The Serpent and the Pearl cover art

The Serpent and the Pearl

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The Serpent and the Pearl

By: Kate Quinn
Narrated by: Leila Birch, Maria Elena Infantino, Ronan Vibert
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About this listen

 One powerful family holds a city, a faith, and a woman in its grasp—from the national bestselling author of Daughters of Rome and Mistress of Rome.

Rome, 1492. The Holy City is drenched with blood and teeming with secrets. A pope lies dying and the throne of God is left vacant, a prize awarded only to the most virtuous—or the most ruthless. The Borgia family begins its legendary rise, chronicled by an innocent girl who finds herself drawn into their dangerous web…

Vivacious Giulia Farnese has floor-length golden hair and the world at her feet: beauty, wealth, and a handsome young husband. But she is stunned to discover that her glittering marriage is a sham, and she is to be given as a concubine to the ruthless, charismatic Cardinal Borgia: Spaniard, sensualist, candidate for Pope—and passionately in love with her.

Two trusted companions will follow her into the Pope's shadowy harem: Leonello, a cynical bodyguard bent on bloody revenge against a mysterious killer, and Carmelina, a fiery cook with a past full of secrets. But as corruption thickens in the Vatican and the enemies begin to circle, Giulia and her friends will need all their wits to survive in the world of the Borgias. Historical Romance Thriller & Suspense Marriage Middle Ages

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Critic reviews

“A masterful storyteller.” —Margaret George


The novels of Kate Quinn are…

“Full of great characters.”—Diana Gabaldon, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Epic, sexy.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Deeply passionate.”—Kate Furnivall, New York Times bestselling author

“A riveting plunge into an ancient world.”—C. W. Gortner, author of The Vatican Princess
All stars
Most relevant
Blame the fact that my head was still deep in Renaissance Italy. Leonello. Not Leonardo. Leonello. Brought to life by the most sadly lamented Ronan Vibert.

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What did you like most about The Serpent and the Pearl?

This story is just gorgeous - you close your eyes and you are back in 15th century Rome.

What did you like best about this story?

If you liked the recent TV series you will absolutely adore this book. The characters just spring to life.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

It was lovely to have the story told by 3 people - it made the book really interesting and the narrator's sounded exactly as you imagined Guilia, Carmelina and Leonello to be.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A different side to the Borgia story

Any additional comments?

If you love history you will love it, if you don't love history this book will spark your interest and you will probably end up loving history!

Just beautiful!

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I really enjoyed this book, which covers an aspect of the history of this era that I have never read about before. I'm now looking forward to listening to the next book in the trilogy, which I have already downloaded!

A good introduction to the Borgias

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I have just finished listening to this book and loved it. The characters of the dwarf and the female cook have been described so well you feel as though you know them personally.
I cannot wait until the next book comes out........but I will have to.
Even though I knew a lot about the Borgias this shows them from a different angle.......the lives of those in his household and how they see the Pope, his children and most importantly his mistress!
This is a compelling book and will not disappoint!!!!

compelling

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I love Kate Quinn and really wanted to try this genre as a change from the modern history ones of hers I’ve read.. I couldn’t bear to listen past chapter 13 as the narrator for Julia was so dreadful- really random intonation and phrasing which was so distracting I had to return the book! Gutted as potentially intriguing story. Don’t risk it! Read the paperback.

Destroyed by absolutely dreadful narration!

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