This is the first novel in a historical trilogy about the Medici family following three of it's most iconic and well-known members; this one follows Cosimo Medici, the second Lorenzo the Great, and the third Catharina Medici Queen of France. The trilogy is available in its completion in the author's native Italian. This edition is the English translation released this August (2019).

This is not a book for history novices. I imagine it would be hard to follow without a basic understanding of the renaissance, famous Italian artists from the era, Italian city-states, and the major historical players mentioned.

This book never really grabbed my attention. I found myself zoning out during listening but never felt compelled to rewind and catch up with what I'd missed. To be honest, I forced myself to finish it because, having already given up on my two latest reads, I didn't want to DNF a third book.

Although the historical descriptions were good, many of the characters felt flat. The author is obviously biased in his description of the historical characters. The Medici's are clearly a favorite without any truly unlikable traits among a sea of dishonest, amoral, and corrupt characters.

The female antagonist was one dimensional, with a backstory that felt unrealistic and cliche; childhood abuse and repeated rapes though forced prostitution turning her into a dangerous and manipulative femme fetal.

The sex scenes felt unnecessary; most served no purpose other than having another blowjob scene where a woman is humiliated.

I didn't hate this book, it was average. It paints a believable picture of the time and Florence, but I doubt I'll read the next installment.