This swashbuckling novel shows us the Borgias through the eyes of those who served them, living in their shadow and carrying out their orders in the hope of lands and favour in return. Set in the years immediately around 1500, it focuses on a fictional character who is nevertheless so engaging and plausible that he could very well have been real (yes, a comparison with Lymond is unavoidable). While the key people and place are fictional, however, Shellabarger knows his Renaissance well, and the book is rich with Machiavellian realpolitik: ambition, half-truths, bluffs and double-bluffs. Alongside that there are the familiar motifs of the adventure novel, which in this case are much more subtle and successful than usual. We have daring disguises, secret identities and hair’s-breadth escapes, with a soupcon of romance: not the saccharine kind, but one involving two people of such charm and charisma that you genuinely believe they’d be drawn together. The whole thing feels like the kind of escapade that Sabatini might have dreamed up over a bottle of Barolo with Baldassare Castiglione. I will be coming back to it again; and again...

For the full review, please see my blog:
https://theidlewoman.net/2014/01/09/prince-of-foxes-samuel-shellabarger/ ( )

This is my favorite ‘cloak-and-sword’ book, in the spirit of Zorro and the Three Musketeers. The story is set in Renaissance Italy and concerns young and handsome Andrea Orsini, captain in the service of the evil and powerful Cesare Borgia. Borgia intends to advance on the independent cities of Italy in the spring and unite Italy under his banner. One particular city stands in his way, and because of its location, would be a difficult and expensive object to take by force of arms. Borgia assigns the ambitious and talented Andrea Orsini to present himself to the Duke of the city and ingratiate himself there, and then arrange for the removal of the aged Duke by the spring advance. If he succeeds, Borgia has promised Orsini the city and the beautiful young wife of the old Duke for himself. ( )

For when your copy of Prisoner of Zenda has finally fallen apart. I adore it's rollicking attitude and conventional morals. Interesting use of the word "chevy" as a verb. ( )

Intrigue! Romance! Wit! Double crossings! Saints, villains, heroes, artists, Borgias...

This book has everything.

http://www.schlaikjer.net/reviews/120.htm ( )