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tippyloohoo's review against another edition
4.0
There are no friends in Venice.
Laura della Scala has been in a convent for the last six years. Her father sent her there when he could no longer afford two daughters. La Muta - The Silent One - is what they call her there. She should remember that name. While there a man comes to the infirmary, thrashing and sick, Laura must subdue him and feed him medicine. Once healed the man, whom Laura does not know, make her promise to never utter a word of his condition. But who would she tell? She's just a convent girl. That is until she's told by the abbess that she's to leave the convent and go home. Her father has called for her, she's going home, she'll finally see her beloved sister once more.
But it is not the happy reunion Laura was hoping for. She arrives home to find her house in shambles and her sister, Beatrice, dead. And now she must marry her sister's fiance so that her father's reputation can be saved. It is not something Laura looks forward to, marring a man she has never met. The prospect is made worse when she finally meets him. So when she is approached by the Segreta - The Secret Ones - and told that they can help her for the price of a secret Laura thinks she has been saved. However, not all is what it appears. As Laura has learned, the fee is never paid.
Oh holy squeal! I loved this book. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen and who was who the tables were turned. Cross My Heart is such an amazing novel of love and suspense. I was left gasping so often I just could not put the book down. And thankfully it's going to be a series. I can't wait to read the next book, Heart of Glass.
Laura della Scala has been in a convent for the last six years. Her father sent her there when he could no longer afford two daughters. La Muta - The Silent One - is what they call her there. She should remember that name. While there a man comes to the infirmary, thrashing and sick, Laura must subdue him and feed him medicine. Once healed the man, whom Laura does not know, make her promise to never utter a word of his condition. But who would she tell? She's just a convent girl. That is until she's told by the abbess that she's to leave the convent and go home. Her father has called for her, she's going home, she'll finally see her beloved sister once more.
But it is not the happy reunion Laura was hoping for. She arrives home to find her house in shambles and her sister, Beatrice, dead. And now she must marry her sister's fiance so that her father's reputation can be saved. It is not something Laura looks forward to, marring a man she has never met. The prospect is made worse when she finally meets him. So when she is approached by the Segreta - The Secret Ones - and told that they can help her for the price of a secret Laura thinks she has been saved. However, not all is what it appears. As Laura has learned, the fee is never paid.
Oh holy squeal! I loved this book. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen and who was who the tables were turned. Cross My Heart is such an amazing novel of love and suspense. I was left gasping so often I just could not put the book down. And thankfully it's going to be a series. I can't wait to read the next book, Heart of Glass.
justlily's review against another edition
DNF at page 60. I'm bored out of my mind and I can't keep pretending that it's going to get better.
sparklingreader's review against another edition
4.0
What is your secret?
Sixteen-year-old Laura della Scala has spent most of her life in the convent under the stern eye of the abbess. When her father frees her from her prison, she is happy that she will be reunited with her sister, Beatrice. Unfortunately, Laura learns that her sister is dead and she herself is now engaged to Beatrice’s fiancé, Vincenzo, a repulsive old man with foul breath and fouler manners.
In desperation, Laura appeals to the Segreta, a shadowy powerful society made up of women of Venice. Thus begins Laura’s integration into a group that may have been responsible for her sister’s death. In order to get their help, she must give them a secret—something only she knows and that is powerful enough to warrant their help. From her time in the infirmary in the convent, she knows one that could be dangerous to a powerful family.
This is a historical novel that takes place in 1585 Venice. It is a story of intrigue, murder, power, politics and vengeance. It is also a story of love, trust and acceptance.
This is not the usual type of story I read. There are no ghosts, time travel or other paranormal aspects. What there is, is an excellent story well told with beautiful imagery. It caught my attention, held it and kept me reading. If you like literary historical fiction, definitely pick this one up. If you want just a nice story with a little mystery, a little mayhem, and a little romance, this is also a good one for you. Unfortunately, it won’t be out until March of 2012, but keep it on your list.
Sixteen-year-old Laura della Scala has spent most of her life in the convent under the stern eye of the abbess. When her father frees her from her prison, she is happy that she will be reunited with her sister, Beatrice. Unfortunately, Laura learns that her sister is dead and she herself is now engaged to Beatrice’s fiancé, Vincenzo, a repulsive old man with foul breath and fouler manners.
In desperation, Laura appeals to the Segreta, a shadowy powerful society made up of women of Venice. Thus begins Laura’s integration into a group that may have been responsible for her sister’s death. In order to get their help, she must give them a secret—something only she knows and that is powerful enough to warrant their help. From her time in the infirmary in the convent, she knows one that could be dangerous to a powerful family.
This is a historical novel that takes place in 1585 Venice. It is a story of intrigue, murder, power, politics and vengeance. It is also a story of love, trust and acceptance.
This is not the usual type of story I read. There are no ghosts, time travel or other paranormal aspects. What there is, is an excellent story well told with beautiful imagery. It caught my attention, held it and kept me reading. If you like literary historical fiction, definitely pick this one up. If you want just a nice story with a little mystery, a little mayhem, and a little romance, this is also a good one for you. Unfortunately, it won’t be out until March of 2012, but keep it on your list.
postitsandpens's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5 stars, but rounding up because it really was a nice, suspenseful, well-written story.
Thank you to Random House Children's Books and Delacorte BFYR (via NetGalley) for the e-galley of Cross My Heart.
Laura della Scala was sent to a convent when she was ten years old, when her father decided he couldn't raise both her and her sister after their mother's death. Several years later, she's been recalled to her father's house, where she finds out that her sister, Beatrice, has died, and it's now fallen to Laura to marry Beatrice's fiance, Vincenzo, in order to save their father from ruin. Vincenzo, however, is a disgusting old man, and Laura despairs over the turn her life has taken. She is therefore surprised when a group of women known as the Segreta approach her and tell her they can save her from Vincenzo, if she can provide them with a worthwhile secret. And thus, Laura is launched into a new life where no one can be trusted, and she must learn to find her strength and stand up for herself if she's to have the life she wants.
I really enjoyed this book. I felt like Laura was a sympathetic character who goes from being thrust from one situation to another as she tries to adjust to her new life outside of the convent (with no help from anyone) to a heroine with a definite backbone who stands up to her father and tries to figure out the truth behind her sister's death. She doesn't know who to trust, because while she realizes how powerful the Segreta are - they do manage to get her away from Vincenzo, after all - she starts to suspect that they may have played a role in her sister's death. There's also a handsome painter who ensnares Laura and has his own secrets, and her sister's best friend who is perhaps hiding some things as well. I really liked Laura's journey in this story; I was really pulling for her happily-ever-after. The atmospheric prose was also first-rate, especially that describing Laura's night-time wanderings and gondola rides. All in all, this was a really engrossing, engaging read that I enjoyed from beginning to end.
Cross My Heart will be released on March 13, 2012.
Thank you to Random House Children's Books and Delacorte BFYR (via NetGalley) for the e-galley of Cross My Heart.
Laura della Scala was sent to a convent when she was ten years old, when her father decided he couldn't raise both her and her sister after their mother's death. Several years later, she's been recalled to her father's house, where she finds out that her sister, Beatrice, has died, and it's now fallen to Laura to marry Beatrice's fiance, Vincenzo, in order to save their father from ruin. Vincenzo, however, is a disgusting old man, and Laura despairs over the turn her life has taken. She is therefore surprised when a group of women known as the Segreta approach her and tell her they can save her from Vincenzo, if she can provide them with a worthwhile secret. And thus, Laura is launched into a new life where no one can be trusted, and she must learn to find her strength and stand up for herself if she's to have the life she wants.
I really enjoyed this book. I felt like Laura was a sympathetic character who goes from being thrust from one situation to another as she tries to adjust to her new life outside of the convent (with no help from anyone) to a heroine with a definite backbone who stands up to her father and tries to figure out the truth behind her sister's death. She doesn't know who to trust, because while she realizes how powerful the Segreta are - they do manage to get her away from Vincenzo, after all - she starts to suspect that they may have played a role in her sister's death. There's also a handsome painter who ensnares Laura and has his own secrets, and her sister's best friend who is perhaps hiding some things as well. I really liked Laura's journey in this story; I was really pulling for her happily-ever-after. The atmospheric prose was also first-rate, especially that describing Laura's night-time wanderings and gondola rides. All in all, this was a really engrossing, engaging read that I enjoyed from beginning to end.
Cross My Heart will be released on March 13, 2012.
tbandlerjohnson's review against another edition
3.0
Main Idea: I would recommend picking up this book if you are in the mood for a quick, not too intense mystery/historical fiction book. It was very enjoyable from start to finish and definitely had me guessing!
This was one of the first historical fiction books I have read in a while, and I really enjoyed it! We follow Laura as she is released from the convent her father left her in to discover that her best friend and older sister, Beatrice, is dead. Her father now expects her to act as her older sister, acting as the proper girl that society deems appropriate. She has also been pledged to marry her sister's fiance, Vincenzo who is basically completely disgusting. She learns about the Segreta, a secret society who promises to help her as long as she gives them a secret. And then the story goes on from there.
I loved the whole mystery aspect of the story. She is very suspicious that her sister's death was not an accident, but a murder. However, she begins to suspect the very society she has taken an oath to be a part of. So, yeah, that was very intense and intriguing! There is also a very attractive Italian man that Laura meets who has a few secrets of his own up his sleeve.
I enjoyed the story, however it wasn't very complicated at all. It was kind of point-blank... not much else going on besides the main plot of the story. But, sometimes simple is good! All in all, this was a historical fiction story that I really enjoyed!
This was one of the first historical fiction books I have read in a while, and I really enjoyed it! We follow Laura as she is released from the convent her father left her in to discover that her best friend and older sister, Beatrice, is dead. Her father now expects her to act as her older sister, acting as the proper girl that society deems appropriate. She has also been pledged to marry her sister's fiance, Vincenzo who is basically completely disgusting. She learns about the Segreta, a secret society who promises to help her as long as she gives them a secret. And then the story goes on from there.
I loved the whole mystery aspect of the story. She is very suspicious that her sister's death was not an accident, but a murder. However, she begins to suspect the very society she has taken an oath to be a part of. So, yeah, that was very intense and intriguing! There is also a very attractive Italian man that Laura meets who has a few secrets of his own up his sleeve.
I enjoyed the story, however it wasn't very complicated at all. It was kind of point-blank... not much else going on besides the main plot of the story. But, sometimes simple is good! All in all, this was a historical fiction story that I really enjoyed!
kricketa's review against another edition
3.0
laura's father cannot afford two daughters, so he sends laura to a convent and plans to marry her older sister beatrice to the highest bidder. when beatrice mysteriously drowns, laura is plucked from the convent to marry in her place. to her dismay, her new fiance is a nasty old man with bad breath. and laura has a crush on a humble painter she has met at a party. as it is sixteenth-century venice, laura doesn't have many options until she is invited to a secret society. but what is the cost of her joining?
i had a bit of trouble getting into this, but once i got sucked in it was a fun-enough read with a surprise twisty ending.
i had a bit of trouble getting into this, but once i got sucked in it was a fun-enough read with a surprise twisty ending.
anabatel1's review against another edition
3.0
Quite interesting at the beginning but became too slow. The ending is dissapointing, expected much more!
nikolita's review against another edition
3.0
More like a 3.5, for sure. I picked up this book after first reading about its sequel - one that I'll certainly be reading in the future - and generally enjoyed the story. Gould's writing was nice, very atmospheric. My only complaint was how Laura (and may I add: I desperately wished her name was more Italian, like literally everyone else named in the book) had her more bland moments. I wish the relationship between the painter and Laura had more time to develop, though I do try to keep in mind that things were much different in 16th century Venice. Nevertheless, more things could have been developed throughout the book and perhaps the sequel will be a continuation of what was left out. For example, the Doge and his illness, or Paulina's hesitance toward her new husband when it was revealed that he wasn't the first born any longer? I can only hope the sequel includes these bits.