Two stars is maybe a bit harsh, but compared other books that I have rated as three stars I feel my standards are very high. Maybe two and a half is more accurate. I read this in three days which is very quick for me. I can't deny I didn't enjoy the book, but as is the case with many historic novels the character ends up being more fiction than fact to drive the story forward. Having said that I like anything set in Italy, involving nobility and art, all of which were in this book. The poem "My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning is one of my favorites. I have read another novel that was also based upon this poem, "The Second Duchess" by Elizabeth Loupas, which was a great novel. This poem is very much a poem that inspires you to read between the lines, and that is exactly what Gabrielle Kimm has done in order to create her novel "His Last Duchess".Set in Renaissance Italy, it tells the tale of the Duke of Ferrara's first wife and duchess, Lucrezia de'Medici. The female protagonist is a well-written character and her child-like exuberance and naivity encourages the reader to view her in a protective light. Therefore the events that transpire seem all the more dark and haunting. Her husband is a man with a very cruel and disturbing side that he battles against. As the novel progresses his inner nature seems to grow stronger and stronger until he truly is a complete monster.Constrasted to this is the man that Lucrezia falls in love with. Jacomo is a sincere and sweet boy who loves Lucrezia as fiercely as she loves him: this passionate love story is a great contrast to the dark side of the novel.Each character in this novel brought something to the story. It was only towards the end of the novel that each character's significance becomes apparent and Ms Kimm does an excellent job of tying together all of the loose ends. It was very well-written.I would definitely recommend this novel, however I will caution that this novel isn't one for those who like their historical fiction to be absolutely factual all of the time. It is similar to Sara Poole's 'Poisoner' series in style, which were excellent novels but were not written to be historically accurate.
Do You like book Moja Posljednja Vojvotkinja (2012)?
Not bad historical romance. Interesting plot and decent characters. Good beach read
—safi
If you like historical fiction you will like this book.
—Raphealla
3.5 stars. I wish you could do halves on here!
—riya
