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The Serpent and the Pearl

by Kate Quinn Book 1 in the The Borgia Chronicles series.

First published 2013

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4.3(1,695)

In Rome in 1492, Giulia Farnese discovers that her marriage to Orsino Orsini is intended to place her in the household and bed of Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia. When Borgia is elected Pope Alexander VI, Giulia's beauty and access give her unusual influence but also make her vulnerable to every enemy of the new pope.

Carmelina, a cook concealing her past, and Leonello, a bodyguard pursuing a murderer, become Giulia's most reliable allies. Their separate secrets converge as the Vatican court fills with patronage, violence and competition among the Borgia family.

Historical Periods

Borgia Papacy1492–1503 CE Italian Wars1494–1559 CE

Genres

Biographical Fiction Court & Political Fiction Crime & Mystery Romance

Historical people

Giulia Farnese1474–1524 Alexander VI1431–1503 Lucrezia Borgia1480–1519

Series reading order

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