A review by kikiandarrowsfishshelf
City of God: A Novel of the Borgias by Cecelia Holland

3.0

Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley.
So this isn’t really about the Borgia’s, though it takes place during the time and the Forgeries show up every so often. If you are thinking the Showtime series though, you will be disappointed.
But that doesn’t mean it is a bad book.
It is far more of a political plotting novel than anything else. The central character isn’t a full Italian and finds him caught up in the machinations that occur in the Italy of the time. Nicholas Dawson is out of place not only because of his otherness but because of his sexual preference. This allows Holland to use him in a way that a using a Borgia could not allow. It also allows for the exploration of corruption and power plays.
While not a bodice ripper by any means or a “set the record straight” work of historical fiction, City of God captures the feeling of the Borgia court extremely well and claustrophobic way. Holland’s book is worth reading simply for this. This is something few historical fiction novels do today, centering more on the point of view of a victim of bad press. Holland’s way is far more entertaining.