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The Lion and the Rose

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The Lion and the Rose

By: Kate Quinn
Narrated by: Leila Birch, Maria Elena Infantino, Ronan Vibert
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About this listen

 From the national bestselling author of The Serpent and the Pearl comes the continuing saga of the ruthless family that holds all of Rome in its grasp, and the three outsiders thrust into their twisted web of blood and deceit . . .

As the cherished concubine of the Borgia Pope Alexander VI, Giulia Farnese has Rome at her feet. But after narrowly escaping a sinister captor, she realizes that the danger she faces is far from over—and now, it threatens from within. The Holy City of Rome is still under Alexander’s thrall, but enemies of the Borgias are starting to circle. In need of trusted allies, Giulia turns to her sharp-tongued bodyguard, Leonello, and her fiery cook and confidante, Carmelina.

Caught in the deadly world of the Renaissance’s most notorious family, Giulia, Leonello, and Carmelina must decide if they will flee the dangerous dream of power. But as the shadows of murder and corruption rise through the Vatican, they must learn who to trust when every face wears a mask . . . Historical Romantic Suspense Thriller & Suspense Romance Rome Suspense

Critic reviews

Praise for Kate Quinn and her novels:

“A riveting plunge into an ancient world.”—C. W. Gortner

“No other author brings history alive like Quinn.”—Michelle Moran

“Equal parts intrigue and drama, action and good old-fashioned storytelling.”—John Shors

“A masterful storyteller.”—Margaret George
All stars
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Really loved this, got to know the characters so well over both books.
Highly recommended

Excellent story

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great book, storyline is smooth and catching.
kept me going in work. glad i got both from the series. love the narrators too.

great book !

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An excellent sequel. Much darker than the first, much better. l cannot believe that one reviewer compared it to a Mills and boon. l haven't read one,but l know them by reputation. perhaps that reviewer has read too many?
The historical accuracy l can't really comment on. It's not my period. But the dialogue is believable,the characters complex and well drawn, the story enthralling.
OK. I have serious doubts about the ending, and l admit, it does suddenly plunge into deep purple romance which gave me a toothache, but little is known about this last period of Julia Farnese's life and why not tie up all the loose ends? A bit too sweet for me, but l could still appreciate that bringing in a strong character to ride in from nowhere would have been like producing a mysterious and hitherto completely unknown twin as the murderer in an Agatha Christie.
l think the person who compared this book to a Mills and Boon is casting judgement on the entire novel based on a couple of stray chapters right at the end of a story which shows the darker side of the Borgia historical legacy.

Everything

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Would you listen to The Lion and the Rose again? Why?

I would and will!! It's just the most lovely story ever. I am obsessed with The Borgias after watching the TV series but this goes off at a tangent and is a great story in it's own right - the Borgia characters are second to the book's three lead characters.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The three leads were equally charismatic - loved all three the same.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

As I said in my review of the previous book The Serpent and the Pearl: Borgias, Book 1 - the narrators sound exactly as you imagine the characters to be - I watched a few episodes of the Borgias this week again and you just think that Neil Jordan should have written the character of Leonello into the series - but Ronan Vibert who reads Leonello in this version does make an amazing Lord Giovanni Sforza in the series!!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes if I could have I would have - I listened to it way into the night and missed huge chunks because of that when I fell asleep - oh damn will just have to listen to it again soon (YAY!!!)

Any additional comments?

This and Kate Quinn's The Serpent and the Pearl were the first two books I bought on Audible and it's spoilt me a little bit. As I enjoyed them so much I really am not sure how I am going to top them but going to try with Game Of Thrones all a million hours of it!!

Glorious!!

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I did not want it to end, enjoyed both books tremendously and highly recommend them.

Brilliant

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