Scan barcode
mbenzz's review against another edition
4.0
I know it's been mentioned here before, but I also would like to voice my extreme displeasure with the formatting of this book. While the story was a definite page-turner, the Kindle version was an absolute mess. Numbers appeared in place of letters, quotations were missing in important places. Numerous times I had to re-read a paragraph because I realized someone was speaking, only to read it again and see that, no, TWO people were speaking, but the lack of quotations didn't make this apparent. I can't even begin to count how many times the letter T or number 1 appeared in place of the letter I. Words were unnecessarily hyphenated, and in some places, you could tell words were missing. The publishers wanted my $9.99 for this book, and I paid it. In return, I expect to have a smooth and enjoyable reading experience, not one where I'm constantly shaking my head at the total lack of care that went into formatting this.
Now, the book. This was my introduction into the world of the Borgia's, and wow...what a family they were. They make Henry VIII (my favorite) and all his troubles with women look like high school angst. Forget court intrigue, these people were ruthless murderers, killing anyone who got in their way or killing them solely because they wanted their property. Incest, rape, torture...this is not by any means a light read.
I'm really glad I chose this book to start with. Sancha of Aragon is a strong, confident woman who is not afraid to stand up to the corrupt Borgia's, even though it puts her own life in danger. While incredibly sad, yet also absolutely infuriating, I just couldn't put this down. It did make me very angry at times, and I hoped that someone would just take Cesare out already, but I knew that wouldn't happen. I knew so many more injustices had to happen before the Borgia's reign of terror finally came to an end. I loved how Ms. Kalogridis ended the book. Is that how I think things happened? No. But NO ONE knows who poisoned Cesare and Alexander, so her ending works just fine for me.
Overall, I absolutely recommend this book and will be picking up the other novels this author has written. I think I may take a small break from the Borgia's though...they're one very disturbing family to read about. I think I need to read something with a happy ending before I jump back into the 7th circle of hell with these folks. I do recommend reading the BOOK though, not the Kindle edition. The poor translation was an unnecessary distraction.
Now, the book. This was my introduction into the world of the Borgia's, and wow...what a family they were. They make Henry VIII (my favorite) and all his troubles with women look like high school angst. Forget court intrigue, these people were ruthless murderers, killing anyone who got in their way or killing them solely because they wanted their property. Incest, rape, torture...this is not by any means a light read.
I'm really glad I chose this book to start with. Sancha of Aragon is a strong, confident woman who is not afraid to stand up to the corrupt Borgia's, even though it puts her own life in danger. While incredibly sad, yet also absolutely infuriating, I just couldn't put this down. It did make me very angry at times, and I hoped that someone would just take Cesare out already, but I knew that wouldn't happen. I knew so many more injustices had to happen before the Borgia's reign of terror finally came to an end. I loved how Ms. Kalogridis ended the book. Is that how I think things happened? No. But NO ONE knows who poisoned Cesare and Alexander, so her ending works just fine for me.
Overall, I absolutely recommend this book and will be picking up the other novels this author has written. I think I may take a small break from the Borgia's though...they're one very disturbing family to read about. I think I need to read something with a happy ending before I jump back into the 7th circle of hell with these folks. I do recommend reading the BOOK though, not the Kindle edition. The poor translation was an unnecessary distraction.
dolly_grace's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mayaet's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
WOW!
This story of Sancha de Aragon, follows her life from childhood to her marriage and assimilation into the infamous Borgias. At this point I've read alot of historical fiction surrounding the Borgias and this was the first one from the perspective of Sancha. What sets this apart is that in most of the other novels, Sancha is portrayed as this seductive adulterous, being essentially a figure of sensuality. However, The Borgia Bride portrays her in a very different light, by exploring her childhood it makes Sancha more three dimensional and it was interesting to view the Borgia family from an outsider's perspective.
I loved Sancha, her character was so relatable and she was a genuinely strong protagonist who wasn't exaggerated, and I appreciated how through the love of her brother, the audience saw this more vulnerable side to her. The combination of Sancha and Alfonso as foils was so beautiful, their love not only fueled by love but a true friendship was heartwarming to read about; I think a part of what makes Sancha so likeable is her devotion to her brother and her need to protect him, I also found it interesting how Sancha was the protecter and essentially the "rock" of Alfonso (considering the unequal power dynamics between genders in the 1400s) . I hadn't expected there to be a lot of Sancha's childhood and life back at Naples, however it really elevated this book, in providing the historical background - rather than just stating it - and setting the relationship of Naples and the papal, in addition to Sancha's connection to her home.
The writing in this book was amazing, there were so many times I forgot I was reading a book and I just couldn't stop reading, there was never a dull moment. The amount of detail in this book, the historical aspects, the character development and world building was so expertly intertwined, it really allowed this vivid and immersive storytelling. Sancha and Cesare's relationship development was just wild, the way it went from this passionate affair to a deep (and deserved) hatred was so addictive to read. Amazing book, loved how its given me a different perspective to this crazy part of History.
This story of Sancha de Aragon, follows her life from childhood to her marriage and assimilation into the infamous Borgias. At this point I've read alot of historical fiction surrounding the Borgias and this was the first one from the perspective of Sancha. What sets this apart is that in most of the other novels, Sancha is portrayed as this seductive adulterous, being essentially a figure of sensuality. However, The Borgia Bride portrays her in a very different light, by exploring her childhood it makes Sancha more three dimensional and it was interesting to view the Borgia family from an outsider's perspective.
I loved Sancha, her character was so relatable and she was a genuinely strong protagonist who wasn't exaggerated, and I appreciated how through the love of her brother, the audience saw this more vulnerable side to her. The combination of Sancha and Alfonso as foils was so beautiful, their love not only fueled by love but a true friendship was heartwarming to read about; I think a part of what makes Sancha so likeable is her devotion to her brother and her need to protect him, I also found it interesting how Sancha was the protecter and essentially the "rock" of Alfonso (considering the unequal power dynamics between genders in the 1400s) . I hadn't expected there to be a lot of Sancha's childhood and life back at Naples, however it really elevated this book, in providing the historical background - rather than just stating it - and setting the relationship of Naples and the papal, in addition to Sancha's connection to her home.
The writing in this book was amazing, there were so many times I forgot I was reading a book and I just couldn't stop reading, there was never a dull moment. The amount of detail in this book, the historical aspects, the character development and world building was so expertly intertwined, it really allowed this vivid and immersive storytelling. Sancha and Cesare's relationship development was just wild, the way it went from this passionate affair to a deep (and deserved) hatred was so addictive to read. Amazing book, loved how its given me a different perspective to this crazy part of History.
thatnerd's review against another edition
5.0
I loved, loved, loved this book. Good characters & good story. I enjoyed reading about this period in history.
showell's review against another edition
I read about 75 pages of this book before deciding not to go any further with it. It's almost good, and I don't read almost good books any more. But I do feel like it's a worthwhile exercise to sit and think about why the almost good books didn't suit me, so here's what I've come up with for this one.
I'm interested in the time period and the promised cast of characters in this book. But the book itself is just a little too obvious. In the beginning we are treated to a glimpse of the main character's close relationship with her brother, and to the horror show that is the mental landscape inhabited by her father and grandfather. The main character misbehaves with abandon, priding herself on her courage and recklessness, and gloating about how her father can't do anything to hurt her because as long as she has her brother, she has everything she needs.
So of course the next time she steps out of line, her father forbids her to see her brother for two weeks. And of course that works. She tells us that she behaves with perfect discretion for the next three years.
Being a book about the Borgias there's an orgy and political intrigue. Both are dealt with fairly heavy handedly. I abandoned the book after the main character talked about how worried she was to learn that she was even more beautiful than the Pope's mistress so of course the Pope would try to seduce her, even though she was married and as a good and virtuous woman would never betray her husband with another man even if that other man were the most powerful man in all Italy and she didn't love her husband.
At this point, I rolled my eyes and moved on to Elmore Leonard's _Raylan_.
I'm interested in the time period and the promised cast of characters in this book. But the book itself is just a little too obvious. In the beginning we are treated to a glimpse of the main character's close relationship with her brother, and to the horror show that is the mental landscape inhabited by her father and grandfather. The main character misbehaves with abandon, priding herself on her courage and recklessness, and gloating about how her father can't do anything to hurt her because as long as she has her brother, she has everything she needs.
So of course the next time she steps out of line, her father forbids her to see her brother for two weeks. And of course that works. She tells us that she behaves with perfect discretion for the next three years.
Being a book about the Borgias there's an orgy and political intrigue. Both are dealt with fairly heavy handedly. I abandoned the book after the main character talked about how worried she was to learn that she was even more beautiful than the Pope's mistress so of course the Pope would try to seduce her, even though she was married and as a good and virtuous woman would never betray her husband with another man even if that other man were the most powerful man in all Italy and she didn't love her husband.
At this point, I rolled my eyes and moved on to Elmore Leonard's _Raylan_.
carlacbarroso's review against another edition
2.0
Enjoyed it more than the book by Philippa Gregory, mostly because Sancha was a stronger character than Mary Boleyn. However, the book seems to drag a lot on the middle and I was just so weary of how all the Borgia's were evil and not trustworthy, mostly because it felt more told and not showed. Even Lucrezia seemed to be naif or not trustworthy to suit the intentions of the writer, so none of her actions felt truth to me. :/
Also, presenting the incest between to Lucrezia and Rodrigo as well as with Cesare as being fact didn't suit well with me. There are no proof other than the Borgia's enemies trying to damn their image and I can see how that could have been used in the fiction (but really, with all the assassinations and duplicity taking place, did two incestuous affairs need to take place? Ok, they were bad, really bad, I got it! There was no need to shove it up so often) but to state it as true fact? :/
Also, presenting the incest between to Lucrezia and Rodrigo as well as with Cesare as being fact didn't suit well with me. There are no proof other than the Borgia's enemies trying to damn their image and I can see how that could have been used in the fiction (but really, with all the assassinations and duplicity taking place, did two incestuous affairs need to take place? Ok, they were bad, really bad, I got it! There was no need to shove it up so often) but to state it as true fact? :/
literarylover37's review against another edition
2.0
Eh, didn't care too much for the characters and you had to put a lot of emphasis on the fictional parts of this book to buy into the story.
ckausch's review against another edition
3.0
A friend of mine introduced me to the wonders of historical fiction, so I picked this book up. It's based on fact - the evils and corruption of Pope Alexander and his family, and what happened to them. The details are what was invented for the book. It's especially interesting if you enjoy history involving royalty and/or the Catholic church. It's about a royal girl, who is married off to the son to a Pope, and must go live with them. The longer she's there, the more she learns about how corrupt the Pope is, which doesn't exactly make her safe. It's a bit trashy - it seems like historical fiction writers are drawn to incest, but according to the author, the incest is documented fact, which just makes the reality of what an evil guy this was all the more awful. It's definitely a fun read.
k_cavacini's review against another edition
4.0
I'm an avid reader of historical fiction and I truly enjoyed this book. There is mystery and suspense woven into the plot but it never feels contrived. The main character, Sancha, is intriguing and you can't help but want her to succeed and be happy. The author successfully re-created the beautiful and corrupt Italy of the 16th century and masterfully creates a novel that seems pertinent today.
sassyporcupine's review against another edition
3.0
This book teaches you that the borgias were a screwed up family. The reason I didn't like this book more was you felt no real love for the main character even though it was about her struggle with the borgias. She just felt like the vehicle for the author to tell the tawdry story of the Borgias.