The Scarlet Contessa: A Novel of the Italian Renaissance Audiobook

" I note that the author chooses to write about some of history's "bad" women. the Scarlet Contessa is about Caterina Sforza through the eyes of her prime lady in waiting. The Sforza family was one of the prime families in this period as well as the Medici's and the Borgia's, all of whom interract. The everyday lives and what is expected of the noble families including how much of their lives (including their very lives in any situation) belong to the liege lord (and lady). Right or wrong. Although I would give this 3 stars normally, I'm going to give it 4, because with even what I'd consider it's literary shortcomings, it had me really into it from beginning to end! "

" I really wanted to like this, but it simply didn't hit hard enough. The premise was interesting and the last chapter was great; the ~400 pages in between were painfully slow, going through all the motions of a grand epic without the intensity of emotion, like watching one of the big mechanical critters in the second Star Wars movie pick up its leg and put its leg down again. Would have been better at half the length. "

" Good book - enjoyable to read about the history of Italy in that time period. Lots of political and church insights. Needed to keep a notebook with all the names of the people though - those Italian names are all so similar! "

" I enjoyed this book and the opportunity to explore a period of history that I hadn't studied much previously. While the main character of the book, the Contessa, wasn't quite as phenomenal as the flyleaf made her out to be, I did enjoy the narrator's character. Too bad Dea was fictional and the contessa genuine. I do find it interesting that so many of Kalogridis' books deal with magic and the supernatural. In reading other authors' books on the same characters, there isn't as much of this mentioned. It would be interesting to read some factual accounts of the same people in history to see if this is just the author's slant or if there is substantial proof that these people led such superstitious lives. Either way, this take on history always makes Kalogridis' books entertaining. "

" While the story and the historical connection was enjoyable, there were elements that were hard to follow. All the talk about secret codes, dark magic and the angel was never clearly explained. Caterina Forza was an intriguing historical figure, and it was nice to read her story. The corruption and political machinery of the Catholic church is well depicted in this book, as well as the influence of the Borgias. All in all, it was an entertaining read with some interesting and well-documented historical facts woven into the fiction. "

" I really enjoyed this book and didn't want to put it down. Both Caterina and Dea were amazing characters. Caterina has always caught my attention and she especially did when she was dealing with Rodrigo Borgia. Great read and full of excitement. "

" This was the perfect way to end the summer - a total guilty pleasure...I loved every contrived plot twist. "

" Some of it was more history than fiction, of course. But overall a fantastic read. Characters are feisty and full of life, and the main character would be exemplary not just in Italy during the times of the Renaissance movement, but even in modern times. "

" Phillipa Gregory read-alike: fictionalized historical, but set in 15th century Italy. "

" In the time of Renaissance Italy a beautiful warrior woman that loved, fought, and governed at a time when woman were basically objects for breeding. Told by her lady in waiting that has issues of her own, steeped in spiritualism and triumph card reading but always connected to Caterina Sforza. "

" Another enjoyable historical fiction. Would highly recommend it for holiday reading. "

" Another piece of Italian historical fiction in preparation for my upcoming trip to Italy. I've been promised less violence in this one... "

" I'm not sure where I saw the review for this book that made me want to check it out. It was really just "OK" for me. I'm not up on my Italian Renaissance history, but this put some of it in perspective. "

" Piqued my interest in this part of history, think I will watch 'The Borgias' on TV. "

" Another well researched novel set in Renaissance Italy by Kalogridis, this time focussing on the life of Caterina Sforza. My only complaint is that the reader doesn't really get to know Caterina in-depth as the story is told from the point of view of a fictional lady-in-waiting named Dea. "

" I started this book but just couldn't get into it - Not sure as I've read other books about this period (Italian 14th century) and loved it. It's written in first person and that is not my favorite form. "

" I loved this book, Caterina Sforza is a very interesting character. I'd love to read more from this time period. Very good! "

" Really good and interesting, the end of the book gets a little boring with a lot of war and battle (the female lead actually knows strategy as well as any man) overall I enjoyed it. And this is based on a real person. "

" Historical rendition on the strength of a woman during the time of a make dominated society and in the intrigue of the period. "

" Really like her books. The covers make these look like romance novels but they are history lessons, stories of power and control, and reminders that women did play roles in history, we simply have lost their stories and creatively have to fill in the holes. Great author. Page turning books! "

" I wasn't that fond of this novel. I didn't find any of the characters compelling and I didn't particularly care what happened. I'm also not sure how much of this story is historically accurate. The author just states the characters are "based on" real people, which can mean anything. "

" This book was hard to get into. However, once I got past the first chapter, it was much easier to read. Caterina starts as being the main character, but as the story moves on the storyteller, Dea, quickly shares the spotlight. I really enjoyed it after all. "

" Well... I just couldn't get into it. I got about halfway through before I decided that I didn't have to read a book I wasn't interested in. Ah, well. "

" Ms Kalogridis brings the fascinating historical figures of the Italian Renaissance to life...and place you in their midst. She is my new favorite author! "

" Interesting book and nice to read something about the other people during the time of the 'Borgia' Pope "

" It was o k not a page turner "

" This is another of those times when I wish I could give a book a half star. It is the story of Catalina Sforza as told through the perspective of a fictional character. It is an intriguing read. "

" Phillipa Gregory read-alike: fictionalized historical, but set in 15th century Italy. "

" This book is good although a little predictable. Dea's character has the power to see the future yet barely uses it. I liked caterina sforza but I wouldn't tell anyone they HAD to read this. I gave it three stars because it kept me interested. "

" I am fascinated with the Italian Renaissance and Kalogridis delivers again with scandal and intrigue interwoven with historical figures.Every time I read a book like this it makes me want to go and learn more about this period - fascinating!! "

" I started this book but just couldn't get into it - Not sure as I've read other books about this period (Italian 14th century) and loved it. It's written in first person and that is not my favorite form. "

" One of my many Borgia related books I am reading now. Told from the point of view of a poor-relation servant. "

" I read Kalogridis' Dracula series before and liked it, and I enjoyed this book also. The author has a great sense of place and atmosphere, so renaissance Italy comes to life. I look forward to reading her other historical fiction novels too. "

" It was not the best book of Kalogridis, the rich historical background and the real events of the time were very interesting but the characters felt undeveloped. "