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powellki's review
4.0
I have to admit this book intrigued me with both it's setting and characters. Set in 15th century Venice, Color Song proves to provide both an interesting cast of characters.
Giulia, a young woman who burns with a passion for painting, found her way in the harsh lifestyle of the Convent of Santa Marta when she was allowed to paint in the workshop of Maestra Humilita. With the death of the Maestra however, Giulia finds herself cornered from all sides by the new Maestra and the world for the coveted recipe of the colour Passion Blue, a paint colour that is supposedly more brilliant that any other blue in the world. With the hard colour's recipe only known by first Maestra Humilita and then by Giulia herself, things seem to be at a desperate ending for Giulia with the threat of being expelled from the workshop in the Convent.
In desperation, Giulia latches onto Gianfranco Ferraldi, a painter in Venice that her former Maestra had chosen to befriend. When the threat becomes too great to remain within the walls of the Convent, Giulia makes the most desperate decision that she can...to dress as a boy and try to pass herself off in a world that frowns upon women.
Strauss's writing is deceptively simple, the combination of words sweeping readers away into another world entirely. A quick read and a good one, I highly recommend lovers of Young Adult novels that focus on history and something beyond Eros (romantic love).
Giulia, a young woman who burns with a passion for painting, found her way in the harsh lifestyle of the Convent of Santa Marta when she was allowed to paint in the workshop of Maestra Humilita. With the death of the Maestra however, Giulia finds herself cornered from all sides by the new Maestra and the world for the coveted recipe of the colour Passion Blue, a paint colour that is supposedly more brilliant that any other blue in the world. With the hard colour's recipe only known by first Maestra Humilita and then by Giulia herself, things seem to be at a desperate ending for Giulia with the threat of being expelled from the workshop in the Convent.
In desperation, Giulia latches onto Gianfranco Ferraldi, a painter in Venice that her former Maestra had chosen to befriend. When the threat becomes too great to remain within the walls of the Convent, Giulia makes the most desperate decision that she can...to dress as a boy and try to pass herself off in a world that frowns upon women.
Strauss's writing is deceptively simple, the combination of words sweeping readers away into another world entirely. A quick read and a good one, I highly recommend lovers of Young Adult novels that focus on history and something beyond Eros (romantic love).
yonitdm's review
4.0
I was most of the way through this book before realizing it was the second in a series. The way the author handles the plot lines from the first book are very well woven into this story just as building the characters' pasts.
Normally my favorite part of a story is the character building and world building, and while I did love the way the characters learned about themselves and changed, I feel much is left unfinished and unresolved.
Normally my favorite part of a story is the character building and world building, and while I did love the way the characters learned about themselves and changed, I feel much is left unfinished and unresolved.
isabellieb's review
5.0
Just finished reading this and I give it a full five-out-of-five stars. Definitely something I would go buy myself. Not only is it about art (which I'm totally into), it's also historical fiction--my favorite genre. There aren't a lot of young adult historical fiction books--or, at least, there aren't as many as dystopian or the realistic teenage crisis ones, like anything by John Green. Not that that's a bad thing, I just really love historical fiction.
This story isn't just about a girl learning to paint, it's about a girl showing that women are just as capable as men in a sexist world. A lesson that's always relevant and always needed. She creates drama with what she's doing, but she's also starting to make people change their ways and understand that every one is equal.
Color Song is a perfect combination of seriousness and romance, mixed with total empowerment--and not just for the ladies! Giulia's journey shows that if you really want something, if you throw yourself into it and don't give up, you can achieve almost anything.
Thanks to NetGalley for this eBook.
This story isn't just about a girl learning to paint, it's about a girl showing that women are just as capable as men in a sexist world. A lesson that's always relevant and always needed. She creates drama with what she's doing, but she's also starting to make people change their ways and understand that every one is equal.
Color Song is a perfect combination of seriousness and romance, mixed with total empowerment--and not just for the ladies! Giulia's journey shows that if you really want something, if you throw yourself into it and don't give up, you can achieve almost anything.
Thanks to NetGalley for this eBook.
abookishaffair's review
4.0
"Color Song" is the continuing story of Giulia, young woman who is forced to go to a convent. The first book in the series was called "Passion Blue" and "Color Song" s definitely a standalone book. However, that being said. you may want to read "Passion Blue" first because it is a very good book and does give some insight into Giulia's means. "Color Song" picks up almost where the last book leaves off Giulia is still in the convent and is dreading her life there. Her painting mentor has just passed away and has left Giulia with a secret recipe that many people would do many things to get. The only thing that Giulia can think of to do is run away.
While I really enjoyed "Passion Blue," I think that "Color Song" definitely has a lot more action. Again this is a young adult, historical fiction book that takes place during the Italian Renaissance. It's filled with rich detail and great characters. It is definitely a treat for historical fiction fans! All of the action kept me turning the pages! Giulia runs away from the convent in Padua and tries to go to Venice, where she hopes to become an apprentice to a famous Venetian painter. I loved reading about her journey!
Italy is just about one of my favorite places to read about. I especially like historical fiction set within Italy and the Renaissance definitely makes for a very interesting time period. The author does a great job of incorporating a lot of historical detail to really make the setting and the time come to life for the reader! Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it definitely kept me entertained.
While I really enjoyed "Passion Blue," I think that "Color Song" definitely has a lot more action. Again this is a young adult, historical fiction book that takes place during the Italian Renaissance. It's filled with rich detail and great characters. It is definitely a treat for historical fiction fans! All of the action kept me turning the pages! Giulia runs away from the convent in Padua and tries to go to Venice, where she hopes to become an apprentice to a famous Venetian painter. I loved reading about her journey!
Italy is just about one of my favorite places to read about. I especially like historical fiction set within Italy and the Renaissance definitely makes for a very interesting time period. The author does a great job of incorporating a lot of historical detail to really make the setting and the time come to life for the reader! Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it definitely kept me entertained.
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