Tanzanite's Castle Full of Books

With the upcoming Showtime series about the Borgia family, it’s no surprise to see a few books coming out around this time dedicated to the infamous family. Previously released in the UK as The Book of Love, it has been given a new name and a new look for its US release.


Esther is a young Jewish girl whose family leaves Spain following the expulsion of her people by Isabella and Ferdinand. Her father hopes to make a name for himself in Rome by helping the Borgia cardinal buy his way into the papacy (if the rumors are to be believed…he will need a banker). Ten years later in an effort to ensure his daughter’s future, he convinces her to convert to Christianity and secures a place for her in the household of the pope’s daughter Lucrezia who is about to marry for the third time. Before Lucrezia sets off for her new life in Ferrara, Esther meets Cesare Borgia and is instantly smitten and intrigued. He nicknames her Violante - the breaker of promises.

Over the next six years Violante will become increasingly involved with both Lucrezia and Cesare – witnessing their strange family dynamics and learning their secrets. In a world of politics, love, hate and betrayal, Violante is only one of many pawns used by the siblings for their own purposes. But by the time she learns the truth about the man she has loved, will it be too late for her to escape?

According to Sarah Bower’s biographical information she has an MA in creative writing and she teaches it as well . It shows. Told in first person, Violante’s story is beautifully written, full of poetic imagery that brings the magnificence of the Renaissance to life. In addition, it is blessed with a cast of characters made up of one of the most notorious families of the era. So why didn’t I like it more?

I haven’t quite been able to put my finger on the answer to that. Despite 500 pages, not a whole lot really happens. The political struggles that take place mostly occur outside of Ferrara and therefore we have to be told about them. Much of the story is devoted to the domestic goings on of Lucrezia’s household and although small amounts of that kind of thing are interesting, after a while it becomes rather mundane. I also didn’t really get the relationship between Violate and Cesare – especially on her part. After a few chance meetings and very little real interaction, she’s madly in love with him. At first it might be lust, but despite Cesare virtually ignoring her for some time, she’s convinced there is something there and she becomes as anxious as Lucrezia for news about him. Yet despite the first person narration and Violante’s ongoing declarations of love, it just wasn’t very convincing.

Although Lucrezia is one of the central characters, she remains somewhat of a mystery as does Cesare who rarely actively participates in the story. Perhaps that was intentional, but I found it really frustrating when by the end of 500 pages I didn’t feel like I had any better sense of them than when I started. I actually enjoyed reading about some of the secondary characters more – especially Lucrezia’s cousin Angela and the other Este brothers (Giulio, Ippolito and Ferrante)

The writing gets the book an extra star; otherwise, I just didn't care for it that much.



In case the FTC asks: I received an ARC from the publisher.