The Borgia Bride: A Novel by Jeanne Kalogridis Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Borgia Bride: A Novel
Book Review: Breathtaking...
Summary: 5 Stars
This was the first novel that I have ready by J. Kalogridis. I couldn't put it down. I never knew what to expect when I turned the page. The book was fast paced, exciting and I found it fascinating to learn about the Borgia family. Book Review: Gives New Meaning to the term DYSFUNCTIONAL family
Summary: 4 Stars
Most fans of historical novels love history, and as a result I'm sure most have some idea of the depravation that was inherent in the `Borgia' family line, especially that of one I'd always thought of as the most depraved - Lucrezia. Well, I admit to my ignorance. Though Lucrezia was far from innocent - her father, the very decadent Rodrigo Borgia aka POPE ALEXANDER VI and her brothers Juan and Cesare were the true monsters.
The Borgia bride is a powerfully historical novel told in the first person from the point of view of Princess Sancha of Aragon, a young woman whose father would, for political reasons, marry her to one of the Pope's acknowledged sons, the youngest Borgia, Jofre. While Sancha was spoilt and pampered as the daughter of King Alfonso II of Naples, her worth was calculated only by what advantageous marriage could benefit her family, with no concern over happiness or love. Married to the youngest Borgia, Jofre, they were eventually summoned to Rome, by Jofre's father. It would be in Rome where Sancha met Cesare Borgia. From the moment their eyes met Sancha would finally come to understand passion and a line from Plutarch that she, had once mocked, " I fear, yet hope; I burn, and I am ice." Sancha would discover an all consuming passion falling hopelessly in love, but she would eventually see that passion turn to hatred as she came to see Cesare for the coldly calculating and depraved power hungry murderer that he was.
*** This took me a long time to read; not so much for the length (500+ pages) but more so for the time I took to look up actual historical events, persons, and whether Sancha was real (or a figment of the authors imagination). It explores the tenuous friendship Sancha cultivated knowing how dangerous Lucrezia could be whose jealousy and possessiveness of her father's and brother's affection was legendary. While the story was set during a fascinating historical era of Italian and Papal history with the infamous Borgia family center stage, it provides a fascinating view of the decadence and what could be construed as a prime example of the term dysfunctional family. Did I like and enjoy this book? Yes, most definitely! It was fascinating and I would recommend it to any lover of historical books, but while there were some very graphic sexual encounters, it was not what I could term a romance novel.
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Book Review: Gripping until the end.
Summary: 4 Stars
I couldn't put this book down. I just wish the ending was more fufilling. It just seems like there wasn't any real conclusion. Book Review: Disappointing read from a gifted writer.
Summary: 3 Stars
I really wanted to love this book; I went to the bookstore right after re-reading the author's previous historical novel because I *had* to read her newest. Sadly, this one didn't measure up for me.
The author is, for the most part, excellent in her attention to historical detail and in imagining the excesses of the Borgia papacy. Unfortunately, there are minor historical errors, such as having chocolate candy available in Europe in 1496. Kalogridis' prose is overly florid frequently enough that it interrupts the pacing of the novel. This wasn't a problem in The Burning Times, her other non-vampire novel written under this name. Had the language been toned down a notch, it would read less like a bodice-buster and more like serious historical fiction.
Given Kalogridis' previous book, I think that she is aiming for somewhere in between the two, and will read her next title in the hope that she finds a better balance.
Book Review: Where does fact begin and fiction end?
Summary: 3 Stars
The book is a quick read, but it is frustrating trying to figure out what parts are true, somewhat true or utter fiction. Was Sancha of Aragon real? Certainly Lucrezia Borgia and Cesare Borgia are real enough, and Lucrezia was briefly married to Jofre's wife's brother. After reading the book, I am more interested in finding out more about the intriguing Borgia family, that is for sure.