The Vatican Princess

A Novel of Lucrezia Borgia

By: C. W. Gortner

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

For fans of Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir, bestselling author C. W. Gortner effortlessly weaves history and drama in this captivating novel about one of the world’s most notorious families. Glamorous and predatory, the Borgias fascinated and terrorized fifteenth-century Renaissance Italy, and Lucrezia Borgia, beloved daughter of the pope, was at the center of the dynasty’s ambitions. Slandered as a heartless seductress who lured men to their doom, was she in fact the villainess of legend, or was she trapped in a familial web, forced to choose between loyalty and survival?

With the ascension of the Spaniard Rodrigo Borgia as Pope Alexander VI, a new era has dawned in Rome. Benefitting from their father’s elevation are the new pope’s illegitimate children—his rival sons, Cesare and Juan, and beautiful young daughter Lucrezia—each of whom assumes an exalted position in the papal court. Privileged and adored, Lucrezia yearns to escape her childhood and play a part in her family’s fortunes. But Rome is seductive and dangerous: Alliances shift at a moment’s notice as Italy’s ruling dynasties strive to keep rivals at bay. As Lucrezia’s father faces challenges from all sides, the threat of a French invasion forces him to marry her off to a powerful adversary. But when she discovers the brutal truth behind her alliance, Lucrezia is plunged into a perilous gambit that will require all her wits, cunning, and guile. Escaping her marriage offers the chance of happiness with a passionate prince of Naples, yet as scandalous accusations of murder and incest build against her, menacing those she loves, Lucrezia must risk everything to overcome the lethal fate imposed upon her by her Borgia blood.

Beautifully wrought, rich with fascinating historical detail, The Vatican Princess is the first novel to describe Lucrezia’s coming-of-age in her own voice. What results is a dramatic, vivid tale set in an era of savagery and unparalleled splendor, where enemies and allies can be one and the same, and where loyalty to family can ultimately be a curse.

Praise for The Vatican Princess

“In a literary exploration riven with Shakespearean quantities of murder, lies, deceptions, and treachery, Gortner’s narrative gains veracity with his atmospheric exploration of fashion, architecture, and art on the stage of ‘loud, filthy, and dangerous’ Rome. Gortner has imagined Lucrezia Borgia’s life from a feminist perspective.”—Kirkus Reviews

“[Gortner] has invested his novel with impressive historical detail that is woven neatly into the threads of the story, and his afterword and references offer excellent insight.”—Historical Novels Review

“Assiduously researched and expertly crafted, this novel takes readers inside the treacherous world of the Borgias—one of history’s most dysfunctional ruling families—and brings to life the sympathetic and freshly imagined character of their leading lady, Lucrezia. This unholy plunge into Rome’s darkest dynasty is wholly engrossing.”—Allison Pataki, New York Times bestselling author of Sisi: Empress on Her Own

“The world of Renaissance Italy is vividly brought to life—I’m captivated by this knowledgeable author’s take on the controversial Borgias.”—Alison Weir, New York Times bestselling author of Katherine of Aragon, The True Queen

“Impressive research, a lush background, and deft characterization of these turbulent times make for a fascinating read.”—Margaret George, New York Times bestselling author of Elizabeth I

Critic reviews

“In a literary exploration riven with Shakespearean quantities of murder, lies, deceptions, and treachery, [C. W.] Gortner’s narrative gains veracity with his atmospheric exploration of fashion, architecture, and art on the stage of ‘loud, filthy, and dangerous’ Rome. Gortner has imagined Lucrezia Borgia’s life from a feminist perspective.”—Kirkus Reviews

“A sympathetic portrait of a woman who was treated badly both in life and by the historical record . . . [Gortner] has invested his novel with impressive historical detail that is woven neatly into the threads of the story, and his afterword and references offer excellent insight.”—Historical Novels Review

“The Vatican Princess is delicious. . . . Murder, passion, incest, betrayal: all of the elements that make for good story are here and perfectly applied for maximum impact.”—January Magazine

“Unapologetically pulpy and titillating . . . an engaging tale.”—Publishers Weekly

“C. W. Gortner’s The Vatican Princess is a tale of passion, political intrigue, and poisonous power. Assiduously researched and expertly crafted, this novel takes readers inside the treacherous world of the Borgias—one of history’s most dysfunctional ruling families—and brings to life the sympathetic and freshly imagined character of their leading lady, Lucrezia. This unholy plunge into Rome’s darkest dynasty is wholly engrossing.”—Allison Pataki, New York Times bestselling author of Sisi: Empress on Her Own

“Elegantly written and deeply researched, with a pacy style and a fine eye for contemporary detail . . . The world of Renaissance Italy is vividly brought to life—I’m captivated by this knowledgeable author’s take on the controversial Borgias.”—Alison Weir, New York Times bestselling author of Katherine of Aragon, The True Queen

“A spiderweb of Renaissance intrigue with a cast of legendary characters, The Vatican Princess tells Lucrezia Borgia’s story in her own words. Impressive research, a lush background, and deft characterization of these turbulent times make for a fascinating read.”—Margaret George, New York Times bestselling author of Elizabeth I

“The Vatican Princess immerses us in the vibrant, sometimes terrifying world of Renaissance Rome. Here is a marvelously evocative portrait of a young woman caught in a bewildering web of jealousy, family rivalry, vengeance, and papal politics. This is historical fiction at its best, written by a master of the genre.”—Patricia Bracewell, author of Shadow on the Crown

Should come with a warning...

Two graphic incidents of rape... wish I’d had a warning, really disturbing to listen to, so I guess, good job there, but, wish I’d known that was coming... haven’t finished the book and not likely to for fear I’ll have to suffer through another story of assault...

Interesting Find

Narrator was excellent! Each character had a distinct voice.

Very interesting piece of history that I ever knew about.

Hmmm

Overall I liked the the story but for me the steamy incest was too much. Interesting story and time period though. I also liked the narrator.

Male Voice Not Good

As mentioned in other reviews, the male voices were awful . The story was interesting so I finished the book in spite of the narration.

Historical novel

Beautifully written and eloquently read. Well researched and presented. An absolute must listen for any historical lover.

A tragedy

Beautifully written. Compelling. A peek inside a world of veiled darkness and betrayal. Wish I had known that it would be so sad. After reading it I would have read it nonetheless. But beware, there are few triumphs in this work.

Spellbinding!!!

This is a very intriguing story, very well written and dramatically read. So much more drama than if you just read the book. I liked everything about it and hated it have to end. I especially liked the explanations of what happened to the characters after the story ended.

Great read

Exciting, suspenseful, and heartbreaking. It is hard to imagine really how strong women had to be back then. Great story.

Riveting

This story was so riveting that I got called into a meeting a such a pivotal point in the book, and felt as if I was in the middle of an anxiety attack during the meeting. I was so anxious to get back to the story and relieved, albeit sad, when I finally got back.

Marvelous!

Amazingly written and the voice actress did such a great job of bringing the characters to life.