“…the race of men, who, above all else, desire power.”

“The matter in which people spoke of others often revealed more about their own character than the subject of their discussion.”

First and foremost, I want to highlight how much I appreciated the writing style. It perfectly suits the theme and period in which the story is set. It’s a refined English style, often found in classical literature, but it is not at all difficult—rather, it is compelling and beautiful. Throughout the story, there are frequent references to classical plays. However, you don’t need to be familiar with them; the references are self-explanatory and might even spark your curiosity about the plays themselves, as they did for me.

Throughout the story, the point of view alternates between Lorenzo and Artemisia. This adds depth and keeps the story engaging, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the world of both characters. I found it incredibly interesting to see how their different perspectives are shaped by their own emotions and values. Each acts from different motivations, and the story develops these so well that you can truly understand both of them. In my opinion, every character is well portrayed, leaving no loose ends. However, at times, I found it a bit tedious. I occasionally longed for a shift in setting or for something that would really recapture my attention and reignite my interest.

I must admit that I found the plot twist surprising but also quite poignant. It’s unexpected and might not be what you want if you’re rooting for certain characters, but it’s very understandable and moving. It reminded me of this quote from The Lord of the Rings: “…the race of men, who, above all else, desire power.”

Love conquers all, they say, and they were right. But which love they mean by that, you’ll have to discover for yourself…