Review of Belladonna (Secrets of the Eternal Rose #2)
by Fiona Paul
To be published by Philomel
on July 16, 2013
Source: ARC sent by Paper Lantern Lit
Connect with the author: blog | Twitter.

Summary from Goodreads: Cassandra Caravello is trying to forget Falco, the wild artist who ran off with her heart, as she grows closer to her strong, steady fiancé, Luca. But Luca seems to have his own secrets. When he’s arrested by soldiers in the middle of the night, Cass’s life is once again thrown into chaos. She must save Luca, and that means finding the Book of the Eternal Rose—the only evidence that will prove he’s innocent. So begins her journey to Florence, a city haunted by whispers of vampirism, secret soirees and clandestine meetings of the Order of the Eternal Rose. And home to Falco, who is working for the Order’s eerily stunning leader, the Belladonna herself. Can Cass trust her heart to lead her to the truth this time?
Nothing is as it seems in this seductive thriller, where the truth may be the deadliest poison of all.
My take: I enjoyed Venom, the first book in this series, and I think I have a pretty similar take on Belladonna. Both books make for fun reading, even for those who aren't so crazy about historical fiction. If your memory is a little fuzzy, Belladonna also does an excellent job of recapping the action in Venom.
As in the first book, most of the plot centers around Cass sneaking around. This time, however, both of the guys in the series love triangle are in short supply. But by the end of the book, this love triangle also takes some rather interesting turns. I was excited that Belladonna moved the story action from Venice to Florence. Though I didn't feel that Florence was as vividly portrayed as Venice was in the first book, small period details added to the overall atmosphere. I especially loved the information about medical treatment at the time, though it would have been helpful to have an author's note that explained what in the book was historically accurate and what was fictionalized. My ARC didn't have this information, though it may be in the finished copy.Were young girls in the water-bound city of Venice really not taught to swim? Were there real diseases at the time that fueled stories of vampires?
Yes, vampires. I was definitely not expecting vampires to show up in this book. According to the OED, the term vampire was not even used until the 18th century, though folk tales about the undead and blood drinking did exist at the time of the story. In any case, I thought that the whole vampire mystique actually did marry well with the book's Renaissance setting, a time when artists were digging up dead bodies and painting weird stuff like this -- click for a Mashable rundown of best paintings of creepy Renaissance babies. Seriously, you'll laugh -- or be totally creeped out...
Though the creep factor in Belladonna isn't quite as high as the creep factor in those paintings, I think readers who enjoy the lighter side of historical fiction will enjoy this book and this series.
by Fiona Paul
To be published by Philomel
on July 16, 2013
Source: ARC sent by Paper Lantern Lit
Connect with the author: blog | Twitter.

Summary from Goodreads: Cassandra Caravello is trying to forget Falco, the wild artist who ran off with her heart, as she grows closer to her strong, steady fiancé, Luca. But Luca seems to have his own secrets. When he’s arrested by soldiers in the middle of the night, Cass’s life is once again thrown into chaos. She must save Luca, and that means finding the Book of the Eternal Rose—the only evidence that will prove he’s innocent. So begins her journey to Florence, a city haunted by whispers of vampirism, secret soirees and clandestine meetings of the Order of the Eternal Rose. And home to Falco, who is working for the Order’s eerily stunning leader, the Belladonna herself. Can Cass trust her heart to lead her to the truth this time?
Nothing is as it seems in this seductive thriller, where the truth may be the deadliest poison of all.
My take: I enjoyed Venom, the first book in this series, and I think I have a pretty similar take on Belladonna. Both books make for fun reading, even for those who aren't so crazy about historical fiction. If your memory is a little fuzzy, Belladonna also does an excellent job of recapping the action in Venom.
As in the first book, most of the plot centers around Cass sneaking around. This time, however, both of the guys in the series love triangle are in short supply. But by the end of the book, this love triangle also takes some rather interesting turns. I was excited that Belladonna moved the story action from Venice to Florence. Though I didn't feel that Florence was as vividly portrayed as Venice was in the first book, small period details added to the overall atmosphere. I especially loved the information about medical treatment at the time, though it would have been helpful to have an author's note that explained what in the book was historically accurate and what was fictionalized. My ARC didn't have this information, though it may be in the finished copy.Were young girls in the water-bound city of Venice really not taught to swim? Were there real diseases at the time that fueled stories of vampires?
Yes, vampires. I was definitely not expecting vampires to show up in this book. According to the OED, the term vampire was not even used until the 18th century, though folk tales about the undead and blood drinking did exist at the time of the story. In any case, I thought that the whole vampire mystique actually did marry well with the book's Renaissance setting, a time when artists were digging up dead bodies and painting weird stuff like this -- click for a Mashable rundown of best paintings of creepy Renaissance babies. Seriously, you'll laugh -- or be totally creeped out...
Though the creep factor in Belladonna isn't quite as high as the creep factor in those paintings, I think readers who enjoy the lighter side of historical fiction will enjoy this book and this series.
I like when there are author's notes sharing about what was fictionalized and what was actually true-sometimes the stuff I would swear was made up is actually real!
ReplyDeleteI really need to know these kind of things!!
DeleteI loved the vampire addition into it! It was unexpected and nice to see them used in a matter that didn't turn the book into a paranormal. It'll be interesting to see how the triangle plays out in the last book b/c I have absolutely no idea what will happen. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat?! Little of the boys and vampires?! That's odd. I was hoping for lots of Falco! Curious what the interesting turn it with the love triangle. I'm glad this one recaps well because I read Venom super early as an ARC so I have forgotten most things. I believe the author said in an interview that she researched and tried to be historically accurate in the first book and even had someone with knowledge on the time period look through it so I'm guessing the same for the second??
ReplyDeleteThose pictures are both disturbing and funny. I'm very curious about this love triangle business.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be awesome if all authors put notes as to what was real and what was fictionalized in historical books. I have no problem with fictional history, but I like to know when it's fictionalized.
I don't know why I haven't read Venom yet... I need to get on this series... Especially if they are doing unexpected things with a love triangle. And vampires??? I fee like I'm missing out!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book! I need to start this series.
ReplyDeleteCreep factor xD I really need to read Venom but can't seem to find it anywhere around in my area. I love historical fiction. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAlise @ Readers In Wonderland
Okay, here's the thing. EVERY. SINGLE. THING about this novel makes it sound like a story that I'd love. EXCEPT for...can you guess? I'm not even going to say it, b/c I know I'm that predictable. I'm getting the sense that it would bug me, even thought the guys' absence at least means we don't have to watch her jump back and forth. But a seductive thriller set in historical Italy? Sigh. This is where my quirks become a burden. Great review tho.
ReplyDeleteI was actually pretty happy about the lack of Falco in this book. It was nice to see Cass investigating on her own. I definitely liked this one better than Venom and I'm anxious to see what direction the story takes from here.
ReplyDelete