Publisher: Fairlight Books
Florence, 1584. Rumours are spreading about the virility of a prince marrying into the powerful Medici family. Orphan Giulia is chosen to put an end to the gossip. In return she will keep her life - and start a new one with a dowry and her own husband. Cloistered since childhood and an innocent in a world ruled by men, Giulia reluctantly agrees, only to be drawn under the control of the Medicis' lecherous minister.
Years later, married and with a growing family, Giulia hopes she has finally escaped the legacy of her past. But when a threat arrives from a sinister figure from her youth, she must finally take control of events - and become the author of her own story.
Based on true events, The Maiden of Florence gives a charismatic voice to a woman cast aside by history.
Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, Fairlight Books and Katherine Mezzacappa for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
I've flown through this book, it's been a beautiful one to read. Not only because the cover is absolutely gorgeous, I love the filigree pattern running down it, it perfectly fits the setting of the book. But also because of the way the author writes, I've found it despite the subject matter at times absolutely beautifully worded. We get the book from the point of view of Giulia years after all of this sexual abuse happens when she is a much older woman on the brink of menopause, She is writing as if to her mother whom she has never known and you can feel her need to get all of the trauma and distress she felt and clearly still carries off her chest in this writing. Throughout the beginning of the book, it's so distressing to read how little she understands of being loved, she knows that she's never really had that love and affection from anyone and often comments that "I knew they had no love for me" and it just made me want to hug her if I'm honest, I just wanted her to get to have a husband that will love and care for her.
I love historical fiction and I adore them even more when they are rooted in historical fact, so I loved having the historical note at the back giving me that history and a bibliography to explore (because I do love adding to my tbr!).
I have to say one of my favourite parts of the book was the little quotes at the beginning of each chapter, i loved trying to read the Italian out loud and having the translation so I knew what I was trying to say.
I definitely want to read more historical fiction by Katherine Mazzacappa, she has a brilliant way of doing it.
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