In Fiorenza in the time of the Medicis, Francesco Ragoczy da San Germano has commissioned the most unusual and opulent of palazzos. It has secret rooms where he may work his alchemy, and where he may truly refresh himself in sleep on a bed made from his homeland's soil. He often accompanies Lorenzo de' Medici, the city leader, intrigued by the man's wisdom and love of beauty that has allowed him to make the city great. But sadly, this contentment is not to last... but you knew that already.When Lorenzo dies, the world pretty much falls apart. A Dominican monk named Savonarola has gained great power, through stoking a passionate people's fanatical fear of damnation. He denounces everything possible -- art, clothing, comforts -- saying that all these things draw you from God and send you to hell. This, in combination with other elements, places a stranglehold on the people, making life miserable. What is most frightening for me is how almost reasonable he seems. Being fairly well versed in the Bible, it came across as both scary (Oh dear, my interpretation is rather liberal, isn't it?) and tragic, for I believe God is not that cruel. Yet, in the name of God, these people are stripped of all special possessions, forced to smother their creativity, afraid to speak one word astray. The fervor that he whips into the people is also rather sad. He gets off on making people miserable, not for God's glory, but his own, and no one is really making a move to stop him. The fear of hell is a pretty big fear. So you can understand why some of these people go crazy the way they do, and why the ones who don't still smother themselves, try to blend into the marble work.This rising tension in the city doesn't make things easy for a Stragnero such as San Germano, nor for Demetrice Volandrai, who lived with Lorenzo and now acts as Germano's housekeeper. Demetrice loves books, and knowledge, and so she takes pleasure in learning by the mysterious stranger's side. The passion between them is a subtle thing. She truly loved the Medici and fears the creature she suspects San Germano to be. When things get too uncomfortable for San Germano, he leaves, offering to take her with him. She refuses, and eventually gets charged with heresy. Germano must return to a city, where people are willing to kill him to save his soul, in order to save the women he loves.What makes Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's series so special is that each book, especially this one, captures a time perfectly. Renaissance Florence comes alive, filled with personalities -- Botticelli, Da Vinci, Medici -- that we read about in various histories, but never really get to experience. In these books we do. We get to see the passion for learning as it clashes with the passion for God. Yarbro creates a world that is seductive and rich, peopled with men and women of strong emotions. San Germano is the embodiment of the elegant vampire, lonely and tortured by the fact that so many he loves will inevitably die. Yet he can't keep his heart sealed from it. His incredible knowledge is something he puts to great use, tending to plague victims, attempting to prolong a dear friend's life. This makes him admirable. He does not revel in darkness, but accepts his fate and tries to live the best he can. Perhaps it helps that he can go about in the daylight. The earth in his shoes gives him greater leeway. But I think it's mostly because for all his own passion, he is far too sensible to mope.The Palace is a reprint of the second book in the series. Warner has also reprinted the first, Hotel Transylvania, which I remember rather fondly. I'm really pleased that Warner is reissuing these books. The series is a fine one, extremely well researched, exquisite in its use of Vampirism, and well worth seeking out.
From the onset I announced I intended to write a fully biased review of this book, and I will make good on my promise. I simply cannot NOT enjoy a Medici-Florence novel by anyone. Once again, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's attention to detail and dedication to the historical context is stellar. Florence as it was comes alive in her hands, not overly exaggerated for opulent effect, but not undervalued as such a significant and impactful place and time. Such influential and deeply loved individuals as Lorenzo 'il Magnifico' and Sandro Botticelli are brought to life with the same respect and reverence - not overtly characterized, referencing their legacy to make them realistic, and human. Admittedly, my personal familiarity of the subject matter was at times troublesome - I understand how incredibly unlikely it would be for someone, even a man of considerable influence and wealth, to be considered among the innermost circle of Lorenzo Medici's friends, and then subsequently, even under an alias, warranting someone as important as Savonarola to come to his personal bedside to pray for his 'recovery'. But Saint-Germain always seems to rise to prominence and importance and perfection everywhere, doesn't he?On a purely selfish note, I was disappointed that Lorenzo's death came so early in this book - the timelines of actual historic events are immutable, but beginning a Medicean book in 1491 when Magnifico passes in 1492 feels cruel. A teaser of such a great man and character! I felt Francesco's anguish to say farewell so early, and while I do not actually approve of supernatural-ifying actual historical characters, for a brief moment I almost wanted it. Thank goodness the author thought better of it.I always feel as if Yarbro has a vestigial plot-limb that would be better if left out, and the Palace was not an exception: The self-imposed builder exiles added nothing to the overall story, and even he who was the treacherous betrayer in his return to Florence did very little and achieved nothing before his end, which also happened in such a haphazard way it could have been anyone. It felt pointless. I appreciated the non-romantic relationship of Francesco and Demetrice as a refreshing change of pace from the usual love relationship Saint-Germain has to progress the story, it gave her more character, and more reason to enjoy her. And as a side note, I could not have wanted to throttle Estasia more, which is a testament to Yarbro's effectiveness in writing such an undesirable character. It was her purpose to be insufferable, and she certainly achieved no less!So, a win for me, but probably the last of the Saint-Germains that I can handle.
What do You think about The Palace (2003)?
I picked this book to read because from the cover it looked very interesting. I guess the saying is true, you should never judge a book by its cover. I found the story itself to be interesting and It is defiantly different from other historical romance novels but some parts of it were difficult to understand. The story is about a woman who falls in love with a vampire and wants to be with him no matter what. Basically what you would think of when you think of twilight however this book was written in 1978 so its defiantly not the modern day vampire everyone thinks of. If you're looking for and historical romance with a twist this would probably be your best option. Otherwise, don't bother.
—Gabrielle
Alright I admit I did not finish this one. Part of me keeps saying I will go back and read it but that probably wont be for awhile. I just couldn't get into this series. Historical novels with a vampire as the central character, this is right up my alley but the writing or maybe lack of action just didn't grip me. I got rather bored with everything and spent more time waiting for something to happen then caring about the characters. My husband however loves this whole series and has been tearing through them, each book taking place during a different time with great detail paid to real history, for someone else I can see how these books would be great but they just didn't catch me.
—Amanda
This vampire mythology… as long as have homeland dirt, and move around in daylight… no food, fed by blood but together also the intimacy and closeness of sex, immortal but death by decapitation, staking or fire. Males cannot have intercourse. After exchange of blood, and actual death, will rise again remade 24 hours later.Fiorenza, 1490 – 1498, under the patronage of Laurenzo de Medici – who had a heart for his people, who loved art, philosophy, the out of doors, discussions, books, education… b
—Kathy
