i loved the writing in this, the fluidity of the prose and the richness in the details of 16th century italy. the author makes it starkly known through her writing of lucrezia how much of a child she is, from her stumbling through this world of politics to her desire of freedom and imaginative nature. there was much tension as the book wound towards the end, which i think fell flat towards the end. it took me a while to actually finish the book, mainly because it felt like the author chose flowery prose over true depth to the writing. it definitely satisfied the historical lover part of me though.