhappentoremember's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
The Borgias are an infamous bunch, and any book written about them will be filled with some of the highest levels of drama and intrigue. There is so much happening, a lot of moving pieces that the reader needs to keep track of, that it sometimes works to the book's detriment. Things can get dry when Dunant is giving readers much-needed historical context. Overall, I had an enjoyable time reading this book.
I hope to continue with the series (but perhaps will not start immediately as I think I will focus on something lighter for my next read).
The Borgias are an infamous bunch, and any book written about them will be filled with some of the highest levels of drama and intrigue. There is so much happening, a lot of moving pieces that the reader needs to keep track of, that it sometimes works to the book's detriment. Things can get dry when Dunant is giving readers much-needed historical context. Overall, I had an enjoyable time reading this book.
I hope to continue with the series (but perhaps will not start immediately as I think I will focus on something lighter for my next read).