Rated of 5
by Barbara R. (Fort Myers, FL) Catherine DeMedici
Very enjoyable read. Well researched. I enjoyed learning how she managed to keep her family in charge of the French realm for so many years. If you enjoy history, intrigue and a little mayhem, You will enjoy this book.
Rated of 5
by Maggie P. (Redmond, WA) Get a behind the scenes look
I love the author's first person approach to this story. I've been exposed to material about that time period involving England, but not France before this book. I loved the information I was given about this time period in France. It makes me that much more eager to plan my trip to France next year. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Historical Fiction. This is a nice blend of fact and fiction.
Rated of 5
by Theresa W. (Apollo Beach, FL) Close, but no cigar!
Not knowing much about Catherine DeMedici I was anticipating a historical novel with a larger than life protagonist. The author's strength is his ability to give dimension and multiple layers to Catherine. He deftly intertwines historical facts to reveal a young girl who becomes a woman of strength and devotion. A woman who would do anything to protect her family and her adopted country France....including murder! Although, I enjoyed the book, it was not the page turner I was anticipating.
Rated of 5
by Cheryl D. (Angola, NY) A violent, but fascinating era of history
I fully enjoyed a look at French history during this period of time. I have read much about the Tudors and Mary, Queen of Scots, but knew little about Catherine de Medici, the house of Guise or the Valois other than the mention of their names in other works. C. W. Gortner has taken a lot of convoluted relationships and handled them very well. The politics, the power struggles and the violence bring the book and this era alive.
Rated of 5
by Mary G. (River Forest, IL) Grab a hammock and start reading...
Yes, I actually took a 2 day vacation with these 400 pages of non-stop page turning. Though familiar with the Medicis in Italy, this book follows them into France and I'm no student of French history. No matter - the history is passed out like a dessert tray in between meaty courses of Catherine. I can't promise you'll like her; she has many sides, but they're all fascinating, and you'll thoroughly enjoy her company.
Rated of 5
by Caryl L. (Williamsburg, VA) The Confessions of Catherine de Medici
I loved this book. I've told everyone to watch for it. It is very readable and grabbed me from the first page, and went very fast as it is so well written. Catherine de Medici became very real to me. I became her champion at times and her foe at others. An excellent book.
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of 5
by Barbara R. (Fort Myers, FL) 
of 5
by Maggie P. (Redmond, WA) 
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by Theresa W. (Apollo Beach, FL) 
