Editorial Content for The Vatican Princess: A Novel of Lucrezia Borgia
Contributors
Reviewer (text)
Although he has dabbled in various historical periods, author C. W. Gortner has always seemed at home amidst Renaissance politics. Whether depicting the plots of Catherine de Medici or the alleged madness of the Spanish Queen Juana “the Mad,” he consistently manages to evoke the luxury and corruption of the period. In his latest novel, THE VATICAN PRINCESS, Gortner brings to life another often misrepresented historical character: in this case, Lucrezia Borgia, daughter of the notorious Pope Alexander VI.
"[I]t’s only when Lucrezia undergoes trauma and tragedy that she begins to mature into a strong woman and captures the reader’s imagination."
Along with her corrupt and lecherous father, Lucrezia has been much maligned by historians. It’s been claimed that she slept with her dad and her lascivious brother, Cesare; poisoned enemies; and schemed her way to the top. Here, Gortner evokes a softer side in the young, beautiful Lucrezia.
She adores her doting father and sees the heart in him as he bribes and extorts his way to the papacy. But her innocence doesn’t linger for long, as she is touted as Italy’s Next Top Marriage Prospect to nobles minor and major and witnesses her family’s machinations first-hand.
In THE VATICAN PRINCESS, Gortner is determined to demonstrate Lucrezia’s transition from pure to sullied. While that narrative goal is admirable, the novel isn’t long enough to present a completely believable and engaging character development. As a result, the first half of the book drags quite a bit. Unfortunately, it’s only when Lucrezia undergoes trauma and tragedy that she begins to mature into a strong woman and captures the reader’s imagination.
But when she does morph into a confident character, demonstrating the fortitude of the bull emblazoned on the Borgia standard, watch out!
Teaser
Glamorous and predatory, the Borgias fascinated and terrorized 15th-century Renaissance Italy, and Lucrezia Borgia, beloved daughter of the pope, was at the center of the dynasty’s ambitions. Slandered as a heartless seductress who lured men to their doom, was she in fact the villainess of legend, or was she trapped in a familial web, forced to choose between loyalty and survival? THE VATICAN PRINCESS is the first novel to describe Lucrezia’s coming-of-age in her own voice.
Promo
Glamorous and predatory, the Borgias fascinated and terrorized 15th-century Renaissance Italy, and Lucrezia Borgia, beloved daughter of the pope, was at the center of the dynasty’s ambitions. Slandered as a heartless seductress who lured men to their doom, was she in fact the villainess of legend, or was she trapped in a familial web, forced to choose between loyalty and survival? THE VATICAN PRINCESS is the first novel to describe Lucrezia’s coming-of-age in her own voice.
About the Book
For fans of Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir, bestselling author C. W. Gortner effortlessly weaves history and drama in this captivating novel about one of the world’s most notorious families. Glamorous and predatory, the Borgias fascinated and terrorized 15th-century Renaissance Italy, and Lucrezia Borgia, beloved daughter of the pope, was at the center of the dynasty’s ambitions. Slandered as a heartless seductress who lured men to their doom, was she in fact the villainess of legend, or was she trapped in a familial web, forced to choose between loyalty and survival?
With the ascension of the Spaniard Rodrigo Borgia as Pope Alexander VI, a new era has dawned in Rome. Benefitting from their father’s elevation are the new pope’s illegitimate children --- his rival sons, Cesare and Juan, and beautiful young daughter Lucrezia --- each of whom assumes an exalted position in the papal court. Privileged and adored, Lucrezia yearns to escape her childhood and play a part in her family’s fortunes. But Rome is seductive and dangerous: Alliances shift at a moment’s notice as Italy’s ruling dynasties strive to keep rivals at bay. As Lucrezia’s father faces challenges from all sides, the threat of a French invasion forces him to marry her off to a powerful adversary. But when she discovers the brutal truth behind her alliance, Lucrezia is plunged into a perilous gambit that will require all her wits, cunning, and guile. Escaping her marriage offers the chance of happiness with a passionate prince of Naples, yet as scandalous accusations of murder and incest build against her, menacing those she loves, Lucrezia must risk everything to overcome the lethal fate imposed upon her by her Borgia blood.
Beautifully wrought, rich with fascinating historical detail, THE VATICAN PRINCESS is the first novel to describe Lucrezia’s coming-of-age in her own voice. What results is a dramatic, vivid tale set in an era of savagery and unparalleled splendor, where enemies and allies can be one and the same, and where loyalty to family can ultimately be a curse.
Audiobook available, narrated by Julia Whelan
