Renaissance Fiction

Betrayed by the ruling families of Italy, Ezio Auditore embarks upon an epic quest for vengeance. To eradicate corruption and restore his family's honor, he will learn the art of the Assassins. Along the way, Ezio will call upon the wisdom of such great minds as Leonardo da Vinci and Niccolò Machiavelli, knowing that survival is bound to the skills by which he must live.To his allies, he will become a force for change in his fight for freedom and justice.

REESE’S BOOK CLUB PICK “A shocking story, made all the more stunning by the fact that it has its roots in true history.”—Jodi Picoult, author of By Any Other Name “A new generation of survival story . . . an extraordinary book that reads like a thriller, written with the care of...

Cassie is about to have her dream retirement, joining her favorite gaming world, Biprism Realm. A world filled with magic, portals, pocket realms, towers to eternity, monsters, and, most important of all, steampunk elements. Most people would have balked at the idea of spending their retirement in a virtual world. Selling their pension for a chance at a better start in a new world filled with magic, mayhem, and monsters. Fortunately, Cassie was one who wished to sell everything.

Like many well-to-do Upper East Siders over the age of 65, esteemed art appraiser Percival Skinner had planned to spend his retirement living off his savings. But a market correction has left him living below his prior means. One day he’s visited by a dapper fixer in search of a famous work by a Renaissance master. Skinner knows the work well: The original was owned by his ancestor, and was passed down through his family over the generations. If, as an intermediary, he can coordinate a sale, a small fortune awaits. Problem is, he might not be the only one on the make.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER GMA BOOK CLUB PICK AN NPR BOOK OF THE YEAR From the New York Times bestselling author of I Was Anastasia and Code Name Hélène comes a gripping historical mystery inspired by the life and diary of Martha Ballard, a renowned 18th-century midwife who defied...

Elizabeth of York is the oldest daughter of King Edward IV. Flame-haired, beautiful, and sweet-natured, she is adored by her family; yet her life is suddenly disrupted when her beloved father dies in the prime of life. Her uncle, the notorious Richard III, takes advantage of King Edward’s death to grab the throne and imprison Elizabeth's two younger brothers, the rightful royal heirs. Forever afterwards known as the princes in the tower, the boys are never seen again.

The Scientific Principles of Hypertrophy Training is a fundamental analysis of what your training should look like if muscle growth is your main goal, or even just one of your goals. The book takes you on a grand tour of all of the main seven training principles and how to apply them to one's training - no matter your experience level, diet phase, or sport.

A standalone audio exclusive set in the world of the Red Knight. Taking place in Etrusca, Terra Antica, thousands of miles from Alba and Liviapolis, an ancient power is rediscovered.

“A brilliant achievement.” —Boston Herald “Entertaining…profound….A novel for adults that unearths our buried fascination with the primal fears and truths fairy tales contain.” —Christian Science Monitor Gregory Maguire, the acclaimed author who re-imagined a darker, more...

To save the Republic, a hero must rise... During the height of the Renaissance, merchant ships of Spain and Milan are mysteriously disappearing. Sea captain Niccolo Corsini seeks to explain this rash of missing vessels before the phenomenon spreads to the shores of his own Republic of Florence. In pursuit of this quest, Niccolo must open old family wounds and travel incognito to unfriendly lands. His work uncovers vague rumors of a sinister plot…of an enemy realm bent on total conquest. Is this threat real? If so, is it somehow connected to the missing ships? Seeking the truth, Niccolo ...

The Borgia family have become a byword for evil. Corruption, incest, ruthless megalomania, avarice, and vicious cruelty - all have been associated with their name. And yet, paradoxically, this family lived when the Renaissance was coming into its full flowering in Italy. Examples of infamy flourished alongside some of the finest art produced in western history.

Experience Dante's Masterpiece Like Never Before – The Complete Divine Comedy in Accessible Modern English Discover why Dante Alighieri's The Divine Comedy has captivated readers for over 700 years. This fully illustrated edition brings Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise to vivid life with 120+ breathtaking engravings by Gustave Doré, making this medieval masterpiece accessible and engaging for modern readers. WHAT MAKES THIS EDITION SPECIAL: ✓ Easy-to-Read Modern English Translation – No archaic language or confusing syntax. Enjoy Dante's epic journey in clear, flowing prose that ...

The year is 1501. Europe’s fate rests in the hands of two monarchs at loggerheads. ◆ FINALIST, 2022 Chanticleer International Book Awards for a Fiction Series Anne of Brittany meticulously orchestrates the perfect match for her only child by Louis XII, King of France. Her daughter will become the most powerful woman in Europe by marrying the future Holy Roman Emperor. But when Louis abandons her wishes in favor of having their daughter marry his successor, Anne soon finds herself locked in a political struggle with the fate of Europe hanging between them. Things only get worse when ...

"Combine elements of evil kings and dukes, Game of Thrones-style characters, and the horrific Bastille Prison, and you have everything set for an explosive medieval thriller novel. It's a great cast with very engaging characters. Fantastic dialogue that pulls you in. And there are already enough stakes within the story to keep you engaged.” - Reedsy Discovery “An interesting premise coupled with a colourful set of characters and a twisting plot makes for a fun and engaging read. Mr Freeman takes his readers on quite the adventurous journey. This is an entertaining, well-written read ...

Separate countries to rule. One heart to share. Will duty or love prevail? ◆ FIRST PLACE WINNER - 2022 CHAUCER Book Awards for Pre-1750s Historical Fiction ◆ WINNER of the Highly Recommended award from The Historical Fiction Company ◆ Royalty ◆ Power ◆ Politics ◆ Love ◆ Struggle The year is 1508. Louis XII, King of France, wants to stamp France’s footprint upon Italy. Anne of Brittany, Queen of France, and ruler of neighboring realm Brittany, wants to produce a son and heir for Louis and to save the independence of Brittany from France. Louise of Savoy, the mother of the ...

For fans of ALISON WEIR and PHILIPPA GREGORY ◆ FIRST PLACE WINNER - 2023 CHAUCER Book Awards - Early Historical Fiction ◆ WINNER - 2023 READERS' FAVORITE Awards - Fiction-Historical-Personage ◆ Royalty ◆ Power ◆ Politics ◆ Love ◆ Struggle Bestselling biographer and historian Sarah Gristwood, author of Game of Queens and The Tudors in Love, calls this tale of early 16th-century Europe's most brilliant power broker “Compelling and wholly convincing—at once a vividly readable novel and a long-overdue presentation of Europe's unsung heroine to the broad audience she deserves....

Leonardo da Vinci and Niccolo da Pavia return to Florence hoping for peace and quiet. It is not to be! An unwanted gift greets Leonardo as he enters his workshop. The gift he knows comes with “strings” but not accepting it could come with dire consequences. A debt to Cesare Borgia is incurred. Meanwhile, Florence is in turmoil, religious, social and political unrest leads to violence in the streets. Most horrifying – famous paintings are discovered slashed and burned, and sculptures are reduced to rubble. Which one of the disruptive forces terrorizing the city could be responsible. ...

NATIONAL BESTSELLER | WINNER OF THE KIRKUS PRIZE One of The New York Times Book Review's 100 Notable Books of 2025 One of The Washington Post's 10 Best Books of 2025 For readers of Jonathan Franzen and Nathan Hill comes a haymaker of an American novel about a missing teenage boy, cases of fluid...

Florence,1498, and revolution is in the air. For poor young student Niccolò Machiavelli the sudden and unexpected collapse of the Medici regime is his opportunity to get on the path to success. Elected to a position of influence in the Florentine government, the inexperienced diplomat must learn quickly as he is sent to try and stem the advance of a new warlord rampaging across northern Italy. Cruel and vicious, Cesare Borgia is the illegitimate son of a pope with ambitions to carve out a kingdom by seizing the territory of a weak and vacillating Florentine Republic. As he tries to counter...

The Cardinal’s Sword! Pre Renaissance Italy: Papal States at war, all to gain, yet Sabatini must choose a side. With the advent of the Western Schism, powerful Italian States are riven with war, greed and power. Into this maelstrom is thrust Flavio Sabatini pirate, routier and condottieri with a chequered life behind him, as he returns to his home town of Corneto. Yet with such men the past is never far behind. As an internecine war looms within the Italian states and Saracens threaten his home town, Sabatini’s sword arm cannot be still for long. Outside the law or within? Devil or ...