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anabatel1's review against another edition
3.0
Quite interesting at the beginning but became too slow. The ending is dissapointing, expected much more!
speakinglatin's review against another edition
3.0
Originally posted at Beneath the Jacket:
I love history, so it should be assumed that I enjoy a good historical fiction novel. When I received Cross My Heart, I was so excited. It takes place during the Italian Renaissance and it revolves around a mystery! My mind went right to The Ruby in the Smoke which is one of my favorite historical mysteries. I didn't enjoy this one as much as The Ruby in the Smoke, but Cross My Heart definitely has its positives.
It should be said that Sasha Gould's writing is gorgeous. From the first sentence, I was immediately drawn into the world of Laura, a convent raised girl who is immediately thrust into Venice society by her money and status hungry father. I found it interesting to read about a naive young girl discovering her place in a, previously unknown, society while at the same time trying to solve the mysterious death of her sister. It's this that leads her to the Segreta, a group of women who collect secrets. I found the idea of the Segreta fascinating and wish we got to spend more time within their ranks, but without the mystery surrounding them, Cross My Heart wouldn't be much of a mystery. A few red-herrings were thrown in there and it wasn't until near the finish that I predicted the ending. Good on Sasha Gould!
As interesting as I found Laura's situation she sometimes came across as a little bland for me. It was the characters around her that kept me interested. I also wasn't convinced about the romance that grows between Laura and the painter. If I remember correctly, they only interact in the book three times before they confess their love. Cross My Heart isn't about the romance, but if placed in the book, I still expect to feel it and have it make sense to me. It's just another part of the novel (like the ending) that felt rushed.
All in all, I liked the story and the idea of it, but I feel like the execution could have been a bit more drawn out and detailed.
I love history, so it should be assumed that I enjoy a good historical fiction novel. When I received Cross My Heart, I was so excited. It takes place during the Italian Renaissance and it revolves around a mystery! My mind went right to The Ruby in the Smoke which is one of my favorite historical mysteries. I didn't enjoy this one as much as The Ruby in the Smoke, but Cross My Heart definitely has its positives.
It should be said that Sasha Gould's writing is gorgeous. From the first sentence, I was immediately drawn into the world of Laura, a convent raised girl who is immediately thrust into Venice society by her money and status hungry father. I found it interesting to read about a naive young girl discovering her place in a, previously unknown, society while at the same time trying to solve the mysterious death of her sister. It's this that leads her to the Segreta, a group of women who collect secrets. I found the idea of the Segreta fascinating and wish we got to spend more time within their ranks, but without the mystery surrounding them, Cross My Heart wouldn't be much of a mystery. A few red-herrings were thrown in there and it wasn't until near the finish that I predicted the ending. Good on Sasha Gould!
As interesting as I found Laura's situation she sometimes came across as a little bland for me. It was the characters around her that kept me interested. I also wasn't convinced about the romance that grows between Laura and the painter. If I remember correctly, they only interact in the book three times before they confess their love. Cross My Heart isn't about the romance, but if placed in the book, I still expect to feel it and have it make sense to me. It's just another part of the novel (like the ending) that felt rushed.
All in all, I liked the story and the idea of it, but I feel like the execution could have been a bit more drawn out and detailed.
introvertedbear's review against another edition
2.0
It's a standard love story and also kinda cheesy.
alexandrasramblingreviews's review against another edition
2.5
2.5
This book, while a fast read, never truly reaches it’s potential. I wanted more of the Segrata, I wanted conflicts to actually matter and I wanted the romance more fleshed out or not included at all. Although, I do feel like younger readers would enjoy this, due to lack of depth and a speedy plot it reads quickly and there is enough intrigue to keep you continuing.
It does feel good to read a book that I’ve owned for 5 years finally off my TBR though, I should try it more.
kelseyreadingstuff's review against another edition
4.0
Couldn't put it down! If you're looking for an intriguing, quick read, this one is for you, although I'm kind of a sucker for stories set in Venice. I've been reading books lately that are so incredibly involved, and it was nice to just sit, relax, and read something fun that didn't make my brain hurt.
chwaters's review against another edition
4.0
When Laura Della Scala's sister, Beatrice, drowns in the canals of her hometown of Venice, Laura is plucked from the convent she's been living in for the past six years. Thinking her life is going to become more exciting and comfortable, she is happy with the change. At least, that is, until she is finally told that her sister is dead and that she will be taking Beatrice's place in the marriage that their father had arranged. Laura must now attempt to take her late sister's place in high society as their father's wealth continues to dwindle. He is convinced that the only thing that can possibly keep the small family afloat is a good marriage. Unfortunately, Laura's betrothed is an elderly, disgusting and mean man. Laura is appropriately horrified, much as her sister must have been. Then Laura gets an invitation that just might turn her life around. There is a secret society of women in Venice known as "La Segreta" who wield more power than anyone can possibly fathom. In exchange for getting Laura out of her situation, she must give up a secret. With that, Laura is made a member of the secret society, but quickly begins to realize that they may not be a group Laura can trust. In this world, secrets can be deadly and powerful.
This is a surprisingly short novel that rarely relents in its pacing. Enter the enchanting world of 16th century Venice and dabble in its secrets. My only issue is the naming of the main character. Isn't there something more...Venetian...sounding aside from Laura? Everything else feels so authentic, but the name "Laura" feels too modern to me. Anyway, a mildly intoxicating read.
This is a surprisingly short novel that rarely relents in its pacing. Enter the enchanting world of 16th century Venice and dabble in its secrets. My only issue is the naming of the main character. Isn't there something more...Venetian...sounding aside from Laura? Everything else feels so authentic, but the name "Laura" feels too modern to me. Anyway, a mildly intoxicating read.
jaymeshaw's review against another edition
3.0
A decent quick read. Nothing too revolutionary and fairly predictable.
sungmemoonstruck's review against another edition
3.0
An intriguing, twisty work of historical fiction set in Renaissance Venice and filled with vivid detail, plentiful plotting, and a dash of romance.
aprilbooksandwine's review against another edition
4.0
I’d like to do something totally 90s and ‘raise the roof’ over the fact that YA historical fiction has finally taken on RENAISSANCE VENICE. Y’all, I have this very romanticized, ideal notion of Venice – think sexy gondolas and starlit nights and ART and buildings. Yo, Cross My Heart by Sasha Gould is a debut that totally brings the sexy, but also the sinister.
Read the rest of my review here
Read the rest of my review here
folklaureate's review against another edition
4.0
More reviews at Rondo of a Possible World: YA Book Reviews
I have an overwhelming love for Assassins' Creed II, I am overly Italian, my dream is to go to Italy. How could I give up an opportunity to read Cross My Heart? Answer: I couldn't. So I read it, and I read it in a three hour span of a long car ride down to North Carolina for my Spring Break vacation. It was a slow beginning, but after the first few chapters, I was enchanted with the elegant and vengeful world of Venice that Sasha Gould had created.
Being the sister sent to a convent in order to give herself to God, while her older sister Beatrice is sentenced to an arranged marriage, Laura is surprised to be stripped from her compound and brought back home. Truth be told, it's not the family reunion she'd been expecting after years of being locked. Beatrice had drowned and it was Laura's turn to bring the glory of her family's name back from the six foot grave it propelled itself into and by doing that: marrying her sister's betrothed. Repulsed by her old and vile suitor, Laura exchanged her loyalty and a secret to the most powerful man of the city in order to call off her wedding, but doesn't understand the situation she'd gotten herself into. Because skeletons in the closet are ones worst nightmare and Laura can't shake Venice's most powerful secret.
Beautifully written. Elegant and vivid, I adored Laura and the wonderfully enchanting painter her emotions become adorned to. The high life of 1500s Venice was gorgeous, the dances, the dresses, the Italian men. I was swooning right out of the car at 70 mph! How I wished to partake in the royalties that Laura had been invited too, even to meet a gorgeous painter boy. Oh, a girl can dream.
The realistic aspect of Laura, the submissive woman within a male society and the growth of her character, the elevated secondary characters, how, even though Beatrice was taken out of the novel from the get-go, you learn about her throughout as if she'd never left the novel. It was just a wonderful concoction of characters that made the story come to life, a beautifully told tale with mystery and suspicion weaved in.
Cross My Heart is a novel that you shouldn't have to look twice upon. The writing vividly paints the time period as it should, the characters are in their height and glory, and the dark element of secrets brings out the elements needed to progress the novel further and further. Ms. Gould leaves you stunned as one piece fits with another until the whole puzzle finally comes together.
I have an overwhelming love for Assassins' Creed II, I am overly Italian, my dream is to go to Italy. How could I give up an opportunity to read Cross My Heart? Answer: I couldn't. So I read it, and I read it in a three hour span of a long car ride down to North Carolina for my Spring Break vacation. It was a slow beginning, but after the first few chapters, I was enchanted with the elegant and vengeful world of Venice that Sasha Gould had created.
Being the sister sent to a convent in order to give herself to God, while her older sister Beatrice is sentenced to an arranged marriage, Laura is surprised to be stripped from her compound and brought back home. Truth be told, it's not the family reunion she'd been expecting after years of being locked. Beatrice had drowned and it was Laura's turn to bring the glory of her family's name back from the six foot grave it propelled itself into and by doing that: marrying her sister's betrothed. Repulsed by her old and vile suitor, Laura exchanged her loyalty and a secret to the most powerful man of the city in order to call off her wedding, but doesn't understand the situation she'd gotten herself into. Because skeletons in the closet are ones worst nightmare and Laura can't shake Venice's most powerful secret.
Beautifully written. Elegant and vivid, I adored Laura and the wonderfully enchanting painter her emotions become adorned to. The high life of 1500s Venice was gorgeous, the dances, the dresses, the Italian men. I was swooning right out of the car at 70 mph! How I wished to partake in the royalties that Laura had been invited too, even to meet a gorgeous painter boy. Oh, a girl can dream.
The realistic aspect of Laura, the submissive woman within a male society and the growth of her character, the elevated secondary characters, how, even though Beatrice was taken out of the novel from the get-go, you learn about her throughout as if she'd never left the novel. It was just a wonderful concoction of characters that made the story come to life, a beautifully told tale with mystery and suspicion weaved in.
Cross My Heart is a novel that you shouldn't have to look twice upon. The writing vividly paints the time period as it should, the characters are in their height and glory, and the dark element of secrets brings out the elements needed to progress the novel further and further. Ms. Gould leaves you stunned as one piece fits with another until the whole puzzle finally comes together.