The Borgia Betrayal: Book summary and reviews of The Borgia Betrayal by Sara Poole

The Borgia Betrayal Summary

Before the Tudors, there were the Borgias. More passionate. More dangerous. More deadly.

From the author of Poison, comes a new historical thriller, featuring the same intriguing and beautiful heroine: Borgia court poisoner, Francesca Giordano.

In the summer of 1493, Rodrigo Borgia, Alexander VI, has been pope for almost a year. Having played a crucial role in helping him ascend the chair of Saint Peter, Francesca, haunted by the shadows of her own past, is now charged with keeping him there. As court poisoner to the most notorious and dangerous family in Italy, this mistress of death faces a web of peril, intrigue, and deceit that threatens to extinguish the light of the Renaissance.

As dangers close in from every direction, Francesca conceives a desperate plan that puts her own life at risk and hurls her into a nightmare confrontation with a madman intent on destroying all she is pledged to protect. From the hidden crypts of fifteenth-century Rome to its teeming streets alive with sensuality, obsession, and treachery, Francesca must battle the demons of her own dark nature to unravel a plot to destroy the Borgias, seize control of Christendom, and plunge the world into eternal darkness.

The Borgia Betrayal Reviews

"A nice accompaniment for this spring's The Borgias TV series, Poole's hypnotic, richly detailed historical provides an illuminating portrait of Italy's most powerful Renaissance family... [An] aromatic elixir of political power plays, seductive romance, and dark derring-do." - Publishers Weekly

"Poole's second historical title continues seamlessly from where Poison left us...Sometimes fascinating, often implausible, this is nonetheless a good read. For historical fiction and romance readers." - Library Journal

Reading Guide

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The Borgia Betrayal Reader Reviews

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Rated of 5 by Tracy B. (New Castle, DE)
The Borgia Betrayal
This is not in my usual book genre but as I continued to read I enjoyed the unique situation of the heroine. The plot of suppression of a group (new to me), the friendships, freedom and sneakiness, religion and an evil element are just a few things going on. All of this kept my interest.

Personally I would not read more of this author. I would recommend it to others interested in historical novels. The ending really pulled together with excitement and intrigue.

Rated of 5 by Mary L. (Madison, MS)
Interesting Series
I enjoyed this book for the history and strong female character. This is the second in a new series. Although, you do not need to read the first, I did go back and picked it up. Some scenes were a bit over the top but hey it is a novel. I would recommend for light, historical reading.

Rated of 5 by Kelly H. (Martinsville, IN)
Fluffy historical fiction
I didn't love this book. It was more fluff than historical fiction. That's OK, but when I read about such an interesting time in history, I want to know about all the major players of the time in detail. I've just come off of a major Tudors bender, and can't believe how crazy, evil, corrupt, and vicious those people were! I'm sure the Borgias, their friends, and enemies were no different, and I would have loved to know more about them. Truth can be every bit as good as fiction! But again, that's just me-if I'm reading historical fiction, I want to learn as well as be entertained.

My other issue with this book is how simply the book was written. I was bored, and am sure a 5th grader could have read and comprehended the whole book. I did read Poison first, and would review it the very same.

Rated of 5 by Barbara R. (Fort Myers, FL)
The Borgia Betrayal
Francesca, the poisoner, is in charge of keeping rodrigo Borgia, pope Alexander safe. She is consantly facing intrigue, death and deceit. his book is full of facinating history of 1490's Rome. All of which is used to thwart Francesca in her attempts to keep the Pope Safe. You can't be sure your friends are your friends. There is romance, murder, lies and all kinds of deception. This is Sara Poole's Second. Have to read her first book and then wait for her third.

Rated of 5 by Phyllis R. (Rochester Hills, MI)
The Borgia Betrayal
Against the Renaissance backdrop of Rome after 1493 and the return of Christopher Columbus when Italy was not united, but was several city states who vied for power, Francesca Giordano, is the intriguing and beautiful heroine. She is a "court poisoner" for Rodrigo Borgia, Pope Alexander VI, which means she not only concocts poisons, but must examine all food, wine and gifts presented the the Pope and protect this important family which was featured in the TV series,"The Borgias." Author,Sara Poole, richly details this historical period and deftly weaves several threads involving romance, religion, and politics.
This is the second in a series featuring Giordano and the ending is open-ended for the continuing saga.

Rated of 5 by Valerie C. (Chico, CA)
Good Historical Fiction
I like historical fiction from this era, and the strong female lead in this novel is an added plus. I strongly recommend this book for anyone who has enjoyed Phillipa Gregory's books.

...35 more reader reviews

Sara Poole Author Biography

Sara Poole is the pen name of a NY Times bestselling author who is branching out to write historical novels. Her long-time fascination with Renaissance Italy and with the Borgias in particular has led her in this new direction. It corresponds nicely with her interest in botany as especially regards the poisonous plants flourishing all around us. Sara lives in the Northeast with her husband and a menagerie of animals who are discouraged from nibbling on anything outside.

Link to Sara Poole's Website

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