A review by wildweasel105
The Lion and the Rose by Kate Quinn
4.0
Having read "The Serpent and the Pearl", this sequel (thankfully) deftly picks up where the first book stops...and Kate Quinn doesn't disappoint in her story line as she continues the saga of Giulia Farnese and her ersatz marriage to Pope Alexander VI, better known as Rodrigo Borgia.
This novel continues examining the excesses of the corrupt Roman aristocracy in contrast to the struggling poor. The scandals, the political intrigue with France, the attempted reformation of the church by Fra Savonarola and the ultimate deterioration of Rodrigo Borgia's family all play a part in this novel. One cannot help but ask, "How did this Pope get away with so much, for so long?"
The characters are more developed in this sequel, and I would be remiss to discuss them or the ending in this entertaining story. Too bad my history classes in college weren't like this!
This novel continues examining the excesses of the corrupt Roman aristocracy in contrast to the struggling poor. The scandals, the political intrigue with France, the attempted reformation of the church by Fra Savonarola and the ultimate deterioration of Rodrigo Borgia's family all play a part in this novel. One cannot help but ask, "How did this Pope get away with so much, for so long?"
The characters are more developed in this sequel, and I would be remiss to discuss them or the ending in this entertaining story. Too bad my history classes in college weren't like this!