The conclusion of the Botticelli Trilogy is every bit as enjoyable as the preceding books. The story switches between Tommaso de' Maffei's journal, chronicling his life in 1505 as a frustrated Greek teacher in England, and his memoirs (written for his friend, Erasmus) of the fading days of Medicean Florence. Pico della Mirandola, Poliziano and the latter's sister Maria all make welcome returns; but times are changing. Although Pico believes he has found a new way to correlate all religious knowledge and prove its harmony, he faces the suspicion of heresy. And for Florence as a whole, things are far from idyllic as Lorenzo de' Medici falls ill, the French gather on the far side of the Alps, and Girolamo Savonarola takes to the pulpit. The story is convincing, as ever, as Tommaso struggles to reconcile his faith in God, his love of philosophy, and his loss of faith in mankind. Tremendously satisfying. There should be more historical fiction like this. ( )