The Poet Prince

By: Kathleen McGowan

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

Length: 16 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

The Son of Man shall choose/When the time returns for the Poet Prince. He will inspire the hearts and minds of the people/So as to illuminate the path of service/And show them the Way. This is his legacy, This, and to know a very great love.

Worldwide controversy surrounds author Maureen Paschal as she promotes her new best seller - the explosive account of her discovery of a gospel written in Jesus's own hand. But a scandalous headline about her lover, Bérenger Sinclair, shatters Maureen's plans and sends her to Florence. In Tuscany, Maureen and Bérenger seek out their spiritual teacher, Destino, who insists the besieged couple study one of history's great Poet Princes: Lorenzo de' Medici, the godfather of the Italian Renaissance. Bérenger is a Poet Prince of the ancient bloodline prophecy, and even across the centuries, his fate is intertwined with Lorenzo de' Medici's. Bérenger must uncover the heretical secrets of the Medici family---and the shocking truth behind the birth of the Renaissance---if he is to fulfill his own destiny. These heretical secrets were hidden for a reason, and there are those who would stop at nothing to prevent Bérenger's assumption of his rightful role.

The Renaissance comes vividly to life as Maureen decodes the clues contained within the great masterpieces of Lorenzo the Magnificent's friends: Donatello, Botticelli, and Michelangelo. Maureen uncovers truths connected to the legend of Longinus Gaius, the Roman centurion who pierced the crucified Jesus with his spear. Could Longinus Gaius, doomed to live forever, be someone she knows? Could his infamous Spear of Destiny, sought even by Hitler, be the key to Bérenger's fate? As Maureen and Bérenger race to find the answers, someone is after them, hell-bent on settling a 500-year-old blood feud and destroying the heresy once and for all.

©2010 McGowan Media, Inc. (P)2010 Tantor

Critic reviews

"An edge-of-the-seat thriller written in sharp, glinting shards of words. Held in, held back, whispered and shouted. Fantastic!" (Tim Wynne-Jones, Edgar Award-winning author of The Uninvited)

Absolutely Amazing!! Spell-binding Story

I am completely enchanted by this the third novel in the Magdalene Trilogy. "The Time Returns" Renaissance Italy, and the rise of the Medici family--Cosimo, Lorenzo the Magnificent, and other historical characters--to power and preeminence and the flowering of Art, Poetry and Prosperity in Florence in the 15th century; to the Present Day/21st century Florence and the characters and the Magdalene themes introduced in books 1 and 2. These Novela are deftly woven together in The Poet Prince, with many unexpected twists and turns. Written with Love, Passion, Hope, Faith and Intuition. Kathleen McGowan magical expertise is present on every page. Absolutely Astounding!!!

Great view of history

It is extremely obvious that McGowan researches with her entire being, making sense of the difficult history of the Roman Catholic Church. Thank you!

Great Story!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This was a great history lesson along with romance, intrigue, and mystery surrounding the characters!

Magnificent!!!

this is a wonderful depiction of history! Showing the characters as people, makes it so real.

Danger, art and love

This set of books are very interesting and inspiring. It makes me look deeper into the art peaces , history and everything that has to do with the Roman Catholic Church. So much better than the Dan Brown ones!

You will want more

Would you listen to The Poet Prince again? Why?

Yes I would listen to this story again because of the way the author tells the de Medici story, carefully weaving it into the fabric of the present day story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Poet Prince?

For me Destino's illumination of the classic artworks through personal story was very well done and introduced new points of view, yet stayed true to the plot of the series.

What does Cassandra Campbell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Sometime when I read a book, I feel as if I might not be punctuating key points, thus in an audiobook the actor carefully delivers key concepts and dialogue that I might miss on my own.

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

Yes I certainly had to tear myself away from listening to this story on many occassions.

Any additional comments?

It is becoming more difficult for me to put down Kathleen McGowan's books. The story line in the Poet Prince is masterfully woven between the renaissance period and the present day, and she has skillfully punctuated the story line with religious and historical information which adds to the appeal for me personally. If you like historical/religious fiction, then you will be drawn into the story, and become easily vested in the characters.

My only criticism is that I found the renaissance story line more compelling than the present day story line, and was not moved by the plight of the main characters. Their story felt a bit to predictable. I also felt that the "present day" main characters were just following along as the reader is, so I feel like there is a missed opportunity to do more with them. I find the author's female insight and perspective, to be very good, which makes it more noticeable that it is not the same for the male characters, and I wish that it was. Overall I've read all three of the books in this series, and I think this one is my favorite of them all and I am eagerly waiting for the fourth installment.

hope of the time returns

stunning story. much enjoyed this. has raised many questions within my heart and mind of the truth of history as it has been told to us. seeker of the light

History lesson

I loved the whole series. This one flashes back and forth to history and current day. It isn't something I usually care to read.

Heartfelt

I love everything about this book and the others before it in this series. I highly recommend this to anyone and everyone. If you have came across this and read any of it then you were already on a mission in my opinion and you will be left with no doubt of making the right decision to read this as well as the to first to delve into any and all other avenues for more insight and knowledge she has to offer us. I also feel the narrator was exceptional and her voice helped deliver the message ten fold! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and God Bless! ❤️❤️

DAYTON SAYS: BUY THIS AUDIO

I am sure others will review this book and write more eloquently than me. I will state, however, that I consider the book to be well-written, and it touched me deeply in myriad ways. Cassandra Campbell narrated the book in a world-class manner; easy on the ears and very convincing.

If you are familiar with the first two books of the Magdalene Line (The Expected One and The Book of Love), and if you liked them, then you will, in my opinion, consider this offering even a notch higher in quality and storytelling. I believe that through what was probably a huge amount of research on the part of the author, we have to stop and, at least, consider her beliefs and the arguments she presents to defend them. Even the author's notes at the end were enjoyable.

There might be others who will review this book and give it low marks. Perhaps one should consider their motives. It is easy to be cynical of love. Only the brave push through the sorrow to attain it. And, as far as Kathleen McGowan's skill as a writer is concerned, she is very skilled. Everyone who reviews on this book is entitled to their opinion, but I know a great writer when I read one.

Now for my soap box: as with many of the more recent audio books, I am disappointed that there is less and less ... or none ... incidental music. I believe we are being short-changed by the publishers. Music is every bit important in an audio book as it is in a movie. It actually rests the ear. But, though this audio book does not have any incidental music, do not let that keep you from making the purchase.

I anxiously await the fourth book.