My rating: 4 of 5 stars
From the New York Times bestselling author of the Gabriel Series comes a dark, sensual tale of romance in a city shrouded in mystery…
Raven Wood spends her days at Florence’s Uffizi Gallery restoring fine works of Renaissance art. But an innocent walk home after an evening with friends changes her life forever. When she intervenes in the senseless beating of a homeless man, his attackers turn on her, dragging her into an alley. Raven is only semi-conscious when their assault is interrupted by a cacophony of growls followed by her attacker’s screams. Mercifully, she blacks out, but not before catching a glimpse of a shadowy figure who whispers to her…
Cassita vulneratus.
When Raven awakes, she is inexplicably changed. She returns to the Uffizi, but no one recognizes her and more disturbingly, she discovers that she’s been absent an entire week. With no recollection of the events leading up to her disappearance, Raven also learns that her absence coincides with one of the largest robberies in Uffizi history – the theft of a set of priceless Botticelli illustrations. When the baffled police force identifies her as its prime suspect, Raven is desperate to clear her name. She seeks out one of Florence’s wealthiest and elusive men in an attempt to uncover the truth about her disappearance. Their encounter leads Raven to a dark underworld whose inhabitants kill to keep their secrets…
I was a little nervous in picking up this book, I won't lie. I've read the series about Gabriel Emerson and sometimes I felt like i needed a doctorate to understand the book. I felt like i was reading a book that was outside of my knowledge base, outside of my realm of comprehension at points. I don't know anything about Dante. I'm just a single mom, what would I know about all that Doctoral stuff. So, I was afraid since i felt that way after finishing that series, would i feel the same about this one?
Let me tell you this, it's a yes and no answer. Did some of the topics about art history lose me..yes, there again, i felt like I was reading something I was too "little" to comprehend. But then on the other hand, no. It actually intrigued me with the way it was delivered, especially when our little Raven discovered a second copy and was comparing them. Once William was telling us the story of the painting and why there was such a difference between the two, I was so enthralled in the story.
the way Sylvain has twisted this tale of lovers and allowed their characters to develop, grow and love is just absolutely amazing. I quickly went from nervous to absolutely addicted to this story. Could the Prince redeem himself in his eyes? Could he have emotions? Could Raven see herself as beautiful and get past the emphasis on the physicality of what we see as beautiful as a society? Could she stop focusing on her disability? So many questions, and so much history. These two have such complex and broken histories, but yet these two are so complete and incredible together.
I am so intrigued on who is conspiring against the Prince. I can't wait to see how this unfolds. Who would dare go against him? what is going to happen with Raven? Will William's truths, and possible weaknesses be found? Will Raven become his protector in some way? Will Raven become his consort, his other half, his love? I am sitting here on the edge of my seat dying to see where Sylvain takes this story line. This one was delivered so amazingly addictive that I again find myself nervous to pick up the next book!
This was definitely a 4 star read
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