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sammystarbuck's review
4.0
A fun historical whodunnit, set in renaissance Venice following Alfeo, the apprentice to Nostradamus (Felipe, not his more well-know relative Michel) as he attempts to solve a murder before his master can be accused of committing it.
This one is a lot more historical and a lot less fantasy than Duncan's usual fare, but there are enough references to and manifestations of the occult to satisfy people looking for a little more.
Definitely enjoyable, looking forward to the other two books in the series.
This one is a lot more historical and a lot less fantasy than Duncan's usual fare, but there are enough references to and manifestations of the occult to satisfy people looking for a little more.
Definitely enjoyable, looking forward to the other two books in the series.
samcarlin's review
5.0
the dry humor and wit of the main character, Alfeo, really made this book worth reading. I enjoyed the historical perspectives and I have a love for Venice in general.
edwindownward's review against another edition
4.0
A strong keep you guessing which way the wind will blow next type of read.
lsneal's review against another edition
3.0
A fun, evocative, historical mystery with a touch of the arcane. Get to know medieval Venice - the city, and its political intrigues - through the eyes of Alfeo Zeno, apprentice to the renowned Nostradamus. When Nostradamus himself is implicated in a death after one of his predictions come true, Alfeo must clear his master's name.
carol26388's review against another edition
2.0
Decent mystery but very much historical period reading. Filled with Italian words, and didn't find the end glossary until I was finished. For some reason, my library shelved this in SciFi.
froggye9dcc's review against another edition
3.0
Should be titled The Astrologist's Apprentice, or else The Prognostigator's Apprentice, since we never see or hear of anyone doing alchemy! Nostrodomus uses a crystal ball to see into the future in a trance and writes down cryptic lines (like the Oracle at Delphi they often don't make sense until after the event the predicted!) and forgets as soon as he comes out of his trance. So he and his apprentice look over his scribblings and try to make sense of them. THere is also mention of some astrology: some planet in some aspect or whatever. But no alchemy.
Mostly we read of the Apprentice, Alfeo, running around or being rowed by gondola to various places to investigate a murder and clear the name of his master (cuz the police just automatically assume he dun it--remind me never to go to Italy, they can throw you in jail on a whim and you have a hard time proving your innocence). Oh, and there's use of Tarot cards a couple times, and a demon is summoned.
I still don'[t get why the murderer did it. The ending scene, ala Poirot, was confusing. I don't think I want to read any more of this series which pains me to say because I wanted to read everything that Duncan ever wrote. But alas, this series is not for me.
Mostly we read of the Apprentice, Alfeo, running around or being rowed by gondola to various places to investigate a murder and clear the name of his master (cuz the police just automatically assume he dun it--remind me never to go to Italy, they can throw you in jail on a whim and you have a hard time proving your innocence). Oh, and there's use of Tarot cards a couple times, and a demon is summoned.
I still don'[t get why the murderer did it. The ending scene, ala Poirot, was confusing. I don't think I want to read any more of this series which pains me to say because I wanted to read everything that Duncan ever wrote. But alas, this series is not for me.